The Apostle Paul's ministry in ancient Greece exemplifies caring, which involves sharing the gospel, providing for others, and enduring persecution. Caring is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, and it is based on Christ's caring for us. It involves being willing to endure criticism and hardship, and it is essential for fulfilling the command to love one another. [... more]

God seeks faithfulness and commitment from His people, but many struggle with idols and a divided heart, hindering His support. A clean and yielded heart is essential for receiving God's guidance and strength, and it's a continuous battle to surrender to Him. [... more]

God is constantly monitoring the hearts of every living human being, seeking those whose heart is completely his, to strongly support them, and to help them through the moral temptation, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. [... more]

Jacob's story gives us a powerful look at deep identity transformation as he seeks significance through power, only to find it through surrender and faith in God's covenant. His journey from a scheming, controlling individual to a humble, childlike trust in God's sovereignty is a testament to the transformative power of God's love and redemption. [... more]

Mary Magdalene's selfless act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a powerful example of commitment to Christ. Through her generosity and willingness to sacrifice, she demonstrates the true meaning of living a life surrendered to God. As believers, we are called to follow her example and allow the fragrance of Christ to fill our lives, breaking free from our own desires and limitations to serve Him fully. [... more]

Commitment to Jesus Christ means giving oneself fully to Him, even when it costs money, time, or understanding. Mary Magdalene's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a prime example of commitment, as she spent a year's wage on the gift and faced criticism from others. However, Jesus defended her action, stating that she had done a good deed and that her act would be remembered for eternity. This story highlights the importance of commitment in the Christian life, as it leads to a deeper relationship with God and a sense of purpose and fulfillment. [... more]

Jesus' compassion is a powerful force that transforms lives, as seen in the story of the woman with the 12-year discharge who was healed by his touch. He breaks with protocol to show kindness and forgiveness, and his love is not limited by human rules or expectations. By representing Christ to the world, we can spread hope and forgiveness, just as Jesus did on the cross, where he saved two thieves and offered eternal life to one of them. [... more]

Jesus' compassion is made real as he interacts with those in need, showing that he cares about people and their struggles, and that he is willing to touch and heal even the most marginalized and outcast individuals. He validates and exalts those who come to him, calling them daughters of God and forgiving their sins, and he empowers his followers to continue his work of showing compassion and distributing his grace to a world that has lost its way. [... more]

Jesus' compassion and heart for outreach are the foundation of Christian living. He calls believers to go with their feet, speak with their mouths, and pray for the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest field. This message emphasizes the importance of evangelism, witnessing, and faith in living out God's plan for our lives. [... more]

Following Jesus is learning to live out our new identities in Christ, but it's difficult due to our habits and heart habits. Joseph's story in the Old Testament teaches us about seeking significance through people, a common identity trap. God shows Joseph that people will never be able to give him the significance his heart longs for, and he must look to God for his deep identity needs. Through hardships and betrayals, Joseph learns to forgive and find significance in his relationship with God, revealing a massive shift in his identity. [... more]

Jesus' compassion for human need is a model for Christians to follow, emphasizing the importance of seeing, feeling, and acting on the needs around us, and praying for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field. [... more]

Knowing you have eternal life is crucial for a strong Christian faith. Pastor Lutzer explains that assurance of salvation comes from the Holy Spirit, and it's not just about feeling different, but about having a deep sense of confidence that you belong to God. He discusses how wrong teaching and disobedience can lead to a lack of assurance, and how believing in Jesus as Savior is the key to having a confirmed ticket to heaven. [... more]

The devil's ultimate goal is to destroy our confidence in salvation, but the helmet of salvation protects our minds from his attacks. To be born of God, we must believe in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who came in the flesh and shed His blood for our sins. The Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of Jesus, and His witness is greater than the testimony of men. We can have absolute assurance of our salvation through the Spirit's confirmation of the gospel message. [... more]

Understanding the non-negotiable factor of faith in Christ, Pastor Lutzer emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice is enough for salvation, and that assurance comes from persuasion of the heart, confirmed by the Holy Spirit, and the life of God working itself out. [... more]

