November 26 2012, 7:35 am | Bill Elliff
"Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9b We don't shudder much anymore. The word "abhor" literally comes from a word that means to "shudder" or "shake." It can also mean to see as repugnant or to be horrified. It's a strong word. On the sliding scale we have gradually moved farther and farther away from this command. Like the proverbial frog in a kettle, we have become numb to evil in our society and in our own lives. We've re-written this scripture, or ignored it, to accommodate our culture, our lifestyles,...
November 21 2012, 6:39 am | Bill Elliff
When J.T. and Jewell Elliff had a little baby boy on November 16, 1951, they gave this little child some things. His birthright. They would forever be his parents. Nothing, thankfully, could ever change that position. And, I'm forever grateful for that heritage. Sadly, they also gave me a nature that was sinful! I don’t blame them, because this really goes back to my first granddad thousands of years ago. When ol’ Granddad Adam fell, we all fell and no child has been the same since. Because of my sinful nature I was born under the domination...
November 07 2012, 4:54 am | Bill Elliff
There are some things I do every single day: get up, take a shower, brush my teeth, comb my hair. I’m glad these are routine to me (and I imagine others are too!) But the Psalmist had another daily regimen. “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. (Psalm 145:1-3 When things go the way I think they should or not... “Every...
November 06 2012, 6:34 am | Bill Elliff
I talked with an 86 year old man this week that is a strong follower of Christ. He has seen multiple wars, economic reversals, the invention of cars, telephones, and modern communication. And he’s seen multiple American Presidents come and go. He said with deep sobriety, “I have never seen a more important election than this in my lifetime.” Every pastor with an ounce of discernment agrees that we are at a vital crossroads. In our lifetime—on our watch—we have seen abortion, homosexuality, pornography, divorce, and insane debt become commonplace. We have called...
November 05 2012, 5:54 am | Bill Elliff
We all have problems with our speech. It may not be vile, profane speech, but the constant inappropriate word. Unkindness to our mate, rudeness to a waiter, irritation and yelling at our kids, the curt response to a colleague. A lack of praise and thanks to a co-worker who is working diligently and unnoticed. There are a thousand ways we speak "rotten words" as Paul says (Ephesians 4:29)...and we're masters at all of them. The Psalmist realized the need to cry out for Divine help. "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of...
October 29 2012, 6:01 am | Bill Elliff
We are in the final throes of a very critical election in America. We have heard thousands of sound bytes from every direction telling us, and the sheep we lead, exactly what the “real” problems are and what we “must” do. But where is the voice from the pulpit? What should we say to our people at this vital moment in our history? Is there no word from God? How can we help them cut through the noise, listen to God, and make choices that will yield spiritual results—choices with which God is pleased? ...
October 27 2012, 1:22 am | Bill Elliff
We all hate problems. Heaven for us would be to be completely free from difficulty. In fact, we build high walls of protection to keep affliction from our door and we whine and complain when it arrives. But all of us face problems. It is the natural result of living in a fallen world. God not only knows this, but He has sovereignly allowed this whole process and works all things together for His ultimate agenda: to develop a people who know Him and who are equipped to rule and reign with Him in eternity. Wise is the man who...
October 15 2012, 3:29 am | Bill Elliff
There are some wonderful places to be in life. Home for Christmas. In a delivery room at the birth of your child. Sitting in a concert with your favorite musicians. Each spot brings its own joy. But there is simply no better place than God's presence. The Psalmist recognizes this in Psalm 84, extolling the glory of being in God's temple in Jerusalem. For believers now, this symbolizes the thrill of experiencing God in intimacy every day. Dwelling in His manifest presence. Knowing God in the deepest sense of that term. The Psalmist says the most blessed man...
October 10 2012, 6:14 am | Bill Elliff
But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. If I had said, “I will speak thus," behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children. When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. (Psalm 73:2-3, 15-17) Nothing makes sense when seen from a merely human perspective. This is why educators and scientists (and even so-called theologians) who take God...
October 09 2012, 4:18 am | Bill Elliff
Almost every form you fill out asks for some emergency numbers—who to call in time of trouble. You put down the person that is closest to you, the most reliable, the most faithful. You register the one that you can count on. For David, that number would have been G-O-D. But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. (Psalm 69:13) THE SINGULAR DIRECTION Other men might call out in other directions or turn to other sources...
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