Pleasure is intensely personal. But because joy cannot be restricted to the physical world, it can be shared in ways that transcend pleasure of the senses. True happiness finds its fullest expression not in isolation, but in community. If we liken pleasure to a case of measles, then happiness is a worldwide epidemic.

I believe this is a major reason Jesus Christ founded and blessed the institution of the Church. He knew that “in this world” we would “have trouble” (John 16:33). So He commanded His followers to love one another, going so far as to say, “All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:35). He created the Church as a harbor from the storm, a place of healing, rest, strength, and joy. Who can doubt that the Church Jesus envisioned is a cheerful place? It ought to make people feel at home. It should proclaim that the Creator meant life to be enjoyed.

The message of Jesus Christ deserves to be declared to everyone. The happiness it brings cannot be contained, but insists on breaking out to bless ever-growing multitudes. The Church, at its best, brings both believers and non-believers together for encouragement, instruction, worship, and service. And the result, by God’s grace, is overflowing joy.

This is Luis Palau.

Pleasure lasts just so long as the brain continues to receive neural signals that the mind interprets as pleasurable. Shortly after the signals end, so does the sensation of pleasure. That’s why you can eat a double scoop of triple chocolate ice cream one moment, and crave another double scoop thirty seconds later. Pleasure delights only so long as it lasts. It’s great, but fleeting.

Authentic joy, on the other hand, endures. While it varies in intensity and changes shape and color depending on many factors, true happiness radiates from the core of one’s being. Joy can sustain a person even in the midst of great sorrow. This helps explain why one biblical writer listed only one motivation for how Jesus “endured the cross, scorning its shame”: it was “for the joy set before him” (Heb. 12:2). 

Dr. Joyce Brothers comes close to the biblical idea when she writes, “Happiness comes down to being quietly content most of the time.” We might describe joy as an inner, lasting contentment. This is a joy that endures, despite outside events. It does not disappear with the end of the ice cream cone; rather, it is thankful that ice cream exists at all. Our contentment could awaken others to want this enduring joy, which could lead them to Christ’s love.

This is Luis Palau.

I believe pleasure can become one of the biggest detours to true, God-given happiness. While we all want to be truly happy, too often we settle for mere pleasure. We enjoy moments of delight, but satisfying and lasting happiness, or what the Bible calls joy, eludes us. One of the reasons is that we look toward the outside world for our sources of pleasure.

When our senses are gratified, we feel pleasure: when we smell a rose, or pet a puppy, or eat a really good chocolate chip cookie. God has made us this way. For instance, it’s not bad to enjoy a good meal. But often our really good meals aren’t just about the food. They’re also about who we spend the meal with, or who made the meal for us. Our relationships with friends and family can lead us to joy, especially if those relationships are based on a shared love of Jesus. The internal emotions and connections are what make us extra happy. But happiness and joy are not the same thing.

The Bible often connects joy with the Spirit of God, who dwells within all Christians. The disciples were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit,” the Bible says. This joy comes from our spirit instead of our senses, and so it can never be taken from us. Even if we’re hungry or tired, we can still feel the joy of the Lord. This joy is what the world needs in dark times, and what we can demonstrate to others as we try reaching our world.    

This is Luis Palau.

In Hannah Whitall Smith’s book The God of All Comfort, she talks about how an agnostic man once told her, “Do you know why I will never consider God? It’s because of Christians. According to their religion, they should have absolute joy and peace, happiness and victory. And yet they often look like the most miserable people in the world.” This man was not wrong. Often Christians walk around looking gloomy and worried. And yes, the world is a dark and discouraging place. Many horrible things are happening all over our planet: racism, violence, famine, destruction. At the same time, we Christians know the “Good News” — and the secret of the Good News is that life is meant to be good. Jesus Christ offers us a joy-filled life. 

While there are times of sadness and mourning, it is not God’s will that we trudge grimly through life. It is God’s purpose that, within the limitations of this imperfect world, his people rejoice. Dozens of verses within the Bible make this point, including Psalm 68:3, which reads, “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” God wants us to live lives marked by happiness. Through our joy, we can reach our world for Christ, showing others that despite what’s happening in our lives and the world, they can also live in the overwhelming joy of Christ.

This is Luis Palau.

Have you ever been scared? Like really, really afraid? Has God ever put a dream in your heart, but you haven’t gone after it because you’re consumed by “what if” questions? Maybe God convicted you about apologizing for a past transgression, but you’re fearful about how the other person might react. All of us will face situations that can bring up momentary panic or deep-set fear. But when we are walking with God, we can rest assured in knowing that He is with us in every single situation. He sees us and loves us exactly as we are now, and He wants to be a source of comfort.

