5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer

Today on "5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer," we're continuing the series "When You've Been Wronged: Moving from Bitterness to Restoration." We're examining the downward trajectory of a tragic biblical figure, King Saul, who was anointed by God under Samuel the prophet and blessed by Him in every way, only to choose the path of fear, jealousy, and ultimately despair.

Today we continue the series, "When You've Been Wronged." We're looking at the life of Jacob—a biblical figure who, in many ways, made a mess of his life. God meets him, reaffirms his covenant with him and renames him Israel. Sometimes God needs to humble us and bring us to a point of great need in order to reconcile us to Himself—and to others.

God used circumstances in Jacob's life to force him on a journey back home to reconcile with his estranged brother. He could no longer hide from his wrongdoings. On the way, he wrestles with God and is left in a dependent state. For the first time in Jacob's life, he cannot rely on his own devices or schemes—and despite his fear, he has to reconcile with Esau God's way. God has reconciled us to Himself, and He is the author of our reconciliation with each other.

Jacob lied and manipulated to get the things he wanted out of life, even the very thing God had already promised to him from the beginning when he said, "the older will serve the younger." Jacob's hastiness and deception left him fractured from his family and filled with fear. In the midst of his risky return journey to face his brother, he had an encounter with the God of his fathers who had not forgotten him.

Imagine getting a one-on-one counseling session with God. Who could give you better advice? Well, Cain allowed his anger, envy and jealousy to override the counsel given to him, personally, by God—and killed his brother Abel. He was so blind to his own sinful jealousy, all he could think about was avenging his wounded pride at any cost. Let's heed God's warning today that sin is crouching at the door.

Biblical forgiveness doesn't always make sense to us. According to our human reasoning, if we are wronged, we shouldn't have to let go of our anger until the other party makes it right. But when we look at Jesus we see another example. When wronged, He did not respond in kind but entrusted it to God. Let's take a look at this beautiful passage in 1 Peter together on today's episode of "5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer."

All of us have been offended at one time or another but what does scripture say about clinging to an offense? When we become blind to our own faults and desire vengeance no matter the consequences, we're beginning to put the hurt of that offense above God in our lives. Join Pastor Lutzer as we again address the topic of "When You've Been Wronged," as we learn together that whatever we do not forgive, we pass on.

Are you ever overwhelmed with anger? Or perhaps you perpetually keep others at a safe distance, guarding yourself against any possible hurt. Join Pastor Lutzer as he begins a new mini-series, entitled, "When You've Been Wronged: Moving from Bitterness to Restoration." Let's be guided by God's transforming word as we navigate the hurt and bitterness that often exists in fallen human relationships.

Today, in the last episode of our series on the pandemic, Pastor Lutzer guides us through some of the most comforting passages in the Bible. We learn that Jesus says to us: "I am not only your refuge and strength, I am your forerunner through all suffering and uncertainty." He has been there before and He says to us, "Follow me."

How do we make sense of the suffering we experience and still cling to what we know of our merciful, loving God as presented in scripture? To Pastor Lutzer the answer is this: we live by promises, not by explanations. Join us for the second to the last episode of the series "Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters: What is God Saying to Us?"

During times of crisis, many may turn to atheism and renounce any underlying meaning to personal and communal suffering. What do you say in response? How do you reassure your own heart when doubts arise? In Pastor Lutzer's experience this is more often a matter of the heart than the head. Join us today as we take an honest look at these difficult truths together.

In today's episode of "5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer," we look at two earthquakes described in scripture. One accompanies God's terrifying presence on Mount Sinai and the other, the completion of Christ's atoning work where the separation between God and His children is finally and forever overcome.

When we read passages like Revelation 20 our response should be an overwhelming desire to bring the hope of Christ to the lost. Let us not avoid the unpleasant warnings included in scripture but rather share them unflinchingly, always expounding on the importance of being found in Christ—free from condemnation and risen again to newness of life!

