Word of Life is the radio and podcast ministry of Richard Schork. Richard is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Monrovia in Monrovia California.
Sometimes, when we look at our walk with Christ, we reflect on our own lives…where we were when God saved us…and we may even think, “Why would God want to save someone like me?” In today's message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that Jesus loves you. It's the only reason why Jesus sacrificed His life for you on the cross; it's because He loves you so much. He knew that even though you couldn't pay the price, He could.
In this life, we know that our journey will not be easy. Can you imagine what life would be like if you had to walk this path alone, without anyone to lean on when the weight of the world comes crashing down? But you aren't alone; God created you to be with Him, so you can depend on Him for everything. In today's message, Pastor Richard reminds you that when you have Jesus in your life, you will never be alone and that with Him, all things are possible.
When we look at the world and see sin prevalent everywhere, it's easy to feel discouraged. It's natural to look at the wars in our countries and the natural disasters and wonder when it will all come to an end. However, as Christians, we must remember that this world is not our true home. In today's message, Pastor Richard reminds us that our home is in Heaven, alongside Jesus, and the day will soon come when we will be with Him.
Quiet moments of study build reservoirs of truth before crises rage. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will urge you to memorize, meditate, and sing Scripture, weaving verses into routines—commutes, workouts, and even lullabies. Like sandbags stacked before the flood, rehearsed promises hold back fear when thunder rolls. Post them, pray them aloud, discuss them with friends, and watch peace rise when storms strike.
Self-centered goals once drove your every decision, but faith in Jesus reorients the compass of the soul. Ambition shifts from chasing applause to serving others; possessions become tools for generosity rather than trophies. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will encourage you to celebrate this inner renovation of the soul that aligns your motives and your desires with the heartbeat of your Savior.
Sometimes in our walk with God, we can get caught up in the life of a Christian and forget God's commission to us to share the gospel and make more disciples. That's what Pastor Richard invites you to do. He's not here to convince you or persuade you to join Christianity. Pastor Richard is here to share the truth with you so that your eyes can finally be opened. The question is, now that you know the truth, what will you do with it?
One of the most challenging things we can do in life is choose Jesus. When the world presents its glamour and tempts us with things that we know are bad for us, it can be difficult to confront it and say no. In today's message, Pastor Richard reminds us that even when life gets tough, having Jesus Christ in our lives assures us that we're never alone. With Him, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. With Jesus, everything is possible.
When you look at the work done on the cross, have you ever thought that you could do what Jesus did? Could you live a perfect life and give it up for the world, even if they didn't believe in you? That's why Jesus was the only one who could pay the price of sin, and today, Pastor Richard invites you to accept Jesus into your life. Allow Jesus to enter your heart, ask Him to reveal Himself in your life, and Jesus will make Himself known.
God rules all the Earth! That means, anything He says and does is to protect those who live here! He says you are sons and daughters of His. He loves you and wants you to have eternity with Him. Because God's a global God, He wants all peoples to know Him. Today, Pastor Richard says God will judge the whole Earth. It's up to you to share the gospel with those around you so they have the opportunity to receive the love of God into their hearts.
When a parent sees a child about to hurt themselves, what do they do? They take preventative measures to stop them before they harm themselves! Today, Pastor Richard says God disciplined the people in Jeremiah's time so He could protect them. He wanted them to be set up in the best situation possible, which means that He must protect them from further harm. God may be doing that to you! Trust Him to guide you through your life!
Self-centered goals once drove your every decision, but faith in Jesus reorients the compass of the soul. Ambition shifts from chasing applause to serving others; possessions become tools for generosity rather than trophies. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will encourage you to celebrate this inner renovation of the soul that aligns your motives and your desires with the heartbeat of your Savior.
Paul humbly admits in today's passage that he actively struggles with sin. There are some Christians who've claimed to be able to attain complete freedom from sin. There are even some who would say you have to live perfectly, or you risk losing your place in God's family. As Pastor Richard will remind us today, our salvation is completely dependent on Christ. We will struggle and fail at times, but Jesus makes us perfect in God's sight.
There are books all around that promise to change your life if you read them. Whether it's a health and wealth book or maybe it's a fantasy book that has an amazing plot. There's only one book that will change your eternity. Today, Pastor Richard says the Bible changes your eternity by always pushing you to holiness. Holiness is a hard thing to attain, but it becomes attainable if you trust in God to lead you through every step of your day.
