The Reunion
One day in mid-May 1980, I received a call late on a Saturday night at my home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, a booming bedroom community outside of Tulsa. I had already gone to bed anticipating a busy Sunday at church where Dana and I were serving as the Associate Pastor of Student Ministries of First
The Laws of Provision
During the summer of 1999, the training position which I held at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant was eliminated. I then began a nine month journey of faith in which the Lord left me both startled and amazed at the wonder of His care. Throughout those months, the Lord provided nearly $30,000 while I had no job.
What Does It Take?
Some folks seem clueless. I mean, folks who shouldn’t be clueless. Folks who should know better. Educated folks. Seemingly intelligent people. But apparently the comedian Ron White is right, “You can’t fix stupid.” Some folks don’t like the word stupid. They call it the “S” word. Regardless of the word you use, people are stupid,
My Favorite Cemetery (Part 1)
If you ever want to visit John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, John Owen, Susannah Wesley, and a host of other great Christians, then make your way to Bunhill Fields. This quaint cemetery is located in London, on city Road, across the street from Wesley’s Chapel. Be sure to visit the Chapel first, especially the grave of
Does God Really See Me and Hear Me When I Pray?
Hezekiah was “mortally ill” and God sent the prophet, Isaiah to him to let him know that his time was up. Hezekiah’s FIRST response (as always with this godly leader) was that he “turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord” (2 Kings 20:2). The Bible does not record that he even
The Response
“He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself. And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you. Reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man
Discernment
In his book What God Wants to Know, author Bruce Larson tells about being at a family reunion and hearing a true and humorous story from his daughter. Her sister-in-law is a conservationist who actively promotes the preservation of the natural environment and wildlife. While she, her husband, and young son were driving up the
Pastor Appreciation
Let me begin by saying that I pastor the greatest church on the planet. It’s not a perfect church, no way. It’s not a great church because we make movies—that has nothing to do with it. It’s a great church made up of some great people who have learned to pray, seek the Lord for
For What Am I Praying? (Part 2)
Paul made several requests, and the first one is in verse 16, where he prayed for spiritual strength: “That he would grant you, according ot the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” There is in the believer an inner man that corresponds with the outer
How to Amaze Jesus
Written by: Bill Elliff There are only two times recorded in the scripture when Jesus was amazed and both of them deal with someone’s response of faith. Luke 7 record’s the interchange between Jesus and a Centurion (a Roman leader over 100 men) who had a dying slave and sent for Jesus. When Christ was
Talk Less, Pray More (Part 1)
I can’t remember when I was first introduced to Oswald Chamber’s devotional book, “My Utmost for His Highest.” I do recall that it had all the clarity of sanctified hieroglyphics. I found out later that it had been compiled as a labor of love by his wife, following his death in 1917. She took her
Secrets of Discernment
In his book What God Wants to Know, author Bruce Larson tells about being at a family reunion and hearing a true and humorous story from his daughter. Her sister-in-law is a conservationist who actively promotes the preservation of the natural environment and wildlife. While she, her husband, and young son were driving up the