September 12, 2018

September 12, 2018

Judy Hollaway

June 6

Running With Jesus

Luke 18: 22b-23 Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

(“There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me. But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

     Today the rich man asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life.  Jesus answered by telling him, “you know the commandments: you must not commit adultery, murder, steal, testify falsely and honor your father and mother. He responded he had done all these things since his youth. Jesus then brings him to reality, He gets into his pocketbook! He had no trouble doing all the others because he was wealthy. The problem came because “he loved his money”.  It gave him security. It was more important in life than God. This man left sad.  God doesn’t always ask us to sell everything to follow him. Some he does and some don’t. However, He does ask us to get rid of anything that we are doing that is more important than Him.

     First things must be first!” Mike said teaching Genesis chapter one.  In the beginning was God.  When we put God first the other things in life will have order. If you read the rest of the chapter we find order in the universe, order in the life of man. It is when we don’t keep Him first our lives are void and without form (no purpose).

     God wants us to be good stewards of our money and if we let Him be the Lord of our lives there will be balance and order.  Stop living by the world system let God give you peace, security and purpose. You will not leave sad. You see when you strive always to make the next dollar you will have less because you will not be content in your work, in your home and in life. You will not be a good employee because you will never have enough you will always feel like you need a little more. Stop running to and fro ask God to help you be content.  Get active in ministry. Look at work as ministry to help others. Back to the pocketbook, you pay taxes with no question don’t rob God and learn to tithe and give offerings.  This reveals if you have God in first place. And you are not doing this to get more money but because you love God. The rich man loved his money more.

Father, take it all we want You to be our first love.  Give us the Spirit of contentment and security. Help us to love You more than life itself. Show us to turn everything we do into acts of service for Your glory and help others.

What is impossible with man is possible with God, tomorrow! See you then.

September 11, 2018

September 11, 2018

Judy Hollaway

June 5

Running with Jesus  

     Luke 18:15-17 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

(“One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.” Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.  I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

      I have heard Adrian Rogers say, “Parents it is right for you to bring your little children to Christ.”

     God gave us our little children and told us to have them to replenish the world.  Church please do not buy into the lie being fed to you today to let children make their own choice about their faith. They are children they don’t know right from wrong they have to be taught. That is exactly what the devil wants us to do.  We know there is only one God and one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ.  We are to be teachers and guides living and leading them to be good citizens, great workers and how to have eternal life and to love God. Satan is the ruler and prince and power of this world and he will not see to it their souls are in heaven.

       I am on a soap box today!  Look at the text Jesus said let them bring them…adults have to become like a child, teachable to enter heaven. For all of you grumblers who don’t like the kid’s noise, you should be thankful those little souls are there.  Parents you need to realize you may get to heaven, your laziness not getting up excited about going to church, to find you got to go to paradise and your child went to hell. Excuse me! Where do you get off thinking all this about God is not real and realize your responsibility? I may sound harsh but I am burdened for your kid’s souls. We have a lost generation.  Want somebody listen and wake up. Be real don’t let your child go to hell, beat the doors down, be the first to get them there to Sunday school.  Let me add, this starts at home teaching and then let the church be your support and undergird your teaching. You are the one teaching them. You teach them to walk, talk, eat and ride bikes so why don’t you teach them to love God.

Father, guide these parents to read Your Text Book, the Bible, live by It and teach their Children.

Tomorrow: Let’s meet the rich man!

September 10, 2018

September 10, 2018

Judy Hollaway

June 4

Running with Jesus  

Luke 18:10-13 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, tortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

 (“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!  I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’  “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner."

      I laughed a little when I read this because I couldn't help but think how many of us have sat through a sermon and thought, "I hope they are listening to this message and point a finger!" I have always heard when we point one finger the others are pointed back at me! The Pharisee's didn't go to pray but to announce to all within earshot how good they were. The tax collector, sinner, dared not lift his eyes and beat His chest and begged for mercy! 

