July 4, 2019

July 4

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:31-32  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

      Here is a word we do not like to hear "sift". Sifting was used to separate the flour from unwanted particles like the chaff and stones. It was done by shaking and tossing and the wind blowing. It was not an easy process. And It took long hours of tiring work.

     Notice Satan is before God asking to do this to Peter like he had Job. 

     Peter would fail to live up to his word.   However, there is a “ but” !  But Jesus prayed for Peter's faith to not fail and afterwards he would use his sifting to strengthen his brethren.

     We don't like sifting and many times resist going through them. However, I have found mercy, compassion, and understanding are developed in our lives and as Christ comforts us we use our own hardships to minister to others in this rat race of life. Remember we all have times of sifting, but God will use us to strengthen a brother going through tough times too. “For Such A Time As This!”

Lord, strengthen us as we go about serving others. Use my sifting to help others find hope and strength that You supply us. Help us recognize while we are going through sifting we are not alone and You will help us.

      So if you are in a time of sifting don't give up, God will use it to do a greater work in your life! Just hold on He will bring you through! Just jog in place in the fog! 

Tomorrow: Spiritual warfare is about to start!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 3, 2019

July 3

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

     The disciples thought Jesus would be setting up a physical Kingdom and argued over who would have the highest position. Jesus takes advantage of every moment to teach them about kingdom living. He ask them who was most important the one sitting down at the table or the one serving! They said of course the one sitting. Jesus said not in My kingdom. Jesus the Messiah, their King, and their Leader was among them as a servant! 

    Jesus does not call us to be sitters. We are not to be worried about a position or power. We are to keep the mind set of Christ, to serve!  My question today is where and how are you serving in the body of Christ? A good leader will serve those who are under their authority! We are not to seek a position for recognition, but we are to have a servant mentality like Jesus. Our attitude can change our environment. So let's have an attitude check! Are you walking in servant mode today? If not, humble yourself before God.

Father, we die to self today and we take up our towel and seek ways to serve You today by serving others. Lead us to that one who needs us to help them. Let Christ mind be in us. We love You and thank You for teaching us by Your life the attitude we are to maintain.

      Having a servant attitude makes life's run much more enjoyable! So you choose, do you want joy or misery today? 

Watch out tomorrow, Satan has his sifter! See you then.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 2, 2019

July 2

Running with Jesus  

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

     “ Remember Me” is able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past. Too often while we are running through life we forget to remember who we are, the blood covenant people.  Every covenant God made usually carried with it something to remind them of that day. Abraham had circumcision that reminded him and Noah had a rainbow. Moses had a burning bush! Jacob had a ladder! Jesus gave the disciples the Lord's supper to remind them of the new blood covenant He was about to seal on the cross so when the days ahead got tough they could "Remember Me!" 

     He wants us to remember it cost Him his life to remove the penalty of man’s sin and man can live free from this fallen world we live in.

     How about your world, has it been rocked by Satan? Jesus says, "Remember Me!" Is your world pressing heavy upon you? Jesus says, "Remember Me!” Do you feel you can't go on? Jesus says, "Remember Me!”

Father, help us as covenant people remember You never leave or forsake us. Help us remember Your covenant is binding and we are Yours forever. No matter what life brings, You will always be there for us, because we are Your covenant people and every time we are in trouble our case will be heard and we can rest our case at the cross! 

Attitude check tomorrow, show up!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

July 1, 2019

July 1

Running with Jesus 

 Luke 22:20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

      Jesus was in the upper room and history was changing for eternity.  Heaven was watching and waiting all that was going on with God and man. He would soon fulfill his mission, the cross, yet He meets with His beloved disciples to explain the New Covenant with all mankind.  The long awaited time was here for man to be delivered from the penalty of sin.    He explained his body would be broken and his blood poured out that we could finally be restored to our maker and His spirit could come to dwell and walk with us again and we could have eternal life.  He would be the final Passover Lamb and man would be delivered from the penalty of sin. And man could be at peace with God.   

      Let me ask you have you experienced an upper room meeting with Him? If not He invites you to come and see what happened on the day He would die and shed His blood and give his body to be broken that you can have eternal life. So your burdens could be rolled away.  He invites you to enter into the blood covenant that will last for all eternity. I remember my day, do you have one? If not Jesus is waiting, climb up into the upper room. It will change your attitude toward life when you have been set free! Our run through life is easier when you are not loaded down with guilt. Can I get an amen!

 Father, we thank You for shedding Your blood for our sin and bearing our sin on the cross. Thank You for letting us in the last supper room so we can understand what you did for us. Help us keep a thankful attitude all day because we are free! Help us live as a free people! Thanks for removing our guilt! 

Let’s look at the word remember, tomorrow.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

June 30, 2019

June 30

Running with Jesus

Luke 22:8-13 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

     The days are counting down now to the day of Jesus death and He is beginning to prepare the disciples for what is going to be ahead of Him. He gave His two closest runners the task of preparing the Passover meal.  Jesus had already gone before them and prepared a place for them. It would be a special place He had prepared for them since this would be their last meal together before His death.  The physical race He had been on was about to end, however, His spiritual race was just beginning to start for all of His followers.  They would have to learn to race with His Spirit guiding them.

     God gives us task to do and so often for me, it becomes difficult because I can’t fully see what God is asking me to do.  Why is it difficult? We are so programmed to operate in our physical realm. We want to see the outcome before we finish the task and this is not FAITH walking. Faith has to be done through the spiritual realm.

     In the text today we have to understand how full this town was and much like no room for Mary to have baby Jesus, where would these disciples find a room for all the disciples to have a meal.  Well, Jesus had gone before them and told them exactly where to go and what to look for and everything He told them happened.  They didn’t question Jesus they went and did what He told them to do. He helped them do what He had asked them to do.

Father, help us not question You when You give us a task to do.  You went before these men and You will go before us when You ask us to do something. You are the way the truth and the life. Help us know Your desires and trust You as we run through this life.

Let’s meet in the upper room, in the morning.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015