by George Runyan | May 1, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
PUT ASIDE THE CORRUPTNESS OF YOUR HUMAN NATURE AND LONG FOR GOD’S PURE WORD
1 Peter 2:1-3 – Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
This Scripture reveals that the human nature with its corruptness does not just disappear when we are saved. Peter says to “put aside” these evil behaviors. The five areas that Peter named are summed up in the word “wickedness.” Put aside all wickedness and become like newly born infants. What does a newborn want? Pure milk! As we begin our walk in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to create an appetite for the pure milk of God’s Word. We must nurture that desire. This is our first step of cooperation with the Holy Spirit. We begin to think, “I need to read the Scriptures.” We choose to put aside other things and make room for the reading of His Word so we may begin to learn God’s will for our lives. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | Apr 30, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
LIVE FEARFULLY DURING YOUR TIME HERE ON EARTH
1 Peter 1:17 – If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth.
This is a powerful statement and reveals why we always need the Helper, the Holy Spirit. It is a serious thing to call God “our Father.” Receiving salvation, in and of itself, is an awesome thought. But it is even more awesome to realize that God has given us “power” to be His children. The implications are more than our finite minds can take in. He is no respecter of persons. To think that He made me alive in His Son through the power of His Holy Spirit causes me to take things very seriously. As a child of God, I have the personal responsibility to live and conduct myself in a manner that is fitting to the name I carry. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | Apr 29, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
BE QUICK TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, AND SLOW TO ANGER
James 1:19 – This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Did they know? James seemed to think they did. He lists three things that he felt they knew. First, is to listen carefully. The word “quick” means “alive.” In other words, be alive and pay attention. Secondly, be slow to speak. I learned a long time ago I should try to be the last one to speak in any discussion if I want my point to stick. So listen carefully and don’t just say the first thing that comes to your mind. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | Apr 28, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
THE WORD OF TRUTH
James 1:18 – In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
God exercises His will, motivated by His nature of love. The will of God is always rooted in truth and righteousness. There is no deception or hidden motive in what our Lord does. God has fully revealed His motives in His Word, the Bible. If that was not enough, He revealed Himself by sending Jesus, His only begotten Son. Both would have been sufficient, but He also chose to send His Holy Spirit to indwell the believer and reproduce what He created in Christ Jesus. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | Apr 27, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
GOD IS THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT
James 1:16-17 – Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
The core of deception is rooted in keeping us from the intent of God the Father. He intends good for our lives and He wants to give us gifts, for this is His nature.
False religion is driven by so-called deities that demand obedience in some way that is tied to our flesh. The God of heaven enjoys obedience that comes from a willing heart, motivated by the love which God the Father has lavished upon His creation. Life itself came from Him. As I look out on the beauty of large oak trees, a small lake filled with fish and other living creatures, I am reminded of His love for me. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
by George Runyan | Apr 26, 2014 | Devotional, George Runyan
ALL MEN ARE TEMPTED, BUT GOD IS NOT THE ORIGINATOR OF THE TEMPATION
James 1:13 – Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
This is a very critical Scriptural principle to understand. “God cannot be tempted by evil.” I think of Job when I read this. In the Book of Job it tells us that Satan appeared before God. Satan pointed out Job to God and requested permission to tempt Job. Satan hoped to cause him to curse God. God gave Satan permission, but forbade him to take Job’s life. Was God being tempted by evil? Was God tempting Job by giving Satan permission? I believe the answer is “no” on both counts. READ MORE – CLICK ABOVE
