October 7, 2019

October 7

Running with Jesus

Acts 12:21-23  “And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”

     This was a day in the life of Herod the grandson who ruled after the death of his dad who ordered Christ to be crucified.  He was upset because the men of Tyre and Sidon let Peter escape.  He was killing Christians to gain favor with the Jews in the land.  These rulers went to make up with him and had a coronation day.  He was so proud he paraded like a peacock with his tail feathers extended and loved his position.  “But God” was still in control of rulers and authorities in the land.

     Some days we get discouraged over kings and powers in authority.  Ultimately God is not asleep and He knows exactly what is going on.  He allows certain things to take place.  In the Old Testament the Jews wanted a king like the nations around them so He allowed them to have a king.  He told them he would take their money and goods.  God wants us to want Him and let Him provide for us.  He does allow man to have a say and when we get what we think we want it usually is not what we need. God knows best!!!

     We just heard a song the other night at the NQC about the shootings in schools.  It said, “Where were you God when the shootings took place?” Then He replied, “You did not ask me to come you did not want me there”. 

      In this king’s life God got the ultimate say.  He died that day.  God is patient with man and sometimes He is using the most difficult situations to speak loud to us.  America needs to remember God.  She needs to ask Him to come back.  When we leave Him out and forget this life is just a short span to man and eternity is forever.  One day all knees will bow and confess He is the ultimate King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  So don’t be surprised by many of the things taking place in our land.  The kings rule only for a season and those who are unjust will reap in due time.  God is in ultimate control and will get the last word.  Read the back of the Bible we know the end of the story.

Father, today we pray for You to return to our country and tear down ungodly men and women who think they are in control and raise up Godly men and women to lead us. Help us not be afraid and trust not in chariots and horses but the Holy God of the Universe.  We cry out for You to come quickly Lord Jesus.

The Word is unstoppable, tomorrow.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 6, 2019

October 6

Running with Jesus  

Acts 12:16-17 “But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.  But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.”

     Can you imagine what it was like to be in this room with Peter telling the people how an angel came, hit him on the hip, his chains fell off,  led him out through different levels of a prison cell and there were prison guards there yet he escaped.  Astonished would not have been my response but I would have fainted. God was on the move growing His church to evangelize the world and what greater revelation for them. Peter would go on to be a great missionary alongside Brother Saul (Paul).

     I wonder why we do not see more happening around us.  We have the same God, the same Spirit!  I believe the church will begin to see greater things among us as the day of His appearing is approaching us. The first church was under persecution and we will in the near future experience persecution, the days are moving fast and I personally look for Christ in the next 25 years.  Reading the newspaper is like reading Bible prophesies.

     Let’s not wait till persecution starts to start believing in the power of prayer.  We should not wait for the giant to come to start praying.  David prepared by killing the lion and the bear before the giant came.  If you do not get up and start praying you will not be able to fight when the enemy challenges your God.  God is looking for trained soldiers to fight in His army. So get in boot camp.  Maybe you will find yourself astonished at what He can do!

Father, we pray for wisdom to pray and for strength to stand when the giants come.  We pray for deliverance from each one.  We want to be overwhelmed by You.  Send angels to camp around our families.  Astonish us Lord.

Tomorrow: No one is out of reach of God

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 5, 2019

October 5

Running with Jesus  

Acts 12:12-15 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.  And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.”

     I know there is sleep still in your eyes but wake up and get that coffee or coke and go to your war room (for those who have seen “War Room” you will get that, if you haven’t seen it you must!”)  That is exactly where the church was on this night and had been warring all night.  Their leader, Brother Peter, was about to be killed.  I pray that is where my people would be.

     A knock at the door and I am sure that this damsel, Rhoda, couldn’t believe what she was hearing, Peter’s voice.  Prayer was answered quickly!

     Are we not the same way, our emotions are running wild and we are so desperate.  I know some times I am in some kind of shape, you know what I mean. However, we get that knock on our spiritual door to find God had the answer even before we ask, the Bible tells us. Then we get so blown away we walk away and don’t even open the door. 

