Reaching Your World with Luis Palau

Have you ever been tongue-tied? You want to say something and you know it’s the right moment. However, when you open your mouth to speak, the words just don’t come. Sharing the Good News can be nerve wracking. You may not know what to say and then decide to just not say anything. I have a tip for you! Just begin. Start by sharing a story from your own experience. Maybe ask a leading question. Give your mind time to catch up to what your heart wants to say. Romans, in the Bible, reminds us “The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart…” One of the simplest passages you can share with someone is Romans 10:9. It says “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This message is simple and clear. Start with that verse! Who knows where it may take you. That Bible verse – Romans 10:9 – led me to the assurance of eternal life, and I’ve never looked back. Be encouraged my friend. Even when the words are hard to come by, God is using you to speak out for Him. So be bold and use God’s Word as a tool to reach your world.

I met a young woman named Susan once who seemed quite puzzled. We had just heard a message given about The Great Commission. You know the verse“...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Well, Susan said that she grew up in a Christian home. All her friends already knew about God. Whom could she share The Good News with? My response was this: anyone and everyone! You see, someone may know about God, but still need encouragement. They may even have a relationship with Jesus, but still need you to share. I told Susan that God can and will use her to bless others. She just needed to pray God would bring the right people into her life and then be willing to speak. Have you ever asked that question? – Whom can I reach with The Good News? This week I challenge you to first make a list. That’s what I have done in  my Bible for years. Write down all the different people you see in a day. Include your boss, the barista at the coffee shop, the grocery store clerk. Second, pray for each person on your list. I do that also. Pray for opportunities to speak to them about Christ. God will help you to reach our world one day at a time.

Have you heard the saying “less is more?” It’s true in some contexts. But, when it comes to Jesus Christ and the Good News, “less is more” does not apply. Less sharing of the gospel means fewer souls reached with the Good News. So I propose a new idea – more is more. Assume you’re going to share your faith every day. Prepare yourself to regularly share the Good News of Jesus Christ at a moment’s notice. Never let up on the mission to reach more people with the hope of Jesus Christ. Nothing is more important; nothing is more urgent. Be prayerful. Use wisdom. And be ready. As followers of Jesus, it’s our privilege to boldly and lovingly speak of our faith in Jesus Christ. It’s up to us to share the Good News that God sent His one and only Son to earth to pay the consequence for our sin. Because God is perfect, we need to be perfect to be with Him. Since we’re not perfect, God sent His perfect Son to bear the penalty for our sin. This happened so that we, as fallen human beings, can be made right with God and live with Him forever. Telling people of God’s amazing rescue plan is not just the job of preachers and evangelists. It’s up to every single person who knows Jesus Christ. It’s up to me and you! As Psalm 105 says, we are to “tell of all His wonderful acts.”

Matt was the life of the party. He was popular. And he used various substances and people for his own enjoyment. Eventually he realized his ways were selfish and leading down a destructive path. So he tried to pull himself up “by his bootstraps” and clean up his ways. He did everything he could. He read books, tried to “think positive”, everything. But nothing would produce lasting change. He would always end up right back where he started with the same old bad habits. It wasn’t until he turned to God, that Jesus radically transformed him. Jesus gave him a new heart, and a new mind, and a brand new life. Matt didn’t even think the same way about life anymore, so his life couldn’t possibly go back to the way it was. He came to Jesus and never looked back. And you know, Matt is just one example of why it’s so important that we reach our world. Because nothing else in the world can truly transform a life, only Jesus Christ does it. If you know someone who has tried everything to make themselves better, share with them today how only Jesus can truly change them. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” and He alone can make you new today. What glorious news this is for us to spread around! 

Are you worried about your future? Perhaps you aren’t sure what college you’re going to get into. Or you’re in between jobs and aren’t sure what’s next. Perhaps you’re single and wondering if you might marry. As a young man, I too wondered what the future would hold.  And then one door opened after another.  The dreams and vision laid on my heart happened one step at a time.  I met an American “by accident.”  He invited me to the USA for a one-year grad course in Bible at Multnomah Bible College.  There I met my wife, Pat Scofield.  From there we went as missionaries and then we preached to nation after nation. If you are worried about your future today, know that God holds your future in His hands. God’s Word tells us that the Lord has plans for us- for a future and a hope, in Jeremiah 29. We are told that He knows all our days before we’re even born. And the Lord Jesus tells us that we need not worry about tomorrow. If you are anxious today, go to God in prayer. He will give you “peace that passes understanding” (Phil. 4:4). And if you know a friend who is worrying, share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Good News that a loving God in heaven has a plan for their future on earth as well as in heaven!

