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Heavenly Assurance

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When I think about what God offers us through His son Jesus Christ, I find it staggering! He forgives all of our sins – one hundred percent. He also gives us His Holy Spirit to live within us.

But the most staggering thing of all probably is that He offers us the only way to Heaven. And that isn’t just a nice thought. It’s an absolute assurance!

The Lord tells us, when you die, you’re going straight to Heaven. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.”

Too many people simply don’t have the assurance of Heaven. Did you know? Unfortunately, we live in an age where it isn’t very popular to say that Jesus is only one way.

And yet, if you believe the Bible, you can’t deny the truth that Christ is the only way to the Father. And we’re commanded to tell the world about Him!

So be sensitive, but speak the truth in love to those who are searching for answers. It may be someone you work with, go to school with, or sit next to on a plane. Sometimes all it takes is a simple question like, “Where do you think you’ll go when you die?” It’s a great conversation starter.

You’ll be amazed by how that one question may lead to their salvation! So try it and God will use you.

A Guilty Conscience

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When I was 12 years old, I received Jesus Christ into my life at a Christian camp. I’ll admit, I didn’t understand everything that happened when the missionary Frank Chandler led me to receive Christ.

I hadn’t committed any of the ‘big sins,’ so to speak. But, I knew I needed forgiveness. I needed to be reconciled to God because I was guilty.

I had a foul temper; I had a dirty mouth, as a boy, so when my camp counselor asked me where I would go if I died tonight, I said, “Hell.” I knew it; I deserved it. I didn’t need him to point the finger. Even as a boy I had guilt on my conscience.

In fact, whether they admit it or not, all human beings live with a guilty conscience. I’ve been amazed from talking with people who say they’re atheists. They tell me that they don’t believe in God. Yet when they start talking about evil in the world and why bad things happen, it’s obvious they’re struggling with their own guilt, too.

No one can escape it, until they come to Jesus Christ. Romans 8:1 reminds us: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The next time you’re talking to a friend about the Lord, remember she may be struggling with guilt, too! So be prepared to share the Good News that the blood of Jesus Christ is the answer to a guilty conscience and lead them straight to Christ.

Use Your Gifts

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You never know how and when the Lord will give you a chance to speak well of His Son. Some people, of course, are gutsier than others. But we all have a style that’s unique to us. Don’t totally imitate other people. Do it your way.

My sister, Ketty, will do anything to share the Good News. Her boldness is inspiring! A few years ago we were in the state of Maine preparing for a festival. Two feet of snow had fallen the night before, and everything was shut down. Ketty was stuck in a hotel with her husband, along with a bunch of tourists. At breakfast, she heard some of the tourists saying, “I was going to go to church, and now I can’t go because of the weather.”

Ketty spontaneously stood up on her chair in the restaurant and said out loud, “Ladies and gentlemen, why don’t we all go to the ballroom at 10:00 and I’ll give you a Christian message? It will be our way of doing church today.” Do you know almost all of the tourists came to hear her speak? And when Ketty gave the invitation, listen to this, 48 people made a commitment to Jesus!

I Peter 4 reminds us, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received.” So, share God’s message as the Holy Spirit guides you. Let the Lord lay an idea on your heart. Then, jump at any opportunity that comes your way, using the gifts He’s given you.

Giving the Call

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A few years ago I was speaking at an evangelism conference. A young British man came up to me and introduced himself as Rupert. He was a 31-year-old clergyman in the Church of England. Rupert said to me, “Mr. Palau, when I was 16 years old I went to the stadium in London to hear you preach. I had no idea what Christianity was about. But I was converted that night and my life has never been the same!”

Now, this young man of 31 is serving the Lord in ministry in England. How exhilarating it was to hear about Rupert’s decision to believe! Whenever I hear stories like that, I think of III John 4: “I have no greater joy than this, to see that my children are walking in the truth.”

There truly is nothing as exciting as when someone makes a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, especially when God uses you. So we need to remember to always give people a chance to respond to the Good News. You may sow the seed, but be sure to give the option of responding to Jesus Christ as well. Don’t just throw out the seed and hope for the best.

Part of the Good News is the call of Jesus Christ. I promise, you will receive no greater joy in your entire life than when you get to pray with a soul ready to accept Christ. Think of how many people are simply waiting for you to ask them the question! So, go ahead and ask!

A Valuable Lesson

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Bert and his wife, Colleen, have been missionaries in Peru for 56 years! They have had their own method of planting churches. They would go to a village in the mountains or on the coast, maybe along the river. They preached the Good News there for three or four nights and then went on to the next village.

Bert told me, “I think we learned one very valuable lesson: that our absence from those churches was as important as our presence.” They would come back in three months and the village would be up in arms about some theological issue. So they would find out what the problem was and give them the teaching they needed for that.

They didn’t stop anywhere for more than a month. They sowed the seeds and it worked. They might not have done things “by the book,” but God has worked tremendously through their efforts in Peru.

Sometimes our absence can make people realize God’s presence in us, and their need for Him. Jesus says in John chapter 12, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” Keep on shining the light of Christ even today. He will change people through you, in your presence and in your absence!