Avoid Religion – Apply Relationship!
33After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Mark 7:33-35
George Whitefield was greatly used of GOD in the First and Second Great Spiritual Awakenings and Revivals in America and even throughout different areas of the world. George Whitefleid preached to crowds as large as about 50,000 people when there were no microphones. Multitudes were saved and set free by the LORD JESUS CHRIST as GOD worked through Whitefield. He is said by some to be one of the greatest evangelists of all time. GOD used him in a powerful way in ways that some people had never seen before. He was also rejected and opposed by many in the “religious church” of the day. Many would not even allow him to enter their church building. However, GOD brought forth much amazing fruit the George Whitefield’s life as he was living in relationship with the LORD!
One issue that hinders many people today is that it is difficult for them to get past GOD doing something in a different way than they have seen. We must always be led by the HOLY SPIRIT and not by past experiences. The message of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and the Bible always must remain the same. However, sometimes them methods do change. In the Scripture above, “Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.” The man was healed! Only JESUS can do that!
Action Point
Always remember that we live by the WORD of GOD by the SPIRIT of GOD! The only way that you can live by the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD is by being active in your relationship with JESUS. Spend time in prayer today and evaluate your life. Are you living religously or Biblically? Are you exhausted trying to criticize everything around you or are you enjoying your relationship with JESUS and being used to bless others? Let’s throw off all the religion today and go forth rejoicing in JESUS all throughout the day!
GOD bless you, my friend!