     We are all sinners and need to cry out to God be merciful to us as sinners. Pride can cut us off from God. If you feel cut off, perhaps pride is ruling your life. Get down on your knees before your Father. I remember literally climbing into my closet and other times lying faced down with my nose on the floor telling God if I could get lower I would. I want to be near my Father and run with Him. We can't take a step without Him holding our hand and don't want too! Do we really fear God! Boy I do, my mom put the fear of her in me and that taught me to have the fear of God! I am grateful for that teaching. 

      Humble yourself before God if it takes getting on the floor do it and show Him you are tired of being fake and want to be real! These Pharisee's had ritual not relationship! God wants us to be real there is no place for counterfeits in His kingdom. The sinner was confessing and went home justified (just as though he had never sinned)! WOW!!!     

      We can have that burden of sin lifted off us if we will just be humble enough to say, "I am chiefest of sinners, beat our chest and cry out to God, he will come near!"  Do you want to be near or far today? What are you praying and what position are you in?

Lord,  come, be merciful to me a sinner!  Only by Grace and Mercy we thank You for our salvation. We want to join the race and this time running hand in hand! You are an awesome God, our Burden Lifter and Bearer!

 Get up and give Him Praise and go tell somebody!

Tomorrow: Bring your children to Jesus!

September 9, 2018

September 9, 2018

Judy Hollaway

June 3
Running with Jesus   

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

            Persistent praying, to keep on praying, in the parable today Jesus tells us to pray and keep on praying and never give up to be persistent.  When we pray we are not to let the request overpower our relationship with God. We all have waiting prayer syndrome. We want quick answers and instant results. We can learn to be persistent in praying but not let the request consume us to the point we are not functional. Our focus is not on our request, but should be focused on the person to whom we are praying!  When we neglect worship we will sink into worry. Worry will turn our problems into an idol allowing all of it to consume us. The more it consumes us the deeper into despair we go and the external circumstance hasn't changed any. Satan is crafty and remember, he seeks whom he may devour. Allowing our request, devour us will cause us to faint. Then fear grasp us and the wringing of the hands and sleepless nights begin and our emotions are running wild. Opposite of fear is faith. To reverse our emotions we return to praise and thanksgiving, knowing we have a God who knows our tomorrows and holds our hands. We have a God who always helps us and understands we have a God whose eye is on the sparrow and we have a God who is mighty to save and strong enough to take us places we don't want to go but can bring us through. We have a redeemer.
            Whatever you are requesting so desperately today do not faint. Place it in God's hands and return to worship and wait upon the Lord as you persistently make your request known! Keep your focus don't be consumed.
           

Father, we worship You today.  We know You always have our back and we trust You with our life circumstance. We thank You for always helping us over, around and through life. I am running with You persistently till I get home!

 Let's beat our chest tomorrow!

September 8, 2018

September 8, 2018

Judy Hollaway

June 2

Running with Jesus

Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

(“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed.)

                Well here they are, the scriptures this generation wants to do away with and we laugh and say "we have heard this all my life!"  Noah preached it for 100 years and only his family was saved. Lots wife looked back and disobeyed God and turned to a pillar of salt!   I think we can say our culture is definitely eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building! Doing life but ignoring the reality of planning for after life! We are all busy as ants running to and fro! We can't ignore God and expect everything to turn out right! 

                As we have heard two things are sure in life taxes and death come to us all! Jesus was headed to the cross to save us and the words in today's verses are written in red letters. These are His Words and He never lies. With all the unrest and signs of times around us, I believe if not our generation, the next will see the Lord's return. I pray God will keep them strong.  Don't let Jesus find you napping. We need to stay sober and alert.

Father, I am looking up today because redemption draweth nigh!  

Let's live today like we had no tomorrow's. Let's go tell somebody Jesus is coming soon! Awake dreamers because today might be the day He returns or we leave this world! Place your faith in Christ. Be prepared and ready, we all are but one heartbeat away from eternity.

Persistent praying in the morning, see you there!