May 19, 2019

May 19

Running with Jesus

Luke 14:34-35 Salt is good: but if the salt  have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

     Salt can lose its flavor. Did you know when salt gets wet then dries nothing is left but tasteless residue. Watered down Christianity! Yes, that is what has happened in America. The church has bit into the worlds standards of living and the Word of God has been diluted in our lives and we have lost our savor.  We no longer stand up for Christ. 

      Salt preserves and flavors food. We are supposed to be bringing good into the world and new flavors. We are too busy to sacrifice, plan and lack commitment to do Gods kingdom work.  What is so sad is the religious who do not know the true and only living God are willing to strap bombs to their bodies, cut off heads and adhere to their laws and fight till death for just a dead man, whose bones lay in a grave!  We have the only living God and we are not willing to serve Him. Don't ask us to sacrifice our time. We leave our Bibles on the church pews, on our car seats or on the table collecting dust. We pick our Sunday School books up 30 minutes before we get in the car. (If we go to Sunday School.)  Wonder why we don't see God working in our lives. We only pray when we need God, like a genie in a bottle and we call Him out for emergency only or some selfish wants. 

Father help us! Give us that desire to know You and walk in Your will and ways. Fill us with Your Sweet Holy Spirit and empower us to be salt in this bland world we live in and help us live a desirable life that others can taste and find Jesus.

     We are losing Our Homeland. Jesus said He who has ears let him hear! Church it is time to return to the Faith of our founding Fathers "In God We Trust". 

     God said if my people who are called by my name, will seek my face (not what is in His hand) I will heal their land. Friends we need healing! Our kids are at stake! Return to God. 

     Let's spend time seeking God all day! Ask Him to make us salty. Turn off the radios, TV's, and the Candy Crush spend that time with the Lord. Let the master of salt season us.

Tomorrow:The lamb is lost but the shepherd is coming!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 18, 2019

May 18

Running with Jesus

Luke 14:27-28 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

      Counting the cost! I remember when Mike first surrendered to the ministry I read a book on the cost of discipleship, I got real depressed and I don't think I finished it. I can tell you many times I have wanted to quit! However with God's grace I have been able to hang in there. 

       Many people do not want to sacrifice to serve the Lord. Many do not count the cost and quit just like a builder who failed to figure out the cost of a building. The truth of the matter, we sacrifice very little in America for Christ. The days ahead are going to be very tough on the next generation. Being a Christian and especially a minister is not looked upon in this world system as being very valuable. It is funny though because God's Word says people cannot be saved except by hearing the Word and how can they hear without a preacher! God has chosen the foolish of preaching to save the world! 

     This generation must consider the cost because it will be much greater than ours.

     Join me today in prayer for the next generation!

 Father, we pray for our children and their children should You tarry in returning. We pray for boldness and strength to be able to stand strong and firm upon Your Word. Protect them from the evil one give them Godly spouses that will help them stay on the right path and keep them in Your watch care! Help us teach and train them in a way that will help them stand firm in their faith. 

Tomorrow: Is your salt wet?

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 17, 2019

May 17
Running With Jesus

 Luke 14:12-14 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

     Remember the host in this house was a Pharisee and this is an important fact in the teaching of this text! Let's investigate!  First off, he knows who they would invite to a luncheon should they have one. That would be friends, neighbors or sisters, relatives and rich friends! They did this thinking they will invite them back! Here it is in the Bible exclusion of others and only running with the in crowd and those who return favors to yourself. Now He brings it home! We have to remember they think they have arrived and are the quote "next best to God". But next is the kicker; invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind and you will be blessed! No way Jose, these were the "untouchables" this would make the religious dirty! Wham! bam! They couldn't return the favor back because they were starving, lonely and outcast they should not be seen with them. 
     I know many out there feel like the lower class! I am so glad God does not look at people through the eyes of pride and power! God looks deep into the soul of man and no matter what status, denomination, or race He loves us all! He has issued a ticket for the greatest feast to ever be held. He has sent the ticket to everyone and that is Jesus Christ! He is inviting anyone to come! You must receive the ticket in order to get accesses to the banquet table! 
     Jesus does not care what physical infirmity you may have, how much money is in your bank account, or if you live in the White House or a grass hut! All are invited to join Him! Have you received your ticket? If not, do it NOW!, ask Jesus into your heart! If you have that ticket, rejoice with me today! Look for ways to tell others about the ticket to heaven! Don't just stay in your little group, step outside your box and do something for someone you consider dirty or not in your "group"! Watch being a "groupie" thinking you will get a free ticket to heaven!  It doesn't work that way, stop being self-righteous thinking you have arrived because of the world’s thinking system!

