Kids nowadays go to school at a very young age—some start in preschool as early as two years old. But no amount of education is as important as children learning and accepting the truth of Jesus Christ. The earlier the better! When my kids were young, I prayed about how I could encourage them in developing their own personal relationship with Jesus. My wife Pat, and I, read to them the Bible and biblical story books. We made prayer a part of our everyday lives. When parents approach me with questions of how to instill faith in their children, my answer is this: demonstrate Bible-centered, active faith in your own life.

Let your children watch as you lead someone to Christ. If there are neighbors next door who do not believe, invite them over for game night, and use the opportunity to talk about Jesus with your kids present. If you’re sad, or frustrated, or angry, pray. Let your children watch you surrendering to God, and as they grow up, they will want to do the same. Help your kids memorize lots of Bible verses.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” So can I encourage you today, to live this way with your children? There is no better way to reach your world than to reach those living in your very own home.

This is Luis Palau.

I was reading the New York Times the other day, and I came across the Best Sellers list. The list was filled with a variety of stories: fiction and nonfiction, mystery, romance, and humor.

It must be difficult for a person to decide what to read. Should we take the word of popular talk show hosts? Or follow what celebrities are reading? I considered how I determine what to read. Since I was a young boy, I have asked myself four questions to help choose my books. First, I ask: does it disciple me in a biblical way? Then, does it inspire me? Next, does it motivate me? And last, does it teach me?  By asking these questions, I can sort out the godly books from the bestsellers of popular culture.

The Bible says in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Nobody comes to the Father except through me.” I encourage you to read books that point you to the Truth. As you consider what’s next on your reading list, I challenge you to choose your books by looking at them through a godly lens. Check out authors who believe and teach the Bible. Make sure you are reading the Bible so you can compare what you are reading with God’s Word. As you read more godly books, you will be better equipped to reach your world.          

This is Luis Palau.

I remember a kind bookstore owner who would let me read his books for free, when I was a teenager without a lot of money. I have always loved to read. In fact, sometimes people laugh, but books really are my friends. I am never alone when I have a book. Of course, there are a lot of books to choose from in this world. With the internet, you can order a book to be delivered the next day or download it to your iPad instantly. But, while reading books by Christian authors can offer insight, it is important that we remember to always put first priority on THE book: the Good Book - the Bible!

Hebrews 4:12 in the Bible says, “For the word of God is living and active.” The Bible is our source for wisdom and truth. It is where we go to discern God’s way versus the world’s way. Think of the Bible as an instruction manual. Life is full of many pieces, many parts, and many choices. If we try to tackle these things on our own, we will probably end up with a broken final product. But, by constantly referring to God’s instruction manual, the Bible, we can know that “His Strength is made perfect in our weakness.” God’s will and His way become evident in our lives. This week, can I encourage you to spend more time in the Good Book? Then, when you’re going about your daily life, you’ll be prepared to talk about Jesus to those who do not yet know Him.

This is Luis Palau.

By inviting someone to tell his or her story, we learn more than a set of facts. If we listen carefully, we end up learning how they think, feel, and relate to others. Even more importantly, a bond is formed when we resist the temptation to talk and instead simply hear that person’s story, no matter how long it is. Yes, sometimes it may mean missing our next appointment.

Yet something very deep happens between that person and me once I’ve heard his or her story. I get glimpses of God’s fingerprints all over his or her story. It doesn’t always mean I’ll have the opportunity to introduce and eventually hook their interest in God’s stories. Then again, that often happens.

The crazy thing? Nobody ever asks, “What’s your story?” As a result, many people are caught off guard, and may put up an initial defense. But if you keep smiling, allow for silence, and ask again, and then ask a third time, many will start a meaningful conversation.

After someone tells you his or her story, they often will say they have never told it to anyone else.

So, never hesitate to ask the most beautiful of questions: “What’s your story?” It could open a door for you to share the greatest story of all time – the Good News of Jesus.

This is Andrew Palau.

My wife and I recently moved into a new community here in Portland, Oregon. That means we have had many new people to meet. Many of our neighbors have been so welcoming to the new folks on the block, and we’ve enjoyed making friends with those who live around us. We were surprised and delighted to find out that so many of our neighbors are fellow followers of Christ, but there are also many who do not know Jesus. These new relationships also delight me! I may be getting older and traveling less, but I will always have the perspective of an evangelist. So, I want to make sure all of my neighbors know the Lord.

Neighborhoods are wonderful places. We live by people we might not have met otherwise. We are out of our bubble of work or church, and we are engaging with those we live around. What a great opportunity to share God’s love! I once heard a statistic that 80% of people would attend a church event if they were invited, but only 2% of church-attenders ever invite people to these events. Often we don’t invite people because we’re nervous about what they’ll say or do. But that fear isn’t from Christ. As 2 Timothy says, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” So, we need to be reaching out to our neighbors, young and old. It’s our chance to create spiritual community in the places we live, in a natural way.

This is Luis Palau.

