Barnabas Bulletin ~ 0066 BEWARE OF MIXTURE! We pride ourselves as being mature people in the 21st century. However, when we consider a lot of what is happening today within our Christian circles, we soon discover that there is a lot of mixture that has crept into the hearts of people. Christianity is all about a personal relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This is made all the more real through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Who comes to make Jesus “alive” in our hearts and to bring wonderful gifts to enable us to serve Him in a supernatural way. Christianity is essentially simple:“Whatever Jesus says to you, do it” (John 2:5). Tragically, the enemy has been quite successful in infiltrating many Christian hearts and causing them to believe other things than the pure teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are seeing many who want “Jesus . . . and something or someone else.” We come across those who have a mixture of spirituality and spiritualism; a bit of Jesus and a lot of manipulation and control (like a “Christian” form of witchcraft); a bit of Jesus, but using Him and the Christian message to further a personal greedy cause; a bit of the New Covenant revelation, but mixed with a lot of Old Covenant beliefs, etc. Sadly, these mixtures all bring about one result: powerlessness in our personal lives and faith. Once we get away from the simple truth of JESUS CHRIST, there is then something within the heart of man that wants to go back under law, legalism, rules and regulations – which all then becomes a form of manipulation and control. In this situation people become afraid of their leaders, afraid to function in the Holy Spirit and His gifts, even afraid to witness for Jesus. Leaders often do not trust their people to personally obey the voice of the Lord. Yet we say we have the answer to all mankind’s problems! We do - in the simple and pure Gospel of the New Covenant Jesus. But once we drift away from that simplicity, an erosion within takes place, and we become more and more religious (and powerless) rather than being able to demonstrate that wonderful Gospel of the risen Christ as being the answer to the whole world. If Jesus does not personally “satisfy” or “fulfil” you, then there is something amiss with your relationship with Him. Be bold enough and brave enough to face the reality of where you are at with Him, and allow Him to become LORD of your life. Only Jesus alive in your heart can fully satisfy! Religion and other things can never give you what only Jesus can! Get rid of any mixtures that rob you of God’s indwelling power! Don’t miss His “knocking on the door of your heart today”(Revelation 3:20) – He has quite a “meal” waiting for you! ~ Rodney W. Francis. Bible Readings: Acts 15; The Book of Galatians. Please Pray This Prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the precious and holy name of Your only Son, Jesus. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit of Truth to me. I yield myself more to Him today, and give Him permission to convict me of any mixture that has crept into my life and Christian belief. Take out of me what should not be there, and please put into me what should be there. Help me to discern more clearly truth from error; I do want to be a powerful witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a generation that desperately needs to know the truth that sets us free! In Jesus’ name I pray these things, Amen. The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |