December 30, 2019

December 30

Running with Jesus

Acts 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

       I don't know about you but I would love to be guarding Bro Paul! I can never get enough of his teaching! Paul's Jewish training gave him so much insight into the Messiah's fulfillment and purpose! His conversion blinded him in order to give him spiritual eyes to see truth that set him free from the bondage of religion to relationship with Jehovah through Christ. 

      We have had an amazing run through the books of Luke and Acts this year written by Dr Luke. We ran physically beside Jesus in the flesh and then we ran beside great men filled with the Spirit of Christ given at Pentecost! We have seen Christ working in and through them to share the gospel. 

      The most amazing thing is the same Spirit that lived in Paul lives in us and wants to work through each of us to reconcile man to God! Luke, Peter, Mark, Paul and all the disciples had an amazing journey and work. The same God has an amazing work for us too as we journey through life, if we allow His Spirit to guide lead and direct our lives.

 Father, thank You for letting us join You as we run through life. We pray we will be more available as we begin a New Year shortly! Let us say Father here we are Your bond-servant. Reveal to us Your divine will and purpose. Help us spend more time seeking You in 2016(2020)!

Judy Hollaway

Originally Penned 2015

December 29, 2019

December 29
Running with Jesus

 Acts 28:15 "And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage."

     The brethren came to meet Paul when they heard of them and Paul thanked God and was encouraged!
     I told you the church was given to us with meaning and purpose! They rallied around Paul and his spirit was lifted and he took courage! Something we all need to run through life!  As we face our daily run through life we can easily be brought down and if I was on trial and chained I would need encouragement. We may not bear real chains but things in life will make us feel all bound up! That is when the brethren are needed most! A phone call, a text, a smile, or a hug from one can change our day! I know what it is like to have great sisters in Christ who lift me up and encourage me! Another reason to start your New Year resolution to get back in the race!  Find a church and become a brethren encourager! Rally with others to give the support they need and you will find it available when you need some!
                 

Father, a big thank You today for my brothers and sisters in Christ, our encouragers! Thank You for the Church! Thank You for knowing what we needed before we knew what we needed! Help us be an encourager this New Year!
               

Text a friend and encourage them today!

Guarding Paul, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally Penned 2015

December 27,2019

December 27
Running with Jesus 2015

Act 28:10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

     What a stay Paul experienced on this island  they had shipwrecked on! God wasn't through with Paul yet. Paul would go to Rome and through the people on this island God would provide all they needed to get them where He wanted them to be!
       I will be sixty-one in just a few short days, oops a woman is not suppose to tell her age lol! I had to make a point! Mike and I entered the ministry after nine years of marriage and two young sons. We had young blind faith! We jumped when God gave us the call! Eager to be about our Fathers business! I can tell you our faith was tested in so many ways! There were times when looking through my eyes I didn't know if we would make it! Every test was God teaching us to depend totally upon Him as provider! I did not have all my wants but I had what I needed! Sometimes my faith wavered but God never did! He has been so faithful to us. We always had a place to live, sometimes big sometimes little! We definitely never had to go without food! We always had clothes to wear. We have been blessed by great churches to serve and wonderful people who loved us! I don't have enough room to brag on my God. I have lived by this promise He gave me years ago: Psalm 37:25 "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread".
      It was this verse that took worry and fear from me. Knowing as long as I was faithful He would be faithful to me. The times I had little were the times He was teaching me to be a better manager of what we had so when we had more we would be a better steward of what we were put in charge of. God will provide and He is a great Father who will discipline and teach you how to manage! So if your money is little, examine where you spend it and the way you are spending it! Remember you are on mission down here and you are supposed to help others. Don't expect extra blessings if you are not using it in the finance for kingdom work!
               

Father,  thank You for being faithful to us and help others learn to let You be in charge of their finances. Help them understand sowing and reaping in all areas of their lives! A shout out to our Provider!

Tomorrow: Fetch a compass!

Judy Hollaway

Originally Penned 2015

December 27, 2019

December 28

Running with Jesus 2015

Acts 28: 12-14 "Landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to  Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

                 Paul once again was on board a ship headed to Rome for trial! They sailed around several days and landed and found some brethren. 

                When we get off course we will find ourselves going around in circles never coming to a place of contentment. Paul said they fetched a compass and it got them back on course.  I see people move trying to get away from their troubles to find in the end they went right with them and were steered off course.  Many times we will find it is our own attitudes that need to change. When we moved misery went with us. We will see tomorrow when Paul is at His best is when he finds some brethren and gets back on course. God gave us the church with purpose and meaning. The Bible is our compass and tells us exactly where we are suppose to be! We need to use it! 

                 In a few days a New Year will begin and people start making those New Year Resolutions! If you are one that has left the course find the brethren and return! 

 Father, there are many out in life's sea sailing round and round not using their Compass! Let this New Year be the year they get back on the path and plan You have for them. The Compass, Your Word, You gave us is to lead us till we get home! You never steer us wrong!

              Steer means to guide and control! Use the Compass and find your way! Let God guide and control this year!

Tomorrow: Courage!

Judy Hollaway

Originally Penned 2015

December 26, 2019

December 26

Running with Jesus 2015

Acts 28:8 "It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him."

                 Paul was experiencing revival on this island. God was using him in mighty ways. After surviving the snake bite, Paul prays for the father of the man who had been taking care of them on the island and he was healed and it goes on to say many others came. Paul prayed for them and they were healed. 

                Remember Paul's situation? Arrested in chains and headed for a trial, he did not let it affect his spiritual walk with God! To live our lives above our circumstance is learning to live in the abundant realm! Jesus said He came to give us abundant life. I am reminded of this verse 1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

                God has a special plan mapped out for us. It will take us to places we never dreamed! Dr. Luke our writer never knew He was being used by God to write portions of the Bible, neither did many of the personal disciples, many were just ordinary fishermen! Paul had no idea he would be used to grow and mature so many Christians. His life is a living witness surrounding and cheering us on our own personal journey with God! Paul's worst days in life are some of his most fruitful days! God honors faithfulness and dedication. 

                Don't let your present circumstance get you down or stop you! Be patient, trust in the Lord, and walk through doors of opportunity! God isn't through with you yet just giving you more witnessing material!

Father we don't know all the plans You have for us but we have You, the Plan Maker, and we trust in You and not our present place or position! Help us let You use everything and every position as an opportunity to make us a better witness! We know You have plans for us, we could never imagine! 

God provides don't miss out in the morning join me!

Judy Hollaway

Originally Penned 2015