Word of Life is the radio and podcast ministry of Richard Schork. Richard is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Monrovia in Monrovia California.

Aren't you thankful that our God has already achieved the victory? The power of sin has been permanently broken for all who belong to Jesus! Whatever you're struggling with right now – pride, doubt, lust, anger, depression – God has freed you from those chains! Today, Pastor Richard will challenge you to live faithfully, knowing that the war is won. You will still lose battles when you turn to your flesh instead of Christ, but the ultimate outcome is assured!

Without a doubt, the most beautiful part of the gospel is the grace of God. None of us did anything to earn salvation from the Lord. Instead, we were unfaithful to Him, rebelled against Him, and spat in His face countless times by sinning. But, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, God will never condemn us for our sins! Today, Pastor Richard will remind us that no matter what we've done, all of our sins (past, present, and future) are covered by God's grace!

We tend to rely on our own understanding in just about everything we tackle. So, do you ever wonder if your path is the right one? Eve, in a moment of curiosity, chose to lean into the words of Satan over those of God, setting the stage for a monumental mistake. Today, Pastor Richard is here to inspire you to lean into God's wisdom and follow His guidance with confidence. He'll steer you exactly where you need to go!

Your words can slice through the air like a sharp sword, leaving a mark on the lives of those around you. Have you ever paused to consider how often you might have caused your spouse pain with unkind words? Ever wondered how your actions might be affecting others? Today, Pastor Richard is here to guide you on the journey of taming your tongue and reaching out for forgiveness from those you've unintentionally hurt, all with a genuine heart.

If there's one thing Christianity offers that every other religion doesn't, it's hope. All other religions put you at the center. They say that you are the one who is responsible for your salvation. That your works are what determine your eternal destiny. Today, Pastor Richard will share the beautiful truth of the gospel: it's ultimately not about you! It's about what Jesus did for you. Live in freedom through the overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit!

Try to wrap your head around the infinite wisdom that you casually have tucked away in a book or an app on your phone! The Word of God Himself is available to you, for free, 24/7! Billions of people around the world today and throughout history did not have that enormous privilege. Today, Pastor Richard will remind you of this glorious gift that you might be taking for granted! You've been entrusted with God's Word, so share it with the world!

The Holy Spirit has come to help! You're not alone as you walk through this life! In your darkest valley, when you don't feel like anyone could possibly understand, the Holy Spirit does. He is your defender, your comforter, your friend. He didn't come to condemn you. He came to bless you! Today, Pastor Richard will remind you of the enormous gift that is the person of the Holy Spirit. Keep your head held high, because the Spirit of God is for you!

It's a dangerous thing to live a life with no accountability. When you disregard all authority, there's no reason to live by rules, other people's feelings, or consequences. When you put your own pleasure and self-righteousness at the top of the list, lawlessness ensues. That's why Pastor Richard encourages you today to remember that there is a God in Heaven who is your authority and will judge people by what they believe about Him.

There are many things in this life that we can't fully grasp. Some are questions that both believers and non-believers share - such as the incomprehensible vastness of the universe. But there are also mysteries within Christianity that our finite selves will never fully figure out. Today, Pastor Richard talks about the mystery that is Jesus, the God-Man. How does that work? We don't know because we're not privy to the inner workings of God's mind!

Your words can slice through the air like a sharp sword, leaving a mark on the lives of those around you. Have you ever paused to consider how often you might have caused your spouse pain with unkind words? Ever wondered how your actions might be affecting others? Today, Pastor Richard is here to guide you on the journey of taming your tongue and reaching out for forgiveness from those you've unintentionally hurt, all with a genuine heart.

The things we say can really shape how others feel, either lifting them up or bringing them down. That's why we should watch our words carefully. Hey, have you ever thought about how you're actually accountable for your words to God? It's quite a thought, right? Today, Pastor Richard shares a heartfelt reminder to keep your words uplifting and to spread encouragement to those around you. It really can change everything!

Like it or not, we live in an era of fake news. Have you ever taken the time to investigate headlines for yourself? More often than not, the headline itself is nothing short of deceptive and far from the truth of what actually happened. Pastor Richard assures you today that Jesus WILL NOT come back secretly… No matter what the headlines say. — Don't believe the rumors. When Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on the earth, EVERYONE will know it.

