by George Runyan | May 5, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
WALK BY THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:16 – But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Walking by the Spirit is a choice one makes on a daily basis. Once you begin to practice walking by the Spirit, it becomes something like breathing. You don’t have to think about every decision or choice you make. Supernaturally, you just do it. It is supernatural in that you know it is the Holy Spirit who is leading your decisions and lifestyle. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 4, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
BY THE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT, STRIVE TOGETHER WITH ME IN YOUR PRAYERS
Romans 15:30 – Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.
Paul is writing to a church that he has not seen. He had longed to go to Rome, but the Spirit of God has had him focused on the Eastern Mediterranean.Many of Paul’s friends, and fellow laborers were there in Rome with the Roman saints. Paul is strongly calling for them to join him in his labors by praying for him to be rescued from those that are disobedient in Judah. That was a nice way of speaking about the Jews who wanted to kill him. He asked for prayers concerning his outreach to Jerusalem. He also asked them to pray about giving money to the poor saints living there. He asked them to pray for his ability to come to them in joy, by the will of God and to find rest in their company. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 3, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
I WILL ONLY SPEAK OF WHAT CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH ME
Romans 15:18-19 – For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit.
Some may think it is an egotistical statement by Paul to speak only of what Christ has done through him. One day, I received a letter from a sister in Christ, who felt she needed to write and tell me I was bragging of what Christ had done through me. Of course, I wrote her back, and thanked her for bringing this to my attention. I mentioned to her that I had taken her letter and shared it with other well-known pastors in our city. My purpose was to inquire of these pastors to find out if this might be true. They did not agree with her perspective and affirmed the reports of what the Lord had been doing.
by George Runyan | May 2, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
AS LIVING STONES YOU ARE BEINGBUILT UP AS A SPIRITUAL HOUSE
1 Peter 2:5 – You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
We read in Peter about a work of the Holy Spirit. He is building a spiritual house for a holy priesthood. 1 Peter 2:4 speaks of Jesus as a living stone. Men rejected Him, but in God’s eyes, He is “choice” and “precious.” O that the Holy Spirit would help us see Jesus as the Father does. He is our Lord and Savior, our friend, but He is so much more. He is the stone that is perfect. He is the corner stone that is the foundation for the building which God is raising up. Remove Him and the building collapses. Jesus cannot be a small part of one’s life. He cannot just be the God of Sunday morning. As the Scripture says, “in Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28). He is called a stone, which represents something that does not move. In Him “there is no variation or shifting” (James 1:17). READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 1, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
PUT ASIDE THE CORRUPTNESS OF YOUR HUMAN NATURE AND LONG FOR GOD’S PURE WORD
1 Peter 2:1-3 – Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
This Scripture reveals that the human nature with its corruptness does not just disappear when we are saved. Peter says to “put aside” these evil behaviors. The five areas that Peter named are summed up in the word “wickedness.” Put aside all wickedness and become like newly born infants. What does a newborn want? Pure milk! As we begin our walk in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to create an appetite for the pure milk of God’s Word. We must nurture that desire. This is our first step of cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We begin to think, “I need to read the Scriptures.” We choose to put aside other things and make room for the reading of His Word so we may begin to learn God’s will for our lives. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
