Reaching Your World with Luis Palau
803 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 38 ratingsListen in as Luis Palau encourages Christians to share their faith with easy-to-use tips on reaching your world for Jesus Christ.
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Episodes
Praying for our Children
October 22, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.03 MBJust before my father died, he arranged to have a one-on-one conversation with each of his grandchildren. All their lives he had prayed earnestly and fervently for God’s rich blessings in them and through them--to bless untold thousands. He did that for each of his sons too. What an example that has been for me as I pray now for my children. Like Moses, I say this blessing over them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn hi...
Jesus Loves to Bless Children
October 21, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.92 MBMy friend David had the privilege of interviewing more than a dozen third to sixth graders. Each child sat on a “hot seat” and answered five questions. The first four answers were easy: name, grade, number of siblings, and how many years they’ve gone to church. The final answer was a little tougher: talk about when it’s hard for you to trust God. David was amazed at their responses. First, they had a much shorter list of reasons than adults usually do. Second, several of the children honestly...
Becoming like Little Children
October 20, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.88 MBIn the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly says children are part of His kingdom. Can you work hard to get into God’s kingdom? No. Can you be good enough? No. Can you pay lots of money? No, but that’s what some grown-ups would like to do. Jesus says, That’s not the way. To get into My kingdom you have to get down lower — humble yourself — and trust Me like a child would. Some claim a small child’s belief in God doesn’t count. But that’s not the case! In 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul said to Timothy, “continu...
Why Children Loved Jesus
October 19, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.99 MBWhy did the children love Jesus so much? They loved Him because He first loved them. They loved Him because He showed His love with broad smiles, by enthusiastic hand motions inviting them to come see Him, by laughter and affirmations, by startling words to their parents, and by not-exactly-playful words to His un-kid-friendly disciples. It’s sometimes said that adults who love children are at heart really kids themselves. That is, they’ve retained the best qualities of their childhood. While...
Jesus Loves Children
October 18, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.89 MBLoving your neighbor doesn’t simply mean your literal next door neighbors, and it certainly doesn’t mean only your neighbors of similar ages. Jesus showed honor and respect, and showered love and blessing, on people of all ages. As an infant, Jesus loved His young mother, the virgin Mary...and I very much believe Jesus loved the old widow Anna, who danced and rejoiced when she found Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus with Simeon in the Temple. Shortly before He came of age for the ancient precursor ...
Jesus is a Wonderful Savior
October 15, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.92 MBLet me read you what a young woman named Katie wrote. She lives in my hometown, Portland, Oregon, which has a large percentage of non-religious residents. Katie wrote: "I was raised in a postmodern home where there was a void of talking about anything spiritual. I remember one of the biggest hurdles for me was actually the idea of sin. This isn’t something that is talked about in non-Christian homes. At least, not in mine. Once I was able to wrap my mind around the idea of sin and therefore t...
The Most Important Mission
October 14, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.83 MBJames Bond became a famous action hero because he always had some crazy mission that he was brazen enough to actually complete. I doubt Mr. Bond would have become such an icon if he played it safe all his life. But I’m sure you’ve noticed how in literature and movies the action heroes never play it safe. Now, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being safe and responsible – that’s actually admirable. But I do believe that as followers of the Lord Jesus, we’re called to live more boldly ...
Weary and Distracted
October 13, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.82 MBThere is a reason that diet experts say people eat more when they sleep less. When we’re tired, we crave things that aren’t really that good for us! I personally crave ice cream. But, in all seriousness, a weary mind is one that is easily distracted. This goes for our diet, and it goes for our walk with Jesus Christ also. Think about it: when we’re spiritually tired, we’re more likely to slip up. We may do or say something we later regret. This is why it is so important to get spiritual “rest...
Making Room to Hear God
October 12, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.79 MBA lot of times people say to me, “Luis, I want to know God’s calling on my life. But I just can’t hear Him clearly.” Does this sound familiar? Maybe you have said this type of thing before. I know, in my younger years, I did! Oftentimes, people can’t hear God because we don’t make time for listening to God! We are busy, running errands and working hard in our careers, but all these good things can end up being noise. It distracts us from hearing our true calling. In order to hear God clearly,...
