Andy Stanley, an American author and pastor, once said “Greed is not a financial issue. It’s a heart issue.” And I have to say I agree with him here. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell that greed drives all sorts of hurtful behavior, and results in all types of broken relationships. This is why I’ve maintained focus on Hebrews 13:5 in the Bible throughout the years, which says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you."

I think the main reason people get greedy in the first place is because they believe the lie that their future depends on them. They think, “I have to make this money, so I can be secure in the future.” But the truth of the matter is that Jesus Christ is the only true security we will ever have. And He promises never to leave us or forsake us.

Pray about the people you know who strive to get their security from things like money. Then, start a conversation with them, and share with them about God—whose presence is so much better than anything money could buy.                                                   

This is Luis Palau.

When I was a young boy, my father passed away. I was only ten years old, but because I was the only boy in the family, it was my job to help provide for my mother and five sisters. To make matters worse, my father had been a great businessman, but my mother was not as business savvy. As a result, we lost the business my father had built and fell on hard times financially. It was a real struggle. But even then, during those hard times, God was faithful. Even when we had less than everyone around us at times, our needs were somehow always met.

Chances are, you’ve experienced hard times once or twice, yourself. Maybe they’re financial, or maybe they stem from something else. Regardless of what difficulties you’re experiencing, I encourage you to do as I have done and take God’s promises to heart. Philippians 4:19 is one of my favorites in the Bible. It says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ." What a promise! And I have proved it to be true.

This week, consider who in your life needs to hear the promise laid out in Philippians 4:19. Who can you share this life-changing news with?         

This is Luis Palau.

A few years ago, during the big recession in America, I had many people come to me and say, “Luis--I’m just so scared! I worry about money. I fear losing my job,” and so on. Like many people, I felt nervous at times myself. When life seems uncertain, the first thing many people do is panic. But during that time, and even now today, I continually looked back to one of my favorite Bible passages in Matthew 6:33-34 which says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow…”

Right now I see a lot of worrying taking place around the world. People are scared for a number of reasons, and some of them are certainly justified. But we must remember that as believers in Jesus, who have accepted Christ, we are not alone in the troubles that we face. God is with us through it all. Let us remember this as we continue to seek God’s kingdom in our lives.

This week, I encourage you to reach out to someone who you know is anxious or fearful. Share with them the peace you enjoy because  of Jesus Christ.                                                   

This is Luis Palau.

Recently, a good friend asked me if I had any favorite Bible verses. I said that I have many, of course, but there are a few verses in particular that I have relied on for evangelism throughout the years. One verse that comes to mind is 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.”

I love this Bible verse because it is a great reminder that when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we are literally different than before. When we receive Jesus, Christ comes into us. He is sufficient to meet all of our needs, and to walk with us through all of life’s ups and downs. When we open our hearts to Him, we are not the same person any more. I have seen countless people change completely once they received Jesus Christ. I’ve seen people with addictions find healing and people with brokenness find real peace.

As you listen to this radio program, consider who in your life needs to hear the Good News. Who can you share Galatians 2:20 with? Pray to God for guidance—then be bold! Share about Jesus today.           

This is Luis Palau.

To keep us safe in His hand, God has established strong walls of protection around us. Those walls include the Word of God, the Church of Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Of course, you and I can’t just sit around, hoping God will protect us when temptation comes our way. It’s as we grow into greater maturity in Christ that you and I are kept from falling. So, I encourage you to take action. First, don’t gossip and gloat when someone blatantly sins. We dare not get a kick out of seeing someone else fail. Since temptations are common to all, the Bible calls us to walk humbly in the fear of God.

Second, make a decision to be holy as God is holy. Pray to God about your areas of weakness. I did this shortly after coming to Christ and it has had a wonderful transforming effect.  Third, begin or join an accountability group with some of your solid Christian friends.

Fourth, get back to reading the Bible. Nothing can take the place of Scripture. We need to saturate ourselves with God’s Word. I do this regularly so that, as the psalmist wrote, “I might not sin against [the Lord]” (Psalm 119:11).

Do you want to be protected and kept safe in God’s hand? If so, don’t sit around. Take action today!

This is Andrew Palau.

A frail, ill, elderly woman attended an evangelistic rally where I was the guest speaker. When I asked people to come forward at the end of the service, this woman was among those who publicly confessed the Lord Jesus as Savior. “Why didn’t someone tell me this before?” she asked. “Why did I have to wait until almost the end of my life?” But then she added, “I’m glad I at least found out in my 70s.” Six months later she went to be with the Lord. She died knowing that she had eternal life. Why? Because when you have Jesus Christ in your heart, the Bible promises that you have eternal life. It’s the gift of God.

