Reaching Your World with Luis Palau

Quite a few years ago, right after I got saved, I came across the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. His radical, give-everything faith still inspires me. Bonhoeffer lived right through to nearly the end of the Second World War. He was a scholar and pastor. Eventually, Bonhoeffer was captured and executed because of his involvement in an underground movement to upend Hitler’s Third Reich. But, that was a risk Bonhoeffer was willing to take. He lived 100% for Jesus and nothing else mattered. In his , Bonhoeffer uses the phrase, “cheap grace” to describe us when we are unwilling to pay the cost of following Jesus – me when I am unwilling to give up parts of my very own self. The phrase has stuck with me all these years and continues to remind me to live 100% for Jesus, just as Bonhoeffer did. What about you? When we say “yes” to “cheap grace,” we’re also saying “no” to true devotion to Jesus Christ? It’s easy to do. It’s easy to say yes to the parts of following Jesus that sound nice. “Love one another” and “Follow me” sound simple, but they require 100% of our full devotion, life, and heart. Let’s do that today, following Jesus Christ and telling others of His great way. Then, we’ll be powerfully reaching our world. This is Andrew Palau.

One of the most popular attractions to visit in Rome is of course the Colosseum. Some may just admire the beauty of the ancient architecture, but history tells a darker story. The brutality that served as entertainment in that place is difficult to stomach. Thousands were killed for sport. Many of them Christians. And when I have stood in the Colosseum I am reminded of those great Christians who died for their faith. And how much we owe them! They passed the faith forward for generations. And I wonder- what will future generations think when they look back on us? Will we have done our part to pass on the faith? To stand firm even unto death? In Hebrews we read, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” In my case, we have tried to train evangelists in the USA – hundreds of them – in Latin America, and in Europe. Training them and leaving behind well-trained, Gospel-preaching evangelists that could, for generations to come, spread the Good News of Jesus. You do your part, and I’ll do mine. This is Luis Palau

Tertullian wrote that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. And you know, when we remember the saints who have gone before us, and the faith that sustained them through unimaginable persecution, we can be encouraged in our own faith. Justin Martyr was one example of a persecuted Christian we can look to. He was an early Christian apologist who was told that if he did not sacrifice to idols, he would be tortured and killed. Instead of changing his tune to appeal to the people who were threatening him, Justin replied, “That is our desire, to be tortured for Our Lord, Jesus Christ…” The martyrs all said, “Do as you wish; for we are Christians, and we do not sacrifice to idols…” Ultimately, Justin and many others have been killed for their faith in Christ. In the year 165, he was beheaded for Jesus Christ and His Gospel. And you know when I remember these situations, I am reminded of the greatness of the Gospel that we possess. The Good News is worth everything. Even death! Jesus says if we lose our life we will find it. Have you found true life in Christ? Share it with a friend today. It is the most glorious truth the world has ever heard. This is Luis Palau.

Andrew was the first disciple to be called by Jesus Christ. And as the Scriptures tells us, he immediately left his nets and followed Jesus. What some listening may be unfamiliar with, is Andrew’s death. Valerius Herberger writes of Andrew and the early disciples, “To them, Jesus is now the most precious one on earth- according to His mind they learn, according to His words they teach, according to His will they live, according to His decree they suffer and die. When St. Andrew was threatened with the cross, he said joyfully, ‘If I feared the punishment of the cross, I would never have preached the mystery of the cross.’ Then when he saw the cross, he spoke, ‘Hail, precious cross, you who were dedicated by the body of Christ; may He receive me through you, who redeemed me through you.’ And when he was living after three days on the cross, his hearers wanted to take him down by force, but he said, ‘Ah, let God take care of it! Do not make the peace of the Gospel suspect by your unnecessary revolt against the government.’ That was apostolic constancy and long-suffering! This is what it means to ‘leave everything and follow Christ,’ all the way to the last catch of fish.” Wow! What a testimony. I pray it encourages you to reach your world powerfully today. This is Luis Palau

