Reaching Your World with Luis Palau

In a few hours, Jesus will be arrested, flogged, and nailed to a cross for our sins. Peter insists he’s ready to die with Jesus. Jesus says no, Peter, instead you’ll deny me three times. Then we reach the climactic moment in the upper room. What will Jesus say next? The first thing He says is, “Let not your heart be troubled,” John 14:1. How can Jesus say that, in the circumstance? Think about what Jesus is not saying. Just before this, in John 12:27, Jesus says, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” So, when Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled,” He is not saying He and you and I will never sacrifice and suffer according to God’s eternal purposes. We will. But what’s the secret? Jesus tells us in the second half of John 14:1. Jesus says, “You believe in God. Believe also in Me.” How good that we are offered salvation and a new life because of Jesus’ death on the cross. All we must do is believe and give our hearts to Him. You can tell Him your troubles and find rest in Him. Trust God our Father who is with us – always! Then thank the Lord daily for His sovereignty and providence. This is Andrew Palau.

When life seems uncertain, where do you run? Do you go to your friends and vent about your frustrations? Do you call your parents? Do you talk to your spouse? None of these things are bad, necessarily, but the most important thing to remember during times of trouble is to stay rooted in the Lord. Psalm 9:9-10 says, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Have you made the Lord your stronghold? Do you trust in Him completely? Are you getting your worth and value from Him? Are you talking to Him and confessing to Him, as you would in any other relationship? These are very important questions to consider, because they will reveal where your stronghold actually is. In this world, we will have troubles, but when we are rooted in the Lord, we will have peace and strength here on earth, plus life in Heaven for eternity. Then share that peace and security with those people in your world who are looking for a stronghold to protect them. This is Luis Palau.

A woman named Sue confessed to dealing with a lot of anxiety. She said, “Honestly, the world seems to have gone mad. There’s violence on TV, corruption with world leaders, and tragedy that seems to be running rampant. How can I not be filled with fear and worry?” Sue’s view of the world is accurate in some ways. The world is unsafe. Tragedy does happen. Sin is very real. But there’s something terribly wrong with Sue’s view of the world. It’s missing the most important piece – and that is the Jesus piece. When we focus on the world for what it is – which is deeply flawed – it’s difficult to have any real hope. But when we realize that Jesus overcame the world, that He is completely sovereign, and that He is capable of bringing peace into even the most difficult situations, we can have hope and peace in our own hearts. In John 16:33 in the Bible Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” This week, if you start to feel worried or fearful or anxious, reread this Bible verse. Then, pray! Ask God to remind you who He is and ask Him to surround you with His peace. This is Luis Palau.

One of the most famous stories in the Bible is the story of David and Goliath. We first hear about David as a shepherd and the youngest of eight boys in 1 Samuel 16. He wasn’t exactly an intimidating person. Goliath, on the other hand, stood about 7 feet tall – close to 18 inches taller than the average man of that day. Goliath challenged the Israelites to send a man to fight him, saying that if he was defeated, the Philistines would be servants to the Israelites. Eventually, David found himself having to fight Goliath to protect the Israelites. So here was David, this smaller-than-average guy – coming up against a larger-than-life bully. Goliath threatened David, but David stood strong and trusted in the Lord. Despite being under-qualified, smaller, and physically less powerful, David took down Goliath. We will all face giants in our lives. And when we do, we have two choices. One is to run away in fear. The other is to trust God wholeheartedly and stand firm in our faith and convictions. Consider what the “Goliath” might be in your life. Then, make the conscious decision: “I will trust God when encountering that or any obstacle.” We know God is more powerful and more capable than even our strongest enemy. This is Luis Palau.

Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America? In fact, 40 million Americans over the age of 18 are affected by anxiety – roughly 18 percent of the nation’s population. Perhaps you can identify with this problem. Anxiety affects people in all walks of life, but prayer and trust in God can help us work through anxious situations. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In other words, when you pray and share your feelings with God, He will equip you with peace – even during tumultuous situations. Who do you know who suffers from anxiety? Do they know Jesus? If not, get in touch soon, offer to pray with them. Then share the Good News with them, maybe even today. Coming into a relationship with the all-knowing and all-loving God can change their life for the better. God says so Himself. This is Luis Palau.

