February 14, 2020

February 14

Running with Jesus

Luke 8: 43-44;48  And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

     I cannot imagine the life of this woman. With an issue of blood that would have made her ceremonially unclean. No Rabbi or Priest would have come near her or God forbid even touch her. Her life had to have been miserable. She took great risk to get to Jesus to touch Him!

     Friend is that not just like so many of us apart from Jesus? Lowly, downcast, fit for nothing! We have so many issues we feel helpless and hopeless!   All this woman knew is all she had to do was touch the hem of His garment. Being weak and frail from her infirmity she had to go the extra mile to push through the crowd. Her faith made her whole. In the midst of hundreds, Jesus knew one was healed that touched His garment! He said He felt virtue go out of Him. He asked, “ Who touched Me”! Impossible to know was Peter's reaction because so many were following.   The woman finally came forward and admitted she was the one who stole a miracle from Him! Jesus had to stop and bring her out so she could be totally made whole and not stay hidden!  She would be a light and a candle for others to see the truth of Jesus and how placing our faith in Him makes us whole! 

    We are all sin damaged and unacceptable to God but the touch of Jesus makes us whole again! Can we have an “AMEN” amen this morning?  We all have issues and we all need to have faith in Jesus to help us with each one! Whether healing here or healing there. We win no matter what when we have Jesus.

Father, we are reaching out to touch Your garment today. Let us feel that virtue and power come forth to help us overcome our issues. Thank You for being trustworthy always. Help us continue the race we are in with You! Renew our strength this morning. We give You praise!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

February 13, 2020

February 13

Running with Jesus

Luke 8: 40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

      Waiting for Jesus!  Wondered how long it had been since Jesus left the crowd, crossed over the sea to heal that demonic man? This passage said the people gladly received and waited for Him!  We spend a lot of time waiting on Jesus! Waiting isn't a bad thing!  Waiting gives God time to move things around. We have to remember man operates on the time elements of earth. God doesn't operate as man does and that is the hard part we put God into our zone! 

      They knew Jesus would return because this area was where His home base was. They expected Him to return and we will see what happens when they expected something to take place. Most of the time we don't really expect anything to happen when we pray and wait.  

     While waiting we are developing Godly character.  Romans 5:3-5 says And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

      It is not easy to wait but waiting is good for us. Sometimes it is good we don't get what we are waiting for because we get down the road and say thank You Jesus You knew what was best. 

Father, I thank You for the ability to wait upon You! I thank You for Your time is always best even when I can't see it! Thank You for allowing us to simply trust our all knowing Father!

Tomorrow: Faith!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

February 12, 2020

February 12

Running with Jesus  

Luke 8:30-33 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

      Jesus has done it now! Delivered someone and gave them a beautiful picture of what Christ could do, but they couldn't get past their dead pigs.   Here is Satan working behind the scenes to keep people from knowing Jesus. There sat a life changed forever. But they didn't want to have to change their ways. They liked their life style, glory and wealth. Reminds me of people in the body today! They want their fire insurance so they run forward in a church service! Don't ask them to change their schedules and give up their time and plans. That is when they run Jesus out of town. I am here to say you better read your insurance policies? The fine print!  God's Word says we are to die daily to self and to take up our cross and follow Jesus.  What was a cross used for, to crucify a person. So many of us don't want to hear this part!  We let an innocent man take our death sentence but have no remorse or gratitude!  There were 10 lepers healed one day, only one returned to say thank you!

      Let's have a think today on this one! Did you really get the real policy? Or just got a fake! Works are evidence that real faith took place! 

 Lord, help us discern religion and regeneration! The demonic man got regenerated yesterday!    

His life changed today they were afraid at what they saw but couldn’t get past the dead swine!  Lord help

us get real about being a true runner not a fake! Help us know the difference!

Tomorrow: Waiting on Jesus!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

February 11, 2020

February 11

Running with Jesus

Luke 8: 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

     Jesus and His disciples reached the other side after that stormy night just like we do also!

 First thing out of the boat, they met up with this man who had been demons possessed for a long time, wearing no clothes and did not live in a house but in a cemetery.

     I am here to tell you spiritually that was the way I lived my Christian life defeated and driven by the voices of demons and lived in the grave for so many years.   God calls us out of darkness into light. This town was a wealthy, prosperous town many were educated and lived in fine homes. I read this could have at one time been an upstanding man in the community but lost everything.  Sometimes we have to lose to gain. Sometimes we have to get down to look up.

     I find it interesting how this man gets delivered and wants to run with Jesus but in the next trek we will find some rich people wanting to run Jesus out of town. Do you think this man knew Jesus would run His way that day? No an unexpected thing happened. H e got delivered!   Maybe some of you are having one of those demon driven days and feel like you are in a tomb!  Jesus is running your way this morning! He wants you to be still and know He is God. Stop yelling and get up put your clothes on and get busy doing kingdom work. God loves you! We can't change our past but Jesus can change our future. You have listened to the voice of the devil too long! 

     Listen to God's voice; before you were born I made you. I know the plans I have for you to give you a future and hope, you are created in my image, and you were knitted in your mother’s womb and I knew you! 

     If you are going to run with Jesus, you must learn to discern His voice. Jesus wants to call you out of that tomb into a life He has for you!   We can overcome by the blood of the Lamb!

Father, I thank You for running our way. We want to run with You and not run You out of town. Help my friends to feel Your love, joy, peace and deliverance today! Help them not listen to the lies of the demons.

     Sorry if you don't believe they are real! The Bible doesn't lie. WAKE UP CHURCH!  They whisper in your ears! 

Tomorrow: Jesus leaves after not being received!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

February 10, 2020

February 10

Running with Jesus

Luke 8:24-25 "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, what manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him."

     Jesus and His disciples came to a boat and He told them let's get in and and let's go to the other side. Jesus went to sleep and a great wind storm came up and they were filled with water and in jeopardy!  Friends this was no little storm that filled this boat with water. 

     Wondering how Jesus was sleeping? Of course we know He is God in the flesh but they were still learning to trust God! They had so much to learn about their new found faith. They were experiencing so much running with Jesus seeing the blind see, the cripple walk and healing all sorts of diseases but now they would see Him in a greater light! 

      Are you in one of those overwhelming storms today? I have them at times and I feel Jesus is asleep. Then fear and worry begin to dominate my thoughts and bring me down. Fear begins to shout in my ear He's going to let me down in this one! Did you know 75% of the things we fear and dread never take place! It really helped me conquer and overcome some of my fears when I was taught this.

      I also know that every storm I have gone through has given me greater revelation of my Savior and made me stronger and taught me new insights that increase my faith.  I know the struggle you are in may be overwhelming but even if you feel Jesus is asleep cry out to Him. If He can control the elements of the earth He can control our lives.  He may not calm your storm instead He may calm you in the storm. Let Him say peace to your storm.  He rebuked their faith that day. They failed to trust. I have said it once and will say it again "life is about trust not about the why's!" "It is not about understanding everything either!" It is having a Savior we can trust! So whatever you are facing today let Him calm your storm and if not le Him calm you in your storm. 

Father, help our unbelief today! Let me be still and know You are God. Take out our fear and put in faith. We place this storm of life into Your hands . We thank You we don't have to look at the storm we are in and we can look at Your face and know You have this one too! Thank You for helping us through another day. We love You Lord!

Tomorrow:  Living in the tombs!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015