August 18, 2018

August 18, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 12

Running with Jesus  

Luke 13:6-9  He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  

 (Then he used this illustration: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if he could find any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.  Finally he told his gardener to cut it down. ‘I’ve waited three years and there hasn’t been a single fig!’ he said. ‘Why bother with it any longer? It’s taking up space we can use for something else.’ “‘Give it one more chance,’ the gardener answered. ‘Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.  If we get figs next year, fine; if not, I’ll cut it down.’”)

                 This is a parable, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and it needs to be shared with the body of Christ. Let's look at it closely!   A man has an orchard and planted a fig tree. He waited and waited for it to grow and one day he would be able to go gather fruit to enjoy. He went patiently year after year and looked at the tree but there was never any fruit on it!   Fig trees can take 1-3 years before it bears fruit the owner was patient, however one day he finally told his gardener to cut it down it is just taking up space.  The gardner begs to give it one more year and he will tend it and fertilize it and see if it will bear fruit if not he will cut it down.

                Taking up space we need to watch out as a Christian. God does not tolerate for lack of productivity. Too often we want to enjoy God's special treatment but never give anything back! Like I have said, most people want their fire insurance, don't want to die and go to hell, but never give back. Another text tells us we are saved by GRACE through FAITH. But it also so says FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD! The Word says show me your works and I will see your Faith! (James 2:18)  God does not save us to take up space; we were born to work in His kingdom!   Jesus says we can do nothing apart from Him and fruit comes from abiding. If we have no fruit on our trees we are not abiding. Perhaps we need to let the gardener do a little work on us so we can be productive and bear fruit! Let's not just be satisfied with taking up space (He could decide to take us out if we are just taking up space) let our master come and find us bearing fruit. Get involved in something in the Lord's work! He died to save our souls surely we can give back something!

Lord, we want to be fruitful so help us step out of our comfort zones and be useful and fruitful. You expect to see fruit! We don't want to disappoint You! Help us grow in our walk and show us where You are working and help us join in Your work! Forgive us where we fail You. 

                Get involved, our church takes cakes to the nursing home once a month for their birthday’s celebration. Anyone can bake a cake or buy one! 

Tomorrow:  Are you crippled and bent over?

August 17, 2018

August 17, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 11

Running with Jesus  

Luke 11:51-53 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

 (“Do you think I have come to give peace to the earth? No! Rather, strife and division!  From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or perhaps the other way around.  A father will decide one way about me; his son, the other; mother and daughter will disagree; and the decision of an honored mother-in-law will be spurned by her daughter-in-law.”)

     Jesus is still running toward death and He continues to give His disciples warnings. 

     Ever tried to mix oil and vinegar? Right, won’t happen. Oil is made of hydrophobic (water-hating) carbon chains. Vinegar is acetic acid which is made of hydrophilic (water-loving) groups. Now oil is less dense than vinegar, so it floats on the top, just like a piece of foam would float on water.  The oil likes to stay with its kind. The oil has no charge that will allow it bond with anything else where vinegar does! (I don't like science or Chemistry that came from Yahoo Answers Lol)

     We have so many expectations as Christians who have that charge that wants to love and mix with everyone but the truth is the world does not have that charge needed to bond with God and other Christians!  It will not happen there will always be differences and divisions! 

     The bond Christians have is the charge that enters our hearts when we receive Christ! The Holy Spirit energizes our lives. He crosses even language barriers. His charge is love! Love fills us and helps enable us to love to the depth the world never knows or understands. So don't expect the world to go along with your Biblical standards. Expect conflict and divisions even in families.

Father, help us remember we live in this world but we are not of this world after we are born again. Help us to watch out for expectations that cause us disappointments. The world rejected You and will reject us. Help us to abide in love. Help us love unconditionally. If we don't have high expectations then we won’t be disappointed.  Thank You for saving our souls and help those walking in darkness come to know the light and truth. Help us to love when we are not loved!

Tomorrow: Taking up space!

August 16, 2018

August 16, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 10

Running with Jesus

Luke 12:35-38 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

 (“Be prepared—all dressed and ready—for your Lord’s return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.  There will be great joy for those who are ready and waiting for his return. He himself will seat them and put on a waiter’s uniform and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come at nine o’clock at night—or even at midnight. But whenever he comes, there will be joy for his servants who are ready!)