Joshua 1:9 in the Bible says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” So today, as you go through different situations, know and trust that God is with you. He’s never leaving you. So there’s nothing – and I mean nothing – to be afraid of.

This is Andrew Palau.

My wife, Pat, and I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we can have particularly rainy seasons. This past year, it seemed to rain pretty much every day from October through April. One day, a preschool teacher I know was reading the story of Noah’s ark to her class, when a young student asked, “Are you sure God isn’t going to flood the earth again? It’s been raining every day.” The teacher laughed, and she assured her student that God keeps His promises. The class was relieved. As adults, I think we need this reminder, too.

The truth is, God does keep His promises. This means that when God says He loves you, there is nothing you could do to lose His love. When God calls the weak to Him and promises rest, He will hold true to His word. And in Philippians 4:19 when the Bible says “God will supply all of your needs,” it means He truly will.

As you go about your life this week, do not fret about earthly troubles. Do not worry about what you can’t control. Instead, trust that God will keep His promises in your life.

This is Luis Palau.

A teacher I know described a situation with her young student. The student, named Brock, asked her, “Do you know where the crayons are?” The teacher replied, “Have you looked for the crayons?” Brock answered, “No, I haven’t looked yet. I was hoping you could tell me where they were.” The teacher was amused. She responded, “Let me know if you can’t find them after you look.” A few minutes later, Brock came back with crayons in his hand. “I looked,” he said, “and they were exactly where they usually are.”

This situation made me chuckle. The little boy asked before even looking – and when he looked, he found exactly what he was wanting. Sometimes, we can be the same way with God. We’ll ask for something without even looking at what God already has lined up in our life. Wherever you are in life, consider that God has you there for a reason. He did not blindly plop you down without a purpose. God has placed you in your circle of friends, in your neighborhood or apartment, in your university or career for a reason. And one thing is sure, that your purpose has to do with bringing people to Him.

How can you share the Good News where you are today? How can you bring people to Jesus Christ right here and now? As Psalm 96:3 in the Bible says, let us “declare His glory…”.

This is Luis Palau.

According to pollster George Gallup, Jr., 4 out of 5 Americans today would consider themselves Christians. But what the polling doesn’t ask is, “What does it take to make someone a real Christian?” I think most people would answer this question differently. And I don’t blame them! With all of the religions and different messaging out there, it’s easy to miss out on the truth.

Sometimes, people think that doing good deeds makes them a Christian. So they go to church and do their best to live a decent life. Other people think they must earn their way into Heaven with good behavior. But the Bible is very clear that neither of these things makes a person a Christian; neither of these things can earn someone salvation. The truth can be found in Romans 10:9 in the Bible which says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

As you hear this message today, let me remind you that what you do cannot earn you a place in Heaven. True Christianity involves a relationship with our Savior – Jesus Christ. Who can you share this message with today?

This is Luis Palau.

Many people ask “Luis, how do I go about sharing the Good News Gospel message?” The answer is usually the same. I call it the “Andrew Model.” It’s a three-step process called “find – tell – bring.” First, you find the Lord. Or, rather, He finds you. In any case, you receive Him into your heart. Then, you tell your story - your experience with Jesus Christ - to other people. You simply share your story. By doing this, you will help bring people into a relationship with Jesus.

John 1:41 in the Bible says that when Andrew had an encounter with Christ, the first thing he did was “found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah.'” Andrew was so excited that he simply could not help but share his experience.

This is the best formula for winning a person to eternal life through Christ. This is the way to reach the lost. You do not have to be some Bible scholar or historian. You simply have to find, tell, and bring.

This week, consider who you can practice the “Andrew” model with. Who doesn’t yet know Jesus in your world? Who can you share your story with?

This is Luis Palau.

Back in 1988, singer and songwriter Tommy Page released a one-hit wonder called “Shoulder to Cry On”. The lyrics go: “And when you need a shoulder to cry on, when you need a friend to rely on, when the whole world is gone, you won’t be alone, ‘cause I’ll be there.” The song has a nice melody and the lyrics are sweet, but they’re not very true – because let’s face it: the only One who is really there forever and ever is Jesus. Though we might find comfort in leaning on a friend, spouse, or relative, Jesus is our ultimate source of peace.

Maybe you’re going through something difficult in your life right now. Maybe you need a shoulder to cry on. If so, I can’t encourage you enough to run to Jesus. Talk to Him. Lay it all out in front of Him. Be open and honest and let Him be your source of comfort.

Matthew 11:28 in the Bible says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” God wants to be your shoulder to cry on. So go to Him, and find rest.

This is Andrew Palau.