Pastor Elliott's Blog - Calvary Bible Church

Fool Hot Heads

Posted on Jun 13, 2016 in Anger, Fools, Proverbs |

Our God has a lot to say about “fools” in His Word: Over 70 mentions of fools are sprinkled through the Scriptures. God doesn’t want us to act the fool!

One of the characteristics of fools is that they have irrational anger. Proverbs 17:12 warns: “Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool and his folly.” In other words, fools are less rational in anger then wild bears!

I have watched sports with interest for many years. At least two trends seem obvious: Now the athletes are bigger and stronger and more athletic and some of them are way more crazy in their rage over things that aren’t that big of a deal!

Today’s athlete-fool often throws embarrassing temper tantrums that reveal immaturity and narcissism.

Of course you don’t have to be a prima donna sports star to act like a fool: Any Christian who walks according to the flesh and not controlled by the Holy Spirit can easily be irrational in anger. Don’t be that Christian.

TRIP ADVISOR – Club Dread

Posted on Jun 2, 2016 in Hell, Karma, Revelation, Satan |

If you don’t believe there is such thing as sin or hell you are making your reservations for the worst possible vacation that has no checkout date.
Satan is a deceiver. He lies because he wants as much company as he can get for himself in the Lake of Fire.

Satan knows there is a hell because he reads the Bible.

Revelation 22:11A is a sobering insight!
“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy …”

In hell people keep their evil & filthy natures & they continue to sin forever.
No second chance.
No moral reform.
No burning off karma.
Desperate conscious suffering.
Take this to heart!

Eyes Front

Posted on Jun 1, 2016 in Perspective, Philippians, The Past |

This is the wake of a cruise ship. Any of the ship’s 3500 passengers can gain this vantage point from the stern. In contrast, the bow of the ship has a private, exclusive hot tub from which there is a beautiful vista. To be in that hot tub you must pay a much more expensive fare as a “Yacht Club” Member.

There is a “stern” and a “bow” in the mind of each of us. Your stern mindset focuses on your past; your bow mindset focuses on your future. It’s your choice which dominates your thinking.

Consider Philippians 3:13-14: “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

It’s clear then that the Lord Jesus has paid an extremely high “fare” (His life’s blood on the Cross) to get you a place in the bow’s hot tube!

Be there. It’s your choice.

YOU CAN’T PASS ON WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE!

Posted on Feb 3, 2016 in 1 Corinthians, Discipleship, Mentoring |

I don’t imagine that this tutor got many phone calls.

When you can’t spell who you claim to be it kills your credibility.

You can only pass on something that you have. This truth applies to parents, bosses, teachers, politicians, church workers, mentors, pastors ETC.

The Apostle Paul’s words found in 1 Corinthians 11:1 capture this:

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

Because he had Christ, and because he was consistently imitating Christ, Paul could dare to invite carbon copies!

Be wearing the shoes that you want your followers to fill!

You can only pass on what you first possess!

Tudoring is laughable.

WITNESSES

Posted on Feb 3, 2016 in Accountability, Baptism, Hebrews, Obedience, Witnesses |

Last Sunday 11 believer-disciples were baptized.

This crowd of witnesses came out to see & to celebrate their discipleship-obedience!

Reminds me of Hebrews 12:1:
“Therefore, since we have so great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also let aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily in entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us … “.

Witnesses serve at least two purposes:
Cheerleaders and Checks & Balances.

The 11 who were baptized will never forget their witnesses who were on the beach.

And the witnesses who were on the beach will never forget the 11 who were baptized!

Win – Win!