Heaven is an actual place. In the Bible, Jesus describes it as God’s house: “In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” We read that in John chapter 14, verses 2 and 3.

Second, the Bible teaches that heaven is the happy and eternal home of the family of God. Revelation 21:4 says, “[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”

Third, heaven is a pure place where nothing sinful or immoral can enter. The Bible makes it clear “there is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins” [Ecclesiastes 7:20]. Our sins need to be forgiven before we can enter heaven. Jesus Christ shed His blood for us, died on a cross, was buried, rose again from the dead on the third day, and now lives back in heaven. Jesus did all that so all who trust in Him can have their sins forgiven and washed away forever.

What more could you want? Do you have the absolute assurance of heaven when you die? If not, pray right now and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to make you part of His forever family.

This is Luis Palau.

David was the type of son every dad dreams of — happy, joyful, respectful, good looking, healthy, athletic, and intelligent. David also had trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

At age 26 David contracted a rare form of cancer, and his body started deteriorating. Two difficult years later he died. His father told me what happened: “Last night when I went to see David, he said, ‘Dad, come over here and give me a big hug.’ I got through all the tubes and gave him one last hug. David said, ‘Dad, I’m going home to heaven tonight, and I know it.'"  “David,” his dad said, “I always thought I’d go to heaven before you, and you’re going to beat me to it. When you see the Lord Jesus, tell Him that I love Him very much.” My friend told me, “I prayed for my son and went home. At 4 a.m. I got the call from the hospital that my son had died.”

David knew he would live forever in his new home in heaven with Jesus. You can have assurance of eternal life in heaven too if you trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Then when your earthly life is done, Jesus will take you to His home to live forever—just like David.  “I give them eternal life,” Jesus said.If you’re not sure of heaven, make sure — today.

This is Luis Palau.

I have never been ashamed to talk about heaven. Yes, some people have become skittish about it in recent years, claiming we don’t know what’s literal or symbolic. But why go around mocking the streets of gold? Even if it is symbolic, why mock symbols? Scripture says the streets are gold, so let the streets be gold. When we get there, we’ll find out exactly what God meant. Anyone with any imagination should realize that heaven will be astonishing, superb, glorious.

I can’t imagine facing eternity or losing a loved one without having the absolute assurance of heaven and all of its ramifications. Through the years I have thought how lucky my father was to have arrived there so far ahead of the rest of us. My mother went to be with him many years later. They’re in perfect bliss. They’re happy. They’re having a great time. They’re in the presence of the Lord Jesus.

When we finally reach heaven, the Bible promises that “your eyes will see the King in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17). It also says, “We shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). We are going to see the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, face to face. What could be more glorious? We’ll be in the presence of the Lord, forever. So, tell people in your world about heaven.

This is Luis Palau.

I recently returned home from a trip to Africa. I had been meeting with leaders in preparation for an upcoming festival. We had a strong invitation from the main alliance of pastors, but were struggling to get the final two groups on board. We’d been at it for a long time, but things weren’t coming together. Regardless of how hard we tried, unity was evasive. Yet, we prayed. We could do nothing to help the situation. It was up to God. And, at the last moment, it all worked out. I know this breakthrough was the direct result of prayer and passionate intercession. Only God could work in such a miraculous way.

I bring this up because, as I flew back to the United States, I was reminded of our desperate reliance on God Himself. We need Him to move, act, and do the things that we are unable to accomplish in our own strength. This is why we pray – expectantly, desperately, and boldly.

What are you desperate for God to do in your life? Or, in the lives of your children? Come before Him and pray. Ask Him to move mightily. James 5 says that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” As followers of Jesus, we are welcome to come before God with our earnest pleas. He will hear us. And, He’ll open doors for us to share His answers with our world.

This is Andrew Palau.

Reaching those around us for the Lord requires more than just prayer. God wants us to pray and he also wants us to talk to our loved ones about Him. Even if you don’t consider yourself adequate, you are the best person to reach those around you.

Begin simply with your interests and associations to start building relationships. If you’re interested in football, befriend the people at your school who play football. If you enjoy fishing, plan a trip with a neighbor and pray for an opportunity to share the Gospel. If you belong to a community group, pray to be used to bring someone to Jesus.

We can all be praying for those we know by name, as we begin to develop relationships with those around us. The Holy Spirit will prompt us and give us opportunities to share the love of Jesus. Be on the lookout for that moment and do not let it go by.

If we continue to pray, our eyes will be open to the people around us who need Jesus. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” So let’s pray for opportunities to win people to Christ, and be ready for them when the opportunities arrive.

