Watching television or a romantic comedy, we can see how popular culture defines “love”. This world demonstrates love as an emotional reaction or a fleeting feeling. But God’s Word talks differently about love. The Bible demonstrates love as an eternal choice – as a statement of grace.

True love was demonstrated by God, when He sent His only Son Jesus to die on a cross for our sins. Can you even imagine that? God loved us enough to send His Son to die? To die for our sins before we even received Him into our heart?  1 John 4:10 says, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” God’s love for us is something we can’t earn, and it’s something that can never be taken away. God’s perfect love is selfless, patient, kind, and never-ending.

As followers of Jesus, we have to consider: how are we defining love in our own lives? How are we portraying love to the people in our family or circle of friends? If we really want to share the news of Jesus with others, we must understand that it starts with love. Real, honest, selfless love. This is Luis Palau.

A friend of ours recently retired, and it was a big transition. A widower of many years, he went from working every single day to being unsure of how to spend his time. As many people do, my friend faced a bit of an identity crisis. He realized that much of his identity had resulted from his career. He felt the Lord calling him to rethink things.

This problem isn’t just something that people have when they retire. It’s something anyone can have – young, old, male, or female. We all have a tendency to get our sense of self-worth from something other than God. Maybe it’s your job, or your degree, or your spouse. We think that those things will bring us security and meaning, but eventually we realize that nothing except Jesus, the Son of God, can truly fill us. Nothing except Jesus can truly bring us the peace, security, self-worth, and the meaning we crave. When we put other things first in our lives, it’s inevitable that we will face struggles and identity crises—because this isn’t how God intended for us to live.

The Bible says in Psalm 16:8, “I have set the Lord always before me;’ because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” This is Luis Palau.

I was a child when my father died. When he was gone, everything changed. The business that he had built up to support our family was stolen from us. We went from living in comfort to serious poverty, struggling to get by. And yet, somehow, even during the difficult times, my mom remained joyful and trusting in God. We may not have had a lot of earthly comforts, but we had everything we truly needed.

As I grew up and began sharing the Good News Gospel around the world, I have had different seasons: some of abundance, and some of scarcity. When my wife, Pat, and I were married with young children we had a very small stipend to get by on. We really had to think about every last cent. And yet, even during those times, we were okay. We trusted God, because we believed God’s promises. It was electrifying to watch God’s provision each month.

The Bible says in Philippians 4:19, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Did you hear that? ALL of your needs will be met by Christ. This means we don’t have to worry. We don’t have to feel desperate. You don’t have to lie awake at night and obsess over problems, because God will meet your needs. All you need to do is abide in Him.

This is Luis Palau.

Before his death in 2003, my friend, Pastor Ron Mehl, was fighting leukemia, and he wrote a book called God Works the Night Shift. In his description of the book, Pastor Ron Mehl said, “Sometimes we feel that God is working by leaps and bounds in the lives of others, but not our own. Especially when we are going through difficult times, it may seem as though other people have been richly blessed—while our own lives are completely empty.” But Ron goes on to write about how God is with us all the time. Every single moment of every day. God is with us when we feel joy, and God is with us when we despair. He is with us in the early morning hours, and when we’re asleep in our beds. The Bible says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Jesus also said, “I am with you always.”

So be encouraged. Whether you are going through a season of joy, or a season of pain, know that God is truly with you – right now and always. Remember His promise: “I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you.”  That will give you the confidence to face whatever stands in front of you.                  

This is Luis Palau.

Jesus was the single most important person to ever walk the planet. More songs have been sung, books have been written, and messages spoken about Jesus than anyone else. Both secular scholars and Christian historians agree that Jesus lived. But even today, many people disagree about who Jesus was. Some say He was a passive moral scholar, and others consider Him condemning and harsh. But the truth is, Jesus is God in person: fully human and fully divine.

Before Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, people operated inside a sacrificial system, making offerings for the forgiveness of their sins. Obviously, everyone falls short when held up against strict religious codes. So God sent Jesus, His only Son; He died on the cross and in doing so, opened the door to salvation and forgiveness of sins. Jesus changed everything.

The Bible says in John 3:16 and 17, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send him into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.” Reach your world with this message:  Jesus changes everything.

This is Andrew Palau.