Who could have guessed, around this time last year, all that the future would hold? In much the same way, the events described in Revelation chapter 6 will come on a world unprepared. In this week's episode of "5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer," Pastor again addresses the question of whether the pandemic is a direct result of God's judgment. We learn that nothing we see today compares to what is coming and the time is short to turn to Christ.

We don't have to look very far to see the terrible effects of sin around us. The natural world can be beautiful one day and wreak havoc and terror the next. Today, Pastor guides us through Romans 8, where we learn why creation groans, longing to be rescued from its sin-cursed state.

In today's episode, Pastor addresses a question he is very frequently asked—"are natural disasters and pandemics a direct judgment from God?" Join us as we consider the vital truths scripture offers regarding our present crisis.

We're continuing our study on "Pandemics, Plagues and Natural Disasters: What is God saying to us?" This week we take a look at two key lessons from scripture that God wants to teach us in a time of crisis.

When we are hit with a crisis it can turn our lives upside down. Suddenly we discover that the things we prioritize under normal circumstances have no real value in the light of eternity. In today's episode of "5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer," we learn that a crisis can be exactly what it takes for God to get His message across to us.

In our current series on "5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer," we're discussing the mystery of the will of God in light of the global pandemic—gleaning wisdom from the book of Job. In today's episode, Pastor shares the testimony of a modern-day "Job"—a true story of a Christian couple thrown into unspeakable grief and how they offered up praise to God in the midst of their storm.

When a crisis strikes, whether personal or public, some decide to fall back on the notion that God may not be all-powerful, thereby decreasing his culpability. In today's episode we learn that true comfort is found in the truth that no disaster can befall us without His express permission.

Today, we continue our study of "Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters: what is God saying to us?" Pastor leads us to consider the catastrophic Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 and its devastating toll, still felt in Europe to this day. We learn that we cannot always force a "silver lining" when disaster strikes, but we can relinquish control and put our trust in the unseen hand of God.

Are pandemics new territory for the Christian? Pastor looks at moments in church history, very similar to our own, to glean wisdom for us today. Let's take a moment out of the chaos and the noise to remember that Christ has a mission for the Church despite hardships and uncertainty.

Is our world characterized by peace? According to the angelic host in Luke 2, the birth of Christ brought about "peace on earth" and "goodwill to men." How do we make sense of this? In this final episode in a three part series, Pastor guides us through the scriptures to examine this peace that changed the world forever that night.

"Glory to God in the Highest!" This week features the second episode in a three-part series focusing on the angelic message delivered to the shepherds on the night of Jesus' birth. This second episode centers on the message of Glory.

Today, Pastor leads us through the first episode of a three-part series where we will examine a glorious message delivered one night in a field outside Bethlehem, from an angelic host to the lowliest members of society. The long awaited Savior had been born to bring Joy, Glory, and Peace. This first episode centers on the message of Joy.

Christ's kingdom is coming, and a judgment of the nations will precede it. Seated on His throne in Jerusalem, Jesus will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. The righteous will enter eternal life and everyone else will be sent to eternal destruction. Are you ready and prepared?

Are believers spared when God judges nations? In this episode, Pastor guides us to sobering biblical passages about the judgement of God. The good news, despite the turmoil, is that God is gathering a people for Himself from every nation. His plans are eternal; His truth will never be overcome by the world's collective attempts to suppress it.

What does it look like for Christians to be involved in government despite increasing corruption? In this episode, Pastor Lutzer draws from the book of Acts to consider the point at which we lay aside our expectation of deliverance from corrupt leaders and choose rather to pray for boldness "to preach the word of God without fear."

Does God involve Himself in the political affairs of humankind? Today, in part 3 of "God and the Nations" we seek an answer to this question from scripture and what we find there is at once a profound mystery and an enduring comfort.

Around the world today, nations are populated by the descendants of the scattered people of Babel. In this episode, Pastor Lutzer walks us through the origin of the nations, the reason God scattered the people, and finally, we get a hint of God's purpose for it all—the end to which all of history is marching, when every nation shall be gathered in His name.

In this new series, titled, "God and the Nations" we apply Jeremiah 29 to our current times and discuss what it would look like to seek the welfare of the United States and pray to the Lord on it's behalf. In this episode, we use the prayer from Daniel 9 as a guide to approach God's throne with both desperation and humility in the midst of uncertain times.

