We can never honor Jesus Christ too much. In the Bible, Jesus is honored in four major, distinct ways above all things.   1. As the creator of the universe. We see this taught in John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, and other verses. The implication is clear: We are part of Christ’s creation. No wonder He values us!  2. As the sustainer of the universe. Hebrews 1:3 says Jesus is “sustaining all things by his powerful word.” We experience that strengthening as we read God’s Word, pray, worship the Lord, mingle with the church, and love our neighbors.  3. As the Savior of the world. Hebrews 1:3 says Jesus has “provided purification for sins.” How astonishing that you and I are purified, washed, and redeemed because of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross—for us and for our sins. That is the Good News we must share with people in our world.             4. As the Lord of all. Hebrews 1:4 says Jesus sits “at the right hand of God in heaven.” In Bible times, priests never sat down. Jesus Christ could sit down, however, because His priestly work of redemption is complete once and for all. And in His seat of highest honor, Jesus never stops praying for you and me.

Let’s never, ever stop worshiping and honoring our Lord Jesus Christ!

This is Luis Palau.

​During this season, we remember the remarkable first Advent of Jesus Christ. Only God could script something so unexpected, so radical. This is God Himself entering fully into humanity—supernaturally conceived in the blessed virgin Mary, nurtured in His earthly mother’s womb, and born into humble circumstances.

Humble circumstances, of course, aren’t the end of the story. Hebrews 1:2-3 tell us that God the Father has honored Jesus Christ in four distinct ways. 1. As the unique Son of God. Jesus alone is God the Son.  2. As the heir of God. God has “appointed [Jesus Christ the] heir of all things.” All things means we are part of His inheritance, now and forever. 3. As the manifestation of God. The phrase “the radiance of God’s glory” speaks of a flood of resplendent light. The word “radiance” means an outshining, not a reflection. The moon reflects light; the sun radiates it—and so does God the Son.  4. As the ultimate revealer of God. The phrase “the exact representation of his being” reiterates the fact that Jesus is fully God—equal to and yet distinct from the Father and Spirit. He is the visible image of the invisible God.

One encounter with Jesus Christ is enough to change someone instantly forever. That, my friends, is Good News worth sharing. Today – in your world!         

This is Luis Palau.

Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry spoke deeply to the men, women, youth, and children around Him. After all, Jesus gave them amazing foretastes of what is eternally true for each of His followers. Those foretastes of heaven covered a wide horizon including seeing individuals raised from the dead, seeing others healed physically, and seeing still others come alive spiritually by Jesus’ power.

Let’s not make the mistake, however, of thinking that these wonderful foretastes of heaven aren’t ours to experience today. Even though our salvation is all-encompassing, it doesn’t mean we never get sick, never suffer trials, never fear life-threatening disease, and never face temptation. It’s counter-intuitive, but each of these troubles help you and me long more than ever for heaven.

Let me make this highly applicable. Our sins - past, present, and future - are all forgiven once for all and forever, and yet we experience God’s forgiveness anew each time we confess our sins. The Lord wants us to enjoy this foretaste of heaven not occasionally, but every day. 

I urge you to keep short accounts with God. It will put joy in your heart and help you better reach your world for Christ.

This is Luis Palau.

In a classic Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown hears that Snoopy is writing a book of theology, and tells him, “I hope you have a good title.” Snoopy lifts his hands off the typewriter, closes his eyes, and thinks to himself, I have the perfect title. He then types, “Has It Ever Occurred to You That You Might Be Wrong?”

Joking aside, the reality is you and I have learned and experienced much that is true. Truths we can’t review too often. One way is to review the dozens of “Who I am in Christ” statements compiled and popularized by Neil T. Anderson, and more than doubled in size by others. Untold millions have experienced spiritual healing, health, and hope by reading them.

What happens, however, when we turn the equation around? What comes to mind when we ponder “Who is Jesus Christ in me”? For me, what instantly comes to mind is my life verse, Galatians 2:20, which says: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

“Who Jesus Christ is in me” truly makes all the difference in the world. And it is Christ in us who makes it possible for us to reach our world with His Good News of salvation.

This is Luis Palau.

Dick Hillis, a good friend and mentor to my father, was one of the early missionaries to China. Many countries at that time did not allow anyone to speak the Gospel. When a colleague of his was executed in another nation, Dick cried out, “Will I, too, be captured and murdered? Am I going to die here, too, Lord, alone and thousands of miles from home?” But he didn’t run away. He rose to the challenge. Like a fellow missionary, who said, “We will give our lives to push Christianity one more mile.”  And they did press through many miles.  Most made it through, others did not, but many people who seemed the most difficult to reach responded to the Gospel.

