by George Runyan | May 7, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
PUT TO DEATH THE FLESH WITH ALL OF ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES
Galatians 5:24 – Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Jesus laid the foundation for the truth that Paul is giving to the believers at Galatia. “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’ ” (Matthew 16:24-25). Part of entering into life with Christ is the putting off of the flesh which is rooted in the old nature, also called the old man. Oh, the absolute genius of our God! God becomes human in the Son. Christ lives the sinless life; He dies in our place as our substitute. God the Holy Spirit raises Him from the dead, enthrones Him as a resurrected man seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Spirit of God is poured out in the earth to bring forth a new creation. We choose to put the old nature to death and we choose to receive the new man. We live life through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. What power has been given to man! What eternal joy is ours to possess! What victory over death and hell! READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 6, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
THOSE WHO PRACTICE DEEDS OF THE FLESH WILL NOT ENTER
Galatians 5:21 – I forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
As we think about our relationship with the Holy Spirit, it should lead us to His nature. We know He is holy. We know He is spirit. Christ has given each believer His “holy” nature. In the early church, there were those who embraced forgiveness and eternal life, but who had not been fully converted. They did not understand that God, in the power of His Spirit, was raising up a new kind of man in the earth. Those born of the Spirit are now holy and not continuing to practice the base nature of the flesh. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 5, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
WALK BY THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:16 – But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Walking by the Spirit is a choice one makes on a daily basis. Once you begin to practice walking by the Spirit, it becomes something like breathing. You don’t have to think about every decision or choice you make. Supernaturally, you just do it. It is supernatural in that you know it is the Holy Spirit who is leading your decisions and lifestyle. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 4, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
BY THE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT, STRIVE TOGETHER WITH ME IN YOUR PRAYERS
Romans 15:30 – Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.
Paul is writing to a church that he has not seen. He had longed to go to Rome, but the Spirit of God has had him focused on the Eastern Mediterranean.Many of Paul’s friends, and fellow laborers were there in Rome with the Roman saints. Paul is strongly calling for them to join him in his labors by praying for him to be rescued from those that are disobedient in Judah. That was a nice way of speaking about the Jews who wanted to kill him. He asked for prayers concerning his outreach to Jerusalem. He also asked them to pray about giving money to the poor saints living there. He asked them to pray for his ability to come to them in joy, by the will of God and to find rest in their company. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | May 3, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
I WILL ONLY SPEAK OF WHAT CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH ME
Romans 15:18-19 – For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit.
Some may think it is an egotistical statement by Paul to speak only of what Christ has done through him. One day, I received a letter from a sister in Christ, who felt she needed to write and tell me I was bragging of what Christ had done through me. Of course, I wrote her back, and thanked her for bringing this to my attention. I mentioned to her that I had taken her letter and shared it with other well-known pastors in our city. My purpose was to inquire of these pastors to find out if this might be true. They did not agree with her perspective and affirmed the reports of what the Lord had been doing.
by George Runyan | May 2, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
AS LIVING STONES YOU ARE BEINGBUILT UP AS A SPIRITUAL HOUSE
1 Peter 2:5 – You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
We read in Peter about a work of the Holy Spirit. He is building a spiritual house for a holy priesthood. 1 Peter 2:4 speaks of Jesus as a living stone. Men rejected Him, but in God’s eyes, He is “choice” and “precious.” O that the Holy Spirit would help us see Jesus as the Father does. He is our Lord and Savior, our friend, but He is so much more. He is the stone that is perfect. He is the corner stone that is the foundation for the building which God is raising up. Remove Him and the building collapses. Jesus cannot be a small part of one’s life. He cannot just be the God of Sunday morning. As the Scripture says, “in Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28). He is called a stone, which represents something that does not move. In Him “there is no variation or shifting” (James 1:17). READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
