October 22, 2018

October 22, 2018

Judy Hollaway

July 16

Running with Jesus

Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him,

     In Isaiah 53:5 we read this “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him and by his wounds we are healed.

     The greatest sickness man has ever had is sin.  You see sin brought forth death and would lead to eternal separation from God and eternity in hell, the pit prepared for Satan and his demons. 

     After Adam and Eve sinned every man born would be born with this sin, cancer of the heart.  There would be only one cure and that would be a sinless man, Jesus Christ, coming to die to heal us.

     My question today is have you met and received the remedy. There is a remedy for every sin sick soul and it took place the day Jesus was nailed to an old rugged cross to be sacrificed for the sin of the world. It was prophesied hundreds of years before it took place and right here on the pages of Dr. Luke’s word he penned the words for all to read, “They nailed Him to the cross.”  These six words would be enough to cover the sin of the world.  Just reading six words and living in our society will not do justice to all the excruciating pain Jesus would suffer for us.  We cannot even begin to visualize and understand as those who observe crucifixion on a daily basis.  I just read a few commentaries on how one dies from this type of torture and would make you cringe to think about it.  We need to think about it and read all the details then maybe it would make a difference in how we live our lives.

     The truth is as Christians we forget we are to die to self daily and live for Him.  We are the most selfish society living in the body of Christ.  We are conditioned from the day we are born to yell and scream I want my way.  Even commercials speak to this “It’s my money I want it now!”  The truth is we give so little to the one who was sinless, selfless man ever born  and willingly allowed himself to be placed on a cross to give us a love relationship to redeem us.  Shame on us!

Father, as we gaze at the old rugged cross, place an image on our mind that cannot be erased that we might remember and remind us nothing we ever give up for You can be compared to being nailed to a cross suffering in agony for hours struggling to hold Your aching body up and suffocating.  Most of all help us remember You died from a broken heart and took all our sins upon Youself that we might have heaven and eternity with God the Father. Let us never forget Calvary on our worst day, because it is nothing compared to your suffering.

Tomorrow: Crucified between to thieves, see you there!

October 21, 2018

October 21, 2018

Judy Hollaway

July 15

Running with Jesus

Matthew 27: 33-34 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

     I decided to talk to Matthew about what came next in the details and this is what He shared.  They tried to give Jesus a mixture in order to reduce His pain but Jesus did not take it. Gall is usually considered a narcotic that was used to deaden pain. Jesus would suffer conscious and with a clear mind.  His mind was always clear about God’s purpose and plan.  He would come, suffer and die willingly for the sin of man.  He was the promise seed that was given to Eve in the garden that would crush the serpents head and that was about to be accomplished.

     Golgotha was the place that transgressors were taken to be crucified and left to hang as a public example for others.  It was a terrible fear tactic used to control the people.  This day they were taking an innocent, sinless, perfect man to hang on a horrible cross. This day Jesus became the Passover Lamb crucified for us.

     How shallow we take our faith and religion today.  As I read these words in this passage I felt ashamed of myself for all the petty little things that happen that make me want to throw in the towel. Somebody hurt my feelings…now we call that pain and suffering…they didn’t speak to me…..I didn’t get a visit……I didn’t like that color carpet…..What are we doing these days? And all the begging we have to do to get a nursery worker or teacher…..All the phone calls to just keep people attending regular. Sometimes people miss and say no excuse I just didn’t like peanut butter……we are talking about a Man dying on a cross to save us from Hell. Oh I am sorry I wasn’t supposed to mention Hell.       

     Perhaps we need a “Skull” placed in every city to remind us of Calvary! Guess I am on a soap box today.  Well the Holy Spirit got me so why not you too!

 All I can say today Father, I am so sorry for all my lame excuses and cry outs for mercy. Please forgive us and keep the blood of the cross in sight lest we forget.  I am so ashamed.

  How about you?  Let’s just kneel before Him and not even speak for we are unworthy.

If this wasn’t enough, the nails, tomorrow, can we bear to read it.

October 20, 2018

October 20, 2018

Judy Hollaway

July 14

Running with Jesus  

Luke 23:26  And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

(“And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.)

     Let’s run down and stand along beside Jesus on this road Jesus was no longer running but struggling to even breathe being forced to carry the heavy cross after the all night brutal beatings and floggings.  Blood was dripping down everywhere.   Just a few days prior He had ridden into town on a donkey and streets were filled with people waving palm branches and saying Hosanna, Hail King of the Jews.  Now the streets were lined with people crying crucify Him and watching Him being taken to hang on a cross.  Jesus was so weak He could not carry the cross.  The soldiers grabbed a man named Simon of Cyrene and made him carry the cross behind Jesus.

