by George Runyan | Jan 4, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
John 3:5 – Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
The key to entering the kingdom of God is the Spirit of God. It is the Holy Spirit who carries the mandate to bring forth in the earth a “new creation.” The natural man does not receive the Spirit of God because the kingdom is spiritual and not natural. Many try reasoning in their minds how to be accepted by God. This is the height of folly because God will not allow any to know Him and His ways simply through natural reasoning. All of the world religions are based upon self-effort in trying to reach God. The basis of the “faith once delivered to the saints” is rooted in God reaching out to us. He has done this through His Holy Spirit. The Spirit caused the Christ child to be formed in Mary’s womb. It was the Spirit who came upon Jesus at His baptism. It was the Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus to heal the sick and cast out demons. The Holy Spirit strengthened the Lord Jesus to endure the cross for each of us. Finally, the Father promised Jesus that the Holy Spirit would be given to all who would believe in Him.
Nicodemus, a religious leader in Israel, came to Jesus in the dark of night. He knew in his heart that Jesus had been sent by God, confirmed by the signs that followed Jesus’ life. Nicodemus only knew the Law as a way to God. Jesus began to share that the true way of entrance into the kingdom of God was through a new birth, and not by attempting to keep the Jewish Law. Jesus told Nicodemus that it is by water and the Spirit that one must be born again. Water speaks of the natural birth process. Baptism was not a new thought to the Jews, for they had many kinds of baptisms. Being born of the Spirit was a new dimension for this Pharisee to grasp. READ FURTHER BY CLICKING THE TITLE ABOVE.
by George Runyan | Jan 2, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
Genesis 1:2-3 – The Earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light” and there was light.
As the earth was “formless and void,” so too are we before God speaks. Darkness was over the surface of the deep. Is your life without form and void? Do you feel void of purpose, trying to understand why you exist? Many wrestle with who they are and why they exist. Many feel a sense of purposelessness.
As it was in the natural creation, the Spirit of God is moving over the surface of people’s lives. He has come to speak the Word of God into the life of individuals and nations. The same Word of God that brought order out of chaos and light to the natural creation in the beginning wants to bring order to our lives and reveal God’s purpose in us. He has come to bring forth a new creation out of the old. This is what Paul meant when he said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE.
by George Runyan | Jan 1, 2015 | Devotional, George Runyan
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love (NASU).
HAVE A BLESSED AND GOD FILLED NEW YEAR!
by George Runyan | Dec 31, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
Revelation 22:7 – Behold I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.
Eight times in the first three chapters of Revelation Jesus speaks of events which will quickly take place. In the last chapter of Revelation, Jesus declares these events “must soon take place” (22:6), I am coming quickly” (22:7), “the time is near” (22:10), and “I am coming quickly) 22:12. Is it possible there might be a clue for John and the churches of that day that something apocalyptic was about to take place?
Today, many hold to a popular view about the Book of Revelation that all the symbolism in the book is about future events that are still yet to take place. In this brief devotional, we do not have time to explore the entire book of Revelation, but consider the ten times Jesus strongly implies, “soon to take place.” This great prophetic book establishes the absolute victory of Christ over His enemies. There are three enemies which are symbolized. They are the false religious leaders among the Jews, Jerusalem with its governmental structure which had killed the prophets, where Jesus was crucified, directed the persecution of believers, and the world systems and philosophies represented in the Roman Empire.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus states that this writing is for the seven churches mentioned in chapter 2 and 3. He was preparing them for the soon-coming events symbolized in Revelation when He would come and judge all His enemies. What hope and blessing is ours as we look back on history and see the fulfillment of all that Jesus declared. We look forward with great hope and expectation of His physical return after finishing His Great Commission, “Go into the entire world and preach the good news.” The devil does not win, we do!
The sign of the Kingdom was seen in the first century church as Christ judged His enemies in 70 AD. The present day outpouring of the Holy Spirit being experienced around the world is preparing believers for the harvest of the nations. Jesus’ literal return is the next great event on God’s calendar when time will be no more.
Let us devote ourselves fully to the Lord and His agenda. There are many books that help to define God’s purposes in clear terms. The most important book is the Bible. The enemy tries to keep us from immersing ourselves in the Scriptures. He tries to confuse our minds with natural reasoning. He has always tried to divide Christ’s body in order to suppress the power of heaven manifested in a united redeemed community filled with the Holy Spirit. Remind yourself of what our Lord accomplished through first century believers and His judgments upon His enemies. Remember saints that the final victory lies before us and the Holy Spirit is our Helper who will never leave us. AMEN!
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by George Runyan | Dec 30, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
Hebrews 1:1-2 – God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
These words were written to Hebrew believers who were being persecuted and had become discouraged. The author wrote, “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world (Hebrews 1:2). And again he wrote, “How will we escape if we neglect so great salvation? After it was at first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will” (Hebrews 2:3-4).
The Gospel was preached and confirmed in the generation of the disciples. Part of the message was a coming judgment on the Jewish nation that rejected two things. They did not accept the New Covenant in the blood of Christ and the presence of the kingdom in the person of the Holy Spirit. The writer of Hebrews identified the last days as beginning in the ministry of Jesus. For that generation, it was the end of the Jewish religious system as they knew it. The city of Jerusalem along with the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, just as Jesus had warned throughout His earthly ministry. The Apostles gave the same message of warning throughout their ministry.
Just before His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus entered the temple and judged the religious leaders with very harsh words (Matthew 23). He went on to share with His disciples in Matthew 24 concerning the events which would transpire in their generation before His return when He would finish the apocalyptic judgment on the Jewish religious system which had rejected His Messianic message and the gift of His Holy Spirit. Once we understand the “Gospels” and the message of the apostles to their generation, we can inquire of the Lord of our generation. We can look forward to His bodily return for His church and the eventual judgment of the Gentile nations who reject His Lordship in the earth. TO READ MORE, PLEASE CLICK THE TITLE ABOVE.
by George Runyan | Dec 29, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
Hebrews 1:1-2 – God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
These words were written to Hebrew believers who were being persecuted and had become discouraged. The author wrote, “In these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world (Hebrews 1:2). And again he wrote, “How will we escape if we neglect so great salvation? After it was at first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will” (Hebrews 2:3-4).
The Gospel was preached and confirmed in the generation of the disciples. Part of the message was a coming judgment on the Jewish nation that rejected two things. They did not accept the New Covenant in the blood of Christ and the presence of the kingdom in the person of the Holy Spirit. The writer of Hebrews identified the last days as beginning in the ministry of Jesus. For that generation, it was the end of the Jewish religious system as they knew it. The city of Jerusalem along with the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, just as Jesus had warned throughout His earthly ministry. The Apostles gave the same message of warning throughout their ministry. TO READ FURTHER, PLEASE CLICK TITLE ABOVE.
