May 21 2013, 4:47 am | Bill Elliff
Our one great, compelling command from our King is to "make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). There are no options here. If our ministry is not leading people to Jesus and growing them into obedient, multiplying followers—in whatever measure and sphere God allows—then we are missing the mark. But what kind of Christ-followers are we seeking to build? Paul was very clear about this as he wrote his first letter to his young protégé, Timothy. Some of the leaders around him...
May 16 2013, 7:29 am | Bill Elliff
1 Thessalonians 4 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 8 So, he who...
May 13 2013, 6:15 am | Bill Elliff
"…having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 1:6) We long for joy. I believe it is a desire created in us by God. It is a hole in us that, as Pascal said, can only be filled by God. We ache to be happy. It's why we pursue joy in every imaginable place. We turn down each available road if we think it can somehow bring us this elusive relief from the unhappiness of the world. THE SINGULAR SOURCE Joy is only found, ultimately in Christ. The Psalmist said, "In...
May 11 2013, 6:52 am | Bill Elliff
In any business, ministry, or venture one of the most important steps is coming to know what is essential to get the job done. Without knowledge you can head the wrong direction, make the wrong decisions, and end in complete failure. Great leadership doesn't always demand that you know everything but sometimes it means you find the expert in an area and rely on him. It's a smart man who looks to others for expertise. The wisest men in the earth are those who admit their lack of knowledge and humbly, fully rely on the only One...
May 06 2013, 6:01 am | Bill Elliff
For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. (Philippians 2:20-22) I wonder what Paul was really like? If he were in our church, what would we think about him? He was amazingly intense, incredibly focused. He never hesitated to call people out. I doubt he'd be the guy who'd just piddle around...
May 04 2013, 6:58 am | Bill Elliff
Many things in life are never attempted or never endured because we are not ABLE. To be able means you have the " sufficient power, skill, or resources to accomplish something." How often have we thought… I just can’t do this! I can’t handle this difficulty! I can't forgive! I can’t love them! I can't remain in this marriage! I can't wait on God to deliver (I must do something myself)! I can't change! I can’t obey! I can't resist! I can’t make sense out...
May 02 2013, 4:53 am | Bill Elliff
Our home is our first church. It's the anvil where life and faith is hammered out. If we are to be warriors, the battlefront is first and foremost in the spiritual realm, waging war for our families. But we better know the enemy. If we are not careful—very, very careful—we can open up doors in our home for his advance. We can let him take advantage of us and gain access in the place we least expect it and do not want it. This morning the Lord strongly reminded me of three areas that...
April 29 2013, 10:26 am | Bill Elliff
Do you realize the horrendous evil that comes on the wings of anger? Every bit of conflict and strife in the world has its roots there. Wars start with anger. Divorce comes out of escalated hurt and the turmoil of anger. Churches are split, houses divided, friends are lost when anger lifts its destructive head. It is amazing the disastrous fruit that comes from this bitter root. THE EMOTION OF A FOOL A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back. (Prov. 29:11) A person who "always loses his temper" is a fool. That's not...
April 25 2013, 4:53 am | Bill Elliff
Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. (Proverbs 25:26) The land of Israel is a dry, arid place. Its primary industry in Solomon's day was sheep. The care of sheep (and the sustenance for daily life) depended upon the water sources. You will read accounts in the Old Testament of conflict that arose between men because of water rights. Every spring was invaluable. Think of the picture that Solomon paints here. A man or family or shepherd is looking for water. They come upon a spring, but it has...
April 15 2013, 4:58 am | Bill Elliff
He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. (Proverbs 15:32) My dear pastor friend, Harry Li, said something profound to me lately. He was asking for prayer that his life would not slip away from living in the fullness of Christ. "I have come to understand," he said, "the discipline needed to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit." I instantly resonated with that statement and it has plowed through my mind for days now. 24/7 To let God have full control of our lives throughout a common day is unusual for most. It takes...
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