Tabitha had an enviable skill.  She could sew anything.  Give her a scrap of fabric and she could fashion a baby’s outfit, or a tiny dress for a toddler.  Tabitha was generous with her ability so her friends and neighbors all benefited.

Many people in town had come to rely on Tabitha, so it was a shock when word went around that she was ill.  And when Tabitha died, they gathered to mourn her.  Many of the widows she had helped were there, weeping at their loss.  Some people in the neighborhood were followers of Jesus.  They knew that the Apostle Peter was in a nearby town where he had just healed a man who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.  They hurried to beg Peter to come back with them. 

When Peter arrived at Tabitha’s house, he knelt by the body of this wonderful woman and prayed.  Then, he said, “Tabitha, get up!”  Her eyes opened and she sat up.  I can’t really imagine the excitement and joy all her friends experienced at seeing her alive again.

In Acts 9, where we read Tabitha’s story, we learn that word of this miracle spread quickly throughout the city and many people believed in Jesus Christ and became His followers.  That’s what will happen when you and I spread the word of the great things God has done.           

This is Luis Palau.

A father had two sons – one was dutiful, the other rebellious.   One stayed at home, helping with the family farm.  The other callously told his father that he wanted to spread his wings but needed money to do that.  He didn’t want to wait until his father died to receive his inheritance, so badgered him until the old man relented and gave his son what he wanted.  That was the last anyone in the area saw of the rebellious son for years, but word filtered back that the young man was living the high life in the big city, squandering his wealth.

The father, still loving and longing for his absent son, kept watch.  As he went about his daily work he would keep an eye on the road, hoping against hope that his son would return.  Then one day, he did.  The father ran to meet him, and gave him a warm welcome.  The son knew he did not deserve his father’s love, compassion, and forgiveness and in fact, did not ask for it.  But nevertheless, he received it.  And the father rejoiced because the son he feared was dead, was alive.  The young man he loved and thought he might never see again was found.

Jesus told this story to illustrate the love of our heavenly Father, who will always welcome us home no matter how far we have strayed.  Is there some “prodigal son” you can share this story with today?                        

This is Luis Palau.

The wounded man lay dying by the side of the road.  He had been brutally attacked and robbed by bandits.  Earlier, through the haze of pain and semi-consciousness, he had twice heard footsteps approaching, slowing, then continuing on their way.  Now, when hope of help was almost gone, he dimly heard hoof beats on the road.  Amazingly, they stopped beside him and he soon felt the gentle touch of someone raising his head to give him a cool drink of water.  As he revived somewhat, he was aware that his wounds were being carefully cleaned and dressed.  Then the kind stranger helped him up and lifted him onto the back of his donkey. 

As they continued on the road, the wounded man’s head was swimming with the heat and pain.  He wondered why a Samaritan, of all people, would help him – a Jew.  His amazement grew when this kind stranger took him to an inn, tended him through the night, and then paid for his continuing care.  What a selfless, generous act!

Jesus told us we must love our neighbor.  And this is the story he told to illustrate how we do that.  We show generosity to the one in need.  Mercy to the one who is neglected by others.  Kindness to the different and unlovely one.  They are our neighbors.                  

This is Luis Palau.

Kids and dogs can tell if you care about them.  Have you noticed?  They will keep their distance if they sense that you don’t like children, or that you are afraid of dogs. But if you feel genuine affection for them, they are all over you.  Even adults know if you are truly interested in them. And we must care deeply about people if we want to lead them to Christ.

Jesus Himself loves everyone.  In Luke chapter 15 there are three metaphors which convey how God loves people:  like a shepherd who lost a sheep, like a woman who lost a coin, and like a father who lost a son.  There is longing and urgency in His love.  But when the sheep is brought safely into the fold, the coin is restored to its place, and the son returns to the family, there is a celebration.  The Bible tells us that there is joy in heaven when even one sinner repents.

God wants us to have a part in this process of bringing the lost ones home.  It starts with caring about them, praying for them, loving them.  Do you find it difficult to love those who are outside God’s family?  Why not pray this prayer with me –“Lord, you have told me to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.  To be honest, I am not doing that. Would you help me love people who are not believers?  Will you give me boldness to speak to them about You?  I know You love them and died for them.  Give me that concern for them that would reflect Your heart.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

This is Luis Palau.

You are probably familiar with the words of Jesus in Mark 16:15. He told His disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”  That may seem like an overwhelming, daunting task to you, but let’s personalize it by saying, “Go into all of yourworld and preach the gospel.”  In your sphere of influence there are undoubtedly many people who have not yet come to Jesus for salvation.  You can introduce Him to them. 

You notice that Jesus didn’t say that we should go into all the world and be a good example. He instructed us to “preach” - to use words in communicating the message He wants everyone to hear.  Of course, we must demonstrate, by our behavior, that we are Jesus followers, and then we have the right to speak the Gospel.  We don’t really have a choice between living the gospel and preaching the gospel.  We should do both.  It’s not either/or but both/and.

