Reaching Your World with Luis Palau

The Gift of the Present

We all know someone who is living in the past. The person who has the regrets they won’t stop talking about. And we’ve all been there – true? And we all know someone who is living in the future. That’s the person who is constantly worried about what’s to come. And we’ve all been there – right? But the gift of Jesus, is really the gift of the present. What I mean is, as believers, we know that Jesus died for our sins. The cross has removed the shame and guilt of our past. And because of the cr...

The Bumper Sticker

I heard a funny story from a pastor friend recently. He had a Christian sticker on the back of his car, and one day, his wife came to him and suggested he remove it. The pastor was shocked. “Why?” he asked her. His wife looked at him and paused, before saying, “Well, sweetheart, you are a mean driver. You cut people off. Sometimes you yell things. And that’s not very Christian.” While this story is sort of funny, it brings up a good point. As followers of Jesus, we are the body of His church....

Influential People

A few years ago, Time Magazine published a list of the most influential people in history. The list included 100 people who contributed to society in a variety of ways. In first place was Jesus, and rightly so. Further down the list were people like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and King Arthur. As I read this list, I found myself thinking, “What makes a person influential for God?” I also wondered, “What if the most influential people in society used their position to share the Good News of...

Our Mission

Have you ever considered what your mission in life is? I ask because sometimes, people get so caught up in the day-to-day motions that they forget we’re called to be living with a purpose. A big purpose. An exciting plan for your life. A long time ago, when I received Jesus into my heart, my mission in life changed. Before I was walking with the Lord, I wanted to be a banker or a lawyer. I wanted to make money and be financially successful. That was it. But with Jesus, my heart shifted. My go...

The Power of Your Story

A few years ago, after a festival, a young man – call him Joe -approached me. He said, “Luis, how can I share the Good News? I’m not an evangelist. I’m not a pastor. And I’m not a missionary! I’m just an ordinary guy.” In response, I said, “Well, has God changed your life?” Of course, Joe said “Yes!” So I told him, “If God has changed your life, then you have what it takes to share the Good News! You have personal experience! You have a first-hand understanding of the power of Jesus!” Often, ...

How to Live out the Golden Rule

Almost everyone knows the Golden Rule, and knows that Jesus said it, but many aren’t quite sure how to live it out. Down through the centuries, many English Bibles have translated the Golden Rule this way: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” I don’t know about you, but that would be a little hard to explain to my Hindu neighbor. One of the newest English Bibles does a great job of expressing the Golden Rule this way: “In everything you do, be careful to treat oth...

God’s Love is...

In our fast-paced culture, it seems like everything is done online. We have friendships online through Facebook, and Twitter, and Instagram. Some relationships even start online. We’re used to typing or reading or watching quick snippets, and we feel satisfied with that. And while these aren’t necessarily bad things, I think we forget that our relationship with God is more than just an online tweet. God desires a relationship that is infinite and intimate. More than just a Facebook post, or a...

Read the Word, Share the Word

I have a friend who grew up in a very religious home. As a child, she was taught that reading the Bible should be the responsibility of the male patriarchs in her church—and she should simply listen to their wisdom. At a time when Bibles weren’t widely circulated, I understand how this occurred. But my friend, Scripture is God’s Word. It is much too important to be left exclusively to biblical scholars. Theology is too vital to be solely for theologians. God intends to be present, and part of...

Be Honest

A man went running and twisted his ankle. When he went to the doctor, the doctor asked, “how did this happen?” and the man said, “I don’t know!” He didn’t tell the doctor he had been out running. Now, most people who hear this story would agree that this isn’t practical. We know that doctors need to know what happened in order to help find the root of our pain – but so often, we don’t tell the doctor the full story. And we are that way too often with God. We show God want we think He wants to...

No Lost Causes

One common phrase I have heard in my years of evangelism is, “you just don’t know how much I’ve sinned…” or “God wouldn’t understand the mess I’m in!” Or, “God would never forgive me for what I’ve done.” Satan likes it when we feel as though our sin is so bad that even Jesus will forsake us. But you know what? The Bible says just the opposite. In the book of Hebrews, God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Friend, never means never! There is nothing you could possibl...

