by George Runyan | Mar 30, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
2 Chronicles 13:5 – Do you not know that the Lord God of Israel gave the rule over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?
Salt in the Scriptures speaks of covenant. Offerings in the Old Testament were made with salt. As 1 Chronicles 13:5 states, God made a covenant of salt with David that “his sons would rule over Israel forever.” God fulfilled His word to David when David’s greater Son was seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High. The Lord Jesus Christ is the one who is now reigning as “the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
On the mountain, Jesus taught His disciples, and now teaches us that we are to demonstrate the quality of salt. If we lose that divine attribute, we will be like sand, trodden under foot. Sand looks like salt, but is not cohesive like salt. Because the nation of Israel lost its saltiness, it was trodden underfoot. In like manner, the church has lost its ability to influence society as it once did. All is not lost though, because God desires to revive His people. He revived the nation of Israel throughout the Old Testament. His purpose was fully completed in Christ, the son of David. Jesus had in mind the restoration of the House of Judah and Israel, who became divided after the reign of Solomon. His message of repentance was to the nation of Israel to repent and receive the New Covenant sealed in His blood. The majority refused and thus was trodden underfoot in 70 AD, when Jerusalem along with their Temple was destroyed.
Today, God is reviving His church which, like Israel of old, has lost her saltiness. Jesus’ words ring strong and true as they did when He spoke on the mountain. Today, He is calling His church to be revived and be the salt of the earth. His message is also going out to Jewish people. “Come to your Messiah, the son of David, and He will revive you and place you in the “household of God.” In the same way He spoke to the seven churches of Asia Minor, He speaks today, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22).
Father, I pray for Your revival power to be manifested in my life. Thank You for the covenant of salt made with David. Thank You for the covenant’s fulfillment in Christ Jesus our Lord. Father, make me salty to my generation. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and use me to lead others to Your covenant promises.
by George Runyan | Mar 29, 2017 | 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 20, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth.
Gentleness demands humility. The arrogant do not practice gentleness or meekness. One evidence of a Spirit-filled life is the fruit of gentleness (Galatians 5:22). There are many who try to move ahead in life with an arrogant attitude. Usually, this person is filled with selfishness, only thinking about their success no matter how it may affect others. This character flaw is especially seen in the business world, the entertainment industry, and the political arena. A drive for power and control is behind arrogance and selfishness. It can be observed that most of these people end up losing in life. Many times their dreams are dashed by heartbreak and loss.
The Scriptures teach, and many lives demonstrate, that gentleness is the way to success. Jesus is teaching a key to life’s success in Matthew 5:5. Humility, which demonstrates gentleness, will help bring success. Through gentleness the Holy Spirit touches the hearts of people and opens opportunities. Individuals are moved to reach out and help the gentle person. Opportunities come, doors open, and a way is made for the gentle person to be received as their reputation begins to be spread.
Some people are gentle by nature. This is a human quality which is rare and honorable. As Jesus brings into focus His Kingdom, He is anticipating those that would be filled with His Holy Spirit, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in all of their relationships. Paul said, “All things are ours. So then let no one boast in men, for all things belong to you” (1 Corinthians 3:21). All things belong to the child of God, but we must see this corporately. As an individual, I cannot claim all things at all times, but the Lord blesses His body throughout the earth. Remember Paul’s teaching when he said, “There are many members, but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). As members of the body of Christ, we enter into His promised inheritance through humility and gentleness, not arrogance or pride.
Ask the Holy Spirit to increase growth in you regarding gentleness. Ask Him to show you what He has set aside in the earth as your inheritance. Father, I thank You for Your promise that the gentle shall inherit the earth.
by George Runyan | Mar 19, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Multitudes throughout the ages have known what it is to mourn. We may mourn the passing of a loved one, the loss of a child, a war casualty, calamities, or the loss of property such as a house or finances. Consider the oppression people suffer throughout the world. Modern day news coverage allows us to observe people weeping and lamenting their present day circumstances. Because of these first-hand observations, many become moved with compassion to share their resources with those who are suffering. Many times believers have experienced the prompting of the Holy Spirit to reach out in practical ways to those in need. There is a good reason why Jesus called the Holy Spirit “the Comforter.” Only the Spirit of God can completely comfort those who are mourning. True comfort can only be brought by what Jesus promised in Matthew 5:4.
