October 12, 2018

October 12, 2018

Judy Hollaway

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.

(“Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives.)

      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!

October 11, 2018

October 11, 2018

Judy Hollaway

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 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!

October 10, 2018

October 10, 2018

Judy Hollaway

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.

(“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”)

      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!

October 9, 2018

October 9, 2018

Judy Hollaway

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.

(Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. but not here! For I am among you as one who serves.)

     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 ask 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.

October 8, 2018

October 8, 2018

Judy Hollaway

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!