by George Runyan | Feb 28, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
1 Corinthians 12:31 – Earnestly desire the greater gifts. And yet I show you a still more excellent way.
All that God has done for us comes from His attribute of love, for God is love! Any gift He imparts to a believer comes from a motivation of His love. He expects His children to be operating with the same motivation as His. Desire for spiritual gifts is good and proper. The question becomes, “What is our motivation?” For some, it may be a need to feel accepted by God. For others, it may be the need for attention, and for others perhaps a sense of power. Our motivations must be measured up against the love of God.
Paul the apostle spent a great deal of time addressing the use of spiritual gifts. The subject is not a small one, nor should it be quickly glossed over. He bridges the believers’ instructions in 1 Corinthians twelve and fourteen with chapter thirteen. This chapter is known as the “love chapter.” We must be careful not to make the mistake so many have made setting the subject of love against the gifts of the Spirit or thinking that love is superior to the gifts, thus dismissing the need for these gifts. That view completely misses Paul’s point of writing these chapters. The gifts are an important part of our relationship to Christ. They are also our resource to more effectively share the good news of the kingdom. When our motivation is born out of love, the gifts become what God intended, conduits of His love. The same Holy Spirit who imparts His gifts to believers is the One who supplies the love of God through every believer.
Allow the Holy Spirit to examine your heart. Ask the Lord to reveal your true motivation. Ask the Holy Spirit to make your motivation pure. Ask for His supply of grace to move you into greater degrees of His love for others.
by George Runyan | Feb 27, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 – Even as the body is one and yet has many members, by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
The Apostle Paul uses the illustration of the human body to illustrate Christ’s spiritual body. The human body is one, but it has many members. Paul is saying that by one Spirit we have all been baptized into Christ’s body. He expands his thought by mentioning Jews, Greeks, slaves, and free men. Every person that has put his or her trust in Christ is drinking of the one Holy Spirit. Our unity is not by all having the same understanding, nor is it in our form of worship, but in the fact that we are all drinking of the same Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the unifying factor in the body of Christ.
Are you drinking of the one Spirit the Father and the Son have given? He is the Spirit of the Father and He is the Spirit of the Son. The Godhead remains a mystery because we are speaking of God. All we know and experience of God is through the Holy Spirit. In Corinthians, Paul spoke of the water that flowed from the rock in the wilderness. He called it “a spiritual drink” which was Christ. Paul taught that our spiritual drink is the Holy Spirit through Christ our Rock. The Holy Spirit ministers all that Christ has provided for us. Drink deeply of the spiritual water that you have been given! Receive all that the Holy Spirit has for you! Remember, it is spiritual, but it becomes manifested in tangible ways. Whether it is righteousness, peace, joy, or a particular gift that the Holy Spirit chooses to release, it all comes from Him.
Today, drink of the Spirit! The Lord Jesus, by His sacrifice, has made it possible for us to receive all that the Holy Spirit has to give. Receive your portion today.
by George Runyan | Feb 25, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
1 Corinthians 12:10 – To another, the interpretation of tongues.
The gift of interpretation was very important in the early church. There were many languages spoken throughout the Roman Empire. In Acts 2, we read about all those from around the empire that had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. They spoke the language of their homeland. Those speaking in tongues were speaking of the kingdom of God in the many languages represented. Tongues were a sign gift to the Jews that the Spirit had come and the Kingdom was being established. In Acts 10, we see this sign gift of tongues given to the Gentiles. As the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, it was a sign to the Jews that God had accepted the Gentiles in His kingdom. Supernaturally, the message of the Gospel was given in an understood tongue by some but needed interpreting for those who did not understand the language by which the Spirit was speaking.
Today, the gift of interpretation is still relevant. There are testimonies from the mission field of tongues and interpretations being helpful in the sharing of the Gospel. From time to time, a message in tongues will come in a gathering of believers. If only the gift of tongues is exercised, there will be no edification for those who do not understand the language spoken. Interpretation provides others an opportunity to be encouraged as understanding is brought to the hearers. Paul encouraged tongues in the corporate gathering, but only if the gift of interpretation is exercised. Paul went on to say, some speak in tongues, some interpret, but all can prophesy. The Holy Spirit has made provision for the many languages spoken in the nations to hear the Gospel and has given an opportunity to receive Christ’s offer of forgiveness and life.
Rejoice today in your time of devotion with the Lord, in how He has made provision for all people to hear and understand the good news of the Kingdom of God. If the gift of tongues is exercised in a public meeting, maybe the Lord would use you to interpret what was spoken for the edifying of the body of Christ.
by George Runyan | Feb 24, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
1 Corinthians 12:10 – To another, various kinds of tongues.
The subject of tongues and prophecy are at the heart of this part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. The gift of tongues was being misused in the corporate gatherings. The purpose for the gift was to convince the unbelieving foreigner, in their own language, their need of salvation. Through the supernatural gift of tongues, the unbeliever was convicted and won to Christ. If believers were speaking in tongues at the same time in church gatherings, it brought confusion to both unbelievers and other believers. Read 1 Corinthians 14 for a complete discussion of the matter. Paul wanted believers to understand that this gift is specifically for the common good. Many are confused about this gift and have a tendency to neglect its importance to the body of Christ.
