Richard Ellis Talks

Kids are often overlooked when it comes to investing our time and efforts, however Jesus taught that they are the greatest investment. Children will grow to carry on the values that are instilled in them, and if we take the time now to invest in them then we are also investing in the future.

Too often we find ourselves in a spiritual rut where we stay immature and childish rather than taking on the responsibility of growing up. We need to get to a point where we can raise new Christians to become spiritually mature, but we cannot do that unless we are growing as well.

It is possible to be a Christian and backslide into sins from your past that you intentionally choose over following Jesus. There are also Christians who get deceived along the way and get off the path. Wherever you find yourself, if it is away from Him all you have to do is turn back and He welcomes you and heals you from all your sin.

We can be quick to judge other people who claim to be Christians and do not act accordingly. Rather than being judgmental of them, or even of ourselves, we need to understand that God’s work in our lives takes time. Once we become Christians there is nothing we can do to reverse that and we need to take hope in His promise to complete the work He has begun in us.

Throughout Scripture God has designated a certain order to things. Before we can receive much from Him, we must give up all that we cling to. It is in this order that we find all that He has promised because we are doing things in the way that He designed them to be done.

We live in sin when we live our lives apart from God. That sin separates us from Him forever, unless we accept the forgiveness that is offered to us because of Christ’s death and resurrection. We do not have to face God in the end based on our own works, but we can be assured salvation through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

There will always be times for goodbyes, and we need to make sure that when we leave somewhere that we leave on good terms because it may be the last time we see certain people until eternity in Heaven. For Christians, we can cling to the promise that we will see our fellow Christians again, even after they leave this earth, in heaven.

We must be careful who we spend our time around, knowing that negative whining and complaining will quickly rub off on us. God is serious about showing gratitude in all things, and in order to reflect Him well to the world we must take Him at His word and walk in obedience and thankfulness.

It is alright to become a Christian and remain needy and make messes for a time, just as a new baby starts off needy and messy. But at some point the messes need to be fewer and there must be some independence so that growth is happening. We need to get to a place spiritually where we can step out and make disciples of other people, helping them along in the process of growth.

Sometimes it seems easier to hold onto our illnesses, whether it be physical sickness or emotional baggage, rather than give it up and be made well. Jesus has offered us healing and all we have to do is accept it and obey what He tells us to do.