April 21, 2020

April 21

Running with Jesus  

Luke 18:21-25  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

      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!

 Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 20, 2020

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!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 19, 2020

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!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 18, 2020

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.

      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, He had them hired  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!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 17, 2020

April 17

Running with Jesus

Luke 15:17-18 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

     In this parable we could focus from several angles. I chose to look at the younger brother who lives his life wastefully. He was very self-focused and thought little about his future. He lived it up and wound up broke, slopping pigs, the animals a Jew would have nothing to do with. You couldn't get much lower. Eating hog rations! 

     I love the way it says he came to his senses; my father's servants eat better than this!  This man left filled with pride and a blown up ego. He was a hot head and wouldn't listen to his father. Notice how he returned humbled and had a servant role mentality. This is where our spirit should be, in servant mode! When we realize what Christ has done for us, we should be willing to sweep floors, take out trash and wash feet for Him.

     Notice the father never moved and was looking daily down that road for that son to return. Don't ever feel you have gone too far to come back to God. He is waiting for you to return. He watches and searches for us.

     God never moves He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Sometimes my feelings and emotions try to deceive me and I feel far away but God is as near as our breath. 

     My question today is: What mode is your mentality in? Are you in servant mode or looking for others to cater to you? 

Father, we are sinners and help us to not listen to our self-righteousness but be a willing servant ready to live in and do kingdom work seeking You and helping others. Help us understand Father always knows best! Let us not live life recklessly and ignore our heavenly inheritance! Help us come to our senses and stay in them! 

Tomorrow: Grab your checkbook!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015