When you stand on top of a mountain range and look out, you get a broad view of the mountain tops all around you. But what you don't see is all the valleys in between. In today's message, Pastor Richard teaches you that oftentimes prophecy is the same way. The Bible will speak of peak moments in the future to come, without filling in the details of what will happen in between. But one thing's certain: if it's in God's Word, it WILL come to pass.

Just before Jesus went to the cross, He made a prediction that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, not one stone left upon another. In 70 A.D., the Romans destroyed the temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy to the T. Today, Pastor Richard wants you to know that the Word of God NEVER fails. Whatever God says in His Word will come to pass. God loves you, and you can trust that as He said, when you believe in Christ, you will be saved.

What in the world is going on??? I mean, just look around at all of the craziness. Sure, we may have a lull here and there, but it seems like the waves of insanity are crashing down more and more frequently. In his message today, Pastor Richard wants to remind you that Jesus said NOT to let these things trouble you. All of the craziness happening in the world around you is just as Jesus said it would be. And it's all leading up to His glorious return.

In a pyramid scheme, once recruited, the only way you make any money is by recruiting more people under you. And so the higher up on the pyramid you are, the more money you make, not because of your hard work, but because of those beneath you. In today's message, Pastor Richard warns you against spiritual pride and hypocrisy. What's your motive for serving God? To fill some need for spiritual self-importance? Or to share God's grace?

The things we say can really shape how others feel, either lifting them up or bringing them down. That's why we should watch our words carefully. Hey, have you ever thought about how you're actually accountable for your words to God? It's quite a thought, right? Today, Pastor Richard shares a heartfelt reminder to keep your words uplifting and to spread encouragement to those around you. It really can change everything!

For the young people of today, staying true to their walk with God can really feel like a tough journey. Some habits and distractions keep them from seeing their true Saviour. It totally cuts them off from building a connection with Jesus. In today's message, Pastor Richard is here to inspire you to spread the gospel to the young people in your life. You can help the youths around you by sharing the love of Jesus with them!

Have you ever sat down to play a board game and spent so much time trying to figure out the rules that you forgot to have fun? It's not that the rules are unimportant, but sometimes it's easy to miss the forest through the trees. In today's message, Pastor Richard points out that all the commandments of God can be summed up into this: Love God and love others. When love is your agenda, then everything else will fall into place.

Nature is pretty amazing. Look at the stars and how vast the universe is. Look at the variety of plants that exist in the world, and how many of them are. Look at the animal kingdom and the diversity of creatures with all of their varying characteristics. In today's message, Pastor Richard tells you that God made you with the unique capacity to have a personal relationship with Him. You were made to worship the God who created you.

Ok, so I think that most of us have our complaints about the government. We could go round and round about all of our gripes, but at the end of the day, isn't it better to have some sort of order? That's certainly what Pastor Richard suggests in today's message. As a Christian, your citizenship is in heaven, but so long as you're passing through this world, God calls you to walk in submission to the authorities He's placed you under.

I have to admit that sometimes I'm a little late to places. You know, with a family, it takes a lot longer to get everyone out the door and loaded up in the car. No matter how prepared you are, something always delays you. Today, Pastor Richard wants you to know that the reason for Jesus' delay in coming back is that He's waiting for more people to come to Him. He doesn't want anyone to perish, but His heart is for everyone to be saved.

If you've ever had the privilege of going to the Grand Canyon, you know of the breathtaking beauty that's found there. Even though it's a National park with a full staff, paved roads, and gift shops, no human can claim responsibility for the natural wonder that it is. Today in his message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that you can't change anybody, not even yourself… not on your own. It's the Spirit of God and the Word of God that transforms lives.

For the young people of today, staying true to their walk with God can really feel like a tough journey. Some habits and distractions keep them from seeing their true Saviour. It totally cuts them off from building a connection with Jesus. In today's message, Pastor Richard is here to inspire you to spread the gospel to the young people in your life. You can help the youths around you by sharing the love of Jesus with them!

Welcoming Christ into your life brings about noticeable transformations, influencing how you connect with others and the vibe you bring to your interactions. It's interesting how some people say they're in Christ, yet their actions don't quite match up with what you'd expect from a believer. In today's message, Pastor Richard invites you to take a moment for some self-reflection and connect with Jesus if you haven't done so yet!

