September 7, 2018

September 7, 2018

Judy Hollaway

June 1

Running with Jesus  

Luke 17:20-21   And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

("Once on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed,  nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”)

      "We cannot always judge a book by its cover."  Guess we have all heard that phrase! In the text today the Pharisee's demanding said when the kingdom of God should come not realizing it already had come. They were looking for a geographical place. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God comes not with observation." Neither here nor there! The kingdom of God is within you! 

       I think a lot of this generation is looking to observe the Kingdom of God! Just because something is big and lots of programs buzzing doesn't always mean that is where we can find God and get close to Him. I find God in the pages of His Word penetrating into my longing heart. 

       I am reminded when God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint King David. All the bigger, stronger and older brothers were brought first and he ask is there another and they said one little brother. They sent for him and he was anointed King. David was said to have had a heart like God's and he was known as a friend of God! David loved God and God rules his heart! So instead of looking for a geographical place for God look for His kingdom in your heart. The Pharisee's had the geographical stuff but missed the Messiah!  Watch thinking and going by observation, look into your heart! 

 Father, we surrender to Your rule in our hearts. Lead us in Your path of righteousness and let us sit by still waters. Let your Spirit give us confirmation we are following Your heart. 

Wake up dreamers, tomorrow!

September 6, 2018

September 6, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 31

Running with Jesus  

Luke 17:15-19 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

(Praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus answered, “Were not there ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”)

       Can we get some praise going this morning? 

       Jesus was running to Jerusalem and past through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (Oh here are those half breeds the Jews hated.) Jesus ran into 10 people that were lepers. He healed them and only one returned to give Him thanks and praise. This leper had two strikes against him, he wasn't a Jew and he was a leper both were out cast!  When he saw he was healed he turned back and praised God.  This man not only God gave physical healing but his faith made him whole!  He recognized his healing came from God! He knew he had a special encounter with God. 

      I have recently became friends with a pastor from India who was from  the Dalits people. They were referred to as the "untouchables" oppressed and broken. They had the lowest jobs, cleaned dead and sewers and had to live in poverty. This Samaritan leper was in the same shape! Praise God no one is untouchable by Jesus! Jesus healed this man physically and spiritually. So sad we have so much and do not appreciate what God has done for us! The more diseased our bodies and hearts are the more we appreciate Jesus and what He has done for us! Oh when He lifts us up out of those filthy pits we automatically praise and give Him thanks. 

      How about you, look back and see where he has brought you from! Here it goes again that hallelujahing!  We glance back just enough to say praise God and to help us stay moving forward with Christ and no turning back!

Father, let us be the one this morning praising and thanking You for touching this untouchable! Love You!

The Pharisee's are back in the morning asking questions!

September 5, 2018

September 5, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 30

Running With Jesus  

Luke 17:9-10  Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

(And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not.  In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’)

       I keep running across the mental thoughts most Christians have today, I want fire insurance! Everybody wants to go to heaven and not hell. They want power and prestige but no one really wants to be a servant. If we do serve we want metals of honor and recognition and a bonus. 

       In the story Jesus told this group asking for increased faith and power, knowing their thoughts and intent which leads them in the way natural life is carried out. When we hire servants and they return after working in the field we expect them not to sit down but prepare a meal for us. 

      We are all hired servants in God's kingdom. Most do not serve after getting our insurance policy. To be born again your desire should be to want to serve God our Father and owner. Christ mind was to serve not to be served. He walked in obedience with God. He did what came natural and that was service. If we have truly been born again we get a new nature with new desires and we want to serve our Master! 

      As a young girl I always wanted to do my Father's work. I can remember loading my Dad's truck full of kids I picked up to go to VBS and I went on visitation with my Sunday School teacher. No one had to prod me it just came natural. 

     Examine your nature! Jesus nature was service, does yours align with His? Obedience is a true  

sign of genuine faith and our duty! It is also the road to intimacy with God. Greater joy is found in serving than in being served. Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a world full of servers! I think there would be a lot less rioting and arguing going on. Service is our duty and privilege of living in our Father's kingdom. We gained heaven in exchange for hell. Get active, stay in shape, and help other runners who are your team players. They need you and don't worry about gratitude when your Father returns He will reward you! Come in thou faithful servant you have been faithful!

Father, thank You for our salvation. Here we are, use us in Your kingdom work. Help us allow for interruptions in our schedules today. Help us to keep our mission in mind as I run through this day. Show me opportunities to serve! Thank You I can know I have a reservation in heaven! 

Meet some untouchables, tomorrow!

September 4, 2018

September 4, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 29
Running with Jesus

Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 

     Wham! Sometimes the Holy Spirit will sock me on the head and my spirit has to stop and digest a truth He teaches me in my quiet time.
      Today as I read my Luke study I glanced at the footnote in my Life Application Bible. It talked about us asking for more faith and said that the amount of faith is not as important as genuine faith! Genuine faith is total dependence upon God and willingness to do His will! Faith is not given to us to put on a show for others. If we all were given faith in our understanding, mountains would not be around to behold it’s beauty and we would see trees flying and each one trying to outdo the other. We want magical powers, but all God desires is for us to obey Him and trust Him! 
      I am reminded of the story of three women knelt praying and crying out to God. God walks by the first and hugs her. The second he touches her gently and the last He just walked by her. Someone ask Him why He didn't touch the last one and He said "She Trusts me!"
     So if you think you need more faith today it is not more but genuine faith that trust and simply obeys when we can't see, feel or understand. Just keep full steam ahead!
               

 Thank You Father for Faith today because it is in You and not me. I can trust You when mountains don't move and my eyes can't see!  You are my comfort and anchor running on life's seas. 

A true servant in the morning!

September 3, 2018

September 3, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 28
Running with Jesus

Luke 17:2  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

     If you also read the Matthew account you will see Jesus is dealing with teaching others and leading them away from truth. I take teaching seriously and pray God help! We are all teachers and we teach constantly! We have to be careful not only on words but actions and behaviors. Someone is following you! Children especially are imitators.  If you do not think so listen to your children play, you will hear them talk to their dolls and toys like we talk to them!
      We are to be imitators of God and Jesus is our perfect example. If we run with Him and follow Him, He will lead us straight to the Father and will lead us in paths of righteousness. My mom use to say I will go nowhere my kids can't go! As I am older I see new insight into this statement. If a child is not allowed to go see a movie should I? If the child is not allowed in a dinning place should I go? Kids are Minnie me’s.
               

 Lord, help us! We need to ask for help and guidance to lead America back to You! Help us to be mindful of where we are going and who is following! Help us not be deceived in thinking little things we do doesn't matter! Help us heed these warnings.   

Where we lead will make a difference where some spend eternity!  Who is following and imitating you?

Tomorrow: The Holy Spirit is going to wham us on the head.