Running To Win on Oneplace.com

Why don't Christians pray more? For many, prayer becomes a lost discipline when the Bible starts to feel boring, pointless, or frustrating. In this message, Pastor Lutzer illustrates how to combine two spiritual disciplines, prayer and meditation, by walking us through Psalm 23. Let's find out what it means to have a consistent, meaningful prayer life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Amid the din of competing voices, we need to hear the voice of God. We can't become spiritually mature unless we get into God's Word, every day. In this message from Psalm 1, Pastor Lutzer shows us how to analyze, personalize, and memorize Scripture. Are we willing to discipline ourselves for the good of our restless souls? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Spiritual maturity doesn't happen by accident but by discipline every day. It's impossible to be transformed by doing nothing. In this message, Pastor Lutzer identifies two blessings from practicing biblical meditation. We must think rightly to act rightly—and we cannot think differently until we learn to meditate. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

od has always used His people to reach the nations with the Gospel. Witnessing opportunities are never accidents but divine appointments from God. In this message from Acts 8, Pastor Lutzer explores God's providential hand in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. We can trust God's leading and joyfully proclaim Jesus to everyone we meet. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God prepares the hearts of men and women from every nation to receive the Gospel. God worked through Philip, and an Ethiopian official became a follower of Jesus. In this message from Acts 8, Pastor Lutzer introduces us to Philip, who put God first in his appointments. Even today, God's still sending, guiding, and working through us. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

If we know Jesus and we are keeping Him first, we have no reason to fear anything the future may bring. We can even face death with confidence. In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Lutzer introduces us to the first Christian martyr: Stephen. What can we expect for our own lives, knowing that our future rests securely in God's hands? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God has called every believer to a vital task in His kingdom. When we serve in the power of the Holy Spirit, it turns ordinary tasks into powerful testimonies. In this message from Acts 6, Pastor Lutzer shares three takeaways from the first deacons. Which was more important to the early church: waiting on tables or preaching the Word? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God still looks for servants who are more interested in serving Him than gaining high status. Seven men were granted special ministry roles in the early church—to serve. In this message from Acts 6, Pastor Lutzer explains four requirements the first deacons had to wait on tables. In God's kingdom, faithfulness is what matters. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God disciplined Ananias and Sapphira for their fraudulent and insincere giving. God may not instantly remove us from Earth if we give insincerely, but we will be held accountable. In this message, Pastor Lutzer shares two final lessons about giving our reputations to God. How would we view our reputations if God was first? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Many people worry about their image rather than their true character. Ananias and Sapphira chose to look generous without actually being generous. In this message from Acts 5, Pastor Lutzer shares three negative laws of stewardship from their bad example. What would change in our lives if God were in charge of our reputations? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God is reclaiming ownership over things we have called our own. When we're no longer owners, but caretakers of our financial resources, it changes everything. In this message from Acts 4, Pastor Lutzer provides three diagnostic questions to know we've transferred ownership into God's hands. It's time we let God teach us to manage His resources. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

The early church knew how to give. United by the Holy Spirit, they joyfully gave so that the poor among them could be helped. In this message from Acts 4, Pastor Lutzer shares five laws of stewardship that both free us and honor God. If everything we have belongs to God, we can begin to give with joy. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

As our freedoms erode, we can learn from the Apostles' courageous response to opposition. Peter and John were imprisoned and flogged, yet they never stopped proclaiming the Gospel. In this message, Pastor Lutzer challenges us to exalt Jesus' name, even at great personal cost. When the world demands compliance, will we choose to obey God or man? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Beyond the debate about speaking in tongues, every believer needs a tongue controlled by the Holy Spirit. God wants our speech for His service, yet many use their lips for the enemy. In this message, Pastor Lutzer shares how to righteously use our tongues for the sake of the Gospel. Discover what it means to fully submit our words to God's control. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Regardless of our language or training, all Christians have a role in sharing the Gospel. But first, we must reject bitterness and speak words of healing. In this message from Acts 2, Pastor Lutzer shares critical observations on the Holy Spirit's gift of tongues—and the fruit of self-control. Discover why the tongue is such a powerful tool for God's kingdom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Jesus promised His disciples power, and when He has first place in our lives, that power begins to flow. How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit of God? In this message from John 7, Pastor Lutzer demonstrates four aspects of receiving God's power: yielding, feeding, weeding, and filling. The supernatural filling of the Spirit can be received by faith. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Real transformation requires the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God must provide the supernatural resources so we can make Him our first priority. In this message from Acts 1, Pastor Lutzer shares how to yield to God and be filled with the Spirit. What would truly happen in our lives if God were truly first? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Many in Jesus' day believed He would fulfill the prophecies by delivering them from Roman rule. But Jesus had a far greater deliverance to carry out. In this message, Pastor Lutzer shares two life-changing takeaways about Jesus' deliverance. In the end, God's people continue to carry on Jesus' work until He returns.  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Isaiah predicted a deliverer would come who would proclaim good news to the poor and set the captives free. Jesus had come to deliver those who needed it most—including the Gentiles. In this message from Isaiah 61, Pastor Lutzer draws the direct line to Jesus' fulfillment in Luke 4. In God's Church, we must carry on Christ's work. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Jesus came in poverty that we might be rich. In fact, according to the prophecies of Isaiah, He came as a servant. In this message, Pastor Lutzer considers Christ as our model of sacrificial servanthood, because we are called to be servants. We're not asked to do anything that He has not already experienced. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

