March 6, 2020

March 6

Running with Jesus

Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way

(Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.)

      I love this translation of this verse. The disciples were told to travel light! Isn't it funny how we are constantly trying to buy and live at home in this world! 

      I sat in my mom’s room at Dove looking around, there she sat with only the clothes on her back and a couple of angels her mom made! She had very little need for things. Things are not bad but they can become luggage to weigh us down and stop our obedience to spread the gospel! 

     The disciples were totally dependent upon God to provide and a very real witness. They saw so many miracles as they traveled and trust God to totally provide. 

 Father, help us to not get so attached to things on this earth that can hinder our focus. Lead us to love the simple things we have and remind us we live here temporarily! Let us experience the miracles along the way. Thank You for always being faithful to us! 

       Let's remember to travel light in this world. It is just stuff and souls are more important and where we end up after this life. So take off the things weighing us down!

Tomorrow : Jesus will instruct runners on sharing with others.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 5, 2020

March 5

Running with Jesus

Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

      Ok don't get tired keep running in place we have to look at our enemy the wolf. All good warriors study their enemy. Satan will not like me sharing this!

      The wolf is opposite of the lamb. He has sharp teeth and very sharp claws that can rip you to pieces. They can kill animals much larger than themselves. They are very swift in running; in fact, they can run swiftly with a lamb in its mouth. They also run in packs. When they attack an animal usually they do it by three. One gets the head, one gets the feet and the other the middle. They plan and plot to be successful. They not only kill for food but also for sport! 

      Makes you want to not run today! So on those days you feel the stress from being in the midst of the wolf and his demons, remember the master is there with His staff ready to beat off the devil and laid down His life to help us.

 Jesus, thank You for being our Shepherd we are learning to listen to Your voice and follow where ever You lead us. We depend upon Your watch care and guidance. Help us stay close to Your side each step we take. When we obey You it will be okay. We are leaning and trusting You!  

Tomorrow: Runners travel lightly and carry little!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 4, 2020

March 4

Running with Jesus

Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 

     We all need to learn about the sheep nature as we run by ourselves today!  I had to hang out here before moving on. 

     Sheep not only like to run in groups as we looked at yesterday, they have a lot of weak areas that make them vulnerable to wolf attacks. Let's look at a few; first they have no strong teeth or sharp feet so they can't defend themselves. They are not swift runners to flee predators. They are easily frightened or spooked causing them to cluster that can smother each other. They like to wander off alone and this helps make them vulnerable. They depend on their leaders. Their most important sense is their listening, listening to their leader for guidance, direction, and protection. 

     These things are so true about the body of Christ so we must learn to listen to our Master's voice and when He calls and warns us, we must be swift to listen to be a runner who can finish His race! 

Father,  thank You for being our Shepherd!!! You are always there to help us with our weak areas and You power us to win our battles by giving us the strength to stay in the race. And help us remember You show up best in weak ones. Our greatest weakness is disobedience. Give us a willing and obedient Spirit, apart from You we can do nothing. With You we are very beneficial to Your kingdom work.  You provide wool for comfort and meat to help sustain through hard times in life! Help us, sheep, continue on the race! 

Tomorrow: We have to face the wolves.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 3, 2020

March 3

Running With Jesus

Luke 10:1,3  After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

     I had an interesting study this morning on the lambs/ sheep. Jesus sends the seventy out in pairs. I found that sheep like to stay in a flock. They want to socialize and become stressed when isolated; this stress is reduced if they are provided with a mirror.  The sight of other sheep has stress-reducing properties. 

     It is so interesting when you study the scriptures as to why Jesus used certain words to convey His message. He referred often to us as sheep and He a shepherd.  I am so much like the sheep I am always more comfortable when I have someone to hang with me while I work! I do not like to travel alone. Jesus knew that the wittiness’s would meet opposition and would need someone alongside so he paired them up and sent them two by two. So God will usually pair you up with someone who has the same desires you have! Then you can go to work as a team! I have experienced this in every work God has called me to do. 

Father,  thank You for the friends You give me to work with. Thank You for the encouragement they give me to help me continue on in the way You desire for me to serve You! I am thankful when I am down they lift me up and when they are down I can l lift them up. 

      Pray and ask God who you are to text, call or send a card to. Let it be that one you have that is always there for you!!

Let's keep examining our sheep running with us, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

March 2,2020

March 2

Running with Jesus

Luke 10:1-2 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

     “What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands (workers).

      One of the things that concerns me today is how few young people there are who are answering the call and how hard it is to get workers to volunteer to help work in the body!   Is the body even praying for workers for the harvest! I am afraid we truly do not live as there is a hell. We just want to go sit in our padded pews and get a B12 spiritual injection then run and play with our American toys and then get tired run back to the pew get our feel good shot again. Soothe our conscience that I went to church remembered the Holy day then go back to what we were doing that week and forget kingdom work! 

      I remember at 16 taking my dad’s truck and picking up a load of kids to bring to VBS and going visiting with my SS teacher! Times have changed! We need to pray for people, for God to send workers for the harvest and for young people to hear and answer to call to go into the ministry! 

 Father, today draw people and send workers to help! Give someone a love to serve so young people can go to Sunday school and be taught! Give us workers a hunger to care about souls!   We thank You for the work You are going to do in our body. I praise You for those who are committed! Work in others hearts to commit to run with Jesus!

      Where is He calling you to serve? If you don't know ask Him to show you! Commit and then watch the blessings flow from a life you can help change! You can make a difference. Just take that first step of faith and watch God work a miracle in your life!

Tomorrow : How sheep like to run!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015