I often hear from media and people about how Millennials are turning their backs on Christianity. They are leaving the church. They are walking away from faith. I don’t see it. I also hear countless stories of young adults who want desperately to know Jesus. They need something – or someone – to guide them and give their life meaning. They are becoming adults in a world that is unpredictable: socially, economically, politically. They’re not sure what to do.  They want to know if Jesus is relevant to their young life. 

Part of the problem is how the church is talking to young adults; we aren’t speaking their language. We aren’t meeting them where they are. We aren’t telling them that their concerns are important to Jesus. Instead, we get so stuck in our old ways of talking about faith and community, that some Millennials can’t imagine that the church is a place for them.

So, what do we do? Well, we learn a new language! We meet young people where they are. We ask questions. We learn about their lives. Then, we show how their lives need Jesus. We share with them the verse from Deuteronomy: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Can you imagine what amazing things will happen once all Millennials are guided by the Holy Spirit? They will change the world. For good!         

This is Luis Palau.

Sometimes I think our society doesn’t know what to do with children. We either try too hard to protect them and almost smother them with our care. Or we discount them, saying things like, “Oh, he’s just a kid. She’s too young to know much!” There’s truth to both sides: yes, children are precious, and yes, they need a lot of guidance. Which is why we should make sure children hear the glorious good news Gospel from a young age. Believe me, they understand a lot more than we give them credit for.  So from a very early age, let them know that Jesus loves them, and what He did for them.

Often, when I talk with adults about life and death issues, sometimes they scoff at me, saying, “Only children believe in heaven, right?” I say no! Actually, we should be more like children! Jesus himself said unless we become like children, we’ll never enter the kingdom of heaven. I think that is because children don’t need to have everything explained. They ask many questions, but they’re fine with mystery. Have you ever taken a little kid to a magic show? They can’t believe what they’re seeing! It’s the same when you introduce a little one to Jesus. They are blown away by the love and grace of God. They don’t completely understand it, but that’s okay with them. They are content to live in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. We should be more like children, and we should never miss an opportunity to share God’s love with a little one and so reach our world.  

This is Luis Palau.

For many years, I traveled constantly. I was always flying off to a campaign in this country or that one. I would arrive home, and my wife would ask, “So, when’s the next trip?” I was always on to the next thing, and I loved traveling the world for Christ. But for the last six months, as I have dealt with health issues, I haven’t gone anywhere. I’ve stayed in my home and neighborhood, adjusting to a new pace of life. In this season of life, I have had a chance to listen to what people say. I’ve been able to sit with people and with books, and think about what they have to tell me. It’s been so valuable to have the time to really listen.

All Christians are called to be witnesses for Christ, but few actually live out that calling. We’re not all called to be vocational evangelists, jetting around all over the world to share the gospel in packed venues. But we are called to share the good news with those around us, wherever we are. And all Christians – evangelists included – could do a little more listening. It’s not easy: the world is loud and busy, and the voice of God often comes in a low whisper, as the prophet Elijah discovered. For us to be able to speak to those around us, we need to listen to what they have to say – and what God might be saying through them. Then we’ll be able to present God’s message in a meaningful way and reach our world. 

This is Luis Palau.

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord, our God.  The second greatest commandment urges us to love our neighbor.  The definition of the term “neighbor” has changed in modern times.  Back in Old Testament times the law of Moses said that people should take care of each other, including the traveler or temporary resident.  People had a responsibility towards those in proximity to them.  However, our perception of distance has changed with jet travel.  An airplane can travel several hundred miles in an hour, making a lot more of the world easily accessible.

What’s more, mobile phones are now in widespread use.  It’s possible to reach people almost anywhere on the earth.  Maybe it’s time to change our concept of who our neighbor is.  We now have the ability to care for anyone in need, anywhere in the world.  We certainly have little excuse to not do that. 

Jesus told us that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Modern technology gives us the tools to do that in a much broader sense.  And there are such great tools online.  You can search for anything and find the Good News online.  Even our website has amazing tools you can refer your friends to. Let’s make good use of those tools. More than ever, let’s reach our world.          

This is Andrew Palau.

You can’t experience true life until you’ve dealt with the fear of death. Historically, Christians have been known as those who die well. The earliest Christians suffered unimaginable persecution in the Roman Empire, and stories of these earliest martyrs can bolster our faith today. These first Christians were said to have a smile on their face and a song on their lips even as they died violent, brutal deaths. When you come to faith in Jesus you make peace with God. And from that day forward you are blessed with the peace of God. Peace with God even when facing death. In First Corinthians St. Paul writes, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” In Romans he writes that not even death can separate us from the love of God. Are you afraid of death? Come to Jesus today and walk in new peace, peace with God. Repent of your sins and confess that He is Lord. You will be born again and live a new life.

In our culture, we avoid the subject of death, but deep down everyone is aware that death is looming. Denying it doesn’t make it less true. No amount of money, healthy eating, altering our appearance to look younger, or any other effort, can prevent death. Fearing the inevitable is no way to live. Come to Jesus today and receive His comfort, His peace, His joy, His presence. 

This is Luis Palau.