Hope with God... with Andrew and Wendy Palau

Feeling discouraged is a common struggle. Life brings us many challenges for which we feel inadequate. Whether you’re in school, raising children at home, or running a business, this pressure to “have it all together” can be overwhelming.  Thankfully, we have a God who tells us that we can trust Him to lead us and to give us the strength we need. Here’s a promise I love: “It is the Lord who goes b...

These days, I find that a lot of people feel as though they don’t need God. Especially in affluent countries, many feel they lack nothing. Even Christians sometimes go about their day giving little thought to spiritual things. They forget that Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing.” I have friends who have expressed to me that they find it difficult, in the busyness of their lives, to find a...

God is an intimate God. He is personal and relational. In Revelation, as He’s encouraging the churches to overcome, He says: “I will give them a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” What is this white stone? A white stone was given as a sign of an alliance, a testimony of a friendship.  There is beautiful imagery like this scattered throughout the Bibl...

There’s a reason we often describe beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ as getting ‘saved.’ He rescues us from our sin and grants us eternal life. But, friends, He also has the power to save us in this life. Before I came to know Him, I was stuck in a haze of recklessness, looking for satisfaction in destructive places and habits. I was on a road that led to death. When I opened my heart to...

My father-in-law, Luis Palau, used to say that we each have a “moment of decision that leads to a lifetime of adjustments.” What is that moment of decision? It’s a time when you decided in your mind, your heart, your soul, to follow Jesus. The Bible calls it being born again. That is a moment of decision. But then comes life. Day to day life. Mornings of frustration or regret; days of hard work an...

I returned to a place I haven’t visited for a few years, and I noticed a lot of changes. I even got lost because things are so different from my memory of them. We are used to this, and actually expect it.  But there is one thing at least which never changes, and that is the message of the Gospel. Sure, the ways we share the Good News have evolved some – like the music has got louder, and the chur...

Matt was popular. But he used various substances and people for his own pleasure. Eventually he realized his ways were selfish and leading down a destructive path. So he tried to pull himself up and clean up his act. Matt did everything he could, but nothing produced lasting change. He would always end up right back where he started with the same old bad habits. Finally, Matt turned to God and was...

In ancient days, names meant so much more than they do now. I’ve always disliked my name. My name is Wendy. It means “wanderer,” and for many years I was a wanderer – discontented where I was, always wanting to be somewhere else. My sister’s name means “worthy to be loved” and I wanted that name instead. Do you feel defined? Maybe not by your name, as I did, but maybe by your circumstances or your...

I’m impressed by some of the young men who pastor churches in our area. They live godly lives and have a passion to see people come to know Jesus. They inspire me! And then there are the older men and women in my church, many of whom I have known for years. Even in old age they continue mentoring, discipling, encouraging young believers.  In between is my generation, some of whom are teachers or s...

Listen to this verse in James 4: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” How discouraging! But as I was thinking about this verse I started to think about mist. Mist is temporary but mist is beautiful. Have you ever seen the mist settled in a valley? It’s so beautiful! Mist is found in lush, green places – not desolate deserts. This encourages me beca...

Have you discovered the meaning of life? In all of the confusion and uncertainty about life, where can we turn for wisdom and direction?  I have found that the Bible, God’s Word, has what I need.  There are plenty of references to life as a “shadow,” a “vapor” – something temporary and insubstantial.  But check out what Jesus said in John 10:10 – He told his listeners, “…I have come that they may...

Did you know the deepest part of the ocean is nearly seven miles deep? It’s in the western Pacific Ocean and it’s filled with weird creatures that are adapted to the extreme environment down there. They look like something made up for a science fiction movie. Learning about the deepest oceans helps me understand the verse in the Bible in which Paul talks about the “breadth and length and height an...

God doesn’t need us. He is complete in Himself. Yet what is so stunning about God is that He has chosen, mysteriously, to love and care about us intimately. Not from a distance but with compassion, personally. He voluntarily attaches Himself to us. He sees our situation, He knows our trouble, our need, and is moved. But not only is He moved with emotion, He is moved to act. I pray that no matter w...

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Don’t put God into a box.” What it means is this: don’t put limitations on God. Instead, let God be God, and don’t try to quantify or limit His capabilities.  In my own life, I get caught up in planning. And if anything other than my initial preferences occurs, I get frustrated. What I have to remember – and what we all have to remember – is that God is all about...

There is a beautiful picture in the Bible of the relationship we have with God. He is our heavenly Father because He has adopted us into His family. Ephesians 1:5 says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Wow! When a child is adopted into a family they don’t just live...

In Psalm 145 David calls us to take the time to look back on our lives and reflect on the goodness of our God. In the words of an old hymn, we are urged to, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” When I take time to do this – stop and really dwell on all the amazing things I have to be grateful for, I’m overwhelmed! I’m sure you would be too.  Of course, it’s possible that you don’t feel li...

We humans seek significance but often settle for busyness. We tell ourselves that if we are always busy, it must mean we are in demand and we count for something. We settle for productivity while inwardly we crave a sense of purpose and destiny. There’s nothing wrong with having a full schedule of activities that serve a worthwhile purpose. But just because we are busy doesn’t always mean we’re do...

Jesus saw two brothers fishing and walked up to them and said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” And He didn’t tell them where He was going. Do you sense God calling you? Jesus saying to you, “Follow Me”? But it’s difficult because you want to ask Him, “Jesus, if I follow you, where will we go?” I encourage you. When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” He won’t tell you where He’s going, but He...

When I return home after a trip, I’m so excited to pull into the driveway, see the lights glowing from the windows, and feel the welcome of my family. But there are many people in the world who don’t have anyone to welcome them home. They feel lost and alone.  Jesus calls us to welcome those people into our lives, just like He did. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law used to grumble, “This m...

In Matthew 5 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” What does that mean - to be poor in spirit? And why would Jesus say that this is a blessed place to be?  Being poor in spirit means being at the end of yourself; void of spiritual strength. Have you ever felt this way spiritually? I know I have. Why would Jesus say that we are blessed in that posture? Those who are poor in spirit see thems...

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 flicker out. But light takes effect instantaneously, as soon as a match is struck, or a switch flipped on. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father...

In the face of unspeakable pain and suffering, why would anyone still believe in God? Or take the matter of unexpected crises. Of course, one hopes that life’s crises will be few and far between. Then one day, you get news that you have cancer. Believe me, everybody has a story.  Even in the worst of circumstances, God never abandons us.  He is still there, urging us to not lose hope that we will...

John Paul Sartre said that if God exists, humans are not free, and that if humans are free, God does not exist. For us in the 21st century this is a terrible thought – that we truly aren’t free. But the ancient psalmist, David, said the same thing. In Psalm 139 he said, “Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” I...

Imagine for a moment you’re camping in the Umpqua National Forest in Oregon. As you snuggle into your sleeping bag, suddenly a huge shadow falls across the walls of your tent. At such a moment, positive thinking can do a lot to relieve your fear. You might remind yourself that bears generally steer clear of humans. On the other hand, maybe you’re thinking you are the bear’s ideal late-night snack....

Have you had one of those nights when your soul feels tormented? Something you did or said that you’re agonizing about? Possibly a situation that has caused deep grief? You’re not alone, my friend. Listen to the ancient words of a person who had a night like yours, in Psalm 77: “When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.”...