Ambrose of Milan is an interesting figure in church history. He was born into a Roman Christian family and following his education he entered the world of politics. He would eventually serve as governor, and finally as Bishop of Milan. During his time as bishop there was great tension caused by the Arian sect- those who denied the trinity. He stood fast against the Arians’ great political and military power. When a large number of leaders banded together and demanded that Ambrose surrender several of Milan’s congregations to the Arian philosophy, he said, “If you demand my person, I am ready to submit: carry me to prison or to death, I will not resist; but I will never betray the church of Christ… I will die at the foot of the altar rather than desert it.” The faith and boldness of Ambrose in the face of persecution is an inspiration for those of us who claim the name of Christ today. Am I willing to stand for truth? In the book of Acts we read that St. Paul, “proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” Let us all speak with boldness and without hindrance today. This is Luis Palau

The best way I know to help your child commit their life to Jesus Christ is to bow your heads in prayer. Here is a suggested prayer: “Heavenly Father, I want to be a Christian. I realize my sins have separated me from You. Please forgive me. I believe what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross. I don’t completely understand it, but I accept it by faith. Please come into my life, Lord Jesus, and make me Your child right now. I’ll follow You and obey You forever. Amen.” When leading your child in prayer, explain you’ll say one phrase of the prayer at a time. Then they can repeat that phrase out loud after you. Emphasize that the prayer is to God, not you. Allow your child to pray in their own words, if they wish. After you finish praying together, ask several questions to help your child clarify the decision they have just made. Then celebrate that decision! Give your child opportunities to share the joy of their decision with family and Christian friends. To help your child look back on that decision, encourage them to write it down in their Bible. It’s good for them to write the date, a statement such as “Today I gave my life to Jesus Christ,” and their name. You may want to make a separate record in your own Bible. It will be a great day to remember! This is Andrew Palau.

No one can inherit faith. It’s not enough to say, “My mother was a wonderful Christian and I was brought up in a good Christian home.” That will not get anyone into God’s family. Does your child understand and believe what Jesus Christ did for them on the cross? The Bible says, in 1 Peter 3:18, that “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, He conquered death so each of us may be forgiven. We deserve to be punished for the wrong we have done in God’s eyes. But God sent His Son to receive our punishment in His body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). It is like a judge finding a prisoner guilty, taking the prisoner’s place, and receiving the sentence himself. What magnificent love! Your child may not completely understand how God places the penalty for their sin on His Son. That’s okay. Doesn’t God simply ask us to respond to Him based on what we do know? The final step is to commit one’s life to the Lord Jesus Christ. In every way, what a great Savior! This is Luis Palau.

When we talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our children, what should our focus be? Initially, it should be that God is our heavenly Father. He is perfect and loves us with an everlasting love. Then, the issue of sin needs to be addressed. Scripture often speaks of God’s love and our sin in the same breath. Romans 5:8 tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” To experience God’s love, our children must own up to those things in their lives that hurt Him—selfishness, stealing, lying, and all the rest. They need to see that “the wages of sin is death,” Romans 6:23. They need to learn that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. The aim is to show children that Jesus voluntarily took our sins on Himself. Here’s a simple illustration: Place an object in your right hand, explaining that the object represents all our sins. When Jesus died on the cross, God took our sins and laid them on His Son. Then place the object in your left hand. Where are those sins now? They’re on Jesus, not me. What good news for children of all ages. I never get tired of it, I tell you! This is Luis Palau.

Leading your child to Jesus Christ doesn’t happen all in one day. We may have the privilege of introducing the Lord to our children over a period of several years. There’s so much to talk about and discover together. What’s more, the influence of a godly parent cannot be overestimated. Our children need to see the difference that Jesus Christ makes in our lives, and they need to hear the Gospel clearly presented. Otherwise, they may wander away. My wife, Pat, and I found the best approach for teaching about the Lord Jesus is to start at the beginning and proceed chronologically. First, God loves us and entered the human race, born of the virgin Mary. He was named Jesus, the Savior. As a man, Jesus traveled about healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He demonstrated to the multitudes who God really is. They marveled at the power of His teaching and at the holiness of His life. Nevertheless, Jesus was betrayed, crucified, and buried. Three days later He rose from the dead, and a few weeks later returned to heaven. According to 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. [It’s very Good News in every way!] This is a very simple way to present the Gospel. Our children need to know it, love it, and pass it on to others. This is Luis Palau.

