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Fri, 27 Jan 2012
Not even the most egotistical guru has ever said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Only Jesus said that. Today: a challenge to those who say that Jesus was just another great teacher - the truth is that He is either a liar, a madman, or God in the flesh. There are no other alternatives. What do you think of Jesus?
Thu, 26 Jan 2012
People accept the fact of only one speed of light, and only one moon around the earth. But only one way to God? Say that, and you are ignored at best, hated at worst. The claims of Jesus to be the exclusive path to eternal life force us to decide: do I go with my instincts, or do I go with Jesus?
Wed, 25 Jan 2012
It is a force you cannot see, but you can certainly feel. It is everywhere, telling people what is okay for them to believe. That force is political correctness, and when it comes to the Christian faith, it is out in full strength. Today we focus on how we should witness in a day when people tolerate everything but the truth.
Tue, 24 Jan 2012
For two thousand years people have been trying to figure out what to do with Jesus Christ. Like Pilate, many reject Him. But others heed His call to believe in Him as the only One who can save them from the sins that separate them from God. Today: more answers to the crucial question many ask: "God, Yes, but Why Jesus?"
Mon, 23 Jan 2012
Some people think that since "all roads lead to Rome," all religions must lead to God. This is an enormous mistake. If your life was at stake in a hospital, you would want the truth about your condition. Your life is at stake, eternally, and finding the truth about your spiritual condition and its remedy has to be "job one." Today, we will learn more about why Jesus is the only road that leads to God.
Fri, 20 Jan 2012
Tolerance is a big deal these days, and we are all for tolerance. But there is one thing many people cannot tolerate. You can believe anything you want, but you cannot say you have the truth without offending those around you. When you say that Jesus is the truth, people become unglued. We will now take a look at why Jesus is the only way to God, modern pundits notwithstanding.
Thu, 19 Jan 2012
"The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword." That is especially true for the words of Jesus, Who knows us through and through. Today we are hearing His words on our motivations, as recorded in Matthew 6. Our job is letting in the light to scatter the darkness in our lives. Too many of us like that darkness.
Wed, 18 Jan 2012
Surgery is no fun. But the result can be restored health. Spiritual surgery is the same: not fun, but rewarding. Today we will have another session of motivation analysis, as we hear again the words of Jesus in Matthew 6. We will work on understanding and improving our attitudes for why we do what we do.
Tue, 17 Jan 2012
Good deeds can be seen. Motivations cannot. Why we do what we do is a key focus of Christ's teaching in Matthew 6. Here we experience some radical surgery as our motives are dissected. Why do we do what we do? For the praise of men? The Great Physician wants to get our service for Him back on track. Today: we go to the clinic to get Christ's diagnosis.
Mon, 16 Jan 2012
For some Christians, fasting is about as popular as watching paint dry. Yet we cannot escape Christ's teaching. He assumed that we would fast, and confined His remarks to the "how and why," and not the "if." Foregoing food is a big paradigm shift. Today you are invited to listen for some final thoughts about the benefits and obligations of fasting.
Fri, 13 Jan 2012
To stop eating for a time has some known health benefits. But in the Christian life, it also has great spiritual benefits. Fasting is not often talked about in a culture where what we usually want is fast food. Today, let us explore further the "why" and "how" of fasting, as Jesus taught in the gospel of Matthew 6.
Thu, 12 Jan 2012
The holidays are a great time for food. Most of us really enjoy eating, but there are times in a Christian's life when eating should be the last thing on the agenda. Today, we will set aside that big luncheon we had planned on attending and remind ourselves of Christ's teaching on the benefits of fasting.
Wed, 11 Jan 2012
Many of us say grace together before eating a big meal. We are reminded of Who we have to thank for all that we have, so prayer is the vehicle that takes our thanks before His throne. Jesus also taught us to pray in secret, that we might be rewarded openly. Prayer is the means of maintaining close, personal contact with God.
Tue, 10 Jan 2012
We have all heard the Lord's Prayer, either set to music or recited in church. Jesus gave us these words as a pattern. He gave us this prayer to teach us how to pray. Today, we continue our look at the depth and breadth of meaning latent in these sacred words, and on the way we should each approach God with our petitions.
Mon, 09 Jan 2012
Sometimes Christians wonder if God is listening when they pray. We often repeat our requests, just to make sure He has heard us, but Jesus taught us that God is indeed listening, and in fact, knows what we need before we ask. This being the case, many wonder why we should even pray at all. Therefore, please join us today for more lessons in the school of secret prayer.
Fri, 06 Jan 2012
Every good athlete knows that success in front of the roaring crowd depends on those workouts done when no one is watching. In the race of life, success with God depends on time spent in secret with Him, time spent in the discipline of prayer. For many, prayer is mysterious, especially private prayer.
Thu, 05 Jan 2012
Even for a Christian, the old nature is a powerful enemy. In our sinful flesh we want to take the credit for giving a gift. Meanwhile, God wants us to give our gifts in secret, so only He knows who did what. That way we cannot flaunt our donations as badges of honor. We must learn to give to others so as to please God first and foremost.
Wed, 04 Jan 2012
"....the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil..." the Bible's words ring true even for Christians. Money can be our idol and we can be its worshippers. God wants to break money's stranglehold on our hearts, and the key is giving in secret. Today we will seek to find the right motives and methods to do just that.
Tue, 03 Jan 2012
There is one thing Jesus really disapproved of. He told His followers to not give money so as to be seen by others. God wants our giving to be a secret we keep with Him. After all, God, not the IRS, keeps the ultimate books. It is one thing to give when others can see your generosity. Today we will examine our motives for giving when no one is watching.
Mon, 02 Jan 2012
Good friends can keep secrets. In fact, one test of a relationship is how much you can trust someone to keep a confidence. Our ultimate confidence is in God, with Whom we can safely entrust any secret. In fact, there are four secrets He wants us to share with Him, with life-changing results.
Fri, 30 Dec 2011
Another year ends tomorrow night at the stroke of midnight. What does not end is God's plan for us in the new year. Finding the will of God is a lifelong quest, and we need to seek Him first before the details of life come into focus. And when they do, we'll know that we've found the right road. Today: some final thoughts for the last weekday of the year.
Thu, 29 Dec 2011
Is God's will elusive? Does He try to make it hard to find? As the new year dawns, what lies ahead in the plan of God? The best advice is to take one step at a time. As we are learning, God's will is a series of small events that ultimately take us where He wants us to go.
Wed, 28 Dec 2011
It is like blank parchment, a new year dawns with no written history. What happens next year is known only to God. That is why it makes a lot of sense to allow God to order our steps in the weeks and months ahead. Today, on the verge of another uncertain new year, you will learn how to let God call the shots of your life. And no one can do it better.
Tue, 27 Dec 2011
All the presents are open, the wrappings discarded. Soon the tree comes down. But the wonder of Christmas goes on all year long. Believers running life's race know that God sent his only Son to live among us on that pivotal day in Bethlehem. A day marked by a chorus of jubilant angels.
Mon, 26 Dec 2011
Christmas marks one of the most pivotal events in human history, the day the Son of God was born. That day was announced by angels. Angels are God's messengers, and the account in the book of Luke tells us that angels were instrumental in making Christ's birth known over the skies of Bethlehem. Royalty was coming into the world, a king who would live and die, and then rise again to return in glory.
Fri, 23 Dec 2011
Many families gather at Christmas to read the Nativity story from Luke 2, a story marked by the supernatural work of angels. Angels had a joyous task 2,000 years ago, announcing the good news of the Savior's birth. The skies over Bethlehem were ablaze with light, as poor shepherds cowered in fear.
Thu, 22 Dec 2011
Modern thinking says angels are benevolent friends looking for ways to help us build our field of dreams. Real angels are far different. God's warriors do His bidding, protect His children, and fight demonic forces in unseen places. The angels always point us to God Himself. They understand what every believer must understand, that God is high and lifted up, seated on the throne of His glory.
Wed, 21 Dec 2011
Christmas is a great time for angels. You see them in department stores, on Christmas tree branches and on holiday greeting cards. But many people confuse demonic dalliances with real angelic visitations. Today's program will help you understand the difference, a difference that is more crucial than ever, as more and more people are being deceived.
Tue, 20 Dec 2011
Today, it is OK to believe in angels, especially the kind that make our dreams come true. But beware of these angels. Believers running life's race understand the difference between God's angels and Satan's fallen angels, who seek to deceive us any way they can. Today, we continue a study of angels, and we will move from what they do to what they know.
Mon, 19 Dec 2011
TV shows, books, and magazines all tell us that angels come to us in disguise to surprise us with wonderful experiences. But believers running life's race know that these "surprises" really come from fallen angels, or demons. Real angels do not have time to give us warm, fuzzy feelings. They have a job to do. They carrying out God's orders and serving as ministering spirits to God's people.
Fri, 16 Dec 2011
You can read lots of books about people's experiences with angelic beings. The problem is that some of those beings are not angels. Believers know that fallen angels, or demons, do Satan's bidding on planet earth. Real angels serve God, and God alone. We need to know the signs and discern the differences between these beings of darkness and light who inhabit a spiritual realm we cannot see.
Thu, 15 Dec 2011
Christmas will soon be here, and many of us have an angel on the top of our tree. Pop culture makes much of angels, but who are they? For believers running life's race, God has provided an unseen army of angels, powerful creatures whose duties go far beyond decorating trees. To help us understand who they are, Erwin Lutzer now brings a series called, "A Flurry of Wings."
Wed, 14 Dec 2011
As the years roll by, one thing always seems to remain the same. This enduring circumstance is that people are always being killed in a war zone. The peace on earth spoken of in the Christmas story will not happen until Jesus sets up his kingdom on earth. He will deliver the whole world from the scourge of war, but when He first came to live among men, few people understood that.
Tue, 13 Dec 2011
The people of Jesus' day were under the rule of the Roman Empire, eager for anyone to deliver them from Caesar's yoke. That is why some saw Jesus as the deliverer that had been foretold. They needed a leader to overthrow their oppressors. But Jesus had a larger deliverance to make, a deliverance from the power of sin.
Mon, 12 Dec 2011
In a Nazareth synagogue, Jesus opened a scroll of Isaiah the prophet and began to read. A hush fell over the people. He read of good news for the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, and liberty for the oppressed, ending by saying "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your ears." Only the Son of God could say that.
Fri, 09 Dec 2011
These days, malls are crowded with bargain-hunters trying to find something for everybody on their Christmas gift list. Traditions have changed drastically from the time of Christ. Through His simple, uncluttered life, He taught us by example how to serve one another. Today we conclude our look at Christ the Servant as foreseen in the writings of Isaiah.
Fri, 09 Dec 2011
These days, malls are crowded with bargain-hunters trying to find something for everybody on their Christmas gift list. Traditions have changed drastically from the time of Christ. Through His simple, uncluttered life, He taught us by example how to serve one another. Today we conclude our look at Christ the Servant as foreseen in the writings of Isaiah.
Thu, 08 Dec 2011
It is not very often that a rich person voluntarily relinquishes his wealth for the sake of those who are less fortunate. Jesus came in poverty that we might be rich. In fact, according to the prophecies of Isaiah, He came as a servant. Today we continue our look at Christ the servant, the one whose life, death and resurrection make Christmas possible.
Wed, 07 Dec 2011
In general, kings do not do what servants do. They have a retinue of people whose sole job it is to serve the king. Jesus will return one day as King of Kings. But in His first coming He was a servant to the will of God, giving His life to save His people from their sins. Today we begin a look into three chapters of Isaiah, chapters that reveal what kind of servant Jesus was.
Tue, 06 Dec 2011
The Christmas season accelerates the pace of life. Housecleaning, planning for parties and gift-giving all keep us busy. Let us let Isaiah the prophet lift our spirits by reminding us of the future reign of Christ the King on this earth. Yes, the baby Jesus will be a baby no longer when a thousand-year reign of peace dispels the darkness of war and suffering.
Mon, 05 Dec 2011
Three men visited the young Jesus after His birth. We remember their famous trek by singing the carol, "We Three Kings." In ancient times, Kings had almost absolute power. A person's life or death was in a king's hand. Nowadays, presidents and congresses come and go. Today we will take a look forward to a time of a real king's rule, Jesus on this earth.
Fri, 02 Dec 2011
Americans have little use for kings. Kings have absolute rule, that is why we declared independence in 1776. Kings have a total claim on people's lives, time, and taxes. We are not used to that these days. We see kings as relics of a bygone era. But today we will see why Christ is the long foretold King of Kings, and what that title means.
Thu, 01 Dec 2011
Only a few weeks to go, Christmas morning will mark the end of the annual race to the finish line.Then we can all rest, until we take back the presents we do not like and put away all those decorations for another year. Why not pause with us today as we consider the position God the Father has given Jesus His Son, the one for whom the holiday is named?
Wed, 30 Nov 2011
When light hits a diamond, the facets reflect brilliantly. We see flashes of color in the radiance of the pure white core. Like a diamond, the purity of Jesus radiates in many facets as we behold His glory. Isaiah gave us names to describe these characteristics in the ninth chapter of his prophecies. Today we take a look at the names ascribed to Christ, and what they mean.
Tue, 29 Nov 2011
Merchants love Christmas because a huge portion of their annual sales are rung up when we buy gifts for each other. At the mall we are assailed by lights, trees, tinsel, ornaments, and all sorts of holiday cheer. What you will not find there is much reference to the Christ whose coming is the reason for the season.
Mon, 28 Nov 2011
There is a time coming which could not be visualized even with the best high-tech computer graphics software ever devised. The return of Jesus to this earth will be the greatest event of all time for this poor planet's inhabitants. When He comes, He will take action. And those who have loved and served him will be raised from the dead to greet him.
Fri, 25 Nov 2011
The big difference between those who know Christ and those who do not is that those who do have a glorious future ahead. Jesus will return one day to put an end to the evil running rampant on earth. At that time, those who died in the faith as well as living believers will receive glorious new bodies. Sorrow and pain will be left behind, and eternity will then unfold.
Thu, 24 Nov 2011
We live in the now and we remember the past. What is yet to come is unknown to us, but we can know where we are headed. Christians do not need crystal balls to see into the future. The Bible gives tantalizing details about a heavenly kingdom beyond description, a New Jerusalem with streets of gold. Today we take a final look at "What We Believe", and a peek through the mists of time into the timelessness of eternity.
Wed, 23 Nov 2011
The relationship between Christ and His church is so intimate that only a wedding can picture it. One day, that wedding is coming. Jesus will be united with His church at a great marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven. What that will be like is the focus of today's broadcast, as Erwin Lutzer wraps up his study of the church as a key element of "What We Believe."
Tue, 22 Nov 2011
The church consists of all who have ever believed in Jesus and become members of His body here on earth. Local churches come in many flavors, but there is a universal church destined to be with Jesus in the ages yet to come. Its members are those who recognized their need for a Savior, and then sought to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God.
Mon, 21 Nov 2011
The Greek word is ekklesia, the "called-out ones." In English, the word is "church," and if you believe in Jesus, you are "called-out." You are called out to live separately from the values of our culture. That is tough to do, but when we forge links of fellowship and support in a local assembly, it becomes a lot easier. That is why God says, "Don't forsake assembling together."
Fri, 18 Nov 2011
If you examine the evidence, it is clear the devil is having a field day. Evil is running rampant worldwide, but this dominion is only temporary. A day is coming when a long-delayed sentence of doom is to be carried out. Satan and his demons await eternal condemnation. Today we will hear about Satan's present activity, and then his ultimate end.
Thu, 17 Nov 2011
Some religions have two equal and opposing forces in control of the universe. Christianity is not among them. God is in total control, even over anything our enemy Satan does here on earth. The devil's activities give believers a choice of whom to obey. Today we take a look at Satanic tactics, the way the enemy seeks to devour the children of God.
Wed, 16 Nov 2011
If the devil tempted us in a red suit with horns and a pitchfork, we would laugh. But the real devil is clothed as an angel of light. Even Christians can be deceived and find themselves succumbing to temptation from the enemy of our souls. Satan wants you to think he does not exist. But the Bible tells us that he walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Tue, 15 Nov 2011
Angels often appeared in Bible times with words from God to His people, but angels also brought God's judgment. In doing God's bidding, angels have been charged with watching over believers. In this life we will never know how often they have protected us from harm. Someday we will know, and then we can express our appreciation.
Mon, 14 Nov 2011
You cannot see them, but they can see you. Angels are ministering spirits, sent to watch over those who believe in Jesus. Angels serve God. Organized in ranks, this myriad of beings do His bidding here on earth. The Bible records many supernatural events, and attributes those events to the work of angels on God's behalf.
Fri, 11 Nov 2011
Sci-Fi shows talk about a parallel universe that we cannot see. For the Christian, there really is a parallel universe, only it is not parallel. The world of the spirit exists right inside the real universe we can see. Millions of unseen angels exist, serving those who are the heirs of salvation.
Thu, 10 Nov 2011
Taking a free gift goes against the grain for many people. They would rather earn what they receive, even if it is from God. When it comes to the gospel, no one can do anything to merit salvation. The salvation equation is not Jesus, plus my good deeds, or, plus my good intentions. Only what Jesus did is of value when God the Father bestows eternal life.
Wed, 09 Nov 2011
The gospel of Christ simply means the good news about Jesus. The good news is His death on the cross that makes our forgiveness possible. It was the risen Christ who commissioned His people to, "go into all the world and make disciples." What is the best way to fulfill that Great Commission? Today we take a further look at how we can make the good news of the Gospel known to those whose eternity depends on hearing it.
Tue, 08 Nov 2011
The most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16, which says, "For God so loved the world...." Now that is motivation. The coming of Jesus as a sacrifice for sin made possible the redemption of a lost mankind, so that, as John 3:16 says, "whoever believes in Him might have everlasting life." God was motivated by love to offer his only Son, and that is good news.
Mon, 07 Nov 2011
Turn on CNN, and what do you get? Politics, the economy, the war, for the most part, it is a lot of bad news. Now turn back the clock two thousand years. Even under Roman oppression, the early church reveled in some really good news. That news was the gospel: the message that Jesus came to seek and save sinners, and give them eternal life. That beats cable news any day.
Fri, 04 Nov 2011
The problem of evil has vexed philosophers since the beginning. The answer that works is not a popular one. The Bible declares that all of humanity is dead in sin, and only the intervention of God can change that proclivity to sin. That is the good news of the gospel, a remedy has been found that can turn a sinner into a saint.
Thu, 03 Nov 2011
An inherent sickness has stricken the human race. It cannot be denied. Crowded prisons testify to the reality of sin. Those prisons are full of people born in sin, born with a propensity to do wrong. As Paul says, we are all "by nature children of wrath." In our study of key doctrines, we are coming to grips with, "The Sin We Rationalize."
Wed, 02 Nov 2011
God specializes in bringing the dead back to life. He did it for Jesus, and he will do it for everyone who believes in him. The Bible says that, "the soul that sins shall die." Sin is an affront to the holiness of God. Sin leaves us dead, unable to connect with God. The answer? God's redeeming power through the sacrifice of His Son.
Tue, 01 Nov 2011
When you read the Bible, one thing you quickly realize is that God is not tolerant of something called sin. What is sin? It means missing the mark God has set for our behavior. Sadly, many people trivialize sin, even believers. But sin is so serious that God sent his only Son to die as a sacrifice to pay the penalty that ultimate justice demands. Today: a look at sin.
Mon, 31 Oct 2011
One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to convict believers of their sins. Our job then is to "cleanse the temple." This is because the Bible teaches that the Spirit dwells in us, and our bodies become His temples. Today we will look at a lesson on keeping a clean house for the Holy Spirit to live in and to enjoy. When this occurs He will have freedom to work in and through our lives.
Fri, 28 Oct 2011
Why do people tell fibs? This is not the time or place to answer that, but the acronym "FIBS" is helpful for today's program. We're studying the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian, and "FIBS" provides a way to remember His four key ministries. Today, Erwin Lutzer will tell us what they are, and the difference they should make in your life.
Thu, 27 Oct 2011
When Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples, he said that the Spirit would soon be "in them." The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit indwells each believer. The Spirit is as close to us as it is possible to get, so close that Paul gave us an unusual analogy to describe that oneness in 1 Corinthians 6.
Wed, 26 Oct 2011
Some philosophers acknowledge there must be a God to create all we see, but they say He is distant and not involved with us. But the Bible reveals that God works by the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who believe, providing day-by-day guidance, comfort, wisdom and insight for even the smallest detail of life. Who, or what, is the Holy Spirit?
Tue, 25 Oct 2011
The death of Jesus on a Roman cross has been interpreted in many ways. Some see it as a sad end to a good life. But the Bible tells us that His death was a sacrifice that took the penalty for the sins of the whole world. His obedience in submitting to that death caused God the Father to exalt him to the place that, one day, every tongue will shout, "He is Lord."
Mon, 24 Oct 2011
John's gospel ends with the reason why it was written, that its readers might believe that Jesus is the Son of God and, that believing, they might have life through His name. Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed One foretold by the prophets. To understand who Jesus is puts you at the gates of eternal life.
Fri, 21 Oct 2011
God is so vast and incomprehensible that unless He took direct action, we'd never understand Him in a meaningful sense. He took that action two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ appeared on earth. The Bible reveals that Jesus is the Son of God, and that all the fullness of God dwells in Him. Now, to see what God is all about, all we need do is look at Jesus. In this message, we will take that look, a look at "The Son We Follow."
Thu, 20 Oct 2011
What activity of the Father best describes Him? Is it His vast creation? Many would say it's His redemptive intent. In his series on "What We Believe", Erwin Lutzer is describing "The Father We Worship." The Father has absolute authority blended with immeasurable power. His purposes cannot be thwarted. Those purposes include the plan of redemption He designed and is carrying out.
Wed, 19 Oct 2011
How can one describe God? How can one describe anything infinite? The best we can do is to list His attributes. In his series on "What We Believe", Erwin Lutzer is describing "The Father We Worship." These attributes open a door of understanding, a door that lets us catch a glimpse of His greatness as well as His grace.
Tue, 18 Oct 2011
Some religions have millions of deities. The Christian faith is based on the self-revelation of a single, omnipotent God. Jesus taught us to call him "Our Father." In the Bible, God has many names, but only one character, a character of absolute holiness combined with infinite power, love, and justice. We will come to grips with "The Father We Worship" in lesson number two of "What We Believe."
Mon, 17 Oct 2011
The Bible we have is in our hands because many who've gone before us gave their lives so that we could read it. In past centuries, intense persecution followed those who valued the Bible above church tradition. Long the world's best-seller, the Bible commands an allegiance no other book has ever commanded. Some have been martyred for their stand that the Bible alone is the rule of faith.
Fri, 14 Oct 2011
You are being chased by wolves toward a gorge. A fragile rope bridge spans the gulf. Do you take it, or face the wolves? Dramatic, yes. But this is the bottom line when it comes to the Bible: at some point, your doubts have to give way to faith that it is what it says it is: the Word of God, and the only book that can take you across the gorge of death into eternity. Today: find out why you can trust the Bible.
Thu, 13 Oct 2011
What are your core beliefs? And how deeply do you believe them? For Christians, the Bible is at the center of what we believe. Some question the Bible's origins and its authority. Can we rely on this ancient book? Today, we begin a new series on the key doctrines that define what Christianity is all about and why it is totally rational to believe them.
Wed, 12 Oct 2011
In this life, we cannot comprehend the transformation that awaits us at the resurrection. It will be a moment of pure glory. Not only do we receive glorified bodies, but all of creation is transformed in a cosmic chorus shouting glory to the God who redeemed us. This message focuses on the transcendant finale to the symphony of God's glory: the end of time, and the beginning of a radiant eternity.
Tue, 11 Oct 2011
Out there, it's a dog-eat-dog world. Survival of the fittest. Weeds grow, animals fight it out for food and water. But one day, the chaos of earthquakes and tsumanis will be no more. One day, all of creation will resound with the glory of God, free from the curse of the fall that left creation groaning and travailing, waiting for its rebirth. God will reign supreme over a new earth.
Mon, 10 Oct 2011
At best, life on earth is a mixed bag. We are all dogged by temptation, and our sins slow us in the race of life. But for believers, sin will be no more in the eternity yet to be. With perfect bodies, pain will be no more. With nothing between us and God, our joy will be boundless.
Fri, 07 Oct 2011
Some believe life is no more than a random confluence of chemicals and that, when life ends, we all just cease to exist. Believers have a more glorious future. They know their bodies will be raised at the return of Jesus, and that all who have ever believed will reign with Him for the ages to come. Which outcome seems more appealing to you?
Thu, 06 Oct 2011
All the money in the world won't keep you alive when it's your turn to die. All people can do with it is buy you a fancier casket. It's folly to live as though life never ends. Believers have a realistic view both of life, and its conclusion. They know that God has for them a life that never ends. We're to glorify God, whether by life or by death.
Wed, 05 Oct 2011
Those who think there's no God, and that life is the product of random chance, have little hope when it comes to their own death. But those who believe in Jesus know that their times, and their times of death, are in God's hands. Even at that supreme moment, they know they can bring glory to the God who redeemed them.
Tue, 04 Oct 2011
Even if we get "a new lease on life," that lease will one day expire. We are all on borrowed time: soon, life will end. Believers who know the promises of God count on a life beyond this life. Meanwhile, we live to bring glory to God. Whether our days are many or few, all of us will pass from this life. This message will teach us the how and why of living life in such a way that, when it's over, God receives glory.
Mon, 03 Oct 2011
Human nature is a tough thing to change. We develop habits that can be almost impossible to break. But there is one route to transformation. When the Spirit of God indwells a believer, he or she embarks on a journey whose end is being like Christ: transformed from the inside out by the glory of God. This is how a sinner can become a saint and how beholding God leads to our becoming like God.
Fri, 30 Sep 2011
In the Old Testament, God's glory was only seen by a few. Moses saw it, crying out to see more. We have been redeemed into a the new covenant and under this new promise we can see God's glory. At one point Israel had hard hearts, and Moses had to wear a veil to block God's glory. But Paul wrote that "when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." Now we can behold, and be changed by, the glory of God.
Thu, 29 Sep 2011
When Moses came down from the mountain, he had to veil his face. God's glory was making it light up like the sun. Believers share this hope: "And we with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." Today: how we can be transformed into God's image when we abandon the hold sin has on our lives.
Wed, 28 Sep 2011
Job underwent trials that would heavily challenge any of us. Still, he had faith in the ultimate purposes of God. His wife said "curse God and die." But Job persisted until he could say to God, "I had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen you." Despite ten dead children and pain hard to imagine. All of these trials were approved by God. How can we be triumphant in suffering?
Tue, 27 Sep 2011
Life is no bed of roses. Sooner or later, everybody has pain, or loses a loved one and all of us face the end of life. Believers know that God has a purpose in their suffering, a purpose they cannot fathom while going through the deep valley. We must realize that the ultimate good of God's glory far outweighs the trials we encounter along the way.
Mon, 26 Sep 2011
Suffering teaches lessons that an easy life could never teach. Many Bible characters were molded by the sufferings they endured. Job learned about his inner self when terrible sufferings brought him face to face with God. Today's message will look into the life of the Apostle Paul, a man with a God-given thorn in the flesh.
Fri, 23 Sep 2011
Hurting is part of life. Ask anyone in a cancer ward, facing a painful end of life with an incurable tumor. No one is exempt from suffering. Sooner or later, we all experience it. But believers have the promise that suffering for the sake of Jesus will be rewarded.
Thu, 22 Sep 2011
We have two letters from the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth in what is now Greece. Corinth was a moral cesspool. Its pagan temple was filled with prostitutes. The young church there was plagued with sexual sins including incest. As a result, we have very clear teaching on how a Christian should live sexually so as to glorify God.
Wed, 21 Sep 2011
It is said that "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," as if moral choices have no consequences. The truth is: that's a lie. One way for believers to handle the temptation of sex outside marriage is to realize Who they take with them to bed. God Himself is a witness to all they do there since they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Tue, 20 Sep 2011
People who misuse sex find the damage extending to every corner of their lives. It's all part of how sex was designed. Sex creates very deep bonds between people, deeper than they realize. It joins people metaphysically, whether married or not. For believers, that joining affects their relationships with Christ.
Mon, 19 Sep 2011
Signs of the times: members of Congress are forced to resign when their sexual indiscretions come to light on the internet. Everyone deals with sex, everyone is a sexual being. No area of life is more challenging for a believer. First Corinthians was written to a church with serious moral issues.
Fri, 16 Sep 2011
In times of economic downturn, many take jobs beneath their skills and education. Would this be hard for you? Letting go of pride and accepting where you are as God's place for you is humbling. At some point, any job beats no job. We must come to grips with God's glory, and let Him orchestrate your promotions as well as demotions.
Thu, 15 Sep 2011
The money you make at your job will come and go. But the imprint you leave on your co-workers can last far beyond your lifetime. Our work is just one component of our lifestyles, the way we live life before those around us. Today we will hear more of Erwin Lutzer's five principles on how to make the glory of God your focus for all of life.
Wed, 14 Sep 2011
For all who bemoan having to get up and go to work every day, there are many who only wish they had a job to go to. Work gives life a sense of direction and helps us provide for our families. Work is but one area of life in which we need an objective toward which to move.
Tue, 13 Sep 2011
When economic hard times hit, people lose jobs, homes, and self-respect. Even those still employed feel the heat. For companies to survive, fewer people work harder. Many take jobs beneath their skill levels. As we learn to do with less, the American lifestyle is increasingly an endangered species.
Mon, 12 Sep 2011
From the outside, a clay pot looks unremarkable. But it is what is inside that counts. The vessel is just a vessel. Paul likens believers to clay pots, pots that contain the treasure of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. That treasure gives us the strength to endure tough times, and even suffering for the gospel.
Fri, 09 Sep 2011
A man blind from birth can only guess at what it might be like to be able to see. Light has little meaning to one in darkness. "The light of the gospel of the glory of Christ..." that's what Paul says the devil blinds people from seeing. It is a light God wants to shine on all who receive the redemption He offers through His Son.
Thu, 08 Sep 2011
It's hard for finite beings to comprehend anything infinite. We have no frame of reference for understanding eternity. In the ages past, God designed a plan of redemption for a mankind that He knew would rebel against Him. That intricate plan was worked out over thousands of years, culminating in the sacrifice of Jesus on a Roman cross.
Wed, 07 Sep 2011
God wants all of His creation to glorify Him. After all, no one is more worthy than He to receive glory. At the core of God desiring glory is the plan of redemption He designed long before humanity came into being. Bringing many sons and daughters to glory was His intention, even though He knew mankind would fall in the Garden of Eden.
Tue, 06 Sep 2011
In Moses' day, God was present in the Shekinah glory, a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In our day, the presence of God can be very strong in a local church. The Holy Spirit can move mightily in a gathering of God's people. It is our delight to seek and experience the presence of God.
Mon, 05 Sep 2011
Buildings do not last long with poor foundations. Sinking sand has sunk more than one house not built on a rock. Since Jesus is the church's cornerstone, the church has a rock-solid foundation. As believers, we are part of that building. We are called "living stones" by the Apostle Peter.
Fri, 02 Sep 2011
Why do you go to church? To visit with friends? To hear inspiring music? To be seen by others whose opinion you value? We believers need a better reason for attending church. And that reason is to meet God, and further extend and extol His glory. We gather to express to God His worth to us. That is what worship is all about.