In the fourteenth chapter, Paul made a distinction between the gift given for utterance in the meeting place and the practical use of tongues in the believer’s personal life. In our devotional today, I want us to think about Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 14:5, “Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues.” I know that not all spoke in tongues, for if they did, Paul would not have needed to wish that all did. Paul explained that for tongues to edify, the language must be interpreted. Paul wrote, “If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14). Paul went on to say in verse 15, “What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with my mind also.” Do not set your natural mind against your spirit. Both need to make expression to God, whether by prayer or by worship. The Lord has given this wonderful gift of tongues so our spirits, as well as our minds, may pray and worship our Lord. It is very helpful to be able to express our worship and prayers with our natural mind as well as our spirit.
If you have not received the “gift of tongues” from the Holy Spirit, why not simply ask Him now? Continue to ask with the view toward being strengthened in your prayer life and worship to the Lord. It will not make you more spiritual. It is added grace to help you pursue your relationship with the Lord.
by George Runyan | Feb 23, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
1 Corinthians 12:10 – To another, the distinguishing of spirits.
The Bible reveals four areas relating to the subject of “spirit.” The first is the Holy Spirit, for whom this devotional is dedicated. Next, the human spirit, which becomes regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit when one repents and is converted. The third is angels, who are called ministering spirits. The fourth is demonic spirits, who are associated with the realm of darkness.
In the Gospels, these spirits of darkness are referred to in a number of ways. They are called devils, evil spirits, and unclean spirits. The gift of discernment, translated in the NASB as “distinguishing of spirits,” is a gift the Holy Spirit gives so the body of Christ knows with what realm of the spirit world it is dealing. This is a necessary gift in helping to bring freedom to those bound by evil spirits. It is also beneficial to help an individual find God’s eternal purpose for their lives as they learn to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Because of the influence of the occult in society, both in Bible days and in ours, the problem of spirits is a real issue. Many people come to Jesus, but have not received ministry regarding their past, when evil spirits attached to their lives. The early church understood the spiritual battle in which they were engaged and ministered “deliverance” from evil or unclean spirits so that the new believers could walk in freedom in their new faith in Christ.
The gift of discernment is a powerful tool that the Holy Spirit wants to impart to willing believers. It can be used to discern spiritual realms in the corporate gathering, in times of ministry to an individual, and in our personal walk with the Lord. God wants us to know how the enemy is battling against our success in Christ. The Bible is clear about our warfare not being with flesh and blood. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Ask the Holy Spirit today to heighten your discernment of the enemy’s territories. Yield yourself to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to show you the battle in which you are engaged. Ask for discernment as you minister to others. Father, I thank You for Your Word that tells of our spiritual battles. Cause me to be discerning as I fight the good fight of faith.
by George Runyan | Feb 22, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
1 Corinthians 12:10 – To another the gift of prophecy is given.
Prophecy is one of the greatest gifts the Holy Spirit gives to God’s people. Paul encouraged the Corinthians with the words “all may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:31). I believe what makes this a great gift is the fact that all can prophesy. Individuals learn and are exhorted through this gift. God’s people are encouraged to go forward and enter into all the Lord has appointed for them. Many times, the words are very specific and help in guiding a person in a particular direction. Prophecy is supernatural in its nature because it comes by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy is not the natural words of encouragement or teaching, which can be beneficial. The prophetic gift operates as the Holy Spirit stirs up a believer to speak. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will speak one word to a person in order to “prime the pump” for speaking more. Other times it might be a vision that one sees. Most of the time, it is by inspiration and one does not know what will follow the initial word or words the Spirit has given. The Bible connects “faith” to the gift of prophecy. “Prophesy, according to the proportion of faith you have” (Romans 12:6).
The gift of prophecy is a great way to become familiar with the Holy Spirit’s leading and directing. The gift can operate while praying for another, while sharing the gospel, or just encouraging someone in the natural. All of a sudden, the Holy Spirit releases a supernatural word of learning and encouragement. The gift of prophecy can be helpful in leading to the operation of other gifts as the Spirit leads.
I have had prophetic words spoken over my life for the last forty-seven years. Many of these words were very accurate in the detail they contained. This has been helpful for me to continue in the Lord’s direction for my life. At times, these words called me to specific areas of ministry. The Lord had already placed the call in my heart, but others were used to confirm His leading. I have been honored to be used by the Holy Spirit to provide the same ministry to others.
Ask the Holy Spirit to heighten your sensitivity to His presence and to begin to use you in an ever-increasing way in the “gift of prophecy.” You will be astonished how often you begin to share under the anointing of the Spirit of God. How blessed people will be as the Lord uses you to be an instrument of encouragement and learning!
