July 29, 2018

July 29, 2018

Judy Hollaway

April 22
Running with Jesus

Luke 18:35-42 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.  And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.  And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.  And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.  And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,  Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

 (Jesus came near the city of Jericho. There was a blind man sitting beside the road. He was begging people for money. When he heard the people coming down the road, he asked, “What is happening?”  They told him, “Jesus, the one from Nazareth, is coming here.” The blind man was excited and said, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!” The people who were in front leading the group criticized the blind man. They told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!” Jesus stopped there and said, “Bring that man to me!” When he came close, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”He said, “Lord, I want to see again.” Jesus said to him, “You can see now. You are healed because you believed.”)
       _{Lord, "I want to see again!" This phrase caught my eye. Evidently something had happened to this man that caused him to be blind.
      As I was meditating on this verse I couldn't help but think about the times in our lives when things were so clear for us to be running through life then all of a sudden it was though everything around us was dark and we can't seem to know which way to go or where this would lead us. Notice the position of the man, sitting. He hears a commotion and asks what's happening. They tell him Jesus is coming and he starts yelling for help. "Son of David, help me!" He is told to be quiet but, He keeps crying out to Jesus. The leaders didn't think Jesus had time for this man. But with the crowd all around Jesus heard the man and stopped to help the man. Why did Jesus heal him? Jesus said, "You can see now, because you believe!"
                In the dark times in our lives, we need to use our faith to believe God has this! Believing in whom He is and that He will do what He says is the test! I don't know where you are in seeing today but I do know Jesus is light and we must focus on Him. This man got his physical sight back, but more important for us is that we get spiritual sight. Spiritual sight can see even when we are in the dark. God will make a way when there seems to be no way, God Is all we need when we need someone to talk to, God walks around in fires, God rains manna from heaven, God turns water into wine, walks on water and can put coins in the mouth of a fish. Oh yes, he can feed five thousand with a little boys lunch! If you feel blinded today by circumstance sit, call out to Jesus and wait upon Him to get there! Keep the faith and believe He is able! He may say yes, no or wait! He will answer in His way and time! We must keep on trusting! Keep looking with spiritual eye sight.}
                       

_{Father, help that one crying out this morning. Let them know You have this and help them keep their eyes focused upon You. Even though it is darkness surrounding help them rest in You! You can enable us to sit in the dark and wait!}

Tomorrow: The rest of the story!

July 28, 2018

July 28, 2018

Judy Hollaway

April 21

Running with Jesus  

Luke 18:21-25 But the leader said, “I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy.” When Jesus heard this, he said to the leader, “But there is still one thing you need to do. Sell everything you have and give the money to those who are poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me.”  But when the man heard Jesus tell him to give away his money, he was sad. He didn’t want to do this, because he was very rich.  When Jesus saw that the man was sad, he said, “It will be very hard for rich people to enter God’s kingdom.  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

                  I told you Jesus wants in our pocketbooks! It will reveal the condition of our hearts!   This rich good man comes to Jesus and ask about how to be born again.  Jesus tells him you know and keep the commandments of God. He said he had done all those things! Then Jesus, knowing where to bring light into the matter says, "Go sell all you have and give to the poor!" He left sad! 

                Just like us! We want messages that step on our toes but Jesus aim is for our hearts! He is Lord of all or not Lord at all! This man left sad. Why? He loved his lifestyle! He wanted no part of change! He thought he was keeping the Ten Commandments but was He? He wasn't willing to give His offerings, so scripture tells us he was robbing or stealing from God! No idols were to be before God but money was his idol!  This man was judging his works by his standard but we have to measure ours by God’s standard! God looks and sees every motive in our heart! 

                Going to church outwardly is not God's goal for us! God is looking for that transformed heart. This man probably went daily to the temple and was proud of his attendance records and was doing all the right motions but went away sad! 

                 Jesus said it will be hard for the rich to be in heaven but it is possible with God! God could have turned his business into a miracle and gave him more! But he had his own agenda! He liked his padded check

book and lifestyle. We better do a spiritual inventory!

Lord, help us be willing to give You our all! You gave us Your all! Death on a cross to redeem our souls from hell and we won’t even give You a couple of hours of worship! Fishing and shopping and pleasures deserve more time than You! Oh God have mercy upon us as ignorant souls! America open your blinded eyes! A fool says in His heart there is no God and sin says there is no pay day! Oh Lord help us! 