Wed, 31 Aug 2011
Moses had the privilege of meeting God atop Mount Sinai. It was he who said, "I beseech Thee, O Lord, show me thy glory." It is easy to lose sight of God's glory. All it takes is one small sin. In Moses' day, the glory of God would come and go. In the end, it departed, never to return, as the sins of Israel caused God to draw back His favor. Could this be true even today?
Tue, 30 Aug 2011
One day, believers will walk the streets of the New Jerusalem. Our sole focus will be the praise and worship of Almighty God. Gone will be the cares of our former lives. In the ages yet to come, we will learn more and more about the God whose glories we will never fully comprehend. If this is true, is it not reasonable that God's glory should be our focus even now?
Mon, 29 Aug 2011
Why does an Olympic track star run? To win a gold medal. What motivates us as believers to run the race of life? As we mature in the faith, we come to realize more and more that it is not about us. It is about God, whose glory fills the earth and the heavens. When we see our lives as part of a much larger plan, we realize that enhancing God's glory is the bottom line.
Fri, 26 Aug 2011
One day there will be no more races. The winners will be rewarded, the track left behind. But until then, we must run. Believers who run life's race know that their goal is Jesus, Who is the Author and Finisher of their Faith. Peter knew and believed this. His life's legacy still bears fruit as you and I continue in the faith he defended.
Thu, 25 Aug 2011
Even if you have gotten "a new lease on life," that lease will one day expire. What kind of legacy will you leave behind? Paul could say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." And before his death, the Apostle Peter stirred up his readers toward fruitful growth in the faith. Today, we assess the impact of Peter's life on those he knew, and on all the generations to follow.
Wed, 24 Aug 2011
Whether during war or peace, Christians know that God is in charge. Nothing men can do to us bypasses His approval. Peter's race of life was interrupted by some jail time, until God's angel got him back on track. His job was not yet finished and the executioner would have to wait. Today we learn more about God's protection of His own.
Tue, 23 Aug 2011
Great runners may feel invincible. While earthly victories come and go, there is a sense in which believers are invincible. Peter knew that his race of life would not end by execution in a jail cell. But when the angel opened the prison doors, the young church could not believe Peter was really, miraculously free. Then again, would we have thought any differently?
Mon, 22 Aug 2011
As Christians mature, they realize that there is Someone carefully orchestrating the symphony of their lives. As we run life's race, we know that God is going before us to make sure the track is just the way He wants it. That is what happened for the Apostle Peter, and that is also what happens for you and me. Today we will hear the story of a time when Peter goes to prison.
Fri, 19 Aug 2011
You may think no one cares how you live. But the reality is that you are leaving a long legacy for others to follow. Long ago the Apostle Peter left a mark so powerful that even his shadow caused the sick to be healed. Today Erwin Lutzer will talk about the effect you and I have on the lives of others, and why we must live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thu, 18 Aug 2011
The great Olympic runner Eric Liddel said, "When I run, I feel His pleasure," a sentiment every believer should share. Like the Apostle Peter long ago, we who run the race of life run to feel God's pleasure, pursuing the goal of Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Peter's final days of ministry were run at full speed in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Wed, 17 Aug 2011
Those who say "I can't change" need to look at Peter, a man Jesus changed from timid fisherman to bold proclaimer. His transformation was so complete that his mere presence caused the sick to be healed. For all who feel their lives are at a dead end, Peter stands as evidence that Jesus Christ can make them new from the inside out.
Tue, 16 Aug 2011
When a runner seems to have superhuman endurance, those in the stands may wonder: "Is he taking any prohibited drugs?" But those who saw the Apostle Peter run his race of life saw a man totally renovated, changed from the inside out, without steroids. Peter the fisherman was now a bold preacher. The difference is the Holy Spirit, and He can remake you too.
Mon, 15 Aug 2011
Weary runners sometimes get a second wind, a source of fresh power as they face another lap on that racetrack. For believers in the race of life, that second wind is the power of the Holy Spirit, who bears witness to Christ. The Apostle Peter felt that spiritual wind rush through his life, remaking him from the inside out. No person close to him could miss the change.
Fri, 12 Aug 2011
The change in Peter from fisherman to fearless preacher is a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit to remake a man. In the spirit's power, we can run life's race to please Jesus, Who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. We can run that race like Peter did, sure of our eternal destiny, and endued with power from on high to do the Master's will.
Thu, 11 Aug 2011
When Peter denied Christ, he was not likewise denied by Jesus. Rather, he was gently asked, "do you love Me?" Believers in life's race know that if they fall, Christ will pick them up. He is in the business of restoring the fallen and setting them back on their feet. Do you feel you have wandered too far to ever come home again? Peter did, and maybe you do too.
Wed, 10 Aug 2011
Sometimes we fail so deeply that the race of life seems to come to a complete halt. Drowning in shame, we just want to quit. As other runners pass by, all we can see is a black hole of regret. That's where Jesus found Peter after he vehemently denied even knowing Jesus. In His grace, the Master reached out to restore His servant. He can reach out to you.
Tue, 09 Aug 2011
When a runner loses a crucial race, quitting may be a temptation. A good coach helps you pick up the pieces and run again. Believers in life's race run toward our goal: Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Like all of us, Peter faltered as he ran. He faltered to the point of amassing a load of guilt too deep for words. Today we will learn how Christ restored a man consumed with regret.
Mon, 08 Aug 2011
The world is no friend to the Christian who wants to live a holy life. No matter what we do, some dirt clings to our feet. Believers in the race of life share a daily need to be cleansed by Christ. He desires fellowship with us, fellowship that is broken when we sin. Jesus modeled His teaching by taking a basin and a towel to wash His disciples' feet.
Fri, 05 Aug 2011
A basin and a towel are the real symbols of the Christian faith. As Christains we wash each other's feet, and then run life's race. When Jesus washed Peter's feet, the conflict within Peter was palpable. He had a visceral reaction as His Master knelt before him. But servant leadership was on display, and we, like Peter, must heed this poigant demonstration in how to serve.
Thu, 04 Aug 2011
When professional runners hear the pistol shot, they are off in a cloud of dust. That dust gets into everything. Just as athletes need to clean their shoes, believers in life's race know they need daily cleansing to please Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their Faith. That is a lesson Peter learned long ago when his Master and Lord washed his feet.
Wed, 03 Aug 2011
It has been said that death and taxes are the only two certainties in life. Believers know that there are more than these two temporary dilemmas. We all have financial obligations, and we will all face the end of this life. In Matthew 17, Peter learned a lifelong lesson from a coin in a fish's mouth. This passage reveals the heart of our Father. Believers know that Jesus will be there to meet our needs.
Tue, 02 Aug 2011
Object lessons are powerful lessons. Jesus used them many times to communicate vital truth to His disciples. In Matthew 17, Peter learned a lifelong lesson from a coin in a fish's mouth. This lesson revealed to him the source of our provision. Our provider is not distant from our everyday needs. As we too learn that lesson, we will realize how close Christ wants to be to every one of His people.
Mon, 01 Aug 2011
Many people think Christianity is fine for the life to come, but what about the here and now? How do we respond to everyday issues? Jesus knows full well the race of life we all run. He knows our weaknesses, and He knows what we need. He's aware of the demands each day brings. Through this message, we will join Peter in learning a lesson from a coin in a fish's mouth.
Fri, 29 Jul 2011
No one likes the idea of suffering, especially those accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle. And so we avoid the cross. But just as Jesus had to bear His cross on the way to Calvary, He says to each believer: "take up your cross, and follow Me." Had Peter actually dissuaded Jesus from that awful fate, the salvation of mankind would never have been possible.
Thu, 28 Jul 2011
Sometimes our best intentions can lead us astray. Peter could not imagine His master nailed to a cross, and told Him so. But Matthew 16 records a stern rebuke from Jesus to Peter: "Get thee behind me, Satan!" Jesus knew that the cross was His destiny, and would not allow anything to stand between Him and the death God had planned from eternity.
Wed, 27 Jul 2011
The cinder racetrack stretches before you. At the sound of the gun you muster all your effort and leap from the blocks. We run life's race to please Jesus, Who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Sometimes though, like Peter, we resist God's leading. That resistance comes with a high price. Today we learn about "The Cost of Avoiding the Cross."
Tue, 26 Jul 2011
From TV, radio, print, movies, and the internet, a thousand conflicting voices all beckon to us, saying, "follow me." But Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and follow Me." Like Peter of old, we need to realize that the voice of Jesus stands alone as speaking revealed truth. This message will call us to sift through the clutter of voices demanding your allegiance, and listen to the one voice that really matters.
Mon, 25 Jul 2011
These days, it is fashionable to think of truth as a personal possession: you can have your truth, and I can have my truth. Then we hit the jarring claim of Jesus: "I am the truth." As believers, we need to run life's race conscious that truth is something absolute, not relative, and that truth can be known, not merely guessed at. Today's message will move us from understanding truth as opinion to truth as a person.
Fri, 22 Jul 2011
Experienced runners stay focused: they know that the only destination that matters is the goal line at the end of the race. Many inviting rabbit-trails try to pull us off the main track. But believers know not to be sidelined by lesser matters. This message will focus on a defining moment for one great believer of old; an moment that set his aim at the goal line, and nowhere else.
Thu, 21 Jul 2011
The Bible pictures the life of faith as a race course, with believers running down the track, heading for the goal line. Peter's race of life really took off when, in Matthew 16, it was revealed to him that Jesus was the Son of the living God. The same can be true for you and me. Following the crowd is not enough. Like Peter, we must answer "What do you think of Christ?"
Wed, 20 Jul 2011
Believers know that Christ is the Messiah, but most non-believers are uninterested. Ever wonder what makes the difference? In Matthew 16, Peter is in Caesarea Philipppi. Here he declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter did not say this because he was intelligent or wise. There was another reason.
Tue, 19 Jul 2011
When you buy a house, you get the keys at the real estate closing. Keys signify the right and authority to open the door. One day in northern Israel, in a place called Caesarea Philippi, Peter found himself entrusted with some serious keys, keys handed to him by none other than Jesus Christ.
Mon, 18 Jul 2011
We do not learn life's real lessons from a textbook. The lessons that stick are the ones we learn through experience. Peter's stroll on the high seas taught him lessons he would never forget: lessons about the power of God as revealed in Jesus, his new master. And today, we will take home some ways you and I can profit from Peter's unnerving experience.
Fri, 15 Jul 2011
When you first gaze upon Israel's famous Sea of Galilee, you are impressed with its utter tranquility and peacefulness. But violent winds can arise in a few moments, turning tranquility into terror. On this canvas, the Bible paints a vivid picture of faith coming alive in the midst of upheaval all around.
Thu, 14 Jul 2011
From childhood, we all know that heavy objects sink in water. So if someone told you to walk on water, how would you react? One thing Peter and the disciples learned quickly was that Jesus was no ordinary "someone." Christ had command over the laws of nature. This power had never been seen before, and it seemed impossible.
Wed, 13 Jul 2011
Despite circumstances or what seems logical, at some point every believer must learn to obey God, no matter what. Peter's journey of faith began when Jesus told him, a fisherman, how to fish. The resulting catch proved that obedience to Jesus was the key. Peter would soon learn that Jesus' power to save men is as total as His power to draw fish into a net.
Tue, 12 Jul 2011
In the army, you learn to follow orders, even when those orders seem illogical. In battle, the chain of command is vital. Sometimes in the race of life we are called to do things that seem, at first, to not make sense. We must do things our experience has not prepared us for. Peter, the veteran fisherman, found himself obeying Christ's unorthodox fishing directive with surprising results.
Mon, 11 Jul 2011
When you run a race, one thing is critical. You have to keep your eye on who is out in front, the runner who is setting the pace. As believers, we run life's race to please Jesus, Who sets the pace as the Author and Finisher of our faith. He's the leader we're eager to follow. Today: Peter will learn a great lesson from his new Leader, a lesson on trusting beyond his own experience.
Fri, 08 Jul 2011
Before Peter became a great apostle, he was a simple fisherman. When Christ calls his children, that person's life is forever transformed. We run life's race to please Jesus, Who is the Author and Perfector of our faith. Jesus called Peter from his life by the sea to a life he could never have imagined. For his new task, Peter had to accept a new name from his new Master.
Thu, 07 Jul 2011
The Bible describes the life of faith as a race course, with believers running down the track, heading for the goal line. Their focus is on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their Faith. He awaits them at the goal line of eternal life, with rewards for their faithfulness. As we run today, we will learn more about the life of the Apostle Peter, a champion of faith.
Wed, 06 Jul 2011
The cinder track stretches before you. You know you have to run like there is no tomorrow. This could be your final sprint. The Bible tells us to run life's race to glorify and please Jesus, Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Today we will begin a series on the life of a man who ran his race just like that, a man whose life still towers as a champion for the gospel.
Tue, 05 Jul 2011
As the light of freedom begins to darken in America, we might become anxious. But, for a moment, consider the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote books of the Bible, while chained to a prison guard. What was his crime? Perhaps the current equivalent is “hate speech.” Erwin Lutzer shares his final thoughts on what we as believers should do when our nation as a whole is leaving God out of its national life.
Mon, 04 Jul 2011
Tyranny sets in fast when those who lead a nation stop acknowledging their accountability to a higher power. When the U.S. government makes itself the standard by which laws are to be judged, we get laws that contravene not just the Constitution, but also, common sense. Erwin Lutzer explaines why America is fast approaching a cliff of despotism; freedom rapidly being extinguished by those in power.
Fri, 01 Jul 2011
As America prepares to celebrate another Independence Day, it’s worth asking if we are a nation living in bondage as opposed to freedom. Our failing moral climate is evidence of a nationwide rebellion against God. We are at war with the God who gave this nation liberty in the first place. Signs of decline are all around us. Erwin Lutzer gives a timely look at America as a nation that is rapidly forgetting God.
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Whether rich or poor, all of us are equal in one key area. No one has more than twenty-four hours in any given day. Making our time count means spending some of that time in the presence of God. Through prayer we can receive guidance and develop our faith. Then we can navigate the unknowns of life with the One Who knows the end from the beginning.
Wed, 29 Jun 2011
Waiting for God….it goes against our instincts. When something needs to be done, most of us want to jump in and do it. But waiting for His timing guarantees that things happen at the right time. Waiting for God means investing time every day in prayer: seeking His face, and seeking His direction. Today: how David survived the decade between becoming King and actually being King.
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
These are days of instantancy. This includes instant coffee, instant internet, instant news. But lots of things in life are not instant. Patience is only developed when that patience is tried. Whether it’s long lines at the grocery or long waits for answered prayer, God uses the unplanned “waits” in our lives to mold our character. Today: we’ll listen to David as he deals with how to handle those times of waiting.
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
When we conceal sin, we pay a heavy price. The weight of guilt can be crushing, and finding forgiveness is crucial. David expressed his journey toward finding forgiveness in Psalm 32. The process involves total honesty with God and with those we have offended. Today we will look at experiencing the freedom that comes in making things right with both God and man.
Fri, 24 Jun 2011
It’s the height of folly to think we can hide our sins from God. His gaze can penetrate any attempt to conceal the truth. That’s what David found out, and wrote about in Psalm 32. Caught red-handed in great sin, David came clean before God and man. Today: what it takes to be fully forgiven and restored with the God who can see everything we do.
Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Deep down, everyone knows that they fall short of moral perfection, and those who have done great wrong really know it. God put a conscience in each one of us, and violating that conscience exacts a high price. Sin has both immediate and long-term consequences, and only being fully forgiven of sin removes the oppression of self-condemnation that wrongdoers feel.
Wed, 22 Jun 2011
Anyone can rejoice when good things happen, but answer this: can you praise God while lying near death in a hospital? There are many lessons for us in the writings of King David in Psalm 23. One lesson is this: the Good Shepherd is just as with us in bad times as He is in good times. Today: a final look at the Lord as our Shepherd, not just David’s shepherd.
Tue, 21 Jun 2011
Though named as King, David was pursued by a jealous King Saul for ten long years, forced to hide in caves. While under pursuit, David developed a faith in God’s purposes that enabled him to write “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” How many of us face our trials with that kind of confidence? Today: more lessons from the most beloved Psalm.
Mon, 20 Jun 2011
When you were a kid facing a spanking, remember when Dad used to say, “This will hurt me more than it will hurt you….?” Few kids believe that, but loving fathers know that correction now avoids tragedy in later life. Just so, our heavenly Father will inflict short term pain for long term gain. Today: how a shepherd handles rebellious sheep.
Fri, 17 Jun 2011
When God wanted us to understand how He cares for us, He gave us the picture of a shepherd tending his flock. Shepherds…they do much more than guide their sheep to sources of food and water. They take a personal interest in every sheep, providing correction to insure that animal’s well-being. Today: we’re going to look into the writings of David, the shepherd turned king.
Thu, 16 Jun 2011
Like mice in a maze, today’s power brokers run around, certain that they hold in their hands the destiny of the world. They have no clue that far beyond their machinations lies a God who is the real power broker. In a future day, there will be one king and only one king on this earth, and his name is Jesus. No more “politics as usual”…the kingdom will have arrived.
Wed, 15 Jun 2011
These days, conspiracies are all the rage. Politicians speak of vast conspiracies to undermine their points of view. But the real conspiracy is that of the nations of the world in revolt against God. Psalm 2 tells us that God sits in heaven, laughing at man’s attempt to remove him from society. Today: join us for more assurance that everything remains under God’s control.
Tue, 14 Jun 2011
Everywhere you look, the Christian faith is under attack. Governments cater to radical Muslims, but Christians are fair game. It seems the world has gone topsy-turvy, and many ask the question, “Is God really in charge?” Today, Erwin Lutzer traces some blatant attacks on Christians, but then takes us to the Bible for the assurance that, despite all we see around us, God is still in control.
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
The race of life is hard when our labors are not fueled by the love of God. That’s why Jesus gave His great commandment. Loving God with all our hearts, and our neighbors as ourselves, fulfills the law and pleases our Creator. Obeying this commandment means obeying all ten of the ones God wrote on tablets of stone to give to Moses so long ago.
Fri, 10 Jun 2011
The words of Jesus are simple, yet penetrating. The command to “Love your neighbor as yourself” is one such challenge. Winners in life’s race learn to obey the greatest commandment: loving God, and loving our neighbors. This takes supernatural power, since our natural inclination is to love only ourselves. Today, more on the lifelong process of learning to love God and others.
Thu, 09 Jun 2011
The Decalogue: literally, “ten words.” Written by God on tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments defined proper behavior. Those who win in the race of life not only follow these ten laws, but on a higher plane, they follow an eleventh. Today: we start the final lesson in our study of the Ten Commandments by learning how Jesus summed them all up. Stay with us.
Wed, 08 Jun 2011
Did you know that wanting what someone else has is idolatry? In God’s view, you might as well bow down before a false deity. Those who win in the race of life obey God’s commandment against covetousness, relying on God to meet their needs as He sees fit. For true winners, the allure of what others have will fade into the assurance of God’s provision.
Tue, 07 Jun 2011
It lies hidden, a smoldering flame beneath the surface. The sin nobody sees can light fires of lasting conflict. Winners in life’s race disavow covetousness. They know that longing for what others have is a recipe for ongoing discontent. God’s tenth and final commandment makes it clear that we are not to covet.
Mon, 06 Jun 2011
There’s something in all of us that wants what someone else has. We never seem to have enough, and many of us want it all. Winners in life’s race don’t carry their belongings across the finish line. No U-Haul will follow your hearse. Coveting: that’s what God addressed in the last of the Ten Commandments, and coveting is our focus on today’s broadcast.
Fri, 03 Jun 2011
We know it the minute we do it. Lying causes our consciences to twinge with pain. And lying leads to more lies. You can’t win in the race of life when you don’t tell the truth. God made it plain in Commandment number nine: do not bear false witness. Whether it’s a “little white lie” or a real whopper, any falsehood breaks this commandment.
Thu, 02 Jun 2011
In a list of seven things God hates, the writer of Proverbs lists lying - twice. That’s top billing for a sin we all commit. Winning the race of life requires honesty. As we explore the ninth of the Ten Commandments, we’ll see why this sin is so prevalent, and so destructive. Imagine you’re in court. Will you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Wed, 01 Jun 2011
For some reason, we humans make a distinction between big lies and little lies. To us, telling a “white lie” is OK. Believers running the race of life need to tell the truth if they want to win. Lying violates prime directive number nine in God’s book, and losing that lying tongue is where we’re headed on today’s broadcast.
Tue, 31 May 2011
Few of us would commit adultery, fewer still would kill, but most of us would be caught red handed if confronted about stealing something. Those who want to be victorious runners in life’s race need to lose the baggage of guilt they carry from thefts, both large and small. That’s how far we’ve come in our study of the eighth commandment. Today: some closing thoughts on stealing.
Mon, 30 May 2011
Whether it’s blue collar or white collar, the bottom line is that stealing from your company means you’re wearing a guilty collar. Whether we steal office supplies, or an employer’s time, stealing violates a prime directive from God. The eighth commandment tells us to respect the property rights of others. God takes note when we fail to do so. Today: more about this eighth commandment.
Fri, 27 May 2011
Most people say “What’s mine is mine, what’s yours is yours.” But then there are those who say “what’s yours is mine.” It’s more than bank robberies and burglary. People steal from their employers with hardly a second thought. We seem to forget that stealing any private property violates one of the Ten Commandments. And that’s our focus on today’s Running to Win.
Thu, 26 May 2011
It’s dangerous to get too close to a fire. And, to get too close to a possible sexual sin. The price is too high. That’s why the seventh commandment teaches us to avoid all forms of sexual sin. That means faithfulness to the wife or husband God gives us. The result: a life free from the entanglements that can stop us in our tracks.
Wed, 25 May 2011
It’s like throwing kerosene on a fire. Sexual temptation grabs tightly and won’t let go. Fighting it takes commitment. Most of us have lifetime mates with whom to enjoy sexual intimacy. But straying from that mate is a deadly sin, expressly forbidden by one of the Ten Commandments. Today: we learn about the high price of adultery.
Tue, 24 May 2011
Each of us has a strong desire for intimacy. But keeping our sex drives under control is one of our biggest challenges. Runners in the race of the Christian life know that sex in it’s proper place is a great gift, while passions out of control can ruin one’s future. That’s why God gave us commandment number seven. It’s still in force, even in a sex-mad culture.
Mon, 23 May 2011
Keeping the Ten Commandments is a lifelong process. So honoring your father and your mother do not stop when you leave home. God’s plan for a stable society involves each of us caring for our children, and then our parents as they age. The result will be a tight family bonds that stand the stress of time. Today: a final look at one of the Ten Commandments, one designed for our good.
Fri, 20 May 2011
There is a connection: learning how to submit to your parents when you’re young makes it easier to submit to God when you’re old. Those who run life’s race know that the track is smoother when things are right with mom and dad. Good relationships mean happiness...bad ones bring sorrow. Today: more teaching on God’s command designed to insure stable homes and well-adjusted families.
Thu, 19 May 2011
American families are breaking apart faster than they are being formed. Even families still together feel the strain. Millenia ago, God gave us the Ten Commandments as a blueprint for living. Our failure to follow commandment number six is a big reason for the dismal state many families find themselves in. Today: the key to having happy and stable families.
Wed, 18 May 2011
God says human life is so sacred that if innocent life is taken, the perpetrator must die. It’s not a matter for debate. As Creator, God sets the rules. He decreed that murder violates one of His prime commandments and must be repaid accordingly. And since our justice system often fails to do this, life loses the value God has placed upon it.
Tue, 17 May 2011
There’s something final about murder. Taking a life means there’s no way back. God views murder very seriously. At the bedrock of the Law of God is the prohibition against taking innocent life. Yet hundreds of people are killed every year in each of our major cities. Life is cheap, and gets cheaper when convicted killers never pay the price God commanded.
Mon, 16 May 2011
There’s one sure way to stop someone else from running life’s race. And that’s to do what we see on TV countless times every night. Murder: it’s now so common that we aren’t fazed by it much anymore. But the taking of innocent life breaks one of the cardinal commandments of God. And since Roe versus Wade, that commandment has been broken untold millions of times.
Fri, 13 May 2011
The principle of resting one day in seven is as old as creation and as foundational as the fourth of the Ten Commandments. We, like athletes, need rest, and God commanded that we should take that rest every week. The question is, should it be on Saturday or Sunday? And do the regulations of the Jewish Sabbath carry over to Sunday?
Thu, 12 May 2011
Every athlete knows that the body cannot be run indefinitely. We labor, and then we rest. That’s how we’re designed. God made it clear that all of us need to observe a day of rest. The concept is so important that he made it into one of the Ten Commandments. Now, Sunday is just another day to shop, work, or be on the move: not a day for reflection, meditation and prayer.
Wed, 11 May 2011
A century ago, British Olympian Eric Liddell shocked the world by refusing to run on Sunday. The royal family was furious. Eric was made famous in the movie “Chariots of Fire,” holding fast to his conviction that the Lord’s Day was sacred, and not to be used for sport. These days, many of us look forward to Sunday football games. Have we gone off track?
Tue, 10 May 2011
When someone sues you for slander, you might be fined for defaming a good name. But what’s the penalty for slandering God? The commandment to not take His name in vain goes to the core of His nature, and to the heart of respecting Him as Creator. Today: some pointed lessons we can take home from another of the Ten Commandments.
Mon, 09 May 2011
When famous celebrities’ names are dragged into the mud, they sue for slander. They know the value of a good name. But those who worry about their names are often careless in how they use God’s name. Whether by intention or not, the Lord’s name is misused millions of time every day. Still, God holds His name in such high regard that He made a commandment that it not be taken in vain.
Fri, 06 May 2011
Many Olympic stars hope to make names for themselves with their gold medals. A winning name can mean a lot of money. Runners in the race of the Christian life know that God’s name is holy, and is not to be misused by swearing, cursing, or improper oath-taking. Keeping His name set apart was so important to God that He wrote a command about it with His finger on a tablet of stone.
Thu, 05 May 2011
Idol worship: for many in ancient times, it’s carved figures of wood or stone. The modern equivalent: TV images, money, success. Runners in the race of the Christian life need to know that God’s prohibition of graven images was for our own good as well as for His glory. Any image of God becomes an idol, and God is dead-set against idolatry. How serious is this? Stay with us.
Wed, 04 May 2011
God said, “I am the Lord, that is My name. My glory I will not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” No ambiguity there. It’s clear that God will not tolerate the worship of images. But does that mean crosses, crucifixes, or icons? Some people find these objects very meaningful. Do they violate God’s commandment?
Tue, 03 May 2011
We humans like pictures. We all have them in our wallets, on our walls, on our computer screens. But is a picture ever wrong? Runners in the race of life need to understand God’s commands that prohibit images meant to represent Him. People disobey this commandment daily, giving their worship to a vast array of idols, carvings, pictures, and icons. Why is this wrong?
Mon, 02 May 2011
It’s in the nature of man to worship something, even deities made of wood and stone, or, money, technology, and power. But God makes it clear that we humans have a Creator Who will not tolerate any idols, even ourselves. Today: more about why a jealous God’s first commandment requires that nothing replace Him in our allegiance.
Fri, 29 Apr 2011
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” That’s a rule God has laid down for every man, woman, and child on earth. God rightfully demands our full allegiance and focus. “No competition is allowed,” according to the first of the Ten Commandments. Yet people today worship almost anything except the true God who made them, and the result is moral chaos.
Thu, 28 Apr 2011
On the racetrack, competition is everything. You run to beat your opponents, and to break records others have set before you. There’s one area in which God tolerates no competition. He wants to be supreme in our lives, and He made that clear by writing on a tablet of stone the first of the Ten Commandments. It’s commandment number one for a reason.
Wed, 27 Apr 2011
We know the laws of nature don’t change, the speed of light is fixed. But we forget the reality of a moral law just as certain. Running life’s race successfully means following God’s moral laws, as laid out in The Ten Commandments, a code given to Moses that reveals first God’s holiness, and then our need for His grace.
Tue, 26 Apr 2011
According to the law of gravity, when you drop a stone, it falls to the ground. On this earth, that law is immutable. Those who run life’s race know that God’s moral law has the same force. The commandments He gave to Moses define His character, and His expectations of our behavior. Today we will learn that God’s moral law shows us who we really are.
Mon, 25 Apr 2011
Athletes know that fixed principles govern their success. Follow them, and you can win. Ignore them, and you will lose. The great moral code God gave to Moses contains principles governing our relationships with God and with each other. That code shows us who we are, and more importantly, who God is. Today, we begin a series on The Ten Commandments.
Fri, 22 Apr 2011
When Jesus was preparing to raise Lazarus from the grave, He wanted there to be no mistake that Lazarus was indeed dead. That’s why He waited four days before displaying His power and glory in calling Lazarus from the grave. Jesus specializes in giving new life to those dead in their sins and separated from God. Today: why you and I should believe.
Thu, 21 Apr 2011
Jesus used miracles to teach lessons to those around Him. Perhaps His greatest lesson involved a man named Lazarus. First, He allowed His sick friend to die. Then He raised Lazarus from the dead to show that He is indeed “the resurrection and the life.” And without that kind of life, there really is no living at all.
Wed, 20 Apr 2011
Our greatest fear is death. Our greatest pain is when loved ones die. A friend’s death caused Jesus to weep. In a display of power and glory that shook creation, Jesus cried out “Lazarus, come forth!” Today: we’ll see why the risen Christ is the Lord of Death and how He holds the keys of life and death for everyone who has ever lived.
Tue, 19 Apr 2011
One thing we can learn from the healing of a man born blind is that God has a bigger purpose in mind than we can imagine. Jesus used this healing as evidence of a larger mission: to bring spiritual sight to the spiritually blind, and blindness to those who think they can see. Today: the lessons we can take home from a dramatic story of supernatural power.
Mon, 18 Apr 2011
Jesus healed a blind man’s eyes. Many today yearn for healing as well, and turn to faith-healers for deliverance. The healing works of Christ were complete. “Once I was blind, but now I can see.” Can the same be said for the miracles of modern-day televangelists? Today: lessons from the Great Physician on miracles of healing. Please stay with us.
Fri, 15 Apr 2011
People should have rejoiced: a blind man received his sight. Yet this miracle caused more controversy than celebration. The compassion of Christ on a disabled man led to a big squabble among local religious leaders. Today: human nature is on display….rather than uniting them, this great miracle divided people into factions based on their preconceptions. Stay with us.
Thu, 14 Apr 2011
One of the toughest questions we can ask is: why does God allow some people to be born with severe disabilities? Most of us run life’s race with little or no disability. But others have to run that race without sight, without working limbs, or with other impairments. Today: we will hear one reason why this happens, taken from the lips of Jesus Himself.
Wed, 13 Apr 2011
Do severe trials mean you’ve left the will of God? Not always. Jesus sent His disciples onto a storm-tossed sea. God uses storms to mold our character, and our job is to hold on to our faith in Christ no matter what. Sometimes, God leads His people into the tempest to teach them what cannot be taught in comfort. Today: lessons from some wind-whipped water.
Tue, 12 Apr 2011
Sudden squalls often hit the Sea of Galilee. One minute it’s calm: the next, a storm is tossing you out of your boat. Life is like that. One day, all is well. The next a terrible accident, a sudden death, financial catastrophe. Today we learn a few lessons from the one person Who can either calm the storm, or, calm His fretful children.
Mon, 11 Apr 2011
Most of us believe in the unchanging laws of nature: light things float, heavy things sink. But that is not always true. To calm His disciples’ fears, Jesus decided to overrule the usual laws of nature. He walked on water, and later commanded a storm to cease. If you’d been in that boat, what would your reaction have been?