Road Map

I was driving with my son recently, when he asked, “How did you get around before Google Maps?” I laughed, and told him, “When I was younger, we didn’t have GPS at all – just paper, fold-out maps.” It was a lot harder to navigate around. Today, though, we have a handy GPS map that can direct us anywhere in the world. All we have to do is follow directions. Like a GPS app, the Bible is our road map to following Jesus! When we keep our eyes focused on what Jesus does in the Bible, we are able t...

Pay Attention

Have you ever been fishing with a little kid? Most of fishing is waiting. Little kids are fine with this for about 30 seconds. Then their attention starts wandering. They start looking at birds or counting leaves. Sometimes they wander off, leaving you to hold their pole. But, if they’re not paying attention, they’ll miss it. The little tug. The bobber disappearing. Then, all of a sudden, the line goes tight. Just one tug, and suddenly, there aren’t any more distractions. Everything is about ...

Don’t be Distracted

Summertime is always full. It’s the time when we plan vacations to see friends and family, go camping, take swimming lessons, and plan outdoor parties and barbeques. Kids are out of school, and parents take their vacation time so that the whole family can go to the beach or the lake. All of these things are good, but when we get too busy, we can forget to focus on God. God wants us to enjoy this beautiful Earth he’s given us, with the people whom we love. There’s nothing wrong with having fun...

Be Rooted in Christ

There are those in Oregon who enjoy the outdoors year round, but I find it much more pleasant to go on hikes in the summer, when temperatures are warm and I don’t have to sidestep any mud puddles. There are some amazing trails in the Columbia River Gorge that emerge into stunning views. On the way to the viewpoints, though, I always love looking at the trees. Oregon has some of the world’s largest evergreens which create blankets of green on the hillsides, year round. Their shade can drop the...

Include God in the Good Times

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is truly fantastic. Finally, the clouds part and the sun shines brightly. The temperature is warm, but not too warm. The nights are cool and clear. Oregon summers make the gloomy winters worth it. I know. I live in Oregon. It’s amazing how a few months of sunshine can make me completely forget how dark, cloudy, and damp the rest of the year is in Oregon. However, in the summer all that is forgotten. We busy ourselves with outdoor activities and vacations. Schoo...

The Right to Speak

The other day I was watching a movie and heard the classic line, “You have the right to remain silent.” For some reason, my mind immediately jumped to telling people about Jesus and I wanted to shout, “And, you have the right to speak!” Sure, we have the right to keep quiet, to stay in our little safe bubbles where all conversations are predictable. However, we’re not called to silence but to declaration. Psalm 108 says, “Let the redeemed of the lord say this” or “Let the redeemed of the Lord...

Combating Fear and Anxiety

Dr. Billy Graham, one of my mentors and a fellow evangelist, once said, “The Bible is not an option. It is a necessity.” Often, when people struggle with fear or anxiety, I see them turn to self-help books, lectures, and so-called “experts” for advice on how to cope. Sure, sometimes these things can be helpful, but for the ultimate Truth and God’s Word, I always seek answers in the Bible. When dealing with anxiety or fear, God’s Word has a lot to say. Hebrews 13:6 says, “We can confidently sa...

Remaining Faithful

Have you ever experienced a tough time in your life? I know I have! There have been several seasons in my life when things were hard. There’s no other way to say it. Times when I lost a close friend, or experienced a serious health scare, or didn’t know how I was going to pay the bills. Maybe you can relate to these situations. Or maybe you’re experiencing difficulty in a different way; like coping with loneliness, or struggling with fear about financial security, or dealing with a relationsh...

Growing Faith

Each of us has been given a measure of faith in God, but it won’t grow on its own. Athletes will tell you that they grow stronger by pushing the limits of their ability and endurance, and we must do the same with our faith in God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. When the Thessalonians in Bible times came under persecution, their faith in God grew, and they were strengthened by the power of His Spirit. Likewise, when we face struggles and cling to God through them, our faith is strengthened. A frie...