There are many ways to make a positive impact in the world. People are doing great things every day to help solve societal problems. People are treating the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the poor and building schools. And I am so thankful that people who love God are truly loving their neighbors. But you know, I always like to remind other Christians that the best social action is always evangelism. Evangelism is social action! All throughout Latin American cities you can drive and see for yourself.  In semi-abandoned neighborhoods, houses of people converted to Christ are cleaned, painted, orderly.  The wife is honored.  The children are educated.  The husband is faithful.  There’s real happiness.  You notice the physical change that comes because of the conversion to Jesus Christ. If the heart doesn’t change, nothing really changes. If we change the heart, a person has the opportunity to change everything else! St Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: The old has gone, the new is here!” Imagine all the societal change that could result from new souls transformed by trusting and obeying Christ!

In all my years of ministry, not a single person has ever turned down an offer from me to pray for them. A famous Uruguayan novelist was openly atheistic, self-confident, and frankly arrogant.  We were in the capital city.  He sent me a desperate plea: “My only child was killed in a car crash this week.  Please see me and my wife.  We are devastated.”  They came, and I quoted scripture promises and then I asked, “Can I pray for you?” they said, “Of course.”  That prayer opened the door for a half-hour conversation about the cross, the resurrection, the power of Jesus Christ, and the hope of eternal life. If you have people in your life who don’t know Jesus, asking to pray for them can be a great conversation starter. If you aren’t sure how to begin to discuss the Good News, asking to pray can be a great first step. You will encourage that person, and open the door to greater spiritual discussions. You will be amazed how God uses you to reach your world. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he writes, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” Offer to pray for a friend today, and see what God will do through you.  

From the time I was seven years old, I hung out with the same group of friends. I carved out a role for myself among them, an identity that fit in. I was “the crazy one.” When I went off to college and left my familiar group behind, the reputation I had built for myself disappeared. I realized that I didn’t know who I was because my friends weren’t there to define me. I was plagued by the question: “Who am I really?” Left without an answer, I felt lost and out of place. But once I became a follower of Jesus, that question took on a new and exciting dynamic. “Who am I?” The answer filled my heart with joy, confidence and a sense of eternity. When we accept Jesus Christ, our identity no longer relies on anything or anyone in this world. Many of us let things such as our jobs, talents, and the people around us define our perception of who we are. But these things are fallible and temporary. Romans 8 call us “God’s children” and “co-heirs with Christ.” God has claimed us as His own and promised us eternal life! This is our true identity. Share this exciting truth with someone today.

Os Guinness, in his book The Call, writes about the impact faith in Jesus Christ should have on everything in our lives. He considers the story of Peter. Jesus came to Peter and told him to let down his nets. Peter seemed to think to himself, you do your religious work, Jesus, but leave the fishing to me. But when Peter did as Jesus told him, he soon caught so many fish his nets were overflowing. With this biblical story as an example, Guinness writes, “Jesus is not a ‘religious leader’ but Lord of all life. Responding to his call, touches the world of fishing as well as preaching, the depths of the lake, not just the shore. All that we are, all that we do, all that we have, and even all that we think and dream is called into question by this demand. It is a matter of everyone, everywhere and everything.” Jesus Christ is Lord of all life- not just Sunday mornings. He is Lord of your job, your family, your friends. Christianity is not only a personal faith- it should also completely change how we view the world. When Jesus takes over all that we are, have and do, we will see more opportunities to reach our world than ever. Ask Jesus to invade every part of your life today. You’ll never regret it.  

