Richard Ellis Talks

We tend to think of ourselves as owners -- of our time, our finances, our talents, and more. We forget that we're merely just stewards of everything that God's blessed us with. Imagine how much more the Church could do if we'd each stop trying to own what was never ours to begin with, and instead we gave all that God calls us to give!

We spend so much time worrying about our jobs, our homes, our finances, our families, and a million other things. But how much time do we really spend worshipping the King? Our sole focus should be our relationship with Jesus, because everything else we do and have stems from that. When we prioritize Him, He provides for all of our other needs.

It's our responsibility as the Body of Christ to feed and tend to the other sheep in the Church. But we don't base our decision to obey God on what others are or aren't doing. If He's called us to do something, it's our job to respond in obedience -- even if that means leaving some people behind.

Tis the season...for shopping, stress, and credit card debt?! We too easily lose sight of the fact that the best Christmas gift ever given is the gift of Jesus Christ -- and His love is offered to us completely free of charge. Let's keep that reminder at the forefront to give us joy through this season, and let's spread that good news to others along the way!

When Jesus ate His last meal with His disciples, He took time to teach them the importance of remembering the suffering and death He was about to experience. It's in the process of giving thanks that we remember all that God gives to us. Jesus thanked His Father for what represented the worst suffering anyone could ever endure on the cross -- so let's be thankful in all things as we remember what He's done.

The Bible tells us to give thanks to God -- not just in good times, not just some of the time, but at all times and in all things. But the only way we can thank God in the midst of our suffering is if we trust Him to get us through it. When we thank Him in the hard times, we walk out our faith that He's with us in our trials and will see us through to the other side.

When we call out to God and ask Him to help us, then we have to be ready and willing to obey whatever He tells us to do in response -- even if it sounds crazy. And when we follow through on His answers to our call, we also have to remember to thank Him for the blessing we receive as a result.

If we're not faithful in giving when we have very little, why would we be faithful when we have a lot? Abundant life happens when we hold all that God's given us with open hands instead of clenched fists. He wants to help us lead a life that's pleasing to Him, but first we have to let go of our control over possessions and money and allow Him to give and take as He pleases.

Jesus prayed for future believers to be united as one body. When the Church is unified, it demonstrates to the world that Jesus is the One who holds us all together. And when we show unity in our marriages, in our families, and in the body of Christ, we reflect the true nature of God's love.

Before He returned to Heaven, Jesus promised that one day, He'd come back for His followers -- and it's our job to be ready and spread the word. God's desire is for every single person to know Him so that they could spend eternity with Him. Sadly, not all will choose to follow Him, but it's up to those of us who do to anxiously await our King, and to tell everybody we meet about Him in the meantime.