     She ran away and Peter is going to have to knock again.  He is outside fresh out of prison standing and you know they will be looking for him to recapture him. She left him outside and went to tell the others. When she told the others Peter was at the door, they told her she was mad.

     I remember when I began to see God work in prayer, He had to tap me on the shoulder and say that was me. Did they really expect Peter to be released?  I don’t think they thought there was much hope.  Remember God was teaching them the power of prayer.  He wants to teach us about the power of prayer.  We should pray together and expect God to answer our prayers.  Do you really expect Him to answer?               

Father, as we study, teach us to pray and teach us to expect You to answer our prayers and when they come help us receive them eagerly.  We pray and trust You to answer and help us not to get discouraged and remember heaven has to have a war to answer our prayers.  SO DON’T STOP PRAYING!!!

Tomorrow: They are astonished seeing Peter.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 4, 2019

October 4

Running with Jesus  

Acts 12:11 “And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

     This all took place the night before Herod was going to bring Peter out and have him killed.  Can we imagine what was going on in his mind?  James had just been killed and Peter was on death row.  He was sleeping when the angel came to bring him out. I feel he had made peace with God and was ready to go home with the Lord because he was asleep.  We may wonder why James was not delivered but Peter was.  All I can say Peter’s purpose in life was not over. He has a greater work to do before his life will end in a cruel death.

     Peter was so stunned He thought he was in a vision.  I would have thought that too, how about you?  What an experience Peter had, deliverance from the hand of an ungodly ruler and expectation of the people.

     As we dig into the church’s power in prayer we will see how we often react.  I want to tell you that we may not be in a physical prison but many of you are in emotional prisons and spiritual prisons.  Prayer is where I found the keys to release me from many of my chains. By praying, seeking God reading His word and asking for guidance I would find freedom.  I was lead to read self-help books and Godly counseling.  I was so confused for so long and had no idea a person could be bound up by fear to the point of paralysis.

     One of the greatest needs in my life was forgiveness.  I needed to forgive myself of sins of my past and forgive others that had injured me. 

     Prayer and obedience are the tools to deliver you out of the hand of the ruler of this world who cannot get your soul but can bind your soul to keep you from living the victorious life.  Victory comes through prayer and believing what God’s Word says over what the enemy and his world forces tell us.

Father, I know there is one out there in chains.  I pray in the name of Jesus You will send Michael the arch angel to fight that prince of darkness who is holding them captive.  I pray they will lay down all that past and walk into the light of Your presence today.  Help them lay down anything they are holding on to.  In the name of Jesus release them. 

     Walk away from all those feelings and walk out into faith.  Fear is gone, dread is gone, and you are new inside.  No matter what is going on outside you are okay inside.

Don’t miss tomorrow Peter is knocking on a door. (Read this whole chapter so you won’t miss out on any of this understanding, the Church has power.)

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

October 3, 2019

October 3

Running with Jesus

Acts 12:6-8 “And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.”

     I love this text and it means so much to me!  Back in the 80’s when I first began my prayer time with my Lord. I never forget when I was struggling with my children getting older and learned I needed to begin to intercede for them because the enemy was working to draw them into the world.  God began to show me the power in prayer and how the war in the heavenly places was taking place and I could see in my spirit the angels fighting.  Along with this passage I also found in Daniel 10:12-14 “Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”  Daniel prayed and a war went on in heaven between the demonic forces and the heavenly forces.  The chief Michael had to help fight to get the message to Daniel after he prayed.

     Friends, don’t layup and sleep when you and I need to be praying.  Angels start moving!  Do you need some angels to move those giants in your life?  I think so I know I do.  We are in a greater war than on this earth.  We are in a battle taking place in the heavens.  Do not forget this and remember God has given us weapons of warfare to capture rebels and bring them back and that weapon is prayer and intercession.  Every family needs an intercessor are you the one?  God is looking for watchman to stand in the gap. Let that be you.

Father, thank You for the weapon of prayer you have given us.  Even though we don’t understand fully what is going on up there, we do know we are to obey you and learn from some of the greatest prayer warriors in the life of the world. Today we see the church in its ultimate strength and power, in prayer. 

Tomorrow,  let’s not leave this place, we need extra strength and we will gain it right here.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015