Reaching Your World with Luis Palau

The famous Olympic runner, Eric Liddell, was immortalized in the movie “Chariots of Fire” as the runner who refused to compete on Sundays. But you may not have heard the rest of the story. After his running days were over, he spent the rest of his life as a missionary in China. He faithfully served the Chinese people and stayed even as World War II broke out. He even was placed in an internment camp by enemy troops and was imprisoned for years. But Eric didn’t despair. While in the camp, Eric led Sunday school classes for the kids and sports clinics for the teenagers. He kept everyone positive and active. But several years in, Eric didn’t seem to be in his usual good health. Several doctors also imprisoned in the camp suspected he might have a brain tumor. And one day Eric lost consciousness and went to be with the Lord. All his fellow prisoners mourned the loss of this great man. Whether it was in the Olympics or in an internment camp- Eric’s bold faith in Jesus Christ reached his world, and his story continues to do so long after his death. As we are told in Timothy in the Bible, “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power.” How are you boldly reaching your world? It’s possible!

Millions watched as famous daredevil Nik Wallenda became the first in history to cross the Grand Canyon on a tightrope. He had no harness and no safety net. But interestingly, it was his loud prayers to Jesus as he walked across that caught people’s attention. Many were curious afterward and Nik was happy to share. In one interview, a reporter asked him what he was afraid of, and he simply said, “I have a fear of God.” They pressed him further asking if he would blame God if he fell. Nik replied with an emphatic no, and said that if he did fall, he knows where he’s going. “Really? You’re so sure? Wow.” The reporter was fascinated. “Yes,” Nik replied, “I know I’m going to Heaven.” What a testimony! Calling on the name of Jesus on that rope, gave him many more opportunities to share his faith. We can all learn from Nik’s confident, bold faith, can’t we? And St Peter tells us, “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Never underestimate the power of calling on the name of Jesus and acknowledging Him humbly, yet boldly, before all men. You will reach your world in ways you never imagined when you do that.           

I was afraid my dream would sound silly… When I first began speaking at evangelistic festivals, the places I would go were self-evident: the USA, the Caribbean and Latin America. It made sense to go there. We had connections. I was comfortable. It was logical. But then my mentor, Tim Robnett, encouraged me to pray about other places around the world and be open to God leading me there. My wife and I prayed. And something happened that I didn’t expect. I suddenly had a burden for Africa. It seemed like the Lord said, “Africa is the place for you.  I will open the doors.” My heart swelled with love for the people and I desperately wanted to tell them the Good News of Jesus Christ. I must admit, I was a little embarrassed by how people might react to this newfound passion. Africa was one place where our ministry had very few connections. Then I felt God say, “It doesn’t matter how you feel, Andrew. Go!” And so, I told people. My wife was excited. God had placed Africa on her heart too! When I told my mentor, Tim, he handed me a letter in that very moment. It was an invitation for a festival in Kigali, Rwanda! God had already opened the door! If God has put something on your heart, go for it! God says in Revelation “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” If God has opened a door and given you a passion, don’t delay. He has chosen YOU to reach your world.

There are so many stories of military operations undertaken to save just one soldier behind enemy lines. And I think there’s something really special about that idea. That saving one life is worth the effort and risk and potentially the lives of those conducting a mission. God feels that way about you. He longs for everyone to be saved and doesn’t want to leave anyone behind. He has made a way to eternity with Him. He laid down his life to save you. To save me. To save all of us. And if we come to Him, we are saved. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Have you called on the name of the Lord?  I did!  I’ve been saved ever since I was 12 years old. We are rescued! I am rescued! I know sometimes we think about Jesus’ death on the cross as something for everyone else. But Jesus death was also specific to each one of us. What a God we serve! A God who has given up everything to leave no one behind to be lost for all eternity. But I ask you again – have you called on the name of the Lord?  Do you know that your sins are forgiven?  Do you have eternal life?  You can know it if you believe in Jesus Christ. Have you shared this Good News with a friend lately, by the way? If not, give it a shot today.  Try it.  You’ll be amazed what God could do through you.

September 11, 2001 was a tragic day for all Americans and for the world. It was a horrific loss of life and so many lost loved ones. But you know, out of any tragedy, stories of heroism always emerge in the days, weeks and years afterward. Heroes like the firefighters and first responders. Instead of running away from the danger, they ran right into it. They risked their own lives, and many gave their own lives, to bring strangers to safety. And for weeks after 9/11 - that terrible day - they worked around the clock to search for any survivors in the rubble. Did you know that Jesus gave His life to save your life? That just as the first responders continually sought out the hurt, the buried, and broken- God is seeking out each hurt, buried and broken soul? St. Paul tells us in the Bible, “...He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves...” God wants to use you in His rescue mission for lost souls. What a privilege that is!  God could have done it without you and me but now He asks you to do your part. Ask God today how He might use you to share His saving love with a lost friend.

