March 1,2020

March 1
Running with Jesus
Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

     Well here it is, my verse for the ministry! Put your hands to tho plough runners. I love that little song "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, No turning back". I can't tell you how many times in my spirit I have had a vision of me standing behind an old mule plough with images of blisters on my hand, digging a tough hard field, and repeating no man looking back is fit for the kingdom of God! There is a book called “Parenting Isn't for Cowards" I am here to say ministry isn't for cowards! Thankfully we have a loving Father who strengthens us! Are you in a tough place today maybe you need this verse and be reminded that looking back you are not fit for the kingdom! We must stay focused straight ahead! A farmer ploughs by setting his eyes upon an object at the end of the row to keep it straight. I hear now days they just set a computer button. That would be nice if our faith walk was like this! In our faith walk we are to fix our eyes upon Jesus the author and finisher of our race. So if you are struggling today focus on Jesus and dig in!

Father encourage that one out there today that feels like giving up. Help them see your face and renew their strength like Eagles! Help them walk and not grow weary!' Help us realize we work for You and not man. Supply their every need! 

Pray for running workers tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

February 29, 2020

February 29, 2020

GETTING CLEAN

Evelyn Chistenson

1 JOHN 1:9   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

      After we become Christians we commit sins. What do we do with them? Do we live with them? The answer is that we get rid of them. God gives Christians the formula thru John, “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  This is written to Christians, and tells us how we may be cleansed and ready for an effectual intercessory prayer life.

     Even little sins can muddy up our communication system. We try to get through to God and there’s something in the way. It may be an attitude, a spoken word. God wants these things cleared up. He doesn’t want anything between Him and us. If there is, it’s our fault, not His, when His ears are closed to our prayers.

     This, then, is the first prerequisite---nothing between God and ourselves when we approach intercessory prayer.

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February 28, 2020

February 28

Running with Jesus

Luke 9:61 "And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house."

     Well,  Jesus called another to come follow and this one ask to put His house in order. 
      I can't help remember our call to the ministry. We had doctor bills out our ears from Jeff's sickness, we owed on our home and had a loan on some furniture and had a car note! When I wrote this all down in order going to follow Jesus looked like a long time down the road. It wasn't convenient because of Jeff's blood disorder and financially how could Mike possibly quit His job with MawBell! Well we had to not look at physical aspects we had to just follow! Step by step Jesus led us right out of debt by a miracle and took care of all the excuses and concerns we had. I’m not telling you it was all easy but looking back it has been an amazing journey! What we would have missed had we not followed. Has it cost? Sure! I missed a lot of family things birthday parties, watching little ones play ball games, time they had at mom-son weekends and a host of other things but souls not going to hell and walking with my Lord is the most amazing life you can have! Is it challenging, yes every day, but I must stay the course till I get home. 
If we had waited till we got things in order we would not have seen the miracles! We followed as He told us each step and the rest became history! 

Father, thank You for calling us. Running with You these 30 years has been an adventure and joy I never dreamed possible for me. Thank You for allowing us to work in Your kingdom work. I pray we can continue on until one day like Enoch You say we are closer to heaven today just come on home! 

Tomorrow: Those plow handles! I love this verse to come!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

February 27, 2020

February 27

Running with Jesus

Luke 9:59-60 "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord,suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."

     Excuses we hear them every day!  This looks reasonable if you just read it on the surface but let's look deeper! Jesus called this man to follow Him! But what he is really telling Jesus it is not convenient right now! 

 How about you it is not convenient today to go to church. It's too cold today, I am really tired we got in late from the ballgame!  It's my only day off! They may ask me to read in Sunday school, all they do is ask for money! I don't have clothes to wear! 

     That is just church excuses and really being Godly is not about all the outward things you do. It is about our personal walk. I don't have time to read my Bible and pray today! The truth, God is not a priority in most "Christians" lives they really want their fire insurance but want to make no sacrifice and give nothing that cost them! 

      I don't think the funeral was the issue, Christ would have them honor his parent, it was the timing for Him that was the problem just not convenient! Friends time is getting short and we better start making God time because today is the day of salvation! When Jesus calls you, you had better start running with Him, the cost of convince today is nothing compared to the cost of eternity! 

Father ,we hear You, we are coming! Teach and show us the way! Help us lay aside all the excuses and run with grace this race! We love You and know nothing can compare to the cost of serving You! We get tired but You renew our strength, we get weary but You lift our spirit! Give us our next assignment! Help us reach some soul today! No excuses today!

Tomorrow: More excuses!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

February 26, 2020

February 26

Running with Jesus

Luke 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

     This is what Jesus told that Whithersoever man!   Jesus never owned a home while on this earth! This is kind of funny for us Americans because the American dream is to own a home! My in-laws were in the ministry and never owned a home! I don't think it was owning a home that was the problem. The problem was that man’s goals in life are possessing and demanding so much energy that he had no time or desire to walk with God. We are told we are in this world and we have to function in this world but when we live as though we are never going to leave this world and die we have a major problem. When we come face to face with the decision we have to make in regard to life we have to understand it is not in how much we own or possess down here it is about eternal life! We must decide to follow Jesus!  Others are following you where are you leading them! 

Oh Jesus, no matter where You ask us to go help us have a willing spirit to follow You! Help us not lead others in the wrong way! Help us not be so preoccupied with things we miss heaven!

Tomorrow: More excuses why we don't run with Jesus!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015