Renewal in Christ leads to a life that is victorious. As a word, “victorious” implies there has been a foe, and that foe has been beaten, vanquished, conquered. As Christians in the world, we will always be engaged in spiritual battles against forces that try to keep us from living holy lives. But if we follow Christ, we will be victorious.

Some of these foes are obvious, like situations where someone makes fun of us for believing in Christ, or we choose to tell a lie. Other foes are sneakier, like the false messages of the world and the temptations of the flesh. 1 John 2 says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” While some have taken this to mean completely separate ourselves from the world, I interpret this as a warning and an opportunity. We have to live in the world. But we also know we will be victorious over it, because Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

So, instead of hiding ourselves away, we need to demonstrate what a victorious life looks like to those around us who are battered and controlled by worldly desires. We can show them a new way of living, one marked by victory over the things that try to keep us from a renewed life with Christ.

This is Luis Palau.

Renewal is what we need in the church today. Only through the fire of God’s renewal will we change the world for Christ. But what does this renewed life look like? How will it make a difference in our neighborhoods and communities?

Well, first of all, renewal is triumphant and joyful. We don’t use the word “triumphant” much anymore, unless we’re celebrating a victory on the sports field. The word brings to mind someone on top of a podium, a medal around their neck, crowing at the top of their lungs, and raising their fists in joy. They are triumphant!

We all have different temperaments. Some of us are optimistic, others more pessimistic. Some are outgoing, others introverted. Some cheer loudly when they win, others just smile to themselves. But Scripture teaches us that all Christians – whatever their temperament – can be triumphant, Spirit-filled, joyful. As Paul says, “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” Whether we express our triumph loudly or quietly, our triumph in Christ should permeate the air around us. Others won’t be able to ignore the joy emanating from us like a perfume. They’ll wonder how they too can be filled with the triumph of Christ. We must be ready to tell them.

This is Luis Palau.

Do you remember how you felt when you first became a Christian? I could hardly sleep that night. I was so excited about committing my life to Jesus. I knew it was the most important decision I would ever make. The first days of my Christian life were like the spectacular bonfires we built at summer camp — flames shooting toward the sky. But gradually, the fire in my soul died down. Underneath the ashes of my façade were a few live coals, but from the outside, I appeared cold. The fire wasn’t out, but it was pretty low.

After going through a spiritual crisis, I finally began to experience God’s renewal in my life. Gradually, kindling and fresh logs were added, as I spent time in the Bible and the church. The sparks were fanned as I learned about Christ, and soon the flames returned. Like the prophet Jeremiah, God’s name became a burning fire in my bones; I just had to share His love with those around me.

Renewal is the greatest need in the church today, and only God can bring it. When we’re renewed, our love for God is rekindled. The Word becomes alive, and we gain a vision for evangelism, a burden for the lost. Can you imagine how the world would change if our churches were filled with the fire and the heat of God’s renewal? Let that be our goal: spreading the warmth and passion of God’s love to everyone around us.

This is Luis Palau.

Are you afraid to stand out? Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We cannot live light-filled lives in our society without standing out, without people noticing. Your faith should make a difference in how you live your life. As a follower of Jesus, you have an incredible opportunity to shine the light of Christ constantly. God speaks the light of Jesus into our hearts, and his light shines so powerfully through us that as Philippians points out, we will be like stars in the universe that point the whole human race toward real life.

It’s important to remember that Jesus did not say to live our lives in such a fashion that people will see our good deeds and say what marvelous, outstanding people we are. A lamp does not call attention to itself. It’s simply placed on a lamp-stand, from which it will give the best illumination.

Embrace the light you have as a follower of Jesus and let your light magnificently shine through good works and bold evangelism.

This is Andrew Palau

Have you ever heard the expression, “nothing compares to a mother’s love” or “nothing compares to a father’s love”? This expression often refers to the fact that parents will never stop loving their children—no matter how many times their children might mess up. As a father to now-grown children, I can tell you that this expression is very true. There is nothing that any of my children could do that would ever stop me from loving them. Nothing! And you know, this is how God, our heavenly Father, feels about each of us.

No matter what we do, and no matter how many times we fall short and mess up, God still loves us. This is a belief unique to the Christian faith. We know as Christians that Jesus gives us unconditional love in the form of grace! But you need to repent, believe, and receive Christ. If we want to reach our world, we can do so by exhibiting unconditional love to those around us. This love is not just for people who are like us—it is for everyone.

The Bible says, in John 3:16, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I encourage you to demonstrate God-like love as you go about this week.

This is Luis Palau.

I think as Christians, we sometimes feel as though we have to be perfect. We don’t want to be seen as hypocrites, or perhaps we fear judgment, so we may be afraid to talk openly about our sins or personal struggles. The problem is, when we hide these things, people can’t relate to us. The average person knows that they are flawed, whether they are a Christian or not. So it can be off-putting when we aren’t open about our internal battles.