Rest Assured
October 11, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.94 MBOur lives today are full but, oddly, our souls are often running on empty. We are pushed and stretched with busy schedules and workplace to-do lists, but so many people ache for relief. For rest. For renewal. When people get burned out, they usually turn on mindless television or turn to something else mind-numbing to find rest. But God offers a kind of rest that is deeper, richer, and more meaningful than any of these things. God offers rest for our soul and renewal of our perspectives. The ...
Believe in God
October 08, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.91 MBIn a few hours, Jesus will be arrested, flogged, and nailed to a cross for our sins. Peter insists he’s ready to die with Jesus. Jesus says no, Peter, instead you’ll deny me three times. Then we reach the climactic moment in the upper room. What will Jesus say next? The first thing He says is, “Let not your heart be troubled,” John 14:1. How can Jesus say that, in the circumstance? Think about what Jesus is not saying. Just before this, in John 12:27, Jesus says, “Now my soul is troubled, and...
A Stronghold
October 07, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.7 MBWhen life seems uncertain, where do you run? Do you go to your friends and vent about your frustrations? Do you call your parents? Do you talk to your spouse? None of these things are bad, necessarily, but the most important thing to remember during times of trouble is to stay rooted in the Lord. Psalm 9:9-10 says, “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never forsaken those who s...
A Proper View of Reality
October 06, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.79 MBA woman named Sue confessed to dealing with a lot of anxiety. She said, “Honestly, the world seems to have gone mad. There’s violence on TV, corruption with world leaders, and tragedy that seems to be running rampant. How can I not be filled with fear and worry?” Sue’s view of the world is accurate in some ways. The world is unsafe. Tragedy does happen. Sin is very real. But there’s something terribly wrong with Sue’s view of the world. It’s missing the most important piece – and that is the ...
Courage against Goliath
October 05, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.85 MBOne of the most famous stories in the Bible is the story of David and Goliath. We first hear about David as a shepherd and the youngest of eight boys in 1 Samuel 16. He wasn’t exactly an intimidating person. Goliath, on the other hand, stood about 7 feet tall – close to 18 inches taller than the average man of that day. Goliath challenged the Israelites to send a man to fight him, saying that if he was defeated, the Philistines would be servants to the Israelites. Eventually, David found hims...
Prayer Helps Anxiety
October 04, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.8 MBDid you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America? In fact, 40 million Americans over the age of 18 are affected by anxiety – roughly 18 percent of the nation’s population. Perhaps you can identify with this problem. Anxiety affects people in all walks of life, but prayer and trust in God can help us work through anxious situations. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything...
Blessings Jesus Offers us Today
October 01, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.02 MBAnyone who knows and loves Jesus is blessed. What’s more, the Lord Jesus keeps loving and blessing us as we continue in Him. If you and I love Jesus, what blessings does He offer us today? Luke tells us about three important blessings promised by Jesus. First, Jesus says, “Blessed...are those who hear the word of God and obey it,” Luke 11:38. Second, Jesus says, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repa...
Worth
September 30, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.88 MBA friend once told me about a metaphor of human beings being like hundred dollar bills. It sounds silly, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Our worth is a gift from God, and all of us, metaphorically, are like one hundred dollars. We cannot become any more worthy, or any less worthy—no matter what we do. Because Christianity is about a relationship, we cannot earn any more worth through religious deeds or lose God’s love through imperfection. When I think of people as one-hundred-dollar bi...
The Hard Christian Life
September 29, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.82 MBWhen we receive Jesus into our hearts, life doesn’t always get easier. In fact, for many disciples in the Bible, life became harder when they became followers of Jesus. They dealt with persecution for their faith. They faced temptation to hide their beliefs. Many even were put to death. Today, Christians still face trials. Some of us are called “closed-minded” or mocked because of our belief in Jesus. In certain parts of the world, many Christians even risk being physically harmed because of ...
Exclusive and Inclusive
September 28, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.9 MBMany people argue that Jesus is exclusive, or “just for a select few.” And others say that He is inclusive, meaning He’s for everybody. The truth of the matter is that Jesus is actually both. He is exclusive and inclusive.The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:15 that Jesus “…died for all, so those who live [will] receive His new life”. That means Jesus died for you, and me, and your neighbor down the street, and everybody. Jesus created humanity, and He desires a relationship with everyone. In th...
A Burning Building
September 27, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.83 MBIf you were in a burning building and a firefighter said, “Hey! Follow me. I’ll show you the way to safety.” Would you doubt him? Of course not! Would you be offended that he said he knew the only way out? No way! This illustration is kind of like Jesus Christ. Jesus truly is the only way to eternal life. But often, we – as Christians- are afraid to say it, because we fear offending people, or being called “closed-minded”. Try thinking of the Good News gospel as a firefighter or rescue worker...
