Hope with God... with Andrew and Wendy Palau

My friend reminded me of something that world champion heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone's got a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” You know, he’s right! The Bible says in the book of Proverbs, “People make their plans, but God directs their steps.” The question is not how to avoid getting punched in the mouth by the world. It’s gonna happen! We all get knocked down by...

Does God feel like a distant thought? Or do you feel like God has pulled away from you because of something you’ve done? You might feel far from God, but He isn’t far from you. Ephesians 2 tells us that because of the work of God’s Son, Jesus, on the cross, we are brought near. Jesus came and preached peace to us who are far and to us who are near. That word, peace, means wholeness. Jesus reconcil...

How often have you heard it said, “Let your imagination run wild! Imagination? It’s important. It’s from God. When it’s in control? That’s wonderful. But chasing fantasies?! That’s a trap and a recipe for disaster. In Proverbs 28 it says this, “Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. A faithful person will be richly blessed,...

Are you dead? You’re probably saying, “What’s wrong with you, Wendy? Of course not. I’m here, I’m breathing, there’s blood in my veins, my heart is beating.” Could I ask you, though, “Are you dead spiritually?” Every one of us has a spiritual side. Physically, yes, we’re alive, but is the spiritual side of us alive, or dead? Ephesians 2 tells us that there are things we do that bring death to our...

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” These words of wisdom are from the Bible, ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬, verses 13‬-‭14‬. When we’ve done wrong, we have a choice to make, don’t we? I just want to challenge you: Do not hide any longer. O...

Are you wasting away, discouraged by the immorality of your own life? Your own actions? Man, I have been there myself, and I know that we may be searching for pleasure and fun; it becomes harder and harder to find it and harder to live with ourselves. I’ve felt that. The wrongs in your life, what the Bible calls sin, will eventually destroy you. I don’t say that to judge you. I just understand. Li...

Are you enlightened? Enlightenment means to see, to shine on, to brighten, or illuminate. Ephesians 1 tells us that the eyes of our hearts can be enlightened to know the hope that God has called us to! We can be enlightened to know God, to understand that He calls us to a life of hope! I think of my son when he was little, crying in his crib, feeling alone in the dark of his little bedroom. He wou...

When you pay attention to something, and you invest time to nurture it, it prospers! If you tend to a tree, it bears fruit, right? But in contrast… When something is abandoned and neglected, it decays, and it becomes a deplorable sight to look at…especially to the one who is responsible— the one who was supposed to tend it. The Lord will care for you if you let Him. So, let Him! Ask God to come an...

Is love really free? If you have children, you love them unconditionally. But raising them, caring for them, guiding them, providing for them…has not been free. As a person, it’s cost you a lot! Yet, you would not do it any other way. True love is a great sacrifice. And the love that God has for us is free to us to receive. But it cost Him everything. Ephesians 1 tells us that He has freely given...

Has anyone ever told you, “Go to hell!”? Well, listen to me. I say to you, “Don’t do it!” You were meant to live a life filled with purpose and joy. Have you heard about Jesus? He’s real, and He can help you navigate life’s challenges and find true fulfillment. He is the only true source of peace, purpose, and joy, even in difficult times. The power of His sacrifice on the cross will set you free...

Who have you honored in your life? Maybe it’s a respected mentor or a parent. We are created to give honor. And there is no one more deserving of honor than God. The apostle John describes a vision from God in Revelation 7, “Every nation, every tribe and every people and language, [were] standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb (that’s Jesus) clothed in white robes [holding] palm branch...

The book of Isaiah in the Bible says this about God, “In that day (meaning in the day of disaster) he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” What is the foundation of your life? You don’t have to rely on your own strength or the stability of your circumstances. There is One who loves you; He is all-powerful. He has the ability to help you and to...

Think of your favorite place to go. It could be a wonderful park full of nature or maybe a busy area in a bustling city that you love. Imagine yourself there in that place: the joy and delight that that place in this world brings to you. Did you know that meeting with God in prayer is like going to your favorite place every single day? The joy that God gives us is deeper than any other sort of joy...

