I’m human. I can get angry. When I do, I apologize. The one thing I don’t do is stay angry. Angry Christians don’t simply hurt themselves. As an evangelist, my greater concern is what anger is doing to the perception of the Good News of Jesus Christ among America’s non-believers.

Instead of a compassionate, biblical love being our defining mark to an unbelieving world, as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, many American Christians have become known nationally and internationally by their anger. As an evangelist, I shudder, because anger does not draw people to the Savior. It repels them. Why? Because in our sincere, perhaps alarmist, outrage against evil, we impress the listener that we take a self-righteous, holier-than-thou, position. Scripture, to the contrary, states, “Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” [Romans 2:4 RSV]. It’s repentance we want. Not alienation.

God’s love is the core message of the Good News Gospel. It’s the essence of John 3:16—“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes on him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” I hope you never get tired of telling that very Good News to everyone in your world.

This is Luis Palau.

Nowadays, we seldom pray for those in authority. Instead, we often demean them. We insult them. Yet any believer who slanders a president or congressman or governor or mayor is breaking Scripture.

No one who says what I’ve heard many friends of mine say can possibly be praying for our governmental leaders, let alone praying for them with a fervent heart. I just can’t imagine it. Their words suggest a bitter spirit, and bitterness is a sin. If we’re not praying, we’re disobeying 1 Timothy 2:1-2, which commands us to pray for all in authority. The apostle Paul explains that praying for them is for our own good.

I’m not saying that in a democratic society one always agrees with their leaders (I certainly don’t). At election time we should vote. Yet disagreement is not a license to mock, profane, or denigrate our leaders.

I believe angry Christians are not just hurting themselves. As an evangelist, my greater concern is what anger is doing to the perception of the Good News of Jesus Christ among this nation’s non-believers.

Let’s be known for what we’re for, not what we’re against. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” [Joshua 24:15].

This is Luis Palau.

Twenty-five years ago I told national Christian news media, quote, “I fear the Age of the Angry Christian is upon us,” unquote.

That we are getting to be an angry bunch isn’t merely a caricature created by the so-called secular humanist media elite. We Christians are getting far too angry about far too many things, to our own spiritual detriment.

In regard to government, the Bible’s instructions to us are straightforward. First, the Bible tells us to obey moral and just laws [Romans 13] that don’t conflict with scriptural mandates [Acts 4:19-20, 5:29]. Second, the Bible tells us to pray [1 Timothy 2:1-2]. Ultimately, our prayers for those in authority are for our own good, 1 Timothy 2:2 says, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

When I first came to America from Argentina in 1960 as a young man, I was profoundly impressed that in America each Sunday morning the preacher in every church I visited would pray for the president, the governor, and others in authority by name. Nowadays, we seldom pray for those in authority. Let’s resolve to change our ways.

As 1 Timothy 2:2 says, prayer replaces anger with peace and quiet, and with godliness and holiness. So, let’s pray more for our country. 

This is Luis Palau.

“I knew I needed to go somewhere, anywhere but where I was.” That’s what Derrik told me as the two of us chatted after church service. Derrik had been sucked into a black hole of drug use. He had come to the place where he didn’t feel safe with his thoughts. He, like I had years earlier, walked down a dark, dark path. He felt trapped, alone, and afraid. But somewhere in the depths of Derrik, he knew he needed God. I was honored to pray with him and elated when he found freedom, forgiveness and new life in Jesus.

You don’t have to be a Derrik or an Andrew to experience radical change in your life. Derrik and I shared a common back-story but it might not be yours. You don’t have to be a violent criminal or stereotyped prodigal son for Jesus to rescue you. The Bible says we all “like sheep have gone astray.” All of us are broken and in need of a Savior. The good news is, Jesus is available to each of us. He is waiting for each of us to cry out to Him. It doesn’t matter if you’ve had a rough past or have done a good job looking put-together. Everyone needs Jesus and He’s made Himself available to all. I recommend Him to you. If you’d like to give your life to Jesus Christ, right now, I have friends who would love to pray with you. Call 1-888-NEED-HIM and pray with someone this very hour.       

This is Andrew Palau.

There are many pressures on families today, especially couples. Senator Bill Armstrong once said that Washington D.C. is a “divorce factory.” It epitomizes the pressure that families are under these days: they never see each other, always running around in opposite directions. There is tremendous tension and lack of communication.

Jesus is relevant to these situations as well. He is with us all the time and cares about the everyday relationships that can be struggles. Jesus longs to heal and strengthen our relationships.

As followers of Jesus we are asked to love one another, love our enemies, and that we be holy because he is holy. We may need to make radical changes, of course, to bless and save our family.  Senator Armstrong did.

So when your children or your spouse or your mother or son-in-law frustrates you, bring your frustration to Christ. Pray about your relationships, especially within your family. Seek the face of God intensely. There is no better way to share the love and light of Christ than with those that are closest to us, in our own family.

This is Luis Palau.