God wants our whole heart, as Abraham learned in Genesis 22. Here we see the foretelling of Calvary with one major difference. There was a rescue for Isaac, but not one for Jesus. Jesus went the whole way, laying down His life for sinners like you and me. Let's consider this profound truth together in the last episode in our series on the life of Abraham.

Looking again at the pivotal moment of Abraham's great testing, we examine the depth of Abraham's trust and the symbolic significance of his unknowingly prophetic words, that God himself would provide the lamb for sacrifice. Where have you placed your trust today?

Today we examine the great testing of Abraham's faith in Genesis 22. This seemingly unthinkable story from the life of Abraham reveals the merciful heart of God and offers a veiled glimpse of the promised future salvation—a redeeming sacrifice.

In today's episode of "5 Minutes with Pastor Lutzer" we look again at Abraham's nephew, Lot. We glean from the Apostle Peter's commentary on Lot's experience and we learn that when we turn our hearts from God, "we do not stop loving, we merely go on to love other things."

Today we take a hard look at the downward spiral of repercussions Lot had to face for his selfish choices. We must heed the warning and ask ourselves, "Am I making choices that will compromise my witness down the road?" Sin always brings greater loss than we bargain for.

How do we continue to trust God when His will is in opposition to our dearly held desires and expectations? Abraham was faced with exactly this question when he pleaded with God on behalf of the city of Sodom.

Time passes after Abraham's encounter with God and doubts arise in his heart. When pressures mount he decides to take matters into his own hands. The consequences of his decision are still felt today but God offers hope and restoration.

In the midst of his fears of retaliation from his enemies and the uncertainty of his future, Abraham again has an encounter with the living God whose promises are abundant beyond measure. Abraham must simply take God at His word and he is counted as righteous.

In this episode we examine our own priorities as we look closely at the choices Abraham and Lot make on their way back to Jerusalem. Do we choose to align with Jesus, the "King of Righteousness and King of Peace," or the temporary kings of this world?

After rescuing his captured nephew, Abraham encounters two kings: the king of Sodom and the king of Salem. He refuses to take anything from Bera, but he gives a tenth of all that was his to Melchizedek. Abraham knew that only God deserves glory.

In today's lesson, we'll be taking a look at Lot, and how a decision he made early in the book of Genesis eventually determined his path for the rest of his life. Are you making decisions today with eternity in mind?

If Abraham truly trusted God, his actions in Genesis chapter 12 would have looked very different. There would have been no reason for him to fear for his life, and tell lies to keep himself safe! It's the same for us today. Do we trust Jesus to sustain us when the wells are dry?

Abraham was chosen by God; but he was not perfect by any means. Today we'll look at an account in Genesis where Abraham gets tangled in a messy lie, and faces heavy consequences. We'll see how when we are living in sin, it's impossible to worship God.

Abraham was sovereignly chosen by God. And God blesses him not only individually, but nationally and universally. Are you waiting on a blessing from God, wondering about the delay? We can learn many amazing lessons from the life of Abraham—of faith, obedience, trust, and especially patience.

When Elijah was completely out of options and even despaired his own life, God was still soveriegn—and provided for each of the prophet's needs in some incredible and unique ways. This week, we continue our study from 1 Kings.

Today we start a new series from 1 Kings chapter 17. What is it that God has planned for us when the brook dries up in our life? Today, Pastor Lutzer gives two important reminders. Here are all of the ways that you can follow along with 5 Minutes With...

As we conclude our series on Children Of An Awesome God, Pastor Lutzer shares three stories of people who chose to love God and love others even in the face of harsh circumstances.

Today, we take a look at Romans 8:38-39, and closely examine God's unconditional love for us. The Apostle Paul confirms that there is truly nothing in creation that can separate us from His love!

Last week we asked, if God is for us, who can be against us? We have an equally important question to explore today: If God has justified us, who can condemn us? Knowing the answer is crucial to our relationship with Jesus!