Reaching Your World with Luis Palau

I’ve noticed lately that there is a major dividing line in Christian conversation- there are those who emphasize proclamation and conversion, and those who emphasize discipleship. And I want to ask the question- why must it be one or the other? Clinging to one as if more critical than the other leads to great discouragement when it comes to Kingdom building. They are of equal importance. In fact, one necessitates the other- they are inextricable. Jesus’ statement in the Great Commission seems to indicate initial conversion and continued guidance- listen carefully: “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 says to go into the world, but to also make disciples, by baptizing and teaching. Have you been guilty of over-emphasizing conversion at the cost of helping those already in the family of God? Or have you been inwardly focused so that you’ve stopped even connecting with those who have yet to know Christ? As each of us becomes more and more balanced with these two concepts then we will reach our world. Make a plan to share the Good News, but not leave it there. This is Andrew Palau.

Is faith in Jesus Christ anti-intellectual? I think there can be a perception for some that in order to come to faith in Christ, they need to check their brain at the door. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of the most brilliant academics in history have been professing Christians. Several years ago I co-wrote a book with a brilliant Chinese friend who also happens to be an atheist. The book chronicled our dialogue on matters of life and faith and one of the main subjects we discussed was faith vs. reason. How can one reconcile faith with reason? We explored this in great detail and it was a very encouraging conversation. A certain Christian leader once said, “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth- in a word, to know himself- so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.” Our Lord Jesus tells us that we shall “know the truth” and the truth will set us free. There can be no higher intellectual goal than to realize truth. Jesus Christ is truth. Faith and reason can work together, and they do. Who can you share this truth with today? This is Luis Palau

As Christians, should we focus on this world or the world to come? I say we should focus on both! As 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… Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in': aim at earth and you will get neither.” This idea that you should either focus on Heaven OR earth is a false dichotomy. Jesus tells us to be “in but not of” this world. God has us here for a reason. And yet, St. Paul tells us that we are to set our mind on things above. So, as Christians, we believe the Scriptures and all these things hold together. A heavenly focus and earthly focus are not mutually exclusive. How are you preparing for the life to come, in your life right now on earth? One of the best ways to prepare for eternity is by reaching your world. You don’t just want to make it to heaven. You and I have a mission! You want to bring many people with you. Spend your time on earth, inviting those you love to join you in Heaven. Be Heavenly minded today and you will most certainly do earthly good. This is Luis Palau

Law and Gospel. They are two distinct but essential parts of our faith. God’s law is perfect. We are not. That’s why we need the Good News Gospel. Martin Luther wrote, "Now when a man has learned through the commandments to recognize his helplessness and is distressed about how he might satisfy the law (of God)— then, being truly humbled and reduced to nothing in his own eyes, he finds in himself nothing whereby he may be justified and saved. Here the second part of Scripture comes to our aid, namely, the promises of God which declare the glory of God, saying . . . 'If you believe, you shall have all things; if you do not believe, you shall lack all things . . .' God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing . . ." Martin Luther said that. St. Paul affirms this in Romans, writing, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:20-22). Who do you know who needs the Good News Gospel today? This is Luis Palau.

There is a common saying you may have heard, “Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship.” But you know, I don’t think it needs to be an either/or. Many people have a negative perspective on religion because they perceive it to be man-made, and because there are many false religions in the world. But Christianity is a true religion established by Jesus Christ Himself. And James even says in the Bible that the fruits of this “true religion” will be things like caring for widows and orphans. Is there a relationship between the Christian and Christ? Of course. We are in relationship with Jesus Christ through His Word, through prayer, through communion, and by his indwelling us. But Christianity is more than just an individual relationship between a person and Jesus. We are also a part of the “communion of saints.” We are a part of the holy, worldwide Christian Church. The one and only. If you are in a personal relationship with Jesus, that is wonderful. But the life of faith wasn’t meant to be lived alone. I want to encourage you to find a local church that preaches the Gospel straight from the Bible. Because Christianity is not simply a religion or just a relationship, it’s both. This is Luis Palau.

Committing one’s life to Jesus Christ is the most important decision anyone can ever make. Compared to eternal life, all other decisions aren’t that important when you think about it. Interestingly, it’s children—not adults—who are most likely to make that most important of decisions. In fact, childlikeness is a prerequisite for conversion. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Contrary to popular myth, growing up in a Christian home doesn’t automatically make someone a Christian. God has no grandchildren. Each of us must come to personal faith in Jesus Christ. Sadly, I know that firsthand. I steadfastly avoided coming to faith while growing up in a loving Christian home. Thank God, I finally came home—to my own personal faith in Jesus Christ—in my late twenties. How great to know my parents never stopped believing for me, praying for me, and sharing the Good News with me all the way up until my conversion. Do you have a child or grandchild like me? If so, trust that God has planted the seed of faith in their heart. And, pray daily for that seed to begin growing. God bless you for never losing hope. This is Andrew Palau.  