     I wonder how many of us are carrying our crosses behind Him today.  Do people have to force You to help Jesus.  Jesus burden did not stop at Calvary.  He is still burdened for mankind.  Don’t think for one minute He stepped into heaven His burden stopped.  He finished making provision for us and His work of redemption was finished and He sat down at the right hand of the Father, but His Spirit is here among us crying out come to Me, come to Me all ye who are burdened and heavy laden.  He was working to redeem us that day and is still working to redeem all who are born. He sits there as our Adversary saying, “I died for that one, I died for that one, and I died for that one, they are Mine”.

     Jesus is looking for a Simon in the crowd who will willingly take up their cross, die to self and join Him in bringing others to God.   In the days ahead will we be the crowd when the donkey came or the mob who says kill Him.  Will we be a Simon by force or will we be a willing servant who will suffer with Him.  I pray God will give me strength to be one willing.

Oh Jesus, as we run down this bloody road today help us remember visually what You did for us. Let the blood be used to engrave our hearts that we never forget what You went through for us to have eternal life.  Help us to realize no sacrifice or cross we have to carry will ever compare to what You did for us.  Father, as the last days approach give us grace and a willing spirit to carry our cross for You.

Tomorrow: They reach Golgotha, “The Place of the Skull” meet me there.

October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018

Judy Hollaway

July 13

Running with Jesus  

Luke 23:22-24   And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.  And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.  And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

   Three times Pilate told the mob he found no reason for the death penalty.  Pilate had been under pressure that since the town was full of Jews there might be a riot.  And all the pressure from the Jewish counsel Pilate caved in and gave the sentence the mob cried out for.

   Jesus had gone through a flogging 39 slashes which was 1 less than the 40 that would have killed a man, yet as Pilot said he had found no reason for death, of course we know the whole story.  Jesus was fulfilling prophesy.  He was laying down His life for all mankind.

   Peer pressure today from the mobs has led to our politicians caving into practices that our forefathers would be heartbroken over.  Peer pressure can lead to disaster and this too would lead to disaster.  Jesus would prophesy what would happen to Jerusalem in just a few verses following these.  He tells them not to weep for Him but what would happen to Jerusalem in just a few short years.

   It is frightening to think where we are headed in this country.  Jesus will go on to victory in just a few hours.  Praise the Lord He will pass that victory on to us.  I don’t know where the peer pressure will lead to involving our lives; but this we do know, we will have victory whether in this life or in the life to come because when Pilot handed Jesus over, victory road was in sight.  No matter what the mobs may yell and seek to do to us we have hope.

 Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us the whole story and we know that no matter what the Pilots of this world cave into we have the Truth and can live as free people because we have the Freedom Giver.  No law can bind our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.  We pray for the souls of the lost. 

   Let’s rest in our freedom today.

Oh, my! Tomorrow, we are running close beside Jesus and we meet a man named Simon, please come back!

October 18, 2018

October 18, 2018

Judy Hollaway

July 12

Running with Jesus  

 Luke 23:18-20 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

 (“Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!”  (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus.  But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”)

     Pilate was the Governor of the region and the religious council had taken Jesus before him accusing Jesus of causing riots among the Jews.  They detested everything Jesus stood for and wanted to get rid of Jesus and sought every way possible to have him killed.

     We have been going through so much in the political realm today. The crowds are yelling CRUCIFY HIM even today.  They too detest even the name Jesus and hate all His followers.  You never hear the news media talk about the thousands of lives that have been changed and all the humanitarian things that Christians do. We are declared among bullying and hate crimes. Why we ask?  Political leaders love their position, power and lifestyle.  The crowds love their sinful lifestyles so they shout to the politicians and the politicians succumb to their yells in order to maintain their political status.

     How sad when a society make lies and evil right all while making  truth and good wrong.  This killed Jesus and today our world is still yelling crucify and give us Barabbas.  He was a man in prison for insurrection and murder.  So it is today those who do no wrong are being put away and evil men are loosed.

Oh Father, help us! (Join me as we pray for our government officials today.)  We know we live in the last days.  We pray for those who see evil as good and good as wrong.  Have mercy upon their souls.  Father, give boldness to the leaders who are trying to help change the laws back to Your ways. Please help people wake up. Our hearts are grieved over our nation.  (Join me as we repent of the sins of our nation.)

Tomorrow: Pilate sentenced Him to die as they demanded, meet me here.

AMERICA HAS NOT FAILED US.....WE AS CHRISTIAN AMERICANS HAVE FAILED OUR ALMIGHTY GOD AND OUR BLESSED AMERICA!!!