bill elliff

A contented follower of a matchless God. Third generation pastor. Father of 8, grandfather of many...

[bill elliff @belliff]

@richardaross @SWBTS What could be a better topic? praying for you today as you impact these next gen leaders.

[Paul Worcester @PaulWorcester]

Dear Ministry Leader,

Spending time in prayer counts as work hours! (Acts 6:4)

Do you really think you have something more productive to do than spend time with God?

I pray that you “waste” more time in His presence! 🙌

[bill elliff @belliff]

What will your presence bring to others today? Read more ... https://t.co/qjKm9T1KTj

[bill elliff @belliff]

What an amazing truth. Read more ... https://t.co/HXnKdFzAst

[bill elliff @belliff]

THE LIFE-CHANGING INVITATION

Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” (John 11:28)

It was the moment of their deepest grief. Mary and Martha had lost their brother. Adding to their grief and confusion was the fact that they had called for Jesus, knowing He could have healed Lazarus, but He had delayed His coming … and they didn’t understand. If He loved them all, how could He have let this happen?

Jesus, as always, knew exactly what He was about for God had ordained for this to be His Son’s greatest attesting miracle to date. Lazarus was about to be raised from the dead, but to be authentic, days needed to pass. Lazarus was four days in the grave when Jesus arrived. But, as they would soon see, His timing was precise.

Martha ran to Jesus when He approached their home, demanding answers. But Mary, unlike her, remained at home, perhaps overwhelmed with her grief. She heard from Martha, though, the words that change everything.

“THE TEACHER IS HERE”

In this statement is all that is needed, all that we could ever want. Jesus was present, and His presence brought hope and resurrection life. His presence was what Mary needed and what we always need. His presence is amazingly sufficient.

“AND IS CALLING FOR YOU”

Not only was He present, but He was also personally calling for Mary, inviting her to join Him. This invitation was simple and kind, gracious and intimate. He could have demanded, but He invited, which is exactly what He does for us, over and over again.

He is continually here and calling us by name in all kinds of moments … in times of grief and sadness, pressure and difficulty, confusion and doubt, fear and worry. Whatever the child of God faces, our Elder Brother is present and calling for us to draw near if we will quiet the noise and listen. He is here and He is not silent.

MARY GOT UP QUICKLY

Wisely, “Mary got up quickly and went out,” and “as soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet” (Vs. 31-32). She brought her confusion to Him and saw Jesus’ heart as He wept with her, and then His power as He spoke three words and called her brother back to life. Her saddest day now became her gladdest day, all because Jesus pursued her and she discovered, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

I talked yesterday to a dear pastor-friend who has faced unimaginable loss in the last two years. My heart wept with him. But I am reminded this morning that what was true for Mary is true for him and for all of us. “There is no pit so deep,” as Betsey Ten Boom said, “but that God is deeper still.” And, where He is, resurrecting life is sure to follow.

[bill elliff @belliff]

A man by his own sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like God. This is man's greatest tragedy and God's heaviest grief. (AW Tozer)

[bill elliff @belliff]

This will help you today. Read more below ... https://t.co/HuByOhxfMi

[bill elliff @belliff]

please dowload and read this book by my dear friend. We are entering a spiritual awakening in our nation and such a time is a time of harvest. We must be prepared.

[Paul Worcester @PaulWorcester]

"The wish to win the lost for Christ should be the natural and spontaneous outflow of love in the heart of everyone who is born again. It is a tragic and ugly thing when Christians lack desire and are actually reluctant to share the precious knowledge of the gospel that they have." J.I. Packer https://t.co/pzmfk0Ajeh

[Paul Worcester @PaulWorcester]

"The wish to win the lost for Christ should be the natural and spontaneous outflow of love in the heart of everyone who is born again. It is a tragic and ugly thing when Christians lack desire and are actually reluctant to share the precious knowledge of the gospel that they have." J.I. Packer https://t.co/pzmfk0Ajeh

[bill elliff @belliff]

12 LIFE-CHANGING THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT CHRIST

Everything for you, in this life and the next, is determined by what you think about Jesus Christ and how you respond to Him. If you believe He is a liar and a charlatan, a mere hoax, you will never trust Him. But if you believe rightly and have come to embrace Him as your Savior and Lord, everything will change for you forever. And everything about Him can be defined in two words that describe Him perfectly.

GOOD SHEPHERD

In one of the most revealing passages in the New Testament, Jesus shows who He is and what His relationship is with all those who follow Him in John 10. He uses the analogy, common in His day, of a shepherd and his sheep. There was no picture so simple, clear, and endearing in Hebrew life.

As we listen with joy to His words, we are stunned by His care for all those who are in relationship with Him. He mentions twelve things we must understand if we are to enjoy the fullness of the life we have with Him.