            Be prepared for the Lord's return. "Oh, I have heard that all my life!"  Many ignore the warning to be prepared. The Lord will return one day because God does not lie. He is being patient for souls to be saved.  Being prepared also works in another way, you may meet Him before the return! You may die at the blink of an eye or in a heartbeat! We must live and be prepared.

            Mom used to say, “If Jesus came back would you want Him to find you doing that?”,big question! Mom wouldn't go anywhere her kids could not go! She preached Jesus return and believed it was so close! I thank God for a mom who taught and helped me be prepared for His return or my home going! It is our job as mom's to help prepare our kids for His return! 

            Jesus life was about doing His Father's business. Remember at age 12 Mary and Joseph thought they had lost Jesus and found Him at the temple. What did He respond to them, you should have known I would be about my Father's business. Helping people prepare is the Father's business! 

               If Jesus were to return would you be ashamed of where He found you? We must not put ourselves in a position we would be ashamed for Him to find us!   We should be living a sincere life, ready to witness, not worrying but trusting, giving generously, not lazy, and becoming more like Christ! When we greet Him we will be joyful, grateful, and thankful! 

Father, help us pick the best road to run down as we race through life! We want to live as children who honor You and make You proud! We are looking for You any minute! What a day it will be when we see You face to face! All the things and cares of this world are so small when compared to Your kingdom living! This might be the day, look up toward the Eastern sky!   I thank You for a mom who helped me prepare!

Oil and vinegar, tomorrow!

August 15, 2018

August 15, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 9
Running with Jesus  

Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

("Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need!

            There is a song I hear on the radio that talks about "I Am Desperate for You"! I wonder how many of us are desperate for the Lord this morning. In these few text of warnings we find mashed into the midst "Seek the Kingdom of God First"! We never seem to get it!
            This means making Jesus the Lord and King of our lives! He must control every area of our lives. Our work, our play, relationships and our plans! Oops, didn't mean to mention plans. We set our schedules and never consult God with what His desires are and then ask Him to bless them!
               I remember there was a big move in the seventies or early eighties to read a book about characters that only did what Jesus would do. I barely remember something about a news paper writer got fired from his job by doing this challenge from a minister’s sermon! God worked a miracle out for him in the end, but it was costly and painful in the process.  However he was blessed at the end of the ordeal! So let's start today by seeking God's Kingdom and let Him be boss!
             

 Father, as we run today You are our leader! Let us know moment by moment and step by step what You want us to do! Here we are Your servant! I know the enemy isn't going to like this, give us grace and strength to run like never before! We love You and are seeking Your Kingdom living! God ruling!

 Tomorrow: Be prepared!

August 14, 2018

August 14, 2018

Judy Hollaway

May 8

Running with Jesus  

Luke 12:22-24 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

 ("Then turning to his disciples he said, “Don’t worry about whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear.   For life consists of far more than food and clothes. Look at the ravens—they don’t plant or harvest or have barns to store away their food, and yet they get along all right—for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!)

             Don't "WORRY"! Worry is like a rocking chair it gets you nowhere! I heard this way back in the 80's and I have never forgotten the phrase, so I am passing it on to you! I didn't realize this is a command from our Lord! Because we are called to live by FAITH! Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

              Faith is living by trusting God to do what He says He will do when we can't see anything happening! 

  Worry is pointless because it can't fill our need. We have to be reminded the creator of the universe loves us and knows what we need.   We can overcome worry by trusting God, keep a proper perspective on your problem, watch magnifying and over reacting rather than responding in the Spirit. Keep a support team that will pray with you. That will pray for wisdom and strength! Die to self because a dead man can't worry! Last but not least wait upon the Lord! Then keep your eyes focused on your ministry, if you don't have one then find a place to serve even if it is nursery duty! Do it with joy to the honor of God and His glory! People without a vision perish! Ministry will keep your focus off your circumstances! 

Father, we trust in You today to take the things we can't change and help us to do the things that we can change.  Show us ways to minister. Give us grace for this day! 

Seek God's kingdom, tomorrow!