In the first chapter of his Gospel, John talks about Jesus Christ without saying His name until the end of his prologue. Then John describes how some Jewish religious leaders demand to know who John the Baptist is. John laughs and says, “Well, for sure I’m not the Christ.” The leaders go down through their pre-determined list of possible identities, only for John the Baptist to say, “No. Lo. Non. Nee. Nyet.”

This string of denials frustrates the priests and Levites to no end. Then John the Baptist turns the tables on them. “One name on your list doesn’t belong with the others. No prophet is worthy to be the lowest of servants to the Christ.”

The very next day, who walks by? John the Baptist gives Him an ancient, sacred name: “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Then John reminds us that God the Father has given Him an even more ancient, sacred name: “The Son of God.”

The day after that? John the Baptist is talking with two of his disciples and then says, “Look, the Lamb of God!” The two men rush to catch up with Jesus and spend a few hours together.

Like John, you and I have the incredible privilege of introducing others to Jesus. Let’s do so again today. Reach your world. It’s a privilege.

This is Luis Palau.

On the three crosses, we see three ways that humanity experiences deep suffering. The thief on the first cross turns away from Jesus forever. The second thief turns to Jesus for salvation and is promised paradise that very day.

Like the first thief, we can feel spite toward Jesus until our dying breath, choosing the vocabulary and habitations of hell as our only escape from Jesus and those who follow Him.

Like the second thief, we can choose repentance. That is, we can turn around from our life of sin and selfishness, call out to Jesus, and receive rock-solid hope and assurance in our darkest hour.

In between the two thieves, of course, is the cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Supernatural darkness blanketed that part of the world from noon to 3 o’clock. In the Scriptures, such supernatural darkness speaks of God’s judgment. Here it speaks of God the Father’s judgment on the sins of the whole world, which Jesus was willingly bearing in His own body.

I am not saying that our deep suffering is an indication of God’s judgment. No, not unless we’ve committed high-handed sins. Instead, our sufferings are meant to draw us, more deeply, into our Savior’s amazing love and absolute forgiveness. “Your sins and evil behavior I will remember no more,” the Bible says.May that be your own experience today! That’s my prayer.

This is Luis Palau.

The first time my friend David read the Prodigal Son story, he had no idea how the Jewish father would respond. Would he disown his son, order his servants to forcibly throw the rebel out of the mansion, and declare him “dead” to the family? 

Historically, in many cultures around the world, that’s what would be expected. The son’s high-handed, insulting, and shameful behavior wouldn’t be tolerated in any decent society.

Instead, the Jewish father gives in to his son’s shocking demands. Even when told the father is a picture of our heavenly Father, the rest of the story doesn’t seem to make sense. No wealthy, respected gentleman would long for such a notorious, shameful son to come back home. From start to finish, the story is scandalous. And yet…

Even when we don’t believe in God, He believes in us. He hopes for the best. He expects a miracle. And, He can’t wait to throw a party in our honor.

My friend, forsake whatever is keeping you from coming to your senses, turning around, and heading back home to God your heavenly Father. Run to Him today. Come to Jesus.  As it says in the Bible, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” It means rescued, reconciled to God your Father in heaven.

This is Luis Palau.

A few years ago, my family and I were flying to Jamaica when our plane had a crash landing. The plane overshot the runway, breaking into pieces a few feet from the sea. Thankfully, all the passengers survived the crash, but let me tell you: it was one of the scariest experiences of my life.  But I can tell you I had peace in the moment because I knew that God was with me.So that’s a sensational story.  But this type of tragedy plays out usually in the more mundane areas of our life and there’s no news flash, no flashing lights, no ambulances.  It happens in our day to day. Things seem perfectly fine. Then, out of the blue, tragedy can strike. In a thousand ways life can seem like a plane crash. This is when faith is truly a game-changer.

You see, when we put our faith in Jesus we know He is with us; we know for certain that our future is secure with Him. We can respond with courage and hopefulness even in the scariest and saddest of situations. Grab hold of the call God gave Joshua for yourself. Joshua 1:9, “…Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I encourage you to lean on God in every situation you encounter, and in doing this you will provide a testimony that people need to witness as they face the realities of the world.

This is Andrew Palau.

Between violence, natural disasters, horrific accidents and terrorism, the world can feel very dark and lonely. Do you remember being afraid of the dark as a kid? Being in the dark is frightening. It is unpredictable. It is often unexpected. It is something that many people are still afraid of.

But have you ever been to a memorial? Among the flowers and photos, there are often candles. Sometimes in places where tragedy has happened, there is a candlelight vigil, where people stand together in the darkness and hold lights. Even at the gravesite of one of our most popular presidents, John F. Kennedy, there is an eternal flame, one that never goes out. We light candles because in the midst of darkness, a single flame can give clarity. It can give hope, warmth, and comfort. It can show that other people are there and we are not alone. It can light the way, showing us how to move forward.

When Jesus was born, He fulfilled a prophecy in Isaiah that said, “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” Jesus brought light to his dark world. As followers of Christ, we too are to be the “light of the world.” In a world that is dark, we must be seen and bring hope and comfort to those living in darkness. What a beautiful challenge that is!                

