Richard Ellis Talks

If you've ever tended to a fire, you know that if you don't maintain it, it can easily be reduced to nothing more than a pile of ashes. But sometimes, hidden in that pile of ashes are embers that can be stoked to reignite the flame. In the same way, if we don't tend to our relationship with God, our excitement over our salvation and His amazing work in our lives can fade -- but when we remember His blessings, big or small, our gratitude can stoke the flame in our hearts and set our lives on fire for Him!

If you've ever tended to a fire, you know that if you don't maintain it, it can easily be reduced to nothing more than a pile of ashes. But sometimes, hidden in that pile of ashes are embers that can be stoked to reignite the flame. In the same way, if we don't tend to our relationship with God, our excitement over our salvation and His amazing work in our lives can fade -- but when we remember His blessings, big or small, our gratitude can stoke the flame in our hearts and set our lives on fire for Him!

When we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we essentially approach Him empty-handed. We ask Him to come into our lives and fill the God-sized hole in our hearts. We've got two choices after that: we can either hold on with clenched fists to everything He gives us, or we can open our hands, give it back to Him, and watch Him bless and multiply it beyond anything we could ask or imagine!

When we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we essentially approach Him empty-handed. We ask Him to come into our lives and fill the God-sized hole in our hearts. We've got two choices after that: we can either hold on with clenched fists to everything He gives us, or we can open our hands, give it back to Him, and watch Him bless and multiply it beyond anything we could ask or imagine!

God calls us to be cheerful givers -- but before we can give Him our finances, we first have to give Him our hearts. The Bible teaches us about the importance of generosity, not just as a way to take care of other people, but as an act of obedience. We give back to God what He first gave to us as an act of trust, worship, and gratitude for the blessings He's poured out on us!  

God calls us to be cheerful givers -- but before we can give Him our finances, we first have to give Him our hearts. The Bible teaches us about the importance of generosity, not just as a way to take care of other people, but as an act of obedience. We give back to God what He first gave to us as an act of trust, worship, and gratitude for the blessings He's poured out on us!  

A few days ago, our Talk was on the subject of Regret, Reset, Restore. But after we've worked through those three stages, it's time for us to resume the work that God's called us to do. No matter what's happened in the past, it's never too big to hold us back from moving forward in the purpose He's gifted uniquely to each one of us!

A few days ago, our Talk was on the subject of Regret, Reset, Restore. But after we've worked through those three stages, it's time for us to resume the work that God's called us to do. No matter what's happened in the past, it's never too big to hold us back from moving forward in the purpose He's gifted uniquely to each one of us!

Every so often, we experience something that leaves us "blown away" -- like the gifts of salvation and redemption that God offers to us. But just as He sent His Son to rescue us, we have a responsibility to rescue each other, too! We're all part of one family, so when we see a brother or sister struggling then it's our job not only to call them out with grace, but to help them get through it with love.  

Every so often, we experience something that leaves us "blown away" -- like the gifts of salvation and redemption that God offers to us. But just as He sent His Son to rescue us, we have a responsibility to rescue each other, too! We're all part of one family, so when we see a brother or sister struggling then it's our job not only to call them out with grace, but to help them get through it with love.  

The good news of the gospel is that God offers redemption and salvation at no cost to us. But the problem with a free gift is that it's easy to take for granted. Because of Christ's death on the cross, our sins have already been paid for -- and we're "spoiled rotten" because the only thing we have to do is repent sincerely and ask for His forgiveness. Our Savior made the ultimate sacrifice so we wouldn't have to, but knowing we've been redeemed shouldn't be an excuse to keep sinning without consequence.

The good news of the gospel is that God offers redemption and salvation at no cost to us. But the problem with a free gift is that it's easy to take for granted. Because of Christ's death on the cross, our sins have already been paid for -- and we're "spoiled rotten" because the only thing we have to do is repent sincerely and ask for His forgiveness. Our Savior made the ultimate sacrifice so we wouldn't have to, but knowing we've been redeemed shouldn't be an excuse to keep sinning without consequence.

Have you ever heard the saying, "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called"? Throughout Scripture, we see example after example of God taking ordinary people and using them to accomplish His extraordinary work. It's not about how capable we are of doing something -- it's about how willing we are to make ourselves available for God to use us.

Have you ever heard the saying, "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called"? Throughout Scripture, we see example after example of God taking ordinary people and using them to accomplish His extraordinary work. It's not about how capable we are of doing something -- it's about how willing we are to make ourselves available for God to use us.

Acts 3:19 says, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." It's good to regret our sin, but our regret should always lead us to repent. When we're truly repentant about our sin, God forgives us, wipes us clean, resets and restores our lives, and then uses our story to bring others hope.