Many people don’t know that when I was only 10 years old my father contracted pneumonia and died. It was 1944, during World War II, and there was little or no penicillin in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was at a British boarding school, and couldn’t return home in time to see my dad.

What transfixed and transformed me was the story of how my father spent his final minutes. Not like a neighbor who died the previous summer. Latins are more expressive than Anglo Saxons, we could hear this neighbor screaming loudly from 30 yards down the road: “I'm dying! I'm dying! I'm going to hell and no one can save me!” he shouted.

My father’s story was just the opposite. He sat up in bed and sang an old Salvation Army Christian song, promising everyone he was destined for Heaven, the Father’s house, before collapsing on his pillow. Right then and there, I thought, “I'm going to tell people how to die happy and go to heaven, not screaming like my neighbor, lost and hopeless.”

My whole life has been dedicated to this subject: Go to heaven through Jesus Christ. Don’t be stubborn. God wants everyone to be saved. That’s why Jesus Christ went to the cross. That’s why He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. Believe the Good News and receive eternal life as the free gift of God. That is the message to share with your neighbors.

This is Luis Palau.

Untold numbers of people have asked, “We heard the news, Luis. How can we best pray for you?” Please pray for my wife Patricia and me. These are uncertain times, but we are holding fast to Jesus and His peace, and trusting the Lord and His promises.

Pray as well for our sons Kevin, Keith, and Andrew as they continue to lead the Palau Association; and our son Stephen, a local school teacher. This is a big year of ministry. Many big plans underway. God has so much in store and there are still so many who need to hear the Good News. My new reality will require Andrew to take on more of the direct evangelistic preaching ministry. But that’s good. He’s gifted. He will carry the Good News with strength.

We can’t slow down. We can’t let the enemy get a foothold. Let’s be steadfast in our resolve. Let’s not waver. But instead, let’s press ahead with all the more urgency and tenacity. Jesus said, “I’ve come that you might have life, and have it in abundance.” That’s why this radio station exists. 

I would love to hear from you. Any word from the Lord – any Scripture or encouragement you could give. It would be a true blessing. You can email me at [email protected]. 

This is Luis Palau.

I need to share some important news with you. It’s not good. A few weeks ago it was clearly confirmed that I have Stage 4 lung cancer. As you can imagine, this isn’t news we were expecting or hoping for. Yet our trust in the Lord remains rock-solid.  I’ve seldom been sick in my life. Only a handful of colds. The only time I was hospitalized was in my 50s when I broke my ankle. But that was stupidity, not illness. So as you can imagine, this surprised us all. My wife, Pat, and I and the entire family are still processing.

We have sought all the necessary and prudent medical advice, and want to make the wisest, most God-honoring decisions. And of course, we have faith and trust in our God and Father. We’re in His hands. And we still have ministry to do.

Some days, I feel fine and full of energy. Other days, not so much. Still, I’m as committed as ever to proclaiming the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ. Then again, Pat – my wife - and I and our dear family know the next several months will be trying. We ask for your prayers. So many have texted or written.  Wonderful promises from the Word of God have renewed my joy and trust. 

Tell your world about Jesus, as I hope to do with the power of God’s Spirit.

This is Luis Palau.

Hello again. As you may have heard in the news, or on this radio station, I have been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. As you can imagine, the news startled me.  Stage 4? I never felt a thing, except in those last few weeks. Where's stage one, two and three?

I've never cried so much…crying not with horror, but with sadness. When I die, I can't pick up the phone and call my boys and ask how they’re doing. That put a chill up my spine. And my wife…?

Then again, when I woke up yesterday, one of the thoughts the Lord said to me is, “I thought you read the Bible, and you knew there comes a time when it’s time to go.” With stage 4 lung cancer, that time is nigh. I am 83 and will not preach into my 90s, which was always my private goal. With chemotherapy, I may have another year. A few more months to proclaim the joy and hope of trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. A bit more time to live out my faith.

I'm so grateful that the Lord has kept His good hand of blessing on me for these many years. Now, as the time of my departure nears, I have absolutely a desire to honor my Lord Jesus Christ, and bless my brothers and sisters in Christ. I’ll point people to Jesus until my last breath.

Please keep me in your prayers. This is Luis Palau.

Pick up a magazine or turn on the television. Walk down an aisle of a store or notice a billboard. There’s a common theme. The American dream is one of making our lives “better” – more enjoyable, more comfortable, and more restful. There are layers to that word “rest.” There is the rest I feel when we go to Jamaica each Christmas to visit my wife’s family there. There is the rest we enjoy when we get a good night of sleep. There is rest when we have a day away from buzzing noise, pressure at work, or kids needing attention. Sometimes we just need a nap. But there is something deeper. Every human being in the history of the world has a desire for real peace and rest. But, the answer for finding true rest for your soul isn’t in any of our modern conveniences. It’s only in Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 11 Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus is the answer to the chaos of this world. He is the answer for the stressed heart and discouraged soul. Jesus offers true peace and true rest. Share this reminder today with a tired friend. Go to someone searching for peace and tell them this good news: that in Jesus Christ, there is true and lasting rest and peace.

