January 4, 2020

January 4
Running with Jesus
 

Luke 4:1 " And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,"

     After Jesus baptism His earthly ministry began. Right away the Spirit led Him into the wilderness and here he would undergo a long period of testing.
     Cross country running is one of the more challenging races, my husband did this! Because it is done on uneven terrain and has challenges like thick grass, smooth grass, bumpy or smooth surface, dirt, rocks, turns, hills—short, steep, and  long, this race is tough on their thinking and each runner must understand that cross-country is about best effort over the course rather than pacing themselves like they do at road races.
      Anytime we get serious with the Father we can expect our faithful enemy to show up.  Our race will be difficult at times. Notice Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost! And the Spirit led him this way. Often we have a tendency to tell new converts get saved and smooth sailing! This is not true often we can be led into difficult times too! Oft times our trial could be from our own sin or personal choices and we better not put the blame on God for those poor choices. Confess and ask for strength to overcome.
      Finally, if we are led into a difficulty, ask God to strengthen you for the test. Realize you are in this race for the long haul. Tests usually are given to reveal what we don't know and each test we enter can teach us things about ourselves and God we never knew. So upon running this race expect testing and opposition. Jesus had it and so will we if we run with Jesus!
               

 Father, help us run through this wilderness with strength we never dreamed possible. Help us with each test to endure! 

Life will test us! Let's stay the course with Jesus! He will help us!

(Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.)
 

Tomorrow: Meet our chief opponent in the race.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

January 3, 2020

January 3
Running with Jesus

Luke 3:21” Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,"

     I remember hearing a story of a lady who kept going forward at invitation time and could never go on in peace in her walk with Christ. Finely one day the pastor ask if there was anything God had ask her to do she had not done. She told him she had never been baptized, she was and then her walk began to move forward and she found the peace she needed. The next step in our race after we ask Christ into our hearts is to follow Him by being baptized for identification. Jesus was sinless and didn't need to be baptized however this shows His fully human side and His identification with man. He is our living example and the descending of the dove showed God's approval!
      If you have accepted Christ but was never baptized you must walk in obedience to be baptized. You will never grow in Christ until you learn to be obedient to His will. Don't let fear rob you of the joy of following Christ. Baptism doesn't save us, placing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ brings salvation. Baptism identifies us with Christ and is the next step in your walk. Jesus was baptized, if you run with Him this is what He is asking you to do!
               

Father, help those who may be afraid to be baptized. Help them make that first step because I know the Spirit will carry them through the next. Help this runner begin fresh with this New Year!
 

Led by the Spirit, in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

January 2, 2020

January 2
Running with Jesus

Luke 2: 48-49 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

     After finding Jesus at the temple Mary and Joseph questioned Jesus why he had done this to them and His response was why they sought Him didn't they know He was to be about his Father's business"!
      Yesterday we talked about Jesus at church and now we see He wasn't just going to a building to worship. He was doing His Father’s business.
      Running with Jesus will change our direction in doing life. We have to do life to live here, however our goals must be to live out our God given purpose. Jesus’ mission was a mission of reconciliation and when He left the earth He passed that ministry on to us. Our mission is to be doing the Father's business. In this New Year ask God what business He has for you to do. Serving the Father is one of the greatest blessings we can have. There is a place in the church God wants you to serve. As you press into this New Year look for ways to be used by God in the church even it is just setting up a table or cleaning one off after a meal. Everyone can do something!
                 

Father, it is our desire to be part of reconciling people to You. Show us the business You have for us this year! Help us stay committed to the race.

Baptism tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

January 1, 2020

January 1
Running with Jesus  

Luke 2:41-43, 46 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

     Some people say you don't have to go to church to be a Christian and that is true, but if you are a Christian that is where you will want to be.  If you are going to run with Jesus you will be there. At 12 years old Jesus came up missing! (Can you imagine Joseph and Mary looking for God's son for 3 days?!) Look where they found Him! In the temple sitting amidst doctors hearing them and asking questions.
     The New Year is here and why not make a new year resolution about going to church. God instituted the church and the church is the bride of Christ! Jesus will return for His bride one day. So runners let's get committed to running with Christ!
               

Father, help us love the church You gave us to help us. Jesus desired at age twelve to be in Your house help us have His desires. Help us run with Jesus.

About our Father's business tomorrow! 

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

December 31, 2019

December 31
Running with Jesus

Acts 28:30-31  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

      We are leaving Paul in Rome awaiting trial. What does Paul do, what he does best? Preaches the kingdom of God and teaches the things of God with boldness! Jesus empowering and enabling him to stay on course! The more we share the stronger our faith will become. When we sit down and stop running, our faith will begin to waver!
      I don't know where you are right now in your run but I do know we must keep on conditioning our faith to keep on keeping on!
       

Join me tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally Penned 2015