Richard Ellis Talks
1,302 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 335 ratingsThe daily podcast with Richard Ellis. Follow / Like him @TalkWithRichard
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Episodes
Meek Ain’t Weak
March 01, 2024 06:00When we try our hardest to act godly, the work of trying will eventually wear us down -- and our flesh will reveal itself in the ugliness of sin. But when we surrender ourselves to Jesus, His work in us manifests itself in the fruit of the Spirit that others notice in our lives. To allow ourselves to be controlled by the Spirit is anything but weak -- it takes immense strength.
Aftermath
February 29, 2024 06:00In Matthew 6, Jesus warns us of the inevitable destruction of our earthly treasures, and points us towards storing up that which will last for eternity. But the only way to invest in something eternal is to invest in other people -- and when we do that, it has to potential to bring both us and them heavenly rewards.
Cheer Factor
February 28, 2024 06:00People are attracted to joy, not happiness. The latter is based on our circumstances; the former is based on our faith and trust in the Lord. Those around us take notice when they witness us praise God in all circumstances, not just the easy ones, so let's thank Him for the work that He's done and continues to do in our lives, even in the midst of hard times.
Wakey Wakey
February 27, 2024 06:00If you've ever played Monopoly, you know about the coveted "get out of jail free" card. But too often, we coast through this life as Christians, knowing we've got our "bonus card" of salvation tucked in our back pocket. That's why Scripture encourages us to wake up and take our obedience to Christ seriously; there will come a day when our time here ends, so it's up to us to make the most of every moment pointing others to Jesus.
Sheepdog
February 26, 2024 06:00One of the telltale signs that we're on the path to wandering away from God is when we lose our connection to the local Church. Like sheep in a herd, the more closely we walk with others, the less likely we are to run astray. God's design is for us to be in community not only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the other "sheep" in the fold.
Where Fools Rush In
February 24, 2024 06:00The Bible talks enough about fools that we should pay attention - lest we become one ourselves. It instructs us not to live in foolishness, but in wisdom. If we know what Scripture says but don't actually live it out, it has no genuine worth or meaning in our lives.
Let Down
February 23, 2024 06:00We've all experienced the disappointment that comes with being let down by another person. But what do you do when you feel like you've been let down by...God? In those moments, it's important to remember the evidence of His character that we see through His Word and through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son on our behalf. He promises to provide all we need for the work He's called us to do, until the day He calls us home to Him.
Outta Sight
February 22, 2024 06:00God calls us to live on the edge -- in the place where we're forced to depend on Him instead of watching and waiting to see how He's going to show up for us. He often brings us to the place where our faith is stretched, but when we seek Him first above all things, He provides for all our needs.
You Just Can’t Help Yourself
February 21, 2024 06:00Humanity's struggle with sin is the very reason why Jesus had to come and die on our behalf -- and in doing so, He gave us the power through His Spirit to overcome the sin in our lives. Because God is love and overflows with love for us, He works through us to love people in supernatural ways, showing kindness and compassion to others in ways that make no earthly sense.
High Fidelity
February 20, 2024 06:00God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises has shown true, time and again throughout history. We can trust Him to be faithful in everything He's promised us; the question is, can He trust us to be faithful to Him?
Breaking Bad
February 19, 2024 06:00The Bible reveals God's character to us, and it describes all the things He made as "good". In His mercy, He works in us to manifest goodness and mercy in our lives everywhere we go. If we claim to follow Jesus, we should be allowing Him to break off what's bad -- sin -- and trust that what He has for us is so much better.
Peculiar People
February 17, 2024 06:00Ever felt "different" because you were a Christian? If you answered "yes", that's not actually a bad thing. As a follower of Christ, you've been chosen by God and set apart from this world to live out the calling He's placed on your life. Live in such a way that your life reflects the saving work that Jesus did for you on the cross -- and the work that He continues to do in and through you every single day.