Hope after Sinning
September 24, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.71 MBIs there any hope if someone imitates the prodigal son in Luke 15, if they wander away from our heavenly Father, and live it up in various sins season after season? Most people say, “No.” Yet if that’s what you and I think, we’ll likely never pray with hope for our wayward prodigal family members and friends. Most people also say, “Why should I care? It could never happen to me.” True, none of us wake up in the morning and say, “I think I’m going to deliberately rebel against God and screw up...
Faith Revolution
September 23, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.71 MBDid you know that some of the major revolutions throughout history started with just a few people? Often, a small handful of people would rise up and rally others for one cause. And it’s been the same way within the Christian Church. Whenever I’ve seen a church renewal and revival, I can always trace it back to a small group of Christians who were broken over their sin, confessed it, were cleansed, and began a fresh walk with the indwelling Christ. Change and revival has to start somewhere—so...
A Renewed Vision
September 22, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.87 MBHave you ever tasted a nice, refreshing Coca Cola? Perhaps the word “Coke” is already making your mouth water! The Coke brand has become popular all across the world, partially because of a guy named Robert Woodruff. You see, Woodruff served as the president of Coca-Cola from 1923-1955, and during that time he said his vision was for everyone in the world to taste Coca-Cola! Now that’s a a big goal! But Woodruff helped make this vision a reality because he believed passionately in the Coca Co...
Renewal and Transformation
September 21, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.66 MBAt the end of each year, Christianity Today publishes a list of the most popular Bible verses from that year. In 2014, the number one most popular verse was Romans 12:2, which says, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” And you know, this got me thinking about how easy it is to conform, to blend in, and to keep our faith locked up in a church on Sunday. It is easy to fall into the habit of going through the motions in our daily li...
Renewal in You and the Church
September 20, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.83 MBIn my book, “Say Yes” I write about how God desires to renew you and me. But some Christians are confused when I talk about being renewed. They say, “But Luis, I am already a believer! I have already been renewed from my old ways into my new relationship with Christ!” But you see, renewal is something that the Lord can do throughout our lives. Renewal is when God wakes us up from living a certain way, and restores our passion for following His Word. With renewal, the Lord reignites our enthus...
Proper Perspective
September 17, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.94 MBWe have a great woman, Gail, who sits on our board. She reminded us recently that life comes at us in seasons outside our control. One season that came to her she describes as the DINKS. Double Income-No Kids. Gail was happily married, both had successful jobs (double income) - but no kids. Before long, they didn’t want to be DINKS any longer but couldn’t get pregnant. As the years went by, this desire for children grew. They struggled and prayed. And in God’s plan, just as they were about to...
Historical Christianity
September 16, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.86 MBIt can be too easy for each generation of Christians to lose sight of our heritage. One way to stay connected to all those great saints who have gone before us is to read what they wrote, and to learn the ancient creeds that have echoed through generations of the Church. I’m sure you’ve heard the Apostle’s Creed but I thought I would say it here today as a reminder of what Christians have said together for centuries: “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Je...
Reaching your School
September 15, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.81 MBIt can be easy to be impatient in school. In elementary school you can’t wait for junior high. In junior high you can’t wait for high school. In high school you can’t wait for college. And in college you can’t wait to graduate and begin life after school. If you are a student, rather than always waiting for what’s next, I would encourage you to view school as your current vocation from God. Whatever grade you’re in, don’t rush through. Study hard, do your best. Make friends. Approach school w...
Singleness
September 14, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.77 MBJill felt overlooked. All of her friends were getting married. It seemed like one more wedding every week. She tried to be happy for her friends, but it hurt to watch, as everyone seemed to get married. Then everyone started having children. Jill was smart and funny, beautiful and talented. She had a successful career, and many friends. But she started to wonder- what’s wrong with me? Will I ever get married? Does God hear my prayer? Now, some of you single people listening may not feel this ...
Rainbow’s End
September 13, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.05 MBC.S. Lewis’ classic work, the Screwtape Letters, is a collection of imaginary, insightful “letters” from a wise old devil named Screwtape, advising his nephew, Wormwood, a new demon-in-training. In one letter, Screwtape writes to Wormwood, “We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow’s end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap the altar of the future every real gift which is offered them in the Present.” And you know, I’m sure m...
