by George Runyan | Mar 31, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:14 – You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
The light in the world is the Lord’s church. Imagine what it would be like if the church was non-existent in the earth. Try to imagine America without the effect of the gospel on the Constitution and her laws. In fact, America would not exist as we have known her. As Jesus produces light in individual lives, whole nations are changed for the glory of God. “You” are the light of the world. Your world is where you have the opportunity to influence others for righteousness. Somebody asked the question, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” I hope so! If so, it would mean that you are a shining light for the Lord.
As the oil of the Holy Spirit is poured into our lives, it fuels the flame that emits the light from within. That light is manifested through your personality, the way you take care of yourself, and reaching out to others in the name of the Lord. His light is demonstrated by your unwavering conviction and obedience to God’s Word, and your faithfulness to God’s people through committed relationship. A life of service and humility demonstrates the work of the gospel in your inner man. Through the ministry of “Halloween Harvest,” which was created by my friend, Mick McCoy, a pumpkin would be used to illustrate the need to first repent and allow the Lord to remove the sinfulness in our hearts, so the Holy Spirit can “light our candle.”
Ask the Holy Spirit for fresh oil. We are leaky vessels and need to be filled afresh regularly, in fact many times in a day. He is present to fill you with His oil so you can keep the light burning brightly.
by George Runyan | Mar 30, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:13 – It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Jesus is warning the multitudes of Israel. For centuries this people had been “stiff-necked and stubborn” (Acts 7:51). For the next forty years, from the time Jesus returned from the desert to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the gospel was preached throughout Israel and the Roman Empire. That preaching reached out to the nations where the children of Israel had been scattered many years prior. Although only a remnant of Israel believed, many Gentiles turned to the Lord and became the salt God was seeking.
Over time, the church began to lose its saltiness and God would have to send the reviving power of the Holy Spirit. There comes a time when people won’t receive what God the Holy Spirit is doing. I call this “becoming crystallized” in doctrine and form. God moves by His Spirit to revive His church and a remnant receives the present work of the Holy Spirit. Many that accepted the previous move of God become stuck and reject what God is currently doing. The last move becomes “tasteless” and “good for nothing” in effecting God’s purpose.
We are presently in what some have called a “post-denominational” time. That means “denominationalism” is becoming less and less important. Each of the denominations served a purpose at a particular time in history, but when they crystallized, they began becoming salt less. I respect the denominations and their respective contributions to God’s restoration plan for His church. Many precious saints are part of a particular denomination, but are also embracing the larger work of the Spirit in the whole of His Church. Paul helps us understand the Lord’s view when he says, “He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Ask the Holy Spirit to enlarge your view of His work in the earth. Ask Him to protect you from being tasteless. Ask Him to fill you afresh with Himself, that you might share with others the wonderful news of His salvation.
by George Runyan | Mar 29, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:13 – It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Jesus is warning the multitudes of Israel. For centuries this people had been “stiff-necked and stubborn” (Acts 7:51). For the next forty years, from the time Jesus returned from the desert to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the gospel was preached throughout Israel and the Roman Empire. That preaching reached out to the nations where the children of Israel had been scattered many years prior. Although only a remnant of Israel believed, many Gentiles turned to the Lord and became the salt God was seeking.
Over time, the church began to lose its saltiness and God would have to send the reviving power of the Holy Spirit. There comes a time when people won’t receive what God the Holy Spirit is doing. I call this “becoming crystallized” in doctrine and form. God moves by His Spirit to revive His church and a remnant receives the present work of the Holy Spirit. Many that accepted the previous move of God become stuck and reject what God is currently doing. The last move becomes “tasteless” and “good for nothing” in effecting God’s purpose.
We are presently in what some have called a “post-denominational” time. That means “denominationalism” is becoming less and less important. Each of the denominations served a purpose at a particular time in history, but when they crystallized, they began becoming salt less. I respect the denominations and their respective contributions to God’s restoration plan for His church. Many precious saints are part of a particular denomination, but are also embracing the larger work of the Spirit in the whole of His Church. Paul helps us understand the Lord’s view when he says, “He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Ask the Holy Spirit to enlarge your view of His work in the earth. Ask Him to protect you from being tasteless. Ask Him to fill you afresh with Himself, that you might share with others the wonderful news of His salvation.
by George Runyan | Mar 27, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:13 – Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.
Although there are many challenges in this life, we are passing through to a greater time where rewards will be given for faithfulness in the kingdom of God. Jesus promises a “great” reward to those who have suffered insults and persecution for His sake. “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet is promised a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:41). “When you receive a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, you receive a righteous man’s reward” (Matthew 10:41). Even the giving of cold water qualifies one for a reward (Matthew 10:42). “When you lend, expecting nothing in return, your reward is great” (Luke 6:35). Paul says, “Each one will receive their own reward according to their own work “(1 Corinthians 3:8). Works that are built upon an imperishable foundation will receive a reward according to 1 Corinthians 3:14.
Don’t throw away your confidence, because it has a great reward (Hebrews 10:35). John the apostle said, “Watch yourselves that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward” (2 John 8). The Lord Jesus Christ promised that He “is coming quickly and His reward is with Him, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).
Finally, diligence carries the promise of reward “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV). One does not have to wait for heaven to begin receiving rewards from our gracious Savior. Faithful diligence releases God’s favor throughout one’s life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you about His reward for you. The Father loves to give to His children. Don’t be bashful about expecting to receive rewards from Him. The Holy Spirit loves to honor the sons and daughters of God in this life. So be in a receiving mode now and in an expectant mode about the future.
by George Runyan | Mar 26, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:11-12 – Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
It is amazing how some Christians expect everyone to like and honor them for good works on behalf of Jesus. As we stand against all that is represented in this world’s system, we draw fire from those who love the system. The Psalmist asks the question, “Why are the nations in uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from among us” (Psalm 2:1-3). In a few parts of the world, there has been a higher tolerance for Christ’s people, but in most places He and His people are hated. We know why from the Scriptures! Satan influences their minds through demonic strongholds. The apostle Paul spoke to this subject in detail in his writings to the churches (2 Corinthians 10:1-5; Ephesians 1:15-23; 6:10-20; Colossians 2:8-15).
The Holy Spirit was sent to fill God’s people with the life of Christ and His power over Satan’s domain. Whenever the church has been persecuted, it seems to advance. In Matthew 5:11, the Lord promised blessing when we are insulted or persecuted. Our flesh wants to run from the pressure of resisting evil, but Paul encourages us to be strong in our spirit, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God” (Philippians 1:27).
The great testimony of Christ in us is the ability to conduct ourselves in a fashion which honors our Lord. His Holy Spirit gives us power to live above the world’s system. Standing firm is standing strong. It is a corporate action, that is, we need others who are also standing firm in the faith. Together, we resist demonic strongholds, knowing their destruction is assured.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas in your life where He can help you live in a manner worthy of the gospel. Ask Him for strength to stand firm in your spirit and give to you others that are also standing firm with the same mind.