Much Appreciated
February 16, 2024 06:00Let's be honest: it feels good to have other people notice what we do. But where man's affirmation is temporary and fleeting, God's validation is eternal and everlasting. Instead of finding our value through the world's eyes, let's rest in the knowledge of the immeasurable value God's given us through His Son.
WD40
February 15, 2024 06:00We realize that Jesus died to save us from an eternity spent in hell -- but we often forget that He also died to save us from an earthly life spent in sin. When we accept God's forgiveness, we're justified by His grace and sanctified through His Son's sacrifice. The Gospel is good news not only for our salvation, but for our daily lives.
Dream Girl
February 14, 2024 06:00Almost all of us have experienced the feeling that comes from believing somebody else's life is better, easier, happier, or more successful than ours. But comparison is the thief of joy, and God is focused on working with us from the inside out. Maybe you're in a season of waiting and wondering when God is going to move; trust Him, don't compromise on your standards, and know that some of HIs best refining work happens when we wait on Him.
Grubbing
February 13, 2024 06:00Discipline is one way that God shows us the areas of our lives in which we need to be refined. The right response isn't to become hardened and allow roots of bitterness to grow towards the Lord; the right response is to allow Him to dig up the roots of sin that are hindering us so that we can experience peace with Him.
Surprise Surprise Surprise
February 12, 2024 06:00Nothing catches God by surprise. Isn't that a comforting truth? Even when we're caught off guard by our circumstances, God is never startled by what happens. He knew every step of our lives before we were born, and when we spend time with Him, like through prayer, Scripture, and fasting, He promises to cover us.
Hair Net
February 10, 2024 06:00Jesus was the living, breathing, walking embodiment of servant leadership. All throughout the Gospels, he models for us what it means to humble ourselves in a position of servanthood in order to minister to others. As Christ followers, we shouldn't just be willing to serve those around us; we should strive to serve those around us in hopes that they'll be impacted spiritually themselves and inspired to do the same for others.
You Better Watch Out
February 09, 2024 06:00Every day of this life involves a spiritual battle for our souls; that's why God gives us weapons to defend against the attacks of the enemy. Prayer is a means to protect ourselves and others from the devil's attempts to destroy God's work in us, and Scripture is a tool to fight back against the devil's lies.
In The Buff
February 08, 2024 06:00Spiritual growth and maturity are critical components of our walk with God. We can't just learn about what it means to follow Jesus -- we also need to apply it so that we can help others grow in relationship with Him.
Wee Wee Wee
February 07, 2024 06:00Billy Graham famously said, "Heaven is my home; I'm just traveling through this world." Can each of us say the same? In Scripture, we read that Jesus is preparing a place in Heaven for all those who choose to follow Him, but those who do not believe will not enter. The choice belongs to each of us -- and if we choose Jesus, then we have no time to waste on this earth sharing the Good News with as many people as we can.
Kind Of Kind
February 06, 2024 06:00When we come before God with repentant hearts and yield to Him, He can turn even the meanest person into someone who's filled with kindness -- and He gets all the glory. The more we walk in the Spirit, the more naturally His fruit is produced in our lives.
Jew Down
February 05, 2024 06:00God blessed the Jews out of His love for them. He protected them from countless attempts to destroy the Jewish nation over thousands of years. When Jesus, a Jew, died on the cross, God raised Him from the dead to make salvation possible -- not only for the Jews, but each one of us. The only way into God's family is through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Icemaker
February 03, 2024 06:00Jesus said that He came so that we might have life more abundantly. God has a plan for each of us, but if we're going to experience it, we have to get up and step into the fullness that awaits us. He offers a life full of purpose; are you ready to receive it?
Sindrome
February 02, 2024 06:00The difficulties we face are often symptoms of a root problem: sin. And while we can easily make the mistake of focusing on the symptoms, nothing will change in our circumstances until we deal with the problem. God gives us tools through Scripture to help us address our sin, and it's our responsibility to put those tools in our spiritual toolbox so that we can grow and mature in our walk with Him.
