Jesus warns us in Matthew 16:25, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." When we give God our whole lives and not just one part, He plants us like a seed in the ground, and the end product is a new creation that grows and multiplies His Kingdom for His glory.

Richard Ellis Talks

Corn On The Cob

Scripture tells us -- in no uncertain terms -- that when we've been wronged, our response should be to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, turn the other cheek, and the list goes on! Who is that person in your life that you consider an "enemy", who God is calling you to respond to in kindness? As Christians, it's our job to see others the way God sees them, and to love them in such a way that they can't help but wonder why!

Haters

Jesus had so many followers during His time on earth that He would have put Instagram to shame! But just like with social media, most of those "followers" ditched Him when the journey got less comfortable and more difficult. We like to think we're better committed to our faith than the people back then, but really chasing after Jesus requires an all-in commitment. Are we willing to give up our own lives to pick up and follow Him?

I Followed

God designed His Church to have shepherds lead the flock and protect them from the "wolves" of the world whose only intention is to devour the sheep. Plugging into a local church also means submitting to its godly authority and trusting that its leadership will protect us through the spiritual battles we face.

Ewe & Me

If we're not prepared to fight the smaller battles of life, how will we be prepared for the bigger ones that come our way? We only have to look to the example of David in Scripture as someone who faithfully served God throughout his life, perfecting his skills and protecting his sheep from bears and lions and other outside threats. When it came time to face Goliath, David was prepared to slay the giant, because God had equipped him all along with the tools he needed to win the battle.

The Bears, The Lions & The Giants

It's impossible to sin in a vacuum -- our actions, good or bad, always have a ripple effect on those around us. God offers us second chances (and third, and fourth, and on and on!) to turn from our sin and make right choices. When we choose to obey Him instead of rebelling against what He asks us to do, it can have eternal impact not only on our lives, but on the lives of other people, too.

Another Chance

Jesus invites us to ask for ANYTHING -- but that doesn't always mean the answer to our prayers will be what we'd like to hear. Instead of asking for our own selfish desires, what if we asked God for whatever it is that HE wants to give us? When we yield to His answers and offer our lives completely to Him, He uses us in ways we never could have expected.

Blank Check

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.

The End

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.

A Loan With God

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.

Don’t Kill Yourself

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.

Back-Up

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!

Almost Stoned

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.

Return Policy

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?

The Way In A Manger

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.

3 Men & A Baby

The daily podcast with Richard Ellis. Follow / Like him @TalkWithRichard

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Richard Ellis Talks

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