In 2 Corinthians Paul writes, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Most of the trials we face really are light and momentary. And rarely is anybody threatening our lives, but we still struggle to be bold. Embarrassing to confess that, but even so God is calling us. So be bold and share the truth of the Gospel today, you never know the impact you can have as you reach your world.

This is Andrew Palau.

I think one of the single greatest factors keeping people from reaching their world is fear of other people’s opinions. If you are worried what others think of you, you just might never share the Good News with anyone.

When I was a teenager in Argentina, people used to openly attack us and insult us.  Once a visiting Bible teacher autographed my Bible and he put Revelation 2:10c, and it says, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.”  I decided then and there that I’d be even willing to die for Christ, as well as being insulted for Him, based on that promise.  So all these years God has taken me to over 75 nations of the world, based on that promise:  “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.”  It’s been a good life.  I recommend it to you.

In Proverbs we are told, “The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe.” How are you choosing to fear God and not man? How are you boldly reaching your world with the Good News of Jesus Christ? I’d love to hear how God is using you to reach your world. Email me your story at [email protected].

This is Luis Palau.

Martin Neimoller was a prominent German pastor during World War Two who stood up against the evils of Hitler. Though he survived the war, he did spend years in concentration camps. You may have heard this quote before, but I think it’s important to consider. He wrote, “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out to defend them -- because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Neimoller would regret not speaking out his whole life. I don’t want you to regret not sharing the Good News. We need to speak out, even if we feel we are alone. The truth is, we are never alone. God is with us. He will empower us to shine for Him. It can be easy to stay quiet because it seems everyone else is. But if no one else is speaking out, it’s even more important that you and I should do it. We are talking about salvation and eternity and there is nothing more important.

Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke, “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom…” Who in your world are you going to reach this week?

This is Luis Palau.

I am captivated by the story in Second Kings of the army of God surrounded by an enemy army. Elisha’s servant saw they were surrounded and was afraid. He didn’t know what to do. He was sure they were doomed. But Elisha responded, saying, “‘Don’t be afraid… Those who are with us are far more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” I think there are times when we all feel surrounded.

Years ago, in South America, we had a big festival in a city park.  We got a call from the government that said, “There’s a plot to kill you.  We’re sending the Secret Service to protect you.  Follow their orders totally.”  God sent them to protect us in answer to our desperate prayers.  And here we are alive, after 20 years.

We all need to pray Elisha’s prayer the next time we feel surrounded. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see that God is for you- so who can be against you? That with God on your side, nothing can keep you from reaching your world.

This is Luis Palau.

God told Noah to build a huge boat. You know the story. But can you imagine all the ridicule he received as he was building it? Everyone surely thought he was insane. His neighbors didn’t know about the flood that was coming and I’m sure they thought Noah had completely lost it.

I remember in ’83 and ’84 we had a big Gospel festival in London, England.  22 million people in that city!  A clergyman wrote to me and said, “You’re from South America.  They love you a lot down there.  Why don’t you preach over there and not here?  This is a British culture.”

You know, I think we can all learn from Noah’s bold faith - I did. Even in the face of skepticism and ridicule, he still followed what God asked him to do – and that’s what we did in London. Noah preserved his family and humanity by doing so. And we were able to lead thousands to Jesus in London, England.

St. Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God...” This verse indicates that following God means not conforming to this world. So when you follow God, there will probably be critics and cynics. But God will reveal His will and you will know what is right. So go out boldly to reach your world. You’ll never regret following God’s unique plan for your life- even when some people think you’re losing it.                         

This is Luis Palau.

“The trouble with steeling yourself against the harshness of reality” Frederick Buechner reminds us, “is that the same steel that secures your life against being destroyed secures your life also against being opened up and transformed.”

The Bible says the Lord is jealous for our affections [Exodus 20:5] and asks us to love Him with all of our heart [Luke 10:27]. But we cannot fully give to Him, and fully receive from Him, until we allow Him to take down our walls. These walls around our heart correlate with the fortified cities in the Old Testament. Echoing the words of Moses [in Deuteronomy 28], the prophet Jeremiah warns that “[a distant nation] will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.” [Jeremiah 5:17] Yes, sadly, we’re often misled to believe that we must build up our defenses. When we do so, we lean on our own understanding, instead of trusting in the Lord [Proverbs 3:5].

Then again, if we trust the Lord Jesus, He will fulfill this beautiful promise: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” [Ezekiel 36:26]

As sincerely as I know how, I invite you to let down your defenses and trust the Lord Jesus today.

This is Andrew Palau.