Reaching Your World with Luis Palau

No one wants to be broken. We all want to pretend we’re fixed and perfect. But truthfully, we are broken people. Aren’t we?  When we are honest about the things we struggle with, God is happy to forgive us. He longs to welcome us back into intimacy with him.Sometimes we think of sin as separating us from God. And it does! But we are the ones who choose to be far from God. God is always right next to us, regardless of what we do. When David was living in sin, he said God’s “hand was heavy” on him. He felt God’s presence, even though he did not want to confess and restore his relationship with God. God wants us to be in right relationship with him. He is waiting for us to turn around, confess our sins once and for all, and be welcomed back into His arms. When we do confess our sins to God and truly repent, we see ourselves as God sees us: broken, but worth fixing. In Psalm 51 in the Bible, David says “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” David recognizes that God wants our hearts broken, because then He can fix us and prepare us to spread the news of His forgiveness to those who are not forgiven yet.

Confession isn’t a popular concept in today’s world. Who wants to admit things that they do wrong? It seems easier to hide sin and not talk about it, to God or to anyone else. But in the long run, confession is the only way to true godly joy.Take it from David. In the Bible, King David was a man after God’s own heart. Then David made some bad choices, like stealing another man’s wife. Then he made more bad choices to cover them up. Instead of confessing his wrongs, he made them worse.David spent a year not confessing or owning up to his mistakes. And this year was painful. He said, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all night long.” He says his strength was sapped, and God’s presence was felt but not enjoyed. This doesn’t sound like a good way to spend a year.I think David went through what some people call the “dark night of the soul.” He thought it would be easier to hide his sin, but in fact, all he needed to do was confess and repent. God was waiting for him! So model David’s confession, but don’t take a year to confess. Read Psalm 51 and go to God right now; he wants to forgive you. And He will! So read Psalm 51.

Do you know someone who seems absolutely perfect? You know the kind of person I’m talking about… They have successful careers, big and beautiful homes, polite children, and striking good looks. But, do they refuse Jesus Christ? As followers of Jesus, we often desire to help the poor, the lonely, and the heart-broken. But what about the rich? What about the power elite? What about those with great social status? Before I met Jesus, it looked like my life was going really well. By all outward appearances, I had everything together. I certainly wasn’t perfect, but I looked great on the outside. I had a mask that I wore convincingly for 27 years. I looked like I ‘had it all together.’ But inside I was falling apart. Full of fear about life and eternity. I was consumed by shame and I was miserable. I learned then that we can’t assume people are okay just because of the way they look. Who looks perfect to you? Do they know Jesus? If not, there is pain. They are questioning eternity, even if they don’t look like it. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” True life, life in abundance, comes only from Jesus Christ. Today, reach out to your world - to the person who seems to have all the answers and tell them of Jesus’ great love for them.

Sometimes people think all it takes to be a Christian is to pray and read the Bible. That’s not true! Sure, both of those things are important in the lives of Christians, because they are the things that connect you to Jesus Christ. But without faith in Jesus Christ and His saving grace, prayer and reading the Bible doesn’t mean much.Lots of people pray. Hindus pray, Muslims pray 5 times a day. People who believe in reincarnation pray. Who else prays? People who think they’re going to die, or they’re frustrated, or they really want something. All of this prayer doesn’t mean these people are Christians. Prayer is a conversation; it requires a relationship. In the book of Psalms we read, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”The same goes for reading the Bible. Lots of universities have Bible literature classes. Karl Marx wrote an essay in school about John chapter 15. He didn’t believe the Bible, but he knew it. Reading the Bible doesn’t make you a Christian, just like reading a romance novel doesn’t make you fall in love. The relationship with Jesus Christ is the important part. Reach your world today by sharing this truth and let’s make sure those around us are not missing out!

Some people might think that going to church, being baptized, or taking communion makes you a Christian. None of these things take the place of a relationship with Jesus Christ. A Christian does these things, but they don’t make him or her a Christian.I was in Scotland at a festival, and two women in their 50s gave their lives to Jesus Christ. We found out those women had been teaching Sunday School for 30 years! But they themselves said, “We’ve come to realize that we don’t have Christ in our hearts.”Someone can have a respect for the church and all of the activities that happen inside it. They could even participate in all of the activities! But this doesn’t make them Christians. Being a Christian isn’t about what you DO. It’s about what Christ did for you! As the Bible says, “For it’s by GRACE you have been saved, by faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.”Even Fidel Castro was baptized as a young child. This didn’t matter. What mattered was in his heart. What matters is what is in your hearts. We need to make sure our hearts and the hearts of those around us are surrendered to Christ! Share this truth with your world today.

