Richard Ellis Talks

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.

It's easy for us to identify ourselves by the sins we've committed. But Jesus offers us a clean slate. His death was sufficient to save us once and for all so that we can leave our past behind and walk in a new life with Him.

It's easy for us to identify ourselves by the sins we've committed. But Jesus offers us a clean slate. His death was sufficient to save us once and for all so that we can leave our past behind and walk in a new life with Him.

During Jesus' earthly life, He quoted the words of Isaiah, telling those around Him that He was the One to fulfill the promise of bringing hope to the poor, healing to the broken-hearted, and joy to those in mourning. And sometimes, the poor, the broken-hearted, and the mourning ones are you and me. But no matter how damaged our lives might seem, Jesus promises to bring beauty out of ashes when we surrender to Him.

During Jesus' earthly life, He quoted the words of Isaiah, telling those around Him that He was the One to fulfill the promise of bringing hope to the poor, healing to the broken-hearted, and joy to those in mourning. And sometimes, the poor, the broken-hearted, and the mourning ones are you and me. But no matter how damaged our lives might seem, Jesus promises to bring beauty out of ashes when we surrender to Him.

God's provided a way for us to escape every temptation we face -- but it's up to us whether or not we follow it. The Bible warns us to run as fast as we can away from sin and into righteousness. He'll always give us an exit strategy, but we have to choose to take it or else let our lives be destroyed by sin.

God's provided a way for us to escape every temptation we face -- but it's up to us whether or not we follow it. The Bible warns us to run as fast as we can away from sin and into righteousness. He'll always give us an exit strategy, but we have to choose to take it or else let our lives be destroyed by sin.

God wants to use you and me to do amazing things for His Kingdom! But often, we question His ability to fulfill His promises. Instead of asking Him, "Really?" and doubting whether He can do what He says, let's respond with obedience and "Really!" trust Him to work through us!

God wants to use you and me to do amazing things for His Kingdom! But often, we question His ability to fulfill His promises. Instead of asking Him, "Really?" and doubting whether He can do what He says, let's respond with obedience and "Really!" trust Him to work through us!

We like to fool ourselves into thinking we can hide certain sins. We might be able to hide them from each other, but we can never hide them from the One who created us! It's better to go through a "souloscopy" than to continue wrestling with symptoms of sin that God could heal if we only let Him. And when we ask Him to search our hearts, He's gracious to reveal our struggles to us and begin working in our lives.

We like to fool ourselves into thinking we can hide certain sins. We might be able to hide them from each other, but we can never hide them from the One who created us! It's better to go through a "souloscopy" than to continue wrestling with symptoms of sin that God could heal if we only let Him. And when we ask Him to search our hearts, He's gracious to reveal our struggles to us and begin working in our lives.

We're called to be good stewards of all that God's blessed us with. But sometimes, we forget that includes being good stewards of people, too. In a culture that's become desensitized to the death toll of abortion, our priority now, as much as ever, needs to be caring for and saving the lives of people -- body and soul.

We're called to be good stewards of all that God's blessed us with. But sometimes, we forget that includes being good stewards of people, too. In a culture that's become desensitized to the death toll of abortion, our priority now, as much as ever, needs to be caring for and saving the lives of people -- body and soul.

There's a story in the Bible about a man who invited a bunch people to his party. But when those people didn't show up, he had his servant go out and invite the poor, the blind, and the lame instead! The point of the story is this: God wants to use us to invite anyone and everyone to His party in heaven -- even those we don't like. Instead of being judges of who's on the "guest list", let's be inviters as we journey toward the party for all eternity!

There's a story in the Bible about a man who invited a bunch people to his party. But when those people didn't show up, he had his servant go out and invite the poor, the blind, and the lame instead! The point of the story is this: God wants to use us to invite anyone and everyone to His party in heaven -- even those we don't like. Instead of being judges of who's on the "guest list", let's be inviters as we journey toward the party for all eternity!