July 9, 2020

June 9

Running with Jesus  

Luke 22:50-51 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

     The book of John identified this man as Peter.  Peter had the sword he and Jesus had talked about and he was ready to fight.  It was night and Satan was doing his dirty work arresting Jesus. Let us really walk down into the grove and look intently.  Judas knew who Jesus was and Judas knew where to find Him.  The Chief Priest and Roman soldiers grab Him and they are taking Him by force.  He ask them, “Why come at me with swords and soldiers, I taught you in the temple daily.”  Jesus point was made He wasn’t hostile to them.   Peter takes out his sword and with a sling off comes the High Priest’s servant’s ear.  What does Jesus do? Puts it back on and instantly it is healed.  One of the last miracles and one more time Jesus is giving these men a sign.

     Oh, if only I had a sign so many say I would believe.  The greatest sign we have today is the image of the Cross where the greatest miracle was performed.  High and exalted on display for the world, God in Christ became sin for us and died to pay the penalty for our sin.  Can you grasp that miracle? It is the greatest miracle ever on this earth. It is the symbol of the last great miracle for man. Today the image of the cross is all across our land, but many are fighting the cross as much as they fought to kill Christ.  God has gone to all lengths to redeem man and more and more as time goes on they are resisting.  Satan hates the cross because the cross defeated him.  Since he is prince and power of the air, he is working overtime to destroy the life of men.  He uses doubt and encourages unbelief.

Father, we pray for our country to awaken from their sleep before it is too late. We pray the cross can stand free and strong in America.   We pray You will have mercy upon the souls Satan is using to do his dirty work.  Lord, help us to stay strong in the face of opposition.  Help us as we go forward today to walk in the Light and be a light in this dark world.

Tomorrow: “Look out Peter, Satan has arrived with his sifter.” Don’t miss it!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 8, 2020

July 8

Running with Jesus

Luke 22: 47-48 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.  But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

     A Kiss…..A brotherly love kiss…..pretending he loved Jesus.  We know Satan had already entered Judas.  Now he was doing his dirty work. He betrayed the one whom he had walked with and had seen and witnesses all the wonderful things that Jesus had done.  The betrayal was for 30 pieces of silver. Judas kiss was one of greeting that was the custom.  It would be the only way the Romans would recognize who Jesus was. He pretended to be a follower of Christ and betrayed Him.

     How many pretenders and betrayers do we have today?   When we are not giving Him time, talents, and money and all our energy goes to activities, pleasures, and material things we are betraying Him. We go to church and pretend we are Christian yet we show no acts of service.  When we are doing things that are insincere or just for a show we also betray Christ.

     Betrayers go to church and get their conscience pampered and think they are ok when really they do not have a love relationship with Him. He is asking you today “Do you betray me, like Judas?”  Judas ran with Christ every day and He did not have a personal relationship with Christ.  We see this because His heart was never changed.  His hand stayed in the money bag. If we have a heart change it will be reflected in our life.  No one will have to coax you to go to Sunday school and no one will have to remind you to go worship.  It will be your desire to be with God’s people. If your desires never changed you, you may want to examine your relationship with God.

Father, help us examine our hearts today.  How serious are we and do we really have a personal relationship with You. Father help us not betray You and especially in the days ahead because I believe  the day of our Lord is approaching.  The Word tells us we will know just like we know the seasons are changing.  I can hear this from the lips of so many believers. Father, it is so important in the world we live in to be real.

     I ask are you real? Have a think this morning!

One last miracle, see you tomorrow morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 7, 2020

July 7

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:45-46 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,  and said unto them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

     Jesus returned and found His disciples asleep.  They had no idea what was about to happen.  For three years they had been walking and working side by side with Christ in the flesh.  Jesus had already told Peter that Satan was going to sift him.

     Early in my life God began to call me to get up early and pray and intercede for my family, church, and country.  It was a struggle at first because I was not a morning person.  I knew in my heart this is what God desired for me.  What motivated me most were the things I didn’t know were coming my way.  Intercession should be a very important part of our life.