Fri, 08 Apr 2011
The kinds of miracles most of us want are only temporary ones. If we’re healed of cancer, we will still die one day. Jesus fed the 5,000 by the Sea of Galilee to underscore their desperate need of Him as the eternal Bread that can feed their souls. We, too, need to seek Him, and not only His miracles. Our real hunger is to know God, and Jesus delights in meeting that need.
Thu, 07 Apr 2011
Food never tastes as good as it does when you’re really hungry. Jesus knew this when He miraculously fed the 5,000. He later spoke to the crowd about Himself as the Bread of Life, encouraging the spiritually hungry to believe in Him. Today: why we need eternal bread, and where to find it: from the same hands that multiplied the loaves and fishes.
Wed, 06 Apr 2011
As huge crowds began to follow Jesus, He did a great miracle which showed both His power and His compassion. Many books have been written about the feeding of the 5,000 near the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Today: why this miracle should convince everyone that Jesus is Lord.
Tue, 05 Apr 2011
The early miracles of Jesus were private. Later, they became public. One day, over 5,000 were fed from a boy’s lunch. Generally in life there are no free lunches. But this day was different, and the news of this incredible miracle spread like wildfire. Today: the story of multiplied loaves and fishes, and what it means to us.
Mon, 04 Apr 2011
It’s interesting how Jesus tied obedience to receiving a miracle. “Get up and walk!” He told the paralyzed man. In most cases, the miracle happened as the needy person obeyed. Perhaps many of us desire a miracle more than we desire to be obedient to the God who can grant the miracle. Today we learn a few lessons from a healing at the Pool of Bethesda.
Fri, 01 Apr 2011
If you were lame for thirty-eight years, you’d do anything to be healed. But if a man says “get up and walk,” you might just stare. When Jesus did miracles, He sometimes asked the impossible. Today: how Jesus can do the impossible in your life, and mine, and why we have a very real part to play in seeing the impossible come to pass. Stay with us.
Thu, 31 Mar 2011
If you have a great need, and you’ve had it for a long time, you may have given up all hope that your need will ever be met. As runners in life’s race, we may face impossible situations. That is, unless the Lord of the impossible does a miracle. The Bible teaches that all things are possible with God. And today: we’ll see Jesus do the impossible.
Wed, 30 Mar 2011
In times of crisis, we cry out to God….like the man in Jesus’ day who saw his crisis faith become contagious faith. Jesus did many miracles to display His glory and encourage our belief. We too can have contagious faith, faith that takes Christ at His word. Today: lessons we can learn from a long-distance healing 2,000 years ago.
Tue, 29 Mar 2011
Soldiers in war know all about foxhole conversions. That’s crisis faith: you cry out to God when there’s no other choice. The miracles of Jesus teach us to move beyond crisis faith. He wants us to trust Him no matter what. Today: a man whose faith soared: a man who believed what Jesus said without any immediate evidence.
Mon, 28 Mar 2011
Many people who seek miracles today travel to shrines or large public meetings. In Jesus’ day, that wasn’t necessary. His miracles transcended time and space. He spoke, and it was done, whether right in front of Him or fifty miles away. Today: the power and glory of miracles done at a distance.
Fri, 25 Mar 2011
We’ve all heard the expression “good things come to them that wait.” That was never more true than it was at a simple Jewish wedding. When Jesus turned water into wine as the wedding party was nearing its end, he took the least and made it into the best. Today: more about Christ’s first miracle at Cana, one of many proving He was and is the Son of God.
Thu, 24 Mar 2011
It is not every day that water is turned into the finest wine. Word soon spread that Jesus was no ordinary man. Jesus specializes in turning the common into the uncommon: water into wine, and sinners into saints. Today: more about a miracle at a wedding feast in Cana, and why the day of miracles is far from over.
Wed, 23 Mar 2011
It was a small wedding in a small town. When the wine ran out, a typical wedding quickly became very untypical. Jesus emerged as a wedding guest, from anonymity, by performing His first public miracle. That day, gallons of water were turned into the sweetest of wines. Veteran tasters there rated the result: “wow.”
Tue, 22 Mar 2011
People who say they’ve made a decision for Christ may not realize that, in reality, God made a decision first. No human decision can create a new heart in a sinner. The one who bestows new hearts is God, and when He does, the result is nothing less than a miracle. Today: why the new birth is God reaching down, not man reaching up.
Mon, 21 Mar 2011
What do you think is the greatest miracle that has ever taken place? God creating a trillion stars? Or billions of living things? No, as Erwin Lutzer explains it, God’s greatest miracle was in becoming man as expressed in the gospel of John chapter one 1 verse 14. Today: why that miracle reigns supreme.
Fri, 18 Mar 2011
If you showed a cave man a jet plane, he would think he had seen a miracle. Are miracles just something that we can’t yet explain? No, miracles are God’s undeniable interventions in the world, interventions in unexpected ways. In our current series, we’re going to learn the what, the when and the why of miracles.
Thu, 17 Mar 2011
When all your options are gone, when there is no other way, when your back is against the wall, what do you pray for? A miracle. All of us have hoped for one at one time or another. What are miracles? And do we see them today? Erwin Lutzer gives an eye-opening look at the real deal on miracles.
Wed, 16 Mar 2011
To win a major race, runners lose extra weight. They cast off everything that might slow them down on their way to victory. Believers are commanded to love God supremely, and cast off every weight and sin that besets them. Then, they can run life’s race at top speed, knowing that the goal line will bring them face to face with the God they love.
Tue, 15 Mar 2011
First place, the thought of winning a race drives athletes to excel….to give their all to cross the goal line first. Believers are to give God first place in their lives, running life’s race for no other reason than to express their love for Him. In fact, we’re commanded to love God supremely: everything else is to take second place.
Mon, 14 Mar 2011
At the racetrack, a runner is driven by the thought of victory. The race is worth all the effort when the prize awaits at the end. Believers are to run life’s race for Christ, who taught us to love God with all our being as the first and greatest commandment. Now that’s a tall order, one we’ll explore today on our broadcast.
Fri, 11 Mar 2011
When a man or woman is converted to Christ, many deep-seated desires change. We become givers rather than takers and God’s desire is that we see our money as a trust to manage, not a possession to squander. Running life’s race successfully has a financial component: a component we’ll summarize on today’s broadcast.
Thu, 10 Mar 2011
Money. You can’t live without it, and sometimes you can’t live with it. Believers in the race of life need to come to grips with money. And that means discerning God’s intentions for our pocketbooks. Many of us grip those pocketbooks until our knuckles turn white. But God wants us to discover the joy of generosity, and that’s our focus on today’s broadcast.
Wed, 09 Mar 2011
“The love of money is the root of all evil.” Christians running the race of life frequently get tripped up by matters of money. And those issues revolve around ownership. Whose money is it really? Is it mine to do with as I please, or am I just taking care of it for someone else? Christ had much to say about money: words we will hear shortly.
Tue, 08 Mar 2011
Not all of us can win the hundred-meter dash. But all of us can run to the best of our ability. That’s all a coach can expect. For every track star in the Olympics, there are thousands of runners who will never make the team. But that’s no reason to give up. Many believers with few talents approach life with a clenched fist rather than an open hand.
Mon, 07 Mar 2011
Remember high school gym class? Perhaps you never did well in those track events, but the coach kept urging you to do your best. Although we are not equal in abilities, we are equal in our obligation to use our abilities for God wisely. In Bible times, a talent was a large sum of money. Today it signifies an ability. Either way, the parable of the talents shows us how to manage what we’ve got.
Fri, 04 Mar 2011
We’re not all made the same. Some are more talented than others. But all believers run life’s race toward a heavenly goal. We are all given gifts and abilities. But it’s how we use them, not how many we’ve got, that determines the outcome of our race. Rather than complain about what we don’t have, let’s focus today on how to best use what we have been given.
Thu, 03 Mar 2011
At the race track, coaches watch athletes with stopwatches in hand. Because for a runner, time is how victory is measured. The same is true for Christians in life’s race. How we use our time determines our effectiveness for God. At the end of this life, we’ll be judged on our deeds...deeds that took place as the clock ticked off the minutes, days, and years.
Wed, 02 Mar 2011
Track and field athletes get very familiar with the stopwatch. Their training is a regimen to improve their times, until they win. For the Christian, time is a vital, non-renewable resource. Like a coin, it can only be spent once. How we spend it requires wisdom from God. Why not invest the next fifteen minutes learning how to best use your time?
Tue, 01 Mar 2011
In a race, no time can be wasted. Runners pace themselves, knowing that winners only win by a fraction of a second. For Christians running the race of life, the clock is also relentless. Once gone, time cannot be reclaimed. The Bible teaches believers to be “redeeming the time, for the days are evil.” Time must be used wisely every day.
Mon, 28 Feb 2011
At the end of all things is a man on a white horse. It’s said he is faithful and true; with justice he judges. Jesus is the one on that white horse. When the last chapter of planet earth is written, it will be about Him. Today we learn of the end of all things, and the beginning of all things new. Today: the end of the Drama of Redemption and the beginning of eternity.
Fri, 25 Feb 2011
All great dramas build toward a conclusion. The drama of redemption began in Eden and ends with new heavens and a new earth. All the plot elements are wrapped up in a glorious resolution: the enemies of Christ are vanquished, the rebellious are judged, and the redeemed find themselves on streets of gold in the New Jerusalem. Today: we are nearing the finale to the grand plan God set in motion before the world began.
Thu, 24 Feb 2011
The book of Revelation uses apocalyptic language, vivid metaphors about things normal language can’t express. Until we enter eternity, this book is our best hope of grasping the wonders of what lies ahead. It completes both the New Testament and is the closing act of God’s great Drama of Redemption. Today: join us for more of our look into the future at the climax of history.
Wed, 23 Feb 2011
There is one book in the Bible that guarantees a blessing to all who read it. It’s the very last book: the Book of Revelation. Written in apocalyptic language rich in symbolism, Revelation portrays the future yet to be, including the glorious return of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead, the judgments, the Millenial reign, and then, the eternity which follows.
Tue, 22 Feb 2011
After Israel’s last prophet faded from the scene, it got real quiet for 400 years in terms of direct revelation. Some at the time might have asked if God intended to carry out His redemptive plan. But the timing was impeccable, as a young baby was born, ushering in a new age of spiritual revelation. That new age brought us a New Testament, the book we are flying through right now.
Mon, 21 Feb 2011
If the drama of redemption were a play, it would have two acts, set in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The central theme - the bringing together of God and man through a sacrifice atoning for the sins that separated the two. In the Old Testament, that was done using animals at the Temple in Jerusalem. The New Testament reveals the real sacrifice that takes away sin.
Fri, 18 Feb 2011
In the drama of redemption, the Old Testament is a grand prologue. In the New Testament, the great transaction takes place. A sacrifice for the sins of all mankind is offered on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem. Jesus gives his life not far from where Abraham almost offered his son Isaac. No playwright could dream of a story so bold, so loving, and so wonderful.
Thu, 17 Feb 2011
Behind all the history we read about in the Bible lies the purpose of God: to provide redemption for those that believe. The nation Israel had one reason for being: to bring forth a Messiah who would first die as a sacrifice for sin, and later be raised to return one day as king over all the earth. He will rule from Jerusalem, site of the temple sacrifices that pointed to His ultimate sacrifice.
Wed, 16 Feb 2011
Times of blessing, times of disobedience, times of judgment; Israel went through many such cyles in its long history. After seventy years of captivity, the people were allowed to return home. And that’s where we’ll pick up the story in today’s edition of The Drama of Redemption: the unfolding saga of how God made salvation possible through a people, a Messiah, and a great sacrifice.
Tue, 15 Feb 2011
It is the kind of stuff that fascinates us when we watch The History Channel. It is the story of the nation of Israel. The Old Testament is many things: prophecy, history, law, and wisdom literature such as Psalms and Proverbs. Today we’re continuing our jet-plane flyover of the Old Testament, and we’ll focus on the time period when Israel was taken into capitivity: its temple destroyed.
Mon, 14 Feb 2011
Nations rise and fall over high taxes. Ancient Israel split in two when Solomon’s son Rehoboam jacked up the rates. Ten tribes revolted and Jeroboam became their king, ruling in the north. In the south, two tribes formed a separate kingdom of Judah. What all this means in the great Drama of Redemption is our focus on today’s fast-moving edition of Running to Win.
Fri, 11 Feb 2011
When people pick up the Bible for the first time, it can be a daunting experience. The big question is: "where do I begin?” If you want a big-picture view of the whole Bible, you’ve come to the right place. We’re exploring The Drama of Redemption, giving a quick overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today: more of the Old Testament will fly past us, so listen closely.
Thu, 10 Feb 2011
Theologians like big words, like “proto-evangelium,” which means “first gospel,” found in Genesis 3:15. Redemption did not begin when Jesus appeared on earth. God’s gracious plan of salvation is evident even in the Garden of Eden. This famous verse depicts a promised redeemer who would one day crush Satan’s head. Today: more of the Drama of Redemption.
Wed, 09 Feb 2011
Imagine the earth as a grand stage. Here, a great drama is continually being played out. But this play is for real. The sins of mankind separated us from our Creator. But God was not content to let his finest creation die with no hope. He set in motion a plan to redeem those that believe in the value of a great sacrifice: that of Jesus on the cross.
Tue, 08 Feb 2011
We can still enjoy July 4th, but for many Christians, the liberties we celebrate are now being sharply curtailed. Under pressure from agenda-driven groups, what was once free speech is now a federal crime. In the public schools, tax money is used to indoctrinate our kids in the homosexual lifestyle. Is there a time to stand up and say “no?” Erwin Lutzer says “yes.”
Mon, 07 Feb 2011
Someone has said that nothing is certain except death and taxes. Throughout all of history, governments have been taking your money. In Jesus’ day, tax collectors were despised. After all, they took Jewish cash and gave it to the hated Roman occupiers. The wisdom of Jesus was never more clear than when he answered the question of who owes what to whom.
Fri, 04 Feb 2011
For a long time, Christians could comfortably wave the American flag, since their values were represented in “Old Glory….” Now the government is repressing the freedoms Christians once had, favoring the agendas of those desiring same–sex marriage and unrestricted abortion. When the red, white and blue no longer blends with the cross of Christ, what do believers do?
Thu, 03 Feb 2011
When cars collide, the tangled wreckage can soon be cleared. But when people collide, the wreckage can be life-long. The story of mankind is a saga of conflict, and only a supernatural intervention of God can heal the wounds we inflict on each other. Today, Erwin Lutzer tells how one man resolved a lifetime of hatred within his own family.
Wed, 02 Feb 2011
Like snowflakes, no two people are alike. Our differences bring great variety, but they can also plant seeds of conflict. Each of us is wired from birth to put self first. Only the spirit of God can smooth the rough edges and help us extend ourselves in blessing to others. Today, Erwin Lutzer tells the story of a cab driver with a horrid past, a man who needed a friend.
Wed, 01 Feb 2011
As someone once said, “The church is wonderful….I love the church...itrsquo;s the people in the church that I just can’t stand” Well, we are not in the Garden of Eden anymore. Frictions can occur even between believers, as disagreements and personal agendas rise to the surface. Today, Erwin Lutzer exposes a not-so-secret secret: Christians do not always get along.
Mon, 31 Jan 2011
It’s like going to an ice cream shop. If you’re looking for what church to attend, there are lots of flavors available. LiteralIy hundreds of denominations and internal sub-denominations reflect often contradictory versions of the Christian faith. Today, Erwin Lutzer helps us sort through the complexity and key in on what really matters when selecting a local assembly of believers to join.
Fri, 28 Jan 2011
It’s like going to an ice cream shop. If you’re looking for what church to attend, there are lots of flavors available. LiteralIy hundreds of denominations and internal sub-denominations reflect often contradictory versions of the Christian faith. Today, Erwin Lutzer helps us sort through the complexity and key in on what really matters when selecting a local assembly of believers to join.
Thu, 27 Jan 2011
Some critics of Christianity look at its thousands of denominations and splinter groups that call themselves Christian and they wonder “where is the unity is that Jesus talked about.” There’s no doubt that opinions and Bible interpretations vary widely. So how should a believer handle the fact that the faith is represented in so many different ways?
Wed, 26 Jan 2011
Persecution of Christians is on the way up in America, giving today’s believers a taste of what the early church had to face. The word of God gives clear direction on how Christians should to respond to an antagonistic culture. It also tells us how not to respond. Today, Erwin Lutzer summarizes how to live in a godly way in an increasingly godless society.
Tue, 25 Jan 2011
There’s no doubt: Christians are under attack. The media and current culture combine to belittle those with faith in Jesus. So how should genuine believers react? Nowadays it seems easier to keep a low profile, go quietly to church, and not make a fuss. But this is hardly obeying the Great Commission. Today: another look at the conflicts inherent in being a child of God these days.
Mon, 24 Jan 2011
Many Americans wonder why our troops are dying in Afghanistan. They say there’s nothing over there worth dying for. There was a time when there were things worth dying for, times like the middle ages, when corrupt religion was confronted by true believers who often paid with their lives. Conflict is inevitable, as much as we would like to “just get along,” there come times when we cannot.
Fri, 21 Jan 2011
America has been called a melting pot of cultures and races, for sure, and these days, it’s a melting pot for religions. Trouble is, varying religions don’t melt together very well. Despite America’s Judeo-Christian roots, it’s now necessary to censor the Ten Commandments even when they hang over courtroom benches. Today: a story of conflict, and how to handle it.
Thu, 20 Jan 2011
The hymnwriter penned these words: “let your heart be broken for a world in need.” Friend, is your heart broken? Jonah preached in Ninevah only after God had to literally drag him there. Was his heart ever broken by that which breaks the heart of God? Today: final lessons we can take home from the story of a disobedient prophet.
Wed, 19 Jan 2011
Creature comforts: we all love them. If it’s hot outside, we crank up the air conditioner. If it’s cold, we turn up the heat. Some people feel that their well-being is a constitutional right. They feel we deserve all the best life can provide. Jonah’s experience with a shady plant in the desert teaches us this: there are more important things than how we feel. Today: let’s get our priorities straight.
Tue, 18 Jan 2011
One lesson we learn from the story of Jonah is that God is as concerned with our motivations as He is with our actions. After Jonah preached, he got angry and depressed. Then God sent a sequence of events into Jonah’s life to teach his wayward prophet some pointed object lessons. Today: the story of a plant, a worm, and a scorching east wind.
Mon, 17 Jan 2011
When someone you know is having a pity party, it’s no fun. It’s usually not a party anybody really wants to attend. Jonah finally obeyed God, but took no joy in the revival that followed his preaching in Ninevah. His self-focus prevented him from seeing the big picture. Instead, he sat down, asking God that he might die. Pity party indeed!
Fri, 14 Jan 2011
Some of God’s servants have to go to school: and that’s the school of hard knocks before they learn to obey God from the heart. And some never learn. Jonah went to Ninevah, but only after some tough correction from the Lord. Still, his heart was hard; he had no real concern for the people of a great pagan city. So, are we serving God for the right reasons?
Thu, 13 Jan 2011
Many of us have dogs who won’t do what they’re told. Only when put on a leash will they go where we want them to go. But then the dog puts out his paws and puts on the brakes, trying to avoid the inevitable until we pull hard enough to get the point across. Jonah finally preached to the Ninevites, but only through clenched teeth. Do we ever fight God this way?
Wed, 12 Jan 2011
Everybody has an agenda these days, especially politicians. “Looking out for number one:” hey, that’s a national pastime. God wants His servants focused on God’s agenda, and not their own. It’s taken some extraordinary measures to get Jonah back on the road to Ninevah, but now he’s going, in body if not in heart. Today: Jonah’s lessons continue, as do ours.
Tue, 11 Jan 2011
When things are going well, people have little sense of a need for God. It’s the tough times that show us our true condition. Sometimes, circumstances overwhelm us, forcing us to turn to God for a way out. Jonah was certainly overwhelmed in the belly of a great fish. For Jonah, that experience truly marked his “Death to Self-Reliance.” Perhaps the same result lies ahead for you and me.
Mon, 10 Jan 2011
Have circumstances ever brought you to the end of your rope? They did for Jonah, who found himself in the belly of a fish. God has amazing ways of getting us to say yes. He does not make us puppets; rather, He arranges conditions so that we will choose to do His will. Sometimes those conditions can be tough, and they stay that way until we submit to God’s authority.
Fri, 07 Jan 2011
It’s common to hear people explain the gospel as if being saved is a decision a sinner can make whenever he or she chooses. But the story of Jonah provides clear evidence that God is the one making the choices. God appointed a fish to swallow the prophet…later, He appointed a scorching east wind. Today: let’s find out who’s really in charge, and whose purposes cannot be thwarted.
Jan 6, 2011
When
God wants to get the attention of one of His servants who's not
listening, He has numerous creative options available. In the case of
Jonah, God took extreme measures. The belly of a great fis...
Jan 5, 2011
For
some, finding God's will is the illusive dream. Never sure of what that
will is, they end up doing their own thing. On the other hand, Jonah
knew with precision what God's will was. And yet he ...
Jan 4, 2011
Running
away from the will of God is not a good idea. The problem is: God knows
where you're going even before you do. Jonah was determined to avoid
doing a distasteful job: preaching to a pagan ci...
Jan 3, 2011
"That
guy? He's as stubborn as a mule." That's how we describe a man who
won't listen to reason, no matter what we say or do. God has many ways
of getting us to say yes, even when we're digging in ...
Dec 31, 2010
Your
church needs you...it needs you out on life's racetrack, running
alongside the other members to get the job done together. The challenge
for the new year is "get involved." That's what Esther di...
Dec 30, 2010
Most
of our choices don't affect world history. But sometimes God puts us in
situations where they can, and do. To save her people from extinction,
Esther faced possible execution to beg the king o...
Dec 29, 2010
At
year-end, we're all conscious of the passing of time. We wish we had
more, but the sand keeps running through the hourglass. At crucial
times, great leaders arise, often from common roots. They ...
Dec 28, 2010
The
week after Christmas: another dash to the mall exchanging gifts for
better gifts. But there were no malls in Bethlehem long ago; no lights,
no friends. Indeed, Christmas had a humble beginning....
Dec 27, 2010
December
25 was not Jesus' actual birthday, but it's the date set aside long ago
for us to honor that birth. For Mary His mother, that birth began a
long period of pain and sorrow, a personal toll ...
Dec 24, 2010
Tomorrow
we celebrate the central event in human history...the coming of Jesus
Christ to live among us. But while Christians can now enjoy the
benefits of the Savior's birth, life, death and resurr...
Dec 23, 2010
We
can be so deep in bondage to sin that we don't even realize it.
That's why we need the truth to set us free. Jesus not only knows the
truth, He is the truth, and He wants to set you free from b...
Dec 22, 2010
Real
freedom is not doing whatever you want, whenever you want. Rather, it's
doing the will of God. That's freedom without regrets. To run life's
race, we need to know where we're going, and Jesus ...
Dec 21, 2010
When
Jesus said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you
free," He made possible the ultimate kind of freedom. All real freedom
has its roots in truth, and Christ said "I am the trut...
Dec 20, 2010
The
prophet Isaiah wrote, "The Lord has anointed me to preach good news to
the poor...to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim freedom for the
captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners." ...
Dec 17, 2010
At
Christmas, we recall the light shining over Bethlehem, and the birth of
the One who brings light into our lives. The prophet Isaiah wrote
"arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of...
Dec 16, 2010
The
skies over Bethlehem had never before radiated this much glory.
Massed angels brought the light of the noonday sun. As shepherds
cowered in fear, the angels announced the light of the world. T...
Dec 15, 2010
Parents
love their children. Pastors love their congregations. But God loved
all mankind enough to send a great gift. As we run the last mile of the
Christmas race, let's not forget the gift of God...
Dec 14, 2010
We
expend a lot of energy buying Christmas presents...with traffic and
parking hassles, and braving those big shopping crowds, all for the joy
of seeing a loved one open a gift. God wants us to ope...
Dec 13, 2010
Just
twelve days; only twelve days left to cruise the malls in hope of
finding something for that special someone. As your race to the stores
nears the goal line, let's pause to consider the great ...
Dec 10, 2010
If
you're a Christian, do you share your faith? We who have eternal life
often forget the emptiness in those who don't. Christmas is the ideal
time to slow down life's race long enough to share Chr...
Dec 9, 2010
Will
the real Jesus please stand up? Many people are confused at Christmas
as to who Jesus really was, and really is. The real Jesus gives eternal
life, and only a spiritual connection with Him can...
Dec 8, 2010
Christmas
fits right in with a "gimme" lifestyle: you know, "gimme this, gimme
that." Kids like lights, but they love gifts. Fortunately, God is a
gift-giver. As James says, He "gives to all libera...
Dec 7, 2010
A
bad choice can ruin your life, or the life of someone else. If that
happens, you may ask yourself: am I out of options? The Apostle Paul
did some terrible things before his Damascus Road experien...
Dec 6, 2010
When
our bad choices result in harm to others, it may be only later that we
realize what we've done. Then, what do we do? The Apostle Paul had
persecuted the new church with zeal. He watched with g...
Dec 3, 2010
Sometimes
our bad choices only affect us personally. But more often, they impact
the lives of those around us. Bad decisions bring with them bad
consequences, often in the lives of those close to u...
Dec 2, 2010
The
Bible warns us to guard our hearts, lest we turn away from the counsel
of God. It's very easy to rely on our own instincts. King Asa was
faithful to God, except at the end of his life. Sadly, h...
Dec 1, 2010
Jeremiah
wrote, "The heart is deceitful above all things. Who can understand
it?" Yes, why fail at the finish line? At the end, King Asa's long
faithfulness to God crumbled. He chose to bribe a nea...
Nov 30, 2010
"....what
a tangled web we weave when first we purpose to deceive...." Many people
fear their secrets will one day be revealed. The webs we weave through
deception entangle us with unintended consequen...
Nov 29, 2010
God
has many ways to persuade us to do what He wants done. For the
prophet Jonah, it involved his environment. Jonah ran from God's
command to preach in Ninevah. But he could not outrun the long
re...
Nov 26, 2010
When
we come to a fork in the road, we have two choices. If we choose the
wrong fork, we have to face the consequences. That's what happened to
Jonah, told by God to preach to people he did not lik...
Nov 25, 2010
Obligations...we
all have them. Some are like millstones around our necks, and we'd
do anything to be free of the pressure. Today: a story of an obligation
God gave to a prophet, and his amazing jour...
Nov 24, 2010
Choices
made in a moment can have repercussions that last for
generations. That's what happened to Israel's King David. He made
an impulsive choice regarding Bathsheba, and a pregnancy
resulted. Th...
Nov 23, 2010
Collateral
damage: that's a military euphemism used to describe unintended
civilian casualties of war. King David committed adultery with the wife
of one of his military officers. To hide her pregn...
Nov 22, 2010
The
flames of sexual desire can be fanned in an instant. If we're not
on our guard, any of us can make the mistake of a lifetime. A mistake
in the moral area has long term consequences. King David ...
Nov 19, 2010
When
you find out that you've been duped by someone, and made a promise to
them you should never have made, what do you do? Israel was deceived by
the Gibeonites, and vowed to not destroy them. The...
Nov 18, 2010
"...shame
on you, if you fool me once, shame on me if you fool me twice,
should've known better but I didn't, and I can't go back...." That's the
songwriter's take on broken vows. What to do when you'...
Nov 17, 2010
As
far as God is concerned, making a vow is serious
business. He expects us to keep our promises. In the Old
Testament, Joshua made a foolish vow that had what we call today
"national security imp...
Nov 16, 2010
Here's
a question: are you a person of integrity? And that means: can
people count on you to do what you say you're going to do? Failing to
keep promises marks any of us as deficient in character. ...
Nov 15, 2010
The
results of bad choices can last a lifetime, or even longer. Our
offspring might bear the burden of our bad decisions. Israel was
severely judged for their unbelief at Kadesh in the desert. All ...
Nov 12, 2010
When
you make a bad choice, often you must live with the
consequences. But even then, you need not lose all hope. The
Israelites chose to not believe the report of spies sent to check out
the land....
Nov 11, 2010
Why
do we make poor choices? There are many reasons. Sometimes we
sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate. Whatever the
reason, all of us make some bad decisions. The challenge then i...
Nov 10, 2010
When
you hear the word "Eden," you think of an idyllic paradise with no
worries: the ideal place to live a carefree life. But the real Eden
didn't stand a chance. When Adam and Eve sinned, paradise...
Nov 9, 2010
In
a perfect place, two people made a decision that would bring calamity
to billions of people yet to be born. Adam and Eve had no excuse. Their
sin brought immediate judgment, but it also brought ...
Nov 8, 2010
Being
deceived: believing what isn't true, or, believing in what agrees with
your desires, despite the facts. The first woman was deceived by the
devil, and the first man followed suit. We humans h...
Nov 5, 2010
Hindsight
is 20-20. Anyone can see the results of a choice after it's
made. It's tougher to predict the future. What do you do when
you've made a bad call, and have to live with it? The Bible has
m...
Nov 4, 2010
Most
people enjoy the internet, especially those who filter out immoral
websites. But a danger lies behind that screen. It's all too easy
to get lost in the web's infinite links, and forget that ou...
Nov 3, 2010
As
individuals, we can't change the whole world. But we can change
ourselves, and our kids, and thereby make a difference. The family is
on life support these days, and it's up to us as Christians ...
Nov 2, 2010
Like
paper boats on a raging sea, many Christians feel swept along by the
rising tide of filth in a decaying culture. As sexual predators seek to
devour your kids, you need resources to defend thos...
Nov 1, 2010
Christian
parents face a daily and deadly war: the culture they live in
wants to destroy the morality of their children. A solid defense
against the liberal social agenda begins with some definite ...
Oct 29, 2010
It
is no longer a "Leave It to Beaver" world. Today's TV families often
have destructive lifestyles endorsed by the culture. It is high time
for parents to take action, and the action begins at hom...
Oct 28, 2010
There
is a costly war in Afghanistan. But there is a bigger war going on
in our culture, with many more casualties. There are forces active
today that want to destroy your kids and redefine marriag...
Oct 27, 2010
Like
water to a thirsty man, the grace of God can flow like a river to heal
families torn by strife and bitterness. If your family is in trouble,
it's not too late to cleanse the wounds, and let he...
Oct 26, 2010
Bitterness
can last a long time. Once begun, it can infect others, causing
generations to hate future generations. King David let bad situations
fester in his family until the poison burst out in c...
Oct 25, 2010
"Do
as I say, not as I do." Some parents try valiantly to raise their
kids to behave better than they do. Good luck. Families are
systems. Like chains, they break at the weakest link. And
when that...
Oct 22, 2010
As
the wise proverb tells us, "Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Israel's King David
was a great leader, a noted military commander, a "man ...
Oct 21, 2010
Like
facing the mess after a hurricane, the road for a child recovering from
abuse within a family is a daunting task. Help is vital and is coming
your way on today's broadcast. Too many families a...
Oct 20, 2010
The
depth of sin to which people can sink is beyond fathoming. Sexual
abuse in a religious home? Yes: it happens. The family is in
trouble. Both external influences and our internal bent toward
sin...
Oct 19, 2010
Why
would a man ever abuse his own wife? How could someone knowingly
and intentionally scar a son or daughter for life? The root causes can
be complex, as can be the ways the abuser goes about carr...
Oct 18, 2010
There's
a cancer eating away at all too many families, something kept carefully
hidden to avoid shame and public disgrace. To an alarming degree, abuse
in all its forms: sexual, psychological, and ...