You want to tell your friends and people around you what the good news of God is all about. You have not proclaimed the good news Gospel unless you use words. The good news Gospel is a message. It's a divine message. It's a message from God about His Son. In Romans chapter 1 - the first few verses (you should read it for yourself), it says, "The good news of God regarding His Son, declared Son of God with power, to call the nations to the obedience that comes from faith.” In other words, the message of our Lord Jesus Christ is a message. And it's a message from God about His Son; how He was crucified for the sins of the world. It's a message about the resurrection and the power of God. So, you know that you have proclaimed to your friends the good news of God, that there is forgiveness of sins, that there is peace with God, that there's eternal life as a free gift of God, that heaven is before us and we shall be with the Lord forever and ever if you open your heart to Christ. So how do you know you've proclaimed the good news? By using biblical words, biblical teachings and telling your friends how to open their hearts to Jesus Christ. Do it in your circle today. This is Luis Palau.

I woke up this morning thinking of an old, old, song - a simple one: "O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I shall never forget." And it was the day when I met the Lord Jesus Christ. I was 12 years old, just a boy. My father had just died two years earlier. A missionary in South America sat me down and asked me a simple question. I was only 12 remember. "Luis, if you died today would you go to Heaven or Hell?" I said, "I'm going to hell." He said, "Why?" I said, "I've got a bad temper, I've got a bad mouth, and I get angry and shout at my sisters." And then he said to me, "Is this where you want to go?" I said, "No, I want to go to heaven." Then he pulled out this verse from the Bible, "If you confess with your lips Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you Luis, shall be saved" (Romans 10:9). And you know, that got into me and I never forgot that day in the mountains of southern Argentina with a missionary with his arm around me, leading me in a prayer. And I want to lead you in a prayer right now. Lord Jesus, I need to be forgiven. I need to be saved. I believe in You, I confess You. Come into my heart. Amen. This is Luis Palau.

This is a statement attributed to Rudyard Kipling who said, "Nothing is ever settled, until it's settled right." And you know, if you want to settle affairs with God Almighty, your Creator, who made you in your mother's womb, who loves you, who wants you to live a victorious, joyful life on planet Earth and then eternally in Heaven in His presence, you have to settle the problem of sin right. And you know, at the cross of Jesus Christ, is where you can settle your relationship with God the right way - the only way. Do you remember when Jesus was on the cross, there were two criminals, one on the right, one on the left? They both made fun of Jesus Christ, and then suddenly one of them changed his mind. He repented. He turned to Jesus and he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, "Truly, truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."Think of it, he was a criminal, a murderer probably. And he was crucified beside the Lord Jesus. He repented, and on the spot Jesus said to him, "Today you will be with me in paradise." It is settled at the cross of Jesus Christ. Have you surrendered your heart to Christ? Are you right with God? Then things are alright, and you will be with Him in paradise. This is Luis Palau.

I was born in Argentina, South America. When I was 17 or 18 I saw a film of Dr. Billy Graham speaking in India, and he was speaking on the Bible verse that says, "Be filled with the Holy Spirit." And he asked in the film, "Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?" And in my teenage years I said, "No I'm not. I'd like to be but I don't even know how to do it." And then when I came to the USA the Lord spoke to me very clearly. What counts is Christ lives in me. The resurrected Lord Jesus Christ lives in me. And He lives in you, from the moment you open your heart to Him. In our country right now, at home, at work, at school, in the neighborhood, at the local church, at sporting events, wherever we may be, we can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. And if people see Christ living in you and me, with the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, the incomparable power of Jesus Christ is at work in us - Ephesians chapter 1; read it for yourself. It talks about the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that dwells in us. That is spiritual revival. And this is Luis Palau.