     I became as an intercessor in 1986 and I am still going strong.   Many of you know I have 3 other ladies that God put in my path to join in on intercession.   Being surrounded with these ladies, I have found strength and support for those days when I didn’t know things were coming.  I know I can call on any of them at anytime to pray with and for me. 

     The other gospel account Jesus says, “Could you not tarry with me for one hour.”  This is what convicted me to get up.  It is a calling and many ask me how I can get up and pray from 4:00am to 5:00am...  My response is, “HOW CAN I NOT!”   I know my faith will be tested over and over and what does this verse say, “So you will not give in to temptation.”    Prayer is our life line.

     So I challenge you today to become an intercessor.  Every family needs one.  Never before in our history is there a need for the body of Christ to wake up and PRAY.  How about you?  Is He calling you?  There are so many blessings and benefits of being an intercessor.

Father, stir the hearts of the readers today and help them see the need to tarry with You for one hour.  This will be the greatest blessing in life and will help prepare them for the unexpected things.

A Kiss, in the morning, going to be a sad day!

July 6, 2020

July 6

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

      Jesus was about to be arrested and begin His journey to the cross of Calvary to become the Passover Lamb for the sins of the world.  Jesus would always go to Mt. Olive to pray and get away from the crowd.

     There was a little grove there that had an “oil press”.  The oil press was a large concrete bowl shape where olives were placed.  The press was a huge stone that could be rolled over the olives to separate the oil that was used for all sorts of uses such as cooking, lamps, body oils, etc. 

     This final trip to Mt. Olive Jesus would be in agony and His soul was so pressed that he sweat drops of blood. He was praying to His Father for strength to fulfill His mission, which was crucifixion and separation from the Father as he became sin for us. Jesus was pressed and the pouring out for the sins of man began in this garden of prayer.

     Jesus prayed for strength.  Prayer is such an important part of the Christian life.  Prayer is our life line.  If Jesus Christ had to have a strong prayer life how in the world do we think we can survive without praying.  Praying helps us to separate and discern obedience to God from walking in the flesh and all it desires.   Jesus was praying for God’s will to be done. He could already see the cross and all he would endure on the human side of the cross.   We cannot begin to feel and understand all the suffering he went through. 

     I don’t know what you are going through today but I do know that prayer can take us through anything this world has to offer us.

Father, as we climb our Mt. Olive daily, give us strength to walk in Your will and way.  Help us to lay down our fleshly desires and put You first that we might be the witness You desire us to be. Help us pray Your will be done not ours.  Lead us in Your path of righteousness and fill us with Your Spirit that we may walk worthy of Your name.

Pray, lead us not into temptation, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 5, 2020

July 5

Running with Jesus  

Luke 22:36-38 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.  And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

    Things were about to change in the life of the disciples. Prior to Jesus death, in His presence crowds were surrounding Him to just get a touch of His garment. After His death, those same lives would change and spiritual warfare began. We see in the text Jesus knew a battle would begin over the souls of man. He knew these men would have a battle coming.

    It is still true today.  I was talking to a friend about this matter. Often when we are trying to witness we paint this life as glorious and you will have all your needs met and it will be "hunky dory". Honey! I am here to tell you, your battle will just begin. When Satan has our soul, he will feed it, pamper it and give you all kinds of pleasure! But the moment we give our souls to Jesus, you can bet he will strive to cause you to stumble and fall. You get joy with Jesus and Satan works to rob you from it, because he can't get your soul he will seek to destroy your life. You will have to learn to do spiritual warfare. The sword you use will not be a literal sword but the Word of God that tears down strongholds in our lives. Word and speak it out loud! You will find Satan and his demons right there fighting you! As long as we don't speak up or take a stand he stays seated but put up God's commands and he will attempt to tear it down. Why? It reveals truth and he is the master liar seeking whom he may devour. Oh yes, unbelief is one of his swords! 

Father, as we live in a land that has given itself over to the enemy, give us strength and boldness in the days ahead. Help others see past the lives of our enemy.  Dr Roger's said “Satan uses the same lies of deception as in the garden; it just has a new face!”

Climb Mt. Olive with me in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015