Oct 15, 2010
Some
of us had bad fathers. But unless we are reconciled with them, we
won't be able to stop the cycle of family breakdown. When it comes to
family life, the Bible shows us both the good and the ba...
Oct 14, 2010
It
is a jungle out there, and it is getting worse. Between the
wasteland of TV and decaying morality, our kids are in more danger than
ever. Ancient fortresses had walls, gates, and guards. It is h...
Oct 13, 2010
There
is one nut that is very tough to crack: the sullen attitude of a
rebellious child. It is dad who is the key to cracking it. Much of the
anguish in today's families can be traced to fractured ...
Oct 12, 2010
There
is one man whose imprint on our lives can never be erased. Even
from the grave we feel the impact of our fathers. We all know that
fathers are normally the family breadwinners. But in the Bib...
Oct 11, 2010
In
the media, Super-Mom is usually a mother run ragged dragging her kids
to activities seven days a week. But the real "super-mom" is a woman
who draws strength from the Lord, and lives a life of f...
Oct 8, 2010
Go
to a supermarket and check out the magazine counter. There you
will see the qualities the world thinks makes the perfect woman. They
have perfect hair, perfect complexions, and probably, several...
Oct 7, 2010
While
our culture urges women to break through the glass ceiling, only women
can bear children, and thus preserve our future. That's why motherhood
is so key to a nation's survival. The Bible exalt...
Oct 6, 2010
Despite
counseling services, divorce marks the end of half of American
marriages, leaving incalculable damage. When the family unit breaks
down, culture itself breaks down. Single-parent homes face...
Oct 5, 2010
Adam
and Eve had it made back in the Garden of Eden. But they tossed
paradise aside when they disobeyed God. Many marriages begin happily,
but quickly descend into conflict as husband and wife disp...
Oct 4, 2010
Endangered
species: some activists get very concerned about the fate of the snail
darter or perhaps the spotted owl. But the real endangered species is
the family. Fractured, broken, stressed, dysf...
Oct 1, 2010
It
is one thing to have strong faith in God when the sun is shining and
all is well with the world. It is quite another when storms come.
Storms teach lessons that calm seas can never teach. A boat...
Sep 30, 2010
Landlubbers
will never know the terror that being caught in a storm at sea can
create. The deep is about to become your grave. Paul was on a ship
taking him to Rome. Being sure he would get there, ...
Sep 29, 2010
Mature
Christians know God's will is not a flower-strewn pathway. Often,
storms arise that threaten to throw us off-course. Paul was determined
to go to Rome, knowing it would be a one-way trip. He...
Sep 28, 2010
When
the Holy Spirit knocks at the heart's door, some people
believe. Others reject outright. Still others procrastinate.
Governor Felix had put Paul off until what he called "a more convenient
tim...
Sep 27, 2010
One
never knows what a day may bring forth. Locked up for two years,
Paul suddenly faces a Roman King. What would he say? He was on his
way to Rome, knowing he faced almost certain death there. But...
Sep 24, 2010
Paul
knew the end game: almost certain death in Rome. But not before he
brought the gospel to as many people as possible. The gospel is making
its way into the culture of Rome as prisoner Paul is b...
Sep 23, 2010
What
do you do with a political football like Paul? Various Roman
leaders punted his case back and forth for two years. Accused of
sedition, the Jews wanted him dead. Paul had appealed to Caesar,
a...
Sep 22, 2010
Many
people can't bear to face who they really are. For them, being
convicted of sin is an offense, and must be avoided. The Apostle Paul
was taken from a Caesarea prison cell and brought before th...
Sep 21, 2010
Felix
was a Roman governor in Caesarea, Rome's headquarters in what is now
Israel. His job today? Facing Paul. The Apostle Paul ended up being
more than just a criminal defendant. Felix and his wif...
Sep 20, 2010
Divine
appointments: those times when God arranges for people to hear the
gospel and gives them a chance to respond. Felix was a Roman governor
whose home base was Caesarea, a city on the Mediterra...
Sep 17, 2010
Caesarea
lies along the northern shore of Israel facing the Mediterranean. This
was the site of a famous confrontation. Paul the Apostle had appealed
to Caesar in his conflict with Jewish authorit...
Sep 16, 2010
It
takes passion to win a major race. An athlete trains, sheds
unneeded weight, and prepares to face his challengers. Taking the gospel
to a resistant culture is no different. Without a passion for...
Sep 15, 2010
The
gospel brings liberty to a culture that has long been bound in
tradition. This new liberty is sometimes a problem. Jewish customs
were a big deal in Jerusalem, and some new believers there insi...
Sep 14, 2010
What's
your passion? For some, it is making money. For others, it is
their art. For Paul, it was the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle
Paul rejected the counsel of his peers and went back to Jeru...
Sep 13, 2010
Some
feel that anything goes when it comes to attracting people to attend
church. Is this what Jesus would like? Jesus dictated seven
evaluations of churches now lost to history, all located in wha...
Sep 10, 2010
Jesus
said, "I am the light of the world." Indeed, wherever the gospel
has gone, light has burst forth into the culture. But sometimes the
light is extinguished. Recently, Erwin Lutzer toured the s...
Sep 9, 2010
The
locals had a good thing going, a famous pagan temple, and a good
business making souvenir idols for visitors. Ephesus had silversmiths
who sold shrines to the goddess Artemis. When Paul showed ...
Sep 8, 2010
The
last book of the New Testament is Revelation. Early in this book, Jesus
dictates letters to seven local churches. One of them was in Ephesus, a
city of ruins in modern-day Turkey. Paul brought ...
Sep 7, 2010
Christianity
is strongest when it is persecuted. If you believe Jesus is worth dying
for, your faith will withstand the test. But when oppression comes,
local churches can be vanquished. Many churc...
Sep 6, 2010
Often
a great way to present the gospel is to just live it out before your
co-workers. That is what Paul did. While living in Corinth, he
plied his trade of tentmaking, and taught in the local syna...
Sep 3, 2010
Imagine
you are a missionary, and you have been sent to a city where the gospel
has never been heard. How would you begin? One thing is clear: a
wishy-washy message would not get you far. What you ...
Sep 2, 2010
If
you want to visit a place where the Apostle Paul was known to have
preached, go to Greece and visit modern-day Corinth. Ask for directions
to the ancient original city, and you will find an amaz...
Sep 1, 2010
The
gospel began in Israel, but quickly spread as the Apostles fanned out
with their Master's message of redemption. Paul became the Apostle to
the Gentiles, and moved aggressively to cities in Gre...
Aug 31, 2010
When
we witness to people about Jesus, how do we relate to them? Paul taught
us how to do it in Acts chapter 17. The Apostle quickly found out where
they were coming from, and focused his message o...
Aug 30, 2010
The
Hill of Ares in Athens is a mound of granite facing the famous
Acropolis with its temples to pagan gods. At this hill, Paul the Apostle
presented the gospel with power to a group of philosopher...
Aug 27, 2010
Acts
16:31 is a well-known verse in which Paul answers a jailer's question:
"How can I be saved?" "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be
saved, you and your household." Some see in this ...
Aug 26, 2010
Jailers
know that locks usually stay locked. But when Paul and Silas were
sprung from prison, one jailer learned otherwise. The explosive power of
the gospel was beginning to be felt in the world o...
Aug 25, 2010
The
Apostle Paul received a vision calling him to preach in Macedonia, and
immediately he set out to obey that vision. With him were Silas and
Timothy, and their first stop was at Philippi. The pow...
Aug 24, 2010
Sometimes
we think the gospel is a matter of persuading people to consider
Christ. Today, we'll find it's much more. The Bible calls the gospel
"the power of God." That word "power" in Greek is the...
Aug 23, 2010
There's
more to life than grabbing all the gusto you can. When he obeyed God,
the Apostle Paul found himself in prison. For believers on the racetrack
of life, there is no guarantee of a bed of eas...
Aug 20, 2010
Being
a winning athlete means getting knocked around a lot. Most sports take
quite a physical toll on those who strive for victory. It's no different
in the race of life. It's only through some har...
Aug 19, 2010
Many
American Christians want what everybody else wants, success and
security. Few want to take a towel to wash someone's feet. Being a
servant goes against our grain. But, in God's eyes, it's the ...
Aug 18, 2010
Facing
a delicious turkey dinner, the last thing you'd think about is fasting.
But there are times when fasting is what we must do. Sometimes we find
ourselves in spiritual warfare, and only throug...
Aug 17, 2010
There
are times to feast, holiday times, times of celebration. But in the
plan of God, there are also times to fast. Some of the tough laps in
life's race require the spiritual discipline of fastin...
Aug 16, 2010
Many
of us don't think twice about grabbing a Big Mac, large fries and a
Coke at lunchtime. After all, when hungry, eat! But in God's rules for
the race of life, there are times to bypass the Golde...
Aug 13, 2010
Old,
cranky Ebenezer Scrooge is literature's ultimate miser. But from God's
perspective, how many of us are any better? The love of money can ruin
our race of life. Knowing how to be generous frees...
Aug 12, 2010
For
some in America, it's totally acceptable to pursue money. Sports and
media figures exemplify the accumulation of material wealth. But money
can weigh us down in the race of life. Worse, it can ...
Aug 11, 2010
Money.....a
sensitive subject for those believers who've adopted the world's ethic
that accumulating wealth is an end in itself. In the race of life, God
wants us to discipline ourselves in many wa...
Aug 10, 2010
You
can tell where a Christian's values lie by examining his or her giving.
One hallmark of a true believer is generosity. It's a touchy subject,
but we're not afraid to hit the nail on the head as...
Aug 9, 2010
As
a military man, Joshua knew how to wage war. But as a man of God, he
needed quiet time to gain strength for the battle. For Joshua, and for
us, meditation in the word of God builds faith. Medita...
Aug 6, 2010
At
times during the race of life, the winds of change swirl, almost
blowing us off the track. We need stability. Meditation in the word of
God provides that still point in a turning world. Today we...
Aug 5, 2010
Mention
"meditation" to some and they envision an Eastern mystic sitting in a
lotus position. But real meditation is far different. Running the race
of life requires inner strength, strength forged...
Aug 4, 2010
A
lazy athlete is a losing athlete. Only disciplined athletes win. The
same is true for any of us running the race of life. The disciplines
that bring us victory include the discipline of worship: ...
Aug 3, 2010
A
woman sat near an ancient well, face to face with Jesus. Their
discussion turned from physical water to spiritual water, and her
journey in the race of life was changed forever as she learned the...
Aug 2, 2010
The
winning athlete is invariably the one who understands discipline,
taking the right steps to insure victory. Just as it takes discipline to
win at the track, you can be sure it takes discipline ...
Jul 30, 2010
When
you give to support your local church, do you wish you could attach
strings to your dollars, and control where they go? Some would rather
give to high visibility ministries than to help provid...
Jul 29, 2010
Do
you enjoy every chance to put something in the offering plate at
church? Some people find offering time troubling. They may give, but
only grudgingly, or, to not appear cheap in the eyes of ot...
Jul 28, 2010
Some
laws are built into the fabric of creation. One is the law of sowing
and reaping, well known to all who plant crops. Sow sparingly, and that
is all you will reap. Sow generously, and you will ...
Jul 27, 2010
How
we handle money says an awful lot about who we are. Some of us hoard
it, others gladly invest it in God's work. Sure, the economy may be
down. But God is still faithful, and He will honor our c...
Jul 26, 2010
Many
point to high-risk investments gone sour that led to the severe
downturn in the US and even global economies. Our becoming shrewd
managers of money was the point of a parable of Jesus in Luke ...
Jul 23, 2010
Egypt
buried its Pharaohs with incredible wealth. It was assumed that they'd
need it in the life to come. Are we like this? Some people hold on to
their money until their knuckles turn white. It's ...
Jul 22, 2010
It's
just common sense: no one takes a risk in the stock market unless they
think the risk is worth the potential gain. Even in times of downturn,
the principle of return on investment, or ROI, rem...
Jul 21, 2010
Interest
rates are time-dependent. The longer your money earns interest, the
more it compounds. The widow who put two mites in the temple treasury
could not imagine the ultimate sum her gift would ...
Jul 20, 2010
"What
difference would my dime make, when those around me are tossing in
twenty dollar bills?" Ever feel this way at offering time? Rich givers
are vital in getting major kingdom projects paid for...
Jul 19, 2010
The
right to privacy is held dear by many people, especially people who
want their financial dealings kept secret.But there is no privacy from
the eyes of God. He knows our needs, and, our resource...
Jul 16, 2010
When
fundraising time rolls around at your church, attention often goes to
those who can give large sums toward a project. But God's attention may
well go to that person who only has five dollars t...
Jul 15, 2010
Some
Christians are blessed with amazing financial resources. What they may
not realize is why God allowed them to have so much. When Egypt let
Israel go, they loaded them up with all they needed....
Jul 14, 2010
Why
do you give to your church or to other ministries? Let's not make the
mistake of thinking that they are the recipients of your money. While
the check may pass through their books, the real re...
Jul 13, 2010
The
local church is a great resource in times of economic hardship. Here
you can network with others, and help meet needs. Also, it's here that
we can learn the lessons God wants to teach us about ...
Jul 12, 2010
How
is the economy? In one sense, the economy is very personal. It's what
you have versus what you need, or think you need. In a period of
recession, money is on everyone's mind. Job losses are mou...
Jul 9, 2010
Is
your son or daughter addicted to the internet? He or she may be the
unwitting victim of those who seek to ensnare your kids. Chat groups and
other web sites lure teens into dangerous relationshi...
Jul 8, 2010
It's
not in the news or in the mainstream media, but there is a battle going
on that demands our full attention, and full commitment. Your teenagers
are in the crosshairs as powerful forces seek th...
Jul 7, 2010
Independence
Day reminds us that America won its freedom. But some in America today
are still locked in chains. America's youth are being targeted by
powerful forces bent on their destruction throu...
Jul 6, 2010
On
a national election day, character takes first place in the minds of
many voters as they choose who will serve in Congress. However, promises
made are promises easily broken, since a politician'...
Jul 5, 2010
It
is said that the first casualty of war is the truth. That might
also apply to politics, where truth is in short supply. A person of
integrity runs life's race without lying, and without ever str...
Jul 2, 2010
It
is in great demand, but in short supply. It's easy to spot, but hard to find. That
rare "something" is integrity. Like having a sure footing when you run, having
integrity means that all is well...
Jul 1, 2010
If
another Christian accuses you of poor behavior because you do things he won't
do, it is good to remember this: Life is a race. Helping a brother or sister stay on track is
more important than f...
Jun 30, 2010
Think
about this: is it ever OK for one Christian's personal conviction
to become another Christian's rule of behavior? Running life's race is
easier when we're guided by principles rather than rul...
Jun 29, 2010
Some
Christians have strong rules of behavior: no movies, no dancing, and so
on. Others have no rules. Who's right? Many running life's race
are tripped up by the conduct of believers around them, ...
Jun 28, 2010
People
are fascinated by stories of the supernatural: tales of spirits,
ghosts, unseen powers, and how to obtain them. There's major money to
be made in writing stories like these, as evidenced by ...
Jun 25, 2010
Satan's
power is very real. His forces are quick to take advantage when we
fail to guard the doorways of our lives. As we run the race of life,
there is an unseen spirit world running as well. Demo...
Jun 24, 2010
TV
and the movies treat the supernatural as a world of fantasy. We
don't take the occult seriously, since it entertains us. But demonic
influence is very real, it's enshrined in modern philosophies...
Jun 23, 2010
When
you see your body as your own property, you do with it as you
please, even damaging it just to be accepted by others. But when
you see your body as God's property, everything changes. Gone is
...
Jun 22, 2010
Some
people spend thousands of dollars and endure multiple plastic surgeries
to improve their looks, and enhance their self-images. In the race of
life, many people don't accept themselves as clay ...
Jun 21, 2010
From
the day of our birth, each of us is conditioned to value physical
appearance as the great "gold coin of human worth." Let's face it: cute
babies get photographed, attractive girls get dates, g...
Jun 18, 2010
One
look at the glamour on TV and it's clear: life at its best is
reserved for "beautiful people"....people unlike you or me. The price
tags have been switched, and now many assess their value based ...
Jun 17, 2010
Hollywood
has successfully infiltrated the hearts and minds of untold millions of
people through TV, movies, and pop music. Many believers have stumbled
in the race of life as they have taken in va...
Jun 16, 2010
At
no time in history has the entertainment culture invaded the church
more than it has today. How should a Christian respond? The world
is heading into a deeper moral chasm with almost every new f...
Jun 15, 2010
No
one hears the church's outcry on the filth seen on TV and the movies,
since the church is watching like everybody else. As the entertainment
industry sinks to baser levels every day, more people...
Jun 14, 2010
It's
amazing -- you can scan over a hundred channels of cable TV and then
realize that there's nothing on worth watching. Entertainment has sunk
to new lows. To a large degree, movies, music and T...
Jun 11, 2010
Moses
turned the Nile into blood. Pharaoh's magicians did the
same. Satan often duplicates the miracles of God. As we run life's
race, how can we discern where a miracle comes from? And if it
does ...
Jun 10, 2010
Signs
and wonders always attract attention. But few take notice when a
man or woman finds salvation through Christ. Where is God's power most
clearly seen? In a healed tumor, or in a life changed f...
Jun 9, 2010
In
some cities, you can attend a miracle healing service almost any night,
or see one on cable TV during the day. Miracles seem to be
everywhere. Almost everybody wants one. Whose heart isn't
moved...
Jun 8, 2010
A
common theme in cults is the cult leader's total control of his
people. False prophets need that sense of power. Unfortunately,
false prophets inhabit the church as well as cults. As we run the
r...
Jun 7, 2010
"All
that glitters is not gold." That's especially true of false
teaching. Our task is to discern the genuine article. We need to
avoid the rabbit-trails of error as we run the race of life. That
m...
Jun 4, 2010
In
both Testaments, the Bible has a lot to say about false
prophets. Most of it is bad news for prophet and follower alike.
Modern-day false prophets promise blessing without repentance, and
prospe...
Jun 3, 2010
In
a time when people won't endure sound doctrine, it's no great surprise
to see so many false prophets on the airwaves. Television: it
sells people what they want to buy. Some programmers use it t...
Jun 2, 2010
There
is no doctrine more important than the doctrine of salvation. Without
it, we face a cold, dark, eternity. There is no room for error or
opinion when your soul is at stake. What you and I need...
Jun 1, 2010
Sound
doctrine is what we need. Sadly, it's in short supply from many
modern-day prophets on religious television. Confusion over doctrine
throws many people off the track in the race of life. They...
May 31, 2010
If
you watch enough religious cable TV, you'll be totally confused about
which doctrines are true and which are false. In the marketplace of
religious ideas, packaging and glitz often carry more we...
May 28, 2010
Cultural
distinctives...music styles...food...we're quick to judge one another
on matters that are not central to our faith. The race of life is tough
enough without being called to task by another...
May 27, 2010
When
finding fault in others, our vision is 20/20. It quickly becomes 20/200
when focusing on our own faults. Jesus taught us to not judge a small
splinter in someone else's eye without first remov...
May 26, 2010
Turn
on cable TV, and you'll see a variety of religious experiences. Are
they all valid? And, is it even OK to ask? The wise believer runs what
he or she sees through a filter of discernment, since...
May 25, 2010
May 24, 2010
It's
easy to fit in, to follow the crowd, to blend with the trend, to accept
whatever we encounter without question. But we're called to run life's
race, not in the well-worn ruts, but on the high ...
May 24, 2010
The
Bible says, "Don't let the world press you into its mold." Yet that's
exactly what has happened in church after church. The world is happy to
accommodate various viewpoints, as long as none cla...
May 24, 2010
Years
ago, people could see a big difference between the world and the
church. Sadly, that difference is fast disappearing. Now, we're in the
fast lane with everybody else, racing to acquire more g...
May 24, 2010
"For
without faith it is impossible to please God...." This Bible verse is
the key to seeing victory when all seems lost. Living in triumph means
knowing that nothing can separate you from the love...
May 24, 2010
Romans
chapter eight ranks in the pantheon of the greatest words ever penned.
The chapter ends in utter triumph. Paul declares that nothing in all
creation will ever separate believers in Jesus fro...
May 24, 2010
They're
among the most soaring words ever penned...the words the Apostle Paul
used to conclude Romans chapter eight. Here he lists all the things
that cannot separate us from the love of God. If yo...
May 24, 2010
For
centuries, the sins of Israel were covered temporarily by blood
sacrifices in the temple at Jerusalem. This was a picture of a future
sacrifice, one that would take away sin forever. That sacr...
May 24, 2010
As
a monk, Martin Luther would go to confession for hours at a time,
trying to be sure his every sin would be forgiven. Did this guarantee
him a place in heaven? No, it did not. Certainty only cam...
May 24, 2010
"Will
the defendant please rise?" The courtroom is hushed as the judge reads
the indictment. Your guilt seems sure. But then a court official steps
forward with a certificate of acquittal: a docume...
May 24, 2010
A
death-row inmate faces a grim prospect. His date with execution will
soon arrive. He's got nowhere to turn. But sometimes, a governor will
commute the sentence, or set him free if new evidence is...
May 24, 2010
We
humans are capable of some pretty awful things. The long history of
war, oppression and greed proves that. Being basically selfish, we'd
never turn from sin were it not for the grace of God bein...
May 24, 2010
In
the movie "National Treasure," explorers find a vast horde of gold and
jewels after tracking clues to its whereabouts. When Christians explore
the Bible, they find a vast horde: blessings that t...
May 24, 2010
"If
God be for us, who can be against us?" Paul's great question in Romans
chapter eight is one we must answer. Some point to circumstances and
say they've been abandoned by God. How do we reconcil...
May 24, 2010
How
would you react if a lawyer called, saying you'd just inherited a
million dollars from a distant relative? Disbelief? Sure, but later,
reality would sink in when the check was placed in your sh...
May 11, 2010
A
death-row inmate faces a grim prospect. His date with execution will
soon arrive. He's got nowhere to turn. But sometimes, a governor will
commute the sentence, or set him free if new evidence is...
May 10, 2010
We
humans are capable of some pretty awful things. The long history of
war, oppression and greed proves that. Being basically selfish, we'd
never turn from sin were it not for the grace of God bein...
May 7, 2010
In
the movie "National Treasure," explorers find a vast horde of gold and
jewels after tracking clues to its whereabouts. When Christians explore
the Bible, they find a vast horde: blessings that t...
May 6, 2010
"If
God be for us, who can be against us?" Paul's great question in Romans
chapter eight is one we must answer. Some point to circumstances and
say they've been abandoned by God. How do we reconcil...
May 5, 2010
How
would you react if a lawyer called, saying you'd just inherited a
million dollars from a distant relative? Disbelief? Sure, but later,
reality would sink in when the check was placed in your sh...
May 5, 2010
None
of us chose to be born to our parents. It would be folly to think we
could've had a say in coming into this world. The birth process into
God's family is no different. Peter says, "as newborn ...
May 5, 2010
Those
who believe in Jesus and have found new life all share a common
reality: they were chosen by God in eternity past. Before they were
born, God knew they would share in His eternal kingdom. Thi...
May 5, 2010
Trying
to understand fully the mind of God is a bit like taking a drink from a
firehose. There's way too much for us to grasp. Comprehending His
purposes in the crucial area of personal salvation...
May 5, 2010
These
days, seeker-friendly churches are everywhere. We assume people will
seek God, if we make them comfortable. As a believer matures in the
faith, he or she comes to realize that salvation is ...
May 5, 2010
Some
people face adversity with a dour disposition. "What next," they say.
Such people don't see a larger Hand at work. The hand of God moves in
the lives of His people to bring about good even ...
May 5, 2010
"All
things work together for good to them who love God..." does this
promise include tragedy and disasters? It's easy to see God's hand when
blessings are flowing, it's tougher when all we sense...
Apr 26, 2010
Some
call them delusional. They gaze in wonder at believers who accept even
tragedy as part of a greater good. Only a Christian can be certain that
all of life is heading toward a future glory. ...
Apr 23, 2010
When
the economy worsens, many find themselves suffering for the first time.
No job, foreclosure, fear for the future. Christians get socked by
life's reversals like anyone else. But there is a ...
Apr 22, 2010
Someone
once said, "Once you're 60, if it doesn't hurt, it doesn't work." Well,
as we believers age, we long for heaven. We long to be free of the
limitations of this body, and from the pain we o...
Apr 21, 2010
The
rain falls on the just and the unjust, as humans, none of us escapes
times of pain, sorrow, or deprivation. It's tough to be optimistic when
slogging through life's tough times. Some people t...
Apr 20, 2010
"The
Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and
if children, then heirs. joint heirs with Christ." That's the teaching
of Romans chapter 8, a promise for believers of be...
Apr 19, 2010
The
Bible says, "Eye hath not seen the things God has prepared for those
that love Him." Believer: just wait. Think life's tough for you? Just
wait. Think people treat you poorly? Just wait. T...
Apr 16, 2010
When
a child is fearful, his first instinct is to run into the arms of his
parents. There's safety and comfort in the family. Christians are born
into God's family, and they don't find God unappr...
Apr 15, 2010
How
would you feel if you got a letter saying that an unknown benefactor
had died, leaving you ten million dollars? You check, and find you're
an heir to a fortune, and didn't know it. An heir is...
Apr 14, 2010
Most
people are stuck in a rut, trying to satisfy themselves with things
that only make finding satisfaction more elusive. But the believer in
Christ has a whole new life, a life with new desires:...
Apr 13, 2010
There
aren't many things anyone can be sure of anymore. But despite the
economy, we can be certain of one thing. If we are believers in Christ,
we have a future beyond the reach of the bill colle...
Apr 12, 2010
The
economy might soon tank, stocks might plummet, foreclosures might rise.
So where is your security found? If you know Christ as savior, your
bank deposits are safe, perfectly safe, where "moth...
Apr 9, 2010
Proverbs
22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he
will not depart from it." God gave this command to parents, not
governments. Throughout history, tyrants have alwa...
Apr 8, 2010
There's
a cardinal rule for all who seek to oppress a people: control the flow
of information that the people receive. In the past, that meant turning
newspapers into government mouthpieces. Now ...
Apr 7, 2010
Dictators
know that imposing laws is step one in achieving absolute power.
Control the laws, and you control the people. Laws provide the
framework for arrest and prosecution, they instill in peo...
Apr 6, 2010
U.S.
unemployment: close to 10 percent. Add those who've given up looking
for work and the real rate approaches 20 percent. American voters know
one thing: if they don't have jobs, they have an e...
Apr 5, 2010
Psalm
33:12 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." What about a
nation whose God is no longer the Lord? History is replete with nations
abandoning God and suffering the inevitable co...
Apr 2, 2010
When
Jesus died on Calvary, He wasn't the victim, He was the Victor. He said
His last words, and then dismissed His spirit. Jesus was in charge
then, and now. Ascended on high, He intercedes for...
Apr 1, 2010
When
Jesus died on the cross, He knew the Father had everything in perfect
control. Even His enemies were in God's hands. As we face death, we
learn from Jesus that in that supreme moment, trust ...
Mar 31, 2010
No
doubt most people live for the here and now. They'll do anything to
avoid thinking about their future date with death. Certainly, Jesus
taught us how to live. But He also taught us how to die...
Mar 30, 2010
When
Jesus said "It is finished," He was proclaiming victory from a place of
apparent defeat, dying on a Roman cross. He paid the penalty for the
sin of mankind, and we who believe can stand befor...
Mar 29, 2010
Many
people think they somehow have to earn their way into heaven. They
don't realize how much that would cost. The penalty for sin has to be
paid before anyone can enter God's holy presence. Wh...
Mar 26, 2010
It's
a great joy to burn a mortgage. The bill is paid in full. The house is
now yours...no one else can lay claim to it. When Jesus cried out, "It
is finished," He was declaring the debt of sin ...
Mar 25, 2010
It's
a great paradox. The one Who said "I thirst" from the cross is the one
Who says "if any man thirst, let Him come to Me." He paid the price
that lets sinful man drink from the fountains of ete...
Mar 24, 2010
The
crucifixion of Christ was not an accident of history. The painful
details of that awful day were foretold in Scripture. When Jesus said,
"I thirst," He fulfilled the words of Psalm 69. In fa...
Mar 23, 2010
In
just two words, Jesus proves His humanity as He hangs on the cross. Two
words prove His sufferings were real. We hear Him say, "I thirst," not
understanding how painful that thirst had to be. ...
Mar 22, 2010
In
this life, we will never understand the sufferings of Christ on
Calvary, nor His pain when the Father forsook Him there. We hear Him
say, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" but we can'...
Mar 19, 2010
There
are many mysteries in the Bible: mysteries we can never fully
understand. One of them was uttered by Jesus on the cross; "My God, my
God, why have You forsaken Me?" God turns His back on Hi...
Mar 18, 2010
Could
more heart-rending words ever be spoken than these from the cross: "My
God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" Jesus was abandoned by God the
Father as the price of sin was paid in full. In...
Mar 17, 2010
With
His life, Jesus taught us how to live. In His death, He taught us how
to sacrifice: others first, ourselves last. As Jesus committed His
mother into John's care, He commissions us to care fo...
Mar 16, 2010
On
the cross, Jesus committed His mother into the care of His disciple
John. Even near death, He thought of others. Today we're considering
the third saying of the crucified Christ: a cry of comp...
Mar 15, 2010
The
pain Christ bore on the cross for you and me was immense. But there was
someone else at that cross whose heart was breaking. As life slipped
from His body, Jesus spoke to His mother, and gave...
Mar 12, 2010
They
say there are no atheists in foxholes. When death is close, people know
they need to be ready to face their Creator. While on His cross, Jesus
granted forgiveness to a dying thief on a nearb...
Mar 11, 2010
There
are seven sayings of Jesus on the cross...each laden with meaning, each
opening a window into the heart of Christ. To a dying thief Jesus gave
a cry of assurance: "Today you will be with Me ...
Mar 10, 2010
If
anyone ever needed assurance of salvation, it was the thief on the
cross next to that of Jesus. Death was just minutes away. To this new
believer Jesus uttered: "Today you will be with Me in P...
Mar 9, 2010
Jesus
said "Father, forgive them" as He was being crucified. Some wonder:
does this mean that everyone, everywhere is forgiven? We know from the
Bible that the death of Christ on the cross provid...
Mar 8, 2010
On
the cross, Jesus spoke seven times, and last words are important words.
Today we'll hear "A Cry for Pardon." Under extreme duress, Jesus asks
God to forgive His enemies. Ponder this question:...
Mar 5, 2010
"Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." While dying,
Jesus asks God to pardon His enemies. Extending forgiveness to someone
who offends you is one thing. But forgiving ...
Mar 4, 2010
Hidden
in the counsels of God are all the reasons why He sent Jesus to the
cross. Christ's wounds paid a great debt, and the Bible associates
those wounds with our healing in Isaiah chapter 53. S...
Mar 3, 2010
Jesus
suffered untold pain on the cross. His blood flowed for you and me,
from wounds bearing witness of love. His wounds and His death marked
the bill of sin "paid in full" for all who would belie...
Mar 2, 2010
Isaiah
declared, "He was wounded for our transgressions..." Indeed, Jesus was
mortally wounded on the cross. The Bible reveals this truth: although
these wounds were inflicted by Roman soldiers an...
Mar 1, 2010
The
cross of Christ is history's central event. That amazing sacrifice is
what makes salvation possible. We will never plumb the depths of God's
love as shown on that fateful day. But we must co...
