September 2, 2020

September 2

Running with Jesus  

Acts 6:12-13  "And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:"

      Stephen was busy doing His Father's business, ministering and leading people to Christ and verse 9 says,

 “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen."

      Stephen was doing a great work and the devil couldn't stand it, so what does he do? He stirs up the RELIGIOUS leaders who loved their power and position. These were men who had rejected the Messiah, Jesus Christ! They despised Stephen so much they even found false witness to say He was guilty of blasphemy. 

      When people have their own agendas apart from God, they will go to the extreme to maintain their own power and position. These men were wise in their own eyes and had they truly known God they would have known Jesus was the Messiah. Their personal agendas would lead them to kill innocent men.  We must examine ourselves today and make sure our faith-life is true faith and not just religious people who have our own personal agendas. When we have personal agendas instead of God's agendas we cause confusion in the body of Christ and sow discord. We must humble ourselves and examine all of our motives in serving.

Father, help us today to lay down anything that has selfish motives at the center. Help us to seek to help encourage our fellow laborer so that Your kingdom work can go forward. Take out self and put in Your Spirit. Take out negative thoughts we might have toward a brother and put in pure thoughts. Guide us along and help us to see where You are working and join You in helping to reconcile the world through the blood of Christ.

In the morning what happens when we tell people the truth, Stephen didn't back down and it will cost him! Don't miss this scene.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 1, 2020

September 1

Running with Jesus  

Acts 6:8;15 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

     Wouldn't we love for this to be said about us in a conversation? Stephen was one of the men chosen to serve tables to allow the apostles to devote their time to preaching. He was one of the men we discussed yesterday who was a Godly man who was full of faith and had a face of an angel. Because he was full of faith and the power of God was on him, he did many signs and wonders that would lead to his death. 

     A faith filled life is one that seeks to walk every day right beside God and with His guidance and leadership going and doing what He tells us to do. We will find ourselves going and doing things we never imagined and will stretch our faith to unknown limits. It is living a life of surrender and obedience. 

     When we place our faith in Christ, we trust Him for salvation and eternal life. When we awake in the morning and face obstacles that seem unbearable we are able to press on. He empowers us to not trust what we see but to trust the One Who is victorious over life and we press on. When we have no money for the task at hand we trust the One Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and we press on. 

      Living by faith is forsaking all, I trust Him. It is putting total trust in Jesus Christ and His complete work as provider for salvation of our souls and the One Who meets our daily needs.

Lord, thank You for salvation and a faith filled life to help us live in this dark world we live in and give us power for everyday life. Holy Spirit this morning fill us to the brim so we can press on! May we have a face like an angel. 

Let's listen in on the next step in Stephen’s life, in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

August 31, 2020

August 31

Running with Jesus  

Acts 6:3 "Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business."

      Here we find guidelines for leadership in the body of Christ. When seeking leaders they must first be men of honest report. This means have a good reputation. God's Word says as Christians we should let our “nays” and “yeas” be just that. People should know they are people of God’s Word and what they do on Sunday is the same on Monday. They are to be real! 

      Next they should be Spirit filled. A Spirit filled man has a mind to do the will of the Father and is controlled by the mind of God and aligns his life with obedience to God's Word. Then he will have wisdom that will help him discern how to handle things in a Godly manner. The beginning of wisdom is for those who fear God! They should desire to follow Christ’s example of a servant and as He said they will say "I came to serve and not be served!" There can never be a leader that gets things done apart from a personal relationship with God that comes through the blood of Christ.

      More than ever there is a need for Godly men who live real in this fallen world.

Join me in a prayer for our men today: Father raise up Godly men and fill them with wisdom, knowledge and understanding to lead us. 

Tomorrow:We will catch up and run with Stephen! Oh to meet such a great man of God!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

August 30, 2020

August 30

Running with Jesus  

Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

     Here it is murmuring in the church! One of the ways Satan can hurt us is to cause murmuring that will lead to discord in the body and that will lead to division.  Also favoritism can lead to division. There were the hometown Jews and converted Grecians and they spoke two different languages that was a barrier. There was a problem that arose and had to be handled and needed a correction. Some widows were not getting food. So how was it handled? They elected seven men to oversee the problem. We learn from this to handle the situation in a Godly way by working together. If you have a complaint in the body address the issue and seek ways to overcome. Do not let Satan cause you to quit or leave, instead become the one who helps find a solution. So I ask are you murmuring about something or are you showing favoritism? Well grow up get over it and run to God and pray over it and seek a resolution!

Father, help us not murmur but seek solutions. Lord it is our desire to build up the body of Christ and not tear it down. Lead us along Your right path. Thank You for Your Word to guide us through life! It is so tough sometimes. Thank You for always being there for us. We love You. We pray for our body of believers today, keep Your hand upon each one and help us grow stronger in You as we approach tough times. 

Men of wisdom and full of the Holy Ghost in the morning! I will be here!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

August 30, 2020

August 30

Running with Jesus  

Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

     Here it is murmuring in the church! One of the ways Satan can hurt us is to cause murmuring that will lead to discord in the body and that will lead to division.  Also favoritism can lead to division. There were the hometown Jews and converted Grecians and they spoke two different languages that was a barrier. There was a problem that arose and had to be handled and needed a correction. Some widows were not getting food. So how was it handled? They elected seven men to oversee the problem. We learn from this to handle the situation in a Godly way by working together. If you have a complaint in the body address the issue and seek ways to overcome. Do not let Satan cause you to quit or leave, instead become the one who helps find a solution. So I ask are you murmuring about something or are you showing favoritism? Well grow up get over it and run to God and pray over it and seek a resolution!

Father, help us not murmur but seek solutions. Lord it is our desire to build up the body of Christ and not tear it down. Lead us along Your right path. Thank You for Your Word to guide us through life! It is so tough sometimes. Thank You for always being there for us. We love You. We pray for our body of believers today, keep Your hand upon each one and help us grow stronger in You as we approach tough times. 

Men of wisdom and full of the Holy Ghost in the morning! I will be here!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015