Why?
February 01, 2024 06:00There are defining moments of tragedy in every generation where we can't help but ask, "why?" We live in a world that is broken as a result of the sin within humanity, and because of that brokenness, bad things happen. We might not always get an answer to our "why?" questions, but we know the answer to the question, "who can save us?" It's Jesus Christ alone.
Burning Questions
January 31, 2024 06:00The Bible is clear on the reality of this world coming to a burning end. And the only way to be saved from an eternity burning in hell is by accepting salvation through Jesus Christ. When His blood covers our sins and makes us clean, our names are added to the Book of Life, and with that, we're given the promise of eternity spent with Him.
The Same Page
January 30, 2024 05:00We learn by example. When we see and hear someone else, and they model a behavior, then we're better able to do the same thing ourselves. That's what discipleship is: seeing and hearing what it means to follow Jesus, living it out ourselves, then turning around and being an example to other people so both our lives and their lives can glorify God.
Fishing Pole
January 29, 2024 05:00We're all inflicted with the poison of sin, and the only way to get healing is through Christ alone. Jesus was hung to die on a cross so that all who look to Him and believe would be saved. As followers of Christ, we've been charged with the responsibility to be fishers of men, and to point as many people as possible to salvation.
Pure Power
January 27, 2024 05:00You've probably heard the phrase, "work smarter, not harder". When we wait on the Holy Spirit to move in His power, we avoid exhausting ourselves (and probably screwing things up in the process!) by trying to work out of our strength. And the power of the Holy Spirit doesn't just enable amazing results in our own lives -- it also moves us to be a witness to others about what Christ has done for us.
Gone With The Wind
January 26, 2024 05:00A foolish person is swayed by the opinions of the world; a godly person is rooted in the truth of God and His Word. When our foundation is built on Scripture and on the character of God Himself, no cultural trends or popular beliefs will blow us away from what we know to be true.
Peace Of Fruit
January 25, 2024 05:00We're a world filled with people who are desperate to find peace -- and we seek it everywhere but in the One who is Peace Himself. Only in Christ can we trade our anxiety and worry for eternal calm, and rest in the fact that He will take care of our every need.
Free Love
January 24, 2024 05:00True happiness can be found in Christ alone. When we receive the fact that His love for us is endless and unconditional, we're able to give love in return to God, ourselves, and others. Find hope today in this truth: nothing you will ever do can change God's love for you!
Feardom
January 23, 2024 05:00Jesus didn't die for our sins so we could continue to live captive to them -- He died to set us free, once and for all. We have the opportunity to walk out of the prison of sin and live in the liberty that He's given us. And when we're truly experiencing the freedom that He offers us, we're able to help other people experience that freedom, too.
Kids Kids
January 22, 2024 05:00God commissioned us to make disciples -- and that includes within our own families. We may have had a godly example in our own parents, or we may be setting a brand-new example for the next generation. The beautiful thing about God's Church is there are plenty of Christ-followers who are ready and willing to pour into other believers, and to model what it means to form a legacy that reaches far beyond themselves.
Sophie’s Choice
January 20, 2024 05:00There's an entire book of the Bible -- the book of Proverbs -- that's devoted to gaining wisdom. That's how important godly wisdom is! The Lord's waiting for us to ask Him for wisdom in our daily decisions, from the big ones all the way down to the seemingly small ones. Sometimes it comes from Him in prayer, and sometimes it comes in the form of life choices, both good and bad.
Rent To Own
January 19, 2024 05:00When Jesus died on the cross, He made it possible for us to be free. It might sound like a contradiction, but His sacrifice gave us the freedom to choose God as our Master. We can either be slaves to sin or slaves to God; which choice will you make?
I’m Patient
January 18, 2024 05:00God's patience for us is limitless: He extends undeserved, unmerited grace and love no matter how many times we mess up. We can take advantage of His kindness and mercy and continue to live in our own flesh, or we can let Him live in us and watch the fruit of His Spirit begin to grow from within.
