April 15, 2018

April 15, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 3
Running with Jesus 2015

John 3:21” Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,"

                I remember hearing a story of a lady who kept going forward at invitation time and could never go on in peace in her walk with Christ. Finely one day the pastor ask if there was anything God had ask her to do she had not done. She told him she had never been baptized, she was and then her walk began to move forward and she found the peace she needed. The next step in our race after we ask Christ into our hearts is to follow Him by being baptized for identification. Jesus was sinless and didn't need to be baptized however this shows His fully human side and His identification with man. He is our living example and the descending of the dove showed God's approval!
                If you have accepted Christ but was never baptized you must walk in obedience to be baptized. You will never grow in Christ until you learn to be obedient to His will. Don't let fear rob you of the joy of following Christ. Baptism doesn't save us placing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ brings salvation. Baptism identifies us with Christ and is the next step in your walk. Jesus was baptized if you run with Him this is what He is asking you to do!
               

Father, help those who may be afraid to be baptized. Help them make that first step because I know the Spirit will carry them through the next. Help this runner begin fresh with this New Year!
 

Led by the Spirit in the morning!

April 14, 2018

April 14, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 2
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 2: 48-49 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

                After finding Jesus at the temple Mary and Joseph questioned Jesus why he had done this to them and His response was why they sought Him didn't they know He was to be about his Father's business"!
              Yesterday we talked about Jesus at church and now we see He wasn't just going to a building to worship. He was doing His Father’s business.
                Running with Jesus will change our direction in doing life. We have to do life to live here, however our goals must be to live out our God given purpose. Jesus’ mission was a mission of reconciliation and when He left the earth He passed that ministry on to us. Our mission is to be doing the Father's business. In this New Year ask God what business He has for you to do. Serving the Father is one of the greatest blessings we can have. There is a place in the church God wants you to serve. As you press into this new year look for ways to be used by God in the church even it is just setting up a table or cleaning one off after a meal. Everyone can do something!
                 

Father, it is our desire to be part of reconciling people to You. Show us the business You have for us this year! Help us stay committed to the race.

Baptism tomorrow!

April 13, 2018

April 13, 2018

Judy Hollaway

January 1
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 2:41-43, 46 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

                Some people say you don't have to go to church to be a Christian and that is true, but if you are a Christian that is where you will want to be.  If you are going to run with Jesus you will be there. At 12 years old Jesus came up missing! (Can you imagine Joseph and Mary looking for God's son for 3 days?!) Look where they found Him! In the temple sitting amidst doctors hearing them and asking questions.
                The New Year is here and why not make a new year  resolution about going to church. God instituted the church and the church is the bride of Christ! Jesus will return for His bride one day. So runners let's get committed to running with Christ!
               

Father, help us love the church You gave us to help us. Jesus desired at age twelve to be in Your house help us have His desires. Help us run with Jesus.

About our Father's business tomorrow! 

April 12, 2018

April 12, 2018

Judy Hollaway

December 31
Running with Jesus 2015

Acts 28:30-31 "Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him, preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

                 We are leaving Paul in Rome awaiting trial. What does Paul do, what he does best? Preaches the kingdom of God and teaches the things of God with boldness! Jesus empowering and enabling him to stay on course! The more we share the stronger our faith will become. When we sit down and stop running our faith will begin to waver!
                 I don't know where you are right now in your run but I do know we must keep on conditioning our faith to keep on keeping on!
                  Well we made it by faith this last year and have had an amazing run! Now we will begin our new year in just a few hours! Next year we will abide under His wings! My prayer is you will join me as I run "Under His wings!”

Join me tomorrow!

April 11, 2018

April 11, 2018

Judy Hollaway

December 30

Running with Jesus 2015

Acts 28:16 "When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him."

                  I don't know about you but I would love to be guarding Bro Paul! I can never get enough of his teaching! Paul's Jewish training gave him so much insight into the Messiah's fulfillment and purpose! His conversion blinded him in order to give him spiritual eyes to see truth that set him free from the bondage of religion to relationship with Jehovah through Christ. 

                We have had an amazing run through the books of Luke and Acts this year written by Dr Luke. We ran physically beside Jesus in the flesh and then we ran beside great men filled with the Spirit of Christ given at Pentecost! We have seen Christ working in and through them to share the gospel. 

                  The most amazing thing is the same Spirit that lived in Paul lives in us and wants to work through each of us to reconcile man to God! Luke, Peter, Mark, Paul and all the disciples had an amazing journey and work. The same God has an amazing work for us too as we journey through life, if we allow His Spirit to guide lead and direct our lives.

 Father, thank You for letting us join You as we run through life. We pray we will be more available as we begin a New Year shortly! Let us say Father here we are Your bond-servant. Reveal to us Your divine will and purpose. Help us spend more time seeking You in 2016(2018)!

Tomorrow: We are at the finish line! Hard to believe another year has come and gone!  I will share 2016's theme in the morning so meet me here!