Has someone ever broken a promise to you? Or, perhaps you broke a promise to someone else — despite whatever good intentions you may have had. Thankfully, God does not break His promises. Never. Not ever! And as followers of Christ, we can find comfort in knowing that God’s promises for us are absolutely trustworthy.

God promises to strengthen us, to protect us, and to empower us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”     

God also promises to be faithful. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “…the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” The promises of God are vast and far-reaching. They are all throughout the Bible. And every single one of them can be relied on. This week, spend some time reading God’s promises. Then, tell someone in your life and in your world how God’s promises have given you assurance and hope and joy.

This is Luis Palau.

You know, when I was a young man, we didn’t have iPhones with GoogleMaps. We had old fashioned maps — the paper kind — that we had to rely on whenever we were traveling. You wouldn’t dare go somewhere unfamiliar without carrying a map, because the chances of getting lost were high.

In today’s modern world, I see many people going through life without a map. Without a plan. Without moral standards or boundaries for their own lives. It’s no wonder, then, that so many people find themselves lost, confused, depressed, or dependent on things that are harmful. They have no guidance, no assurance that they are on the right track.

As believers in Jesus, we can find peace in knowing that we have the privilege of God’s Word – the Bible – as our very own roadmap. The Bible gives us tools to navigate the good times and the difficult seasons in life. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.

This week, spend some time in God’s Word. Think deeply.  Pray over it. Then, share the things God teaches you with someone in your life who seems to be lost and going in the wrong direction. God will use you in their lives, so go forward.             

This is Luis Palau.

In many different religions around the world, people are required to earn forgiveness when they mess up. And in some belief systems, if you mess up, you’re shunned entirely. Think about that for a moment: no mercy, no grace, no second chances.

Thank goodness Christianity, and Jesus Christ, aren’t just a religious system. The Bible says Jesus is THE way, THE Truth, and THE Life. He is THE only way to Heaven, and therefore, Christianity is the only true belief system leading to eternal salvation. What’s more? Christianity is the only belief system where you cannot earn forgiveness. Rather, forgiveness of sins is a gift God gives you when you confess your sins and submit yourself to Him.

The Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  And Ephesians 2:9 says that this is “Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Forgiveness of our sins is not something we deserve or something we can even earn. It’s a completely free gift by God’s grace.

As you consider the people in your life, ask yourself: who has received this freeing gift of forgiveness? Share this Good News today with those who need to hear it.

This is Luis Palau.

Many people who aren’t believers view Christianity as just a stiff old set of rules. But it is so much bigger and better than that. Receiving Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior, or in other words, becoming a true Christian, has many advantages and privileges that most people don’t even think about.

First, when we become Christians, we are instantly granted the assurance of eternal life. John 5:24 in the Bible says, “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” But we aren’t just going to live here on earth forever. No, it’s even better! We are promised eternity in Heaven with God Himself. Isn’t that amazing? So, while we may face earthly struggles such as disease and death, we will ultimately spend eternity in Heaven. 

Do you have the assurance of eternal life? If you do, great! Now, think of whom you can share this exciting, life-changing news with. Our human lives are fragile. We cannot risk waiting to share the Good News. Be proactive. Share this message today, which says to everybody:  Jesus is alive.  He wants to come into your life, forgive your sin and give you eternal life.

This is Luis Palau.

In my book, The Secret Life of a Fool, I wrote about the time in my life when I was living for myself. I had a good job by worldly standards, and I spent my weekends partying with my friends. I was living the dream, according to much of our culture. But in reality, I was living for myself.

When I finally opened my heart to God and the Good News penetrated my life, my perspective changed dramatically. I wanted others to experience the peace and renewal I felt in Jesus. I was convicted to leave behind the selfish life that was destroying me, and devote my time to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. My friends probably thought I was crazy. But my heart and perspective were changed, and there was no going back.

It was then that I decided to devote my life to evangelism. To reaching the world with the message of Jesus Christ. And let me tell you, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. The Bible says in Mark 16:15, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation’. As you hear this message today, I encourage you to do just that. If you know Jesus, and He has changed your life, don’t keep it to yourself, it was never meant to be that way. Share your story and the Good News, and in that way you can reach your world.

This is Andrew Palau.