Most people say they’re Christians without really understanding what a Christian is. Contrary to popular belief, there are many things that do NOT make you a Christian.Some people think they just need to believe in a god to be a Christian. The problem is that many religions believe in a god. If you ask a Hindu if he believes in God, he will say yes and then tell you all about the different gods he worships. They say there are 30 million gods in India! The key to Christianity is simple: faith in Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”Also, just because someone was brought up to have a belief in the Christian God or even in Jesus Christ, it doesn’t make them a real Christian. Maybe their parents brought them every week to church and Sunday School. They still need to make the decision to accept Christ as their Savior. As my friend says, just because someone is born in an airport, doesn’t make him an airplane. So tell those around you: we can know if we have eternal life, but it takes more than just believing in the existence of God or having a family who does. Becoming a Christian is an important personal decision that involves a relationship with Jesus Christ!

In many places around the world if you ask someone, “Are you a Christian?” They respond, “Of course! What, do you think I’m a dog?” People can confuse being a Christian with being human. But if you ask these people if they have eternal life, they look at you confused. They say, “We can’t find that out until we get there!” Then they think that saying you DO have eternal life is bragging. Why would it be bragging to proclaim we know we’re going to heaven? Well, these people think they can buy eternal life with good works, loving your neighbor and being faithful in the good things of life. If that’s true, saying I have eternal life is bragging--it’s saying how good I am!But the Bible says, “He who has the Son of God has life” and that these things were written to those “who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” That you may KNOW. Not guess, or hope. KNOW. Wouldn’t it be nice for all of our friends and family to KNOW they have eternal life? Share this truth as you reach your world today. It’s not bragging; it’s God’s grace!

When I think back on my life, I am amazed by the people who invested in me. There were teachers, pastors, family members, friends, and the list goes on and on… People pouring into my life, showing me right living and teaching me of God. Most often I ignored their instruction, but they kept pouring into my life. In thinking about them, a particular Bible verse comes to mind.Galatians 6:6 says, “The one who receives instruction in the Word should share all good things with their instructor.” That’s pretty straight-forward, isn’t it? My Dad was my greatest instructor, but sometimes when sharing my testimony, which I do all the time, people will come up after and say, “Oh I prayed for you for all those years. It’s so good to hear your story.” Then they try to walk away and I think wait! Come back here. I don’t even know who you are, let me thank you for praying that God would have mercy on my life. Who has helped you to become who you are today? Who shared God’s love with you? Who prayed for you? Be sure to thank them. Tell them the good things that have happened because of their teaching and prayers. Then, just as someone reached into your world, reach into someone else’s. Tell them about Jesus Christ, tell someone in your life about Him. Just as someone poured into you, pour into another. And later in life a man, woman, or child will be reading Galatians 6 and you will be the “instructor” that comes with gratitude to their mind.

There’s always a lot of talk about “love” surrounding Valentine’s Day. But you know, there is so much more to love than romance. Did you know that the two greatest commandments in all of Scripture are to love God and love our neighbor? This Valentine’s Day, search for opportunities to love God by loving your neighbor. Who can you share the Good News with? There’s no greater way to show someone love than sharing with them the truth. How can you serve those in your world? Perhaps you could take a meal to a sick friend, or participate in a local clean-up day. Maybe you could babysit for a single parent, or give to meaningful charity gift, or volunteer your time in a school or hospital. There are so many opportunities to love those God has placed in your world. One of my team members goes to a senior living center every month and leads in worship and songs for those who are there.  I was there a week ago myself.  It was very exciting!As followers of Jesus let’s join in the Valentine’s celebrations- just in a different way! Who can you love this week?   

There is quite the story behind the holiday we know today as Valentine’s Day. While many of the details have been lost to history, it seems St. Valentine was martyred for his faith in Christ. Some say he was beheaded. While specifics are still debated and uncertain, I think a man dying for his faith is something to learn from and it’s certainly worth remembering. Did you know that Christianity has a long history of Jesus followers laying down their lives? Jesus was murdered, and many of His first disciples were brutally murdered as well. Throughout the ages, this violence against those who love Jesus Christ has continued. But what a testament to the God we serve that people are willing to stand for their faith - even to the point of death! So many lost their lives, but in so doing, found true life, just as Jesus promised.I am so inspired by the stories of martyrs who bravely laid down their lives. They powerfully reached their world during their lives, and in their deaths they continue to reach their world- even today! As many celebrate love this week, think of the history of the holiday and reflect on the true love of God that has inspired thousands of brave souls for centuries. Who can you share that love of God with this week? Give it a try! 