Feb 26, 2010
The
Apostle Paul said that Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God with
power by the resurrection from the dead." If we trust Christ for
salvation, that empty tomb in Jerusalem is a promise that t...
Feb 25, 2010
Every
day the newspapers carry fresh obituaries...reminding us that one day
our names will appear there as well. Death is everyone's unavoidable
fate, the legacy of the first sin committed by Adam...
Feb 24, 2010
Self-determination
is thought of as a great American distinctive. We're free to pursue our
dreams, wherever they may lead. But believers' dreams must pass through
God's hands. Jesus faced untold...
Feb 23, 2010
It
is still a peaceful setting, as pilgrims meditate on the great
transaction that took place in this ancient garden. Gethsemane lies on
the Mount of Olives facing the Old City of Jerusalem. Here...
Feb 22, 2010
For
some reason, many Christians believe their walk of faith should take
them toward happiness, fulfillment, and prosperity. But the real legacy
we inherit from our Master includes suffering. To w...
Feb 19, 2010
Every
day a thousand voices call out, saying "listen to me." TV, radio,
internet media: they all want our ear. But only one voice is really
important. When Jesus was gloriously transfigured on t...
Feb 18, 2010
Small
group meetings are very meaningful. But a long time ago there was one
small group meeting that has no equal. Atop a high mountain, a
glorified Jesus appeared along with Moses and Elijah in ...
Feb 17, 2010
It
was on a high place, perhaps Israel's Mount Tabor. Jesus gave three
disciples a blinding vision of the future. Here, Moses and Elijah
appeared with Christ, symbolizing Jesus as the fulfillment...
Feb 16, 2010
Some
believers feel they have ruined their Christian lives by making
agreements with Satan. Is this really possible? Can Satan bind a child
of God? Can a Christian sell his or her soul to the de...
Feb 15, 2010
Throughout
the centuries, Christians have debated the meaning of the unpardonable
sin Jesus spoke of in Matthew chapter 12. Many wonder if they have ever
committed this sin, a sin for which no for...
Feb 12, 2010
When
you've set out to attack someone verbally, and then find yourself
out-reasoned, all you may have left is pure rage. That was the case
when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons us...
Feb 11, 2010
In
Old Testament times, people connected sickness with personal sin. We
now know this connection is not always accurate. But Jesus used that
common perception in healing a paralyzed man, beginnin...
Feb 10, 2010
There
are times when you really need friends, especially at crisis points
when we're powerless to solve our own problems. Four men wanted to help
a sick man get well. Their determination to get t...
Feb 9, 2010
What
exactly is a miracle? C.S. Lewis defined it as "an interference with
nature by a supernatural power." The miracles of Jesus were clear,
public, long-lasting, and not in dispute, even by His ...
Feb 8, 2010
The
Sea of Galilee was home base for the disciples Jesus first called. No
doubt about it, they knew fishing very well. So when their new master
told them where to toss their nets, it took unusual...
Feb 5, 2010
Many
people work their entire lives, hoping that someday they'll have a
higher calling than the drudgery of a daily job. When Jesus called
Simon and Andrew away from their fishing nets, He said th...
Feb 4, 2010
Would
you leave a lifetime job and head into the financial unknown if a man
walked up to you and said, "Come and follow Me?" To those who became
His disciples, the call of Jesus was clear and unam...
Feb 3, 2010
"A
bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," people say. Many of us seek
immediate gain rather than long-term benefit. Some of us want our
comforts and happiness more than we want to do the wil...
Feb 2, 2010
During
Hurricane Katrina, many people stole food in their distress. Illegal?
Yes. But OK under the circumstances? These situations are tougher in
real life than they are in theory. Jesus had n...
Feb 1, 2010
When
you travel east from Jerusalem, you find yourself in a barren
wilderness. Rocks are everywhere, water is scarce. Here, Jesus was led
by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan. Weakened by hunger ...
Jan 29, 2010
When
Jesus sought out John to be baptized in the river Jordan, He was
creating a picture for all who would follow Him... That picture was one
that predicted His coming atoning death and God's powe...
Jan 28, 2010
Even
today, many people go to the river Jordan to be baptized where their
Lord was baptized. Why do they go? They want to identify themselves as
fully as possible with Jesus, who submitted to bap...
Jan 27, 2010
Without
political power or military assets, Jesus altered the direction of
history, pleasing God by living a perfect life... God's approval was
clear when a voice thundered from heaven, "This is m...
Jan 26, 2010
At
the core of marriage problems: the issue of sin. In our self-focus, we
often don't love our mates as we should... Many marriages begin
happily, but then descend into conflict as husband and wi...
Jan 25, 2010
Adam
and Eve had it good...real good...back in the Garden of Eden. But they
tossed paradise aside when they disobeyed God... Like them, we find
ways to manipulate each other to meet our own needs...
Jan 22, 2010
Despite
counseling, divorce marks the end of half of American marriages,
leaving behind incalculable damage... When the family unit breaks down,
culture itself breaks down. Communication breakdow...
Jan 21, 2010
Endangered
species: some environmental activists fret about the fate of the snail
darter, or, perhaps the spotted owl... But the real endangered species
is the family. Fractured, broken, stressed...
Jan 20, 2010
Left
to ourselves, we're basically narcissistic. We'd much rather meet our
own needs than meet the needs of others. Enter marriage. In matrimony,
two people have to care for each other. This co...
Jan 19, 2010
Anyone
who thinks that marriage is the magic door to happiness might want to
note that fully half of all marriages fail today... The resulting
carnage of divorce and shattered families leaves a tr...
Jan 18, 2010
When
she comes down the aisle, she's the picture of perfection. And he's
Prince Charming in a black tuxedo... On their wedding day, few
starry-eyed couples realize the searchlight that their marr...
Jan 15, 2010
Walk
down the aisle, say "I do," cut the cake, toss the bouquet. Marriage:
it's the way to happiness...or, is it? There's good evidence in the
Bible that marriage is designed more to develop char...
Jan 14, 2010
The
central idea of the marriage vow is this: you and your mate pledge that
sexual activity is restricted to the two of you... No old flames...no
flings...no other partners. To violate this destr...
Jan 13, 2010
Many
marriages are on shaky ground. Some see their mates like car
models...trade them in when a better one comes along... The underlying
issue is covetousness...wanting what you don't have. The ...
Jan 12, 2010
When
a young couple stands at the altar, all is love, and the wedding vows
come easily. It's later that reality sets in... Inevitable conflicts
arise...the temptation to split up is great. What ...
Jan 11, 2010
In
the old days, it was said, "his word is as good as his bond." A
handshake and a promise was all it took to seal the deal. These days,
when a marriage breaks up, we have pre-nuptual agreements ...
Jan 8, 2010
Commitment:
a fast-fading part of modern marriage, where "irreconcilable
differences" mean divorce is around the corner... While there were
differences between Wanda and Gustav Lutzer, they were n...
Jan 7, 2010
Even
among Christians, a marriage today has 50-50 odds of succeeding. Now,
it's "split up" when the going gets tough. Wanda and Gustav Lutzer
bucked the trend by celebrating 76 years of marriage ...
Jan 6, 2010
What
keeps a couple together for 76 years, surviving war, emigration,
deprivation, and material want? Today, you'll hear about some national
news in Canada: the story of the parents of Dr. Erwin L...
Jan 5, 2010
The
church is under attack from all sides. In some cultures, Christians
lose their lives for believing in Jesus. The Bible does not promise us
a rose garden in this life. But it does assure us o...
Jan 4, 2010
Sometimes
we Christians think times are tough. But they never get as tough as
they were for Jesus when He faced the cross... No one was ever brought
from such depths and raised to such glory as J...
Jan 1, 2010
The
way things are going these days, it may seem like the church is losing
ground to an advancing culture of paganism... It may appear like we're
heading toward defeat. But in reality, the power ...
Dec 31, 2009
It
would be a long journey from tending sheep in the desert to commanding
Egypt's pharaoh, "Let my people go." Moses was molded by God through
four decades in a desert to ultimately lead Israel ou...
Dec 30, 2009
If
life was a bed of roses, we'd never appreciate how good roses smell.
For Moses, the desert gave him that appreciation.... Herding sheep was
Moses' lot for 40 years, a time during which God was...
Dec 29, 2009
In
a failing economy, some executives find themselves waiting on tables at
restaurants. They've got a friend in Moses.... For Moses, the economy
failed when he fled the court of Pharaoh after mur...
Dec 28, 2009
Most
of us know Moses parted the Red Sea as Egypt's Pharaoh "let his people
go." Lesser known is how Moses got there.... The race of life for Moses
led him through valleys as well as mountains. ...
Dec 25, 2009
Christmas
Day: a welcome break from the hectic days that are finally over. Spend
some time now remembering Jesus.... The "peace on earth" spoken of in
the Christmas story will not happen until Je...
Dec 24, 2009
The
Jews of Jesus' day were enslaved by the Roman Empire, eager for anyone
to deliver them from Caesar's yoke.... That's why some saw in Jesus the
deliverer that had been foretold. They wanted a ...
Dec 23, 2009
In
a Nazareth synagogue, Jesus opened a scroll of Isaiah the prophet and
began to read. A hush fell over the audience.... He read of good news
for the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the b...
Dec 22, 2009
Parking
lots at the mall: they're full, even when the economy is bad. After
all, it's Christmas...we've got to finish shopping... It's all so far
from the way things were at the time of Christ. ...
Dec 21, 2009
At
Christmas, we share the joys of gift-giving and togetherness with
family, "making merry," all because of Jesus. Jesus came in poverty
that we might be rich. In fact, according to the prophecie...
Dec 18, 2009
In
general, kings do not perform the role of servants. They have a retinue
of people whose sole job it is to serve the king. Jesus will return one
day as King of Kings. However, in His first com...
Dec 17, 2009
Many
people find Christmas discouraging. Perhaps they have no one to
celebrate with...no one to give them a gift.... Let's let Isaiah the
prophet lift our spirits by reminding us of the future re...
Dec 16, 2009
Three
wise men visited the young Jesus after His birth. We recall their
famous trek when we sing the carol "We Three Kings." Kings in ancient
times had almost absolute power. A person's life or ...
Dec 15, 2009
Americans
have little use for kings. Kings have absolute rule...that's why we
declared independence in 1776. Kings have a total claim on their
subjects' lives, time, and taxes. We're not used to...
Dec 14, 2009
Only
a week and a half to go...Christmas morning will mark the end of the
annual race to the finish line. Then we can rest...until we take back
the presents we don't like and put away all those de...
Dec 11, 2009
When
light hits a diamond, the facets reflect brilliantly. We see flashes of
color in the radiance of the pure white core.... Like a diamond, the
purity of Jesus radiates in many facets as we beho...
Dec 10, 2009
Merchants:
they're into gift-giving, and they all love Christmas. They depend on
it for a huge portion of their annual sales. At the mall we're assailed
by lights, trees, tinsel, ornaments, and a...
Dec 9, 2009
Well,
there's only about two weeks of shopping till Christmas, and most of us
just hope there's enough time left to get everything done.... If our
broadcast finds you making plans to race to the s...
Dec 8, 2009
As
Christmas approaches, all of us start running like never before. For
many, Christmas has become a race of its own.... Buy those presents,
decorate that tree, put those cards in the mail. And ...
Dec 7, 2009
Evolution
is, at best, an attempt to evade God's authority over what He's made.
That attempt will always fail.... Once the arguments are over, one
simple fact remains: there must have been a begi...
Dec 4, 2009
Evolutionists
give the impression that the war is over...Christians should "just get
over it." "No way," says Erwin Lutzer.... The teachings of Darwin have
corroded the underlying fabric of soci...
Dec 3, 2009
Some
people scan the Bible looking for Jurassic Park. Finding no dinosaurs
there, they wonder how those bones fit in.... Today, answers to many
questions about how the fossil record fits in with ...
Dec 2, 2009
The
scientific method involves experimentation and the validation of
results. When it comes to creation, this won't work.... There's no way
to re-enact the moment of creation. Science must give ...
Dec 1, 2009
Here's
a question: when you look in the mirror, do you see the image of God?
Now, some of us might, if we did some careful grooming....
All kidding aside, despite all of our shortcomings, God made...
Nov 30, 2009
Talk about a big assigment: Adam and Eve were given the job of identifying and naming all the animals in Eden...
God put His First Couple in charge of the lesser life forms on the earth. Darwin'...
Nov 27, 2009
For Darwin's followers, there was no Eden. Primitive man rose up by pure chance from the primieval slime, and, here we are.
The Bible gives an account with no chances. God hand-made the first h...
Nov 26, 2009
Only a scientist with his head fogged by evolution could fail to be amazed at the intricacy of life on earth...
The more we probe distant stars, the ocean depths, and the screens of electron micr...
Nov 25, 2009
Evolution's biggest problem? The first millisecond of the Big Bang. How did anything come out of absolutely nothing?
For most under evolution's sway, the evidence and facts do not matter. Thei...
Nov 24, 2009
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." These ten words begin the Bible's book of Genesis...
These ten words are the topic sentence for God's great paragraph of creation. Wh...
Nov 23, 2009
Evolutionists have a tough sell. It's one thing to say life developed by chance. It's another to say how it all started...
Untold quadrillions of stars, planets and galaxies all argue that a De...
Nov 20, 2009
North and south are diametrically opposed, as are zero and infinity. The same is true for evolution and creation...
You simply can't have it both ways. Compromise may work in Congress, but not i...
Nov 19, 2009
Square
pegs don't fit in round holes, and evolution and creation cannot both
be true. Some Christians have tried to bridge the gap... Bowing to the
influence of Charles Darwin, some argue for th...
Nov 18, 2009
In
war, killing civilians is called collateral damage. Our culture is
reeling from the collateral damage done by Charles Darwin... Taken to
its logical conclusion, Darwin's evolution sees humans...
Nov 17, 2009
Charles Darwin made history with On the Origin of Species. This book helped launch evolution on its way...
The battle lines are drawn. Christians believe in a Creator God. Evolutionists believ...
Nov 16, 2009
Being stuck in the occult is like being stuck in the mud. You may need some help to get free...help that God provides...
There is a way out of the bondage of Satanic influence, a bondage that's ...
Nov 13, 2009
Like
the serpent that beguiled Eve, the devil's substitutes for God look
good...very good. That's why the occult is so popular..... ....but the
occult's teachings are the doctrines of demons...d...
Nov 12, 2009
Satan has many disguises, and he'll do anything to draw our attention away from God. That's why the occult is so prevalent.
These days, many people believe more in ghosts than in the living God....
Nov 11, 2009
The occult: more than Ouija boards. It's the kids who shoot up high schools, and each other. It's a trap we must avoid.....
Our culture is tuned to the frequency of occult phenomena like never...
Nov 10, 2009
We've got a hundred cable channels, 22 theater screens, DVDs, the Internet, and Facebook. Hey...who needs more?
Today's Christians are awash in a sea of pleasures. We've got time for our plasm...
Nov 9, 2009
Our culture says, "If it feels good, do it." So...does having a desire mean it's always OK to satisfy it?
.......no...you can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater because you feel like it. While...
Nov 6, 2009
The TV commercial once said: "You only go around once in life. Grab all the gusto you can." That's not a bad idea.
.......but the gusto you should grab is probably not what most people have in...
Nov 5, 2009
No one involved in sexual promiscuity really wants to be there. They are trapped, looking desperately for a way out....
It's said that all of Satan's apples have worms...and too many Christians ...
Nov 4, 2009
If
we could see the scars we'll bear when we break God's laws on sexual
behavior, we'd never break them in the first place...... .......God
designed our greatest sexual fulfillment to be in a cov...
Nov 3, 2009
God intended marriage to be permanent. But our culture says marriages can be broken when a better deal comes along......
.......however, that better deal carries with it some heavy baggage: the ...
Nov 2, 2009
Watch prime-time TV for two hours. You'll conclude that extramarital sex and divorce are choices we can freely make......
.......yes, we're free all right...free to ruin our lives and ruin the l...
Oct 30, 2009
Pornography:
it's everywhere, perverting the right use of sex. Sadly, "everywhere"
includes the computers of Christians, yet the Bible's commands to
abstain from lust are still in force. Millions...
Oct 29, 2009
It
used to be confined to back-alley theaters and musty bookshops. Now,
pornography is yours at the click of a mouse and the internet can bring
filth into the privacy of our own homes, as high-tec...
Oct 28, 2009
One
of Satan's oldest tricks is getting us to satisfy legitimate desires
outside of God's will. Eve ate forbidden fruit. And when we dabble in
pornography the result is moral decay and destroyed ...
Oct 27, 2009
There's
no denying it. At root, all of us are sexual creatures, with appetites
given to us by God to be used as He intended. And since we all have
sexual desires, it's easy to be trapped into sati...
Oct 26, 2009
One
would think that committed Christians have little chance of becoming
alcoholics. But the snare of drinking can tempt anyone. As one drink
leads to another, a believer can become chemically de...
Oct 23, 2009
A
drink: once in the bloodstream, alcohol messes with your mind and your
judgment, and it loosens your moral anchor. Alcohol, in its various
forms, is a trap baited with the promise of "the good l...
Oct 22, 2009
"Just
one more"...most alcoholics say they can stop drinking whenever they
want. Problem is, "whenever" never comes. Christians are not immune
from the pull of alcohol, and the chance of a life r...
Oct 21, 2009
Drunk
drivers...every day they kill more of our kids (FX: crash). Alcohol:
it's the tolerated drug. Alcohol abuse is costing our society billions
in lost productivity, lost relationships, and los...
Oct 20, 2009
Down
deep, every gambler knows that the house always wins. Yet, like a drug,
gambling turns dabblers into addicts. You can't walk the Las Vegas
strip without noting the billions of dollars in shi...
Oct 19, 2009
Gamblers
place their god of chance above the God of the Bible. They trust in
dice, the slots, and the Powerball lottery, but God calls all of this
idolatry...looking anywhere but to Him for our su...
Oct 16, 2009
The
Bible says "work for a living, and trust God." The culture says "gamble
for your big break, and trust yourself." Who's right? You've guessed
it. God is right. Nearly every dollar gambled is...
Oct 15, 2009
Casinos
know gambling is a lousy deal, except for them. They call it "gaming"
instead. Whatever the label, it's bad news. From lottery tickets to
video poker, gambling spells big trouble, taking...
Oct 14, 2009
It's
easy to spot greed in others. You can tell when people are lusting
after money or other things, you see it in their faces. But the trouble
is that often we can't see it in ourselves and that...
Oct 13, 2009
Even
in a tough economy, it seems the rich keep getting richer, building
bigger barns to store all the stuff they're buying. Jesus says those
who accumulate money and things might be in for a rude...
Oct 12, 2009
I
Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,
for which some have strayed from the faith, in their greed." Paul goes
on to say that the greedy "pierce themselves through w...
Oct 9, 2009
In
good or bad times, even committed Christians feel the tug of money.
Greed lies like a serpent within us and is the first of the Seven
Secret Snares that Erwin Lutzer is exposing during his curr...
Oct 8, 2009
"Not
my fault!" These days it's common to blame everyone else for our
conflicts...everyone except the sinner within. James tells Christians
that conflicts come from inner desires at war with the p...
Oct 7, 2009
Tension...quarrels...fights...at
one time or another, all of us find ourselves in conflict with someone
else. It's no fun. Even Christians have a dark side...desires within
that can snare us on th...
Oct 6, 2009
The
track you're running on may look okay, but lurking ahead is a trap. One
wrong step and you're on a side road...permanently. The world is no
friend to the committed Christian. Temptations abou...
Oct 5, 2009
The
Christian life: joy, assurance, and deep satisfaction. But it's also a
life of suffering. Can these co-exist? Today, we'll learn why faith
always leads to ultimate victory, but may not change...
Oct 2, 2009
We
Americans have short attention spans. We're used to soundbite news,
fast food, and immediate solutions to problems. However, many people
pray for years, asking God for deliverance from appalli...
Oct 1, 2009
All
around us are people with long term health issues...issues that seem to
have no resolution, short of divine healing. But when these people pray
for healing, the answer appears to be an ongoing ...
Sep 30, 2009
When
Christians find themselves in a time of need, they naturally pray for
God to provide. Sometimes the answer is "no...." How we then react is
crucial. We must come to understand that even the...
Sep 29, 2009
When
we earnestly pray for something we believe to be in God's will, and
find the answer to be "no," what do we do? First, remember that you're
in good company. The Apostle Paul had a great need...
Sep 28, 2009
It's
tough taking "no" for an anwer. As children, we all felt those "no's,"
when our parents chose to deny our requests. As children of God, there
are times when the answer to a prayer of ours is...
Sep 25, 2009
When
it seems our nation is ripping away from its moorings, we as believers
need to understand the prophet Habakkuk. This prophet lived in a time
of turmoil not unlike our own. His small book in ...
Sep 24, 2009
Habakkuk
the prophet might as well have been writing in our day. Many of his
observations belong on the front page. It's easy to feel trapped with
no way out. Evildoers are having a field day an...
Sep 23, 2009
America
looks a lot like the Israel that Habakkuk the prophet had to deal with.
Things are bad and getting worse. The prophet's dialogs with God reveal
a man wrestling with how God could seemingl...
Sep 22, 2009
Our
nation seems to be heading down a path toward more government control
and less freedom. So, what should Christians do? It's not unlike the
scenario painted by Habakkuk the prophet: things wer...
Sep 21, 2009
When
God answers our prayers in ways we don't expect, He's reminding us that
it's Him we really need, not the answers. Today, we're concluding a
message on making sure our relationships with God a...
Sep 18, 2009
There's
a process that takes place as we mature as Christians. Our prayers
shift from asking for things, to asking for God. That's why some of our
prayers are answered in ways that surprise us. ...
Sep 17, 2009
Sometimes,
we ask God for things we clearly need. No answer is forthcoming. But
then, out of left field, another answer comes our way. Prayer is
something of a mystery. We're commanded to ask i...
Sep 16, 2009
Scan
your cable TV box...sooner or later you'll land on a channel offering
faith healing services. Watch out. All too many people bring high hopes
to these kinds of meetings, only to leave disapp...
Sep 15, 2009
Most
of us get antsy when having to wait more than five minutes at
McDonald's. Oh, to be Abraham in the Old Testament. God gave this man
promises that would not come to pass for hundreds of years...
Sep 14, 2009
Our
lifespans are microscopic when measured against a vast eternity. God
has a much longer timeframe. Abraham would never live to see the
promises God made to him come to pass. In that light, wh...
Sep 11, 2009
We're
truly creatures of time, and waiting means minutes, hours and days. But
months and years? That's tough. When we pray for something, we hope for
a quick response from God. But God has His ...
Sep 10, 2009
Someone
has said, "Pressure produces." It's when we're in the crucible of
suffering that our characters are refined and our character is what God
is interested in...even more than in answering our...
Sep 9, 2009
When
we pray, and the answers to our prayers don't come on our schedule,
many of us lose heart. Does this happen to you? Perhaps we don't grasp
the real reason for praying. The Bible tells us th...
Sep 8, 2009
It
happens again and again: a child at death's door...urgent prayer...the
child dies anyway. Where was God? When prayer is not answered as we'd
like, many simply give up and stop praying. We ma...
Sep 7, 2009
Some
philosophers see both good and evil in human nature. For them, the side
that wins is determined by our environment. As much as we'd like to
take credit for being basically nice people, only ...
Sep 4, 2009
John
Newton wrote about "Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me." We like
the song, but we're not so sure about that "wretch" part. Fact is, we
can't win in life's race without agreeing with G...
Sep 3, 2009
After
the terrorist attack on 9-11, even liberal philosophers acknowledged
the presence of evil in human nature. No one doubts it's there. The
question is how to deal with it. Some say "seek enl...
Sep 2, 2009
Many
philosophers see a dual nature in mankind: good and evil coexisting,
and fighting for ultimate control. The Bible paints a different
picture: one of a basic depravity that can only be remedie...
Sep 1, 2009
Surgeons
have to cut to heal. And coming clean with God may mean some pain.
Making past wrongs right can't be avoided. Imagine running, free of a
guilty conscience, heading full speed toward you...
Aug 31, 2009
Aug 28, 2009
We
like to think of ourselves as basically good people who make mistakes,
not as sinners desperately needing the grace of God. But to run life's
race well, we need to acknowledge the truth about o...
Aug 27, 2009
Under
cover of darkness, criminals steal and destroy. We speak of "bringing
their deeds to light" as they face justice. The light cuts the darkness
like a knife. It reveals our hearts the way th...
Aug 26, 2009
Behind
a façade of spiritual leadership, prominent Christians can become
control freaks, doing much damage to the kingdom. Like King Saul of
old, these people forget that God is ultimately in char...
Aug 25, 2009
Control
freaks are obsessed with themselves. It's sad, but true: by subjugating
others, they seek to elevate their own importance. At some point such
people become evil, as did King Saul of Israe...
Aug 24, 2009
Some
people are consumed with their own importance...so much so that they
seek to control the lives of those around them to prove it. Such
behavior is destructive, and can ruin the race of life fo...
Aug 21, 2009
Addictive
behavior's tangled web always starts with small steps that lead to
bigger steps. Soon, the addict is trapped. But there is a way to rejoin
the race of life: to stop the cycle of depende...
Aug 20, 2009
Some
people are addicted to substances, others to destructive habits. But
the one thing all addicts need is the way out. Addictions always hobble
us in the race of life. Once caught in the trap,...
Aug 19, 2009
It's
sad, but true: Christians are not immune to addictive behavior. Many
are trapped in a web of deceit and bondage. Runners in life's race
cannot win if they're caught up in addictions of any ki...
Aug 18, 2009
After
the 9-11 attack on New York City, many Americans feared for their
security, and hearts turned toward home. Every child craves the
security of a father's embrace. What many Christians may no...
Aug 17, 2009
When
you come from a home without a good father, or from a home with no
father, life can be tough... very tough. Sown in you may be seeds of
future conflict. But those seeds need not germinate if...
Aug 14, 2009
There's
one person who's the key to how you relate to life and to life's
stressful situations. That person is your dad. We who run the race of
life may not even realize the deep impact left by ou...
Aug 13, 2009
Uncontrollable
anger is not just excess hormones. It's a problem of the spirit, only
solvable in the spiritual realm. Running life's race is hard enough
without being sidelined by fits of rage. ...
Aug 12, 2009
Some
people think you can get rid of anger by hitting something inanimate,
and "letting off some steam." Trouble is: this doesn't work. Modern pop
psychology is no match for the Bible in pinpoint...
Aug 11, 2009
It's
like an iceberg. Hidden below many a person's calm surface is a huge
mass of rage which can burst forth at any time. No one can win in the
race of life when he or she is tripped up by fits o...
Aug 10, 2009
We've
all seen it: people out of control with anger. They drive dangerously.
They start fights. But where does this rage come from? Winning in
life's race means getting rage under control. Tod...
Aug 7, 2009
We
all know about the curse of shame: the guilt, the heavy emotional load.
But what about the cure? Is there one? Yes, you can win in the race of
life. You can win over shame. Today: you're a...
Aug 6, 2009
We've
all experienced the painful emotion of shame: either because we've done
wrong, or, because wrongs have been done to us. And sadly, some homes
are based on shame. Today, we'll learn about sh...
Aug 5, 2009
One
emotion entered the human race early. After eating the forbidden fruit,
Adam and Eve felt powerful waves of shame. And when we sin, we too look
for some way to cover ourselves...some way to a...
Aug 4, 2009
It's
a powerful and painful emotion. We've all felt it, but some have felt
it so deeply that it threatens to destroy them. Shame: this emotion can
be a curse. Today, we're going to explore its or...
Aug 3, 2009
Sad,
but true: in our enlightened culture, we no longer repent of our sins.
Instead, we've learned to manage them. We're so deceived; we think
we're OK as long as we keep our sins in balance, lik...
Jul 31, 2009
Jul 30, 2009
Lost
in mystery is why Eve took a bite from that prohibited tree in the
Garden of Eden. Not lost in mystery is the fallout. As a race, we
humans are deceived. We deceive ourselves, and we specia...
Jul 29, 2009
From
presidents to paupers, a common theme of the human race is
self-deception. We lie, and what's more, we enjoy it. We're far from
being the inherently good people our culture says we are. In ...
Jul 28, 2009
Remember
the fairy tale? A lady, hoping for a positive response, says "Mirror,
mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" She wanted to hear
what we want to hear: that we are really OK,...
Jul 27, 2009
When
Timothy McVeigh went to his execution, America was left wondering how a
decorated war veteran could've done something so evil. Many ask why
seemingly good people turn bad...people who, based ...
Jul 24, 2009
Often,
when we hear teaching, it all seems theoretical. The hard part is
getting hold of ways to make it real in our lives. We've been learning
about the armor of God for some time now on Running...
Jul 23, 2009
The
fight against the devil never stops. But Jesus showed us how to defeat
him during a forty day fast in the desert. He did what he wants us to
do: he used the word of God as an offensive weapon...
Jul 22, 2009
There's
no doubt: all who name the name of Christ are in a lifelong battle. We
share an enemy who never gets tired. That's why we've been given the
armor of God: five pieces for defense, and one ...
Jul 21, 2009
The
last thing the devil needs is a believer sure of his or her acceptance
before God. Such a believer is a threat. When that believer wears God's
armor, in particular, "The Helmet of Salvation,"...
Jul 20, 2009
It's
tough to not know who your parents are. Many kids are wounded for life
by never knowing to whom they belong. It's also tough to grow in the
Christian life without the assurance that you are ...
Jul 17, 2009
Many
are uncertain if their salvation is a sure thing. Some teach that
salvation can be lost if we sin too great. It's tough to go into battle
with the devil and not be sure you're on the winning...
Jul 16, 2009
We've
all heard the phrase, "a mind is a terrible thing to waste." It's also
a terrible thing to let fall into Satan's influence. Someone else has
said, "What you think, you are." It's vital to ...
Jul 15, 2009
"Faith
is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
By faith we grasp the hand of God. Satan wants to disconnect us from
our faith by bombarding us with doubts. The l...
Jul 14, 2009
In
The Lord of the Rings, the evil Grimmer Wormtongue whispers lies into
the ears of the King of Rohan. He's just like Satan, who whispers lies
into our ears. His goal: to make us ineffective as ...
Jul 13, 2009
There
are times in the life of every believer when things get so bad that we
doubt God's care. That's when Satan strikes. Flaming arrows come our
way challenging our faith, making us question if ...
Jul 10, 2009
Flaming
arrows...that's the image the Bible uses when describing the attacks of
the devil on believers who want to live for God. There is a defense
Christians can use to ward off Satan's fiery dar...
Jul 9, 2009
Some
think peace is just the absence of conflict. But God can give us inner
calm even when the world is topsy-turvy. Jesus knew His disciples would
face extreme trials. Most would die as martyrs...
Jul 8, 2009
Taking
the gospel of peace to a world under Satan's dominion: that's a sure
way to find yourself immediately at war. The devil sets his sights on
any believer obeying the command to take the gospe...
Jul 7, 2009
"Peace
I leave with you...my peace I give unto you...." The words of Jesus are
very dear when circumstances get tough. The peace of God is unlike any
kind of peace we can get from the world. God...
Jul 6, 2009
Inner
calm: it's great when everything around you is a swirl of conflict. In
trying times, peace is what we need. And peace is much more than just a
sense of well-being. Its basis is what Paul c...
Jul 3, 2009
It's
one thing to believe that the righteousness of Jesus can be credited to
our account before a holy God. But it's another to put that knowledge
to use when we find ourselves sinning every day. ...