Knowing for sure that you will spend eternity with God is a critical question that has puzzled many. Pastor Erwin Lutzer explores the topic of assurance of salvation, discussing how genuine Christians can still have doubts, and what saving faith truly means. He examines the concept of false faith, a misdirected faith that does not lead to salvation, and emphasizes the importance of understanding that Jesus Christ's death on the cross is all that is needed for salvation. [... more]

Pastor Philip Miller explores the concept of identity and how it relates to our sense of self, significance, security, and satisfaction. He discusses how our identity is shaped by our relationship with God and how we can fall into identity traps by seeking these needs in people, power, and possessions. He also shares how the gospel offers a new identity as children of God, free from the need for self-justification and filled with love, generosity, and self-giving. [... more]

Christians can have assurance of their salvation and eternal life by understanding the plan of God, the pardon of God, and the pledge of God. These three pillars provide a foundation for spiritual assurance, and believers can know that they belong to God through His promises and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. [... more]

Knowing your destiny makes all the trials of life bearable. The Assurance of Salvation is the focus of today's message, which explores the idea that those who are truly saved will stay saved and God will take them all the way to heaven, despite any bumps along the way. The doctrine of security rests on three pillars: the plan of God, the pardon of God, and the justification of God. [... more]

The new birth is a miracle only God can perform, bringing eternal life and salvation to those who receive Christ. It's a direct and immediate work of God in the human heart, instantaneous and supernatural, yet it requires human cooperation and faith. [... more]

Retirees face a crucial question: how much can they safely withdraw from their savings without depleting their retirement funds too soon. Mark Biller joins the discussion to revisit the widely used 4% rule and explore a more flexible, thoughtful approach to retirement withdrawals. [... more]

The new birth is a miracle of God that imparts the nature of God, making us members of the heavenly family. It's a work of the Father, a miracle of love and grace, and a choice of God, not man. We can't participate in this miracle, but we can respond to God's work in our hearts and believe on Christ for the righteousness and miracle we need. [... more]

The gift of righteousness is a free and unchangeable gift from God that covers all of our sins, past, present, and future, making us as righteous as God's blessed son. This gift is based on faith in Jesus Christ, not on our own efforts or good deeds. [... more]

The President's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz has put the Iranians in a difficult position, with the US Navy enforcing a blockade and the Iranians struggling to maintain control. The US is seeking to remove Iran's nuclear capabilities and is not willing to accept any conditions from the Iranians. The situation is complex, with multiple countries involved and a delicate balance of power in the region. [... more]

The Christian life is centered around the gift of righteousness from God, which is available to all through faith in Jesus Christ. This gift is not earned through good works or perfection, but is a free gift that covers even the greatest of sins, including those that seem impossible to forgive. [... more]

Salvation is a free gift to those who receive it through repentance and faith, unaffected by the degree of our sin, and takes us all the way to heaven. God's unmerited favor, undeserved, unearned, and never recompensed, is a gift that sets aside all human effort and is a gift of God, but difficult to accept for those in despair or pride. [... more]

A. C. Richards, the Chief of Police for Washington, D.C. in 1865, witnessed the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater on Good Friday, April 14th. He recounts the events of that evening, including the president's arrival, the play, and the shooting. The investigation that followed revealed a larger conspiracy, and John Wilkes Booth was eventually tracked down and killed. The story is a tragic reminder of the impact of violence and the importance of preserving American history. [... more]

The Bible teaches that grace is unmerited favor, and it's the only thing that can save humanity from sin and its consequences. Pastor Lutzer explains that grace sets aside human effort, is unaffected by the degree of sin, takes us all the way to heaven, and is a gift of God that cannot be repaid. [... more]

Many people believe they can earn their way into heaven through good deeds, sacraments, or personal achievements, but Pastor Lutzer explains that true salvation comes through divine grace, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ, and that works of lawlessness, no matter how good they may seem, are ultimately rejected by God. [... more]