One circumstance that often gives us a wide-open door to share our faith is our response to difficulties and tragedies. When we can exhibit joy and trust in God when life throws us a curveball, that speaks volumes.  Many times, people will ask how we can face hard times with such calm and faith.  And there is the opportunity right there to “preach the good news” as Jesus told us to.

I urge you to overcome your fears and hesitations with God’s help, and share His good news with people in your world.

This is Andrew Palau.

Sometimes it’s so easy to get excited about loving our neighbors that we slack off on loving God, sharing the Good News, or both. It’s even easier, however, to judge. Just ask Jesus.

In the Gospels we read: “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.” The word “sinners” didn’t mean the same thing then that it does now. It covered an incredibly wide spectrum of people—from desperately poor prostitutes to ceremonially unclean farm hands. The Gospels make it clear that they came near Jesus, to listen to Him, frequently. Not just a rare day here or there.

So, on many occasions, religious leaders grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” What an indictment...as if this were somehow wrong or reprehensible.

Yes, it’s easy to judge. Remember the days when good Christians didn’t eat at pubs? Is it possible to take a good thing too far? Yes. Yet it can be entirely a good thing to eat, drink and be merry with our neighbors and friends. I hope you do it often. After all, one encounter with Jesus Christ is enough to change your friend, instantly, forever.

This is Luis Palau.

“What do you love most?” / It sounds like a nice question, right? Then again, it depends on your affections. Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind? Love your neighbor well? All is fine.

Love to win the adoration of others? Love to accumulate power, romantic favors, and excessive riches? All is not fine.

Jesus couldn’t have been clearer: “You cannot serve God and wealth.” In the Bible, in Luke chapter 16, we read, “Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to [Jesus] and were scoffing at Him.” Jesus continues: “You try to justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.”

When it comes to our neighbors, some already have decided to oppose Jesus. Some, like Saul on the way to Damascus, are emotionally engaged. Others have hearts of stone. When they scoff, we can ask a single question to expose their folly.

The question again is this: / “What do you love most?” / You may not need to say anything else. Just let that question reverberate awhile. And let God do the rest.

This is Luis Palau.

Now, as in the days of the apostles, it’s overridingly important for us to invite, to cajole, to jokingly tease someone until he or she says, “Yes, I’ll read the Jesus story with you.” When you sit down to do that, ask them to read a few verses aloud. Then ask them what they mean. When you get to something Jesus says or does, ask what they think. In particular, ask them this question: “Do you think Jesus is trying to be nice?”  

Of course not. Jesus doesn’t just “make nice.” That’s the whole point. Nice isn’t nice. Nice isn’t loving. It isn’t true. It’s the illegitimate child of Romanticism, which turned the meaning of the word on its head. “Nice” is a condescending, sarcastic way to say someone is naïve, ignorant, stupid.

So, keep asking, “Do you think Jesus is trying to be nice?” Keep pounding away at that question until they finally get it. Once we rescue Jesus from “nice,” He becomes real in their eyes. Only then can your friend make sense of Jesus’ life, teachings, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

Right now, Jesus is praying for you to be way more than just a “nice” Christian...and praying for your friend to see Jesus Himself for who He truly is.

This is Luis Palau.

Imagine using our God-given sanctified imaginations so you and I can enter more fully into each Jesus story. Don’t you think we would see a bigger vision of His love?

What if we were standing there in John chapter 3 when Nicodemus secretly meets with Jesus at night? I can imagine Nicodemus takes a deep breath and begins his oft-rehearsed speech. Don’t you want to lean in to hear what he says?

Suddenly, Jesus interrupts the esteemed religious leader. Back and forth the two men go at it. At every turn, Jesus drives the discussion exactly where He wants to go, verbally batting Nicodemus back and forth—first this way, then that. To Jesus, the master conversationalist, relationship and meaning triumph over social norms—every time. He interrupts. He puzzles. He changes the subject. He provokes. He monologues.

It’s all fair game toward one overriding mission. To shake Nicodemus to the core of his being. To inflict many a sleepless night. To haunt him with statements he never wanted to hear. And, ultimately, to win his heart.

Like Jesus, let’s not hesitate to turn conversations toward a person’s need for the eternal salvation that Jesus offers.

This is Luis Palau.

One of the things I like about watching HGTV is to see how they repurpose and reuse previously discarded materials. I love how they find new uses for discarded items or give new life to things that are worn out and thought of as worthless. The creativity shown is inspiring.

When I watch that, I can’t help but think, “That’s what God does with us!” He takes our lives that are broken, used up, and seemingly useless, and repurposes us. He gives us new life and makes us more beautiful than before. When everyone else sees someone worth discarding, God sees potential. This gives me so much hope.

In Isaiah 41, God had strong words for Israel. They had fallen away and were scattered. They were a people who were broken and thought of as trash, but God doesn’t like to leave His children that way. In verse 9 He said, “I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.”

God will not toss you out with yesterday’s garbage; He values you highly. God can use you because of all your baggage and brokenness, not despite it. He intends to use you and your unique story in marvelous ways.

This is Andrew Palau.