A Step at a Time
Read Luke 5:1-11 The patience of Jesus Christ is a wonder to behold. When He entered Peter’s boat, He knew just what HE would do. But He had to deal with Peter a step at a time, just as He must deal with us. Note Christ’s commands to Peter: Thrust out a little. Here Christ
Hard Words to Swallow Lead to Revival (Part 1)
There are many factors that limit revival. We must remember: revival is a church term. It’s a church need. Revival is different from awakening. Only after revival sweeps through the church will we see awakening sweep through the culture. God has an order in how He works. He doesn’t work in chaos or confusion; He
Day and Night
Read John 9:1-5; Romans 13:11-14 These two passages seem to be contradicting each other. Jesus says that the night is coming,a nd Paul tells us the night is far spent! Of course, there is no contradiction, because Jesus and Paul are talking about two different nights. Jesus is reminding us that we must work today,
The Purpose (T.H.I.S.)
“We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” Colossians 1:28-29 Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and yet this man of God found great purpose
Hard Words to Swallow Lead to Revival (Part 2)
Murmuring in the church starts in subtle ways: “I’m not sure about this new building program. Shouldn’t we be giving the money to missions?” As if providing facilities in your community is less spiritual than providing a hut in Africa. This is not either/or; it’s both/and. “I don’t like the new direction we are going.”
The Most Important Thing You Will Ever See
Written by: Bill Elliff After Jesus has spoken to His churches in Revelation 2-3, He takes John into the holiest spot in heaven or earth and reminds him (and us) of why we should adjust our lives and churches and why we should live a life of absolute surrender to God. Revelation 4:1-2 After these
Leadership That Displays God and Saves People
Written by: Bill Elliff Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17) Now the Lord spoke to
Dissecting Our Grumbling
Written by: Bill Elliff Nobody enjoys a whiner. Being around a grateful, humble person is energizing. A grumbler sucks the life out of a relationship, a family, an organization. It kills momentum and creates deadly sideways energy. The tragedy is that we’re usually unaware of our grumbling. In fact, we often feel perfectly justified in
The Stirring Among Us
God is stirring His people. Across denominational and cultural lines. Across age groups and generational differences. Across theological preferences. There is a stirring, a longing, a hunger I’ve not seen since the days of the Jesus Movement. During the Jesus Movement, the church missed a window of opportunity to see what could have been a
Let’s Take Your Temperature
Read Luke 24:13-35 No matter what the ailment is, the doctor usually begins his examination by saying, “Let’s take your temperature!” The same principles applies to the Christian life, for there is more than one “spiritual temperature.” Some Christians are cold. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Mt 24:12).
Colossians 1:25-28
“…fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ
No Time for a Divided Mind
If you will allow me, I want to get in your face for the next few minutes. I’m not trying to offend you. On the contrary, I’m trying to save you from yourself and possibly a wasted life. The times are too serious for such a mediocre brand of Christianity. The needs of our world