Hope with God... with Andrew and Wendy Palau

Colossians 1:15 says this... Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. Does it amaze you that the One who is supreme over all creation, the Heavens and the Earth, also lives in you? The One whose voice echoed over the waters at the beginning of time? He chose you, saved you, and came to dwell inside you in the person...

Things get old, they wear out. Things get tired and fall apart. It’s frustrating and exhausting trying to keep our world new and fresh, and shiny. We’re constantly striving to hold back decay from our homes, our cities, our communities, even our own bodies. The Bible tells us the world is groaning. There’s a frustration to living on this earth, a bondage to decay as a result of sin and failure in...

Do you know someone who cares about the environment? You can tell them that Jesus does, too! Not only does the Bible tell us that we are to care for the earth God created, but it also tells us that Jesus participated in creating it all. John 1 gives a vivid description of Jesus’ existence from the beginning of the world, and it says this about Christ: Through him all things were made; without him...

It’s so easy to see the faults and the failures in other people, isn’t it? We listen, we watch, and we criticize. And we forget our own failures. Romans 3 reminds us that all of us have sinned. All of us fall short of God’s glory. None of us measure up to who we are meant to be. That’s the bad news. The good news is that all of us can be made right, freely through grace. Grace that was poured out...

One of the ways that God shows us His identity as a loving creator is through the world around us- beautiful sunsets, growing plants, amazing animals, the moon and the stars, and so much more! Listen to this passage from Psalm 8, When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set them in place— what are mere mortals that you should even think of them, hum...

Have you ever wondered if you were qualified to share Jesus with someone? I want to tell you that you are qualified and this is how I know… Colossians 1 says, This is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. Because Christ lives in you, you can share His glory! That’s a promise. You don’t need to know the Bible inside and out, you just need to share Jesus. Yo...

Do you know that you are wonderfully made? We can spend so much time thinking about what we don’t like in ourselves. If we don’t refocus our thinking, we can become depressed, filled with anxiety, and begin to spiral. Can I read you something from Psalm 139? I remember when I read these words for the first time, and I believed them. Listen to this: You, God, created my inmost being. You knit me to...

What are you wearing today? Maybe you’re wearing a uniform for work or your favorite comfy clothes at home. The Bible says in Galatians chapter 3, All who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. This means that we are wearing the righteousness and goodness of the living God—and we are living testimonies to His goodness and love! But it’s so easy to...

The Bible tells us that God is rich in mercy. Have you heard this before? How do you see God? Do you believe that God is compassionate and merciful? Mercy doesn’t mean that God is weak or that God ignores or overlooks what’s wrong in the world or in us. He alone has the power and authority to deal with sin and injustice. God’s mercy means that He has taken the penalty and pain of all that’s wrong...

Haven’t you ever longed to see God with your own eyes? If you have asked Jesus to be Lord of your life, then one day you will see Him face to face! But for now, the closest thing we can experience on earth is to look at other people. People are made in the image and likeness of God. If you look at faithful believers, you can see something of God’s character in them—just as when you look at a piece...

One of the most beautiful things about salvation in Jesus Christ is that we cannot earn it, and we could never even deserve it. When I was still dead in my sins, Christ loved me! And He sacrificed Himself to save me and give me life that is truly life! Ephesians 2 says… God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a rewar...

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror. But then, we shall see face to face. These are words from 1 Corinthians 13. Have you ever looked at yourself in a warped or damaged mirror? You look, and you think: That doesn’t look like me. It’s a poor representation of who I am. These verses are reminding us that this is how we see. We don’t understand everything about the world or about God. We...

When we share the Gospel with people, we’re also making a commitment to serve others lovingly, just as Christ did Himself. It’s the abundant life. It’s kindness, right? Mercy, love, sacrifice. This is a beautiful thing! And it means that when we share Jesus with people, rather than trying to accuse them of sin or position ourselves in a superior way, we’re actually humbling ourselves, serving them...

There was a time in my life when my days were full of grief. I had just lost our third baby in a late-term stillbirth. I was dark, confused, depressed. I didn’t understand why God hadn’t answered my prayer to save our child. In the midst of this season there was a verse in 2 Corinthians that helped to lift my grief. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen i...

Who Jesus is, and what He came to do… is a beautiful, miraculous thing. In 2 Corinthians, it’s described this way… For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so that we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. The gift of Jesus Christ is like the first light that ever was…when God first separated light from darkness...

In Hollywood, there’s a famous road with all sorts of fake grocery stores, movie theaters, and homes. It’s where a lot of famous movie scenes are filmed and it looks real; it’s enticing, and glamorous. But actually, the whole set is made of flimsy plywood and lots of paint. Like this street in Hollywood, many people walk around wearing a veneer or persona. We try to portray ourselves in a way that...

I was recently speaking with a group of women in a prison in Panama. As I shared my story of hope, I could tell that many of these women were so broken from the inside out. They were once girls with dreams and plans, ready to love and be loved- to have a life. I couldn't help but think of the words from Psalm 51 as I considered God's posture towards these women: "A broken and contrite heart,...

A few years ago we had a festival in beautiful Myrtle Beach. I remember it as if it was yesterday... the boardwalk and the sand, the smell of the ocean... And, I remember the people. One woman, in particular, stands out in my memory. She’d resisted the Good News message but had lingered to talk. She became frustrated trying to describe her desperation. And at one point I said, “You feel unworthy?”...

Do you need healing? Jehovah Rapha is the Hebrew name for God our healer. Sometimes we're afraid to ask for healing. We're free to believe. But it's impossible to read about the life of Jesus and not clearly see that He healed over and over again. He is the one able to heal. We ask with faith, but we ask with submission- God will do what He is going to do. We don't get to dictate what and how God...

When we receive Jesus into our life, we can walk peacefully, even through difficult seasons. John 14:27 in the Bible says, “I am leaving you a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So do not be troubled or afraid.” As you think about your life right now, ask yourself: Are you really surrendering to Jesus and experiencing His peace? Have you received...

It’s easy to hear pastors or evangelists like me say, “Go share the Gospel!” and think, “Sure, Andrew, I do intend to get to that later.” But the reality is, the Gospel is an urgent message. People need to hear about Jesus today. In a very joyful, clear, and bold way. The Bible relates the importance of sharing the Good News in Proverbs 24:11, saying, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold ba...

Have you heard it said by Jesus that ‘You are the salt of the earth’? Well, think about salt. It gives flavor and it preserves. It was a valued commodity in the ancient cultures. Jesus is saying to us, you’re valuable, AND you’re meant to be a means of flavor and preservation in the world. We’ll only be salty when we ask the Living God to come and live in us, to forgive us, to give us a new heart....

My friend Mark was single for many years and during those years I could see that he was becoming increasingly selfish and self-centered. He liked things done his way and became intolerant of those who wouldn’t cater to him. As you can imagine, this had a very negative effect on his dating life. Everything had to revolve around him, and the relationships didn’t last long. He was lonely and he began...

Have you heard the words of Jesus, ‘You are the light of the world’? You might think to yourself what a lovely idea, but I’m not the light of the world, I’m actually searching for light. I feel overwhelmed by darkness.   Well, you’re not meant to live this way. You’re meant to be filled with light. And actually light up the world around you. When you walk with Jesus, you can have the light of the...

Do you have a prodigal son or daughter? Someone who has walked away from the faith, or a loved one who is really 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. My parents and others prayed. An...