Did you know life’s most crucial curriculum is taught in the home? In the average year, the typical child may spend 1 percent of their time in church, 16 percent in school, but much of the remaining 83 percent in and around the home. Do children somehow become real Christians by osmosis? It doesn’t happen that way! God has no grandchildren. We need to actively, prayerfully encourage our children to come to Jesus. Yet I’ve met sincere people who say, “I was born into a Christian family” or “I’ve been a Christian all my life.” As parents and also as grandparents, we need to dispel our children’s misconceptions about what it means to be a Christian. We also need to demonstrate that we deeply care whether they make a genuine commitment to Jesus Christ. We can’t make that decision for them, but we can have an active part in leading our sons and daughters to faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord longs to welcome children into His family. “Let the little children come to me,” Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” What very good news, indeed! This is Luis Palau.

When I was in my early twenties, I was living the American dream. I was working my way up the ladder in a corporate job in a big city, and spent my weekends partying with friends. But internally, I was sad. I didn’t feel joy, or peace. I was searching for something more. Then, I found Jesus and received Him as my personal Savior and everything changed. My lifestyle became less “glamorous” – according to how the world defines “glamorous”, and I gave up my corporate job. I moved away from that big city, and many of my party friends didn’t understand what was happening to me. But I felt freedom from guilt, peace and joy. I felt the joy of Christ. When we choose to follow Jesus and when we’re in a relationship with Him, we will experience joy regardless of what our external circumstances look like. The Bible says in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” That is my prayer for you. As you walk with God you will find that He fills you with joy. This is Andrew Palau.

Max Lucado related a powerful story from the holocaust in his book, “He Still Moves Stones.” Lucado writes that someone found a carving on a wall inside a concentration camp that said, “I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine. I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown. I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak.” A prisoner in this concentration camp, facing torture, starvation, and death, was able to write these powerful words. How does someone find the strength to endure unimaginable hardship? God alone can give us strength. He promises to give us His strength in our weakness. In fact, the Bible tells us that “God’s power is made perfect – it works best - in our weakness.” The prophet Isaiah, writes, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Do you feel weak today? Do you feel powerless in the face of difficult circumstances? Perfect. That is exactly the kind of situation that God specializes in. He will give you the strength you need for the situation you’re facing. He will empower you to reach your world with God’s word about Jesus Christ. This is Luis Palau

In Lamentations we read, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him…” Hope is something people desire. In fact, a very famous recent political campaign was run with “Hope” as the slogan. This candidate won simply by promoting his future election as something that would bring people hope. Why was hope a successful political slogan? Because people are hungry for it. With wars and violence, crime and poverty- sometimes this world seems hopeless. People will look anywhere to have a reason to hope! But you know, the only true source of hope is Jesus Christ. He is the only true reason to have hope and the only hope that will not disappoint. He is the only one who can give people hope for their future- hope for life after death. Do you know someone who is looking for a reason to have hope even in seemingly hopeless times? Share the Good News with them today. This is Luis Palau.

In the Gospel of John we read that the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In 1 John the Scriptures tell us, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” Jesus tells us that the greatest command is to love God and love our neighbor. If you want to reach your world, we have to tell the truth, but we can never separate grace and truth. Jesus was full of both! We must tell the truth in love. We must tell the truth about sin, Satan, death and hell. And we must tell the truth about God’s solution to these problems. That Jesus Christ is the only way. And you know something? Sharing the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best way to love our neighbors. Absolutely! If we are truly going to love our neighbors, we need to tell the truth. We need to tell the truth today! But do it in love or it will fall on deaf ears. Do it today, won’t you? You’ll never regret it. This is Luis Palau

If one thing is lacking in many people’s lives, I think it is contentment. We are never satisfied. The house is never big enough. The vacation is never long enough. We always want the next best thing. But God promises a better way. While everyone else is caught in the cycle of “keeping up with the Joneses”, Christians can find rest in contentment. And I’m not talking about God making your life perfect- making you popular and rich and healthy. No, I’m talking about God changing your perspective by renewing your mind. In Philippians, St. Paul writes, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content… I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Was Paul rich and successful with everything going just fine? No. Paul wrote these words from a prison cell. So you know, contentment is possible in Christ no matter the circumstances of your life. We all know people in need of contentment. Therefore, share the Good News of Jesus with them today. This is Luis Palau.