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

July 4, 2020

July 4

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:31-32  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

      Here is a word we do not like to hear "sift". Sifting was used to separate the flour from unwanted particles like the chaff and stones. It was done by shaking and tossing and the wind blowing. It was not an easy process. And It took long hours of tiring work.

     Notice Satan is before God asking to do this to Peter like he had Job. 

     Peter would fail to live up to his word.   However, there is a “ but” !  But Jesus prayed for Peter's faith to not fail and afterwards he would use his sifting to strengthen his brethren.

     We don't like sifting and many times resist going through them. However, I have found mercy, compassion, and understanding are developed in our lives and as Christ comforts us we use our own hardships to minister to others in this rat race of life. Remember we all have times of sifting, but God will use us to strengthen a brother going through tough times too. “For Such A Time As This!”

Lord, strengthen us as we go about serving others. Use my sifting to help others find hope and strength that You supply us. Help us recognize while we are going through sifting we are not alone and You will help us.

      So if you are in a time of sifting don't give up, God will use it to do a greater work in your life! Just hold on He will bring you through! Just jog in place in the fog! 

Tomorrow: Spiritual warfare is about to start!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 3, 2020

July 3

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

     The disciples thought Jesus would be setting up a physical Kingdom and argued over who would have the highest position. Jesus takes advantage of every moment to teach them about kingdom living. He asked them who was most important the one sitting down at the table or the one serving! They said of course the one sitting. Jesus said not in My kingdom. Jesus the Messiah, their King, and their Leader was among them as a servant! 

    Jesus does not call us to be sitters. We are not to be worried about a position or power. We are to keep the mind set of Christ, to serve!  My question today is where and how are you serving in the body of Christ? A good leader will serve those who are under their authority! We are not to seek a position for recognition, but we are to have a servant mentality like Jesus. Our attitude can change our environment. So let's have an attitude check! Are you walking in servant mode today? If not, humble yourself before God.

Father, we die to self today and we take up our towel and seek ways to serve You today by serving others. Lead us to that one who needs us to help them. Let Christ mind be in us. We love You and thank You for teaching us by Your life the attitude we are to maintain.

      Having a servant attitude makes life's run much more enjoyable! So you choose, do you want joy or misery today? 

Watch out tomorrow, Satan has his sifter! See you then.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 2, 2020

July 2

Running with Jesus  

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

     “ Remember Me” is able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past. Too often while we are running through life we forget to remember who we are, the blood covenant people.  Every covenant God made usually carried with it something to remind them of that day. Abraham had circumcision that reminded him and Noah had a rainbow. Moses had a burning bush! Jacob had a ladder! Jesus gave the disciples the Lord's supper to remind them of the new blood covenant He was about to seal on the cross so when the days ahead got tough they could "Remember Me!" 

     He wants us to remember it cost Him his life to remove the penalty of man’s sin and man can live free from this fallen world we live in.

     How about your world, has it been rocked by Satan? Jesus says, "Remember Me!" Is your world pressing heavy upon you? Jesus says, "Remember Me!” Do you feel you can't go on? Jesus says, "Remember Me!”

Father, help us as covenant people remember You never leave or forsake us. Help us remember Your covenant is binding and we are Yours forever. No matter what life brings, You will always be there for us, because we are Your covenant people and every time we are in trouble our case will be heard and we can rest our case at the cross! 

Attitude check tomorrow, show up!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 1, 2020

July 1  

Running with Jesus 

 Luke 22:20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

      Jesus was in the upper room and history was changing for eternity.  Heaven was watching and waiting all that was going on with God and man. He would soon fulfill his mission, the cross, yet He meets with His beloved disciples to explain the New Covenant with all mankind.  The long awaited time was here for man to be delivered from the penalty of sin.    He explained his body would be broken and his blood poured out that we could finally be restored to our maker and His spirit could come to dwell and walk with us again and we could have eternal life.  He would be the final Passover Lamb and man would be delivered from the penalty of sin. And man could be at peace with God.   

      Let me ask you have you experienced an upper room meeting with Him? If not He invites you to come and see what happened on the day He would die and shed His blood and give his body to be broken that you can have eternal life. So your burdens could be rolled away.  He invites you to enter into the blood covenant that will last for all eternity. I remember my day, do you have one? If not Jesus is waiting, climb up into the upper room. It will change your attitude toward life when you have been set free! Our run through life is easier when you are not loaded down with guilt. Can I get an amen!

 Father, we thank You for shedding Your blood for our sin and bearing our sin on the cross. Thank You for letting us in the last supper room so we can understand what you did for us. Help us keep a thankful attitude all day because we are free! Help us live as a free people! Thanks for removing our guilt! 

Let’s look at the word remember, tomorrow.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned  2015