During a television interview I was asked, “Do you really believe that Satan is an actual being who can influence people?” The Bible clearly answers ‘yes.’ Satan opposes all who follow Jesus Christ, and tries to plant doubts in our minds. But Jesus promises that if we belong to Him, we are His forever.

In John 10:28, Jesus says: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hands.” When you receive eternal life from Jesus Christ, nothing can take it away. Have you received that wonderful gift? If so, let’s praise God and thank Him every day.

This is Luis Palau.

Before a major evangelistic campaign in London, I was interviewed by a journalist who told me, “I’ve been up all night. I’m glad you’re here at the studio. You’ve got to save me.” With a smile I replied, “Well, I don’t think I can save you, even if you have been up all night. But the Lord can.”

Later I was on another show and someone called in to say, “I’ve been very cynical about what happens after you die, but you talk about eternal life as though it were real. Can we be sure?” So for the opening night at QPR Stadium, I chose to talk about the triple assurance for all who receive Jesus in faith.

In John 10:28, Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." Do you have that triple security?   First, Jesus promises, “I give them eternal life.”   Second, He promises, “they shall never perish.”   Third, He promises, “no one can snatch them out of My hand.”

What more could you want? A Christian is someone who discovers these three things to be true. Do you have that triple assurance? If not, stop what you’re doing and pray. Thank the Lord Jesus for dying on the cross so He can forgive all your sins and give you eternal life today.  

This is Luis Palau.

Today it’s popular to assume that you can inherit eternal life by osmosis. It doesn’t happen that way. Yet I’ve met sincere people who say “I was born a Christian” or “I’ve been a Christian all my life.”

During a lunch break at a conference, a Scottish man who had been in the ministry for 17 years came to me and said, “Luis, I don’t know if I have eternal life.” As we talked together, he explained that two of my team members had visited him and his wife the evening before. Both men happened to mention their assurance of eternal life during the visit. After they left, the minister asked his wife, “Dear, do you have eternal life?” She said, “Phil, I don’t know. Do you?” “You know that I don’t,” he replied. “What are we going to do?” She suggested that he talk with me the very next day. And that noon hour, Phil received eternal life and soon afterward his wife did too. Like Phil and his wife, you can know that you have eternal life.

In John 10:28, Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Jesus promises to give eternal life to all who receive Him in faith. Why not receive that gift today?

This is Luis Palau.

Our two oldest sons, twins, each say they prayed to receive Jesus Christ when they were six years old. We were living in Mexico City at the time, and attended a local church there. They made their decisions independently—and regularly! They kept praying to receive Jesus Christ every Sunday. Theologically, Pat and I felt uneasy, but God knows the heart and that’s what they look back on now.

Individuals raised in Christian homes often commit their lives to the Lord Jesus several times in different ways while they’re growing up. If you ask them when they trusted Christ, they may say, “The earliest decision I can remember is...”Others, like Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, say they can’t remember a specific day when they received Jesus Christ, but they can’t remember a day when they didn’t trust Him either.

Whether you can remember a specific date when you trusted Jesus Christ as Savior isn’t essential. What is crucial is truly making that commitment, and then resting in the promises found in God’s written Word. 

Psalm 103:14 says that God knows our frame. He remembers what we are like. He isn’t surprised when we want to make sure we’re saved. It’s a natural, human response to doubt.

This is Luis Palau.

My wife, Wendy, and I were traveling recently for an international festival, when someone asked us, “Aren’t you scared about going to such a dangerous place?” We had considered the dangers; we knew there was the possibility of terrorists, militia, and people who just wanted to wreak havoc against the things of God. But my wife brought up a great point. She said, “People always talk about physical dangers in these kind of places, and they avoid traveling there. But how often do people talk about spiritual dangers in supposedly ‘safe’ places like where we live?” For example, how often do people go to a movie that promotes violence? Or, watch a TV show about sexual affairs? Or, how often do we hang out with friends who have pressured us into behaving inappropriately?

The point is not to live inside of a bubble, but it is important that we’re aware of the spiritual battlegrounds we walk around in every day. We should arm ourselves with these things: prayer, and reading the word of God.  Be in prayer constantly and read the Bible daily so that we can see clearly what is right and wrong. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says to “test everything” and “hold fast [to] what is good” so let’s do just that!

This week, consider the spiritual dangers around you. Pray for God to open your eyes, be in His word so you can be aware of His truth in all circumstances. Then you will have authority to share His Truth with others.

This is Andrew Palau.