Richard Ellis Talks

Most religions have traditions, and some even falsely promise to get you into heaven. But the truth is, there's no ritual, building, person, or "potpourri" of things that can save us. The only path to salvation is faith in Jesus Christ -- and allowing Him to come live in us and through us.

Most religions have traditions, and some even falsely promise to get you into heaven. But the truth is, there's no ritual, building, person, or "potpourri" of things that can save us. The only path to salvation is faith in Jesus Christ -- and allowing Him to come live in us and through us.

We can have all the facts necessary to know about God...but do we know Him intimately? God knows every detail of our being, and He wants us to know Him back -- not just on a surface level, but through deep relationship with Him. And all the "information" in the world isn't going to help us know Him if we're not willing to be quiet and listen for His voice in our lives.

We can have all the facts necessary to know about God...but do we know Him intimately? God knows every detail of our being, and He wants us to know Him back -- not just on a surface level, but through deep relationship with Him. And all the "information" in the world isn't going to help us know Him if we're not willing to be quiet and listen for His voice in our lives.

There's a difference between being at peace with God when we receive His salvation, and receiving God's peace . When we choose to follow our own desires before obeying God's will, we're essentially "declaring war" on Him. But when we live a life of obedience to Him and forgiveness towards others, we experience the peace that only He can bring.

There's a difference between being at peace with God when we receive His salvation, and receiving God's peace . When we choose to follow our own desires before obeying God's will, we're essentially "declaring war" on Him. But when we live a life of obedience to Him and forgiveness towards others, we experience the peace that only He can bring.

Have you ever experienced a difficult time in your life when you've cried out to God and in response you've heard...crickets? Sometimes, it feels like God's being silent and has abandoned us altogether. Jesus knew what that felt like, too -- He was forsaken by His Father when He hung dying on the cross. But He did it so that we could be brought into His family, and He's promised to never forsake us. When God doesn't answer immediately, let's take comfort in knowing that it's in the waiting that our relationship with Him can grow.

Have you ever experienced a difficult time in your life when you've cried out to God and in response you've heard...crickets? Sometimes, it feels like God's being silent and has abandoned us altogether. Jesus knew what that felt like, too -- He was forsaken by His Father when He hung dying on the cross. But He did it so that we could be brought into His family, and He's promised to never forsake us. When God doesn't answer immediately, let's take comfort in knowing that it's in the waiting that our relationship with Him can grow.

Jesus didn't just tell us that it was important to spend time alone with God -- He demonstrated it, too. When we've been spending time in a "secret" place with the Lord, it's not only noticeable to us, it's noticeable to those around us, because He empowers and strengthens us. But we can't have power in our life out of the closet unless we're spending time in the closet with Him, first!

Jesus didn't just tell us that it was important to spend time alone with God -- He demonstrated it, too. When we've been spending time in a "secret" place with the Lord, it's not only noticeable to us, it's noticeable to those around us, because He empowers and strengthens us. But we can't have power in our life out of the closet unless we're spending time in the closet with Him, first!

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, hiding in shame because of their sin, God came looking for them. And when we're lost in the sin that threatens to destroy our lives, He comes looking for us, too. Instead of hiding in our sin, let's allow ourselves to be found by the Seeker -- and then walk out into the new life that He offers us!

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, hiding in shame because of their sin, God came looking for them. And when we're lost in the sin that threatens to destroy our lives, He comes looking for us, too. Instead of hiding in our sin, let's allow ourselves to be found by the Seeker -- and then walk out into the new life that He offers us!

We all have a past, and the devil knows that reminding us of where we used to be is a great way of distracting us from where we ought to be. But instead of allowing him to make us feel guilty about our old ways, let's celebrate the fact that we've been pronounced "not guilty" because of Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross. When the devil comes at us, we can fight back because the blood of Jesus has washed us clean of our sin.

We all have a past, and the devil knows that reminding us of where we used to be is a great way of distracting us from where we ought to be. But instead of allowing him to make us feel guilty about our old ways, let's celebrate the fact that we've been pronounced "not guilty" because of Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross. When the devil comes at us, we can fight back because the blood of Jesus has washed us clean of our sin.

God allows difficulties in our lives to test us and teach us. And sometimes, that means walking into the flames. But we'll never grow to our fullest potential if we don't trust God to take us through the fire. It's when we go through those trials that we grow closer to the Father, become more like Christ, and have the opportunity to make a difference for His Kingdom.