July 14, 2019

July 14

Running with Jesus  

Luke 23:26  And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

     Let’s run down and stand along beside Jesus on this road Jesus was no longer running but struggling to even breathe being forced to carry the heavy cross after the all night brutal beatings and floggings.  Blood was dripping down everywhere.   Just a few days prior He had ridden into town on a donkey and streets were filled with people waving palm branches and saying Hosanna, Hail King of the Jews.  Now the streets were lined with people crying crucify Him and watching Him being taken to hang on a cross.  Jesus was so weak He could not carry the cross.  The soldiers grabbed a man named Simon of Cyrene and made him carry the cross behind Jesus.

     I wonder how many of us are carrying our crosses behind Him today.  Do people have to force You to help Jesus.  Jesus burden did not stop at Calvary.  He is still burdened for mankind.  Don’t think for one minute when He stepped into heaven His burden stopped.  He finished making provision for us and His work of redemption was finished and He sat down at the right hand of the Father, but His Spirit is here among us crying out come to Me, come to Me all ye who are burdened and heavy laden.  He was working to redeem us that day and is still working to redeem all who are born. He sits there as our Adversary saying, “I died for that one, I died for that one, and I died for that one, they are Mine”.

     Jesus is looking for a Simon in the crowd who will willingly take up their cross, die to self and join Him in bringing others to God.   In the days ahead will we be the crowd when the donkey came or the mob who says kill Him.  Will we be a Simon by force or will we be a willing servant who will suffer with Him.  I pray God will give me strength to be one willing.

Oh Jesus, as we run down this bloody road today help us remember visually what You did for us. Let the blood be used to engrave our hearts that we never forget what You went through for us to have eternal life.  Help us to realize no sacrifice or cross we have to carry will ever compare to what You did for us.  Father, as the last days approach give us grace and a willing spirit to carry our cross for You.

Tomorrow: They reach Golgotha, “The Place of the Skull” meet me there.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 13, 2019

July 13

Running with Jesus  

Luke 23:22-24   And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.  And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.  And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

   Three times Pilate told the mob he found no reason for the death penalty.  Pilate had been under pressure that since the town was full of Jews there might be a riot.  And all the pressure from the Jewish counsel Pilate caved in and gave the sentence the mob cried out for.

   Jesus had gone through a flogging 39 slashes which was 1 less than the 40 that would have killed a man, yet as Pilot said he had found no reason for death, of course we know the whole story.  Jesus was fulfilling prophesy.  He was laying down His life for all mankind.

   Peer pressure today from the mobs has led to our politicians caving into practices that our forefathers would be heartbroken over.  Peer pressure can lead to disaster and this too would lead to disaster.  Jesus would prophesy what would happen to Jerusalem in just a few verses following these.  He tells them not to weep for Him but what would happen to Jerusalem in just a few short days.

   It is frightening to think where we are headed in this country.  Jesus will go on to victory in just a few hours.  Praise the Lord He will pass that victory on to us.  I don’t know where the peer pressure will lead to involving our lives; but this we do know, we will have victory whether in this life or in the life to come because when Pilot handed Jesus over, victory road was in sight.  No matter what the mobs may yell and seek to do to us we have hope.

 Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us the whole story and we know that no matter what the Pilots of this world cave into we have the Truth and can live as free people because we have the Freedom Giver.  No law can bind our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.  We pray for the souls of the lost. 

   Let’s rest in our freedom today.

Oh, my! Tomorrow, we are running close beside Jesus and we meet a man named Simon, please come back!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 12, 2019

July 12

Running with Jesus  

 Luke 23:18-20 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

     Pilate was the Governor of the region and the religious council had taken Jesus before him accusing Jesus of causing riots among the Jews.  They detested everything Jesus stood for and wanted to get rid of Jesus and sought every way possible to have him killed.

     We have been going through so much in the political realm today. The crowds are yelling CRUCIFY HIM even today.  They too detest even the name Jesus and hate all His followers.  You never hear the news media talk about the thousands of lives that have been changed and all the humanitarian things that Christians do. We are declared among bullying and hate crimes. Why we ask?  Political leaders love their position, power and lifestyle.  The crowds love their sinful lifestyles so they shout to the politicians and the politicians succumb to their yells in order to maintain their political status.

