by Garris Elkins | Dec 12, 2017 | Apostle, Courage, Discipleship, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Obedience, Pride, Provision, Reformation, Revival, Teaching, Truth, Vision.
When I was in the 7th grade, I played the clarinet in our junior high school marching band. I started playing the clarinet in the 5th grade, so I was not an expert. Our band was scheduled to march in a yearly parade in my hometown. One day, about two months before the...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 9, 2017 | Change, Courage, Discipleship, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Justice, Kingdom of God, Mercy, Pride, Teaching, Wisdom
The most significant piece of advice I ever received on how to preach, and for that matter, how to handle most of life, was given to me by my pastor, Roy Hicks. Jr. He said when you prepare to preach you are not yet ready until you can answer three questions. 1....
by Garris Elkins | Dec 6, 2017 | Church, Culture, Destiny, Evangelism, Faith, Five-Fold Ministry, Honor, Hope, Humility, Kingdom of God, Miracles, Prayer, Prophecy, Reformation, Revelation, Transition, Word
I visited the old Soviet Union when it was known as the USSR. At that time, the USSR still carried many of the old Cold War images we associate with Communism. I was traveling as a guest of a large travel agency who invited a group of us to see the nation and...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 5, 2017 | Courage, Discipleship, Faith, Father, Five-Fold Ministry, Freedom, Future, Honor, Identity, Leadership, Love, Peace, Promise, Relationships, Teaching, Wisdom
One of my childhood dreams was to learn to fly. As a young 20-something, I began working in a job that afforded me enough extra income to start taking lessons toward the goal of obtaining a Private Pilot’s license. After 10 hours of dual instruction, I felt I was...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 4, 2017 | Apostle, Church, Five-Fold Ministry, Reformation, Teaching
In some cases, we have made following Jesus too complicated. We need to find a way to return to a simplicity that will invite everyone to the table of effective service, not just those who have “gone into the ministry”. Paul said the evidence that a...
by Garris Elkins | Dec 2, 2017 | Apostle, Destiny, Eternity, Favor, Fear, Five-Fold Ministry, Future, Honor, Intimacy, Ministry, Obedience, Peace, Redemption, Teaching, Wisdom
Paul wrote the book of II Timothy from a Roman prison shortly before his execution. It would be his last epistle. Because of that sober setting, Paul’s words carry a unique poignancy. Paul said, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time...