May 5, 2018

May 5, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 23
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke2: 7 "And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him."

Today let's examine our lives. The question is, “Are you really born again or just religious?”  Philippians 2:12b says ...."continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling". We are to take this salvation business serious. Another text tells us that we are saved by grace through faith not works however works are the evidence that we have faith. We see those scribes and Pharisee's running right along with Jesus watching to find some reason to stop Him!  The scribes were writers and interpreters of Jewish law. The Pharisee's were one of the ruling parties in the Sanhedrin court, who later helped crucify Christ. I heard one say the lesson we learn from Jesus about them was never be like them. They were self-righteous and even added their laws to the Laws of God placing themselves above the laws of God. Now they were very religious attended every service, prayed and fasted, and they didn't go or run with people they believed were "sinners". The problem was they never came to the knowledge they were sinners. We cannot be born again until we understand we are in need of a Savior, to deliver us from the penalty of sin. They were very judgmental of others because they used themselves to measure righteousness. We should use Jesus to measure ourselves. We can be religious and split hell wide open! We need to see if we are true runners of Christ. You can say all day you are a runner of Christ but never get on the track that will make you one. The religious will run right along beside Jesus in this life and will appear to be a disciple. The test will be where will you be after this life. So work out your salvation with fear and trembling! Show me your faith by your works! If you don't work in His kingdom better do a self check! You were saved to do good work. God looks at man’s heart not his outward appearance. The Pharisees and Scribes had position and power inside the government and were used to help keep Jewish law among the people. The power and position helped them miss out on knowing Christ. Are you in a position of power and enjoy making the rules over the Word of God. Being in position at church does not make you a Christian. You can be in church twenty-four/seven, hold office, teach Sunday School and tithe and not know Christ! So examine your heart, do you really know Christ or have you just been churched? The Scribes and Pharisees are examples of "being churched"! 

Father, today with fear and trembling we ask you to examine our hearts. Help us discern if we really know you! Help us not seek power or position. Help us find ways to take up a servant role in our lives. Today we humble ourselves under your mighty hand. 

Uh-oh, Jesus heals a man on the sabbath in the morning! The Pharisee's are lurking in the background!

May 4, 2018

May 4, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 22
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 5:27-28 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.

          Levi, the tax collector is Matthew. He was among the publican officials who gathered taxes. They were hated by the Jews because they worked for the Romans. Tax collectors could walk up and tax them for what they were carrying. They were extortionist because they collected the government tax and added on some for themselves. They were considered chief sinners. The Jewish religious leaders would not have anything to do with them, yet we find Jesus calling Levi to follow Him and He goes to Levi’s house for a feast.  Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, and we find a new insight into Jesus teaching. Jesus had already taught a lesson on us being sinners by healing the leper, a diseased outcast man. Now he is revealing He is out looking for the unrighteous and showing us an awesome picture of grace and mercy. Another text tells us God is full of mercy and grace. This despised tax collector can find mercy and grace. Not only could he be forgiven as a "great sinner" but was one chosen to be one of Jesus first disciples He could run with Jesus and later wrote part of a book that is one of the best sellers today, "The Bible". Matthews’s book was written specifically to the Jews to prove Jesus was their Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled prophesy. 
          Now he is the ultimate picture of God's grace and mercy. Anyone can be forgiven and used in God's kingdom. God is still looking and calling sinners today. God was teaching these religious, self-righteous Jews about sin and now grace and mercy for chiefest of sinners. We must watch out for self-righteousness and never think you are above sinning. God's Word says we are all sinners there is none righteous no not one. You can't be saved until you know you are a sinner. Jesus called and Levi left all and followed Him, took Jesus home, and made a feast. What a difference Jesus made in this cheater’s life when He chose to run with Jesus!
          Jesus wants to transform sinners. He can transform our lives. Do you hear Jesus calling you today? Leave it all and follow Him.

Tomorrow: Look out Pharisee's are running beside Jesus!

May 3, 2018

May 3, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 21
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 5: 25 "And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God."

