by Garris Elkins | Aug 17, 2020 | Destiny, Favor, Forgiveenss, Healing, Holiness, Identity
You can tell hell is at work when people choose to believe a bad report about longtime friends and then reject their influence from within a circle of fellowship. Those who believed the bad report may put on a happy face, but underneath the smiles, the dismissal has...
by Garris Elkins | Feb 17, 2019 | Discipline, Forgiveenss, God, Jesus, Love, Relationships
When I find myself not particularly liking someone or when I sense the first pulse beat of a hardening heart toward them I will go out of my way to affirm the person. I might pray and ask God to bless them or hit a “like” button on their social media account or send...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 27, 2017 | Discipleship, Evangelism, Five-Fold Ministry, Forgiveenss, Freedom, Holy Spirit, Identity, Kingdom of God, Marriage, Redemption, Teaching
One of the most beautiful things about love is choice. If you remove choice from either side of a relationship it is no longer love. I remember the day I asked Jan to marry me. I asked and she said yes. I offered love and she accepted. I did not take Jan by force...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 27, 2017 | Change, Death, Family, Father, Forgiveenss, Future, Honor, Intimacy, Marriage, Relationships, Thankfulness, Truth, Women
Young men, a life of faith is not meant to be complicated. It is meant to be a simple, authentic and wearable way of life. Young men, a good life is all about intimacy. ...
by Garris Elkins | May 4, 2017 | Forgiveenss, Redemption, Relationships, Restoration, Trust
Some of those for whom you have asked forgiveness may not yet have the capacity of character or the spiritual maturity needed to receive what you have offered. Give them time and trust God with the outcome. Their rejection of your offer is not a rejection of you. It...
by Garris Elkins | May 3, 2017 | Church, Courage, Culture, Discipleship, Discipline, Forgiveenss, Identity, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Power, Relationships
The second chapter of John is filled with contrasts. It starts out with Jesus changing water into wine and ends with Jesus using a whip to clear out the moneychangers from the Temple. There seem to be two camps in the Church. On one hand, you have those who love a...