It's easy to surround ourselves with people who affirm our decisions, whether good or bad, but what if that isn't the best way to live our lives? Today, Pastor Richard says sometimes the best encouragement isn't saying what you want to hear, but saying something that you need to hear. It's a fine line, but a good friend will always say the truth to their friend even if it hurts. They'll always push their friends to love Jesus more.
I remember the first time I watched the movie Avengers: Infinity War. Spoiler alert: The heroes all disappear with the snap of a finger! I remember leaving the theater and saying the phrase “I'll never experience that again!” What if I told you there's someone who came to Earth so you can say that statement about your own life? Today, Pastor Richard says Jesus came down to change you forever. He's given you access to eternal life with God.
When kids are in trouble, who's the first person they go to? Their parents! But, how often have you heard of a child saying thank you to their parents when everything is going well? Today, Pastor Richard says it's easy for you to go to God when you're in a trial, but it isn't as easy when things are going well. You must be thankful to God always. He wants you to live a good life, that's why He's always guiding you, even when you don't see it.
What's the consequence of not following the Lord? Today, Pastor Richard shares that the people in Jeremiah who rebelled against the Lord perished. God wants you to live in eternity with Him. He loves you and is constantly seeking you out. You must follow Him with all your heart and believe that He's Lord to be saved. He doesn't wish anyone to perish, but wishes that all have eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son.
Paul humbly admits in today's passage that he actively struggles with sin. There are some Christians who've claimed to be able to attain complete freedom from sin. There are even some who would say you have to live perfectly, or you risk losing your place in God's family. As Pastor Richard will remind us today, our salvation is completely dependent on Christ. We will struggle and fail at times, but Jesus makes us perfect in God's sight.
Legalism looks at sin as a series of failures, where if you can just stop and do the right thing instead, you could attain legal innocence. As Pastor Richard will clarify in today's message, sin in the eyes of God isn't just a specific list of actions that break His rules. Our sin is a state of being. We're born into it; it's not something we acquire through our choices. The only way to be free from it is to die to it and take on the new life Christ offers.
I'm about to get married, and a phrase that all married couples have said to me is, “You'll quickly realize how selfish you are.” Though there's excitement about marriage, there's a fear that follows because I'll learn a lot about myself every day, and it might hurt. Today, Pastor Richard says, people often want to be changed by God, but they don't like the pain that comes with it. When you give your life to God, He promises to lead you, even through pain.
Jeremiah endured rejection, isolation, and relentless opposition, yet he never walked alone. God fortified his courage, gave him words when his voice shook, and lifted him from the pits of despair. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will remind you that the same steadfast presence accompanies you. When circumstances threaten to silence hope, remember Jeremiah's journey—proof that God's strength can sustain, guide, and carry you through absolutely anything.
When courage falters and words feel inadequate, remember you're not alone; the Holy Spirit is with you in every conversation. He translates your imperfect sentences into invitations of grace. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to do its thing—guiding, prompting, and empowering ordinary believers to speak with clarity and compassion so that the good news finds fertile soil wherever it's shared.
Culture shifts like sand, celebrating new trends one day and discarding them the next. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will remind you that the Bible offers a fixed compass to anchor your decisions when society's moral lines blur. Let its wisdom steady your convictions, even when popular opinion scoffs. Choosing Scripture over shifting norms safeguards your integrity, nurtures peace, and aligns your journey with Christ's eternal purpose.
God isn't intimidated by raw honesty. He welcomes cries of confusion, anger, or grief as readily as songs of praise. Silence breeds isolation, but confession opens space for comfort and clarity. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will remind you that pouring out your unfiltered emotions in prayer is an act of trust, inviting God's gentle presence to meet pain and reshape it into resilient hope and a testimony for His glory.
Legalism looks at sin as a series of failures, where if you can just stop and do the right thing instead, you could attain legal innocence. As Pastor Richard will clarify in today's message, sin in the eyes of God isn't just a specific list of actions that break His rules. Our sin is a state of being. We're born into it; it's not something we acquire through our choices. The only way to be free from it is to die to it and take on the new life Christ offers.
