Hope with God... with Andrew and Wendy Palau

Listen to this story of a young boy in the Bible–God’s holy book. One day, he was in a crowd of thousands of people who had gathered to hear Jesus teach. When they got hungry, the boy offered everything he had—it was just five loaves of bread and two small fish. He probably thought, This is not enough. But Jesus took that gift, and He shared it. And the miracle was this… everyone had what they nee...

Have you ever felt drawn toward something you couldn’t explain—an idea or a presence that pulls at your heart? I met two friends who felt exactly that. They were traveling together, unsure of what they were searching for. But curiosity led them to an event where my husband, Andrew, was sharing about Jesus. They felt something gentle and powerful drawing them in. By the end of the evening, they wer...

Have you ever made a promise—and then failed so badly you wondered if anyone would ever trust you again? Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, knew that feeling very well. He has walked beside Jesus, witnessed miracles…but on the night that Jesus was arrested, fear overtook him. Three times he denied even knowing the One that he loved the most. Confronted by this great failure, Peter ran, ashamed...

I met a man in Zimbabwe who had spent nearly a decade living on the streets, battling addiction and losing nearly everything. Eventually, he found his way to sobriety—but something still felt missing. One evening, during a festival gathering where people came seeking hope, something so special happened to him. This man listened as Andrew shared the Good News of Jesus—that God offers hope and new l...

There was a time in my life when I tried to fill my emptiness with all the wrong things, but nothing truly satisfied. One day, Jesus met a woman at a well who I imagine felt that same way. She came to the well in the heat of the day, trying to avoid the judging eyes of all those around her that knew too much about her history, anyway. But that day, something unexpected happened. Jesus came and ask...

The Bible tells a story of a man named Bartimaeus. He had been blind since birth. He would sit by the roadside, listening to the footsteps of people passing by, living their lives, seeing. Then one day, he heard that Jesus was coming. And he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped. He called for Bartimaeus and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord,” he s...

Have you ever longed to be known—just as you are—and still loved? My husband recently met a young man who he believed felt that same ache. And one evening in England, he wandered into a church. He heard something he had never heard before—that faith in Jesus isn’t about rules, but about a relationship with a living God who loves us. That night, he prayed and began a relationship with God. Today, h...

Once there was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She was exhausted and alone in this world. But when she heard about Jesus, something inside of her sparked with hope. She pushed through the crowd, thinking that if she could just touch His clothing, she’d be healed. And she was! Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” The woman who had privately suffered so long w...

Years ago, my husband and I were filled with hope, expecting a child. But our baby didn’t survive. The loss felt unbearable, and I began to wonder, Is there really a loving God? Does anyone see my suffering? In those painful moments, I discovered something unexpected: I was not alone. A gentle, patient love was holding me. It was Jesus. He met me in my grief, He showed me that hope can exist even...

Have you ever been so afraid that you couldn’t think straight? One night, Jesus’ friends were caught in a violent storm. Their small boat was tossed by the crashing waves and fierce wind. And they started to panic. And then, they saw someone walking toward them on the water—it was Jesus. And He said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I’m here.” And as soon as He climbed into the boat, the st...

There was a woman in the Bible who was caught in sin. Caught, humiliated, and dragged before a crowd ready to kill her. Then, Jesus stepped in. He simply said, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” Slowly, one by one, they walked away. But Jesus looked at the woman and said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” He didn’t excuse what she’d done—but He offered mercy, n...

Have you done something you wish you could undo—and wondered if God could still forgive you? I met a woman at a prison in Las Vegas who felt exactly that way. She carried deep guilt over choices she believed were beyond forgiveness. Separated from her seven children, she felt cut off from any possible hope for her future. I told her that forgiveness isn’t something we earn—it’s a gift. And Jesus o...

