by George Runyan | Mar 30, 2015 | 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 29, 2015 | 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 27, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:13 – Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.
Although there are many challenges in this life, we are passing through to a greater time where rewards will be given for faithfulness in the kingdom of God. Jesus promises a “great” reward to those who have suffered insults and persecution for His sake. “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet is promised a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:41). “When you receive a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, you receive a righteous man’s reward” (Matthew 10:41). Even the giving of cold water qualifies one for a reward (Matthew 10:42). “When you lend, expecting nothing in return, your reward is great” (Luke 6:35). Paul says, “Each one will receive their own reward according to their own work “(1 Corinthians 3:8). Works that are built upon an imperishable foundation will receive a reward according to 1 Corinthians 3:14.
Don’t throw away your confidence, because it has a great reward (Hebrews 10:35). John the apostle said, “Watch yourselves that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward” (2 John 8). The Lord Jesus Christ promised that He “is coming quickly and His reward is with Him, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).
Finally, diligence carries the promise of reward “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV). One does not have to wait for heaven to begin receiving rewards from our gracious Savior. Faithful diligence releases God’s favor throughout one’s life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you about His reward for you. The Father loves to give to His children. Don’t be bashful about expecting to receive rewards from Him. The Holy Spirit loves to honor the sons and daughters of God in this life. So be in a receiving mode now and in an expectant mode about the future.
by George Runyan | Mar 26, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:11-12 – Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
It is amazing how some Christians expect everyone to like and honor them for good works on behalf of Jesus. As we stand against all that is represented in this world’s system, we draw fire from those who love the system. The Psalmist asks the question, “Why are the nations in uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from among us” (Psalm 2:1-3). In a few parts of the world, there has been a higher tolerance for Christ’s people, but in most places He and His people are hated. We know why from the Scriptures! Satan influences their minds through demonic strongholds. The apostle Paul spoke to this subject in detail in his writings to the churches (2 Corinthians 10:1-5; Ephesians 1:15-23; 6:10-20; Colossians 2:8-15).
The Holy Spirit was sent to fill God’s people with the life of Christ and His power over Satan’s domain. Whenever the church has been persecuted, it seems to advance. In Matthew 5:11, the Lord promised blessing when we are insulted or persecuted. Our flesh wants to run from the pressure of resisting evil, but Paul encourages us to be strong in our spirit, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God” (Philippians 1:27).
The great testimony of Christ in us is the ability to conduct ourselves in a fashion which honors our Lord. His Holy Spirit gives us power to live above the world’s system. Standing firm is standing strong. It is a corporate action, that is, we need others who are also standing firm in the faith. Together, we resist demonic strongholds, knowing their destruction is assured.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas in your life where He can help you live in a manner worthy of the gospel. Ask Him for strength to stand firm in your spirit and give to you others that are also standing firm with the same mind.
by George Runyan | Mar 25, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Most in the western world do not have an appreciation for Jesus’ statement. We might receive some rejection from folks, but for the most part, Christianity has been accepted. This is not at all true in many places in the world. A Jewish convert may be rejected by their own family. In the Islamic world, a price can be put on one’s head. A family member would be honored for killing the Christian convert. In places like Pakistan, the Christian is paid the lowest of wages and has a difficult time getting ahead. In China, many are in prison for not being part of the so-called state-run church.
When the church in the West begins to stand up against unrighteousness, it will draw persecution. Today, many have suffered financially and even gone to jail for trying to protect the life of innocent babies in the womb. In our government, there are those who want to silence those who are crying out against the injustices in today’s society. The Scriptures command us to obey the laws of the land. There are those who are calling on the government to enforce laws that were implemented to protect us. Many are persecuted for their righteous positions by a government that is sworn to uphold the law and provide protection for each member of society.
Today, in America, preachers have to make a choice between easy street and persecution for righteousness sake. The true believer must be willing to be persecuted, but one must be sure it is for righteousness and not one’s individual morality. It must be a righteousness that comes from God, rooted in Jesus Christ, and clearly supported by the Word of God.
Ask the Lord to make clear what He considers “righteousness.” Surrender to His will for your life and ask Him for strength to endure hardship for righteousness’ sake. Then enter into your Lord’s kingdom reign by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you.
by George Runyan | Mar 24, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). This statement seems to be in direct contrast to what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. Is He contradicting himself? Jesus is the Prince of Peace. At His birth, the angels announced, “peace on earth, good will to men” (Luke 2:14). In Matthew 10:34, Jesus is describing the separation of those who belong to His Father from those belonging to this world’s systems. Many families and nations have divided over Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus made it possible to have peace inside oneself, with one’s neighbors, and even among the nations. The hardness of men’s hearts keeps peace from being a reality. Many today pray for the peace of Jerusalem, not understanding the answer to that prayer was a person and not a city. The Prince of peace entered the city, but they received Him not.
Jesus reconciled us to God through His sacrificial death on the cross. “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). He made peace possible for all those who would believe on Him. This has enraged the world’s systems against those who are the sons of God. We are peace carriers as Jesus was, but many reject the peace we carry and in doing so, reject becoming a son of God. Peace is in the Father’s DNA. That same peace is in every true son and daughter of God. Those who will not harden their hearts can become peacemakers. To those whose hearts are hardened in unbelief, Christ’s peacemakers will be a problem. This is what the sons of God do. On one hand they offer peace, on the other, they cause division. There have been many times when the Lord sent me to stir the pot. In doing so, I found out who really wanted the peace of God.
Ask our Father to make you a peacemaker, while realizing there will be some that will reject you as “a son of God.” Ask the Holy Spirit for His strength to help you be faithful in your role as a peacemaker. The world still rejects the “Prince of Peace,” but those who receive Him have peace beyond comprehension.
