Richard Ellis Talks

Salvation secures us from being lost forever, separated from God. Once we’ve received it, we can then give up our lives for the sake of following Christ and gain heavenly rewards that we can have to offer Him in eternity.

"Leggo my EGO!" (pun intended...) Part of our daily battle - if we're honest - is allowing the fruits of the Spirit to rule and reign, squashing our selfishness and our need for receiving credit! It's only when we put aside ego and hypocrisy and align our hearts with our actions, are we truly living a Christlike life.

Once someone is born again, they instantly become filled with the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This "Heavenly Pilot Light" can draw us back to the Father no matter how far we stray!

A new believer's spiritual growth parallels in a way with a baby's growth. Their spiritual diet consists of simple truths and basics - the "milk" of the faith. Then, as they're discipled by mature believers, they can be "weaned" off the milk, and move to more of a "spiritual meat diet", which equips them to eventually disciple other new believers!

The Great Commission was given to all believers: go into the world, share the Good News of hope and grace in Jesus, baptizing them in His name, and then continuing the important step of discipleship. The Church's focus of "disciples making disciples" will keep its purpose in focus!

True repentance comes with the realization that we've sinned against the One who paid the price for our eternal soul! God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness are always instant and complete. But when we're convicted of sin, let's not take it lightly, let's remember the ultimate price that was paid to wash away that sin.

Trusting God. Trusting that He's for us, not against us. Trusting that He wants the best for us. Trusting that in any difficult situation, He'll work it out for our best, according to His will. In all things, less of us, more of Him!

Knowing the Word of God and believing it are two different things. He gave us the Scriptures as a written document of His works and promises, so that we may believe and be changed. And when we believe it, His power transforms our lives!

When it comes to relationships, the best plan is to see what God's plan is! So why not check with Him to see if this potential mate is right for us?  He'll guide and direct us to the blessing of marriage the way He intended for it to be, if we seek Him every step of the way.

"But I'm a nice person!" The world is full of "nice" sinners. The truth is, we're ALL born into sin, and we're ALL in need of a Savior! Only when we admit that we're dirty with sin, Jesus can make us clean and change our death sentence to eternal life!

There's a difference in stewardship and ownership. For the believer who's trying to follow God faithfully, all things are God's. HE owns it all, and He trusts us to use it all for His glory. When everyone gives what God calls us to give, everyone's taken care of!

The Kingdom of God here on earth is simply the rule and reign of Christ in our life! He's the boss, He's in control, He's the One we're to seek with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then everything else, all our needs, desires, and cares will fall into place in its correct priority.

Obedience - in and of itself - can either be an activity of doing out of obligation, or a result of serving out of love. If we're obeying God because we want to serve Him out of our love for Him, then when He calls us to respond, we respond, no matter what others around us are doing!

Even though it's God's ultimate desire, not everyone will choose to know Him personally through Jesus as Savior. So before the Rapture, it's important that believers share God's good news, so others can have the opportunity to enter Heaven!

It's been said this way: "The world's religions are mankind's attempt to reach God. Christianity is God's attempt to reach mankind." It's no surprise that the Gospel message doesn't make sense to the world... until FAITH enters the equation. Then the Gospel CHANGES OUR LIFE!