Have you ever been hindered by your lack of words or ability to comfort another? Have you ever felt helpless during times when a person has experienced the death of a loved one, a calamity of some kind, or when their life is being oppressed by some difficult circumstance? At these times, it can be humanly impossible to bring comfort. As a believer, we have received the necessary grace from the Holy Spirit, to come alongside an individual and speak a word of comfort through the inspiration He gives. There will be a day in which we will know the totality of the Spirit’s comfort. The Scriptures speak of the day in which all our tears will be wiped away. “He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death, there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
The only answer for the conditions found in a fallen world, is found in Christ. The believer has the answers dwelling within through the person of the Holy Spirit. All His fruit, His gifts, and His power is available to those who have put their faith in Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit freedom and total access to use you for the glory of God.
As the old gospel song declares, “The Comforter has come, the Holy Ghost from heaven, the Father’s promise given.” Today, allow His comfort to be your portion. He will give you peace and assurance in every situation. He will use you to minister comfort to another.
by George Runyan | Mar 17, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 6:13 – For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
What a powerful declaration of truth! Jesus directs everything back to the Father. The Holy Spirit was poured out on believers to work the works of the Father in the earth. The first thing the Holy Spirit established was God’s reign in the earth. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came on those waiting for Him in the upper room. He began to rule in the lives of individuals. From this place of His ruling flowed power, power to transform and govern in the lives of those who have trusted in Christ. “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say,’ Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20-21).
The Lord revealed how He was working in the earth through the apostles and the early church. The same Holy Spirit power continues today. The productivity of His rule and power is a manifestation of His glory. Ultimately, we will share in the fullness of His glory when Christ returns, but for now, the glory is revealed through committed, Spirit-filled lives. Jesus said, “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Paul instructed the church to “Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). This is the work of the Spirit, releasing the kingdom of God to those who believe and using each believer for the glory of God.
The kingdom of God is now and is yet to be some day. I say now, because the Holy Spirit lives in the believer and helps us do the will of God. It is in the future, because there is yet a day when Christ Jesus will gather to Himself all that are His. Together with Christ, we will judge this world and the angels. The Scriptures declare that we will rule with Him in eternity. The writers of the New Testament continually establish a balance between then and now. Our responsibility is to examine our lives and determine if the Lord is indeed ruling. This is a daily process in our thoughts and actions toward others. Our calling is to present to the world a lifestyle that is led by the Lord. Corporately, we are to be a people that demonstrate the goodness of God. We are to bring to bear an influence, first by prayer and then by our actions. The direct influence of God’s kingdom in the earth is because of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Consider the testimony of the apostles and the early believers in Acts 15:3-4.
Father, help me examine my life and honestly determine where Jesus is reigning as Lord. Help me see those areas I have yet to surrender to Your rule. I pray for Your kingdom rule in every part of my life, for Your glory.
by George Runyan | Mar 16, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 6:13 – Deliver us from evil.
Evil surrounds us in the world system. Paul teaches in Ephesians 2:2 that the devil is the prince of the power of the air. He is the prince of this world and the world’s systems. The phrase “the prince of this world” speaks about the world’s systems and governments. Evil forces are behind the world’s systems. The good news is that this prince has been judged (John 16:11). The prince of the world killed the Prince of Life, whom God has raised from the dead (Acts 3:15). This was the beginning of deliverance and freedom for the inhabitants of the earth. Today, a man reigns from heaven, the man Christ Jesus.
We too, have power over the evil one because of Jesus. Jesus told His disciples, “I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19). Through faith and obedience we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Our deliverance from evil began with Jesus’ sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Majesty on High. The Father and Jesus poured out their Holy Spirit to bring refreshing from their presence. Jesus instructed the disciples to “wait in Jerusalem, until they were given power from on high” (Acts 1:8). The word “power” in the original language meant authority. Jesus gave His disciples authority to proclaim to the nations the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus is now reigning as King! Speaking to the philosophers on Mars Hill, Paul proclaimed, “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:30).
The power or authority which the Lord released on the Day of Pentecost is still being released today. We cannot overcome the evil one without the power of God. It is the Holy Spirit who gives believers power and authority against the kingdom of darkness. Prayer was the beginning of the early believer’s preparation. The work of God continues today through the prayers of God’s people. God’s grace of power is released through faithful, obedient sons and daughters. Our deliverance is not automatic, but effectual through righteous prayer. See James 5:16.
Father, I ask to be delivered from evil. Strengthen me with the spirit of obedience. Thank You for giving me Your faith and authority to obey and live Your life of righteousness. Thank you for giving me the overcoming life of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