Do you have a prodigal son or daughter? Someone who has walked away from the faith, or a loved one who is living rebelliously? If so, I want to urge you to remain faithful in prayer. You see, I was a prodigal son. For many years, I lived by my own rules. I was selfish, and despite every attempt my mom and dad made, I was wrapped up in my own worldly desires. I wrote about this in my book, The Secret Life of a Fool. I was the fool. Though it seemed I would never come around, my parents and others believed for me and remained faithful. They prayed and prayed without ceasing—even when it must have seemed as though I had gone so far. But guess what? Finally, God got ahold of my heart. And things have never been the same. My whole life and purpose changed. What are you desperate for God to do in your life? Or, in the lives of your children? Come before Him and pray. Ask Him to move mightily. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Bible tells us to “Pray without ceasing”. So this week, I urge you to carry on. Pray diligently for the prodigal son or daughter in your life. Resist the urge to give up, or consider them a lost cause. Instead, trust that God’s plan and timing are perfect. And that God wants to use you. This is Andrew Palau.

You and I both know that we live in a changing world. Styles change, world leaders rise and fall, pop culture icons come and go. But God’s message is unchanging. In fact, I’ve been sharing the same Good news all over the world for fifty years — and each time I share it, I am amazed by how relevant and important it is to people of all ages, races, and cultural backgrounds. When we share the Good News with others, we not only share the gift of Salvation, but we also grow in our own understanding of God’s love, grace, and steadfastness. The Bible says in Philemon 1:6, “I pray that you will be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Isn’t that a fabulous promise? This week, pray about ways you can spread the Good News. Take heart in knowing that the message you share about Jesus will never go away. Then, I urge you, my friend, to share openly and intentionally about what Jesus has done in your life. As you tell of Jesus to others, you will learn more of God’s goodness yourself. I challenge you to pray: “Lord, I want that experience. I want to know what it is to lead someone to Jesus Christ.” He will use you. Believe me! This is Luis Palau.

There’s a funny story about a little boy named Johnny, who had been sent to his room for misbehaving. After a while, the boy came out, and told his parents that he had thought over his behavior and said a prayer. His mother was pleased. She said, “Good job! If you ask God to help you behave well, He will help you.” Johnny replied, “Oh, Mom. I didn’t ask God to help me behave. I just prayed that He would give you more patience to put up with me.” Have you ever been low on patience? Perhaps your schedule is busy. You’re over-worked. You’re over-tired. You have too many obligations on the calendar. It’s easy, in these situations, to feel burned out, fearful and impatient. As parents, it can be easy to speak harshly to our kids. As a husband or wife, it can be easy in these moments to react unkindly to our spouse. As an employee, perhaps this is when we say something rude to a coworker. But the Bible tells us in Romans 8:26 that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” when we pray. Are you feeling weak in patience? Or perhaps another area of your life? If so, I encourage you to pray about it today. God can use us to spread the Good News Gospel to those around us, and this can start with others observing the way we act. This is Luis Palau.

For many years, my wife Pat and I prayed for our son Andrew to come to know the Lord. When he was in college and after, living on the other side of the country, we prayed for him several times a day. We knew he was making choices that were not in line with God’s teachings, but the only thing Pat and I could do was to pray. We prayed that Andrew would be open to hearing the Gospel, in a way that was authentic and true to him. And after years and years of these prayers, guess what? It happened! Today, Andrew is an evangelist, sharing his testimony and reaching people all over the world. Now, if his isn’t a story of redemption, I don’t know what is! Parents, are you feeling discouraged about a lost son or daughter, who isn’t walking with the Lord? Or, are you a listener who is saddened by the choices of a sibling or friend? If so, I cannot urge you enough to pray. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray continually”. Pray because prayer works. Pray because God commands us to pray. This week, one way you can reach your part of the world is through prayer. Be diligent in it. Be intentional about it. And trust that God’s mighty plan is already at work. This is Luis Palau.

ABC News reported on a study done by a Duke University doctor on the power of prayer. This was a secular study, but the results showed what we have known as believers for quite some time: prayer works. In the study, a thousand medical patients were divided into two groups. One group was prayed for, and the other was not. Patients did not know which group they fell under. After a year, patients were given a health exam by a third party. The patients who had been prayed for had 11 percent fewer heart attacks, strokes, and life-threatening complications! A researcher who worked with the study said, “As a scientist, it’s very counterintuitive, because I don’t have a way to explain it.” Of course, as believers, we do have a way to explain the power of prayer: the Holy Spirit. The effects of prayer have been written down and talked about for centuries, but it hasn’t been until recently that the secular world has caught on. The Bible tells us in Colossians 4:2 to “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” It is God’s desire that we pray often. He wants us to pray for our families, our friends, our neighbors, our cities, our world leaders, and so on. Can I encourage you this week to pray intentionally about reaching your world? Pray for the blind to see. Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel. God works through prayer. This is Luis Palau.