by George Runyan | Apr 7, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
STORE UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN
Matthew 6:19-21 – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The Holy Spirit has come to connect us to heaven. Most of the time, the human goal is survival, to hopefully achieve amassing as much money as possible for security in this life. Read More – Click above
by George Runyan | Apr 6, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
FAST SECRETLY BEFORE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER
Matthew 6:17-18 – When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Fasting is a practice found in many religions. When I was in Pakistan some years ago, I experienced Muslims fasting during Ramadan, one of the most important religious times among Muslims. Fasting would take place from sunrise to sundown. Christians could not eat in front of Muslims during their fasting time. At night, those practicing fasting during the day would gorge themselves at night. This went on for a whole month. To read more – click above
by George Runyan | Apr 5, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
BE A GIVER, BUT DO NOT PUBLISH YOUR GIVING HABITS
Matthew 6:2 – So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so they may be seen by men.
Finances, for the most part, have been seen as a private affair. Typically, you do not ask a person “How much do you earn” or “How much money do you give to charity?” In this passage, Jesus is dealing with the “religious heart,” a heart that is more interested in the praise of others than the need before them. Read more . . .
by George Runyan | Apr 4, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
April 4 – JESUS LIFTS THE BAR FOR LIFE LIVED IN HIS KINGDOM
Matthew 5:48 – Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
In Matthew 5:21- 47 Jesus deals with relationships on many different levels. The Law forbade murder, but Jesus said, don’t be angry with your brother. If you remember when giving your offering someone has something against you, leave your offering and go get reconciled to your brother. Read through these laws of the kingdom of God and ask the Holy Spirit to help you rise up to the life that our Lord has called us to live. The higher bar is what Jesus calls us to, even the perfection of our heavenly Father. This sounds impossible, but we have the Holy Spirit to help us. Read . . .
by George Runyan | Apr 3, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT SURPASSES THAT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS
Matthew 5:20 – For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
This is a powerful statement by our Lord that draws a line in the sand regarding righteousness. Jesus came to establish righteousness as God intended. The Holy Spirit was sent to produce His righteousness in each one that puts their faith in the work of Christ. Titus reminds us, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The “surpassing righteousness” of which Jesus is speaking became established in the work of the cross as He bore our sins. Our Father in heaven accepts the righteousness of Christ on our behalf. A believer is accepted by God as one fully fulfilling the Law of God, and its entire requirement for dealing with the penalty of sin. The Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11), and He is now given as God’s gift to all who trust Christ. He washes us, causing “regeneration” that is, He makes alive what was dead. The Holy Spirit “renews” us to the original purpose of God when He had created man.
