October 31, 2019

October 31

Running with Jesus  

Acts 17:1-3 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

     Perseverance is remaining steadfast doing something in spite of difficulty. After the first beating most Christians say, "I am out of here!" Persevering of the saints is seldom spoken of in our modern day. Our social theology is if you don't like something you just throw in the towel. We see this in the breakdown of the family, in the work place and even in possessions. We are so easily turned to self-focused! It doesn't matter about who gets hurt or what others need; it is about me, myself, and I. 

     Paul is a great example of self-less. He ran from town to town preaching to the Jews the truth about Christ being the Messiah. He would be rejected, stoned, beaten and run out of town many times. He could have quit! That is the easy way, we think! However, look how many lives were changed and are still being changed because Paul chose to tell of the love of God.  Paul loved people and gave his life to help others know truth. Another church would be started in this town because of Paul's persevering faith! 

      We need to ask ourselves are we a person known for persevering or are we a runner who lets the least little thing makes us throw in the towel. Let's ask God to help us.

Father, some days it is so hard to press on. We need Your strength to carry on. Fill us with Your Spirit and help us persevere. Help us fulfill Your purpose for living. Help us run persevering till we reach the goal! 

Are you a jealous person? Meet me tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 30, 2019

October 30
Running with Jesus  

Acts 16:40 "And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed."

     After they were released from their jailing Paul and Silas returned to Lydia's house and were comforted.  Lydia's home was the forming of the Church of Philippi. Paul went to her home upon her pleading. Normally Paul lived independently as he traveled selling tents. This time he went and stayed with her.  In those days Lydia having a business meant she had workers and a community surrounding her. We were told earlier she and her household were baptized identifying themselves as followers of Christ. God was at work forming this church, a place of comfort, and it began when God opened her heart to receive the gospel.
      I am doing a study of the women of the Bible. Never underestimate your abilities as a woman when it comes to God. He uses both men and women to get His work done. He will use anyone with a humble spirit and a servant’s heart, whether we are wealthy like Lydia or a poor servant girl like Mary. God looks upon our hearts and knows us and searches our hearts. Joseph was the youngest brother and God saw his heart.
      What does God see in your heart? Do we have a willing spirit? Where did Paul find Lydia after God called him in the vision to go to Macedonia, at a prayer meeting outside of town by a river. Lydia was seeking God and he saw her heart and opened her eyes to see Him.
       We will find God in our prayer time while we are crying out to God. We are to be God chasers, someone once said! I want to be among those who chased God and found Him!
               

 Father, look deep into our hearts today, we long for you! We cry out to You with thirsty souls. Here we are Your servant. Fill us with Your spirit today and show us Lydias who are praying for someone. Tell them how to find God. Make us aware of the opportunities today.
 

Paul, moving forward, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 29, 2019

October 29

Running with Jesus  

Acts 16:28-31 " But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

      Paul and Silas walked so close to God and they made the most of every opportunity to share the gospel. They seemed to look at everything through the eyes of God. Here is what some say was the first jail ministry! All things happen for a reason. God was about to save a prison guard and his family. The door was opened, their chains were loose and had an opportunity to run, but if they had this jailer would have been killed. In the dark they cried out to the jailer to let him know they were still there. Look what happened he fell at their feet and asked how to be saved.  He had been listening to their voices sing praises to God in chains and he noticed these men were different.

     How we respond to the catastrophes of life become a living witness of our faith. People notice more than we think how we react and respond. On the other hand our enemy wants to drive us to the point of turning on God and causing our faith to be null and void. It was Paul and Silas strong conversions and eye witness faith in Christ that enabled them to endure. They had a God’s eye view. Everything in their life served as a purpose to bring honor and glory to God and salvation for a lost soul. I don't know what place you are in but I do know God will use it for His glory and to help others. 

     Do you feel jailed today? Ask God to turn it into a jail ministry. Keep singing and praising God until the chains fall off and doors open. Next, watch for a lost soul to appear that you need to witness to.

 Father, we praise You and worship You, Lord of heaven and earth. Our soul pants for You as a deer pants for water and our souls long to worship You. We trust You with these chains and prison walls knowing You are working in our darkest hours. We rest in You and trust You to bring good from the bad. Lift us up in this darkness, we wait upon You. And give us the ability to see life through Your eyes. 

Back to Lydia's house in the morning! Join me!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 28, 2019

October 28

Running with Jesus  

Acts 16:25-26 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.”

​     After the beating yesterday, we find Paul and Silas cast into prison and chained, but they had a prayer meeting and sang praises to the Lord! What a prayer service!  Look what happened when they sang and praised in the midst of their suffering; an earthquake began, the doors flew open and their bands or chains fell off! What a sight to behold! Wouldn’t you like to have seen the face of those prison guards! They even drew swords to kill themselves because if the prisoners were to escape a death order was placed upon their lives. 

     ​This is a place to start learning how to handle your adversity.  In the early days of depression I had in the eighties God taught me from this passage I was to praise Him and to sing to Him in the darkness. The prisons were usually dark and cold sometimes we get so low in spirit we feel chained, beaten, and imprisoned. Praising was one way God used to bring me up out of my emotional prison. It helped loose me from those chains by taking my mind off my circumstance and placing my thoughts back upon the Lord. My emotions would come under control, joy and peace returned. What we dwell upon determines where our emotions go. 

      ​After my spiritual beatings I began to learn to be Spirit controlled not emotionally controlled.  God would many years later use my emotional beatings to begin a ministry to help others. 

Father, I pray for that soul emotionally bound today to turn it into an opportunity to praise and sing unto You. Help them feel their chains fall and walk in freedom of Your spirit in the midst of their suffering.

In the morning, first Prison Ministry begins!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 27, 2019

October 27

Running with Jesus  

Acts 16: 22-23 "and the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

     Paul and Silas took a beating after casting that demon out of that woman. They were hauled off to jail! Jesus told His disciples you are sent out among scorpions! That is exactly where Paul and Silas were! They were carrying the gospel throughout the continent and this would be one of the many beatings they would endure.

      If you do anything for Jesus you can expect a beating!  Our beatings come sometimes from circumstance the devil throws on our path!  He will attack when you least expect it and he will aim for your head or your heart.  They are both your control centers.  He will wear you out trying to fix things mentally, placing fear and producing anxiety in your mind beating you up!  Can you relate?  He will also hit you and try to rip your heart out.  The things most dear to you he will strive to take it away from you!  He will seek to make it tough on you. However, we must endure! God's grace and mercy are new every morning! Weeping may go on all night but joy comes in the morning. 

       I don't know what has beat you up, but I do know that God is faithful and will use this some way to bring about good in your life.

Father, we pray for strength and healing today for those who have been beaten up by our enemy. Help us be filled with Your Spirit of endurance today and feel a big measure of grace! 

     Rest and know God is not asleep and will bring you through.

Tomorrow: Learning from a beating and chains in prison, so don't miss it!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015