          Glorifying God!! Now this is something I see lacking in this generation, gratification! We live in one of the most impolite generations I have seen. They take everything for granted and use no manners. We were taught to say yes ma’am and no ma’am and thank you. You might be thinking not me, but stop and think every day God takes care of us. Do you have shelter over your head, did you have a bed to sleep in. Let's see, did you go to bed hungry, were you able to stand on two feet, did you have eyes to see with, could you hear the clock go off? I am just saying, do you realize each of these things are a blessing and a gift from God! Oh, we say we don't take God for granted! Oh how America needs to run with Jesus! When we get out of self and look down from His point of view each of us are walking, talking, blessed miracles and we should be glorifying God every day! We are looking for miracles
in big things but we have Miracles daily in the little things. Our breath that keeps us alive and sustains us comes from God! The birth of a child knitted in a mom’s womb! Look around at the miracles!! It will change your family when they see the look on your face of gratitude! When you look into the face of your spouse or child it is a miracle they returned home safely that day! Some didn't! Don't take the little miracles for granted! Let's have a Glorifying day! Don't complain today no matter what you hear or feel! I declare this “God get's the GLORY day!” Racers on your mark get set go and tell as many as you can how much God has done for you. 

Father, I give You Glory and honor today for my salvation and life You have given me! 

Share this post with your friends! Lift Jesus up in praise and then Type "I am giving Jesus Glory today” and ask others to join and share! Let the glory begin!

Tomorrow: Join me and watch Jesus transform someone's life!

May 2, 2018

May 2, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 20
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 5:18-20 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.  And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

         This is a great example of a true runner of Christ. These men, you might say, jumped through hoops to get their friend to Jesus. They went the extra mile! They saw a crowd and appeared no way to get to Christ, but that didn't stop them they carried and lifted him up to the roof too and dropped him out of the ceiling right before Christ. 
          Sometimes God works through the persons faith to heal someone but in this case what did we see happen. Jesus said when he saw their faith He said, man, your sins are forgiven. Our faith can make a difference when we pray and seek to bring others to Christ. I saw Mike go visit a man for almost 10 years praying and persevering to see him come to know Christ and finally he did. We must never give up on people and seek to do all we can to get them to Jesus. We must have FAITH God can bring salvation to that friend. Be willing to go the extra mile. Ask God what you need to do. This man couldn't get to Jesus himself he was sick lying on his bed. They lifted him up and carried him to Jesus. We can lift up our friends to Jesus in prayer and lay them down at His feet.
          Make a list of needs of your friends today and offer them up in prayer this morning. That friend may be so cast down he can't pray but you can. He may need a lift by car to get to a doctor. He may need the money to pay for a copayment. These may be the tools you can use to bring them to Jesus. 
          Let's be honest how many of us are willing to stop our busy schedules to bring someone to Christ. Jesus saw the FAITH of the men and He was healed. Remember our FAITH matters! 

Father help us look around today and see opportunities to bring someone to You! Help us take time out to help our friends. Today I lift up------ to You. (Start naming those names!). Then they too can become runners.

Tomorrow: Is Glory Day don't miss this race get your glory shoes on! See you there!

May 1, 2018

May 1, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 19
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
          

          Feeling run down? Feeling emotionally weak and wanting to quit? Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness. A desert place, that he might have rest from the preaching and healing diseases. He was being alone, and free from company so He might have an opportunity for private prayer to God. If Jesus needed to draw aside and pray, do we not need to also? When we feeling low draw near to God, spend time in His Word, read until It speaks to you then stop and meditate on what the Word says to you. Just hearing from Jesus will renew your strength and enable
you to stay in the race!
          Research has proven prayer and meditation lowers blood pressure, relieves stress and anxiety. It helps with reducing pain, boosting the immune system, and improving moods. There are many other proven facts that deal with our well being. Scientific proof that cost a lot of money to prove! They should have just read the Bible! Father knows best! Can I have an “Amen! “ this morning. 
          Runners need their rest so take your shoes off and put up those feet today! If you run all the time it will not be healthy!  What better way to start a day than sitting down with your coffee, Bible and prayer! Jesus is resting from the run today. You can rest too! 

Father, renew our strength today. Help us know how to run and know how to rest. Help us to not forget the benefits of spending quality time with You. Give us wisdom and insight to live life. We thank You for wanting to spend time with us! We love You Father. 

Tomorrow: Let's help a friend!