     How sad when a society make lies and evil right all while making  truth and good wrong.  This killed Jesus and today our world is still yelling crucify and give us Barabbas.  He was a man in prison for insurrection and murder.  So it is today those who do no wrong are being put away and evil men are loosed.

Oh Father, help us! (Join me as we pray for our government officials today.)  We know we live in the last days.  We pray for those who see evil as good and good as wrong.  Have mercy upon their souls.  Father, give boldness to the leaders who are trying to help change the laws back to Your ways. Please help people wake up. Our hearts are grieved over our nation.  (Join me as we repent of the sins of our nation.)

Tomorrow: Pilate sentenced Him to die as they demanded, meet me here.

AMERICA HAS NOT FAILED US.....WE AS CHRISTIAN AMERICANS HAVE FAILED OUR ALMIGHTY GOD AND OUR BLESSED AMERICA!!!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 11, 2019

July 11

Running with Jesus  

Luke 22:70  Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

     Jesus interrogation had begun and they were looking for a way to put Him to death.  One of the ways this could be accomplished was for them to find him humanly guilty of blasphemy, claiming to be God.  When Jesus turned their question around to answer and said “I Am” He was identifying himself with God, they took advantage of the opportunity.  “I Am” was the title of God in Exodus.  They said we need no more witnesses we heard him ourselves.  No other man ever born was rightly named because He was God and was the long awaited Messiah that would be the promised one to die for our sins.

     “I AM” God identified Himself to Moses using this title and it means He exists by himself for himself and is the uncreated Creator who is independent of a concept, force, or entity; therefore “I AM WHO I AM” (ongoing).

      We were watching an old Twilight movie the other night and there was an alien talking to humans on earth and it was funny to me that people today still believe there is something out there beyond earth.  Well there is someone out there and that someone is God, I AM.  God made man with spirit and that spirit is made to fellowship with God.  He was there before man existed and never will cease to exist.  I don’t know about you but I definitely need “I AM”.

     When it looks like days will overwhelm and over shadow me I need someone who is faithful and will run with me through this rat race of life.  When we have those days and wonder how we will ever get through that day God shows up and tells me “I Am” right here Judy and always will be I AM, your ongoing God and Companion trough life and will be through eternity. Jesus is the way to God because He was “I Am” in the flesh.  Don’t be deceived like these religious rulers who had no relationship just ritual.  Jesus wants to be your “I AM” today He gave His life to save you from the curse of this life and wants to be your ongoing running Companion.

Father, thank You for being our “I AM” when we think we can’t go on through our worst of days. Thank You for loving us and never leaving us alone. Thank You for that supply of strength and energy for another day.  Help the one who needs to hear You say today, “I AM still here and will never leave you”.

Crucify Him, Crucify Him, tomorrow.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 10, 2019

July 10

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:55-57;62 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

     Just a few short hours past after Peter cut off the ear of the servant, we see a different Peter.  Peter had been told by Jesus that Satan wanted to sift him and also told him before the cock crowed he would deny him three times. Sure enough the devil showed up.

     Peter was a bold and a loud mouth disciple.  He lacked maturity and growth but the sifting would change Peter’s life forever. He was always the first one speaking up and almost boasting about what he would do.  I will give my life, but...  “But” that little word, Peter fearful of his life denied knowing Christ.

     Pride goes before destruction, God’s Word tells us. He was a halfhearted follower but would soon become one of the pillars of our faith.  He would be restored and preach one of the most authoritative sermons after the resurrection recorded in Acts.

     We do not like sifting because it usually leads to brokenness.  We are not usually usable until we have been broken.  Much like a wild stallion so full of strength and energy is not usable until he has been broken and all that strength and power is under control of the master.

     Are you in a time of brokenness?  Just hold on God is going to use this in your life for our good and for His glory. Submit yourself to the Master’s authority and humble yourself before God and He will lift you up in His time.

Lord, I pray for all the broken hearted today.  Give them the grace to hold on and let them know You are working out a greater plan than they can imagine.  Help them know You show up through all the cracks much like a glass candle holder and become a light shining for others to see You. Without the broken cracks the light can’t get out.

Tomorrow: “I AM” is being interrogated.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015