The book of Colossians tells us, “set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” And you know, St Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this for a reason. I think the reason must be that setting our mind on things above does not come naturally to us. As human beings, we are more likely to think about earthly things. It takes an effort to keep our mind on eternal things. And for that reason, it’s that much more important. I was only ten years old when my father died.  He was sick for only nine days, and then my dad was gone.  He was not coming back.  My dad knew he was dying and instead of panicking, he began to sing a song about heaven.  That’s when I got that passion for souls.  First, when people die, they’re gone.  Their destination is set forever.  Second, I must bring to Jesus Christ every person possible.I would love to hear how you maintain an eternal perspective! How are you reaching your world? Let me know how God is using you to share His Good News. Send me your stories at stories@palau.org. That’s stories at P-A-L-A-U.O-R-G.  

When Mt Vesuvius erupted it brought swift and complete destruction to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. Because of the lack of air and moisture, the state of things was preserved in great detail. Today archeologists are able to see exactly what position people were in as they died. A large group of remains was found seeking shelter from the eruption in a cellar. They were able to determine that both rich and poor sought refuge there. The wealthy were found huddled on one side of the room, and the poor were huddled together on the other side. The wealthy were clinging to their jewels- many of the bones were actually stained green from jewels. Isn’t that sad? Death is the great equalizer- the rich and poor in that cellar met the same fate. 1 John says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world… the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” I want to abide forever, don’t you?You know, we will all face death one day. I pray that we would reach our world with the Good News so others don’t have to die in fear, clinging hopelessly to earthly things. The only true hope for eternity is Jesus Christ. Tell someone about Him today!

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying – “so heavenly minded, no earthly good.” Well, I don’t believe that to be true. C.S. Lewis wrote, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.” The Psalmist writes, “Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.” You know, if you want to keep a heavenly perspective, it’s important not to forget your own mortality. Our days truly are a fleeting shadow! If we can be heavenly minded, we will make the most of our days on earth. Reach your world today- there’s no time to waste!

It’s good to have hobbies. But they can consume you. People are what matter. In fact, people matter so much that God sent His only Son to make a way so that we, people, could be with Him. God’s heart beats for people. His passion is people. Souls are what matter to Him. For me, there are a number of activities that I enjoy. But, people matter far more than our favorite sports team or television show. Even fishing- hard to say it, but it’s got to be true! And the good news is that no matter where you live, you can reach people. Do you live in a city? Good! You are surrounded by people who do not know Jesus. Do you live in a small town? Great! Build relationships in your community and share Christ’s love. Do you live with your family? Super! Many people come to the Lord because of a family member. Do you live with roommates? Fabulous! Tell them of Christ and they may share His Good News with their circles. The Bible tells us to not be “of the world” but to be “in it.” Be salt and light. Be full of faith as you look at the people God has put in your life. There is a reason they are there. God wants to use you to reach them. Engage people with the expectation that God will channel His passion and love for them through you, as you reach your world.

Did you know that doubt is a sin? Yet how often do we doubt God’s faithfulness along with His direction in our lives. We doubt He has a plan for us and doubt that He hears our prayers. But He does. Often we struggle with doubt when it feels like God isn’t coming through for us in the way we want Him too. Our human nature is all too keen to envision the perfect solutions to our problems when only God knows which solution is really the absolute best. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When doubt comes we must repent of this sin as soon as we recognize it. God doesn’t respond to need He responds to faith. When we doubt him there is no room for faith. And the bible clearly states, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” My friend, when we aren’t receiving our human desires and doubt God, remember to repent. Let’s remind ourselves of His faithfulness and trust his plans. As we reach our world we must encourage those around us to do the same.

A troubled woman called me while I was on our television live call-in program, explaining that when she was little she felt a call to singlehood. However, when the woman grew up she decided to marry and had a son. Her husband walked away and her son grew up to be rebellious. She felt as if God had abandoned her due to not staying single. Feeling this is wrong. I had to remind her Jesus Christ never leaves us and never forsakes us. He says in his word, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Through difficult times it can feel as though our Lord has abandoned us! But this is not the case. In fact it is in these times that He is the closest. It says in the Bible, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He never leaves us and he definitely never abandons us for our mistaken, or even wrong, life choices. If He did, we’d all be finished!  “Without me you can do nothing,” Jesus said in John 15. “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”So if you feel far from the lord, confess your sins to God.  He will forgive you and you will sense that He’s close to you today.This week let’s remind ourselves and those in our world, that Jesus Christ has not abandoned us! On the contrary, He is right here with us. He actually lives in us who believe in Him.