A Balance of Old and New

by Dick Mills | The Spirit Filled Believer

“The owner of a house…brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (Matt. 13:52).

Part Three

An old song was sung about “Poor Johnny One-Note.” He had a great voice, but he could only produce one note. Every time he got up to sing, out came that one sound. It wasn’t long before everyone became tired of continuously hearing Johnny’s one musical repertoire.

In the church world, it is common for an evangelist, a pastor, or a teacher to become a “Johnny One-Note.” It is so easy to find a favorite subject or a pet theme and ride it to death.

Early in his Christian life, the new believer begins to discover that there is a whole new world of spiritual knowledge available to him. As he listens, reads, meditates, and studies, the Holy Spirit reveals to him many wonderful, exciting truths about God’s nature and man’s potential.

The problem develops when the believer settles down and begins to major on one particular truth to the exclusion of all others.

Ours is a God of infinite variety. His wisdom is many-hued and multi-faceted. He wants you and me to be open to new manifestations of His glory and power.

In 1707 A.D., in his expository notes on the New Testament, William Burkett, commenting on this verse noted that, “A household steward must provide (food) for the household both with plenty and with variety. He brings out of the treasury in plenty…Things new and old, for their variety. He must be prudent, in bringing things new, as well as old; …lest the household by always feeding upon the same dish, do nauseate it, instead of being nourished by it.”

Let’s balance our lives with new as well as old.

Source: The Spirit-Filled Believer’s Daily Devotional by Dick Mills
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

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Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.

In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.

He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.

Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.

In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.

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