The Bible, God’s ancient book of wisdom, tells the story of Jonah. God asked him to go to the city of Nineveh to share a message of mercy. But Jonah did not want to go. Instead, he boarded a ship in the opposite direction, hoping to escape God’s instructions. The ship encountered a dangerous storm. And when the sailors figured out that Jonah was the cause, they threw him overboard—only to be swall...

I recently met a woman in Zimbabwe, Africa. One morning, she woke before dawn and traveled for hours—just to get a pair of reading glasses. At home, her life was so hard—a husband struggling with addiction, children who suffered beside her, and the constant weight of feeling invisible. I listened to her story, prayed with her, and made sure she received not just one, but two pairs of reading glass...

Have you ever felt invisible—like no one sees you, no one understands you? That’s how I imagine Hagar felt. She was a servant, mistreated and cast out into the desert to die. But then, in her deepest moment of desperation and in loneliness, God met her right there. He called her by name. Overwhelmed with awe, Hagar said, “You are the God who sees me.” In that moment, everything changed for Hagar....

The Bible, God’s Holy Scripture, talks about a man named Moses. He grew up caught between two worlds— he was born a Hebrew slave but raised in the palace of Pharaoh–a mighty ruler. After years of running from his past, Moses met God personally. God called him to lead His people out of slavery. Moses immediately argued, “Who am I to do that? I don’t even speak well.” God’s response was simple—and p...

Have you ever experienced a loss so deep it seemed to change everything? I met a woman in Albania who knew this kind of pain. She had lost her mother as a little girl, and that grief had left her feeling abandoned. As the years passed by, she told herself there couldn’t possibly be a loving God who cared about her.  But one night, at a women’s gathering, I invited this woman to join my table. She...

The Bible, God’s holy book, tells us the story of Abraham and Sarah. They wanted, more than anything, to have a baby. God promised them that they would have a child—not only that, but they would be the mother and father of a whole nation! But decades passed, and continuing to hope in that? It started to feel ridiculous. Yet, God had not forgotten them. Against all odds, months later, she held that...

Have you ever felt distant from someone you love—a friend, a parent, or a family member—and you wished you could feel close again? I met a woman who felt that way about God. She had once believed, once loved Him deeply. But life’s losses and disappointments had worn her down. I shared this truth with her, and I want to share it with you today: even when your heart is hurt or tired, God has never l...

Have you ever failed God so badly that you thought: He could never forgive me? Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, knew that feeling well. He was bold and passionate, full of confidence. But when Jesus was arrested, Peter’s courage unraveled. He denied knowing Jesus not just once, but three times! Days later, the risen Jesus met Peter. Jesus offered Peter a chance to begin again. Jesus does this...

Have you ever worried that following Jesus would mean losing what makes you unique? Actually, the opposite is true. Jesus restores you to who you were created to be—He helps you discover the truest version of your unique self, in Jesus. Jesus encouraged His followers when He said, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” So, He doesn’t erase your uniqueness—...

Who is Jesus to you? There are so many voices telling us what to think, what to believe, what to do—unending ideas about God and Jesus. Confusing voices. Do you feel confused? Jesus asked His friend, Peter, a simple question in Matthew 16. Maybe He’s asking you this same question, He said, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Savior, the son of the living God.” What...

Is anything holding you back from choosing to follow God today? You may have believed that God would want you to clean up your life before coming into His holy presence. Jesus once said, “ Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come not to call those who think they are righteous, but those who know that they are sinners.” A doctor doesn’t wait until the patient is healed to help...

Jesus said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. Think of how much we love ourselves! Jesus is commanding us to care as much about others as we do our own needs and desires, and longings. This seems impossible to me. It is impossible! Even the most servant-hearted person, the most sacrificial person, will care more about their own needs than those around them. Jesus knows this, which is w...

Everywhere we look, there are rules and limitations. Maybe you’ve thought following Jesus is just like that: a bunch of rules. But that’s not what Jesus came to bring. He came to offer a relationship—not a rulebook. Listen to the words of Jesus: “...I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” Life with...