In the late 1800s, eight whaling ships became trapped in ice near the northernmost point of Alaska. The 300 men working on the ships were in danger of starvation if they didn’t receive food and supplies. The rescue team called up for the task knew their ship couldn’t push through the ice, so their Captain decided they would bring the supplies over land. They traveled more than 1500 miles through ice and snow on dog sleds. When the rescuers finally arrived at the stranded ships they were able to bring enough food to sustain all the men throughout the winter. Everyone survived. The Coast Guard calls the “Overland Relief Mission” one of the greatest rescues of all time. If that team didn’t travel over 1500 miles, the whalers would have died. What great lengths they went to for total strangers! But you know, our God went to even greater lengths to rescue you and me. God sent His only Son so that “whoever believes in Him, won’t perish but will have eternal life!”  Let me ask you – do you have eternal life?  Do you know that Christ is your Lord and your Savior? Do you, on the other hand, have a friend in need of a rescue? Tell your friend about the God who moved Heaven and earth to rescue them for eternity. Tell them today.

When you think of a rescue mission, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of a lifeguard saving a swimmer, or firefighters running into a burning building. There are many different kinds of rescue missions. But you know, the greatest rescue mission in history was God’s. God looked out over humanity and His heart broke for all the pain and devastation. And He knew there was only one way to make it right. He sent His only son to rescue us. Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost.” He came for each one of us. He lived the life we could not live and died the death we should have died. And you know, these things may sound basic to those who have heard them many times- but remember- these are the most important truths anyone will ever encounter. Who do you know who needs to hear this Good News- perhaps for the first time? We can all identify with the concept of rescue. Perhaps God is calling you to share Jesus’ heroic saving mission with a friend in need of rescue even today. You’ll never regret trying to reach your world.  

The other day I was reading the book of Acts. I love the book of Acts because it’s the story of the early church. It’s the story of the first Christians. In chapter 5, Luke tells us that “Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their numbers.” If you read the entire book, you’ll see that men and women were not coming to Jesus Christ because it was the “easy life.” It wasn’t easy. There was persecution and harassment. Regardless of this, there were more and more men and women putting their faith in Jesus Christ. As Jesus’ followers today, are we living lives that bring more and more people into the kingdom of God? Our lives don’t have to be perfect in order for people to see Jesus in us. The lives of the men and women in Acts certainly were not. But, we do need to show the world a different way. There is hope in Jesus. There is peace in Jesus. Without Him there is despair and anxiety. When you’re going through a hard time, hold onto Jesus. It’s your response to difficult situations that will be a witness to others. We all have hard times; it’s how we walk through those seasons that matters. Just as the people in Acts lived lives that brought more into the Kingdom, let’s do the same today. Let’s be men and women who reach our world because our lives are different. Our lives have Christ.

Have you ever donated anything to the Salvation Army? Most people are familiar with the work of the Salvation Army, but probably aren’t familiar with its history. William and Catherine Booth opened the East London Christian Mission in 1865. William soon began referring to it as the Salvation Army because he believed Christians needed to operate like an army! William believed that the Lord’s army going into spiritual battle could bring hope and new life to the poor in East London and beyond. William was called the general, there were officers, and they called their outreaches invasions. If you’re familiar with the impact of the Salvation Army to this day, you know that their legacy has led to many, many changed lives! How are you fighting in the Lord’s army to serve others and share God’s good news in Jesus Christ? Timothy tells us to “fight the good fight of the faith.” And you know, if you are faithful and bold, just as the Booths were, God can use you to do great, history-changing work for Him. And what could be better in this life than to lead souls to eternal life and heaven when they die?

Hudson Taylor was sharing the Good News –again- to a gathering in the city of Ningpo, China. He hadn’t seen any results after a year of faithful service and he was beginning to feel discouraged. The Chinese loved to discuss new ideas but so far no one seemed to take him seriously. But that night would be different. As soon as he concluded his message, a respected Chinese man stood up to address the crowd. He told everyone that he had been searching for the truth his whole life. His father and grandfather had been searching too. The man said he had tried many different religions and philosophies but had never found rest- until that night. After hearing Hudson’s message, he declared that he had finally found rest in Jesus Christ. The man was sad that no one had brought the Good News to his city sooner because his grandfather died without knowing the truth. That man dedicated the rest of his life to sharing the message of Jesus Christ. You know, there are still people searching for the truth. Longing for rest. There are still people who have not heard the name of Jesus, much less the message of Jesus. Maybe you are the person to take that message to them! Jesus commands us to go “everywhere in the whole world.” Where is God leading you?

