Richard Ellis Talks

We all deserve to be squashed like bugs because of the sins that we’ve committed against God, yet He’s chosen to show us mercy and grace because of His love for us. When we humble ourselves and come to Him  for mercy, we receive it, and can then give it to others!

We all deserve to be squashed like bugs because of the sins that we’ve committed against God, yet He’s chosen to show us mercy and grace because of His love for us. When we humble ourselves and come to Him  for mercy, we receive it, and can then give it to others!

The foundational difference between Christianity and every other religion in history: 1) one is based on God's grace, being accepted just as we are, which leads to good works out of our love for Him; 2) all the others focus on trying to earn a way into paradise. When a believer displays good works, let's be quick to share that our works are motivated by our love for our personal mercy-giving Father, and His love for us!

The foundational difference between Christianity and every other religion in history: 1) one is based on God's grace, being accepted just as we are, which leads to good works out of our love for Him; 2) all the others focus on trying to earn a way into paradise. When a believer displays good works, let's be quick to share that our works are motivated by our love for our personal mercy-giving Father, and His love for us!

The believer's identity is found in Christ alone, not in what we do, how much square footage we own, what's parked in the garage, how many zeroes are in the bank account... As a Christ follower, the truly important things in life are how we run our faith-race, sharing God's good news, and being obedient to His call on our life, knowing that it's but a vapor on eternity's timeline.

The believer's identity is found in Christ alone, not in what we do, how much square footage we own, what's parked in the garage, how many zeroes are in the bank account... As a Christ follower, the truly important things in life are how we run our faith-race, sharing God's good news, and being obedient to His call on our life, knowing that it's but a vapor on eternity's timeline.

Becoming born again. New in the faith. Spiritual milk. A new creation. Re-birth. The angels in Heaven rejoice when someone accepts God's grace and forgiveness! Then the responsibility of helping that new believer grow in the faith falls on the mature believers around them. Just as a man and woman are able to reproduce physically out of intimacy, we are to spiritually reproduce disciples as we grow in intimacy in relationship with God.

Becoming born again. New in the faith. Spiritual milk. A new creation. Re-birth. The angels in Heaven rejoice when someone accepts God's grace and forgiveness! Then the responsibility of helping that new believer grow in the faith falls on the mature believers around them. Just as a man and woman are able to reproduce physically out of intimacy, we are to spiritually reproduce disciples as we grow in intimacy in relationship with God.

There are times in everyone's lives when there's suffering and pain. We may pray fervently that God would just take it all away. However, sometimes it's His purpose that we face those things in order to bring us closer to Him, remind us that He's in ultimate control, and equip us with empathy for others going through the same thing.

There are times in everyone's lives when there's suffering and pain. We may pray fervently that God would just take it all away. However, sometimes it's His purpose that we face those things in order to bring us closer to Him, remind us that He's in ultimate control, and equip us with empathy for others going through the same thing.

There are many Bible examples where the apostles were persecuted for preaching the Gospel, yet they responded by rejoicing in the Lord, and He blessed them for it. When we follow their example, we may not receive the blessing here on earth, but God gives us peace to endure the suffering and promises to bless us in Heaven!

There are many Bible examples where the apostles were persecuted for preaching the Gospel, yet they responded by rejoicing in the Lord, and He blessed them for it. When we follow their example, we may not receive the blessing here on earth, but God gives us peace to endure the suffering and promises to bless us in Heaven!

Sadly, there's judgement between believers taking place within the Church, even though Jesus warned against judging others in Matthew 7. He speaks of the dangers of finding a speck in someone else's eye when there's that great big log in our own! Let's be patient with others, trusting that - just like He is with us - God's working in that other person's life right at the place they are.

Sadly, there's judgement between believers taking place within the Church, even though Jesus warned against judging others in Matthew 7. He speaks of the dangers of finding a speck in someone else's eye when there's that great big log in our own! Let's be patient with others, trusting that - just like He is with us - God's working in that other person's life right at the place they are.

We all face moments in our lives where we feel under pressure, sometimes more than others. That pressure can either cause us to run toward sin and "fixes of the flesh", or run toward God and true peace. He promises to bring us through our times of adversity if we'd trust Him to meet us at our point of need.