Restoration from Anxiety
September 10, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.54 MBThe Bible has a clear message about worry: we don’t need it. Luke points out that none of us can add a single hour to our lives by worrying. So how do we deal with it? Where do we go for consolation, for comfort? At times, I’ve dealt with worry and anxiety by venting to a friend or trying to forget the issue with a few hours of TV. While these reactions may bring some immediate relief, there’s only one sure way to replace that anxiety with joy. Psalm 94:18, “When anxiety was great within me, ...
Resting in God’s Peace
September 09, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.77 MBHave you ever noticed yourself procrastinating when you know you have a lot to do? Perhaps you put off preparing because you’re overwhelmed by the work your project will take. Or perhaps you’re just too nervous to get started—like the student who doesn’t start a report until the night before it’s due. Or the businessman who doesn’t prepare for a meeting until the last second. In a world with constant distraction online and in social media, procrastinating has never been so easy. But have you ...
Courage
September 08, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.86 MBHave you ever met someone who seemed to have courage—even in a terrifying situation? I have. In fact, on the news, I saw that 21 Christians in another country were killed for their faith. But this horrible story isn’t actually how the story ended; you see, even in the face of death, these 21 martyrs sang Christian hymns. They remained courageous. They remained faithful. And they rested in God’s strength until the very end. As followers of Jesus, we have access to God’s unlimited well of coura...
The Anxiety Cure
September 07, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.85 MBAre you anxious? Are you going through a difficult time? You know, it’s normal to be stressed out every now and then, but I believe that we actually choose to forfeit peace when we do not spend time in prayer. Think about it. We usually experience the most anxiety when we are feeling busy and overwhelmed. And often, when we feel this way, we forget to set aside time to pray. But my friend, I want to remind you today that prayer has real power. Spending time talking to — and listening to — God...
Feeling Overwhelmed?
September 06, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.9 MBHave you ever had so much to do that you don’t even know where to start? A friend of mine described this feeling perfectly; she said, “sometimes, the kids need dinner, the house needs cleaning, the laundry needs folding, the dog needs to be walked—and I’m just one person. I can’t do it all!” We all have times when we feel overwhelmed by responsibilities or items on our “to-do list”. But the truth is, we really can’t do it all. We were never meant to! We were meant to lean on Jesus when things...
The Call of God
September 03, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.04 MBI walked past an old warehouse and all I could see was a massive, decrepit building. When it was built, surely it was attractive and functional but now it desperately needed renovation. Where would you start? It made me think of the story of Gideon in the Bible. God had big plans for the Israelites but they disobeyed God, were taken into the hands of their enemies, and there began to deteriorate. They needed a revival! Gideon was the one called to this major refurbishing effort, but he didn’t...
Called to Purpose
September 02, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.04 MBCommunism is the political system that held sway in Russia for many years. Communism ruled the entire lives of the people who lived under it, and it proclaimed that there was no God. Christianity was outlawed. Atheism was taught in schools. Oleg lived in Russia during communism, and he considered himself a part of the Communist party. One day, he accidentally heard one of my sermons that was being broadcast on the radio called “The Road to Eternal Love.” He learned that no one is born a Chris...
Called to Worship
September 01, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.17 MBMatt Redman’s dad died when Matt was a young boy. Years later, he found out that his father had committed suicide. In the middle of this pain and confusion, Matt clung to a truth that he had discovered a few years before. When he was 10 years old, Matt’s mother took him to a football stadium where he heard me speak about God the Father’s perfect love, in contrast to the failures of human fathers. It was then that Matt knew he had a Father in heaven. Matt began writing songs about what he was ...
Called to Prison
August 31, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.04 MBIt was a dark, cold, rainy evening in Wrexham, North Wales, when Mark came to one of our crusade meetings. He was 17 years old with absolutely no interest whatsoever in God, the Gospel, or his Church. That all changed that evening. Mark decided to follow the Lord, and it took him surprising places.Seventeen years later, Mark, his wife, and their four children moved to Romania as missionaries to work with teenagers in prison and those in danger of winding up in prison. The ministry continued t...
Called to the Radio
August 30, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.97 MBThe Lord called me to be an evangelist, and I can see that from a young age. My father was a great Christian influence on me, taking me to hand out evangelistic Gospel tracts in neighboring towns. We were mocked and insulted, but we continued to spread the word of God — even before I was a true Christian. After I decided to follow Jesus at age 12, I was listening to a radio program in my aunt and uncle’s home. I didn’t hear the preacher’s name but his voice was vibrant and excited. Then anoth...