Jesus' yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Coming to the point of accepting and bearing that yoke is not easy, though. It requires a conscious decision to lay down your desires and ambitions and step into a life of sacrificial love. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today's message, it's the best choice you can make. Once you've laid down your life and made Jesus Lord, you'll find joy and fulfillment that can't be found anywhere else in this life.
Bold witness often draws ridicule, from raised eyebrows in the break room to online sarcasm that questions your sanity. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will remind you that rejection often isn't failure but evidence of a distinct allegiance to Christ. Prepare your heart with prayer, gentle confidence, and unwavering love, knowing seeds planted amid jeers can still take root in hearts unexpectedly softened over time.
Ambitions can drift toward applause or control without us realizing it, but Christ offers continual heart renovation. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will remind you that surrender invites God to examine your hidden motives, extracting pride and planting compassion. As His love reshapes the why behind every what, service becomes joy, success becomes stewardship, and relationships become avenues of grace. Let Him rewrite your inner agenda daily.
Sharing the gospel isn't a task reserved for extroverts or professionals; it's woven into the identity of every follower of Jesus. Your unique story, relationships, and daily routines create influence no one else can reach. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will remind you that faithful witness flows from words seasoned with grace and actions marked by love, turning ordinary moments into invitations for others to encounter eternal hope.
Daily Bible study is like steady nourishment; without it, faith weakens and perspective can blur. Consistent engagement with the Word helps shape convictions, corrects assumptions, and fuels resilience when life's surprises hit. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will urge you to schedule unhurried time with Scripture, letting its timeless wisdom saturate you and your conversations so Christ's character steadily grows within you.
God tailors His voice to the uniqueness of every child. Through nature, whispers in conscience, timely conversations, or persistent inner nudges, He frames guidance in vocabulary we can grasp. And in today's message, Pastor Richard will encourage you to celebrate a Father fluent in the way you hear best, inviting you into a deeper relationship. When you pause, reflect, and test impressions, you'll learn to trust His guidance all the more.
Jesus' yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Coming to the point of accepting and bearing that yoke is not easy, though. It requires a conscious decision to lay down your desires and ambitions and step into a life of sacrificial love. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today's message, it's the best choice you can make. Once you've laid down your life and made Jesus Lord, you'll find joy and fulfillment that can't be found anywhere else in this life.
If you've ever struggled with a habitual sin, you know how good it feels to live in victory over that sin. When you go a week, a month, a year, a decade, and so forth, it boosts your pride and feelings of self-worth. You may even start to think you deserve your place in God's family. In today's message from Pastor Richard, we'll be reminded that our worth and belonging in God's family is based on His grace – not our performance.
Jeremiah watched a nation drift from devotion, and his honest laments still echo with relevance. He exposes the cost of compromises—trusting idols, ignoring justice, silencing truth-tellers—and urges hearts back to sincere worship. And in today's message, his resilience and hope remind believers to examine motives, reject shallow allegiance, and pursue Christ with focused clarity, trusting that faithful obedience outlasts every shifting circumstance.
Isn't it so much easier to navigate to a new destination when your co-pilot knows the way and can steer you in the right direction? It definitely takes the pressure off! Your spiritual journey tells a similar story. The road ahead is a bit of a mystery. Anything is possible! So, have you figured out who your guide is yet? Today, Pastor Richard encourages you to lean on God through every moment. Only He can show you the right path!
Have you ever thought about why some folks get all defensive when you mention how Jesus saved the world from sin? It's as if they've closed off their hearts, don't you think? Today, Pastor Richard dives into the reasons why people often resist Jesus. When your conscience is determined to follow its own path, it tends to push back against genuine conviction. But you know, God has His unique way of reaching those hardened hearts!
Taking a detour in your journey doesn't always promise that you'll end up where you intended to go. In a way, straying from God and wandering down the worldly path is like taking a detour that ultimately leads you to eternal damnation. Today, Pastor Richard invites you to step away from distractions and return to God. He's the only one who can steer you toward the right path and lead you to your ultimate destination: eternal life!
Some people might label themselves as Christians just to reap the benefits of a comfortable lifestyle. So, how often does it actually pan out for you? Ever find yourself pondering why life keeps throwing challenges your way? Today, Pastor Richard talks about the importance of building a connection with God. It's only by establishing a genuine relationship with your Creator that you'll discover the everlasting peace you've been searching for!
