Hope with God... with Andrew and Wendy Palau

G. K. Chesterton said, “God is like the sun; you cannot look at it, but without it you cannot look at anything else.” The light of God illuminates everything around us. He is always there, and His presence is the light we need in life. When I think of a light in the darkness, I am reminded of Daniel in the Bible. Daniel trusted God when he was in a very dark place – a den of lions. By relying on G...

When Jesus called His first disciples, it was such a simple interaction. He called them, and their response was immediate. In John 4, we’re told that Jesus saw two brothers, fishermen, and He said to them “Come, follow me.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him. Jesus didn’t tell them where they were going, but He did tell them what they would be doing. He wanted to use them to fish f...

On either coast of the United States, you can see grand monuments to financial empires. The spectacular Biltmore Estate is in North Carolina. Hearst Castle is in northern California on 127 acres of gardens. These two places were built by wealthy, powerful men. But nobody resides in them anymore. They are show places for tourists to visit. They’re not really even homes. You don’t need a mansion to...

We’re told that when Jesus began His ministry, He called two brothers, James and John. They were in a boat with their father, preparing their nets for fishing. Jesus called them, and the text says, “Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.” Jesus didn’t tell them where they were going. He just said, “Come.” And their response? They didn’t say, Let me think about it. Let me...

A young woman who worked in our office – I’ll call her Danielle – came from a very dysfunctional family. As a child, she endured all sorts of terrible things. But she is now married to a wonderful husband who loves God; she’s a mother; she’s involved in her church; she has great stability in life. Someone asked Danielle how she came to have such a healthy life after enduring such a chaotic childho...

I’ve heard it said that everybody needs a hero. I guess that’s why there are so many superheroes in popular culture. They can fly, or be supernaturally strong, or even shoot webs out of their hands. They specialize in swooping in to save the day when humanity is in trouble. I suppose superheroes fill a need we have for being saved from danger and disaster. I only wish more people knew about the tr...

Do you bristle at the religious word, repent? If you do, you should understand that it’s Jesus’ word. He said in Matthew 4, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” The word used here for repent simply means: Think differently. Maybe Jesus is calling you to think differently. Do you blindly follow the thinking of everything that’s thrown your way? Or do you take the time to seriously consider...

Are you afraid to stand out? Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” We cannot live light-filled...

Have you ever felt a dislike for the Christian church because you feel like they are always calling people to repent? In Matthew 4, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when He began to preach, He said these words, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The word for repent used here simply means: Think differently, reconsider, turn from thinking about the world one way, and think differently...

There was a popular song many years ago that said, “It can’t be wrong when it feels so right.” That’s a strong excuse for many people who misbehave and step over moral boundaries. So how do we distinguish what’s right and what’s wrong? I believe the best way is to know what God has told us in His word, the Bible. Begin reading in the book of Matthew and read a chapter or two each day. Before you r...

Everyone has a story to tell. Can you share yours freely? One of the most powerful ways to share the Good News of Jesus is simply to tell people what God has done in your own life. Think back to the moment you first made a decision to follow Jesus. What happened inside of you? How is your life different? Maybe you feel like you’ve learned to forgive because you received forgiveness from Jesus. May...

A large global company used this motto a couple years ago: Home. The most important place in the world. And yes, home is a place, but it’s not just a place. It’s something we ALL need. One of the great tragedies of life is that many do not have a home because of poverty, war, addiction or abuse. But there is a hope that’s promised in the Bible. One day we can have a home that can never be taken aw...

2 Corinthians 4:7 says this… We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. It is a relief to know that the power of God is what makes our lives work. It’s His light, not ours. That’s what enables us to shine His love and power into the world. Not one...

Do you believe that God can help you? In Psalm 147, the writer tells us that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. And then very next verse says, He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. Scientists estimate that there are 200 billion trillion stars in the universe. Yet the creator of this universe determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. It...

Do you remember the hardest time of your life? It can be hard looking back at tragedy and pain. We wonder…why? Sometimes things just happen and there isn’t a clear explanation. But we can take some comfort in this, Romans 8:28. It says… We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. This means that whatever h...

Have you ever felt afraid to be open and honest about your faith in a particular situation? Maybe your workplace or your family has a negative attitude toward Christianity and you’re worried about being judged there. Be encouraged by this passage from Hebrews 6. This is what it says… We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope...

As humans, we spend our time and energy trying to create a home that’s impossible to have. We imagine that if we just had this house or apartment we would finally feel at home. And at times we do, but the feeling is illusive-it’s fleeting. This world is just a glimmer, just a glimpse of home. We’re reminded in 1 Corinthians 13 from The Message: Someday we are going to see Him in His completeness....

Did you know that as a follower of Jesus, you are carrying Jesus around with you in your heart wherever you go? In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he prayed for the people this way… I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. With Christ making his home inside your...

Do you feel like an exile here? As if this place we live is not our home? The words of 2 Corinthians 4 give us some great direction. Paul says, We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. When we fix our eyes on eternal things, we remember that this isn't our home and we begin to live for eternal reasons. People love t...

If you’re a follower of Jesus, that means that the Holy Spirit—the part of God that speaks to us, guides us, and comforts us—now lives inside you. This is how it’s described in 2 Corinthians 4… For God, who said, “Let light shine out of the darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. What does it look like to l...

Do you feel far from God? If so, you are not alone. As humans, we make mistakes, and we fail, we fail again and again, but the truth is, God never abandons you. Jesus tells a story in Luke 15 about a lost sheep. He says that when a shepherd loses one sheep, he leaves the 99 other sheep to go searching for the 1 lost sheep. Jesus says… And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and...

What describes home to you? My daughter says: cozy, safe, warm. What words would you use? I think of home as the place where I have all my things and a place of order… where my people are… the people I love. I think of home as a safe place where I can be myself, both physically safe and emotionally safe. Home is a place for rest. One of the dictionary definitions for home says, ‘A place where one'...

When you gave your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God came and took up residence inside you. You became a new person. But knowing God deeply is a journey. It takes time to get to know Him just like it takes time to develop deep friendships and intimate relationships. Even as you’re getting to know God, you can still share with others about what He’s doing in your life. You don’t have to have al...

Are you discouraged today? Maybe there’s a situation in your life that seems impossible. Or a relationship that’s breaking your heart. Let me encourage you with the words from Hebrews 10, from The Message: “Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He (that's God) always keeps His word.” Do you feel like you’re losing your grip? Don’t lose hope my friend. When you invite God to ta...

Do you know God’s voice? In John 10:3-4, Jesus says this about Himself… He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. As you walk with the Lord more and more, you can trust that He will help you to learn to recognize His voice. He will lead and guide you on the path that He has...