Many people today are on a spiritual quest. They long to fill this void inside their soul and they hunger for more. People are looking for purpose anywhere they can find it. They wander into the wrong crowds, get obsessed with money, drugs or alcohol. Anything to fill the void inside their hearts.

This is why many people commit evil in the world. Because they listen to a group that makes them feel accepted and loved. Or they will feel so alone that they will do anything for attention. The problem is, nothing can fill this void, but Jesus can. He saves us from the bonds of sin, and fills our emptiness. Other self-help books and figures can treat the symptoms, but only Jesus is able to get to the root causes of our distress. As Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it in abundance.”

Give people life by sharing Jesus’ good news with those around you. As you reach your world, let others know that while you yourself are a sinner, God has forgiven you and changed your heart. The spiritual search is over, and Christ has been found. What a message!  What an opportunity!

This is Luis Palau.

So much pain and suffering is caused by guilt. People spend thousands of dollars on medications and psychologists just to alleviate the guilt they have. While psychologists can help find the root of the guilt, Jesus is the only one who can truly remove the guilt and relieve you.

A few years ago, I met a young woman who was thinking of ending her life. She had committed adultery and her husband left her. She didn’t believe that Jesus could save her and could remove the overwhelming guilt she felt. After three hours of talking together, she finally realized she was forgiven. She was freed to live a new life - forgiven! She had grabbed hold of what God says in Hebrews 8:12: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” What a promise!

We all have experienced guilt. So many hurtful things in life are caused because of guilt: wars, family break-ups, suicide. People run from Christ because they are ashamed, when instead they should be running TO Christ. Recognize those around you who may be under a deep burden of guilt, and encourage them with the Good News of the cross of Jesus Christ. Christ can release anyone from the pressure of guilt and give them new life. Spread this Good News today and reach your world with joy.

This is Luis Palau.

Relevant is a key word these days. Churches try so hard to be relevant to today’s culture. They don’t need to try so hard! Christ is relevant to today’s culture, just like He has been relevant in the past and will be in the future. Following Jesus is not a fad, followers will not fade away. Christ is relevant to the young and the old. He is relevant to the average person and to the high intellects. Even very intellectual theologians, scientists, and political minds have discovered relevancy in Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us to follow Christ with our hearts and our minds. The most relevant answers come in Jesus Christ, who is “the way, the truth, and the life.”

The Bible itself has what J.B. Phillips calls “the ring of truth.” The Bible proves itself over and over again. The holy Bible is self-authenticating. So if you have a friend who is struggling with the relevancy of Christ, give them a Bible. Especially point them to the New Testament to start with. Guide them through it and challenge them to read it cover to cover. As you reach your world with God’s truth, as reflected in holy Scripture, He can do amazing things for the hearts and minds of your lost friends.

This is Luis Palau.

During His public ministry here on earth, Jesus saw tens of thousands of men, women, youth and children. He saw them with gracious, loving eyes. He still does. But one thing He does not put up with is the hypocrisy in people.  If someone in the Bible was a hypocrite, nothing was off the table until Jesus had turned that hypocrite around.

Was Jesus Himself every hypocritical?  No! He was completely open and transparent. Jesus didn’t just say walk a second mile. He had done it. More than once. Jesus didn’t just say turn the other cheek. He had been slapped. Hard. Jesus didn’t just say give your shirt. When sued, He gave the man His coat as well. [Matthew 5:39-41]

What’s more, Jesus didn’t stop. On the day of His death, Jesus, already severely flogged, endures fist after fist smashing into His face. Then Jesus walks, haltingly, up the hill to His place of crucifixion. There, Jesus is disrobed, nailed, lifted up, and left hanging between heaven and earth while Roman soldiers divided up all of His clothes.

Today, Jesus walks with us, every mile. When we fail Him, Jesus turns the other cheek and forgives us, and then gives us His own robes of righteousness. What a Savior! Let’s tell people in our world about Him.           

This is Andrew Palau.

Have you ever wondered how Jesus convinced Peter, Andrew, James, John, and others to drop everything, leave it all behind, and start following Him—with no stated destination, spelled-out itinerary, or promise of safe passage and return? Exactly how did Jesus pull that off? You see this in the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel. First, Jesus came to their town. Second, He hung around with them for a number of days. Third, without warning, Jesus disappeared.

Peter and the others looked for Jesus everywhere. Finally, they found Him away from town and in the wilderness, walking stick in hand, ready for a long day’s journey. Peter says, Don’t you know everyone has been asking for you? [Mark 1:37] Jesus’ reply, in essence, was this: Yes, but we need to be going. I have many other towns to visit. [Mark 1:38] It was clear there was no point trying to convince Jesus to come back. He was already standing up and starting down the road.

In that instant, Peter and the others had a decision to make. Jesus wasn’t laying out various options. By His very actions, He was issuing a command.

Sometimes we wonder where God is in our life. In such times, let’s be sure to start following Jesus anew – day after day.

This is Luis Palau.