Jul 2, 2009
In
some religions, the idea is: do as many good works as you can. At your
judgment, you hope the good works outweigh the bad. Believers can
rejoice that Jesus bestows His personal righteousness a...
Jul 1, 2009
Inside,
we all know that the slightest sin separates us from the white-hot
purity of God. And we all commit sin. Satan the accuser points to us as
Christians to say "Look at you. You sinned agai...
Jun 30, 2009
Go
to any bookstore. There you'll find a plethora of authors spewing
outright lies about the God revealed in the Bible. Whether it's about
witchcraft, New Age spirituality, or pseudo-science, the...
Jun 29, 2009
It's
as old as the Garden of Eden: Satan whispering lies into our ears, lies
about the nature and character of God. We're all born with a propensity
to believe those lies, lies that tell us that d...
Jun 26, 2009
Like
it or not, we're all in a spiritual war. We can either succumb to
Satan's devices, or, wear God's armor and fight. The Apostle Paul
revealed the weapons of the armor of God in the book of Ep...
Jun 25, 2009
The
peace of Eden's garden was shattered when sin entered the world. Down
through the ages, the damage continues to mount. As believers in Jesus,
our eyes have been opened to the reality of a spi...
Jun 24, 2009
Our
lives may seem peaceful, but always in the background is the sound of
war. That's because there is a war going on. That war is in a place we
cannot see. Demonic forces wage a battle against ...
Jun 23, 2009
Iraq,
Afghanistan, the Middle East, terror attacks across the globe, war...
it seems, is never far away. That's just on the plane of existence we
can see. But beyond what our senses can discern i...
Jun 22, 2009
The
human condition: we're all born with a propensity to sin and a desire
to seek revenge whenever we're attacked. But vengeance is not something
we have a right to. The Bible declares that "Veng...
Jun 19, 2009
Sometimes
every instinct we have runs counter to what the Bible says to do.
That's especially true of reconciliation. When someone attacks us, we
want to attack back. But the Bible says, "Bless ...
Jun 18, 2009
Despite
our best efforts, some people will refuse reconciliation, and hang on
to their hurts until their knuckles turn white. Letting go of past
injustice seems, for many, to be the ultimate insul...
Jun 17, 2009
"Whatever
you bind on earth will be bound in heaven," Jesus said. Is He saying
that man can tell God what to do? This verse from Matthew 18 has been
controversial for centuries. Today, Erwin Lut...
Jun 16, 2009
What
do you do when a fellow believer sins and will not repent? Jesus told
us what to do: invoke church discipline. It's never easy to confront a
sinning Christian, so Jesus gave us teaching on h...
Jun 15, 2009
Someone
said, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
That's so true when it comes to reconciliation. People will stay
divided until someone takes action: the action Jesus sp...
Jun 12, 2009
No
one ever said that reconciliation is easy. It can be very hard. But
this is certain: reconciliation is necessary. It can take years to form
the deep divisions that keep families and former fr...
Jun 11, 2009
Jesus
never complained when He suffered. So why do we haul fellow believers
into court when we think we've been cheated? Maybe it's too many
courtroom shows on TV. We think we can get justice fr...
Jun 10, 2009
Making
sure you get justice is a big deal in the world's value system. That's
why so many people file lawsuits. When Christians absorb the world's
values, they file lawsuits along with everybody ...
Jun 9, 2009
It's
almost fashionable to sue someone these days. Court dockets are full as
people demand payback for injustice. Sadly, too many of these cases
involve Christians, in clear violation of the New ...
Jun 8, 2009
"I
just wish he'd stop it!" When you're under constant attack, you cry out
for God to intervene, to end the long misery. When God deposed King
Saul, David was anointed to be king of Israel. Well...
Jun 5, 2009
Saul
did not like it when God removed him as Israel's king. He spent ten
years trying to kill his replacement: David. Like David, some of us
have been on the receiving end of spears thrown by tho...
Jun 4, 2009
"Someone's
out to get me." That's what David must have thought as King Saul tried
to kill him for ten long years. Many people are under constant attack
by those who want to do them harm. What dr...
Jun 3, 2009
How
many of us are old enough to remember the old TV comedy about the
long-running feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys? Well, real-life
feuds are anything but funny. The best part about a f...
Jun 2, 2009
Sometimes,
family feuds run for centuries. Generations after generations nurse the
old grudges that keep people apart. But the cycle can be broken.
Forgiving others for great wrongs dissolves ye...
Jun 1, 2009
"With
friends like you, who needs enemies?" Joseph got that feeling when a
friend's broken promise left him in jail. Falsely accused of rape,
Joseph found himself rotting in a dungeon, wondering i...
May 29, 2009
Families
can be torn apart by feuds: long-running animosities usually caused by
someone's past unjust actions. Whether due to some imagined or real
hurt, or to an inheritance wrongly divided, som...
May 28, 2009
Reconciliation
between estranged brothers is very sweet. Jacob went out of his way to
make things right with Esau. Having cheated Esau out of his birthright,
Jacob had to greatly humble himself b...
May 27, 2009
It
would be nice if all disputes could be resolved, all conflicts
reconciled. In the real world, that's not always possible. In some
cases, resolution is not an option, and we have to cut all tie...
May 26, 2009
Eliphaz
told Job, "Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." And
trouble is what two brothers had. Jacob and Esau are classic examples
of how different two children can be. Like in an...
May 25, 2009
We
all recoil from stories of killers who slay without conscience or
remorse, and then complain if they're not treated properly. In their
twisted minds, these people have a double standard of beha...
May 22, 2009
Whether
it's fair or not, most families have a favorite son or daughter. In the
eyes of siblings, the favorite gets all the breaks. Cain thought Abel
got all the breaks. When God approved of Abe...
May 21, 2009
Ever
met a destroyer...someone who can inflict tremendous hurt without
feeling any guilt? Sadly, destroyers are everywhere. They're really
tuned in to their own pain, but are incapable of caring...
May 20, 2009
Trying
to predict all the effects of being offended is like predicting where
all the waves will go when you toss a rock into a pond. When we react
to an offense, some collateral damage is very lik...
May 19, 2009
In
Spain, bullfighters wave red flags to get the bulls to charge, thus we
say we're "seeing red" when really angry. And nothing gets us madder
than being offended by another person. When someone ...
May 18, 2009
It's
instinctive to recoil from pain. Just watch what happens when you stick
a friend with a pin. But then there's inner pain. Some conflict in life
is inevitable, but when others cause our conf...
May 15, 2009
It
may be that church in America has never been as rich in wealth, while
at the same time as poor in spiritual power. This indictment was handed
down by Jesus to the ancient church at Laodicea. H...
May 14, 2009
No
one likes lukewarm food or drink. Hot or cold is much better. Jesus
said as much when evaluating a local church. He had strong words for
the lukewarm Laodicean church in Revelation chapter th...
May 13, 2009
Some
Bible scholars see a progression as Jesus evaluates seven successive
churches in the book of Revelation. They see the passing of history,
with each church representing an era of time. If so,...
May 12, 2009
When
churches check themselves out against those listed in Revelation
chapters two and three, there's one church they want to be like.... The
church at Philadelphia earned high marks from Jesus fo...
May 12, 2009
In
what is now Turkey, the ancient church at Philadelphia earned the
commendation of Jesus for its faithfulness to his name. And today,
faithful churches are growing even in hostile places...churc...
May 8, 2009
Every
Christian longs to hear "well done" when he or she stands before Jesus
one day. The same applies to the local church. Jesus addressed seven
local churches in the book of Revelation. Often,...
May 7, 2009
In
the final analysis, it won't matter whether you were rich or poor,
famous or unknown. Only one thing will matter...whether you as a
believer were an overcomer. Jesus makes that clear in his an...
May 6, 2009
Sober
words...we'd rather hear happy words. But Jesus is quite clear about
his expectations for every local church. "Be watchful...hold fast to
what you've heard...repent...or else I will come up...
May 5, 2009
Self-delusion:
it's almost too easy. The drunk says "I can quit anytime." All too many
do not see reality. Some churches think all is well. Great numbers
convince them God is doing a mighty wor...
May 4, 2009
The
eyes of the risen Jesus are like a flame of fire. They sift through our
excuses to identify those who overcome. Jesus mentions overcomers many
times during his evaluations of seven ancient ch...
May 1, 2009
It
takes a lot of gall to celebrate sin and encourage it within the
church. Yet this is exactly what happened at Thyatira. This church was
one of seven singled out by Jesus for words of judgment ...
Apr 30, 2009
Mention
"holiness" to many people, and they immediately envision someone locked
up in a monastery or perhaps a convent. But holiness really means being
set apart, or separated from sin and unto Go...
Apr 29, 2009
The
church shines brightest when it's seen in dark places. Jesus commended
local churches that held fast to truth. He addressed seven local
churches in the book of Revelation, and spoke there of ...
Apr 28, 2009
In
elementary school, teachers drive home the concepts of the ABC's,
numbers, and how to read and write. Teachers play a crucial role in the
formation of our youth. In the same way, Bible teacher...
Apr 27, 2009
From
the earliest days of the church, a battle has raged: a battle to
protect the truth from an onslaught of false teaching. In the book of
Revelation, Jesus singled out the church at Pergamum in ...
Apr 24, 2009
In
the game Monopoly, there's a "Get Out of Jail Free" card that let's you
avoid the prison you probably deserve. But in the church of Jesus,
persecution is assured, and there is no "Get Out of Ja...
Apr 23, 2009
Is
there anything for which you would give your life? The early followers
of Jesus often had to give theirs as martyrs. The word martyr simply
means "witness." In many places, being a witness fo...
Apr 22, 2009
We
don't know a lot about the New Testament church at Smyrna in what is
now modern Turkey. There's no record of its founding. But what we do
know speaks volumes about the opinion Jesus had of thi...
Apr 21, 2009
Jesus
has clear expectations of his followers, and of his local churches.
It's our job to make sure He's pleased. His words to seven churches in
Revelation describe conditions no different than t...
Apr 20, 2009
"I
have good news, and I have bad news." We've all heard this before,
wondering which news it's better to hear first. Jesus had words for
seven churches in the early chapters of the book of Revel...
Apr 17, 2009
New
Christians often have a radiant love for Jesus. Sadly, as time passes,
that love sometimes cools. In the first century AD, Ephesus was a major
city along the coast of what is now Turkey. Act...
Apr 16, 2009
We
learn from the book of Philippians that God has highly exalted Jesus,
giving him the name which is above every name. That exalted Jesus fills
the pages of the book of Revelation, a Jesus with h...
Apr 15, 2009
Ever
wondered what Jesus looks like? Famous paintings give the impression of
a man with long hair and a kind face. But the Jesus of artwork is a far
cry from the Jesus of Revelation, a Christ wit...
Apr 14, 2009
The
Bible ends with the book of Revelation: a glimpse into the future. Here
we see Christ in glory, the Lord of his church. Seven local churches in
what is now Turkey each received a personal wor...
Apr 13, 2009
There
is no way to measure the joy of some heartbroken disciples when the
risen Christ revealed Himself at Emmaus. Their shattered dreams were
brought back to life in an instant. And a living Jes...
Apr 10, 2009
At
Emmaus, the resurrected Jesus walked with disciples so dejected, so
sorrowful that they did not even recognize Him. Their dreams shattered,
they only sought escape from their pain. But their h...
Apr 9, 2009
Early
on, the disciples of Jesus argued over who would sit with Him in the
kingdom. But when Jesus died, their dreams died. Their best-laid plans
were in ruins. For some, the best thing to do see...
Apr 8, 2009
When
Jesus cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit, He was telling us that
His followers had better bear fruit He could approve. As the poet
wrote, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past...only what'...
Apr 7, 2009
When
we think of Palm Sunday, we think of adoring crowds cheering a King. We
don't tend to think of a cursed fig tree. But just one day after riding
into Jerusalem, Jesus did indeed curse a fig t...
Apr 6, 2009
We
read the ads in the paper: "sale ends Tuesday." But we know there will
soon be another sale, and so we're really not impressed. But some
opportunities really do have a limited time window. Je...
Apr 3, 2009
A
runner knows that the pain he feels will cease when the race is over.
The hurt will not last forever. This gives him hope. A Christian knows
that the pain of this life will end when Christ ret...
Apr 2, 2009
For
believers in the race of life, the ultimate goal line is still ahead.
When Christ returns, all our labors will end. The hope of Christ's
return has motivated Christians for two thousand years...
Apr 1, 2009
There
is coming a day for believers in which the race of this life will end.
No more running, no more track, no more labor. That day is the bright
hope for Christians...the day Jesus returns. That...
Mar 31, 2009
Mar 30, 2009
One
thing runners need is power...physical power, mental power, and a power
in spirit to give the race all they have. The disciples of Christ got a
foretaste of His power when they saw Him ascend ...
Mar 27, 2009
Believers
who run the race of the Christian life don't run alone. Christ ascended
to bring many sons and daughters to glory. His ascension was "step one"
in creating the church...the body of Chri...
Mar 26, 2009
He
came as a babe in poverty. He left earth in triumphant glory. And His
departure foretells the power of His return. We who run the race of the
Christian life know that Jesus is sitting even no...
Mar 25, 2009
Of
all the religious founders who've ever lived, only one is still living.
Only one has opened the door to heaven. We who run the race of the
Christian life owe everything to a risen Christ. His...
Mar 24, 2009
We
all know the Olympic games began in ancient Greece. We know that they
involved runners, and races. But how do we know that? Because
historical writings tell us so. The same is true of Jesus ...
Mar 23, 2009
If
there's one thing ancient Rome was good at, it was executions. They had
a perfect record: no one they killed ever lived again. That is, until
Jesus made the comeback of all time. When God rai...
Mar 21, 2009
In
The Passion of the Christ, millions worldwide saw the brutal price paid
by an innocent man to purchase salvation. The film's critics focused on
who got blamed for killing Jesus. But believers u...
Mar 19, 2009
For
athletes, the greatest moments of life are defined by victories in the
arena, at the playing field or on the racetrack. But Christ's defining
moment was a cruel death on the cross. For those ...
Mar 18, 2009
Some
athletes loom larger than life. Their personas transcend their sports
prowess, and make them cultural icons. Genuine authority flows from
within, no matter who you are. Jesus Christ had a u...
Mar 17, 2009
Some
celebrity athletes talk big, but when their performance lags behind
their egos, they're not taken seriously anymore. Real authority flows
from who you are, not how loud you can talk. Jesus C...
Mar 16, 2009
When
you size up any group of people, it's easy to tell who's in
charge...there's something intangible about real leaders. In all of
history, no one has ever projected the authority that Jesus had...
Mar 13, 2009
In
an Olympic race, you either win, or lose. Coming in fourth is like
bringing up the rear. The same is true in the spiritual realm. All of
us are either winning or losing eternally. And our re...
Mar 12, 2009
People
once thought that running a four-minute mile would take a miracle.
Well, one day, someone did it, it's no longer a miracle. Real miracles
include raising the dead, and feeding the five tho...
Mar 11, 2009
We
all cheer when an athlete suffers a serious injury, and later, gets
back in the game. That's called a "miracle comeback." But for real
miracles, we need to look to Jesus Christ, who demonstrat...
Mar 10, 2009
He
never wrote a book, never owned a home, He never traveled extensively.
Still today, He's the centerpiece of the human race. Jesus Christ lived
a perfect life and died a perfect sacrifice. Not...
Mar 9, 2009
An
Olympic track judge has to be above reproach. Otherwise, no one would
trust him to adjudicate a gold medal race. In matters of faith, a
Savior has to be sinless to be a sacrifice for our sins....
Mar 6, 2009
There
are many things that set Christ apart from all others who claim to
point the way to God. His supernatural birth, for one. Jesus was fully
human, but had no earthly father. Born to a young J...
Mar 5, 2009
Everyone
likes a story of rags-to-riches. But for Jesus, taking on human flesh
means His story is riches to rags. The Son of God's arrival in
Bethlehem fulfilled countless prophecies and drew the ...
Mar 4, 2009
You
can't take home Olympic gold without conforming to the rules of the
race. Only one route leads to the finish line. And you can't get to
heaven by picking out your own religion as you might pi...
Mar 3, 2009
When
Rick Warren was announced as one praying at President Obama's
inauguration, an immediate and shrill cry arose. "What if he invokes
the name of Jesus?" That was the great fear among the enlig...
Mar 2, 2009
Tell
an Olympic runner that "it doesn't matter which track you race on, all
are equally good," and he'll think you came from Mars. He knows the
winner only gets the gold medal at the track that co...
Feb 27, 2009
Job
learned a great lesson in his unspeakable time of suffering. And to be
able to face the unknowns of life, so must we. Victorious runners in
life's race know that they are clay in the Potter's...
Feb 26, 2009
Behind
the seeming randomness of the calamities that befall us lies the
purpose of God. Only heaven may reveal that. It all comes down to this:
as we run the race of life, we must learn to trust ...
Feb 25, 2009
Hidden
in the councils of heaven are the answers to the heartfelt cries of
millions of people who simply want to know "why?" As we run the race of
life, we encounter troubles we can't explain...an...
Feb 24, 2009
On
the ground, we see stalks of corn. But from the air, we see a patchwork
quilt of farmland. It's all in the perspective. In the race of life, we
can't see what lies ahead. No crystal ball can...
Feb 23, 2009
When
He speaks, all other voices are silenced. All creation pauses to
listen. When God speaks, the skies thunder. We can know that our
running of life's race has a purpose, even when we suffer a...
Feb 20, 2009
When
we face severe trials, we ask "Why?" We may never know the answer. But
for a suffering Job of old, the answer was dramatic. We who run life's
race serve a God Whose purposes are often hidden...
Feb 19, 2009
In
many ways, God is hidden to us. We cannot fathom His purposes. Still,
we persevere in faith, knowing He's active. Runners in life's race must
learn that God is too big for anyone to comprehen...
Feb 18, 2009
Trying
to understand the ways of God is like swimming across the Atlantic
Ocean...too much water, and not enough time. Runners in life's race
know that God cannot be contained in our finite compre...
Feb 17, 2009
Tough
questions must be faced. Questions like "where was God in the
Holocaust?" And, "Why is the economy unraveling?" Runners in life's
race need to know that these kinds of questions can be face...
Feb 16, 2009
An
Olympic gold winner rightly enjoys his fame and achievement...for a
time. But one day, he'll face another goal. And that's answering the
ultimate question: "When I die, what happens?" As we'l...
Feb 13, 2009
For
a thoughtful runner, life's ultimate question is not "will I win this
race?" but rather, "when I die, will I live again?" That's the
provocative question Job raised several thousand years ago....
Feb 12, 2009
When
a thief steals what you own, you feel violated. When circumstances
develop that ruin your future, you feel angry. Something within us
demands an answer when we're the victims of economic col...
Feb 11, 2009
When
the going gets tough, we all long for the good old days. But the track
only goes forward...we have no choice but to run. Life: it takes its
toll on all of us, especially in times of crisis an...
Feb 10, 2009
Your
company: bankrupt. Your pension and health benefits: gone. Your state
of mind: panic. What do you do? Suffering: you can't separate it from
the human experience. Some people seem to glide...
Feb 9, 2009
We've
all seen Olympic track stars who fall...faces torn by anger and grief.
Suffering: it's tough on national TV. It's tough anytime. Each of us
either has experienced, or will experience some ...
Feb 6, 2009
When
a runner trips and falls, the competitors run on by. Until the coach
arrives, he or she bears the pain of defeat alone. During his severe
trials, Job of old underwent great pain, yet he foun...
Feb 5, 2009
What
are friends for? Hopefully, to be there when you need them. Otherwise,
you run life's race as if you're the only one on the track. When you're
hit with bad news you can scarcely absorb, a f...
Feb 4, 2009
Human
reason: it can only go so far in exploring life's deep issues like "why
are we here?," and "why is there suffering?" And when three men pool
their ignorance to help a friend in distress, the...
Feb 3, 2009
Friends...we
all need them during life's hard times. But sometimes, well-meaning
friends can do more harm than good. Today we'll meet some men who tried
to help a suffering Job. Truly, with frie...
Feb 2, 2009
Our
sense of justice is assaulted when bad things happen to good people.
Our instincts say just the opposite should take place. The book of Job
was written to help us understand why the righteous...
Jan 30, 2009
There
are far worse things to lose than one's possessions. Even Job's great
faith wilted when he lost his health. First you lose your savings, then
your job, then your children. Finally, you lea...
Jan 29, 2009
A
hurricane destroys a coastal town. Cancer strikes a promising athlete.
Bad things happen to good people, and we ask "Why?" Life's race can
take tragic turns. Your retirement savings are vapor...
Jan 28, 2009
When
all is going well, believers have little sense of their need for God.
But when calamity strikes, they'll tell a different story. When the
economy fractures and your job is lost, finding the ...
Jan 27, 2009
Your
son's on his bike. A distracted driver slams on the brakes...but too
late to prevent your son's death. You cry out "why?" Life's race can be
hard when the "whys" have no answer. Years can ...
Jan 26, 2009
A
gymnast trains for years, performing flawlessly in practice. But at the
Olympics she falls from the balance beam, crying "Why?" "Why" is the
word that haunts us when things go seemingly wrong. ...
Jan 23, 2009
The
Bible says that Satan can appear as an angel of light. Indeed, many
follow demons when they think they're following God. History will
climax in a great struggle of good and evil. The outcome...
Jan 22, 2009
These
days, people are very eager to believe in change. "Don't mind the
details," they say, "just give me change." In the end times, change
will come in the person the Bible calls the Antichrist,...
Jan 21, 2009
The
ultimate future for the believer is indeed glorious, but not before the
darkest period in world history has taken place. The Bible says that in
the latter times some will depart from the faith ...
Jan 20, 2009
What
does the future hold? Most prognosticators can't look very far into the
unknown. At best, they can only guess. But the Bible gives some clues
as to what will happen in what are called "the ...
Jan 19, 2009
With
the willing help of the media in America, an unseen Pied Piper of
Hamlin is leading millions into a false hope...a hope that they can
fashion their own destinies, empower their own choices, an...
Jan 16, 2009
When
people are dazzled by miracles, they'll believe almost anything.
Modern-day miracle workers take fast advantage of that. You can even
buy a book called A Course in Miracles. And since only ...
Jan 15, 2009
It's
blatant, it's in your face, it's out there for all to see. Open
rebellion against the God of the Bible is now the style of our day. Be
redefining God in its own image, our culture has taken ...
Jan 14, 2009
"Do
you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God?"In court, truth is important. The Bible teaches
that in the end times, truth will give way to a lie....
Jan 13, 2009
In
the race of life, what's your goal? Wealth? Power? Position? Or is it
to hear "well done" from Jesus at the finish line? Many Americans
treasure their freedom because it means they can do w...
Jan 12, 2009
Is
God on America's side? We all thought so when the twin towers were
destroyed. Off we went to fight the war on terror. Years later, the war
is ongoing. The economy is teetering on the brink. ...
Jan 12, 2009
When
God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, one thing's for
sure: He was not making the "Ten Suggestions." All too often we take
the Bible's teachings as optional. We pick and cho...
Jan 12, 2009
The
separation of Church and State: a premise not found in the Constitution
or in the Declaration of Independence. It's referred to in the writings
of Thomas Jefferson, and has been given a level ...
Jan 12, 2009
"Be
not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows, that will
he reap." That goes for nations, as well. The United States has known
blessing from the hand of God that few nations in h...
Jan 12, 2009
An
economy in free-fall...home values plummeting...jobs disappearing...are
these normal cycles which will soon turn around? Or, are these evidence
that America is fading from its past glories as G...
Jan 12, 2009
Soon
we'll see the dawn of a new administration in Washington. Enormous
challenges face our new President and his staff. An economy in
collapse, a war on two fronts and an increasing sense that t...
Jan 12, 2009
When
King David was on the run from his enemies, he learned to place his
hope in God...in fact, to thirst for the living God. Few among us are
as thirsty for God as David was. Too many things fil...
Jan 12, 2009
Is
God on America's side? We all thought so when the twin towers were
destroyed. Off we went to fight the war on terror. Years later, the war
is ongoing. The economy is teetering on the brink. ...
Jan 9, 2009
When
God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, one thing's for
sure: He was not making the "Ten Suggestions." All too often we take
the Bible's teachings as optional. We pick and cho...
Jan 8, 2009
The
separation of Church and State: a premise not found in the Constitution
or in the Declaration of Independence. It's referred to in the writings
of Thomas Jefferson, and has been given a level ...
Jan 7, 2009
"Be
not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows, that will
he reap." That goes for nations, as well. The United States has known
blessing from the hand of God that few nations in h...
Jan 6, 2009
An
economy in free-fall...home values plummeting...jobs disappearing...are
these normal cycles which will soon turn around? Or, are these evidence
that America is fading from its past glories as G...
Jan 5, 2009
Soon
we'll see the dawn of a new administration in Washington. Enormous
challenges face our new President and his staff. An economy in
collapse, a war on two fronts and an increasing sense that t...
Jan 2, 2009
When
King David was on the run from his enemies, he learned to place his
hope in God...in fact, to thirst for the living God. Few among us are
as thirsty for God as David was. Too many things fil...
Jan 1, 2009
Do
you long for God? King David did. For most of us, having all we need
means we have little reason to seek God. But David was a hunted man,
chased among the rocks of the desert, a man who knew ...
Dec 31, 2008
The
baby's birth would both divide and unite, and Simeon knew it. Holding
Christ in his arms, he beheld the face of God. Today is New Year's Eve.
As we measure time, another year is dawning. We ...
Dec 30, 2008
It
was a moment of destiny. In Jerusalem's temple, Simeon holds the baby
Jesus, and his life would never be the same. Now, some two thousand
years later, we need to recognize what Simeon recogniz...
Dec 29, 2008
Shortly
after the birth of Christ, an old man had the experience of a lifetime.
A young couple brought to him the infant Son of God. We who run life's
race can scarcely imagine what went through ...
Dec 26, 2008
Well,
time to head back to the mall...to grab those after-Christmas bargains,
and return those clothes that just don't fit. If our broadcast finds
you making plans to race to the store, remember t...
Dec 25, 2008
At
last the race to the stores is over. Today the kids attack their
presents with that annual gleam in their eyes. For most of us,
Christmas morning is a happy time as our families gather in the s...
Dec 24, 2008
The
day before Christmas and that last dash to the mall: for merchants,
another frenzy of selling. But there were no malls in Bethlehem long
ago; no lights, no friends. Indeed, Christmas had a hu...
Dec 23, 2008
December
25 was not Jesus' actual birthday, but it's the date set aside long ago
for us to honor that birth. For Mary His mother, that birth began a
long period of pain and sorrow, a personal toll...
Dec 22, 2008
In
three days we'll celebrate the central event in human history...the
coming of Jesus Christ to live among us. But while Christians now enjoy
the benefits of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurre...
Dec 19, 2008
One
thing about the Bible: it does not mince words. Its authors do not
sugar-coat the truth, even when that truth is unpleasant. When John
wrote Revelation under the inspiration of the Holy Spiri...
Dec 18, 2008
Like
brilliant facets of a diamond, there are many sides to Jesus Christ.
He's both a loving teacher and a stern judge. His authority over every
one who has ever lived is absolute, for He holds t...
Dec 17, 2008
There's
a stark contrast between the Jesus of the manger and the Jesus who will
one day return in great power and glory. The eyes of the baby Jesus
twinkled in the pale moonlight. The eyes of the ...
Dec 16, 2008
The
real Jesus: He's much more than a good excuse to sell Christmas
presents. He is the Lord of glory and the Lamb of God. And as that
Lamb, He came to offer Himself as an atonement for the sins o...
Dec 15, 2008
It's
true: nothing has changed history on this planet more than the
appearance of one solitary life: that of Jesus. With no media, no mass
transit, no money, and few followers, how could one man h...
Dec 12, 2008
Those
who worry that Christmas loses its meaning in the annual mad dash to
the department store have something worse to fear. That the real Christ
of Christmas has been supplanted by false christs ...
Dec 11, 2008
We
all remember Rodney King saying "Why can't we all just get along?" Many
hope all denominations can one day unify. Problem is, unity without a
common doctrinal basis is not real unity. There a...
Dec 10, 2008
Can
a group that says Jesus is the brother of Satan claim to be Christian?
There's one major religious denomination that does. Also, they teach
that we can become gods just like Jesus did. Today...
Dec 9, 2008
Jesus
made it very clear to His disciples that there would be many speaking
in His name as the end of the age approached. These days, when you talk
about Jesus with someone, you have to find out w...
Dec 8, 2008
CBS
tried to use bogus documents to influence a presidential election.
Accuracy matters, documents must be verifiable. That's why Luke took
such pains to investigate and record only what he could...
Dec 5, 2008
Some
time ago, The DaVinci Code novel and movie mixed fact and fiction in a
masterful attempt to undermine the Christian faith. The Holy Grail was
said to be the remains of Mary Magdalene, the wife...
Dec 4, 2008
Some
say truth is stranger than fiction. To Dan Brown, both were completely
tangled in a mess called The DaVinci Code. With more factual holes than
a piece of Swiss cheese, The DaVinci Code was a...
Dec 3, 2008
Some
scholars say that the Bibles' record of Christ's teachings is mostly an
embellished myth from the imaginations of men. Let's take a break from
the race of life and focus on this: if what Jesu...
Dec 2, 2008
Where
would life be without Post-It notes: those yellow squares that keep us
on track with all the things we have to take care of? Reminders are
good things, since by nature we tend to forget. Th...
Dec 1, 2008
It's
the height of intellectual arrogance: scholars around a table decide
what sayings of Jesus they think are genuine. It's called the Jesus
Seminar, where so-called experts try to demystify Jesu...
Nov 28, 2008
Some
Bible promises were for certain people, while others apply to all
believers. Keeping this straight solves many problems. Just because
Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still doesn't mean we ...
Nov 27, 2008
Fireworks
can briefly bring the light of the sun to the night sky. But when
Joshua needed more daylight for battle, he just prayed. The Bible says
the sun stood still in the Valley of Ajilon, as G...
Nov 26, 2008
Many
of us pray for little things, where there isn't much risk. Then there's
Joshua, who prayed for big things...I mean really big things. He needed
more daylight to defeat an enemy, so he asked ...
Nov 25, 2008
God
in His grace has a way of turning our lemons into lemonade. He can make
good come even out of our bad decisions. Joshua cut a bad deal with the
Gibeonites, but God used it for the long-term b...
Nov 24, 2008
All
of us have made promises we wish we didn't have to keep...promises made
in haste, promises made without the Lord's counsel. But Joshua shows us
what to do once we've made a promise: and that ...
Nov 21, 2008
It
happens to all of us. Despite our best intentions, we make poor
decisions, and then have to live with the consequences. Part of running
life's race is dealing with those bad decisions. Are yo...
Nov 20, 2008
It's
sad, but it's true. Many believers attempt to manage their sins rather
than to confess and forsake them. They think they can control their
lives and keep a lid on the infection eating them u...
Nov 19, 2008
Every
time you cheat or steal, remember the story of Achan. No sin remains
undiscovered. God is watching. Many believers are tripped up in life's
race by what they may think is only a little sin...
Nov 18, 2008
Spiritual
mountaintops can be followed by deep valleys, especially when we allow
sin to remain hidden in our lives. Joshua learned this the hard way
after his humiliating defeat at Ai. After all...
Nov 17, 2008
The
conquest of Jericho began with a miracle and ended with a slaughter.
Every man, woman and child was put to death. No one doubts that God
gave Israel a great victory at Jericho. But in hindsi...
