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Author: Mike Runion

About Mike

Dr. W. Mike Runion is senior Pastor of City View First Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina. He and his wife Gail have served churches in North Carolina and South Carolina. A native of Greer South Carolina, Dr. Runion holds degrees from North Greenville University (A.A., B.A.,), and Southeastern Theological Seminary (M. Div., D. Min. in Expository Preaching).
Dr. Runion has preached in churches, crusades and revivals throughout North and South Carolina. In addition, he has served preaching alongside missionaries in foreign lands. Russia; Novgorod, Chechulino. Romania; Cluj-Napoca, Bistrita-Nasaud, Campia-Turzi. Brazil, Bocaiuva Do Sul; Indonesia, Malang and surrounding environs.

“Stinking Thinking”

Zig Ziglar was a noted thinker, author, motivational speaker and an all-round positive guy. He tells of an event to which he was asked to address realtors in Flint Michigan. As he entered the room he greeted a man who proved to be a doldrum real estate salesman. Ziglar made the mistake of asking him about his business. It was at a time General Motors was on strike and the real estate agent was depressed saying that “because of the strike people were holding onto every thin dime.” He was so negative that the only way he could brighten the room was by leaving. 

Someone distracted the man and Ziglar spoke to another person, this time a lady. When he asked how everything was going she said “Well you know Mr. Ziglar, General Motors is on strike.” Ziglar thought, “here we go again.” But then the lady smiled and gave him a long list why the strike was good for her business.  She ended by asking him, “Do you know anyone in Washington? When he asked her why she wanted to know she responded, “If I could keep this strike going for another six weeks, I could take the rest of the year off!” 

Read Philippians 4:8
 
Quote: “You are what you are because of what goes into your mind.” Zig Ziglar

What is interesting is one person is going broke because of the strike but another person, in the same business, was doing well because of the strike. The difference?  Outlook and attitude.  “Stinking thinking,” as Ziglar calls it, has no place in our business or life. 

I would go a step further. “Stinking thinking” has no place in the Christian life either.  For as a Man . . . “as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

It is important that as we go through the toughest of times with the current pandemic that we not get discouraged in our thinking. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered great loss at this time in business, in position, in life and in terms of family and loved ones.  It is also a time of great opportunity for the Christian. Opportunity to serve, to help, to be the light Christ asked us to be. To understand that every crisis brings with it an opportunity to excel and exceed the ordinary and transcend the mundane. To put faith to work and believe that the “God for whom nothing is impossible” will help us achieve all we and He needs in our life, until He comes to get us or we go home to meet Him. 

“To be an overachiever you have to be an over-believer.”– Dabo Swinney

In Times Like These . . .

Older Christians will remember the song, “In Times Like These.” The song was born out of tragic and uncertain times.  It was the onset of World War II and Ruth Caye Jones, a pastor’s wife in Pennsylvania was disturbed by the daily headlines of the newspaper.  Hearing news about the high number of daily injured and dead took longer than it does today with modern communication.  Therefore, anxiety was high. While the war was fought on the battlefields the war at home was just as real.  Supplies, groceries and necessities were rationed for more than three years.  Everyone lived under paralyzing strain and with incredible need. 

Read Philippians 4:19

In great distress Ruth opened her Bible to 2 Timothy 3:1 and read, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come . . .”   It was from this Scripture she began to develop the verses and chorus writing them down on notes she carried in her apron pocket. It instantly became a favorite song during those turbulent and uncertain times and I am confident there is still a message in it for us today. 

In times like these we need a Savior;
In times like these we need an anchor.
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these we need the Bible.
In times like these O be not idle.
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

Chorus

This Rock is Jesus, yes, He’s the One.
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

JESUS

https://www.cityviewfirst.com

The Gospel Confronts Culture

In a day where the church is nearing a total eclipse by the surrounding culture we must “speak the truth in love.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ confronts the culture, changes the culture and without apology the gospel must be preached for the purpose of converting the culture around us–or it is not the gospel.