Sorrows in this Life
August 27, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.87 MBWhen we experience sorrows in this life, we should always remember God is compassionate and loving. We never want to forget that in this life sin produces countless struggles and sorrows and not everyone has the same amount of faith—some have tiny faith, some have great faith. Regardless, we can count on God to keep all of His promises to believers. There are additional truths in the Bible which give us encouragement. First, life on this earth is only temporal. James 4:14 says, “How do you kn...
Courage for the Youth
August 26, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.73 MBIn many cultures, including many places in America, seniority is earned through years of experience. Senior executives at most businesses are people who have been there for a long time. Elders in churches are often people who have been around the block a few times. In these situations, age and experience are great things, because they can often be equated with wisdom.But, the Bible is clear that it’s not just up to older generations to lead Godly lives. In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Bible says to yo...
Beyond our Control
August 25, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.86 MBMany times throughout my life, I’ve been in situations where it would have been easy to be quiet about my faith. I’ve been to dinners with powerful leaders who were Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Atheist. I’ve traveled to places where Christians aren’t just scoffed at — they’re sometimes thrown in jail. I believe at some point or another, we’ll all encounter these situations. Maybe you work in a secular company, which values secular idols like money and power. Maybe your friends at school are A...
Quit Worrying
August 24, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.88 MBMy friend, author and speaker Francis Chan once said, “Worry implies that we don’t trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.” I couldn’t agree more. When we worry, we are not trusting that God has everything taken care of, even though the Bible clearly tells us that He does. Isaiah 54:4 in the Bible says, “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.” In other words, Jesus...
Big Life Changes
August 23, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.87 MBI’ll never forget when I was a young missionary before my wife, Pat, and I, had any children. I told a friend it felt like I was “always busy” and he replied, “Get used to it my friend! You will only become busier when you have children!”. At the time, I was already juggling ministry work, traveling, being a husband, and studying the Bible. I wasn’t sure how I could possibly handle anything else on my plate. How would I have time for anything? Would I have time to be a good husband, dad, and ...
God Created You
August 20, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.96 MBWhen I became a parent, I began to understand the importance of treating my kids as unique and independent people. One loves boundaries, another one pushes on boundaries, and another one doesn’t seem to see the boundaries at all. One loves soccer, one loves lacrosse, one loves drawing. The truth is, we are all unique! Sometimes, society praises certain qualities over others—but God created each of us with a divine purpose in mind. Psalm 139:13-14 in the Bible says, “For you formed my inward p...
Modeling Service
August 19, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.95 MBAfter my father and the rest of my family came to know Christ, we became evangelists. My father shared Christ’s love with everyone he met, and because of his example, I did the same. I’m still doing it over 70 years later! This is a great example of what Proverbs says: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) I’ve never departed from it, and my children and grandchildren are also serving Christ. Modeling a life of Christian se...
Godly Memories
August 18, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.91 MBIf you’re older, like I am, many of the memories you have are filled with people who are no longer with us on this earth. But those memories are cherished. Some people have memories of their grandma teaching them how to bake, or their grandpa mowing the lawn. Maybe they remember a next-door neighbor who always had lemonade, or a great uncle who told awesome stories. None of those memories would exist without quality time spent together. One of the best ways to share God’s love with our grandk...
Sharing our Spiritual Lives
August 17, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.91 MBWhy is it that younger folks listen to older folks like me? Well, a few reasons. One is that they know we’ve been around the block a few times, and we know what life is like. The other thing is that it’s not our job to rebuke them. We leave that to their parents. We are free to be the grandparents and mentors who can share freely from our lives what God has done for us. So, how can we do that? Easy. We can share our Christian lives with them. We should show them ways that we draw close to God...
Speak Up
August 16, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 1.99 MBPeople say that age is only a number. Well, as someone who recently turned 82 years old, I agree! Sometimes I walk past a mirror and think, “Who is that old guy?” Other mornings I wake up and my body reminds me just how many years I’ve been alive. American culture doesn’t always appreciate those of us with gray hair, but just because some of us are older and wiser than others doesn’t mean that God stops using us. He doesn’t say, “You’re too old to do my work.” Never! In fact, the older we get...