Richard Ellis Talks

Sin has no preference when it comes to age -- and no matter where we're at in life, it always has consequences. It's common for both men and women to experience a midlife crisis when they get bored with the life they have and they chase after more pleasurable things. In these seasons, it's as important as ever to not get distracted by the world, but to stay focused on God -- He's the only One who can provide lasting satisfaction.

 

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, a number of physical consequences followed. Among these was the fact that men would be destined to "toil" or work the earth, and women would experience pain in childbirth. Menopause is an indirect result of sin in Eden, and every woman's going to face certain physical changes that come with age. When that time comes, husbands also have to adjust to a new stage of life -- but God can provide the patience it takes to endure with love through this season.

 

As Christians we often chase after the "mountain top" moments and spiritual highs that we experience when we hear a good sermon or a powerful worship song. The problem with situational mountain top moments is...sooner or later, they always end. But the reality is, if you've met Jesus, you've had a true mountain top experience, and if you stay connected to Him and live in His Spirit, you never have to come down off the mountain!

How well we control what comes out of our mouths is a pretty good indicator of how well we control all other aspects of our lives. The Bible tells us that our mouths clearly depict who we truly are. As ambassadors of God's love, let's strive to tame our tongues and to reflect the image of Christ through the words we say!

Sometimes it feels like God isn't listening to us -- like we speak and all we hear back is the echo of our own prayers. But often, God's answer to our prayers can be found by looking in a mirror! He wants to use us as His hands and feet, to go out and make a difference in His name. Instead of asking why He's not doing anything to solve the injustices of the world, maybe a better question to ask is: how is He calling me to be part of the solution?

Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." So if God chooses to forget about our sin once we've confessed, repented, and received His forgiveness...then why don't we forget it, too? Instead of wearing the guilt of our past, He wants us to shed it, move on, and not let it define us any longer!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40 that whatever we do for the least of His brothers and sisters, we do for Him. Yet how many times do we pass up the opportunity to serve those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or imprisoned -- and in doing so, pass up the opportunity to serve Christ? When we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, He opens our eyes to recognize "the least of these" -- often perfect strangers -- as Jesus Himself, and to serve them with the same love and compassion as He first showed us.

When we feel ourselves getting swept up in and overwhelmed by the trials we face, the best thing we can do is look at our lives in perspective to God. He's the beautiful Creator, the Almighty Savior, and He's bigger than all of our circumstances. Our lives are about so much more than the here and now -- we're given hope and the promise of eternity in Heaven with our Lord.

 

When it comes to following Jesus, there's no going halfway. We've got to be willing to lay everything down in order for Him to shape us and use us for His glory. And to do that requires trust -- trust that God's plans for us are good, and that His purpose for our lives is greater than anything we could dream up for ourselves.

One of the greatest lessons Jesus ever taught His followers was the importance of serving others. It's why, the night before He was crucified, one of His last acts was to wash His disciples' feet. Even knowing that He was about to die, Jesus still chose to serve. While it's easier to be served than it is to serve, following Christ leads to genuine faith, genuine faith to obedience, and obedience to a life of a service!