1. The sheep hear his voice (Vs. 3)
2. He calls his own sheep by name (Vs. 3)
3. He leads them out … and they go in and out and find pasture (Vs. 3, 9)
4. He goes ahead of them (Vs. 4)
5. They follow him because they know his voice (Vs. 4)
6. He is the gate for the sheep (Vs. 7)
7. As the sheep enter by him (the gate), they will be saved (Vs. 9)
8. He has come so they will have abundant life (Vs. 10)
9. He is the good shepherd (Vs. 11)
10. He lays down His life willingly for the sheep, and the Father loves Him for this sacrifice (Vs. 11, 17)
11. He knows His own and His own know Him (Vs. 14)
12. He has other sheep, and He must bring them in also so there will be one flock with one shepherd (Vs. 16)

Read through that list again … and again. Perhaps five or ten times. Let the kindness of the description wash over your soul.

AND YOUR RESPONSE?
If you are not yet a believer, run to Him in humility. Confess your need of Him and trust Him as your own personal Savior. Why would you hesitate another day? Why would you risk your life to the wolves everywhere surrounding you when you could be led by the perfect Shepherd?

But, if you already have the supreme joy of being under His care, take a deep breath in of gratitude and exhale in utter peace. Rest and walk calmly through your day, looking to Him for guidance and nourishment. Listen for His voice today, for He is calling you by name. Talk to Him for He delights to hear your voice. Feel His arms about you for He is always with you and will never leave. He never sleeps or slumbers, and He gives to His children even as they sleep. Realize He is leading you purposefully today (and every day) in all the right paths for His name’s sake.

Why should you worry about anything? You are in the arms of the Good Shepherd, and there is no better place to be.

[bill elliff @belliff]

PASTORS AND CHURCH LEADERS!

We are now accepting reservations for our FALL 2026 PRESENCE CENTERED LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE. 7 WEEKS, 7 1.5 hr zoom sessions with Bill Elliff. Limited to 8-10 leaders. See all the details here: https://t.co/ekWIfzDcFZ

[bill elliff @belliff]

GUARDING YOUR HEART

“Keep your eye on the ball” is a foundational truth to
master any sport. Whether it’s baseball, football, golf, basketball—you name it. Your body will follow your eyes. If your eyes are on the target, your body will automatically follow. The best athletes among us are those who have developed the art of relentless focus.

THE HEART
God takes it one step further in life. Your heart is the key organ. It represents what you love, where your affections reside. And one’s life will follow their heart every time. David prays regularly and specifically for his heart.

Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or perform wicked acts with evildoers. Do not let me feast on their delicacies. (Psalm 141:4)

Our great battle is against evil. Because of our separation from the Father, we are prone to easily wander. We wrestle three relentless enemies—the world and its philosophies, the flesh and its weakness, and the devil and his deceptions. It is not merely possible to step into their wickedness, it is inevitable. And all of the worst comes our way when we yield to their devices.

David knew that the key was his affections. What he loved. He asks God to help him there, for all is vain without his aid.

THE TURN
We must join David in his prayer. When temptation and evil present themselves in any form, we must not let our hearts “turn” there. If we love it, enjoy it, delight in it more than other God-ordained things, we’re done. The battle is lost. If we say, “I’ll just turn aside here and linger for a while. It won’t hurt anything,” we have made the error that seals our fate. Because our life follows our heart.

And watch David. He was a “man after God’s own heart” and models for us the incredible value of an undivided heart. God blessed him and used him, with one exception. There was a season when David did not guard his heart. On the top of his roof he looked out and was tempted. Instead of turning away from evil, he simply lingered, and it led to a string of disasters. He let his affections go there; they became his “delicacies” and everyone suffered from the turn.

If we long for the delicacies of the world and the wicked as ours, the small bites that bring temporary delight, we will miss God’s table. Only His feast will satisfy and every time we let our heart in Him we gain, we grow, we progress. We help others and ourselves.

Where is your heart? You can usually tell by a casual look at your time and your money. We do what we love; we spend time on what we cherish. A quick review of the last few days will reveal your heart and whether or not you are turning aside to evil things.

You can tell if you’re living there, for your heart will have become dull to God. The delicacies of the world will take more and more attention for they never satisfy. You will miss the joy and effectiveness of a God-filled life simply because of a wandering affection.

[bill elliff @belliff]

This sums up everything. Our great hope--His eternal, constant presence!

[Randy Alcorn @randyalcorn]

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them…He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for...I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:1, 3-5). Live every day in light of Christ’s certain promise.

[bill elliff @belliff]

And, I would add, I've seen them
--embrace the will of God quickly
--understand the truths of God deeply
--love the lost passionately
I've been thinking lately how both George Whitefield (who was heard or read by 80% of the American populus) and Evan Roberts (who was effectively used to start an awakening that changed history) were both young, 26 year men.

[bill elliff @belliff]

How do you see your worst difficulties?

Paul saw his thorn in the flesh as a gift. Listen to Spurgeon’s commentary on Paul’s stunning, humble words in 2 Corinthians 12.

"Paul reckoned his great trial to be a gift. He does not say, “There was inflicted upon me a thorn in the flesh,” but “A thorn in the flesh was given to me.” At first, the apostle may not have seen his thorn as a gift, but afterward he came to see it that way.

