Richard Ellis Talks

In this world of distractions, it's challenging to stay focused on a steady, healthy, growing relationship with God. Then add to that a relationship with another person, and the challenges only get more difficult. So make sure that it's God's will and in His timing!

Getting tired of waiting on God to bring the right kind of person into our life will only compromise our God-seeking standards. Rather, let's focus on falling more in love with Jesus and trust Him and His timing!

No matter which direction we choose to follow, no matter which "master" we choose to become a "slave" to, it always escalates. Be a slave to sin, it always escalates toward chaos and hopelessness. Be a slave to God and His righteousness, it always escalates toward purpose and life!

There's a battle going on for every soul on earth. For believers, God's provided His armor for both offense and defense against the enemy's attacks. However, the non-believer has no armor, so we must fight for them, sharing with them about the source of our protection and strength!

Imagine what a news headlining story it'd be, if a farmer sowed corn seeds and up came beans! We've heard the phrase a million times - "We reap what we sow". It's true in farming, and it's true in our actions. So let's sow seeds of righteousness for His glory!

We don't have to see eye to eye, to walk hand in hand! But as believers, we're required to love despite the differences. After all, each of us has several layers that, if peeled back, can show a rather odiferous side... :)

When a person accepts God's gift of Christ's blood on the cross to cover our sins, the Spirit comes to dwell within us. At that very moment, we're no longer only human, we're carriers of His hope and good news for the world!

Step-families have some relational and emotional dynamics that make their dependency on God so very vital to their success. Of course, that holds true for every family, but especially for families that are established as a result of a loss (divorce, death, abandonment). Let's pray for the step-families in our neighborhoods today.

Eventually, being a Christ follower will mean actually following Christ! Putting "feet to our faith" by becoming a doer of the Word (and not just a hearer) will show others how they too can be a doer of the Word.

God knows everything we've done, are doing, and will do. And He still chose to send His only Son to be our once-and-for-all "pardon" for our sinfulness. The pardon has been offered. Will we accept it?

Working for God, and letting God work in and through us, are two very different things. One forces us to rely on our own strength, the other invites us to rest in His strength!

As a believer, it's paramount that we trust and obey God when it comes to any and all "marching orders" we receive from Him. And since the Holy Spirit actually resides within us, responding to His call in obedience is now part of our nature!

To much of America, it feels like this presidential election cycle's in shambles. Newsflash: this isn't the first time a country's been in this situation, but God remains in ultimate providential control! So, as it's been all along, it's every Christ follower's responsibility to pray for WHOEVER comes into authority.

The Bible's filled with stories of how God used people who were "jacked up". That proves that He can use us, no matter our past, for His plan and purpose as well! So let's rest in the freedom of His grace and choose to be available for the working of His will in and through us.

Letting our sins be buried at the foot of the cross of Christ means they've been banished from the consequence of God's judgement forever. Let's live with the discipline of keeping them buried there!