Anyone who knows and loves Jesus is blessed. What’s more, the Lord Jesus keeps loving and blessing us as we continue in Him. If you and I love Jesus, what blessings does He offer us today? Luke tells us about three important blessings promised by Jesus. First, Jesus says, “Blessed...are those who hear the word of God and obey it,” Luke 11:38. Second, Jesus says, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous,” Luke 14:13-14. Third, Jesus says, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; - He was referring to the Holy Spirit, the Comforter - but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high,” Luke 24:49. Then Luke adds, “When [Jesus] had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven,” Luke 24:50-51. In other words, from the Beatitudes to the Ascension, Jesus offered wonderful, powerful, amazing blessings...blessings that He now offers to you and me today. Let’s thank Him and tell others about the blessed life they can have in Jesus. This is Andrew Palau.

A friend once told me about a metaphor of human beings being like hundred dollar bills. It sounds silly, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Our worth is a gift from God, and all of us, metaphorically, are like one hundred dollars. We cannot become any more worthy, or any less worthy—no matter what we do. Because Christianity is about a relationship, we cannot earn any more worth through religious deeds or lose God’s love through imperfection. When I think of people as one-hundred-dollar bills, it helps me, first and foremost, to treat everyone with dignity and respect. If we truly believe that God loves everybody and everybody is worth the same amount to Him, we realize that we, too, must treat everybody with love in the same way Jesus does. Along the same lines of the $100 metaphor, some people might invest their one-hundred-dollars into others by sharing the Good News. Some people might not even realize their own worth in God’s eyes. When we understand that God loves all of us equally, and we are all of significant value to Him, it gives us a reason to follow the Lord Jesus and share the Good News. Don’t wait another day to tell someone in your world about the God who loves and values them. This is Luis Palau.

When we receive Jesus into our hearts, life doesn’t always get easier. In fact, for many disciples in the Bible, life became harder when they became followers of Jesus. They dealt with persecution for their faith. They faced temptation to hide their beliefs. Many even were put to death. Today, Christians still face trials. Some of us are called “closed-minded” or mocked because of our belief in Jesus. In certain parts of the world, many Christians even risk being physically harmed because of their faith. But in the long run, in the big picture, even if we endure the absolute worst here on earth, we know that we can look forward to eternity in Heaven. And we know that Jesus walks with us each and every day, because as God’s Word teaches, “Christ lives in me.” Even when my faith causes people to treat me poorly, I cannot neglect the truth that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I cannot turn my back on my convictions. And I cannot even imagine life without Jesus.As you hear this today, I hope you feel encouraged! A relationship with Jesus doesn’t mean life will be easier. But I promise you that life with Jesus is richer and fuller—and it lasts for eternity. This is Luis Palau.

Many people argue that Jesus is exclusive, or “just for a select few.” And others say that He is inclusive, meaning He’s for everybody. The truth of the matter is that Jesus is actually both. He is exclusive and inclusive.The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:15 that Jesus “…died for all, so those who live [will] receive His new life”. That means Jesus died for you, and me, and your neighbor down the street, and everybody. Jesus created humanity, and He desires a relationship with everyone. In this way, Jesus is inclusive. “Come to me, all of you…” Matthew 11 says. At the same time, eternal Salvation is exclusive. This does not mean you have to earn your way to Heaven, but it does mean that there is only one way to get you there. The Bible says in Matthew 7:13 that the gate to Heaven is ‘narrow’ and that few people enter through it. “Whoever believes in Him has eternal life.” This week, I encourage you to share the faith with someone in your life. Explain that Jesus is for everybody – and that not all routes lead to Heaven. You never know—you may just change somebody’s entire life with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I have seen it happen many times. There’s nothing more thrilling or exciting than that. This is Luis Palau.

If you were in a burning building and a firefighter said, “Hey! Follow me. I’ll show you the way to safety.” Would you doubt him? Of course not! Would you be offended that he said he knew the only way out? No way! This illustration is kind of like Jesus Christ. Jesus truly is the only way to eternal life. But often, we – as Christians- are afraid to say it, because we fear offending people, or being called “closed-minded”. Try thinking of the Good News gospel as a firefighter or rescue worker. The Good News message points us in the right direction. The world is filled with chaos, and many people claim they have a solution or way out. But the truth is, there’s only one way to peace. One way to eternal salvation. One way out. And that is through having a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” If you truly believe that Jesus is the only way, make it a priority to share His Good News today. Be a firefighter! Jude verse 23 says, “Snatch others from the fire and save them.” This is Luis Palau.