This is Luis Palau.

Today, more than ever, it feels like the world is spinning out of control. Between accidents and attacks, disease and despair, it can seem like we are barely holding on. Sometimes it is easy to think that we have no control over our lives at all.

Guess what? We don’t! Humans never have. It has always been this way – an outbreak of cholera could wipe out a whole town. A tornado could level a city. An attacking army could break through the walls and take over. Maybe this realization is discouraging, but it can also be freeing. We can’t control the chaos around us. But we can know the One who is sovereign over the whole world. God can see the beginning and the end of time, and everything in between. He’s the One who’s in charge of the world; we just live here.

We humans cannot see past the moment we are living in. But God has both an eternal view and a personal view. He says, “I know the plans I have for you – plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope,” in Jeremiah chapter 29. God has plans for us! We do trust that He is all-knowing, and that the future He has planned for us is the best possible future. That doesn’t mean that things will not be difficult, or the world won’t feel out of control. It does mean that we can move through the chaos with confidence in Him. Isn’t that news that should be shared?                

This is Luis Palau.

When you were a little kid, were you ever scared of thunderstorms? In many parts of the country, especially in the summer, the sky turns a grey-green color and the rain begins. The bright flashes of lightning soon light up the sky, followed by the booms of thunder. Sometimes that thunder shakes the whole house. For a little kid, it can seem like the world is ending.

Thunderstorms can be dangerous, particularly if you’re outside. But if you’re inside, away from the rain, they cannot hurt you. Your parents knew that, and they probably gathered you into their arms or let you crawl into bed with them. They knew that it was just a storm, and tomorrow would be sunny again. They could see beyond the thunder and lightning to a better day.

Jesus Himself calmed the stormy seas when He walked here on earth, saying, “Peace, be still.” He said this to the sea, but also to the disciples. In a world filled with terrorist attacks and disease, earthquakes and floods, it is easy to be afraid. The world is scary and unpredictable. “I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” It is my heavenly Father. He knows that tomorrow will be better – even if that tomorrow is a ways away. This is good news worth sharing to all who are frightened – we know the One who can see beyond the storm. We trust that a sunny day is coming, if we are brave and rely on God alone.                    

This is Luis Palau.

Listening to the news today often means one sad story after another. Bombings, war, disease, natural disasters – everything seems to be falling apart. Bad things happen to people who are simply living their lives. It is a human response to ask, “Where is God when bad things happen?” It can be hard to see Him when we are in the middle of pain and confusion. Job had the same experience when he lost everything he loved — he couldn’t see God. He said, “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him.”

Yet Job refused to give up, because he knew if he lost his faith, he would really have nothing. About God, Job said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job knew that even if he couldn’t see God, God could see him. God was present.

The same goes for us in today’s dangerous and frightening world. God is always working through His people. Sometimes we can see Him in medical professionals, or those who take in refugees. Or we can see Him in beauty and joy that is present, even when times are tough. We must show others that faith in God means that even when God is hard to see, He is still present with us, and working in us and through us. This should give us hope!                                 

This is Luis Palau.

I know many people reject Jesus Christ to their dying day. But I’ve seen too many saved in their dying days to believe God somehow stops caring about the unrepentant after age twenty or forty or sixty or eighty.  Not everyone goes to heaven. But never assume that someone who died today—and who knowingly rejected the Good News of Jesus Christ for years—went to hell. Never assume that. Never say such words. Only God knows that.

Instead, let’s continue to pray for the salvation of our loved ones right to the very end. Then, let us trust that our they are in the hands of a just and merciful God.

My friend Renée had her two grandfathers. The first grandpa rejected the Gospel his entire life. Yet he ended up trusting Jesus Christ two days before he died. Renée’s other grandfather even more adamantly rejected Jesus Christ his whole life. When he died, Renée and her husband, David, told their children what I said above. A few short days later they learned that second grandpa had trusted Christ the day before he died.

How good, how very good, that no matter what, the Lord never gives up. The same God who saved us doesn’t want anyone else to perish. Instead, He wants all to come to repentance.

This is Andrew Palau.

The Gospels couldn’t be more clear that Jesus loves, well, everyone. Young and old. Men and women. Unmarried and married. Poor and rich. Jew and Gentile. Rebel and political insider.  If Jesus loved everyone, that’s fine. We’re okay with that. What messes us up? Realizing Jesus calls us to do the same.

I happen to live in Portland, Oregon. A third of my neighbors are registered Democrats, a third Republicans, and a third Independents. They speak 104 languages and hail from scores of countries. They are Catholic, Protestant, Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Latin Pentecostal, Asian Presbyterian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Shinto, Animist, Agnostic, and Atheist.

They are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning. They are super rich, upper middle class, middle class, blue-collar middle class, the struggling poor, and homeless. They each have a different background.  But we are finding – with great excitement – ways to share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with all of them.

Years ago two good friends of mine told me, “Luis, we want our children to be able to grow up and know, in their heart of hearts, that they love everyone. Just like Jesus.” What a great decision.                  

This is Luis Palau.