March 17, 2020

March 17

Running with Jesus

Luke 11:2 a "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

     Jesus began to teach His disciples how to pray and he started with "hallowed" be thy name. Hallowed means to separate from profane things. To the Jews when they say a name it is more to them than to us. They interpret a person’s being and character. Jesus was saying pray recognizing God is separate from the profane things on this earth! Just to humble ourselves and show humble respect to the God of the universe! Total purity! Totally supreme! Just think we can talk to Him only by the blood of His Son Jesus. To the Jew God's name was unmentionable, God is so Holy. Under the blood we can say Father. Romans 8:15 says we can cry Abba Father, which means Daddy! We can be intimate with Him and cry out Daddy, hallowed is Your name. 

      When we pray we should pray humbly and show God respect due Him! Run to Him and cry out merciful, holy, sweet precious Daddy! Show Him He is supreme authority and the next step will flow naturally.

Oh Daddy, how separate You are from us. How Holy You are we come humbly seeking Your face with our whole heart today! We acknowledge we are needy and we desire to know You! Like Moses when he asked Your name He really wanted to know about You when You called his name! We too are asking who are You that You would want us to talk to You! 

      Spend time thinking about all the names you know God by today! I am already wowed! 

Tomorrow: Thy will be done! Keep going runners God is getting better and better! Love running with Jesus takes us right to the Father! 

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 16, 2020

March 16

Running with Jesus

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

     Didn't think we would ever run out of chapter 10! We did and where was the first place we ran with Jesus, "Prayer". Now let's listen closely to what was being said, Luke recorded for us!  "And it came to pass when He ceased, they must have heard or watched, or observed this prayer life. They wanted what He had!

      When we moved to Bethel and I started going to the ladies Bible Study. I didn't realize what God was teaching me about the Bible and prayer. Mrs. Dorothy Hardin would find a prayer in one of the books of the Bible. It is filled with people talking with God. She used them to teach us how to pray. In the books of Paul you find a prayer usually at the beginning. Paul would say I never cease to pray for you and then tell what he prayed for them.  I learned to pray different scriptures for different needs. In Job we find Satan told God He had a hedge around Job, so we learned to pray and ask God to put a hedge around our children.

      You need to notice prayer was an important part in everyone who did work for God. Jesus prayed why do we think we don't need to. I wish we could learn to be as committed as the religions that don't know the only living God. Shame on us! 

Father, help us to learn to pray. Show us how as the disciples ask, "Teach us to pray"!

Tomorrow: As we run with Jesus He will show us more about how to talk to our Father! Don't stop now our marathon is still on!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 15, 2020

March 15

Running with Jesus

Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

      King James says Mary has chosen the best part!  Martha was caught up in her elaborate preparation that she misses out on Jesus teachings.

     I often think about one time we had remodeled a sanctuary and I thought one night people were too loud and God spoke to me, "Do you want an elaborate building or do you want souls here?" Yikes! That hurt because the best part is souls coming to know Christ! The best part of this life is to know Christ!  But we all live as though the best part is in things and having a party. 

     We have to face this reality when we lose loved ones. I just lost my mom and I spent a lot of time with her when I could but I find myself wishing I had spent more. Often as young mothers we don't realize our kids will only be little for a short time. You need to stop focusing on wrong priorities. Stop and sit down and play with them. You are in a season that will not return! We all love spring but it passes so fast the daffodils die and poof it is gone.  

      Jesus ministry only lasted three and one-half years. The cross would come soon! Wonder if it would have made a difference in what Martha would have done that day if she had known how soon He would be gone!

      We all have to work but let's think about the best parts of that day. Let's cherish the moments we have to be with people that are in our presence. Help us not treat people as though they are invisible! (Think about that for a minute, who is sitting in your house but invisible to you!?)

       We certainly don't want to miss out running with Jesus because He is the part that brings order to our lives, makes life have meaning, and anchors our souls when life becomes catastrophic. 

Father, Jesus is the best part because He teaches us how to survive life! We want the best part! Help us sweet Holy Spirit to remember each day to let You show us how to live in the best part!

Tomorrow:  Running into Chapter 11 and Jesus praying again! Hmmm!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 14, 2020

March 14

Running with Jesus

Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 

     Well we meet Martha, stop before you start criticizing her, we have all been there! Now for our few men who read this, stop it too, you are just as bad with your planning too!

      I really don't know if Jesus called ahead or just showed up, after all it was His home away from home and everywhere He went there was a crowd! I would be jittery too!  But it tells us she was the jittery type! Her old nature was surfacing! This old nature was distracting her.

     Now let me tell you about the Martha in me! I find myself having a jitter when my spouse clicks the TV buttons while I have 3 loads of clothes to wash, dishwasher full, vacuum to run, bathrooms to clean and floors to mop! The war could be on. I find at times Martha still begs and screams to get out but sweet Jesus talks to her and says when this is all done you will be just fine. Wish I could say I always overcome this area myself! 

      Martha had not learned to listen to Jesus. She was still operating out of flesh! She was still trying to run and control everything. Now don't get me wrong we need to plan and organize but we must include Jesus and let Him help us.

Father,  help us train our Martha spirit to listen and talk to Jesus. When she comes calling, ask her to sit down at Jesus feet like Mary did and I bet the rest will work its way out! 

     So what's making you jittery today? Go sit still at Jesus feet let Him help you!

Tomorrow: The best part!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 13, 2020

March 13

Running with Jesus 

Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

     Well, we are inside Martha's house and the first person Luke introduces us to is Mary. Where was Mary? Sitting on the floor listening to Jesus talk! 

      It was customary for a disciple to sit at Jesus feet. A disciple is a follower of Christ and a student, apprentice, pupil as opposed to a teacher. Mary was indeed a disciple and a willing learner! One who placed herself in a position to be taught. I think she couldn't get enough of Jesus teaching! She let nothing distract her from learning! She had time for Jesus. 

     So often I tell my class stop trying to put Jesus into your day! It is Jesus then your day! If you have intentions of growing in your relationship with Christ you must let Him be first. Every day you crawl out of bed thinking I will have that quiet time in a few minutes and then you get distracted. Dishes left in the sink, oh I'll put them away first. Let me turn the TV on or check out FB! Oops! that dryer needs to be turned back on! Oh no I have to hurry get ready for work I am running late. Pretty soon you are out the door and where was Jesus sitting at your quiet time spot and you never even spoke to Him. Sorry Lord, I'll do better tomorrow. Somehow tomorrow never comes and before long the week has passed! 

      Then we wonder why we get ourselves into so many messes! We wonder why our prayers are not getting answered and when the storms come we have no anchor to hold us down!

      Let me ask you where were you sitting this morning? Are you a disciple? A disciple is a learner and follower of Christ! He can't get enough of the word's of Christ and He doesn't leave Him sitting and never speak to Him .

      Christ has certainly challenged our hearts this morning! Am I truly a disciple? Do I sit at His feet? Am I a ready learner? Guess we'll listen in some more tomorrow and see what happens next!

 Father, here we are teach us today! Help us put You first and then put our day into You! Show us how to avoid the distraction and use our time with You wisely! As we go today help me share with the kids Your place in my life and open doors to witness.

 Having the jitters and fretting, let's meet Martha, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015