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I have been reflecting on my many years with my wife, Pat. When I wanted her to marry me, instead of saying, “will you marry me?” I said to her, “Would you come to South America with me?”  And I thought, “Is she going to come married or single?”  That’s what I was thinking about this week. And you know, the right person can really help you to reach your world far more effectively. My wife Pat has been as passionate about reaching the world with the Good News as I have ever been. She’s also quite the theologian and always keeps me in check. Her support, counsel, friendship and love have allowed me to travel the world all these years sharing the Good News with as many people as possible. So if you are married, tell your spouse how much they mean to you this week. And if not, be in prayer about God’s plan for your life, single or married. If you are to be married one day, look for a person who is motivated to work with you in reaching the world with the Good News. Because that keeps you together with more love than I’ve ever seen any other way produce.

There is a great song from our friend Phil Wickham that talks about the day of Jesus’ death as the day “true love died.” With Valentine’s Day approaching, I think it’s important to remember the true meaning of love. That Jesus Christ is true love and we need to share Him with the world!  Our culture has many cheap counterfeits that are sure to disappoint. If you’re looking for lasting joy in a greeting card, or a fancy dinner out, or even a loving boyfriend or girlfriend- you’re going to be let down. While our culture attempts to portray true love in movies and books, God already demonstrated true love in sending His one and only Son to die for us. The Bible has so much to say about love. And since God is the author of love, I think He knows what He’s talking about! In 1 Peter we are told to “love each other deeply for love covers a multitude of sins.” In 1 John we are told to love one another because  “love comes from God.” We are told that there is no greater love than laying down your life for your friends, just as Jesus did. And that God IS love! Will you join me in celebrating true love this week- and in sharing true love with your world?

Have you noticed lately talk that brings a dividing line in Christian culture? There are those who emphasize conversion, and those who emphasize discipleship. It prompts me to ask the question – how could it be one or the other? Either one, at the expense of the other, is handicapped. They are both critical. In fact, one necessitates the other. Jesus’ statement in the Great Commission indicates initial conversion and then continued guidance, growth, maturity and FRUIT. He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Jesus tells us to go into the world, proclaim the Gospel and make disciples. Are you involved in both of these concepts to reach your world? Have you led someone to Jesus? If so, have you dedicated to their discipleship? I pray that each of us followers of Jesus will be bold in telling others the Good News and also bold in continuing into the hard work of training and discipleship. It’s easier to focus on one and not the other, but Jesus fully dedicated Himself to both. Let’s take His great commissions seriously, to follow His example.

It’s often those who don’t want to lead that God has special plans for- George Washington was such a man. He did not desire the presidency. He was faithful, humble, filled with honor and integrity. It appears he was not pursuing recognition or positions of prominence. And you know, God often uses such people for His purposes. Washington once said, “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”We all look back at History and think, of course Washington was our president! But he reluctantly took it on at the urging of the people. There seems to be a theme of God using those who may not nominate themselves. Think about Peter, the impulsive fisherman! And Mary, the teenage mother of our King! The Bible says that those who are, “trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Perhaps you don’t see yourself as someone who will change history- if that’s the case you may be just the person God is looking for! How will He use you to reach your world? The sky’s the limit for those who love and follow Jesus Christ!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer resisted Hitler because of his faith in Jesus Christ, and as a result of standing up for the Jews, he died in a concentration camp. His bravery left a legacy throughout the generations!  He spoke often about freedom, and he was living under one of the most evil, repressive regimes in all history. He knew that true freedom could only be found in one place- Jesus Christ! He had an opportunity to flee to safety. When the Nazis were hot on his trail, he had a brief trip to America. He could have stayed! He could have “saved” his life. But he knew the words of the Scriptures to be true, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” He also knew that because of Jesus Christ he was, “free indeed.” So he was faithful to God’s direction- he knew he needed to lead his fellow Germans through their darkest hour. No matter the cost! He knew his freedom was in Christ- not in the safety of a free country. So he returned to Germany, and he would die, but upon his death he spoke these last words, “This is the end, but for me it’s the beginning of life.” What a testimony! His eternal perspective allowed him to absolutely change history! What about you, my friend? Are you free indeed? Are you eternity-minded? Just imagine how God could use you now!