December 20, 2018

December 20, 2018

Judy Hollaway

September 13

Running with Jesus  

Acts 9:15  "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"

     Chosen means having been selected as the best or most appropriate! Saul was chosen to be the vessel God would use to do more for Christianity than any other disciple in the New Testament. One who despised Christians has been used to disciple the world by his writing of 13 books of the Bible. I call his books the power books for living. In Ephesians he teaches us about spiritual warfare with our enemy Satan. In Philippians he teaches us how to endure persecution written while chained and jailed. He was a mighty vessel. 

      A vessel is a hollow container for holding something. Notice it is hollow allowing space for something to be into it. The Bible says we are earthen vessels. We all want to be used by God, however, we are not hallow and available for use! We are full of self, things and activities and we have left no space for God to put Himself into our lives. When we accept Christ, His spirit comes to dwell in us. We have Him smothered out. Then we wonder why we see others accomplishing daily task for the Lord and we are not.

      I read a book, "In His Steps" and the characters asked themselves "What would Jesus do?" They started every day by saying this and then sought to obey the Word of God. Their lives were changed and they became a vessel that God used to change the world around them. 

      So today let's take the challenge, "What would Jesus do?"  Pray this everyday this coming week as you wake up and ask God to use you to witness. 

      Take this challenge and pass it on.

Father, today we empty ourselves of stuff and we ask You to fill us and use us to change the world around us. Fill us with Your Spirit and empower us to do what You need us to do. Make us useable vessels in Your kingdom work. 

Evidence of a transformed life tomorrow, keep running with Jesus because He Is on the move!

December 19, 2018

December 19, 2018

Judy Hollaway

September 12

Running with Jesus   

Acts 9:3-4 “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

    A light shown from heaven round about Saul! Just a few days before, Saul was standing and watching the stoning of Stephen and Stephen gazing up to heaven declared, "Look I see the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing in the place of honor at the right hand of God."  Today Saul sees a light shinning from heaven and He falls to the ground blinded!  Up to this point in Saul's life was operating with a blind soul, on this leg of His journey he became physically blind to have His spiritual eyes opened. We operate so often with blind spots in our spirit then pain and suffering hit us and our spiritual eyes are opened and we see the truth. We do not like our companions in life, sorrow and suffering, but isn't it true we find God in the midst and our lives are never the same.

    My first "Rhema" from God's word came from the sickness of my child. "Be still and know I am God." God was no longer a far off God. God came near me that day and opened the blind spot of how the word is living, active, and applicable for every part of life I live. The Word of God became my life source for living.

     Saul's life was enlightened this day by the voice of God! God is still a God who speaks and changes blind lives and brings light to our dark world blinded by sin and cares.  Do you need to hear God's voice speak in the darkness you are in? Get into His Word and ask Him to speak to you and open your blind spiritual eyes that you might see.

Father, as we approach You today speak to our hearts. You see this place we are in, give us a word to help us and speak peace, guidance and direction. We long to have You as our companion as we walk through this dark world. Thank You for hearing our cry today. We wait upon You! Open our eyes that we might see.

Chosen vessel, in the morning so grab your coffee or coke and sit awhile!

December 18, 2018

December 18, 2018

Judy Hollaway

September 11
Running with Jesus  

Acts 9:1-2  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

     We meet up with Saul who was more determined to get rid of Christ followers. We have to remember this was not just a government man but a highly trained religious man who thought he could interpret the law of God and actually was doing a good thing in the name of religion.
     You can be religiously wrong and Satan can use you to do his dirty work. There are religious people who are helping pass laws that are contrary to the true God of the Bible. They are operating from their own ideology and are destroying our great nation. Their hearts are far from God and the real truth.
     Saul was doing all this evil to Christians in the name of religion. Saul's eyes were blinded to truth. How do I know this, we will see his conversion experience in the morning. Let us pray for government leaders today and ask God to open their eyes to the truth about salvation and God.
               

Father, open the eyes of our leaders and help them come to know You as personal Savior. Drive out religion that can't discern truth and bring true born again salvation to these blinded souls.  Give us some of that old time religion that will take us all to heaven. Keep law makers in office that know and understand the truth about Jesus being the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

Saul's Damascus road experience,  in the morning.  Meet me there!

December 17, 2018

December 17, 2018

Judy Hollaway

September 10

Running with Jesus  

Acts 8:27-28 "And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet."

      We caught up with them this morning and Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to this man in his chariot reading in the book of Isaiah about Jesus prophesied death. He couldn't understand and interpret what was being read. God sent Philip to explain the scripture. 

      The Bible says they cannot be born again unless they hear the Word of God and how can they hear without a preacher. Now this is where we come in. We were told to go and preach the gospel into the uttermost part of the world. We are to live in this world and are to remember we are not of this world. This means staying focused and understand we are a born again child of God and our citizenship is in heaven. This is how we begin to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit. Not allowing the things of this world to control us. The Spirit will guide us to do the work God has called us to do, reconciling the lost to Him. It will make a difference in a soul going to heaven or hell. Keep focus as you run through this life. We are in this world temporarily but heaven is eternal.

     Working with God is one of the greatest privileges I have had to travel through this world. He has stretched me beyond my limits but has kept His hand upon me every step of the way. 

 Father, again today we ask You to keep us focused and empower us with boldness to share the gospel to those who are confused and doesn't understand who You are. Holy Spirit be our day guide, lead, and direct us.  We yield our rights to You this morning and keep our eyes and ears open to witnessing opportunities. Some soul needs to know who You are, lead us to that one. 

Saul is up ahead, run lightly and he is still not converted, watch out! In the morning meet us!

December 16, 2018

December 16, 2018

Judy Hollaway

September 9

Running with Jesus  

Acts 8:26 "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert."

     Jesus was no longer physically present, but Pentecost had arrived releasing the Holy Spirit once again to dwell in the hearts of men. We see evidence in the life of Philip. Yesterday and the day before he was hanging out with the half-breeds in Samaria and today the Holy Spirit redirects his life in the form of an angel.  He is sent down to the desert of the Gaza.

     God wants to direct our every step and believe me we should want to follow in His steps. So many operate out of the flesh and have not grown and matured in the Lord.  They are living out their own personal agendas but are missing out on the greatest blessings of walking in obedience to God. The blessing is beyond this world and our fondness dreams!  Living this new life in Christ will require practice listening and then obeying God in little daily things. It will require us to allow for interruption in our agendas! So I ask are you living the Spirit led life or self-led life. Choose Cursing or Blessing, you pick!

 Let's start this day by saying, Father, I want to hear Your voice today. Reveal Yourself to me. I give You my day and more than anything I desire to know Your will. Lead me not into temptation. Lead me to some lost soul and give me boldness to speak to that soul about Your great salvation.

In the morning, what was God needing Philip to do in the Gaza Desert? Let's go with him tomorrow and don't lag behind run beside him!