by Bill Elliff
June 08, 2019
If you are not careful, the whole ministry of a church can be hijacked by the sideways energy that contentious people create in the church. It is Satan’s greatest ploy and delight to create such diversions, for the church carries the hope of the world. So, how do we respond to such conflict?
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
June 07, 2019
THE PROBLEM
… with most of us modern Christians is that we are stoppable. A little discomfort, a turn from our desired daily routine, or a little resistance from those to whom we’re witnessing throws us off. We have not settled the issue that our greatest joy and highest purpose comes from our witness, and so we are unwilling to push through in sharing Christ with others every day, even in the mildest environments. Even when persecution is not present.
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
June 03, 2019
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14)
Prayer is the foundation for all of life. Imagine the emotions and sense of fear and expectancy when Christ had been resurrected, appeared to His disciples, and then ascended. They were instructed to merely wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit who would endue them with power to be witnesses to Christ all across the world (Acts 1:8).
So, what did they do?
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
June 01, 2019
How do you know what your attitude is towards God’s Word? It’s very simple. If you cherish His Word, you will make time to prayerfully read it and gladly obey what He says. Every day. It is the source you run to first for direction. It will assume the highest place in your heart and mind for it is not merely a value for the Bible, it is your value of God Himself.
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 31, 2019
When is a train free to run? When it's on the tracks or off the tracks? On the tracks, it can move at incredible speed with perfect freedom, doing exactly what it was created to do. Off the tracks, it's unable to run as designed.
We were designed, as C.S. Lewis said, to run on God. His path is the track that liberates us. That is why veering away from His will is so laborious and leads to incredible bondage.
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 30, 2019
OUR COUNSELORS
... determine so much of our lives. How many people have gotten in trouble because they accepted a foolish challenge from a supposed friend? Listened to counsel that was directly opposed to the will of God? Missed the mark on a dare?
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 28, 2019
If you are a true follower of Christ, you long for your life to count and make a difference for the kingdom of God. And, if your motivations have been rightly purified, you want God to be glorified, i.e., honored; seen; better known and worshiped.
But how can you accomplish that in this life?
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 24, 2019
Years ago my dear pastor friend, Harry Li, said something profound to me. 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 plowed through my mind for many days.
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 22, 2019
The one who lives for the approval of men discovers at the end of their life that they have had little affect for the kingdom and have lived much like the world. Their decision to not rock the boat has kept them from their most important purpose and most satisfying life. It is, for most, the most life-directing decision possible.
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 18, 2019
There are many things about Christianity that are not true of any other religion. But one of the most amazing is the personable-ness of our relationship with Christ.
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 16, 2019
Have you opened your heart to Christ? Are you anxious to hear everything His Word says to you and gladly continue in it? Is what Christ is saying entering your soul and making progress? Are you seeing things from God’s Word daily and is it changing you? The Word of God is not given to merely enlarge our minds but to change our lives.
Continue Reading
by Bill Elliff
May 15, 2019
If we are in a right frame of mind about reality, we should be giving thanks to God and worshiping Him ALL DAY LONG in every circumstance. Paul reminded us to “Rejoice in the Lord always” and “In everything give thanks.” The Psalmist in Psalm 113 follows this command with the rationale for unceasing praise.
Continue Reading
