Richard Ellis Talks

When Jesus rose from the dead and later ascended back to Heaven, it wasn't the final goodbye! He's coming back one day, and whether we go to join Him in eternity before that day comes or we're still here when this world comes to an end, we don't have to live in fear. We can be ready to come face-to-face with the King of Kings simply by having a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ and a heart that waits with anticipation for the day when we'll go to live with Him forever.

Hebrews 13 reminds us, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." Too often we forget that the act of giving to and loving on the poor and needy is an act of holy worship. We're too distracted by our own possessions and selfish desires to notice the opportunities that God gives us to meet the needs of those less fortunate around us, but when we live open-handedly and give generously to others, it's as though we're giving to the Lord Himself.

If you've ever questioned whether your life on this earth has any meaning, you are not alone! One of the devil's best tactics of attack is to make us feel like our lives aren't worth living -- even to the point of contemplating suicide. Yet when we die to ourselves spiritually and choose to be born again in Christ, we find a purpose and meaning far greater than our own through His perfect plan for us.

Scripture all but assures us that we'll face constant spiritual warfare in this life. But God's provision for our every need includes accompanying us into battle and giving us the tools we need to triumph! Not only does He fight for us, He uses us to fight for others, too.

In situations of judgment, sometimes our worst critics are...well...ourselves. We can get trapped in a cycle of guilt over sins for which Jesus has already paid, but His death and resurrection made a way for us to live in freedom from our past. Instead of looking down with shame, let's look up with hope and gratitude toward the Savior Who has set us free!

When it comes to getting a second chance, God has the most generous return policy in all of human history. He offers us the opportunity to return to Him no matter how far we wander. Not only that, but He's promised that Jesus will return for us one day, and whether we leave this earth before that day comes or we're here to see it happen, we can hold onto the hope of an eternity spent with Him in Heaven.

In John 14, Jesus tells us that He is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life, and that there is no other way to the Father except through Him. Our job as Christians is to spread that Gospel message. In a world where "truth" seems more subjective every day, are we ready to share the one and only Truth with others when the opportunity presents itself?

When it comes to questioning the Bible, the Christmas story is one of the most popular examples for why it "can't" be legitimate. Skeptics who challenge Scripture are nothing new, but when we have our doubts, it's important for us to research and study God's Word ourselves instead of throwing out the whole Bible just because we don't understand every single thing it says. At some point, we have to come to a place of CHOOSING to believe not only what Scripture tells us about Jesus, but what it tells us about the salvation He offers us.

The God who's given us the very breath we breathe in this physical life is also the God who's given us the opportunity to have eternal life with Him. But His offer of redemption isn't meant for us to keep to ourselves -- it's meant for us to turn around and give away to others. Are we going to be selfish with our salvation, or are we going to "regift" it and pass it on?

The difference between Jesus and any earthly king is that Jesus never grew up to become a king -- He was born the King of Kings! We can't accept the gift of salvation that He gave His life to pay for without submitting ourselves in reverence to Him. When we choose to make Him the King of our lives, we're also choosing to let Him rule our every decision, every day until the day He calls us home to Him.