PRAY CHURCH PRAY AND GET OUR PRIORITIES IN ORDER! 

A blind man is sitting near in the morning!

July 27, 2018

July 27, 2018

Judy Hollaway

April 20

Running with Jesus  

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

                We need to put this on our church signs more than ever! The church is so wrapped up in the world today. We have so many distractions and pulling forces on the family! There is no longer a regard for the things of God! Most lives are being run by world forces! Has this force helped the families of America to grow stronger or weaker? You be the judge. We transgress God's guidelines and our children say "that's just the way it is today!" Oh my friend that mind set is from the pit of hell! The body of Christ is allowing the world to mold and shape their life style! There will be a pay day!

                You see men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Mammon is so much more appealing because it is in love with our lower nature that lust and desires the things of the world.

                  When we love mammon more, we will hate the things of God and believe the lies of Satan. When you love God you despise the things in the world!  Let's ask ourselves a few questions! Am I at home and more comfortable in the world or am I more at home in the Lord's house and with His family! Which are you in love with! 

Father, forgive us and help us. The church is running among land mines. So many are trying to keep one foot in the world and one in heaven! Help us to stop and take a stand for our faith. Forgive us for loving the world more than You! 

A sad man tomorrow!

July 26, 2018

July 26, 2018

Judy Hollaway

April 19

Running with Jesus

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                  I am having one of those days when you feel separated. I have been physically sick for almost two weeks. It has made me think a lot about people who have long term sickness. If my short term sickness can pull me down, what a roller coaster they must be riding.

                 I am so glad that no matter what my physical body may go through God never changes. I am glad I don't have to trust my feelings to give me eternal security.  I have also been a little down over losing mom. Even though you wouldn't bring them back to this world, death has defining moments for life. Life will change as we run through it! Sometimes we want to hold on to those precious moments but they are only memories etched in our hearts. I wish the younger generation knew how fast time travels and moments can't be recaptured. 

                  But to run with Christ we cannot run with our minds looking back or listening to our emotions. We have to keep our eyes on the finish line. After the sickness passes the emotions will line back up. During the feelings of separation we must rest in the Words of Christ "nothing can separate us from the love of God"! 

                Good Runners stay the course. So if you feel separated from God remember you really are not! Don't buy into Satan's lies! 

 Father, thank You for always being with us even through the valley of emotions You never leave us! Thank You for Your written Word that is the bread to sustain us in life!

God and Mammon tomorrow!

July 25, 2018

July 25, 2018

Judy Hollaway

April 18

Running with Jesus

Luke 16:1-2 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

(Jesus  said to his followers, “Once there was a rich man. He hired a manager to take care of his business. Later, he learned that his manager was cheating him.  So he called the manager in and said to him, ‘I have heard bad things about you. Give me a report of what you have done with my money. You can’t be my manager anymore.’)

                 Well here we go with money again! This parable can go in so many directions. 

              We know He was talking so the Pharisees could hear and he had hired them to manage His kingdom and they failed to take care of it.

                I want to focus upon our money management! Tough subject for the Church today! I believe in tithing and I believe God's Word teaches us this principle. The church wants the benefits of kingdom living but doesn't want to do the conditional part of God's promises. God wants to help us be good managers of our money. He provides what we have! You say not! I worked for it! Who do you think gave you the health, the oxygen, and the wisdom to enable you to work? GOD! 

                  He is our provider so He should be given ten percent and also help you manage the rest! 

  A few things I ask myself before making purchases, do I really need this or am I hoarding? Does someone else have a need I need to help meet? Do I have an emergency reserve? You do realize tires can blow and kids could get sick? This list could go on forever.   

                  We can cause God to withhold blessings from us because we have not learned to manage what we already have been given to use for His kingdom. Remember running with Jesus should draw us out of worldly living, watch being caught up on name-brand living! All that stuff is in the mind of man! It usually builds pride and self-ego. Get out the check books sit down and log where your funds went last month! Where did God fit in?

Father, teach us how to be a good manager of the money You have given us. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from the evil one.

Tomorrow: Valley of emotions!