There are many misunderstandings about Jesus. To know Him as He truly is, we have to search and study all of the Scriptures. In this message from Isaiah 42, Pastor Lutzer introduces three descriptions of Jesus as the Servant. He is the very servant of God, calling us to join Him.  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Christmas isn't just about the crib or even the cross—it's also about the crown. The prophet Isaiah predicted a coming king from the line of Jesse. In this message, Pastor Lutzer walks us through this prophecy and shows us how Jesus fulfilled it. If Jesus' first coming was fulfilled, then His second coming is assured!  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Even though we live in a time that avoids kings, true kings have a total claim on all they rule. The prophet Isaiah predicted a coming king from the line of Jesse. In this message, Pastor Lutzer walks us through four crucial questions about this prophecy. Did Jesus completely fulfill this prophecy—or could there be more to come? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Christmas morning is approaching fast. But have we given thought to the One who was born that day? In this message, Pastor Lutzer pauses to consider Jesus, noting two reasons why people don't accept Christ as He is revealed. While many enjoy the trappings of Christmas, it's really all about Christ.  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Christmas isn't just about the tinsel and lights—the true Christmas story shines brightest in the deepest darkness. Even amid great gloom and difficulty, Isaiah prophesied a Child who would bring hope, light, and freedom. In this message, Pastor Lutzer looks at the characteristics of the promised Child. Who is this One destined to transform the world?  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Traveling a thousand miles to Bethlehem, the Magi came to worship the King. But the king and the scribes they encountered had a completely different goal. In this message from Matthew 2, Pastor Lutzer illustrates three different responses to Jesus. What is the condition of our hearts this Christmas?  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

If the truth leads us down a totally different path, we should follow it. The Magi followed the star, willing to reject their own religion, to worship the Christ Child. In this message, Pastor Lutzer highlights four barriers they overcame to worship Jesus. Will we honestly seek the King as they did? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God loves surprises. He unexpectedly selected the small town of Bethlehem to be the birthplace of the Savior of the world. In this message, Pastor Lutzer gives us courage to look to Jesus when we feel overlooked and unimportant. He is the Bread of Life and the Good Shepherd! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Jesus made Bethlehem famous worldwide. While it was David's birthplace, Bethlehem was small and filled with repulsive shepherds. In this message from Micah 5, Pastor Lutzer provides four compelling reasons why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. God loves to choose the unimportant things of the world, and Bethlehem fits that description.  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Jesus' family history was sordid. But in Him, anyone can find a family among His people. In this message, Pastor Lutzer shows how Jesus broke down three barriers: racial distinctions, gender roles, and moral divisions. Even if we have a background filled with dysfunction, Jesus can include us in His family by faith in Him. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Jesus was related to prostitutes and people involved in terrible sin. Yet He came as the perfect Jewish King, the son of Abraham and David. In this message from Matthew 1, Pastor Lutzer introduces us to Jesus' real relatives. Why is Jesus' lineage filled with people who had checkered pasts? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Isaiah's prophecy brought hope and light into dark places ages ago, and it still speaks to us. The prophesied child, Jesus, came born as a human, yet fully God. In this message, Pastor Lutzer proves why Jesus can carry every problem, from our sin to the weight of our coming week. In Him, we can find peace and rest.  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

In a world of sin, suffering, and disaster, how can we know that God loves us? We must look at the One promised to rescue us. In this message from Isaiah 9, Pastor Lutzer considers three credentials of the promised King: His origin, name, and responsibility. King Jesus not only came once but He's coming again. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

We don't have the ability to love God truly or fully in our own strength. So how does Christ become the Lord of our affections, over any of our false idols? In this message, Pastor Lutzer unveils three indications that we love God with our heart, mind, and strength. We were made to love God with our whole being. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

