Finding Capital-H Happiness

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Secondly, I say, "You've got to know that God has a plan, and it's all in writing. Read the fine print, it's called the New Testament, and it's amazing." I always recommend the Book of Proverbs, to kids and to adults. The Gospel of John and the Book of Proverbs-if you master those two, you're on your way.

And thirdly I say, "God wants everyone to go to heaven when they die." So on those three basics, I then speak about the cross, the resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit to live in you, which is God living in you, you become a temple of God. And I find that people realize you love them, and therefore they figure God loves them.

You've preached the gospel in 75 countries around the world. What do you find distinguishes Americans from those you preach to elsewhere?

In the so-called developing world, the not-so-wealthy countries also happen to be the more religious countries. Therefore to them, to talk about spiritual issues is very natural. If you talk intelligently, kindly, not attacking, simply building on what they know and what they have, and you present your case why you're so enamored of Jesus, why you take him so much to heart, they listen intrigued. The Hindus do, the Buddhists do, the Protestants in many places of the Third World, the Catholics do. Even the Muslims if you are in the right context, love to hear what you have to say if you first listen to them.

Western Europe is very hard because they have become hardened. I figure it's because of the two world wars, I think it's because of secular, atheistic philosophers whose anti-God teachings have infiltrated universities. Much of Western Europe is very very hard. It's almost impossible to talk about God. Some of them don't even know what in the world you're talking about when you say God.

Listen to clips from Luis Palau's DC Festival

In between those two is the United States of America and even a bit of Canada. In America, it's not difficult to talk about God, but I think we're going the way of Europe. We're slowly sliding, beginning at the universities, where it all tends to begin. There are many fabulous university professors, but they are overwhelmed by the rush of secularism.

I also wondered about your perspective over time, since you have been preaching since the 1960s. How have the questions people ask changed?

In the 1950s, most Americans after World War II had gone to Sunday school. So they heard some of the stories of Jesus, some of the biblical stories, Jonah and the whale, David fighting Goliath, the death of Jesus, the resurrection-these things were there.

In today's generation, a high percentage think they know what the Bible teaches but in fact they've never cracked the book. They've heard about Jesus on the radio, television, everywhere, much of it mocking.

So we have to start from scratch. In the old days you could make reference to Adam and Eve, and the old generation knew you were talking about the first created man and woman. If you quoted Adam and Eve today, they'd think it's a rock group or something.

Do you have a favorite prayer?

If anybody connected to Beliefnet wants to open their heart to Jesus Christ, bow your head and pray this prayer. Jesus said, "I stand at your door and knock. If you hear my voice," Jesus said, "I will come into you and eat with you, and you with me." So if you want him to come into your life, and your spirit come alive to God, then pray this prayer along with me:

O God my father, I believe that you created me, that you love me, that you even like me, O God, and even though I don't deserve it, because I sinned against you, I have broken your moral laws, I believe that you sent your son, Jesus Christ, and that he died on a cross to take away all my guilt, to wash me spiritually, and Lord Jesus I believe that you rose from the dead, that you hear my prayer, and right now I open my heart to you. Please come into my life, Lord Jesus, make me your child, give me the assurance of eternal life, fill me with your holy spirit, and I will serve you, and I'll obey you until I see you face to face in heaven. Thank you, Father, I am yours forever because Christ lives in me. In his name I think you, Amen.

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Listen to Clips from Luis Palau's DC Festival