December 10, 2019

December 10
Running with Jesus  

Acts 26:24  And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

      Paul continued sharing His testimony with King Agrippa. Wish I could have been a fly in that room when he told Paul he had gone mad!  But wait, we don't have to go far, just turn on the TV and you can see and hear a host of people who think the same think about Christians. They think we are shrimps and have become Bible thumping and mental cased people. They think we are old fogeys. They say times have changed and our ways are out of date or we have heard that story a million years about Christ returning!  They say Christianity is only a crutch.
      The world had rather believe we evolved from a tadpole or a boom in the universe. Now it takes a mad man to believe people evolve. If that be so why are we not still evolving?  Any person can see there is a good and evil force living among us. Look closely don't you see wars, death, disease, evil works, murder, lying, stealing, adultery, rape, and so much that could be written. Then there is love, joy, peace, helping, giving and so much more.  So let's look at the names of the forces God and Satan, God is love. He is the giver and sustainer of life. Satan is hate, the robber and destroyer of life. So you tell me, who is insane? Unbelievers, who will one day say why did I not believe!?!?
      The Bible tells us nature itself teaches us there is a God and man will have no excuse on the Day of Judgment! So wake up blinded man and follow the mad man. He will lead you to Jesus dying on the cross which will take you to heaven.
               

Father, thank You for all the mad men preaching, You placed in my life to lead me to You! We pray for the unbelief to be driven from our land. We pray for truth to prevail over evil. Open the eyes of their hearts to understand truth.

Paul almost persuades King Agrippa tomorrow! Hurry back!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

December 9, 2019

December 9
Running with Jesus

Acts 26:13 ..."O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me."
 

     I can never get enough of Paul's conversion experience.  I think as he tells this King his story he can't get enough either. Can you imagine that light from heaven blinding this man who I feel was strong, forceful, and dominating?  God brought this man who was wise in his own eyes to his knees! He was humbled and helpless depending totally on his soldiers to lead him.
     I tell you when God sheds His light on our sin sick heart we will fall to our knees. I have something to say! If you have not been brought to those knees before the Holy God you better examine your life! When His light hits sin it burns until it consumes us! Are you consumed by God's light? Paul never got over it and you will not either friend!
     By now you are untangling those Christmas lights you put away last year or driving down the road seeing the neighbors have lit up their houses, our towns are hanging "Christmas" lights not holiday lights. Let those lights be a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World. He is the light to lead us to God! Every year I ask God to show me something new or refresh Christmas by helping me see things more clear! This year I shall not see a light on a tree without thinking about Paul's testimony! The light changed his life and the same Light wants to change your life today!
 

Father, thank You for the gift of Light, Jesus, who shined in our hearts so we could find You!
   

Tomorrow: Let’s listen to a mad man!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

December 8, 2019

December 8

Running with Jesus

Acts 26:9-10 "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth   Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them."

     Paul continues his defense case to these leaders and gives them his personal testimony. He tells how he did many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth!

     Why are we amazed at this happening in our world today, people living and doing things contrary to Jesus? Leaders trying to do away with Jesus! The Bible tells us that Satan is the prince of the air and reigns here. He started the day Jesus was born to do away with Him. When the Magi showed up, he tried to find the King whom they came seeking to kill Him. When that plan failed Satan ordered all the baby boys be killed and Satan was working through a King!  Our forefathers and all the former Presidents have always promoted Christ and our faith. Our nation was formed to protect our rights to worship Jesus of Nazareth! Oh Satan is at work! Satan is more at work today than ever before doing things contrary to Jesus of Nazareth! He has read the back of the book too! He knows his days are numbered. He is not using new tricks to deceive man. What did he use day one in the garden with man? "Surely you will not die?"  He caused man to doubt God's Word  is true. He's saying today, "Surely there is no God and that is a fairy tale about Jesus of Nazareth!"

     Paul was sent to speak to the Gentile nations and he is still speaking today saying look at my life!   I got it wrong guys and died taking the truth and writing the truth. "Jesus of Nazareth is the Savior for mankind!"

      Well, it is your choice, believe Satan's lies and the world system’s lies or believe the truth!  Go ahead and live contrary to Jesus of Nazareth! One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess He is Lord, Jesus of Nazareth! 

Father, open the eyes of people's hearts that they may discern a lie from truth. We know your truth will set us free. Help us share truth as we go out. Help us share Jesus of Nazareth is Your Son sent to die for our sins.

We will be focusing on light tomorrow, see you then!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

December 7, 2019

December 7
Running with Jesus

Acts 26:6 “and now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers."
    

     Paul is giving his defense before the officials. He says he is a Jew and is being judged for sharing the promise of hope given to the Jews, his people.
     The season is once again upon us, Christmas, time of sharing the hope of the promised Messiah who would be born, live a sinless life, die on the cross for the sin of man, and resurrect to give us eternal life.
     As I sit and think of Paul I can't help but think of all the people trying to crucify us, as Christians, for sharing this same promise and hope today. People, look back over the past 239 years, hasn't Christmas and the birth of Christ been proclaimed in this nation?  What is going wrong now? Unbelief is rampant in our land. I am so sad! The promise of HOPE is as close as your breath and yet you are missing it!
     You can use X's to try to cross Christ out of Christmas, but you can never cross Him out of our hearts! Wake up people one more Christmas is here to warn you before it is too late! Jesus the Promised One came and died for you! If you give one present on Christmas you condemn yourself, because Christmas was started to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus! The Promised One!
               

Thank You Father, for loving us so much You sent baby Jesus to save our souls and make us whole! Help all who do not believe. Let this Christmas be the first they celebrate with the real message of salvation and peace with You. Man's souls are so restless and searching, help them realize Jesus is what they are looking for. The One You promised in the beginning to undo what Adam and Eve did bringing sin and death to mankind. Thank You in Jesus name!

Tomorrow: Contrary to the name, Jesus of Nazareth!  See you then and have a blessed day!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

December 6, 2019

December 6
Running with Jesus

Acts 25:19 "But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive."

     Paul's accusers had the Governor And Kings confused over what to do with him. As they discussed his case Festus was explaining the charges. He said the Jews wanted to kill Paul over some superstition that Jesus which was dead is being affirmed alive!
     They could find no reason to have Paul killed because they thought all the hope over Jesus was just a superstition. Sounds familiar doesn't it? People today think of Christianity as a wives tale or some fictional story man made up. Some think it is a mental crutch having a God!
     Many people in America don't realize there is a battle of good and evil raging around us.  We have a generation coming up that have been raised with no knowledge of Jesus. We have a non believing society writing our laws and ruling our court system. They think all this talk of Christian should be done away with and are gradually trying to wipe out Christ. Americans are like frogs sitting in a frying pan not realizing the heat is rising!
     There are people surrounding us who will soon bring their false god to rule over you and will lead you into bondage and not be a god of love and mercy! He will kill you if you don't take his mark! So keep believing the lies of old Satan himself. Surely there is God and Jesus didn't come to die for our sins, and all this silly stuff about Jesus resurrection and being the Savior of the world. Kill Christmas get rid of all that superstitious stuff.   You better wake up people! The roaring lion is approaching seeking whom he may devour. He loves power and control and is working silently and gradually to gain the power house that will help him control the world!

Oh Father, we pray for our country. Our hearts are so sad at all the unbelief we see prevailing around us. We know if You tarry there will be terrible days ahead for believers so we pray, “Come quickly Lord Jesus!!!”  We pray for those who are blinded by the truth of evil. We cry out for a revival in our land.

Tomorrow: The promised one!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015