So, are you the type of person who likes to jump in the water full bore, or do you prefer to get in one toe at a time, slowly inching your way in? Are you the type who is all or nothing, or do you prefer to hedge your bets? In today's message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that Jesus wants you to be all in. There's no fence-sitting in the kingdom of God. Either you're in, or you're out. So what will it be for you? Are you ready to take that plunge?

Storytelling can be a real disarming way of making a point that otherwise might not be so easily received. Like the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, which teaches the importance of always telling the truth. In his message today, Pastor Richard urges you to listen to the words of Jesus and receive them. Even though Jesus often spoke in parables, these stories were intended to address the issues of the heart. Are you listening?

In this life, we all go through pain, and for many of us, it can be hard to let go of the past and release the hurt or anger we carry. But in today's message, Pastor Richard encourages us to look at the cross and remember what Jesus endured for us. He suffered and gave His life for our sins, even when we were still living in sin… yet He still loved us. That's why we are called to let go and forgive others, just as we have been forgiven.

Have you ever heard of strength being shown through weakness? In life, people often respond to others the way they are treated, showing love when they are loved, and returning hate when they are hurt. However, the Bible calls the followers of Christ to something different. In today's message, Pastor Richard shows you that there is true strength in humility, not in retaliation. Choose to show love, even when you are met with hate.

As followers of Christ, we will face challenges with one another. Sometimes, those difficulties can even stem from unaddressed sin in our own lives or in the lives of others. Yet too often, we choose to remain silent instead of responding in love and truth. That's why, in today's message, Pastor Richard urges us to stay grounded in the Word of God and to handle every situation with both grace and wisdom, walking in love and forgiveness.

Welcoming Christ into your life brings about noticeable transformations, influencing how you connect with others and the vibe you bring to your interactions. It's interesting how some people say they're in Christ, yet their actions don't quite match up with what you'd expect from a believer. In today's message, Pastor Richard invites you to take a moment for some self-reflection and connect with Jesus if you haven't done so yet!

Isn't it amazing how when God steps in during tough times, our hearts just swell with joy? So, how often do you find yourself wanting to share that joy with those around you? How often do you share the amazing things Jesus has done in your life with your neighbours? Today, Pastor Richard is inviting you to spread the good news of the gospel to everyone in your circle. Why not let them embrace that joy and feel it for themselves?

As we go through this world, we can end up alone, sometimes by circumstance, and other times by our own choices. But when we follow Jesus and accept Him into our hearts, He doesn't call us to isolation, waiting for the end of the world. He calls us to be the salt of the earth and ambassadors of Christ in the world. That's why, in today's message, Pastor Richard encourages you to find a Bible-believing church and stay in fellowship with other followers of Christ.

Have you ever been through a storm in your life that felt never-ending, like one bad thing after another? Sometimes, when you go through seasons of hardship, you can only see what's right in front of you, and it can cloud your perspective. But in today's message, Pastor Richard encourages you to have faith in Jesus Christ - to trust that He is by your side through the storm, and allow Him to guide you through it.

Often in life, when we go through hard times, we're left wondering why we experienced such pain, and it can lead us to ask, “Why did God allow this?” But today, Pastor Richard urges us to trust God's perspective. What we may see as suffering, He can use as a time of growth and shaping in our lives. When God allows us to go through storms, it is not to harm us, but to form us into who He is calling us to be, and that happens as we trust Him through it.

Sometimes in life, we have to decide what is worth holding on to and what is worth letting go. For many, they chase after possessions, fame, and status, even at the cost of their soul. But in today's message, Pastor Richard wants you to know that Jesus has already paid the price for your sin. He died for you and rose again three days later. Will you accept His gift of grace, or continue trying to carry the weight yourself?

As you go through this life, you'll make many decisions… what direction in life to take, what career to pursue, and more. But the most important decision you will ever make is this: “Who is Jesus Christ to me?” Is He just a historical figure with good teachings, or is He the Son of God who came to this earth to die for your sins and conquer the grave? Today, Pastor Richard invites you to invite Jesus into your life and discover the truth for yourself.

Isn't it amazing how when God steps in during tough times, our hearts just swell with joy? So, how often do you find yourself wanting to share that joy with those around you? How often do you share the amazing things Jesus has done in your life with your neighbours? Today, Pastor Richard is inviting you to spread the good news of the gospel to everyone in your circle. Why not let them embrace that joy and feel it for themselves?