When we share with people honestly and openly about the places we fall short, we allow them to see two things. The first is God’s grace. For example, by sharing that I continually mess up in a certain area, and yet God still loves me, others see that God will love and forgive them. The second thing that happens when we are open about our sin, is that people can witness God’s incredible healing! When sin is no longer hidden, shame and guilt lose their power, and God’s healing process can begin.  The book of Romans says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. By being honest about where we fall short, we can reach the world with God’s grace and healing in a very special way.  Because God offers forgiveness to those who are honest and humble themselves, and believe in Him.

This is Luis Palau.

Whether I am talking to thousands of people or giving a message on the radio, I often start with a story. I love stories because they do not just tell how God works, but they show the real, tangible ways that God is changing lives. For example, I could say to you: “Jesus has the power to change a life” and it would be true. But if I told you just how Jesus changed my life—that he gave me a source of hope, a new outlook, a purpose, and abundant grace—you would be able to better understand just how powerful Jesus really is. Your personal experience, or story, is something no one can argue about.

God wants you to share your story with the world. Romans 8:28 in the Bible says, “We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him”. So tell of how God has worked in your life.  Whether it is a family member, coworker, classmate, or stranger, giving your story is a great way to show the power and authority of Jesus. As you go about this week pray for an opportunity to share what God has done in your life, and watch as God reaches those around you through your story. Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive.”  He loves to answer such a prayer.  So ask Him and the door will open and you’ll have a great opportunity.                       

This is Luis Palau.

I heard a story of a young man who, as a little boy, watched his father get taken away by members of the government. This happened in a country that did not treat prisoners well. Years later, this young man became a pastor and God impressed upon him that he had been carrying bitterness towards the government that was affecting his life. Through prayer, he was able to forgive and let go of this bitterness. The people close to him were stunned.

After telling his story, the pastor said that “bitterness had become an epidemic” in his country—and you know, I think this is true everywhere. Whether it’s the woman whose husband left after years of marriage, or the dedicated employee who worked hard only to be laid off: bitterness is a human emotion that has a way of creeping in and taking over.  When we are overcome with bitterness, we are unable to fully experience God’s grace. The Bible says that we “all fall short of God’s glory.” And once we realize this condition, and we acknowledge that God has shown us undeserved grace, we can do the same for the people in our life who have wronged us.

Are you bitter about something? If so, ask God to help you let go and forgive. Through this, God will show His grace to people in your life.    

This is Luis Palau.

In Psalm 145 David calls us to take the time to look back on our lives and reflect on the goodness of our God. We are encouraged to praise God for His greatness, His compassion, and His faithfulness, and to thank God for His many gifts throughout our lives. In the words of an old hymn, we are urged to, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” When I take time to do this – stop and really dwell on all the amazing things I have to be grateful for, I’m overwhelmed. I’m sure you would be too.  

Of course, it’s possible that you don’t feel like praising God.. Perhaps you feel like the person who said to me, “There is absolutely nothing that I could possibly be thankful for.” Perhaps life came at you in ways you never anticipated.

If that’s how you feel, read Psalm 145 again. Look back on the past year, and trace the hand of God who provides you with everything you need. In spite of everything that happens in our lives, God never leaves us. Most important, He gave us the greatest gift imaginable, the gift of His only Son, the Lord Jesus.That is the key. As Paul states in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Be assured today that the giving God is always with you.

This is Andrew Palau.

Our words don’t always convey what we really mean.

If someone tells me he doesn’t believe the Bible—in fact he distrusts it and doesn’t want to read it anymore—it sounds like he hates God’s Word. That may be the case. More often, however, what he may be saying—even if he doesn’t realize it—is that he’s rejecting the distorted, false images of the Bible that he’s been exposed to because of a harsh, angry, domineering parent.

If a graduate student tells me she doesn’t love God anymore —in fact she hates God and doesn’t want anything to do with Him—it sounds like she hates the God of the Bible. That may be the case. More often, however, what she may be saying—even if she doesn’t have the wisdom to realize it yet—is that she’s actually rejecting the ugly, even repulsive images of God she’s been exposed to in some university class.

Whether it’s “beauty,” “sexuality,” “holiness,” “justice,” or anything else God has created, Satan always repackages what’s intrinsically good and makes it repulsive. The same is true with “faith,” “belief,” “trust,” and other closely related terms.

No matter what the world, the flesh, and the devil whisper [Ephesians 2:2-3a], the fact is that believing the Bible and loving God are more relevant than ever. Don’t wait! Get back to the Bible, God’s inspired Word.

This is Luis Palau.