Before her deliverance, Mary Magdalene experienced a never-ending nightmare at the hands of demons. Not overwhelming life circumstances, but seven wicked spiritual beings who invaded her body and tormented her spirit. Mary found no way of escape—until the day she met Jesus. [Luke 8:2]

When Mary came face to face with Jesus, He immediately cast out the demons and she awoke to the glories of His salvation. She never faced those demons again. Instead, Mary became one of a handful of women disciples who stayed close to Jesus. She traveled with Him, supported Him financially, stood by and wept at His crucifixion, and saw Him first after His resurrection.

How many demons bind lost people in horrible nightmares today? Millions suffer from true demonic possession or from the “demons” of alcoholism, drugs, suicidal depression, and extreme insecurity about the future.

Mary came to Jesus, not for a quick fix to her nightmares, but for complete freedom and lifelong dependence and relationship in Jesus Christ. Jesus still delivers people from nightmares today. No nightmare is too awful. He casts them all away. Like Mary, you can come to Him for complete salvation today. And so can your friends.

This is Luis Palau.

From the time you were a kid, you’ve been told: “Three strikes and you’re out.” Thankfully, God’s kingdom operates on an entirely different basis. You can never let God down one too many times. If you love Him and own up to your sins, confessing them and asking for His forgiveness, God keeps right on forgiving you and putting you back in the game.

If anyone has ever understood the marvel of God’s goodness to keep giving second chances, it was the apostle Peter. In the course of a single evening, Peter denied Jesus Christ three times: first to a maid, then in front of a couple of her friends, then before an entire group of bystanders. Yet after His resurrection, Jesus made a point of repeatedly reassuring Peter that He still had great things in store for this very human, less than perfect disciple.

Later in life, Peter was quick to remind his fellow believers that Jesus Christ “personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” [1 Peter 2:24] Like Peter, let’s rejoice in the Lord’s marvelous, amazing mercy and grace. And let’s tell others about it, too.

This is Luis Palau.

How do you view the Ten Commandments? No, not the classic movie—instead, the real thing you can read in Exodus chapter 20 in the Bible.

Culturally, people often view the Ten Commandments as God’s idealistic yet impossible demands for His people of long, long ago.  Then, as now, people want to do their own thing, their own way, without anyone or anything interfering with their choices. If only they and we could see the Ten Commandments as God’s boundaries of blessing. After all, each of the Ten Commandments protects us from some serious error, terrible harm, unbearable heartache, and severe loss.

Invest tens of thousands of dollars worshipping false gods? Bad idea. Coveting other people’s possessions with greed? Another bad idea. Take a former neighbor to court on false charges and commit perjury? Super bad idea.

After nearly 3,500 years, God’s Ten Commandments are more relevant than ever. Each and every one continues to offer God’s rich blessings. May we never tire of enjoying what the Lord truly intends for our good, and the good of people in our world.

This is Luis Palau.

Every year I meet many pastors who struggle with having their basic material needs met. Yet there’s genuine joy on their faces. Their passion for the Lord and desire to save souls drives them forward. These leaders face challenges daily to meet the spiritual needs of a congregation, and simultaneously meet all the needs of their families. I have to tell you that if I was unsure of where my wife and children’s next meal would come from, I feel it would distract me from keeping the focus on our ministry. But their trust in the Lord is relentless and it is inspiring!

Jesus gives this promise in John (16:33): “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart, be of good cheer! I have overcome the world.” The first part is difficult because Jesus doesn’t promise it will be easy. But you know what, when my grandfather died, my dad was just ten years old, and my grandma put a plaque on the wall with this very verse on it, and that truth has blessed us into the next generation.

And Jesus is our example. Let’s remember the deep sacrificial work that God has done on our behalf, to overcome. Remember the testimony of those who have so little but have the good cheer of the Lord and prosper. God’s Holy Spirit dwells within us and will carry us forward in difficult days not only to hang on, but even, in the midst of it, to reach our world.         

This is Andrew Palau.

“I’m going to Peru!” Lindsay had accepted Christ into her life only a month before making this bold declaration. She knew God had a big plan for her for the summer. She set out and raised all the money she needed. She went on her mission trip, impacting many kids in Peru along the way.

Back home, Lindsay also had an impact on her sister, Hannah. You see, Lindsay was the first person in her family to meet Jesus. Her example of following Him made Hannah curious. While her sister was away in Peru, Hannah went to youth group with a friend and came to know Jesus also.

Just a small curiosity like Hannah’s, planted by the boldness of Lindsay, grew into something amazing. Just like the Apostle Paul outlines in 1 Corinthians 3:6 – Lindsay planted the seed. The youth group watered it. God made it grow in Hannah’s heart.