President Trump responds to criticism over a meme he posted on True Social, saying it was meant to depict him as a Red Cross worker, not Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church has declared war on the President, with Cardinal Robert McElroy criticizing his immigration policies. Meanwhile, a new book by former Louisiana Congressman Bob Livingston, The Rainbow Chaser, exposes the misuse of lawfare against innocent individuals, including the President. Dr. Ashley Lucas of PhD Weight Loss discusses her program's success in helping people lose weight and improve their health. Google News is suppressing conservative news organizations, and social media censorship is on the rise, with Facebook and X throttling conservative content. [... more]

The founder and perfecter of our faith, Jesus, emphasizes the importance of not being wrong about where we will spend eternity. Dr. Erwin Lutzer discusses three false paths on the broad way that leads to destruction, including the way of the achievers, the way of the mystic, and sacramentalism, highlighting the need for a personal relationship with God and the dangers of misplaced faith. [... more]

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who provides salvation, significance, and security to His sheep. He knows each one by name and cares for them personally, giving them eternal life and protecting them from harm. Those who trust in Him can have assurance of their salvation and know that they matter to God. [... more]

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, giving them salvation, significance, and security. He knows his sheep by name and calls them to follow him, promising eternal life and protection from harm. As believers, we can trust in God's love and care for us, knowing that we are in his hands and no one can snatch us out of his hand. [... more]

David's life was flawed from beginning to end, but he loved God and said, 'I have nothing to offer, I have nothing to commend myself to God except my great need.' He is the sheep, and God is the shepherd. We can learn from David's experiences and how he related Psalm 23 to the nitty-gritty of his life, even in the midst of struggles and hardships. [... more]

The burial of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of history, marking the end of the old order and the beginning of a new creation. As Jesus is laid in the dust of a garden, awaiting the breath of life, he is fulfilling the prophecy of a new humanity. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate twist ending, a moment when everything we thought we knew turns out to be suddenly undone, and we see things as they really are. Jesus' death and resurrection are the template for our lives, a rhythm of dying and rising with Christ, where we lose our lives to find them, surrender to be free, and repent to rejoice. [... more]

The resurrection of Christ offers us unshakable hope, a guaranteed certainty that God has prepared for us. This hope is not based on our circumstances or the world's promises, but on the covenant promises of God, which are tightly bound up with the resurrection of Christ and our coming resurrection. As we walk by faith, not by sight, only the promises of God offer life-giving sustenance, leading us to dwell on his word, walk with the Lord, and receive the unshakable hope that comes from the resurrected Messiah, the Son of God. [... more]

David, the author of Psalm 23, shares how he relates to the psalm despite his difficult life experiences, including persecution, family rejection, adultery, and loss, demonstrating that the Good Shepherd's comfort and protection are available to all, regardless of circumstances. [... more]

The importance of recognizing the difference between forgiveness and consequences, and the need for genuine repentance and discipline in the face of sin. A good shepherd guides us through life's challenges, including the valleys of despair, and leads us to restoration and intimacy with God. [... more]

Starting your day with a morning routine that takes your thoughts captive can have a profound impact on your life. By focusing on God's compassions, great faithfulness, and the Lord's sufficiency, you can reframe your thoughts and respond to challenges with hope and peace. [... more]

Trials and discouragement are inevitable even for Christians But we are not left alone God is our Good Shepherd In this message from Psalm Pastor Lutzer explains how the Good Shepherd leads the wandering and restores the fallen Let's discover how His mercy reaches us in our deepest valley and brings us home This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount Get yours at https rtwoffer com or call us at - - - Moody Church Media https www moodymedia org home of Running To Win exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of [... more]

The Bible emphasizes the importance of meeting with God in the morning, and neuroscience confirms that our morning thoughts have a disproportionate impact on our brain and behavior throughout the day. Taking control of our thoughts and focusing on gratitude can set us up for a day of resilience and positivity, but it requires intentional effort and a commitment to prioritize our relationship with God. [... more]