Father, lead us to some soul today needing an invitation, help us recognize them and give us boldness to speak to them about their salvation.  The days are short the wedding feast is being prepared.

Counting the cost, tomorrow!

 
Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 16, 2019

May 16

Running with Jesus  

Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

     "Oh it is hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way. I can’t wait to look in the mirror cause I am getting better every day!" The words of this old song darted through my mind when I read this parable!  We are not running around with humble people! It is me, myself, and I. If we don't get our way and don't get the best seats in the house, it is whine, whine, whine!

     Jesus was invited to go to the house of a Pharisee and the next two days we will hang out with them.  We will see them squirm at the parables Jesus tells them. We better watch judging them because we will find ourselves squirming! 

      “Humble” is an admirable quality not many people possess. It means that a person may have accomplished a lot, or be important but doesn't feel it is necessary to advertise or brag about it! Jesus teaches a big lesson on being humble and thinking of others rather than self.  Self likes to run the show in our lives. The truth is you really will never know true joy until you step out of self and into others. Jesus is the perfect role model of servant-hood and should be ours personally.  He was always healing, helping and serving others. In the parable today he tells us not to lift ourselves up but he will lift us up at the right time and place.

      I think of Joseph in the Old Testament who learned to be humble no matter where he was a servant in the palace or in a prison cell. He helped others, then gained favor with those in authority of those over him. Later, he was lifted to second position under the Pharaoh! It was at just the right time and as a result, saved his own family.  Another scripture tells us to not let our right hand know what the left hand is doing to help with humility. Someone said, “Do a deed, then forget it”! Both are great advice that will help us keep the right attitude toward ministry. 

Father,  thank You for daily helping us as we keep running through life and making a path for our feet and a lamp to light the way.  We want to be effective as we do kingdom work.  Help the mind that is in You be in us. 

     Let's see how many kind acts of service we can do today silently. Remember forget them when you do one! Hey, start in your house shock your family! 

Tomorrow: Who gets invited to your banquets!

 Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 15, 2019

May 15

Running with Jesus

Luke 13:22-24 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

     Religion or Relationship; which are you, when Jesus was asked, "Lord, will only a few be saved?"  He responded by telling the man the way to heaven was a narrow door.  He also told him it would only be open for a period of time and the master of the house would lock the door. Then people would be banging on the door, pleading let me in and the master said I don't know you! They said we ate and drank with you and you taught in our streets. His response was I don't know you and get away!

     The latter were religious, held to rituals and memorized scriptures, but never embodied their talk. I read this yesterday in searching some information. This means we need to be living out our salvation. Walk or talk! True believers walking on the narrow path and through the narrow door have a personal relationship with Christ! Jesus was dealing with those Sadducees and Pharisee's, the religious council that was to keep and teach the law! So sad because they had the Son of God talking to them and walking with them yet didn't recognize Him! The very scriptures they would write and memorize told about Him but they were so full of pride, prestige, position and power they could not fit through the narrow door! 

     One way to examine yourself is to ask yourself “If I were to die right now where would I spend eternity?" If you do not have peace about this then you might want to talk to God about your salvation! When we are truly born again you know you have peace with God and the burden of the guilt of sin is lifted when we receive Christ, who takes our sin breaking down the barrier between us and God!  We are restored to a relationship with God! And you know it when it happens because you are never the same. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden they lost fellowship with God and the personal walk they had. They passed that sin on down to every person born. God called them out, killed an animal shedding blood and covered their nakedness for their sin and sacrifices of animals were made to pardon our sins. This was temporary until Jesus died on the cross making it possible for us have a permanent relationship with God once again! He defeated Satan's work. Man now has a way to get to God but it is not by working, doing good deeds or having a 100% church attendance. It is about being born again and knowing Jesus personally! 

     So are you one who is religious, know all the Christian lingo or do you have a personal relationship with Him and know if you died right now you would go to heaven? Do you know that you know? The door will be closed and locked one day so don't be one of the door bangers! It will be too late. Has Jesus embodied you or are you just walking around Him.

 Father, help those out there who are just religious to settle this matter today while the door is open! Help them understand the difference in a personal relationship that quickens us and makes us alive unto You. We are not just religious dead men walking around You and never coming to know You! 

  Which are you dead or alive?

Tomorrow: Oh, it is hard to be humble!

 Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015