Prepare with Prayer

Evangelism is not simply an exercise in communicating. To be truly effective, evangelism must be a work of the Holy Spirit, released through prayer. We must pray for wisdom, for eyes open to the opportunities we have to share the Good News. And we must pray for the right words to say. If we rely on ourselves, surely we won’t ever feel ready to tell people about Jesus. But if we pray and ask God for His timing, we will be empowered to share the Good News. Before all of my speaking events, and ...

Side by Side

Evangelism can be a lonely task. After all, proclaiming the Gospel can require leaving your comfort zone and stepping out in faith. The Bible assures us that we will face obstacles and opposition. This is why fellowship with other believers is essential. By working alongside other believers, we get the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, gain encouragement from common ground, and engender a revitalized boldness for sharing the Good News. Even reading the stories of great evang...

Taking the Light into Darkness

About 4:00 a.m. little Olivia was startled to tears by an ambulance siren in the street. When the babysitter had put Olivia to bed in the evening, she had forgotten to switch on the night light. However, when her mother turned on the small yellow light, the child quickly went back to sleep. The darkness was gone, and with it, her fear. It is a scientific truth that light always goes into darkness, not the other way around. Darkness cannot overcome a candle, it must wait for the flame to flick...

How Sweet are Your Words!

I’ve just been reading Psalm 119 again, and I got excited. This psalm is all about how wonderful God’s Word is. Every verse – and there are 176 in the psalm – has something to say about how powerful and how precious it is. The first verse says, “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.” Verse 9 is for youth: “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” Verse 37 is a powerful prayer: “Turn my eyes away from...

Harvest in Athena

Bob is a farmer in eastern Oregon. He first heard me preach in 1978 and immediately got the vision for an evangelistic outreach in his home town of Athena – population just over one thousand. We were not able to schedule it at the time, but Bob was persistent. Finally, everything finally fell into place, and I and a few others of our team drove across Oregon to Athena. Over half the town’s population crowded into the high school auditorium, where we had a BMX bike demo and I gave the Gospel m...

An Oasis of Peace

Did you see the movie, “War Room”? In it, a Christian pastor was viewing a house that was for sale. When he went into a certain closet he could sense that a lot of praying had been done there. I’m reminded of an incident a friend of ours told us about. She was home late one evening when the doorbell rang. A young girl was on the doorstep, crying and shaking all over. It was Linda, an acquaintance of her sons’ who had been there before with a group of young people. Linda’s story was a sad one ...

We’ve Been Redeemed

What do think of when you hear the word “redeem?” To be honest, one of the first things that comes to my mind is coupons. You have to redeem a coupon in order for it to have any value. Until you trade your coupon in for that free cheeseburger or half-off a pair of shoes, all you have is a slip of paper and a promise. Redemption turns an idea into a result. The Bible often uses the word “redeemed” to describe a rescue: He redeemed the Israelites from Egypt. Luke 1:68 uses the term in words of ...

Evangelism Strengthens your Faith

There are two main reasons we share the Good News with people who don’t yet know Jesus. One, so that they can be in relationship here on earth with Jesus, and two, for their eternal salvation. But what if I told you that sharing the Good News actually develops you as a Christian? What if I told you sharing the Good News Gospel actually strengthens your own faith? It does! Here’s why: people generally feel timid about sharing the Good News. So many people have approached me and said, “Luis, I’...

Because Jesus Died for the World

A Christian author once said, “Churches should not be a museum of good people; instead, they’re a hospital for the broken.” I love that saying, but I think many people don’t realize this. After all, how many of us actually wear our problems on our sleeves when we go to church? Sometimes, it can feel like there’s pressure to have our act together on Sunday mornings. But the reality is, Jesus didn’t come just to save the folks that appeared to have it all together. He didn’t come for the people...

Because there is no Other Way

Because Christ Commanded It

Noteworthy News

Forgiving Others

Abandoned

Hope

ABCs

Who Jesus Christ Is

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

Get to the Point

The Hope of Heaven

The Power of Prayer

A Smile can Make a Difference

Keeping an Eye on the Goal

Pleasure vs. Joy

God Moments

Joy for Jesus

Let not your Heart be Troubled

Helping a Grieving World

Finding a Place to Talk

Finding Hope in Silence

Finding a Way through Personal Grief