September 22, 2019

September 22

Running With Jesus

Acts 10:4 "And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God."

     Cornelius had a vision and let's look at what he learned from it and how to apply it! First, we see what the angel of the Lord told him. "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial!" God noticed the FAITH of this one man seeking to know God! God sent someone to answer his prayers. 
     Praying should have a pure motive!  They do not go unnoticed by God! Old Satan wants us to think differently. He wants us to think our prayers are wasted. We can learn from the centurion that prayers don't go unnoticed and He will answer in His own time. So don't give up! Victory is just in sight.

Lord, we refuse to stop crying out to You our Abba, Daddy. Father, we trust in You with our whole heart. We lean not to our own understanding. We pray because prayer is our life support! It is our life line to God! Help us not get discouraged. We worship You in spirit and truth. 

One more application from this man, meet me in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 21, 2019

September 21

Running with Jesus

Acts 10:2 "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."

     Look at this testimony of the Roman official Cornelius, devout,  feared God with all his house, gave alms, and prayed to God! He was a God seeker doing all he knew to do in the flesh. God sent Peter to explain how to find Him! When we seek God the Bible tells us we will find Him! I went to Beth Moore's simulcast last week end and she talked about us romancing God! 

     Now if I wanted to romance someone what would I do? I remember our dating days.  I would dress up and spend an hour fixing my hair and my face. I would write love notes and fold them special and draw hearts on them. What did you do to romance your number one? Maybe you need to write him or her a note today. We have to keep that romance going. 

      Why not sit down right now and write God a love note. I stopped and wrote one for God and Mike before I typed the rest of this devotion. I want to intentionally seek God, I want to find Him. For me I can't go a second away from Him. He wants us to want Him! He wrote us a whole Bible of pages of love notes. Take a minute and hold your Bible close to your heart. Think about all the life He poured out at Calvary to give you eternal life. Spend some time just loving and praising God this morning.

Father, thank You for Your love letter and let my life be a love song for You! Some days it is hard to get passed earthly emotions and doing works to express  my love to You. Thank You for Your Word and keep our country safe so we can continue to have freedom to read It.  I am going to spend today seeking You. I will chase You down. I want You, Lord. 

More on this man Cornelius, so see you in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 20, 2019

September 20

Running with Jesus

Acts 10:1-2 "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."

     We never know what God is up to. This man’s name was Cornelius, a centurion, serving as captain for the Roman providence in Judah. God was about to use his conversion to begin his first Gentile church.  Revealing salvation is for all men. I’ve heard preachers say, “How many is all?” and we say “It is all”! Whosoever believes in me shall have everlasting life. God never tells us how the person we share Christ with will end up. All we are told to do is tell them about Christ.  We must be obedient and share Christ with anyone, any time or place. The key is to just obey! What they do with God is their choice.

     We must stay focused and be intentional about witnessing. We get so busy with doing life we are not seeing our Cornelius's. It only takes one to open a door for the whole family.

Father, help us cross barriers and share with anybody that You place in our path. Open doors today for us to witness. Give us boldness. As we move forward help us stay alert and sober and watch out for the doors you open. We love you and want others to know Your unconditional love for us. 

Let's look into this and the life of Cornelius, in the morning.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 19, 2019

September 19

Running with Jesus

Acts 9:39 "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them."

      Well lots of talk about the dates on our tombstones. The day we were born - the day we die! The most important part is the dash! The dash represents the years of our life!

      When Peter got to Lydda two men came to get him to take him to this lady named Dorcus who had died. Widows stood around weeping showing the work of Dorcus’s hands. The impact she had on the poor and those around her was amazing. 

      Dorcus used her gift of helping others. Life is more about helping others. You will never know the joy until you get rid of self and  start seeking to help others. 

      We write our own funerals by what we did during the dash! Wonder what will be said about us? We must seek to walk in obedience to His Word and live by His commands. That will take care of our dashes! Let's work till Jesus comes and calls us home!

      So let's have a think! If you could hear what people will say at your funeral, what would they say about you?   Let's ask God to help us empty ourselves of our self. Now ask Him to fill you and help you use your gift for His glory. 

Ever met a centurion? We will tomorrow, come back!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 18, 2019

September 18

Running with Jesus  

Acts 9:35 "And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord."

     Peter has arrived at a town called Lydda and God is doing a mighty work. Peter performs many miracles in this place. First a man sick 8 years with Palsy and a woman called Dorcus dies and Peter prays and she is raised up. News traveled all over about the miracles and many believed on the Lord. 

     I can't help but remember the words of Jesus to Thomas who said he wouldn't believe unless he saw Jesus hands. Jesus told him after he showed His hand that it is more blessed to believe and not see.

     Many people today are looking for a miracle or a sign to believe. Well God has chosen the foolishness of preaching of the gospel to bring souls into His kingdom. We do see modern day miracles but God knew man would make idols of men and worship the creature rather than worshipping Him. My sister is a miracle surviving her wreck and being able to walk again. But friend when it comes to salvation nothing compares to hearing John 3:16 " for God so loved the world, that who so ever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." The greatest miracle was God giving His only Son to redeem our souls. So don't miss the main miracle looking for an earthly miracle. Jesus is the miraculous son of God! Because of Him we can have a new birth and know God! 

 Father, we want to send up a shout and a praise for Jesus this morning. He is all we need for living. He is our comfort, our peacemaker, our provider, our deliverer, our anchor, a present help in trouble, our defense attorney, our friend, our redeemer, and our only hope for eternity! 

       Do you have the miracle? If not inbox me and I will tell you how!

Tomorrow: Dates on our tombstone, can't wait! See you in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015