This is Luis Palau.

In order to reach our world for Christ, we must cultivate hearts of compassion like Jesus. Jesus loved those who were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” You might ask, but Luis, where do I begin?

As always, prayer is a place to start. As Matthew says, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field.” We need to pray for workers who are already actively involved in evangelism, and those yet to be sent out.

We can also pray for those who have yet to trust Jesus. Make a list of your unsaved family members, friends, neighbors, and classmates. Pray regularly for each person by name. Be persistent. To God, no amount of time is too long.

My wife and I know an elderly woman who prayed for 68 years for her brother’s salvation. When he was 80 years old, shortly before he died, he finally confessed the Lord Jesus as Savior. Not only was he brought into eternal life, imagine the joy that woman received when the Lord answered her prayers. Imagine what God will do when all of His people pray persistently for their lost loved ones. People will be changed!

This is Luis Palau.

Many followers of Christ don’t feel they have the gift of evangelism. Their picture of evangelism is public speaking, preaching in front of big crowds, and loudly proclaiming Jesus’ name in a spotlight.  God hasn’t made everyone to be preachers. You can have a deep heart for the lost even if you don’t have the gift of evangelism.

Take my father-in-law, Willard, a wonderful man who was such a quiet engineer. I couldn’t imagine him saying more than a couple of lines when witnessing to others. But he had a deep burden for his old college buddies. As a result, anytime I spoke in town, he brought one or more of them, and let them hear me proclaim. He didn’t give up on those he loved because he wanted them to know Jesus.  But Willard brought them.

The secret is living and witnessing by the power of the Lord. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a teacher, an accountant, or whatever. The Bible says, “Whoever who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” Be faithful where you are, and the Lord will open doors for you. Believe me, amazing things will happen as you begin to reach your world. The Lord will use you and give you just the right words and just the right approach.

This is Luis Palau.

The Bible says some very sad things about the hopelessness and agony of the lost. Hell is described as a place of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Doesn’t sound like a place where you’d want to spend eternity, does it? If we believe the Bible, we are called to have a passion for rescuing the lost. Instead of halfheartedly wishing an unsaved friend would be saved, be driven to win that person for Jesus.

We can lose hope, when our friends and relatives seem hardened against the Good News Gospel. But keep praying; realize the fragility of life. Show your loved ones His presence by living righteously.

The Bible says “the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.” It brings fruit in its season. The rest of the verse says “And he (or she) who wins souls is wise.” If our souls live forever, isn’t the greatest wisdom to tell another’s soul about the living God? Even if we tell the same person over and over, the Lord’s timing is right. Trust in Him to work in the hearts of those you love, and the world will change, one soul at a time!

This is Luis Palau.

There’s always something to worry about, isn’t there? There’s always something that seems to be stressing you out. It’s a common reality of our broken world but let me remind you that God doesn’t want us to worry at all. Can you imagine?

Jesus says in the book of Matthew: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Isn’t that marvelous? Nothing is too much for Jesus to carry. That big stress you’re carrying today - Jesus wants you to completely let it go. It’s in His hands. It’s taken care of.

The Bible addresses this topic throughout the Old and New Testaments. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled,” Jesus says. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”

There are many passages on this topic. Be encouraged and comforted. As you let go of your anxiety and experience God’s peace, you will be able to reach out to people around you who are still fearful and worried. Share the biblical promises I just mentioned, and encourage them to focus on God’s strength. He’s got this. He’s taking care of you.

This is Andrew Palau.

Do you have a rock-solid foundation for the day the storms of life hit you and your family?

Maybe you’ve reached the point of feeling as though your foundation is little more than sinking sand. You’ve been the best mother you know how to be, but your teenager is spiteful and rebellious. You’ve carefully managed your resources, but you’re facing financial disaster. You knew your husband seemed distant lately, but you never dreamed he was having an affair.

No amount of information about alcoholism, no amount of knowledge about drug abuse, no amount of personal or family counseling can provide an adequate foundation when the storms hit. Only if you have built your house on Jesus Christ, our Everlasting Rock, will you be able to stand.

So, pray to Jesus. Right now, repeat this prayer after me: “Lord, I need You. / Thank You for dying on the cross / to pay the penalty for my sins. / Thank You for coming into my heart. / Thank you for giving me the peace and strength I need / to face the storms of life. Amen.”

Did you pray that prayer with me? If so, congratulations! Keep listening to this station and growing in your faith.

This is Luis Palau.