by George Runyan | May 13, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU, NOR FORSAKE YOU
Psalm 51:11 – Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51 is one of the most hopeful and encouraging passages of Scripture. David, out of his own sin and brokenness, reveals what a truly repentant heart looks like. Beginning in verse 5, David identifies the root of our human problem. “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; and in sin my mother conceived me.”
Many times, people are convicted over a sin, but do not identify the root of the issue as David has done. Our basic nature is one of lawlessness, which is the meaning of “iniquity.” The reason the Law of God, which is perfect, could not save us is in the “weakness of our flesh” (Romans 8:3).
David confessed to God that his conception was rooted in sin. His appeal to God was the full recognition of his absolute depraved condition. One cannot express more sincere humility than the position David took in this Psalm. David appealed to God in verse 11, asking “not to be cast away from God’s presence.” He knows the only real thing that matters is a life lived in the presence of God. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 12, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
John 16:1 – These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.
It should be no surprise that the “world” hates true believers. The system of the world is against all that God has established. The three major systems of the world that resist God’s plan and purposes are Governments, which are driven by ego and pride to control people, Economics, which is driven by greed and separates classes of people, and Religion, which seeks to oppress the masses through fear and domination. God the Father has His plan, called “The Kingdom of God.” The Kingdom of God is ruled by a benevolent Father through His Son who is full of grace and truth and the Holy Spirit from whom flows righteousness, peace, and joy. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 11, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
YOU WILL TESTIFY OF ME
John 15:26 – When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also.
We must always remind ourselves of Jesus’ words, “when the Helper comes.” As He was pointing His disciples to the soon future event of the coming of the Holy Spirit, He was establishing the thought that they would never be alone. Jesus is clear in this passage that both “the Helper” and His disciples would testify of Him. The Helper is here with us as He was with them. Nothing has changed in the purpose of God. The Spirit testifies of the Lord Jesus Christ by filling us with boldness to open our mouths and declare the Lord’s presence to save and deliver. He testifies with mighty acts of power, but He chooses to work through weak beings. It is in weakness that the grace of our Lord is revealed. Consider the Lord’s word to His servant Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 10, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
GOD’S WILL IS FOR US TO LIVE ABOVE REPROACH
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.
Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians in their faith. Paul was concerned that they would be hindered from following Christ because of the afflictions they were suffering. The opposition was coming through their own countrymen from the very beginning of their service for Christ. Paul was concerned that they would grow weary and give opportunity for Satan to hinder their growth. In their culture, as with ours, there was much immorality. Satan uses affliction and difficulties to discourage us and draw us back into fleshly desires. Fleshly gratifications only last a short time. Paul wanted them to understand the true purpose of affliction. God uses affliction to help complete what is lacking in our faith.
by George Runyan | May 9, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
THE FRUIT OF REVELATION
John 14:26 – The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
The fruit of revelation came with the teachings of Jesus. All those that heard Jesus’ teachings were amazed because He did not teach in the way they had become accustomed. He taught “with authority” to which Jesus was not just repeating what the writers of the Old Testament had written. He brought revelation to the Scriptures. He revealed their true meaning and fulfillment found in Him. This became revelation to many of those who heard Him. Not only did Jesus explain the Scriptures accurately, He demonstrated them through signs and wonders. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 8, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
WORSHIP IN THE SPIRIT
PUTTING NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH
Philippians 3:3 – For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.
One of the theological battles today is whether the “kingdom of God” is in a natural people or in the Spirit. I have never understood why this is such a challenging area to understand. Paul is absolutely clear in this passage of scripture. The true circumcision are not those who have had the foreskin cut off, claiming to be the “the children of Abraham.” Rather, the true circumcision is those who worship in the Spirit. Jesus also made this abundantly clear when speaking to the woman at the well. She was confused about who the true worshippers were and where they worshipped. Jesus said, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshippers (John 4:21 and 24). READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