Are you an optimist? Even the most joyful people find themselves questioning their entire understanding of life when tragedy walks through their door. If this has happened to you, I want you to know you are not alone. You are seen, and you’re understood by the very One who created you. Every tear you’ve cried, every question you’ve ever asked, He cares about you in every way. God, the One who made...

You know what it’s like to have a really close friend. We have long chats, we share our hearts, and we receive love and give love. Some of us need this kind of friendship. But God is knocking at the door of your heart. The Creator of the entire universe wants to be your closest friend. He wants to talk with you and meet you with a powerful and effective care. Accept His invitation today - to be Hi...

Do you know who God is? Well, God already knows and loves you. He’s inviting you to come to know Him today. God sent His Son, Jesus, to the earth…fully God and fully human. But then, He lived a perfect life, absorbed the punishment for all the wrongs of all humanity when He died on the cross. That is how big His love is… He died so that you can experience freedom from the deadly effect of sin in t...

Do you know God? He is the one who made everything, including YOU! He set the stars and planets in perfect alignment. He ordered all the laws of physics and the inner workings of our bodies, and He even breathed life into every living thing. God is powerful, but He is not cold or distant. He wants you to come and know Him as intricately as He knows you. He loves you with a love so big it’s impossi...

Have you ever looked up at the stars in the sky and thought to yourself, “Wow! This is marvelous!”? What if I told you that the Creator of all the stars in the sky and the entire universe wants to have a personal relationship with you? I know it sounds crazy, but God’s power and love go beyond our human comprehension. We were created to know Him, and His love for us goes beyond any sort of love th...

When was the last time you looked up at the stars? When I look at the night sky, I feel so small. Our entire galaxy is one among millions and billions…more than we could ever be able to count! And yet, the One true God, who made all of this, knows and loves you. He even knows you at your worst, when you’re at the end of your patience, when you’re selfish or cruel. God loves you with an unshakeable...

Do you need hope? Are you continuously met with pain, hurt, and confusion? There is a life-changing hope that brings healing, and it’s Jesus. Jesus is the One who gives us hope, and He desires to have a relationship with you. God is waiting for you with open arms to embrace you and bring peace that your heart is longing to receive. If you desire a relationship with Jesus, you can pray with me now....

Everyone is fighting. No one seems to be winning. Do you feel it? I don’t have the solution to this problem, and I don’t have all the answers, but I know someone who does… It’s God. The ancient songwriter, King David, he recognized the big power of God compared to the smallness of our human problems. When he wrote this: When I look at the night sky and I see the work of your fingers Lord— the moon...

When Jesus came to his people thousands of years ago, the religious leaders had an ancient system of relating to God. But Jesus overturned that system of law with the way of grace. And He brilliantly said these words: No one pours new wine into old wineskins or else they’ll burst. They pour new wine into new wineskins . There’s something new for you. The way of Jesus is like new wine. Turn your he...

Are you being crushed by too many pressures? It seems as if the world is moving faster and faster, and there is a pressure to be better, to work harder, to be more competitive, to be smarter… I want to tell you there is someone who accepts you exactly as you are today. Jesus said this to His friends, and you receive it for yourself today… Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I wi...

Are you living in the past? Do your thoughts continually return to things done and said? Maybe things you did and said yesterday? Maybe 10 years ago? Things that were done to you. Things that should have been handled differently. Can I remind you of something so beautiful? God is the God of the future. We’re reminded over and over again of this in the Bible. He’s told us to forget the former thing...

Please…don’t give up. Whatever is happening in your life right now, I want to tell you there is hope. I know it’s true because this hope has changed my life forever. This hope has a name, and His name is Jesus. In the darkest times of my life, when I was so lost, drinking myself to sleep every night just to forget about my troubles and all the garbage in my life. God met me there and He gave me a...