Richard Ellis Talks

God offers each of us the ultimate gift, bought and paid for with the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. The best part is that it's absolutely free -- all we have to do is reach out and accept it. And once we've received such an immeasurable act of love, we can't help but respond in worship.

When it comes to picking people who will become part of His Kingdom, God doesn't choose the ones who would seem logical in the eyes of the world. The "in crowd" is simply made up of those who hear His Word and respond in obedience.

Jesus is the "X" factor in us -- He allows us to do things that just don't seem possible from the outside looking in. When we choose to believe that God can accomplish anything and everything He says He will, we get a front-row seat to watch the impossible take place.

Of all the relationships we may experience in this lifetime, the deepest love we'll ever receive is from God Himself. His love went beyond all human comprehension when He gave His own Son for us. The only way we can experience truly unconditional love is by having a personal and intimate relationship with Him.

Scripture instructs us that we're to care for the marginalized -- the widows, the orphans, the poor, the sick -- but too often, we segregate ourselves from the very people we're called to love. When we obey God and give sacrificially of ourselves to bless others, it's as if we're giving to Jesus Himself.

Many people walk through life fearing all the "what ifs" that could happen. But when we put our faith in God, we trade our "what ifs" for "what is" -- and what is certain is that God promises to take care of us, provide for all our needs, and work all things for our good, no matter what negative situations come our way.

Have you ever smelled soil when it's been freshly fertilized? It smells awful -- but it's also crucial to the soil producing a good harvest. Sometimes our lives start to "smell", and it's because God may be fertilizing the soil around us so that we can begin to produce spiritually. Jesus was passionate about us, even to the point of death, and in order for us to bear fruit, it's critical that we be passionate about spreading the Gospel.

When a fire goes out, the ashes can be stoked, and the flame can be relit from the embers. In the same way, our excitement about our salvation might fade over time, but that spark can be renewed if we stoke the embers of gratitude. When we remember God's blessings in our lives, big or small, it re-ignites a spirit of thankfulness for all that He's given us.

God doesn't simply dwell in a place; God dwells in people. When we become Christians, God's Spirit resides in us, and we bring Him with us everywhere we go. When we congregate in a church setting, we're coming together as the Body of Christ -- and since our bodies make up God's temple, it's important that we treat them accordingly.

No matter how much value we place on earthly treasures, we can't take any of them into eternity. But when we instead focus on storing up crowns in Heaven, we can "ship ahead" the spiritual treasures that come from living in obedience to God and sharing the Good News of the Gospel with the people around us.