It didn’t take long for Gladys Aylward to realize her time being a missionary to China wasn’t going as planned. She had come to serve as a missionary’s assistant. But only a year after beginning that work, the missionary she was assisting died! They had been managing an inn together and now Gladys was left alone to run that inn. As she wondered what God was leading her to do next, a local official visited the inn. The man asked Gladys to become an official foot inspector. The government had outlawed the practice of foot binding and they wanted Gladys to travel around to enforce that law. She told the official she would go, but only if she was free to share about Jesus Christ. The official agreed, and it was settled. Never had she imagined that she would reach people by working for the government examining feet. But that was part of God’s plan for Gladys. In the book of Proverbs we are told, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” You know, sometimes an unlikely opportunity presents itself. At first you may not be sure what the purpose is, and it may be different than what you had in mind. But God can use you in any situation to reach your world if your heart is right. Will you take advantage of every opportunity to share the Good News this year, this month, maybe even this week?

Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China, accomplished great things for God’s kingdom. But you know, she had a rough start. First, she was told she wasn’t even qualified to be a missionary! But she knew better, so she took on a job as a maid to raise her own missionary support. When she had finally saved enough money, she bought a one-way train ticket to China. But you know, only a year after her arrival, the missionary she served with, died. So many times it would have been easy for Gladys to give up and go home. But she didn’t! Similar to Gladys, maybe someone said you aren’t qualified. That God could never use you to do great things. Well, I’d like to tell you that God has a wonderful plan to use you in ways you could never imagine! St Paul tells us in Philippians, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” If you look up the rest of Gladys’ story on Google, where Elizabeth Elliot tells the story, you’ll see it was a good thing she persevered- she would go on to save the lives of hundreds of children, plus the conversion of a very famous Swedish movie star. What’s holding you back today? God has begun a good work in you and He will carry it to completion as you try to reach your world in this generation.

I married into a wonderful God-honoring family. Wendy’s parents love Jesus Christ with all their hearts. But, they’ve had to walk some rough roads. My mother-in-law, Judy, told me of a very difficult time in her life… Judy came before the Lord in prayer for her children. At that time, three were walking with Christ but the youngest, Stevie, was not. She was fearful for his future. As she glanced at the wall with four picture frames, the face of each child looked back. But, Stevie’s was gone. Because of Judy’s angle and the light’s glare, she couldn’t make out his image. She suddenly was filled with terror. Luke 22 tells the story of Satan wanting to sift Simon away from God but Jesus prayed for Simon. He prayed that his faith would not fail. My mother-in-law did the same for her son. When fear gripped her heart, she wasn’t paralyzed. She called out to the Lord. Satan wanted her to buckle under the worry and distress. Judy did not. She did not give up and she did not stop praying. And God answered her prayer. The fear of losing your child to the enemy is about as harsh as it comes. But, fear does not persuade our loved ones to follow Christ. Rather, what is more attractive to the anchorless soul is peace, faith, and confidence in God. Trust God to work in your child’s life and be faithful and calm as you wait on Him.

How has God gifted you?  That’s an interesting question I have heard asked in many ways over the years.  I myself would answer this by saying I’m gifted for evangelism and Bible teaching.  My wife, in my opinion, is a bold counselor – very clear-headed - a gifted caretaker, an amazing mother and wife. I like to take the question even further and ask whether you are using the gifts which God has equipped you with. If you are gifted with musical talents, are you practicing? If you are gifted with words, are you writing or speaking?  And above all, are these gifts being used to reach our world with the Good News? The Bible says in Luke 8 “Whoever has, will be given more.”  God promises that if we use His gifting to the maximum, He will give us even more opportunities. If we walk through an open door and share the Good News, more doors of opportunity will be opened. Luke 16:10 says so. Let’s challenge ourselves to recognize God’s gifts to us and use them.  Challenge your family, your friends and coworkers to do the same. It will be amazing to see the good that God will do through us all, across our city, won’t it? Plus, sharing this idea with your kids will help them to foster their gifts at a young age and equip them to reach their world.

Families are complicated. Isn’t that the truth? With many voices, opinions and personalities in the mix, offending someone or hurting feelings will happen at home. Sometimes I don’t even know that I’ve been hurtful. When my boys were young I heard a sermon about forgiveness and I was prompted to ask each of them if I had promised something to them in the past that I didn’t fulfill. I was moved by their honesty and openness. I asked each one for their forgiveness and they accepted saying, “Of course I forgive you, Dad!” Is there strife in your family?  Or perhaps trouble with a coworker or friend? I encourage you to have a conversation about forgiveness. Ask for forgiveness, confess that you were wrong or hurtful and see how simple forgiveness can begin to heal these wounds and rebuild broken relationships.  Try it! As you reach out today, to your family or others, remind yourself of God’s forgiveness of all our sins. Use that as your guide and your strength.  “As God in Christ forgave you so you also forgive one another.”  The Word of God insists on that.  It’s good for everyone in your world, and it’s good for you, too.