Richard Ellis Talks

Being a Christian doesn't mean we're exempt from the pain and suffering of this world. But being a Christian does mean we're promised hope -- a hope that will sustain us through those difficult times. God promises to turn our times of weeping into times of dancing, but that hope can only come from Christ, Who redeems all things.

Being a Christian doesn't mean we're exempt from the pain and suffering of this world. But being a Christian does mean we're promised hope -- a hope that will sustain us through those difficult times. God promises to turn our times of weeping into times of dancing, but that hope can only come from Christ, Who redeems all things.

Scripture tells us that nothing we do has any value if it's not motivated by love. But, the kind of love the Bible teaches is the kind that only Jesus can exemplify through us. We'll never be able to match His unconditional, kind, and long-suffering standard on our own. When we allow Christ to enter into every aspect of our lives, He lives out His love through us to all those around us.

Scripture tells us that nothing we do has any value if it's not motivated by love. But, the kind of love the Bible teaches is the kind that only Jesus can exemplify through us. We'll never be able to match His unconditional, kind, and long-suffering standard on our own. When we allow Christ to enter into every aspect of our lives, He lives out His love through us to all those around us.

Jesus said that if we even look with lust at someone who's not our spouse, we've already committed adultery in our hearts. But He calls us to a life of holiness, and that includes abstaining from sexual immorality. God offers us grace and mercy when we fail, but He continues to call us to a higher standard -- a standard of true love.

Jesus said that if we even look with lust at someone who's not our spouse, we've already committed adultery in our hearts. But He calls us to a life of holiness, and that includes abstaining from sexual immorality. God offers us grace and mercy when we fail, but He continues to call us to a higher standard -- a standard of true love.

There's an old song that goes, "...and they'll know we are Christians by our love." Notice how it doesn't say "by our clothes", or "by our cars", or "by our careers/cash worth/college degrees"! The world will know we love God when they see us loving each other -- even those we don't necessarily get along with or like. When we love one another we demonstrate to the world the love God has for them -- and we're able to love them because He first loved us.

There's an old song that goes, "...and they'll know we are Christians by our love." Notice how it doesn't say "by our clothes", or "by our cars", or "by our careers/cash worth/college degrees"! The world will know we love God when they see us loving each other -- even those we don't necessarily get along with or like. When we love one another we demonstrate to the world the love God has for them -- and we're able to love them because He first loved us.

God can't be contained in a box. He dwells in every believer, which is why the Church consists not of a building, but of His people! We can't "manufacture" the presence of God, but when His Spirit is evident in us when we're together in His name, people will be able to point to us as a Church and say, "God is in that house."

God can't be contained in a box. He dwells in every believer, which is why the Church consists not of a building, but of His people! We can't "manufacture" the presence of God, but when His Spirit is evident in us when we're together in His name, people will be able to point to us as a Church and say, "God is in that house."

How often do "little white lies" come out of our mouths? The Bible clearly teaches us that lying is an abomination to God, but we often do it flippantly and without a second thought. If we want to live a life that's pleasing to God, then we've got to be truthful -- not only with Him, but with all those around us.

How often do "little white lies" come out of our mouths? The Bible clearly teaches us that lying is an abomination to God, but we often do it flippantly and without a second thought. If we want to live a life that's pleasing to God, then we've got to be truthful -- not only with Him, but with all those around us.

Throughout the Bible, God lays out a path to warn us against sin and to help us avoid the consequences of our bad choices. But in order to walk that path, we have to choose to follow His way instead of our own! Not only that, but when we commit to riding in God's lane, we should be on the lookout -- to take with us anyone else who's willing to come.

Throughout the Bible, God lays out a path to warn us against sin and to help us avoid the consequences of our bad choices. But in order to walk that path, we have to choose to follow His way instead of our own! Not only that, but when we commit to riding in God's lane, we should be on the lookout -- to take with us anyone else who's willing to come.

Have you ever tried to conquer your "biggest" sin struggle first? When we keep focusing on the one we can't seem to shake, we tend to keep losing on the small stuff, too. But when we win at the small challenges, it starts a snowball effect -- and eventually, with God's help, we can overcome the big things.