This is Andrew Palau.

George Washington, the first president of the United States, set an important precedent for this country. After his heroic leadership during the revolution, many Americans wanted Washington to be king. A new king for the new country, America. But he refused. He would serve the nation as president. Can you imagine how different America would be today if he had chosen to be king instead of president?

In the same way, what we do today sets a precedent for the future. For future generations - in our families, in the church, and the world. Will we set a precedent of loving God and reaching our world?

Jesus Christ, “the author and perfector of our faith” set the ultimate precedent of service in laying down His life for us. And all of us who call Him Lord can follow in His footsteps by serving others. Whom can you tell about our Servant Savior today? If you do it, let me know! I love to hear how you are reaching your world. Email me at [email protected].  I can’t wait to hear how God is using you!

This is Luis Palau.

An American chemistry teacher from Texas, Ronnie Smith, decided to travel to the Middle East to serve the people in a certain country as a teacher at the International School. On December 5th, 2013, Ronnie went for a jog, and was gunned down by unidentified assailants driving in a Jeep. After her husband’s murder, his wife Anita, said, “I just envision the black Jeep driving up to him and I don't know their faces. I just want them to know that God loves them and can forgive them for this… I don't know them. That's how I honestly feel. It may sound crazy. It's God's spirit that's putting this inside me… I just really want them to know that I do love them and I forgive them, and Ronnie would want this, and I hope and pray that our son, Hosea, would believe this…”

What a tragedy to have lost her husband and the father of her child, but what an example she is setting of forgiveness! You know, Jesus calls us to forgive even our enemies.  Romans chapter 12 says, “Bless and do not curse.” We can all learn from Anita’s forgiveness of her husband’s killers. Whom do you need to forgive today? Perhaps God will use your forgiveness and faith to reach your world in ways you never imagined.     

This is Luis Palau.

Did you know that the Bible has been the best-selling book of all time for years and years? I’m always encouraged when I think about that. You know, I believe that deep down, people are still hungry for God’s Word, even if they don’t know it. St. Paul says in Romans, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

If we are going to reach our world, we need to give people what they’re truly hungry for - God’s Word. And if we are going to share God’s Word with others, that means we have to know it ourselves.

I start every day with God personally, reading the Bible, meditating, praying over His word.  This year, I’m following the Bible reading we at the LPA – the Luis Palau Association – recommend.  We call it “Your Daily Bible Study” and it helps me to focus on the Lord, to pray, to meditate and to sing.

God’s Word is living and active, Hebrews 4 tells us, and I believe it’s the most powerful tool for reaching your world. So open your Bible today. There’s always more to learn.

This is Luis Palau.

When St. Paul said to put on the “helmet of salvation” in his letter to the Ephesians, the Ephesians would have immediately thought of a Roman legionnaire. Roman soldiers were heavily armored and their helmet was a symbol of their rank. A Roman officer would have a tall crest of horsehair, to show who he was. This was meant to be seen by his men in battle and to serve as a banner for them to gather around. I think this is a good example of how our helmet of salvation should be.

We should proudly wear our salvation just like a Roman soldier wore his rank on his helmet. When people see you, do they see your salvation? Do they see Jesus?

Jesus told us, "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Do you acknowledge Jesus openly? Does your life demonstrate your faith in Him, and do your words point to Him?Let us all put on the helmet of salvation and ask God to use us to draw others to Himself. Nothing’s more important and there’s no greater joy in this life than helping others find faith in Jesus Christ.         

This is Luis Palau.

A friend recently asked me how he could touch a life for eternity. It was an honest question and I want to share my answer to him with you.

The first thing you need to do is consider who in your world doesn’t know Jesus Christ. If someone has been on your heart then God probably put you in that person’s life for a purpose. He wants you to reach them. Start with prayer. Bring your friend before the Lord and ask God to move in a mighty way in his or her life. Ask God to orchestrate the events in your friend’s life so that they would come to that place where they can truly hear and respond to the Gospel.

Then prayerfully chose a day. Look at your calendar and ask God to direct you to the perfect moment of His timing. Choose a day to intentionally let yourself be used by God. Finally, pray for the courage to walk through the open door He will provide. And, do it! 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Be ready in and out of season.”  When you prepare like this, you’re looking for an in-season kind of moment.

Regardless of how your friend responds, don’t leave them. Continue to invest in a relationship with them. Don’t disappear if the going gets rough. Your friend’s response is not up to you. Results are in the Lord’s hands. What is up to you is your willingness to be present in their life and bold in sharing the Good News. Do that and God will orchestrate the rest in His timing.

This is Andrew Palau.