Nov 14, 2008
Modern
armies don't conduct warfare the way ancient Israel took Jericho. You
don't march around and shout...you attack. But march and shout they
did, because God's purpose was to prove to them th...
Nov 13, 2008
The
enemy had it all: a walled city, superior arms. But Israel had
God...Jericho didn't stand a chance. At Gilgal, God through Joshua
prepared His people for a great day of victory yet to come. ...
Nov 12, 2008
Some
believers never run life's race. They sit by the side of the road,
feeling left out of what God had for them. This is a mistake. Being
morose is no fun. Our attitude makes a big difference...
Nov 11, 2008
On
the racetrack of life, many of us get weary, needing renewal during our
desert times. Only then can we run again. We don't know what's ahead
around the next bend in the road. But God does: He...
Nov 10, 2008
Are
you in the wilderness, spiritually? Has your vision of God dimmed? You
need to stay tuned for a way out of the desert. Joshua needed a fresh
cleansing from God, and a fresh vision of God, be...
Nov 7, 2008
The
race of life is a struggle from the first sprint to the last lap. Each
of us needs the word of God for strength to face the battle. And that
means meditation and study in the Scriptures each ...
Nov 6, 2008
Most
of us know that life's not a bed of roses. We face conflict and
struggle every step of the way toward the goal line. Ancient Israel:
they didn't find life a picnic either. Joshua's conquest...
Nov 5, 2008
Any
sprinter knows that getting a good jump off the starting blocks is key
to winning a race. That's true in life as well. For believers on the
racetrack of life, there is no substitute for a good...
Nov 4, 2008
Jesus
said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in Me, and I
in you, you will bear much fruit...." As we run the race of life, let's
not forget that the world sees the fruit, not ...
Nov 3, 2008
If
you ask most Christians, "Do you want to be like Jesus?" they'd
probably say "of course." Until they find out what that really means.
Jesus renounced His privileges and humbled Himself to the...
Oct 31, 2008
The
blinding glory of God was encased in the human flesh of Jesus. But He
chose to contain that glory and limit His options. And that emptying of
Himself is the key to how we can bring His messag...
Oct 30, 2008
There's
a basic problem in evangelism: the world thinks the cross we preach
about is foolish, but to us, it's the power of God. As we run the race
of life as believers in Christ, how do we bring t...
Oct 29, 2008
There's
a true story about a pilot who decided to not believe his instruments,
and flew his plane over a thousand miles in the wrong direction. No
frequent flyer miles here... that man had a compa...
Oct 28, 2008
Americans
are adrift in a sea of moral relativism. These days, what's wrong is
now right; what was right is now wrong. At a time of same-sex marriage
and rampant abortion, we need a moral compass...
Oct 27, 2008
Moral
schizophrenia: in our society it's OK to kill a baby right before
birth, but it's murder to kill one after birth. That's what happens
when moral choices are set by the will of the majority. ...
Oct 24, 2008
Without
a ruler, you can't measure how long something is. And without some kind
of moral compass, you can't tell right from wrong. And as we'll learn
today, a culture that rejects Christ is a cul...
Oct 23, 2008
One
day there will be no more racial or ethnic divisions. One day, redeemed
humanity will glory only in the cross...that's the picture the Bible
paints in the book of Revelation. Their races of l...
Oct 22, 2008
Many
who seek racial justice call for "a level playing field" of equal
opportunity. There is a place where the field is level... and that
place is at the foot of the cross of Christ. True unity a...
Oct 21, 2008
The
tragedy of racial and ethnic violence is that it's not getting any
better. Military and diplomatic efforts don't remove the hate. In
places like the Middle East, it takes a common denominator ...
Oct 20, 2008
Rwanda?Kosovo...the
Gaza strip. Many of today's tragic conflicts stem from deep-rooted
racial or ethnic strife. It seems there is no human solution to this
dilemma.....but there is a divine solut...
Oct 17, 2008
Outside
of Jerusalem a transaction took place that shook the foundations of
creation. Jesus, the Messiah, died. Then, as now, people passed by, not
realizing the eternal consequences of what was ...
Oct 16, 2008
There
is a love so vast that it cannot be measured, much less comprehended.
That love was displayed on a brutal cross. We can only run the race of
life toward heaven because Jesus Christ hung on ...
Oct 15, 2008
Buried
in the depths of the purposes of God lies the answer to this question:
why did God send His Son to the cross? As we run life's daily race,
let's not forget that mercy is getting what you do...
Oct 14, 2008
Paul
wrote: "The preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." This poses a
difficult question, a question that lies at the ver...
Oct 13, 2008
Most
people believe Jesus was a great teacher and a good example. But few
really understand why He died on a cruel cross. These days, polling
data is king. In the mainstream media, the truth see...
Oct 10, 2008
To
many people the cross is a piece of jewelry, or what's atop a church
steeple. Most people don't see it as it really is... the centerpiece of
history and the core of God's redemptive agenda. In...
Oct 9, 2008
If
something is important to God, it had better be important to us. And
the one thing central in God's agenda is the cross. What happened on
the cross of Christ was not just another static moment...
Oct 8, 2008
In
one sense, the cross of Christ was just ordinary wood, used for six
hours to kill a man. Ultimately, it was much more. That cross was in
God's mind from eternity past. Its benefits extend to ...
Oct 7, 2008
The
cross of Christ is the centerpiece of our faith, and the means by which
forgiveness comes. It's in the cross that we glory. As we run life's
race, our eyes are often drawn to secondary things...
Oct 6, 2008
Is
it ever right to do what is wrong? Can believers ever disobey their
government? And where do we draw the line on what is right? Believers
have a dual allegiance: they must obey both God and c...
Oct 3, 2008
You've
heard it said that oil and water don't mix. They're too
different...they cannot work together. It's just like the cross and the
flag. We who run life's race need to learn this lesson well...
Oct 2, 2008
We've
all heard the call: "Let's take America back!" Some would have us make
political salvation our prime religious objective. It may be that some
of us as runners in life's race have found a ser...
Oct 1, 2008
The
red, white, and blue...we Americans treasure our flag for what it
represents. But some think the flag is as important as the cross. When
it comes to being citizens of both heaven and earth, b...
Sep 30, 2008
There's
a great battle going on... a battle that will not cease until the end
of this age. It's the clash of cross and culture. As runners in the
race of life, believers need to understand the na...
Sep 29, 2008
When
culture says one thing, but God says another, whose voice do you heed?
There's a great temptation to avoid the conflict. But the cross of
Christ is inherently in conflict with our culture......
Sep 26, 2008
In
November, Americans will face a stark choice at the polling booth. The
issues are clear and the future is at stake. Many Christians active in
politics find themselves increasingly at odds with...
Sep 25, 2008
There
are a lot of reasons why you can trust the Bible, historical,
prophetic, scientific, but there's one reason that tops the list. The
power of the Bible to change lives is why this book is al...
Sep 24, 2008
The
Bible has left its mark on millions: societies transformed,
relationships healed, truth understood. We who run the race of life can
trust a book that has this kind of track record. The Bible...
Sep 23, 2008
What
do you trust in? Your government? Your savings account? The future?
When you come right down to it, there is little we can trust in. But
there is one book we can trust with our eternal d...
Sep 22, 2008
To
many people, the Bible is something you put your hand on to be sworn
into office. Beyond that, it's just Jewish myths and moral teaching.
But the sixty-six books that make up our Bible contain...
Sep 19, 2008
If
the Bible was written by some 40 authors over a period of 1,600 years,
the book we hold today had to have a serious editor. Where did the
Bible come from? Who picked what writings got in, and ...
Sep 19, 2008
If
you trust your eternal destiny to the writings in an ancient book, it's
reasonable to ask if that book is trustworthy. In the case of the
Bible, the answer is "yes," especially in terms of whic...
Sep 17, 2008
Our
minds cannot grasp the immensity of the universe, let alone explain
where it came from. Creation displays the glory of God and the Bible's
simple, profound account of creation stands unchallen...
Sep 16, 2008
Despite
the evidence, most scientists reject a Divine Hand in creation because
that Divine Hand would hold them morally accountable. As one scientist
said, "We can't let God get a foot in the door...
Sep 15, 2008
Thanks
to the space program, astronomers know a great deal about what is "out
there." But they can't tell us how it all "got there." The tough thing
for scientists is facing the question of Ultim...
Sep 12, 2008
Would
Jesus knowingly tell a lie? Even the most liberal theologian or scholar
would have trouble saying "yes" to that question. So when Jesus
repeatedly affirms the accuracy of the Old Testament ...
Sep 11, 2008
Time
and again, Jesus referred to Old Testament events as historical facts.
If you believe Him, you must believe the Old Testament. Many who doubt
the scriptures need to deal with the Christ who ...
Sep 10, 2008
Although
modern scholars try to demean Jesus, few say He was a bad man. Most
look to Him as at least a good moral teacher and so to scholars,
Christ's opinion of the Bible should be at least worth...
Sep 9, 2008
Major
news magazines report that Jesus only said 18 percent of what the Bible
says He said. No miracles...just a man. The Christ of the Bible,
though, is a far-different figure. The Christ of th...
Sep 8, 2008
Most
so-called prophets bathe their predictions in mystery and allegory. Few
name names and places like the Bible does. Nostradamus never predicted
the death of a great city the way the Bible tel...
Sep 5, 2008
In
clear language, the Bible predicts what will happen hundreds of years
before events take place. This is fulfilled prophecy. Fulfilled
prophecy is a powerful reason for trusting the Bible to be...
Sep 4, 2008
In
a day of gigabytes and processing power, finding hidden codes in the
Bible may seem timely. But is this how God validates His word? Today: a
common-sense approach to the Bible Code issue and a...
Sep 3, 2008
One
of the key reasons for trusting the Bible is its accuracy in predicting
the future. Its prophecies have been fulfilled again and again. Yet
some point to a Bible Code as evidence of hidden re...
Sep 2, 2008
Is
the Bible historically accurate? Lots of scholars say "no," until new
findings prove otherwise. Bottom line: you can trust this book. Running
life's race demands a trustworthy guidebook. Tod...
Sep 1, 2008
Lots
of scholars take pot shots at the Bible, claiming it's not historically
accurate. The trouble is, mounting evidence proves otherwise. All it
takes is a trip to Israel to verify the uncanny p...
Aug 29, 2008
Most
of us believe what's in the newspaper. After all, no critical scholars
hold seminars to debunk the New York Times. Though they're slow to
attack a venerable newspaper, critics are quick to d...
Aug 28, 2008
We've
had the Bible on the witness stand for several days, and it's told us
over 1500 times that the word of the Lord came through its authors...
men who speak with a single voice even though they ...
Aug 27, 2008
To
gather evidence, courts take testimony from witnesses. To evaluate the
claims of the Bible, let's put it on the witness stand. As the
cross-examination begins, we find a book that claims to sp...
Aug 26, 2008
The
Bible was written by 40 authors over some 1600 years. But a clear unity
marks the diversity of its origins. And this book makes some remarkable
claims for itself. Today, let's pause in the r...
Aug 25, 2008
Although
intellectual doubts are legitimate, the Bible stands up to intense
scrutiny. To an open mind, the Bible is true. As we run the race of
life, we're confronted by doubters who point to err...
Aug 22, 2008
Sometimes
in a business deal, the negotiations are over. The terms are clear;
your choice is simple: you either take it, or leave it. As a guidebook
for the race of life, we must either take the ...
Aug 21, 2008
Beneath
the shifting sands of our culture lies a bedrock that is immovable and
unchangeable. That bedrock is the Bible. The Bible gives direction to
those running life's race...not just for this ...
Aug 20, 2008
Is
your son or daughter addicted to the internet? He or she may be the
unwitting victim of those that seek to ensnare your kids. Chat groups
and other web sites lure teenagers into dangerous rela...
Aug 19, 2008
Holiday
weekends invite us to relax. But there is a battle going on that
demands our full attention, and full commitment. Your teenagers are in
the crosshairs as powerful forces seek their destru...
Aug 18, 2008
Independence
Day reminds us that America won its freedom. But some in America today
are locked in chains. America's youth are being targeted by powerful
forces bent on their destruction through e...
Aug 15, 2008
If
only we had eternal eyes, and could see the end from the beginning. The
race of life we run would look far different. With eternal eyes we'd
see all those things we could not change, but tried...
Aug 14, 2008
Consider
certainties...in life there may be few, but in the plan of God there
are some things that must happen. Every race must have a winner. Every
word of scripture must be fulfilled. Indeed, ...
Aug 13, 2008
In
every Olympic race, someone must win. Someone must take home the gold
medal, the supreme emblem of victory. In running life's race we
sometimes labor under the illusion that we can control all...
Aug 12, 2008
Our
eyes can only see light in a narrow spectrum. Beyond blue is
ultraviolet, beyond red is infrared. There is much we do not see, and
as we run life's race, it's good to get a new perspective. ...
Aug 11, 2008
A
face in the crowd, a passing worry, a minor ache...a runner can be
easily sidetracked from focusing on the race at hand. All of us need to
prioritize our thinking, not "major on the minors" when ...
Aug 8, 2008
If
you believe the media, what matters most is either who gets elected,
who's caught up in the latest scandal, or who's going with who. In a
hundred years, none of this will matter. Let's cut thr...
Aug 7, 2008
One
day the race of life will end: no more laps around the track, we'll
finally be at rest from all our labors. But believers know that they
must run that race while they can, because their goal i...
Aug 6, 2008
Someone
once said, "There is no substitute for victory." We all felt elation
when Iraq's Saddam Hussein fell. But there are many battles to face in
the race of life. One day they'll all be over...
Aug 5, 2008
Sudden
illness, a tragic death, a natural disaster, a job loss. Everyone who
faces calamity asks "Why?" Our races of life are often marked by
unexplained events. The eye of faith looks forward to...
Aug 4, 2008
Whenever
you worry about the way the world is going, you can find great comfort
by reading the last chapter of the story. For believers in the race of
life, there is a certain future which follows...
Aug 1, 2008
The
songwriter says, "I know Who holds the future." And since God holds
that future, we can be sure it is in good hands. According to Bible
prophecy, that future contains some dark days for plane...
Jul 31, 2008
One
day the race of life will end: no more trials, and no more
opportunities to serve the Lord on this earth. One day the last lap
will be run and the goal line will be crossed. The Bible gives u...
Jul 30, 2008
We
may never know in this life why we we are faced with a difficult test
of character. But someday, it will all be clear. When God evaluates the
way we ran the race of life, He will note every ti...
Jul 29, 2008
When
the hi-tech bubble burst, lots of people lost lots of money in the
stock market. Then there is Job of old. Job lost more than his money.
He lost everything he owned. He lost his ten childr...
Jul 28, 2008
Why
do bad things happen to good people? What is the point of being
righteous if the righteous have to suffer? It seems that we who run
life's race can sometimes only limp, kept on the sidelines ...
Jul 25, 2008
Jesus
Christ did not die accidentally. Every detail of His sacrifice was
predetermined before time began. God was not caught off guard. God was
in control. And we who believe in Christ look to ...
Jul 24, 2008
There
are no words to adequately portray what happened on a pivotal Friday in
Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago. An innocent man was led to His death
for crimes He did not commit. But behind the dra...
Jul 23, 2008
Every
visible indication pointed to Jesus dying a loser, jeered at, beaten,
and made to hang on a shameful cross. But God's purposes cannot be
thwarted. All of Satan's forces could not prevent th...
Jul 22, 2008
The
Bible tells believers that life is a race to be run, but it is no
tiptoe through the tulips. Temptations lie everywhere. The enemy of our
souls is God's mortal enemy as well. Although his do...
Jul 21, 2008
Sometimes
we pause in the race of life to ask tough questions like, "Why does God
let Satan cause so much destruction?" The Bible gives us insight in
answering those tough questions. Today: a loo...
Jul 18, 2008
While
we never take our theology from Hollywood, all of us know that there is
a great struggle going on between good and evil. We see it in nations,
and we see it within our own hearts. Will this...
Jul 17, 2008
God
could have left mankind in the misery of rebellion, but chose to extend
His grace by giving fallen man a Savior. Like a life-preserver to a
drowning swimmer, there is a way of salvation from t...
Jul 16, 2008
They
say that hindsight is 20-20. If only we could see the consequences of
our choices before we make them: but we cannot. Neither could Satan,
who made the biggest miscalculation of all time. L...
Jul 15, 2008
Rebellion:
it is like a disease. We caught it from Satan, and now a drop of his
rebellion is found in every human heart. His words to Eve aroused the
same pride that caused his fall eons earlier....
Jul 14, 2008
Some
call it the law of unintended consequences. This is certain: one day,
Satan will reap what he never intended to sow. His great gamble of
turning traitor to God has resulted in devastation on...
Jul 11, 2008
Nothing
is worse for a track star than to slip and fall during a race. Your
pride is probably more wounded than your body. Interestingly, it was
pride that caused the greatest angel ever created ...
Jul 10, 2008
Why
would God's number one angel decide to turn traitor, knowing he could
never defeat his all-powerful Creator? It is a mystery that Pastor
Lutzer dares to probe, and a mystery that goes a long w...
Jul 9, 2008
Do
you ever stop long enough to ask, "Why am I here? Where am I going?
What is it all about, anyway?" If not, stop now. Take a break from the
rat race to think about why you are running. For b...
Jul 8, 2008
Only
when men took their first steps into space did we realize how little we
are, and how big the universe really is. We sent our frail bodies
roaring aloft in cylinders of metal to protect us fro...
Jul 7, 2008
Sometimes
we cannot see the forest for the trees. Once in a while, it is good to
pull back the lens and get a wide-angle view. For believers in the race
of life, a good question might be, "Just w...
Jul 4, 2008
To
many, God seems capricious. He heals some, but lets others die. Some
get great wealth; others starve. Running life's race means
understanding that faith in God lets God set the priorities. T...
Jul 3, 2008
Some
people pray and God moves mightily. Others pray and God does not come
to their aid. One might ask, "Why pray?" As we run the race of life we
need to understand the nature of faith as "the s...
Jul 2, 2008
How
do you handle unanswered prayer? What do you do when it seems your
requests to God keep bouncing off the ceiling? From time to time, all
believers running life's race find themselves wonderin...
Jul 1, 2008
Back
when you were a child, it hurt when you did wrong and Dad spanked you
as punishment. But at least you knew you had a Dad. When God
disciplines a sinning child, it hurts as well. But we can ...
Jun 30, 2008
Driving
along the highway we often see warning signs. To disregard them puts us
in real danger of accident and injury. The same is true in the race of
life. God has warnings in scripture we'd bet...
Jun 27, 2008
Not
every Bible passage is meant to make us feel good. Some verses
challenge our natural inclination to take the easy way. Join others on
the race of life in taking stock of your spiritual condit...
Jun 26, 2008
It
is one thing to agree that the sacrifice of Christ was enough to pay
for our sins. It is another to make that real in our lives. Today: join
others running life's race in learning how the pric...
Jun 25, 2008
When
Jesus said "It is finished," He was declaring the awful price of sin
paid in full, for all time, for all who believe. Those who run life's
race dogged by guilt can know forgiveness and pardon...
Jun 24, 2008
Ever
been burdened by a crushing debt you could not pay? Now imagine the
relief you would feel if someone else paid it for you. Think of your
mortgage balance cancelled, your credit card statemen...
Jun 23, 2008
To
deserve a rest, we need to work hard enough to be tired. And to gain
God's spiritual rest, we need to exercise our faith. Those tired from
running life's race will appreciate the prospect of G...
Jun 20, 2008
In
all of life, there is a time for activity and a time for rest.
Thankfully, that is also true in the spiritual realm. The Bible teaches
that there is a rest for the people of God. But God's re...
Jun 19, 2008
After
a mile run, an athlete needs rest. So do we after a long day at work.
What is good for the body is good for the soul. The author of Hebrews
tells of a rest for the people of God. If you ar...
Jun 18, 2008
As
we count them, there are small sins and big sins...but in God's sight,
there is one biggest sin. It is unbelief. Unbelief keeps people from
salvation, and unbelief keeps Christians from fruitf...
Jun 17, 2008
Some
would teach that once we are saved, we are all set. God will bless us
no matter what we do. After all, we are going to heaven. But when God
detects a spirit of unbelief in His children, He ...
Jun 16, 2008
We
would all agree that God is angry with the wicked. But think: does God
ever get angry with Christians? The answer might surprise you. We who
run life's race need to pause long enough to face th...
Jun 13, 2008
When
an angel appeared in Bible times, people would fall on their faces. But
the angel was often quick to say "Do not worship me." We should do as
the angels do, and worship the one they worship....
Jun 12, 2008
Lots
of people believe in angels. They think angels are heavenly friends
sent to work out our earthly problems. Not so fast. The reality is that
angels exist to do the will of God, and to exalt ...
Jun 11, 2008
There
is a New Testament book that takes us directly into heaven's throne
room. Here we find what it means to "draw near to God." That book is
the book of Hebrews, and today we begin a series tha...
Jun 10, 2008
To
win a major race, runners lose extra weight. They cast off everything
that might slow them down on their way to victory. Believers are
commanded to love God supremely, and cast off every weigh...
Jun 9, 2008
First
place...the thought of winning a race drives athletes to excel...to
give their all to cross the goal line first. Believers are to give God
first place in their lives, running life's race for...
Jun 6, 2008
At
the racetrack, a runner is driven by the thought of victory. The race
is worth all the effort when the prize awaits at the end. Believers are
to run life's race for Christ, who taught us to lo...
Jun 5, 2008
When
a man or woman is converted to Christ, many deep-seated desires change.
We become givers rather than takers...and God's desire is that we see
our money as a trust to manage, not a possession ...
Jun 4, 2008
Money:
You cannot live without it, and sometimes you cannot live with it.
Believers in the race of life need to come to grips with money, and
that means discerning God's intentions for our pocketb...
Jun 3, 2008
"The
love of money is the root of all evil." Christians running the race of
life frequently get tripped up by matters of money. And those issues
revolve around ownership. Whose money is it reall...
Jun 2, 2008
Not
all of us can win the hundred-meter dash. But all of us can run to the
best of our ability. That is all a coach can expect. For every track
star in the Olympics, there are ten thousand runne...
May 30, 2008
Remember
high school gym class? Perhaps you never did well in those track
events, but the coach kept urging you to do your best. Although we are
not equal in abilities, we are equal in our obliga...
May 29, 2008
We
are not all made the same. Some are more talented than others. But all
believers run life's race toward a heavenly goal. We are all given
gifts and abilities. But it is how we use them, not ...
May 28, 2008
At
the race track, coaches watch their athletes, stopwatches in hand.
Because for a runner, time is how victory is measured. The same is true
for Christians in life's race. How we use our time d...
May 27, 2008
Track
and field athletes get very familiar with the stopwatch. Their training
is a regimen to improve their times, until they win. For the Christian,
time is a vital, non-renewable resource. Lik...
May 26, 2008
In
a race, no time can be wasted. Runners pace themselves, knowing that
winners only win by a fraction of a second. For Christians running
life's race, the clock is also relentless. Once gone, t...
May 23, 2008
Here
is some good news: it is never too late. No matter how badly you have
blown it, God wants you back. Do you believe this? Many people find
themselves along the side of the road instead of ru...
May 22, 2008
It
is a vicious cycle: human conflict tends to spawn more conflict. There
is no end to "getting even" until someone gives up. One of the deepest
ruts on the racetrack of life is carved out when y...
May 21, 2008
When
you try to swat a bee, be sure he will try to sting you. And when you
hurt other people, they may just try to hurt you back. One thing kids
learn real quick is how to get even. Taking reven...
May 20, 2008
Someone
has said, "I love the church?it is the people in it I cannot stand."
Whenever people interact, people can have conflict. The Apostle Paul
wrote, "If it is possible, as much as depends on ...
May 19, 2008
It
seems that conflict is inevitable. Even if we do no wrong, someone out
there is all set to do some wrong to us. Resolving the resulting
conflicts can be as painful as it is necessary. We must...
May 16, 2008
When
we have been hurt, our first instinct is often to "get even." In one
sense, there is a time and place for getting even. After we have sought
reconciliation with someone we have hurt, there m...
May 15, 2008
Americans
look forward to the Thanksgiving holiday as a time of gathering with
friends and relatives, a time of shared happiness. But many among us
dread times like this because it means facing pe...
May 14, 2008
"All
the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together
again." There is truth even in fairy tales. Sin's consequences usually
involve ruptured relationships. Sometimes we are...
May 13, 2008
We
can do a lot of damage when we sin. Even though forgiven, sin can leave
some serious consequences in its wake. Handling the ongoing pain we
have caused is a daunting, but necessary task. Toda...
May 12, 2008
It
has been said that those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed
to repeat them. That is also true when it comes to sin. Running the
race of life is a lot easier when we avoid the ruts in...
May 9, 2008
There
are certain laws built into the fabric of the universe...gravity...the
speed of light...and the laws of sowing and reaping. You cannot avoid
gravity, and you cannot change the speed of light...
May 8, 2008
In
this age of instant gratification, it is tough to have to wait months
for your flowers to grow up before they can bloom. Farmers understand
this. They sow seeds in the spring and reap crops in...
May 7, 2008
Most
of us are creatures of habit. It is easy to fall back into old patterns
of sin, even after we have sought God's forgiveness. Often we get
tripped up in the race of life by returning to the d...
May 6, 2008
The
Old Testament gives us vivid word pictures of where forgiven sin ends
up. Those images give us sinners real hope. We can run the race of life
in freedom once we understand that, as far as God...
May 5, 2008
The
Bible teaches that when God forgives our sins, He "remembers them no
more." How can this be, since God knows everything? After great
spiritual failures, we say with King David, "My sin is eve...
May 2, 2008
When
we are faced with the long-term consequences of our sins, it can be
hard to believe that God has really forgiven them. Many who struggle
with guilt find it returning to haunt them even after ...
May 1, 2008
Whether
you know it or not, you have a mortal enemy. Satan is the great
accuser, always making sure you feel guilty. He tries to do this even
after we have sought God's forgiveness for our sins. ...
Apr 30, 2008
Maybe
you have embezzled funds, had an affair, abandoned your family, or even
gotten away with committing a serious felony. Even though you have not
been caught by the law, you have been caught by...
Apr 29, 2008
No
matter how dirty the landscape, a covering of fresh snow always makes
the ugly beautiful. That is how God handles sin. We who run life's race
beset by guilt need to know that God has provided ...
Apr 28, 2008
Many
people carry a paralyzing burden of guilt for past sins. What is worse,
they see no way out of their predicaments. These people do not run in
the race of life, they plod at best. Beset by t...
Apr 25, 2008
Some
Christians never commit those really big sins. They just harbor
resentment in their hearts when others are forgiven. The story of the
prodigal son is also the story of the unforgiving brothe...
Apr 24, 2008
When
we sin greatly, many of us flee from God, thinking there is no way we
can ever get back into the Father's good graces. We run our races of
life on tough terrain, finding out that sin takes us...
Apr 23, 2008
What
do you do when your secret life is a secret no longer? What do you do
when your well-managed cover story is shattered? As we run the race of
life, let us not forget that every saint has a pa...
Apr 22, 2008
Most
people go about their everyday lives with no regard for the eternity
they will face as either sheep or goats. When Jesus spoke of coming
judgment in Matthew chapter 25, He made it clear that ...
Apr 21, 2008
Jesus
once spoke of a coming judgment of the nations, a judgment that is
designed to separate the sheep from the goats. It is found in Matthew
chapter 25, and this judgment is based on how well th...
Apr 18, 2008
On
our plane of existence things sure are a mess...terrorism, wars,
nuclear threats, the Middle East in turmoil. Aren't you glad there is
Someone in charge who lives on another plane of existence?...
Apr 17, 2008
An
Alabama courthouse...a granite monument engraved with the Ten
Commandments...and a judge who believed they should stay there. The
struggle over the public viewing of God's law to man led to Chi...
Apr 16, 2008
Somewhere,
somehow, we got the idea that God's only desire for America is to bless
her, no matter what her people do. We need to get real. God judges
nations when they violate His commands. He j...
Apr 15, 2008
Somehow,
many of us have the idea that God owes us His favor. After all, we are
Americans, the defenders of democracy. As we run the race of life, let
us ask ourselves if God owes us anything. A...
Apr 14, 2008
The
blessings of God are not constitutional rights. They are bestowed on
people and nations that follows God's commands. God's judgment on
nations takes many forms: natural disasters, the depriva...
Apr 11, 2008
When
our children disobey, we as parents have many creative ways of
punishing them to try to prevent future disobedience. And when God
judges a nation, He also has many ways of doing it. As event...
Apr 10, 2008
The
Bible gives us words of encouragement as well as words of warning. It
is our obligation to understand and heed both. Few of us would make the
wrath of God our first choice for a Bible study. ...
Apr 9, 2008
The
Old Testament prophets brought many messages of God's judgment on men
and nations...messages we would rather not hear. Many of us would
rather celebrate the positive than face up to the negati...
Apr 8, 2008
When
you hear about all the sins for which God judges nations, you get the
uncomfortable feeling that your nation might be next. Unprincipled
expansion, arrogance and violence are sins one, two an...
Apr 7, 2008
The
Bible is a guidebook for living. In its pages we find what God wants
each of us to do, and what He says not to do. The same holds true for
nations. The Scriptures list at least seven sins fo...
Apr 4, 2008
Sometimes
it seems that the bad guys keep winning. Terrorism and mayhem are
everywhere. Some ask, "Is God still in control?" We need to understand
that justice delayed is not justice denied. Th...
Apr 3, 2008
We
have all seen bomb-laden terrorists waving their guns and shouting
"death to America" on TV. How should we respond? Some cower in fear.
Others brandish bigger weapons. But believers can have...
Apr 2, 2008
Some
realities do not fit in finite minds. Men do what they choose. Yet God
directs those choices to suit His purposes. As we wrestle with the
mystery of God's hidden will, we must acknowledge H...
Apr 1, 2008
Some
people think that random chance dictates what happens on planet earth.
Either God is not involved, or He is not interested. Believers running
the race of life have a different perspective. ...
Mar 31, 2008
Years
ago, Alex Haley's "Roots" helped us understand the origins of the slave
trade. And origins are important. That is why God recorded the
beginnings of human history in the book of Genesis. H...
Mar 28, 2008
There
are literally thousands of languages spoken here on planet earth. Have
you ever stopped to ask yourself where they all came from? At the very
beginning, God saw to it that people would be d...
Mar 27, 2008
Hundreds
of nations...billions of people. The earth of 2008 is a seething
cauldron of unrest, warfare and change. As things seem to be slipping
out of control, we must remember that the God who c...
Mar 26, 2008
When
you visit Israel, it is possible to stand on the very mount from which
Jesus Christ ascended to His father in heaven. Prophecies foretell His
return to that very Mount of Olives one day to se...
Mar 25, 2008
For
some 40 days the resurrected Jesus walked the roads of Israel, having
fellowship with His beloved disciples. But then the time came for Him
to make a journey into the sky. Angels were in atte...
Mar 24, 2008
The
Mount of Olives sight was unforgettable: the disciples saw Jesus rise
into the sky until clouds blocked their view. The ascension of Jesus
into heaven marked the end of His earthly ministry an...
Mar 21, 2008
Live
Interview Lots of people admire Jesus...and they admire many other
gurus. They see Jesus as one road to God, but not the only one. Jesus
said He was the waythe only way to God. Either thi...