If you've ever struggled with a habitual sin, you know how good it feels to live in victory over that sin. When you go a week, a month, a year, a decade, and so forth, it boosts your pride and feelings of self-worth. You may even start to think you deserve your place in God's family. In today's message from Pastor Richard, we'll be reminded that our worth and belonging in God's family is based on His grace – not our performance.
As Pastor Richard continues his teaching series through the book of Romans, he'll be challenging you to serve God with the spiritual gifts He's given you. Everyone who's a Christian has been given specific gifts, talents, and resources to help further the Kingdom of God. The Bible does make clear that, when a person is in a real relationship with God, he or she will serve God. An inherent part of knowing Him is a desire to serve Him.
Have you ever noticed how modern cars give you a little nudge when it's time to shift gears? It's all right there on the meter console, making driving feel like a smooth dance! Just like that, on your faith journey, there might be moments when you feel a strong urge to share the gospel with those around you. So, does that just happen naturally? In today's message, Pastor Richard shares insights on how the Holy Spirit guides your heart!
Your individual circumstances don't justify going against the design or commandments of the Creator of the Universe. While He created this world on a grand scale, He's also familiar with His Creation on the most intimate, microscopic level, and when He gives us a command or law, He has good reason for it. As Pastor Richard will remind us today, we're playing with fire when we start trying to shift the boundaries God has set in place.
All too often, we take correction from others in a negative way. We start making excuses or trying to find some way to attack their character and turn the focus off of our own weakness. As Pastor Richard will challenge us in today's message, this is an area that most of us can grow in. When we receive correction, whether it's from God or just people around us that care about us, we can respond with gratitude as an opportunity for growth.
Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it. That's good news, but it requires admitting that we're in need of saving. Many false prophets and teachers have taught that we can be good enough on our own, or we can earn our place in God's family through good works or giving. As Pastor Richard will point out today, these false teachings sound good and appeal to our pride, but they'll pull us into destruction if we let them.
Have you submitted your heart and life to God in that way? It's not something you can do once and then you're set for the rest of your life. Following Jesus in this way and confronting His Word with this openness and humility requires intentionality and commitment. As Pastor Richard continues our study of the book of Jeremiah, he'll challenge us to submit ourselves anew to the work that God wants to do in our hearts through His Word.
As Pastor Richard continues his teaching series through the book of Romans, he'll be challenging you to serve God with the spiritual gifts He's given you. Everyone who's a Christian has been given specific gifts, talents, and resources to help further the Kingdom of God. The Bible does make clear that, when a person is in a real relationship with God, he or she will serve God. An inherent part of knowing Him is a desire to serve Him.
Salvation completely belongs to God; there is nothing that you or any person can do to earn salvation. Today, Pastor Richard will be reminding you that while you were in your sinful state, Christ died for you. And if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved! Christ alone was good enough to earn Heaven, and He declares righteous those who trust in Him for salvation.
Breaking free from addiction is one of the most challenging struggles anyone can face. It's not just a physical battle; it's also a spiritual one. Many people experience addiction even before they find their way to God. But the good news is that God is more powerful than any of our vices or sins. Today, Pastor Richard wants to remind you that for healing and growth, there can be no room for sin in your life. Allow God to cleanse all sin from your life.
You know what's amazing about God? God could have come back at any point over the last two thousand years and judged the earth, but He hasn't. Instead, God has given humanity every possible second to hear His Word, to hear the truth, and to spare them from eternal separation from Him—all because He truly loves you. Today, Pastor Richard wants you to remember that God is never unfair but is loving, just, and waiting for the very last person to hear the truth.
If you were to pass away, where do you think you would go? Some believe they would be reborn based on the actions of their previous life. For others, they think they will go to heaven simply because they are good people. But let me tell you this: if you do not have Jesus in your heart, you will not spend eternity with Him in heaven. Today, Pastor Richard reminds you that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and that He is the only way to eternal salvation.
Sometimes, as we go through life, we can forget that even through hardships and struggles, there is joy to be had. Although this world can be cruel and you may feel all alone, you will never be forsaken by Jesus. In today's message, Pastor Richard encourages you to stay grounded in the teachings of Jesus and remember that He loves you so much. When you go through this life, never forget that you aren't alone; Jesus is always beside you.