When you ponder the idea of Jesus in the world, it's natural to imagine that He must have had an abundance of possessions during His time on earth, don't you think? Surprisingly, it was the complete opposite! He came into the world as part of a humble family with little to no riches to his name. Today, Pastor Richard shares a beautiful reminder that Jesus entered the world with humility, serving everyone around Him with love and compassion!

As we walk through this life, we can sometimes see things the wrong way. We read God's promises in His Word, and yet we can begin to think we are entitled to His blessings simply because we are His children. But in today's message, Pastor Richard reminds us that what we receive is not something we earn or deserve. It is given by God's grace. His promises are ours, not because of what we have done, but because of who He is.

When we go through seasons of hardship, we can develop tunnel vision. For many of us, we focus on the bad things in front of us, and we forget that there is someone there who promises to be by our side - someone who promises to guide us through it, and His name is Jesus. That's why in today's message, Pastor Richard reminds you that Jesus reveals Himself at the perfect time, and that no matter what you go through, He is always with you.

When we look at the life of Jesus, how can we say that God doesn't love us? He sent His one and only Son to pay the price for our sin, all because of His love. Jesus conquered the grave, and today He offers us His grace. That's why Pastor Richard encourages you to give your life to Christ, receive Him, and trust in what He has done for you. Jesus died on the cross for all who would believe in Him. Will you reach out to Him and accept it?

When we go through seasons of hardship, how many of us are willing to still serve others? Jesus showed us this during His time on earth. Despite the weight He carried, Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. Even in His hardest moments, He never lost sight of His mission. That's why in today's message, Pastor Richard encourages us to have the same heart as Christ, loving and serving others even in difficult seasons, just as He has loved us.

The Pharisees mocked Jesus for healing a sick man on the Sabbath day. They had no idea that Jesus was, in fact, the very essence of the Sabbath. There are moments when it feels like sticking to the laws in God's Word is all that counts. But is that really the case? Today, Pastor Richard shares an insightful message about how Jesus embodies the Law Himself. He's gone above and beyond, following every law in the Bible just to save you!

When you ponder the idea of Jesus in the world, it's natural to imagine that He must have had an abundance of possessions during His time on earth, don't you think? Surprisingly, it was the complete opposite! He came into the world as part of a humble family with little to no riches to his name. Today, Pastor Richard shares a beautiful reminder that Jesus entered the world with humility, serving everyone around Him with love and compassion!

At face level, it could be easy to believe that just going to church makes us Christian. That being a nice person is all it takes to get us into God's good graces. But are we allowing His teachings into our hearts to actually transform us? In today's message, Pastor Richard tells you the importance of putting what you learn from the Bible into practice and how you can be set apart as a Christian. Will you end up just a listener? Or will you be a doer?

Have you ever thought about where the Pharisees stumbled in their faith journey? They got so wrapped up in following the rules and sticking to the laws that they totally overlooked the importance of having a relationship with God. It's possible that you're facing the same challenge. In today's message, Pastor Richard invites you to establish a meaningful relationship with Jesus. He's the only path to eternal life in heaven!

Despite all the incredible wonders God showed through Moses, Pharaoh remained stubborn, choosing disbelief and hardening his heart. Some people in our generation really remind me of Pharaoh. Some folks just decide to turn a blind eye to Jesus, even when all the evidence points to Him being the Saviour. Hey, are you one of those people? Today, Pastor Richard invites you to open your heart to Jesus. Don't be so stubborn like Pharaoh.

Walking in God's path doesn't always mean that you get to live a comfortable life. It's more like going to war with the enemy. You never know when he will strike. Sometimes God even allows certain difficulties in your life, not to harm you, but to help you grow in your faith. Today, Pastor Richard motivates you to faithfully walk with God. His plan for you is the best. Even if difficulties come into your life, God will help you find a way through them!

When someone decides to enlist in the army, they're fully aware that the role carries its own set of challenges. In a way, following the path that God wants for us can feel just as challenging as being part of an army. Problems will always come your way. In today's message, Pastor Richard is here to inspire you to wholeheartedly serve God with all that you have! Trust that God has your back, and He'll lead you in every step of your life!

It's easy to believe that you can accomplish amazing things for God all by yourself. Let's be real here; it's clear that you could use a little support. Going solo just won't cut it. Today, Pastor Richard invites you to tap into the incredible power of the Holy Spirit. He's the one who brings you closer to Jesus and empowers you to share the gospel with those around you. He will guide you in every step of your life, even during trials!