Richard Ellis Talks

Homing pigeons have a way of always returning home. In the same way, when we become believers in Christ, the Holy Spirit acts as a sort of "homing mechanism" inside of us that draws us back to God, no matter how far we drift. Repentance isn't just for the unbeliever -- it's a reminder for each of us who have strayed to stop where we are and return to God.

 

We all look up to someone -- and we all have people looking up to us in one way or another. That's why every single one of us, as leaders, need to both see and be good examples of leadership. When we listen to wisdom from those who have gone before us, we can lead those who are following behind us. And when we make mistakes, it's important to repent and apologize to those we've affected, including God Himself.

Hebrews 6:19 talks about hope in Christ being an anchor for the soul. That's because when we put our trust in God alone, we're held fast through all the storms of life. It's only by clinging to Jesus through our trials that we'll develop perseverance, character, and eternal hope.

This world of broken people is waiting for us to acknowledge the weight they carry, and to bring them the answers that can only be found in Jesus. God's always working on the other side of the situation, even when we can't see Him -- that's why we've got to obey Him when He calls, knowing other people's lives are at stake.

When it comes to being silent even amidst suffering, Jesus was the perfect example -- and the perfect sacrifice. He willingly endured death for our sake. When suffering comes our way, one of two things will happen: God will either shear us from the "fluff" of our lives, or He'll defend us from the enemy that seeks to come against us.

When we receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection, we're promised the reward of Heaven -- period. But the way we live between now and eternity is a choice we have to make daily. If you could skip to the end of your life and look back to today, how would it look different based on the decisions you make?

Our sin doesn't stop God from loving us. But in order for us to have a relationship with Him, we have to first come to a place of repentance so we can receive the forgiveness He offers. God's love, grace, and mercy know no limits -- let's respond to that and live in an abundance of gratitude.

Though trials and struggles will come our way, God's got a purpose in everything: to make us holy. Christ's death paid our debt and made us free, but God desires for us to choose to stay with Him. There is no one who will take better care of us than the Lord when we give ourselves as slaves to Him.

The nature of sin means that as soon as we're born, our lives are headed into a nosedive. As we grow, we can make the choice to continue in that downward spiral, telling ourselves the lie that we can fix it on our own. Or, we can realize that only Jesus can give us the power to turn "nose up" and head in a different direction by allowing Him to work in us.

The story of Job depicts the epitome of extreme hardship and loss. Yet he chose to worship God in the midst of his trials, and God restored even greater blessings to him and his wife. It doesn't change the pain Job suffered, but God carried him through, and He offers His same companionship to us in all that we endure.