"The immediate effect of this thorn in the flesh on Paul was that it drove him to his knees … Anything is a blessing that makes us pray.

"He continued to pray until at last he received for an answer, not the removal of the thorn, but the assurance. “My grace is sufficient for you.” So, though refused, Paul was answered, for he got something better than the taking away of the thorn in the flesh—the result was that the grace given him enabled him to bear the thorn, and lifted him right above it, until he even rejoiced and gloried to think he was permitted so to suffer.

"From this, I gather that the worst form of trial may, nevertheless, be our best present portion.

[Matt Smethurst @MattSmethurst]

This was the last thing @TimKellerNYC ever said to Redeemer Presbyterian Church.

In God’s providence, it was scheduled to be shared with Redeemer congregants on May 19—the day he died (three years ago today).

[bill elliff @belliff]

How do you see your worst difficulties?

Paul saw his thorn in the flesh as a gift. Listen to Spurgeon’s commentary on Paul’s stunning, humble words in 2 Corinthians 12.

"Paul reckoned his great trial to be a gift. He does not say, “There was inflicted upon me a thorn in the flesh,” but “A thorn in the flesh was given to me.” At first, the apostle may not have seen his thorn as a gift, but afterward he came to see it that way.

"The immediate effect of this thorn in the flesh on Paul was that it drove him to his knees … Anything is a blessing that makes us pray.

"He continued to pray until at last he received for an answer, not the removal of the thorn, but the assurance. “My grace is sufficient for you.” So, though refused, Paul was answered, for he got something better than the taking away of the thorn in the flesh—the result was that the grace given him enabled him to bear the thorn, and lifted him right above it, until he even rejoiced and gloried to think he was permitted so to suffer.

"From this, I gather that the worst form of trial may, nevertheless, be our best present portion."

[bill elliff @belliff]

YOUR ASSIGNMENT
… according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us. (2 Co 10:13)

It happened at the end of every class with one of my high school teachers. The assignment was written in the upper right-hand corner of the blackboard (which we had back then!). The assignment for the next class was there, clear and unmistakable. If we didn’t write it down and accomplish it, it was our own fault.

Often, we would call a friend later and say, “Hey, what was the assignment for tomorrow?” We knew that what we were assigned was crucial not only to our next day, but to our success that semester in the class.

YOUR TASKS
Do you know that God gives us assignments? The dictionary describes the word as “a specific task with which a person or group is charged.” Your assignment is particular to you. Others may be involved in the same work, but your assignment is yours.

And, since it is impossible for God to be unfair, He gives you everything that is needed for that assignment to be carried out. Paul says that the Spirit gives us spiritual abilities to do unique activities (assignments) in certain areas.

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good (1 Co 12:4–7)

What if you began to realize that your Sovereign Leader was bringing new places, people, and opportunities across your path every single day and every single season of your life? And that in those environments, there were certain assignments for you to do. You may be called to teach or serve or lead or administrate or suffer or endure in a season. The assignments can be endless. They can be big or little, short or long-term. We can carry multiple assignments at once.

No one has the exact same assignment as you, so you shouldn’t be jealous. For you alone are placed like a light in the midst of the darkness with the particular people and the unique challenges there. Your gifting is perfect for your task, for God would be wasting your life and His time and energy on assigning tasks that are unsuited.

You will find that lesser assignments, some that you may have thought were meaningless, beautifully equip you for greater assignments in the future. And, that all of it is, one day, preparing you for eternal assignments.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Your great task each day is to look up at the right-hand side of the chalkboard (the Bible, which is personal, specific, and without error) and see your assignment. In prayer, you must talk to the Father about what He desires if you have questions. He will gladly converse with you about it. You must realize that He will never give you an assignment that is “beyond your ability” (1 Cor. 10:13) and that His “grace is sufficient” for whatever is ahead if you will look to Him.

As you receive your assignment, look to Him to fill you with His Spirit (giving you the power), follow His guidance throughout the day, and seek to faithfully fulfill all He asks. You have the extraordinary advantage that others do not have to talk to Him unceasingly in prayer. And, you can have the absolute confidence that your assignments in His great plan will bear fruit and weave into a massive tapestry of His glory and goodness with all of His other children (each given their own task and sphere of ministry).

What is your assignment right now, in this season of life? Ask Him and even write it down. Thank Him for the glorious privilege of being fearfully and wonderfully made and used for His glory and others’ good. Then, rise up and do your work. You will find your unique task to be wonderfully fulfilling—even if it’s hard. In fact, nothing will satisfy you like doing exactly what He has ordained for you.

And at the end of the day, you will hear His “Well done!” and even receive great rewards for your faithfulness.

[Paul Worcester @PaulWorcester]

“Let us not glide through this world and then slip quietly into heaven, without having blown the trumpet loud and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle.” C.T. Studd https://t.co/2s7XjA4h4Z

[bill elliff @belliff]

If you don't understand this, you could completely miss God's plan for your life. Read more ... https://t.co/a3LPsW4oev