Mar 20, 2008
Live
Interview Many people have skeletons in their closets: carefully hidden
secrets no one can ever know, lest their reputations be ruined. Some
today are saying that Jesus has a skeleton in His ...
Mar 19, 2008
Live
Interview If the claims of Christ are true, then there is no other way
to eternal life than through His sacrifice and salvation from sin. Many
today cannot tolerate the exclusivity of Jesus' ...
Mar 18, 2008
Live
Interview Conspiracy theorists have taken to the internet like bees to
a flower. Imagine any kind of wild scheme, and you will find it there.
Those who want to revise history's view of Jesus...
Mar 17, 2008
Live
Interview The central focus of the Christian faith is the cross. Here
Jesus paid the price for sin, opening the way to eternal life. But not
all have that life. In fact, many are trying to ...
Mar 14, 2008
In
some cultures, offending a revered prophet is a sure way to lose your
head. But no one complains if Jesus' name is reviled. Through lies and
distortions, the Son of God is being repackaged. W...
Mar 13, 2008
If
you ever wanted to know how God feels when we turn to Him in
repentance, take a long look at Luke chapter 15. All of us are prodigal
sons, and our Father rejoices when we come back to Him. But...
Mar 12, 2008
Jesus
used simple parables to explain eternal truth. Though simple, these
stories carry profound implications. In the gospel of Luke, He spoke of
seeking a lost coin and compared it to seeking a ...
Mar 11, 2008
Many
runners seek fame, fortune, or the glory of Olympic gold. Christians
running life's race have a different motive. Believers run to please
Jesus, the "Author and Finisher" of their faith. Th...
Mar 10, 2008
The
race of life often takes Christians into the heart of town. And as
believers follow Christ there, amazing things can happen. When Jesus
comes to town, revival often follows. People are convi...
Mar 7, 2008
As
a believer, you run life's race on a track made just for you. Your road
is not always easy, but it's end is sure. We get to the goal by
faithfully following Christ, whose life was lived to min...
Mar 6, 2008
Many
of the major figures in the Scriptures spent a lot of time in the
desert. Here, God could get their full attention. The Apostle Paul and
even Christ Himself found strength and direction in a...
Mar 5, 2008
If
you think that trusting Christ guarantees that all of your pathways
will be strewn with roses, you might want to think again. Many of
Christ's paths were paths of suffering. If we are serious ...
Mar 4, 2008
Not
all of life's roads take us through pleasant places. Sometimes the way
leads into the desert, and there we must go. Believers follow Jesus, at
His command. His road was never easy, and if we...
Mar 3, 2008
Down
through the centuries, faithful followers of Christ have sought to live
as He would have them live...asking "What would Jesus do?" The Apostle
Peter says, "Christ suffered for us, leaving us ...
Feb 29, 2008
All
of us do what we think is really important. For many, that means
meeting our own needs first"looking out for number one." But Jesus
was not like that. And if we did what Jesus would do, w...
Feb 28, 2008
Many
businesses analyze "what if" scenarios. But "what if" a believer,
running life's race, really did what Jesus would do? That is what
Charles Sheldon asked when writing the classic novel "In H...
Feb 27, 2008
When
it comes time to die, we are all first-timers. But we can look to the
one Man who died, and lived again, to learn how to die. Two thieves
died with Jesus, but their deaths were very differen...
Feb 26, 2008
There
is no federal government program, no insurance policy and no medical
procedure that can prevent you and I from dying. For most of us, life
seems too relentless to spend much time thinking ab...
Feb 25, 2008
There
is already set in the plan of God a time and place for you and I to
die. We must trust Him with this awesome appointment. Even if we know
where we are going, death can be a fearful prospect...
Feb 22, 2008
Our
concept of justice is based on personal feelings, not on any absolute
reference point. That is why hell seems unjust. But God has set the
reference point for justice, and He has created hell ...
Feb 21, 2008
To
most people, hell is just a swear word?after all, who really believes
in demons, pitchforks, and hot licking flames? Modern misconceptions of
hell have made it a myth to most people. But hell ...
Feb 20, 2008
Revelation
chapter 20 paints a picture of a great crowd of those who are not
redeemed, standing before a great white throne of judgment. And those
before this throne all share a common destination...
Feb 19, 2008
The
very word brings to mind hopelessness and torment. Hell: it is a place
of judgment that few take seriously anymore. But that is a mistake.
Hell is just as certain as heaven, and God makes it...
Feb 18, 2008
While
heaven is a place of smiles, it is also a place of tears. There will be
regrets to deal with, sorrows to work through. But as we understand His
purposes more fully, God will wipe away those...
Feb 15, 2008
Most
of us get bored quite easily, and we might wonder how we could possibly
fill a heavenly eternity with something to do. Not to fear, God has
plenty for us to do. In fact, we will never be abl...
Feb 14, 2008
Hollywood
filmmakers help us imagine some pretty awesome places. But no video
image could prepare you for the New Jerusalem. A 1,500-mile cube will
house the redeemed for eternity, a place Jesus ...
Feb 13, 2008
Imagine
the most wonderful place in all the universe. Then triple its wonder.
It would still pale compared to heaven. One day a city will descend to
the regions of earth, a New Jerusalem, resple...
Feb 12, 2008
For
all of us, relationships are the most valuable things we have. We often
wonder if those relationships will continue in heaven. What happens to
a baby who dies at birth? What about aborted ba...
Feb 11, 2008
Once
I reach heaven, will my body pass through solid matter? Will my scars
be gone? And will I be recognized by others? As believers, we want to
know what we will look like after crossing life's...
Feb 8, 2008
So
what is it going to be like? Will heaven be like how all those movies
show it? Clouds? Gates? Angels? Harps? Will there be a check-in desk?
One day, believers running life's race will cro...
Feb 7, 2008
Most
of us have some fear of death. But the Bible paints some lovely
pictures of what happens when a Christian dies. It is like folding your
tent and leaving the campground. It is like weighing ...
Feb 6, 2008
How
long does it take to get from earth to heaven? When a Christian dies,
is there a waiting period before entering eternal rest? Some say the
soul sleeps until the last judgment. Dr. Lutzer say...
Feb 5, 2008
At
the end of the movie Star Wars, the heroes walk through a standing
ovation to receive their rewards as thousands cheer. But that is not
close to what it will be like when a Christian enters hea...
Feb 4, 2008
The
last thing we plan for is our own funeral. Even though death is more
certain than taxes, many of us act like we will live forever. But Jesus
told of a man in torment after death, a man who be...
Feb 1, 2008
If
you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, turn to Luke chapter 16. Here
you will find out what will happen to you when you die. A man cries in
pain, begging to be able to contact his loved ones ...
Jan 31, 2008
Most
of us are too busy to think about our own deaths, but each of us has an
appointment we cannot avoid. We must be ready. Runners in life's race
know that one day the race will be over. Those ...
Jan 30, 2008
It
may surprise you to learn that no one is in hell today. Hell is empty,
awaiting the arrival of another place called Hades. Hades is where
unbelievers go when they die, and one day, Hades will ...
Jan 29, 2008
For
many, death is a fearful mystery. Some take comfort in reports of
lights at the end of the tunnel...but those lights can be demonic.
Taking the Bible at face value offers the truth about the ...
Jan 28, 2008
Is
there an explanation for the similarity of peoples' stories about
near-death experiences? Dr. Lutzer says "yes." Those lights at the end
of the tunnel may not be what they seem. As believers,...
Jan 25, 2008
Some
people who have been near death and back report a strange, inviting
light beckoning them to cross through the door. But is that light what
it seems to be? How seriously should we take the re...
Jan 24, 2008
You
never know when death will come, but what happens "One Minute After You
Die?" Nothingness?...A strange light?...Another dimension?...Or
eternity?
Jan 23, 2008
As
the songwriter penned, "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing." And its
greatest splendors are found in First Corinthians 13. Real love seeks
the good of others first, and seeks our benefit last. T...
Jan 22, 2008
From
time to time the issue of spiritual gifts has divided believers.
Speaking in tongues has long caused contention. The Apostle Paul put
that issue to rest a long time ago in his writings to th...
Jan 21, 2008
These
days, the problem with the word "love" is one of definition...people
"love" their cars and "love" new fashions. But millennia ago, the
Apostle Paul wrote the ultimate essay on love. After y...
Jan 18, 2008
The
world has little interest in the doctrines that Christians believe. But
it takes notice when believers love one another. As someone has said,
our lives are the books that people read every da...
Jan 17, 2008
In
the body of Christ the strong help the weak, and the healthy help the
ailing. No one has to face life's tough times alone. As each member of
the body first submits to God and then serves other...
Jan 16, 2008
As
Christians, we are commanded to present our bodies as living sacrifices
acceptable to God. This is not easy to do. The pressure is on from
within and without for us to do anything but be livin...
Jan 15, 2008
Each
of us must contend with choices every day...choices on using our time,
talents, and treasure, and on setting priorities. As members of the
body of Christ we have a mission to fulfill, and a d...
Jan 14, 2008
The
word diversity scares some people. They would rather spend time with
those of like mind than embrace those they consider "different." In the
body of Christ, there is great diversity. And the...
Jan 11, 2008
For
some reason, we tend to think that God is somewhere "up there" looking
down on His children to see how they are doing. But the New Testament
paints a different pictureone in which God sees ...
Jan 10, 2008
There
is something inside each of us that makes us want to belong...to be
connected with others in something bigger than ourselves. As Christians
running the race of life, we are blessed to be a p...
Jan 9, 2008
No
self-respecting kid would leave a Christmas present unwrapped, and no
believer should leave his or her spiritual gift unwrapped. Each
Christian has been entrusted with a unique spiritual capabi...
Jan 8, 2008
The
employees of a well-run company know their abilities as well as the
roles they play in making that company profitable. They know that
"doing your own thing" is the last way to succeed in any g...
Jan 7, 2008
When
you take apart an old alarm clock you will see an amazing array of
gears all working together to make sure you wake up on time. If any
gear gets out of place, the whole thing grinds to a halt...
Jan 4, 2008
Ever
feel like a square peg in a round hole? Try as you might, you do not
seem to fit in with others. Happily, there is a solution. God has a
place of service for every Christian, and a spiritua...
Jan 3, 2008
Many
long for the good old days...days without terror attacks and days when
jobs were secure...but those days are gone. There is a way to handle
our fears and run life's race in victory. Today, s...
Jan 2, 2008
Years
ago we heard, "These are the times that try men's souls." As conflict
swirls around us, those times have returned. Our fears are very real,
but there is a way to handle those fears without ...
Jan 1, 2008
The
war that never seems to end?terror threats?political intrigue?an
uncertain economy?indeed, many are fearful. We cannot control our
circumstances, but we can find refuge in the One who does con...
Dec 31, 2007
Your
church needs you...it needs you out on life's racetrack, running
alongside the other members to get the job done together. The challenge
for the new year is "get involved." That is what Esth...
Dec 28, 2007
Most
of our choices do not affect world history. But sometimes, God puts us
in situations where they can, and do. To save her people from
extinction, Esther faced the risk of execution to beg the...
Dec 27, 2007
At
year-end, we are all conscious of passing time. We wish we had more,
but the sand keeps running through the hourglass. At crucial times,
great leaders arise, often from common roots. They fin...
Dec 26, 2007
So
some of those presents were not quite right? Hey, no problem! It is the
day after Christmas, let us all head to the mall. If our broadcast
finds you making plans to race back to the store, re...
Dec 25, 2007
For
most kids, Christmas morning is paradise. Amid bright lights, they rip
the wrappings off those priceless presents. Later, Mom and Dad pick up
the mess as the kids run off with their new treas...
Dec 24, 2007
All
the presents are wrapped...it is another Christmas. But our celebration
is but a mere echo of a greater one long ago. Believers running life's
race know that God sent His only Son to live amo...
Dec 21, 2007
Christmas
marks a singular event in human history...the day the Son of God was
born. That day was announced by angels. Angels are God's messengers,
and the account in the book of Luke tells us th...
Dec 20, 2007
Many
families gather at Christmas to read the Nativity story from Luke
chapter 2...a story marked by the supernatural work of angels. Angels
had a joyous task 2,000 years ago...announcing the Good...
Dec 19, 2007
Modern
thinking says angels are benevolent friends looking for ways to help us
build our field of dreams. Real angels are far different. God's
warriors do His bidding, protect His children, and f...
Dec 18, 2007
Christmas
is a great time for angels. You see them in department stores, on
Christmas tree branches and on holiday greeting cards. But many people
are confusing demonic dalliances with real angel...
Dec 17, 2007
Today
it is OK to believe in angels...especially the kind that make our
dreams come true. But beware of these angels. Believers running life's
race understand the difference between God's angels ...
Dec 14, 2007
TV
shows, books, and magazines all tell us that angels come to us in
disguise to surprise us with wonderful experiences. But believers
running life's race know that these "surprises" really come f...
Dec 13, 2007
You
can read lots of books about people's experiences with angelic beings.
Problem is, some of those beings are no angels. Believers in life's
race know that fallen angels, or demons, do Satan's ...
Dec 12, 2007
Christmas
will soon be here, and many of us have angels on the tops of our trees.
Pop culture makes much of angels, but who are they? For believers
running life's race, God has provided an unseen...
Dec 11, 2007
Whether
rich or poor, all of us are equal in one key area. No one has more than
twenty-four hours in any given day. Making our time count means
spending some of that time in the presence of God. ...
Dec 10, 2007
Waiting
for God...it goes against our instincts. When something needs to be
done, most of us want to jump in and do it. But waiting for His timing
guarantees that things happen at the right time....
Dec 7, 2007
These
are days of "instant:" instant coffee, instant internet, instant news.
But lots of things in life are not instant. Patience is only developed
when that patience is tried. Whether it is lon...
Dec 6, 2007
When
we conceal sin, we pay a heavy price. The weight of guilt can be
crushing, and finding forgiveness is crucial. David expressed his
journey toward finding forgiveness in Psalm 32. The proces...
Dec 6, 2007
It
is the height of folly to think we can hide our sins from God. His gaze
can penetrate any attempt to conceal the truth. That is what David
found out, and wrote about in Psalm 32. Caught red-h...
Dec 6, 2007
Deep
down, everyone knows that they fall short of moral perfection. And
those who have done great wrong really know it. God has put a
conscience within each of us, and violating that conscience e...
Dec 6, 2007
Anyone
can rejoice when good things happen, but answer this: can you praise
God while lying near death in a hospital? There are many lessons for us
in the writings of King David in Psalm 23. One ...
Dec 6, 2007
Though
named as King, David was pursued by a jealous King Saul for ten long
years, forced to hide in caves. While under pursuit, David developed a
faith in God's purposes that enabled him to write...
Dec 6, 2007
How
many of us as kids awaiting punishment can remember our Dad saying
"This will hurt me more than it will hurt you?" Few kids believe that,
but loving fathers know that correction now avoids tra...
Dec 6, 2007
When
God wanted us to understand how He cares for us, He gave us the picture
of a shepherd tending his flock. Shepherds...they do much more than
guide their sheep to sources of food and water. Th...
Dec 6, 2007
When
we conceal sin, we pay a heavy price. The weight of guilt can be
crushing, and finding forgiveness is crucial. David expressed his
journey toward finding forgiveness in Psalm 32. The proces...
Dec 5, 2007
It
is the height of folly to think we can hide our sins from God. His gaze
can penetrate any attempt to conceal the truth. That is what David
found out, and wrote about in Psalm 32. Caught red-h...
Dec 4, 2007
Deep
down, everyone knows that they fall short of moral perfection. And
those who have done great wrong really know it. God has put a
conscience within each of us, and violating that conscience e...
Dec 3, 2007
Anyone
can rejoice when good things happen, but answer this: can you praise
God while lying near death in a hospital? There are many lessons for us
in the writings of King David in Psalm 23. One ...
Nov 30, 2007
Though
named as King, David was pursued by a jealous King Saul for ten long
years, forced to hide in caves. While under pursuit, David developed a
faith in God's purposes that enabled him to write...
Nov 29, 2007
How
many of us as kids awaiting punishment can remember our Dad saying
"This will hurt me more than it will hurt you?" Few kids believe that,
but loving fathers know that correction now avoids tra...
Nov 28, 2007
When
God wanted us to understand how He cares for us, He gave us the picture
of a shepherd tending his flock. Shepherds...they do much more than
guide their sheep to sources of food and water. Th...
Nov 28, 2007
Like
mice in a maze, today's power brokers run around, certain that they
hold in their hands the destiny of the world. They have no clue that
far beyond their machinations lies a God who is the re...
Nov 28, 2007
These
days, conspiracies are all the rage. Politicians speak of vast
conspiracies to undermine their points of view. But the real conspiracy
is that of the nations of the world in revolt against ...
Nov 28, 2007
Everywhere
you look, the Christian faith is under attack. Governments cater to
radical Muslims, but Christians are fair game. It seems the world has
gone topsy-turvy, and many ask the question, "...
Nov 28, 2007
For
many families, Thanksgiving gets everybody involved. Mom cooks, Dad
carves the turkey, and the kids set the table. In the days of Jesus,
ten lepers were miraculously healed. But only one got...
Nov 28, 2007
This
is supposed to be the busiest week for travel in the entire year. At
Thanksgiving, everybody wants to go back home. We want that turkey
dinner, and we want to share it with loved ones. Some...
Nov 28, 2007
It
was Shakespeare who wrote, "How like a serpent's tooth is a thankless
child." Indeed, ingratitude cuts like a knife. Our forefathers knew Who
had brought them across the sea to a new homeland,...
Nov 28, 2007
When
God wanted us to understand how He cares for us, He gave us the picture
of a shepherd tending his flock. Shepherds...they do much more than
guide their sheep to sources of food and water. Th...
Nov 27, 2007
Like
mice in a maze, today's power brokers run around, certain that they
hold in their hands the destiny of the world. They have no clue that
far beyond their machinations lies a God who is the re...
Nov 26, 2007
These
days, conspiracies are all the rage. Politicians speak of vast
conspiracies to undermine their points of view. But the real conspiracy
is that of the nations of the world in revolt against ...
Nov 23, 2007
Everywhere
you look, the Christian faith is under attack. Governments cater to
radical Muslims, but Christians are fair game. It seems the world has
gone topsy-turvy, and many ask the question, "...
Nov 22, 2007
For
many families, Thanksgiving gets everybody involved. Mom cooks, Dad
carves the turkey, and the kids set the table. In the days of Jesus,
ten lepers were miraculously healed. But only one got...
Nov 21, 2007
This
is supposed to be the busiest week for travel in the entire year. At
Thanksgiving, everybody wants to go back home. We want that turkey
dinner, and we want to share it with loved ones. Some...
Nov 21, 2007
It
was Shakespeare who wrote, "How like a serpent's tooth is a thankless
child." Indeed, ingratitude cuts like a knife. Our forefathers knew Who
had brought them across the sea to a new homeland,...
Nov 19, 2007
We
can still enjoy July 4 fireworks, but for many Christians, the
liberties we celebrate are now being sharply curtailed. Under pressure
from agenda-driven groups, what was once free speech is now...
Nov 16, 2007
Someone
has said that nothing is certain except death and taxes. Throughout all
of history, governments have been taking your money. In Jesus' day, tax
collectors were despised. After all, they ...
Nov 15, 2007
For
a long time, Christians could comfortably wave the American flag, since
their values were represented in "Old Glory." Now the government is
beginning to repress the freedoms Christians once ha...
Nov 14, 2007
When
cars collide, you get tangled wreckage that is soon cleared. But when
people collide, the wreckage can be life-long. The story of mankind is
a saga of conflict. Wars and oppression mark the...
Nov 14, 2007
Like
snowflakes, no two people are alike. Those differences bring great
variety, but they can also plant seeds of conflict. Each of us is wired
from birth to put self first. Only the Spirit of G...
Nov 14, 2007
As
someone has said, "The church is wonderful. I love the church, it is
the people in the church that I cannot stand." Well, we are not in the
Garden of Eden anymore. Frictions can occur even be...
Nov 14, 2007
Despite
the wide variety of Christian denominations these days, you will find
some common elements in them all. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are two
sacraments all Christians observe in one way o...
Nov 14, 2007
It
is like going to an ice cream shop. If you are looking for what church
to attend, there are lots of flavors available. Thousands of
denominations and internal sub-denominations reflect often c...
Nov 14, 2007
Some
critics of Christianity look at its thousands of denominations and
splinter groups that call themselves Christian and they wonder "where
is the unity that Jesus talked about?" There is no dou...
Nov 14, 2007
Persecution
of Christians is on the way up in America, giving today's believers a
taste of what the early church had to face. The word of God gives clear
direction on how Christians should to resp...
Nov 14, 2007
There
is no doubt: Christians are under attack. The media and current culture
combine to belittle those with faith in Jesus. So how should genuine
believers react? Nowadays it seems easier to ke...
Nov 14, 2007
Many
Americans are up in arms that our soldiers are dying in Iraq. They feel
that there is nothing over there worth dying for. There was a time when
there were things worth dying for...times like...
Nov 14, 2007
America
has been called a melting pot...of cultures and races, for sure, and
these days, it is a melting pot for religions. Trouble is, varying
religions do not melt together very well. Despite A...
Nov 14, 2007
When
cars collide, you get tangled wreckage that is soon cleared. But when
people collide, the wreckage can be life-long. The story of mankind is
a saga of conflict. Wars and oppression mark the...
Nov 13, 2007
Like
snowflakes, no two people are alike. Those differences bring great
variety, but they can also plant seeds of conflict. Each of us is wired
from birth to put self first. Only the Spirit of G...
Nov 12, 2007
As
someone has said, "The church is wonderful. I love the church, it is
the people in the church that I cannot stand." Well, we are not in the
Garden of Eden anymore. Frictions can occur even be...
Nov 9, 2007
Despite
the wide variety of Christian denominations these days, you will find
some common elements in them all. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are two
sacraments all Christians observe in one way o...
Nov 8, 2007
It
is like going to an ice cream shop. If you are looking for what church
to attend, there are lots of flavors available. Thousands of
denominations and internal sub-denominations reflect often c...
Nov 7, 2007
Some
critics of Christianity look at its thousands of denominations and
splinter groups that call themselves Christian and they wonder "where
is the unity that Jesus talked about?" There is no dou...
Nov 6, 2007
Persecution
of Christians is on the way up in America, giving today's believers a
taste of what the early church had to face. The word of God gives clear
direction on how Christians should to resp...
Nov 5, 2007
There
is no doubt: Christians are under attack. The media and current culture
combine to belittle those with faith in Jesus. So how should genuine
believers react? Nowadays it seems easier to ke...
Nov 2, 2007
Many
Americans are up in arms that our soldiers are dying in Iraq. They feel
that there is nothing over there worth dying for. There was a time when
there were things worth dying for...times like...
Nov 2, 2007
America
has been called a melting pot...of cultures and races, for sure, and
these days, it is a melting pot for religions. Trouble is, varying
religions do not melt together very well. Despite A...
Oct 31, 2007
Think
about this: what would happen if, every time we met someone, we treated
the encounter as a divine appointment? It might change our whole
approach to other people. God uses seemingly chance ...
Oct 30, 2007
Ever
wonder if your coming to faith in Christ was an accident, just
coincidence, or maybe just a good choice on your part? Not a chance.
"Salvation is of the Lord," the Bible says, and that inclu...
Oct 29, 2007
These
days, people look to their personal digital assistants, or PDAs, to
find out what is next on their busy schedules. Keeping appointments is
crucial for business success. But God has a heaven...
Oct 26, 2007
While
we focus everyday on the here and now, eternity awaits us. Those who
know Christ have a glorious future ahead of them. The doorway to heaven
is the death of the believer. When Stephen was ...
Oct 25, 2007
Most
people invest heavily in their futures. Savings accounts and retirement
plans give us comfort for those "golden years." But wise believers know
that the real future lies in the hands of God,...
Oct 24, 2007
In
seeking employees, interviewers look for the right education and
experience. But for workers in the body of Christ, it is different.
God's list of qualifications for kingdom jobs includes char...
Oct 23, 2007
Filling
jobs usually means resumés, interviews and salary offers. But it is a
very different story in the body of Christ. God has called each
believer to a task in His kingdom, and the book of Ac...
Oct 22, 2007
In
our culture, reaching the top often means clawing your way past other
people, doing whatever it takes to succeed. Things are different in
God's kingdom. "The first shall be last, and the last ...
Oct 19, 2007
In
the body of Christ, personal sins cannot be swept under the rug
indefinitely. Sooner or later, everyone feels their impact. We do
affect each other, and that is one reason why Ananias and Sapp...
Oct 18, 2007
As
we all know, money and politics are closely related. People who support
winning candidates expect something in return. Sadly, the same can be
true in churches. Heavy contributors are often th...
Oct 17, 2007
We
would all save a lot of energy if who we seemed to be matched who we
really were. In other words: no images to maintain. Most people worry
about how they are perceived. So, they will smile on...
Oct 16, 2007
Handling
money well is a sign of spiritual maturity. The early church knew this,
and we can learn from their example. In our current study we are
learning about five laws of stewardship as seen i...
Oct 15, 2007
The
love of money is the root of all evil...yet in this world we cannot
function without money. What is a Christian to do? If we recognize
God's laws of stewardship, we can be freed from the down...
Oct 12, 2007
Win
a hundred million dollars in a lottery and you are an instant media
star. These days, people dream of the big bucks...and they will lie,
cheat, steal and kill to get those bucks. Yet once the...
Oct 11, 2007
When
we hear of Christians persecuted for their faith, we often think of
high profile people like preachers or missionaries. But a day is coming
when ordinary believers will feel the heat as the ...
Oct 10, 2007
These
days, almost everyone sues when their rights are violated. Everyone,
that is, except true believers in Christ. In a day when pornographers
have more legal protections than preachers, what d...
Oct 9, 2007
The
rights of believers to exercise their religion in America are being
slowly destroyed. Clearly, persecution is coming. What do we do when
faced with tough choices...choices to obey God or man?...
Oct 8, 2007
How
often we have wished we could retract words we have spoken in haste or
in anger, words that have wounded those around us. There is one gift of
tongues all believers should have...the gift of a...
Oct 5, 2007
The
gift of tongues has been a battleground for a long time. Some say it
proves you are filled with the Spirit, so you had better have it. To
help clear up confusion, let us focus on what actually...
Oct 4, 2007
It
is said that "the pen is mightier than the sword." Yes, words are
powerful, and when spoken, they can cut like swords. If we could rewind
the tapes of our lives and hear all we have said, we w...
Oct 3, 2007
As
a runner heads into the last turn, sometimes his energy begins to run
out. What he needs then is a source of power. Like a runner getting a
second wind, we are not left to carry out the Great ...
Oct 2, 2007
You
always listen closely to someone's last words. The disciples certainly
did before they saw Jesus rise into heaven. Like a runner in a race,
Jesus passed the baton to those He trained to carry...
Oct 1, 2007
The
message is clear. Our culture and the media tell us to "look out for
number one." And in a way, they are right. Running the race of life
involves understanding who is in charge. Once we rea...
Sep 28, 2007
#4
of 4 Once we realize how great our need is before God, we will quickly
forget thinking that we can somehow help ourselves get to heaven. Once
our eyes are open to the truth, we will find that o...
Sep 27, 2007
#3
of 4 All the good deeds in the world cannot erase the guilt of sin that
every member of the human raced bears before a holy God. The Bible says
that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. ...
Sep 26, 2007
#2
of 4 In one sense it is true that God helps those who help themselves.
But when it comes to salvation, that saying is a lie. Only those who
are helpless can avail themselves of a salvation onl...
Sep 25, 2007
#1
of 4 There is a phrase a lot of people mistakenly think is found in the
Bible. It is this: "God helps those who help themselves." Certainly we
need to take the initiative in many areas of life...
Sep 24, 2007
Pleasing
God And Pleasing Ourselves #4 of 4 Americans value their heritage. It
is one that makes possible "the pursuit of happiness..." a pursuit God
approves of. Sadly, many think pursuing happi...
Sep 21, 2007
Pleasing
God And Pleasing Ourselves #3 of 4 It is true: long-term financial gain
is often short-circuited by investor's desires to make short-term, fast
profits. The same is true in life. Going f...
Sep 20, 2007
Pleasing
God And Pleasing Ourselves #2 of 4 Somehow a lot of believers have
gotten the mistaken impression that pleasure and God's will are
mutually incompatible. The good news is that God wants y...
Sep 19, 2007
Pleasing
God And Pleasing Ourselves #1 of 4 We have all seen those cartoons
where someone is tempted: the devil whispers into one ear, and an angel
whispers into the other. The implication is that...
Sep 18, 2007
#4
of 4 The problem of evil is perhaps the thorniest issue facing
theologians. Clearly, God could prevent evil, but He does not. Since He
is in charge, the wars and suffering around us must be a ...
Sep 17, 2007
#3
of 4 For centuries we have all wrestled with the problem of evil in the
world. If God is in charge, why is there such suffering? And if He is
in control, was the fall of humanity something God...
Sep 14, 2007
#2
of 4 Most of us are preoccupied with the here and now. But take a
moment to look up, way up, and see God as He really is. We are running
today's lap of life's race asking this question, "Did ...
Sep 13, 2007
#1
of 4 Get set for a tough lap in the race of life. Consider the
possibility that the fall of mankind was planned from the beginning. Is
it even possible that God wanted Eve to pick that fatal f...
Sep 12, 2007
Our
Future Decisions #4 of 4 Some theological debates are too lofty to
matter much where you and I live. That is not the case, though, with
today's debate. If God does not know our future decisi...
Sep 11, 2007
Our
Future Decisions #3 of 4 Does God know what you are going to do
tomorrow? You might say "of course." But incredibly, some theologians
are saying, "no way." As we run life's race, we need a ...
Sep 10, 2007
Our
Future Decisions #2 of 4 Like any intellectual pursuit, theology has
its fads, such as the idea that God does not know our decisions in
advance. Going far beyond the classic debates between C...
Sep 7, 2007
Our
Future Decisions #1 of 4 Some theologians see our lives as on a
chessboard. We make a move, and then God responds with a countermove.
These modern thinkers feel that God gives us totally fre...
Sep 6, 2007
Takes
No Responsibility For Natural Disasters #4 of 4 So, what is easier to
believe: seeing natural disasters as the products of blind chance, or
seeing them as coming from God? The clear choice i...
Sep 5, 2007
Takes
No Responsibility For Natural Disasters #3 of 4 Think about this: can
you trust a God who hurls each lightning bolt to the earth during a
thunderstorm's terrible fury? Well, the alternative ...
Sep 4, 2007
Takes
No Responsibility For Natural Disasters #2 of 4 It is a deep mystery.
Why does God send torrential rains to flooded areas, yet allow parched
ground to remain dry? The mystery deepens as we...
Sep 4, 2007
Takes
No Responsibility For Natural Disasters #1 of 4 Over 150,000 died when
a giant tsunami destroyed endless miles of Asian coastline...a wall of
killing water. Is God involved in calamities li...
Sep 4, 2007
To
Save Followers Of Other Religions #2 of 4 Before Jesus rose into
heaven, His last word to His followers was a commission to take the
gospel to the ends of the earth. The urgency of His words un...
Sep 4, 2007
To
Save Followers Of Other Religions #2 of 4 In Bible times, all roads led
to Rome. Some feel that all spiritual roads lead to heaven, even those
that never intersect. Pause in your race of life ...
Sep 4, 2007
To
Save Followers Of Other Religions #2 of 4 Does it make sense to say
that all religions lead their followers to God? Well, it all depends on
how you define "God." The true God is the one found ...
1186 items