September 7, 2019

September 7

Running with Jesus

Acts 8:5 "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them."

     A Jew going to Samaria to preach? That is where those half-breeds live! Half Jew and half Gentiles. Jews would walk miles around Samaria to avoid those unclean people. Philip would go and preach and the message of Christ was received and word was sent back salvation had come to Samaria too!

      In the midst of persecution was exciting days because prophesy was being fulfilled and salvation had come to all people.  Jesus is the Savior of the world. He came that whosoever believeth in Him shall have eternal life. He came to seek and save the lost. All men are born in sin and on the way to hell and eternal separation from God.  There is a way of escape and that is Jesus. No man's soul is a half-breed all are of worth to Him. There is none untouchable by God. He loves us all and wants to bring salvation to our soul.   

      So if you feel like an outcast Samaritan today cry out to Jesus and receive His love and forgiveness. He is the Savior of the world!

Father, lift some soul today who feels low and outcast.  Let them feel Your love and acceptance. Help us show Your love to the world. Help us treat all men with love and respect. Help us carry the gospel like Philip. 

We can't buy salvation, in the morning so hurry back!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 6, 2019

September 6

Running with Jesus  

Acts 8:3   "As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."

     Christianity is spreading throughout Jerusalem and God is going to use this man Saul to spread the gospel. Christ and His disciples were turning the world upside down. Christianity and the church were being born in the middle of persecution. 

      Let's look back and think about the times people will most likely cry out to God? In difficulty! When 9/11 happened the churches were filled. Prayer vigils were held all over. During our difficult days we draw closer to God. Had God not allowed sorrow and suffering to be our companions man would not seek and find Him. 

      It is in our pain we find God is our hope and help in present times of trouble. We are turned inward and feel hopeless discovering we have Hope and that Hope is in the person of Jesus Christ.

Father, we don't enjoy pain and don't dare ask for it, however, we are so thankful to know we have You and You arrive in the midst of our pain to help us. Thank You for sustaining grace to go through life and You can turn our sorrow and suffering into joy and peace! Forever grateful! Sending You love this morning and praise!

Saul is still lurking around but meantime let's run over to Samaria with Philip, tomorrow! God is up to something!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 5, 2019

September 5

Running with Jesus

Acts 7:59-60 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

     I couldn’t help but remember Christ response on the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” as I read Stephen’s response right before he died.

     This is a tough response when we are being crucified for things we know we are innocent.  Yet we see how we are to respond when others are hurting us.  We can know and understand Satan has blinded their eyes and they cannot know and understand the truth.  The truth is we are not enemies; Satan is the enemy of man. He wants to destroy lives and he is the chief deceiver and seeks whom he may devour. Are you going through something with a person?  Don’t let it make you quit, get bitter, or angry. Look at your circumstance from heaven’s view.  See them and have compassion because they are blinded by Satan and are walking in darkness. 

We want to be free to serve with a joyful heart so we lay this burden at Your feet and will run our race with a joyful spirit, because our joy is in You, not people, places, and things. Amen

I told you we would run into Saul and he will be here in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 4, 2019

September 4

Running with Jesus  

Acts 7:57-58 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

      It is so sad because this angel faced man will be stoned for sharing the gospel. He never backed down. Stephen presented the truth to these men and they could not stand to hear his soul piercing sermon because they were guilty. They would not humble themselves and pray and ask for forgiveness. They could get rid of the messenger but not the message. But behind the scenes God was getting ready to do a greater work even in this innocent man’s death. Where was God working in this horrible thing, a stoning, you say? Look where they laid Stephen's coat at the feet of a young man named Saul. 

     Saul was a Christian’s greatest feared enemy at this time. Saul was gazing into this whole matter and his life would be affected by this whole moment. We will run into him down this dusty road.

     We never know what God is up to in catastrophic events in our lives. We can trust an all knowing God ,Who is going to do what He promised "all things work together for the good for those who love Him." We have a God, Who is faithful to His word. No matter what stone is being thrown at us we can know and understand that He will use each stone to work out His plan and purposes and will in some way bring honor and glory to His name. We must remember to give Him praise in our difficulties. This is a difficult task to do when your heart is breaking and your emotions are running wild. We will only see victory in our lives and protection from becoming bitter and hard when we place our faith and trust in Him while the devil is trying to stone us. Remember he wants our joy and joy is birthed out of loving and trusting God with all your circumstance.  So today humble your heart and talk to God about your stoning this morning.

 Here is a prayer for you: Father I feel all beat up this morning. The pain is more than I can bear and I don't understand what is going on in my life. Today because Your Word tells me You are working things out for good in my life, I will trust You. You might be teaching me or wanting me to be a witness of how You keep us stable in hard times so I will trust You, I will sing praise to You and I will give You honor and glory because my joy is not in my circumstance but in You. You are my awesome sustainer of life! Amen, amen and amen!

Stephen's response, in the morning.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

September 3, 2019

September 3

Running with Jesus

Acts 7:54-56 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and  said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

     There is a way we can leave this scene, and will be here tomorrow!  Don’t stay away linger with me! Stephen made this group so mad that it will cost him his life.  He was in a very difficult place but God, God did not forsake Stephen He gave him dying grace. God opened a window to heaven so Stephen could look upon Himself to help him endure the difficult task given him.

      If we are going to endure the hardships of life we too will have to learn to gaze intently into heaven and see Christ.  We must know and understand salvation is all about God’s glory and grace. Grace is the measure of faith God grants us to endure life.  That grace sustains us through difficulty and returns GLORY to God. He becomes our power source and strength to live through each difficult place we run face to face with.

     Jesus is right beside the Father saying, “that one is mine, and that one is mine, and that one is mine!”  Jesus has our circumstance and don’t forget it.

     This morning receive the grace you need to handle your difficulty.  Gaze intently through the window   of heaven and see Jesus there for you and claiming you.  Now be filled, renewed, and regenerated and get running. Jesus isn’t asleep He has this, so run with power and authority, because He Is all you need.  On your mark, get set, gaze, and run.

Don’t miss out, run with me tomorrow.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015