If we are to make God the priority in our lives, we must put him above all other competition for our attention and affections. In fact, Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In this message from Mark 12, Pastor Lutzer considers the depth of the love that we should have for God. How are we evaluating our love for God? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God wants us to see our money as a trust fund to manage. Because the believers in Macedonia loved God, they gave of their finances joyfully and sacrificially. In this message from 2 Corinthians 8–9, Pastor Lutzer calls all of us to a higher standard of giving. What should we expect when we started to tithe 10% of our income? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

What we do with our money reveals what we truly believe about God. Paul highlights the Christians in Macedonia who gave joyfully, despite severe persecution and poverty. In this message from 2 Corinthians 8–9, Pastor Lutzer shares five characteristics of givers who are submitted to Christ in their finances. Will we offer ourselves entirely to God? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Have we come to grips with the gifts God has given us? While some people do have greater wealth and abilities than others, God expects us to do our best with what He's entrusted to us. In this message from Matthew 25, Pastor Lutzer uncovers three convicting lessons from the parable. These truths could be a major turning point in our day-to-day faithfulness. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

We've all been given gifts and abilities. The Bible doesn't estimate how many we have but how we use them. In this message from Matthew 25, Pastor Lutzer makes three observations about faithfulness from Jesus' parable of the talents. Are we ready to give an account for the talents Christ has left us to manage? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Time is a resource we cannot renew. God has set the number of our days, and for Christians, how we use our time determines our effectiveness for God. In this message, Pastor Lutzer shares three commands about time in the Bible. What if we denied distractions to pursue priorities with lasting value? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Time can never be reclaimed. The Bible teaches believers to “redeem the time, for the days are evil.” In this message, Pastor Lutzer exhorts us to submit to Christ's lordship, using our days wisely. As our culture gets ever darker, we need to use our time for God, pursuing him wholeheartedly. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Why are believers in Jesus Christ told to “give thanks in everything”? Some wonder if this means we're to be thankful for calamity. In this message, Pastor Lutzer sharpens our focus on why we can, and must, be thankful. Let's discover why and how we can rejoice no matter the circumstances.  To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

The Bible tells us to give thanks in everything. Does this mean we must be thankful for illness or loss? In this message, Pastor Lutzer shows why the Bible's command to be thankful makes sense even when we don't understand our situation. We can be content with what we have every day of the year. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

God is sovereign in history as well as in our lives. God is too beautiful, too pure, too wonderful, and too holy for us to adequately express who He is. In this message, Pastor Lutzer ponders why we can trust God with everything. What if the attributes of God are already evident in the lives of His people? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Sudden illness, a tragic death, a natural disaster, a job loss. Everyone who faces calamity asks “Why?” In this message, Pastor Lutzer walks us through the pages of history from creation to the flood to the church's role in the world now. Imagine seeing planet Earth from the vantage point of heaven. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Some feel indifferent about the end times, but others are anticipating Jesus' second coming. According to biblical prophecy in Revelation, the future contains some dark days for planet Earth. In this message, Pastor Lutzer provides a clear vantage point of three grand finales of Christ's return: His coming, His judgment, and His reign. God's glory will be on display. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Many of us are overwhelmed by the frustration, family dysfunction, and societal breakdown around us. Satan seems to be thwarting the purposes of God in the world. In this message, Pastor Lutzer identifies both Satan's historical tactics as well as God's intervention. When we know how the final pages end, it gives hope for today. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

Temptation promises happiness when we follow our own desires. What if we turned down all sources of false sufficiency to honor God instead? In this message, Pastor Lutzer celebrates three results of honoring God in life's difficulties. Don't listen to the false promises of sexual temptation, possessions, or success. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

What's the point of being good if the righteous still must suffer? Even when our souls are in anguish, God is still adequate to meet the deepest needs we have. In this message, Pastor Lutzer introduces three people who honored God in their suffering. Although their souls were in conflict, they choose to rely on God. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

“What kind of God would allow injustices like child abuse?” Skeptics' honest questions can point us to God's ultimate purposes. In this message, Pastor Lutzer wonders at six attributes of God displaying His glory at the cross. Only God can take a mess and a crime like the cross and turn it into a river of blessing. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111

We all have a problem that only God can solve: sin. What if Jesus' death was actually God's greatest moment of salvation? In this message, Pastor Lutzer considers the cross from the standpoint of Satan, humanity, and ultimately God Himself. While we saw injustice, indignity, and shame, God made Himself known through Christ's suffering. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29?v=20251111