by George Runyan | Oct 19, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
Hebrews 9:14 – Cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
A good conscience is necessary for the believer to be able to navigate with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If one’s conscience is dull from not being listened to, it produces an inability to hear the guidance of the Spirit. The writer of Hebrews makes the contrast between the Old Testament sacrifice of the blood of goats and bulls and the New Testament sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. In Hebrews 9:13, he states that the sacrifice of animals was “sanctified for the cleansing of the flesh.” In verse 14, he asked the question, “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Your conscience gives you an awareness of God’s will. Many years ago, I walked through a very difficult period in my life. Because of hurt, I made some poor decisions. In my choices, I disobeyed God when I ignored my conscience. I found that it became easier and easier to serve a dead work over obeying God. One day, I came under deep conviction and turned loose of my will and declared “I only want Your best, Lord.” Immediately, I experienced the “blood of Jesus cleansing my conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” My conscience was back in full operation and once again I was able to make difficult, but correct decisions. Thank God for the cleansing blood of Jesus! That experience taught me that the word of God is true regarding a “seared conscience” (1 Timothy 4:2). READ MORE BY CLICKING THE TITLE ABOVE.
by George Runyan | Oct 19, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
1 Timothy 1:5 – The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Paul identifies three necessary components in order to fulfill the goal of his instruction. The stated goal is “love.” In order for God’s love to operate...
by George Runyan | Oct 17, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
Ephesians 4:15 – We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.
This clear purpose of our heavenly Father is outlined throughout the New Testament. Many believe or at least live like God’s purpose is to bless them, making them a success, and answering all their prayer requests. That viewpoint was the mistake God’s people made when Jesus walked the earth, teaching and preaching the kingdom of God.
In the Book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul clearly outlines the will and purpose of God in the life of every believer. Paul pens what should be guiding the believer. “We are to grow up in all aspects of Christ.” Everything the Father is doing is about His only begotten Son. He has included us, intending that we will grow up into Christ. The Father is looking for those who will freely surrender everything to Christ and give control of their life to His Spirit.
Some important questions to be asked are:
Am I allowing the Holy Spirit access to every area of my being?
Can I see areas in my life that have Christ at the center?
Am I aware of specific areas in my life where the Lord is dealing with me?
It is important for each believer to examine himself and determine if “Christ is the head” in their life. It is impossible to grow up into Christ if we are not allowing Him to be head in all things. Through our free will, we say yes to the Lord, first in every clear command given to us in His Word. And secondly, as we learn to recognize His voice as He guides us through life’s decisions.
In order for the Lord to guide us, we must first allow the Holy Spirit access to our thinking processes. Regularly ask the Father to give you the mind of Christ. Identify areas of the past which you have surrendered to Him and evaluate how well you are letting Him be in control. Ascertain specific areas which the Lord has spoken to you about where He wants control.
As believers, we must be active in the growth process. The Psalms teach us how to actively interact with the Lord in both the good and difficult times. David actually commanded his soul to bless God and not forget His benefits. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion; who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle” (Psalm 103:1-5).
Father, I desire Your guidance in every area of my life. I choose to give the Holy Spirit access to my whole being. Thank You for those areas of my life where the Holy Spirit presently has control. Show me specific areas You currently want to help me surrender to the Holy Spirit. TO READ MORE CLICK THE TITLE ABOVE.
by George Runyan | Oct 16, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
There is one human who never changes, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. The Word of God manifested in the Word made flesh. That Word dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. That Word is now seated at the right hand of the majesty on high. From the very beginning, God purposed the Word to be made flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1-2). “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14-15).
In all the Scriptures, there is nothing more profound than “the Word was made flesh.” Because God’s Word is forever settled, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In Jesus’ earthly ministry, He expected God’s covenant people, the Jews, to receive His word because it is the word of the Father. Jesus came in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. The Jews had been given the responsibility of the oracles of God. “They were entrusted with the oracles of God. What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?” (Romans 3:2-4).
The Jews were the carriers of God’s Word for all of mankind. Some did not believe. This was especially true during the ministry of Jesus. Their unbelief did not hinder God’s faithfulness. TO READ MORE CLICK THE TITLE ABOVE. FOR YOUR OWN COPY OF “A DAILY DEVOTIONAL” CLICK THE COVER.
by George Runyan | Oct 15, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
Hebrews 12:25 – See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.
An individual may consider himself a Christian for numerous reasons. One can have a thorough knowledge of the Scripture and be true in their beliefs of what the Scripture teaches. The directive of the writer of Hebrews, as stated in verse 25, is the real issue. “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking.”
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Hebrews 1:1-3). The study of the “Gospels” is vital to our growth and development. Jesus represented His Father in heaven perfectly. He never spoke from His own initiative, only what He heard His Father saying. It is important for every believer to evaluate their viewpoints and their actions against what Jesus taught and did.
The Holy Spirit has been given to every believer as “the Helper” of their “new life” in Christ. He is not given to help us develop our own ideas and lifestyle. He is given to lead us to the death of self and into the resurrected life of Christ. Our life in Christ is completely in the “Spirit,” lived out through our everyday natural life.
Simply stated, do we hear through our natural ears or through a spiritual ear? TO READ MORE CLICK TITLE ABOVE!