You, too, can plant or water some seeds in others. We may not see the end result immediately, but we are doing our part. God will work to make them grow; we just have to be intentional about reaching our world for Him. And we can do it in the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, and the power of the word of God.                       

This is Luis Palau.

Sam has a common story with an uncommon ending. He is an alcoholic, who came to realize it was time to clean up his life. He had three children to care for and his dependence on alcohol was affecting his ability to be a good father. God moved in his heart, prompting Sam to lead a life of sobriety.

Initially Sam thought this was the end of his journey. He was done with alcohol and praised God for it. But, God moved in his heart again. This time it was to help others, to share his story of redemption. Sam started a recovery group at his church. He invited all his old drinking buddies. Many came and many were helped by his efforts.

Sam didn’t initially think God had a ministry call on his life. He just knew he was redeemed in Christ. But through Sam’s story, many others have invested in the recovery program and in leading others to find Christ in their lives. Every day is a new opportunity to share Jesus.

How is God working in your life? Where might He be leading you to reach out to others for His glory? Today, I pray you are blessed by a new opportunity to reach our world with the Good News of Jesus. It may be unexpected, but God has a big plan for you.

This is Luis Palau.

When we host a festival, we cause a ruckus; a spiritual ruckus for Jesus. We invade a town for a few days, doing as much as we can to serve the community, support the local churches, and share Jesus openly. The local media is always intrigued, bringing great coverage of the events happening around town.

At one particular festival, a local newspaper reporter named Steven was covering the story. He ended up hearing my entire message proclaimed from the main stage. As things were wrapping up for the evening, one of our counselors approached Steven and asked him what he thought of the night. With great excitement Steven proclaimed, “It was great! I accepted Jesus myself!”

I always love hearing stories like this from our counselors. They are encouraging because even though it wasn’t our direct intention to reach out to the media, all within earshot can hear, and be forever changed. In Matthew (5:16), Jesus says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

What do you think? Perhaps you will indirectly connect with someone today. Remember that your words and actions could be exactly what is needed to show them Jesus.

This is Luis Palau.

Recently I was encouraged by a story about a student named Jason. He was working in a coffee shop, paying his way through Bible college. Each day at work he made a genuine effort to impact his coworkers for the glory of God. He would ask them how they were doing and let them know he was praying for them.

Jason shared his faith openly, and to one regular customer named Joe, it made all the difference. Joe was a retired teacher who came to know the love of Jesus because of Jason’s encouragement to his coworkers. Jason didn’t intend to reach out to Joe. However his enthusiasm couldn’t be ignored. And he came to believe in and surrender to Jesus Christ because of that life.

Have you ever met someone like Jason; someone with the gift of encouragement, who seems to always have the right word from God ready to share?

Paul reminds us in Romans 10:8 that “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” Let’s remember this – you and I - as we go about our day. God’s word is written on our heart and it is His Good News that can’t be ignored and should be shared.

This is Luis Palau.

Did you know our hearts innately long for and desire God? No matter what we try, we can’t fill the longings inside of us.

In his Confessions, St. Augustine wrote: “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.” That’s referring to God.

Blaise Pascal talks about this, too. In his Pensées, Pascal wrote: “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.”

C. S. Lewis wrote a great deal about this, as well. He started his academic and publishing career as an atheist, only to be powerfully converted. In Mere Christianity, Lewis wrote: “If I find in myself a desire for something which nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

What is the longing of your heart? Ask God to fill it—with Himself—so you can enjoy life abundantly [John 10:10].

This is Andrew Palau.

Sacrifice can sometimes mean conflict. Loyalty to God is a direct threat to the world’s dominion in our lives. The world won’t go down without a fight. The moment we say, “Lord Jesus, you asked for my body, my life, and here it is,” we’re automatically saying no to worldly talk, worldly thoughts, and worldly things. And while the world doesn’t care a thing about you and me, it does want to own us, our bodies, our minds, our souls, and our pocketbooks. So it’ll fight back.

When I was young, I tried to please the world. I tried desperately to win the flattery of those around me. Thankfully, the Lord dealt with me and brought me to a point of crisis. I felt like God was saying, “Luis, just a few more days of living like this and you’re finished.” I got down on my knees and said, “Lord, have mercy. I’ll serve you and give my whole life to you.” I realized I no longer wanted to conform to the pattern of this world, but I wanted to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Then, I could finally see what God’s will was – “his good, pleasing and perfect will.” From that day forward, my life changed radically, and yours can too!

Fight against the hold of the world, its mindset and attitudes, and start living in God’s perfect, revealed will – revealed in the Bible. We have so much to gain, and this world will become so much brighter as we reach our world for Christ. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” And..surprise, surprise, He also stated, “You are the light of the world.”                        

This is Luis Palau.