Flash Light
January 17, 2024 05:00Scripture helps light our feet every step of the way, and in doing do, it helps us avoid some of the pitfalls of sin. When we learn what the Bible says about our areas of weakness and temptation, we can use that knowledge to keep us from stepping off the path God intends for us. And as we use that light to illuminate our way, it also shines through us to attract other people to Him.
Israel Is Real
January 16, 2024 05:00Scripture tells us of the covenant God made with the people of Israel. That covenant was then expanded and shared with the Gentiles through the saving power of Jesus Christ. That means for all of us who believe, we have been given the right to become children of the living God, Who promises to take care of us. The question is: do you believe that God will keep His promises to you?
Love Life
January 15, 2024 05:00The world's way is to base how we love others on how they first loved us. God's way is for us to love others based on how He first loved us. When we have a healthy relationship with the Lord, we understand the depths of His unconditional love, and we can't help but extend the same selflessness to the people around us.
Side By Side
January 13, 2024 05:00Jesus didn't say that we might have troubles in this life; He guaranteed that we will. Hard times will come, but God designed His Church to be a body of believers who can comfort one another during those times. He wants to use us, not just to help each other, but so that His peace can be made known to the world in the midst of difficult seasons.
Established 1997
January 12, 2024 05:00God used a handful of people to establish His Church and, in doing so, to reach the entire world. More than 2000 years later, the impact that those obedient disciples of Jesus made on generations of Christians who followed has set a path for us to continue the work of the Gospel. May we strive to emulate their commitment and submission to bring all people to the saving knowledge of Christ!
The Ex-Files
January 11, 2024 05:00If you have an ex that you haven't forgiven, you run the risk of carrying around a bitterness that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Jesus tells us not only to forgive our enemies, but to love and pray for them, too. When we forgive those who have hurt us, we experience freedom from the past, and the opportunity to let go and move on.
Reality Check
January 10, 2024 05:00The devil draws so many people into believing the lie that this life is all that there is. The reality is: if we've accepted Christ as our Savior, then we have the promise of eternal life with Him. But even though Heaven is waiting for us in the end, that's not an excuse to coast through this world; we have a responsibility to finish out the things God's placed us on this earth to do, until the day He calls us home.
All In
January 09, 2024 05:00God went all in to save us. Why would we expect to do anything less than go all in and give Him our lives in response? He holds all the cards -- the only winning strategy in this life is to bet everything on Him knowing He'll take care of us every step of the way.
Standby
January 08, 2024 05:00Sometimes the worst harm we can do is to sit down and keep quiet when we should stand up and speak out. That's especially true when an opportunity presents itself for us to share our faith with others. God wants to use you and me to reach people for His Kingdom. Let's be ready to give a reason for the hope that should be evident in our lives.
Pedigree
January 06, 2024 05:00Genealogy has become increasingly popular with the advent of modern technology that allows us to trace our DNA back through time. In the same way that we can see how the choices made by previous generations still impact our earthly lives today, we can also see the spiritual impact of those who have gone before us. It's not only important for us to live in obedience to God for our own benefit -- it also makes a difference to other believers both in the here and now, and in the generations to ...
Foreplay
January 05, 2024 05:00God made the Church to be His Bride by loving her enough to die for her. Do we, as the Church, respond accordingly in love? Foreplay is used to lead to intimacy in marriage, but in a spiritual way, it can be used to lead to intimacy with God. We need to give Him our time and attention, in worship and prayer, showing that our heart truly loves the One who first loved us.
Joy Stick
January 04, 2024 05:00Have you ever known somebody who has gone through unimaginable hardship, yet they exude complete and absolute joy? It's impossible to be void of joy when we're walking in the presence of God and living in true relationship with Him. That doesn't mean we're free from experiencing sorrow and suffering -- it means that no amount of sorrow or suffering can rob us of the joy we receive from Him.