When my wife and I met Donna, she was an 18-year-old single mom with two children. As we talked with her, we found out she had grown up going to church. But Donna ended up on a destructive path when she hit her teenage years. When we asked why, Donna said she was molested multiple times as a child, and her mother abandoned her when she was 13.

Donna eventually got into the wrong crowd in school, getting involved with boyfriends, alcohol, and drugs. Yet, deep down she knew that it wasn’t right.

It was heartbreaking to hear Donna’s story. No one should have to endure what she had gone through!

We shared with Donna that Jesus Christ not only will forgive her sins, He’ll also help her to forget the incest, the rape, and the hurt. We shared this beautiful verse with her from Hebrews 9: “The blood of Christ will cleanse your conscience from evil works so that you can serve the living and true God.” Donna said that’s what she was looking for. We rejoiced as she surrendered her life to Jesus!

Do you know a struggling teenage mom? Instead of judging her, try reaching out to her. Offer to watch her baby so she can have a break. Ask if you can bring her a meal, or treat her to coffee. Your simple act of kindness can be a powerful example to her of Christ’s amazing love.

When my wife was a young girl, her family had a plaque on their wall with a wonderful quote. It said, “Only one life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

It’s true, isn’t it? We only have a short time here on earth to save souls. Nobody knows how long they have left to live. So we must make the most of every opportunity. Because, as that quote reminds us, only things of eternal value will last into Heaven.

The exciting thing is that each one of us has a unique role to play in God’s plan of redemption and salvation. Ephesians 2:10 is a super verse to remember when it comes to our special calling: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God has placed you exactly where you are, with the talents you’ve got, for a reason! You know people in ways that nobody else does. Maybe you’re the only Christian friend they have. Perhaps you’re the only person praying for them. Isn’t that an amazing thought?

It’s no coincidence; God has put you in certain relationships for a specific purpose. Share your faith and trust God for the results!

Most people I know want to live the fullest, most enriching life possible. In fact, that’s the kind of life God wants for us, too! But how do we achieve that kind of life?

I believe that the more effort we put toward reaching our generation with the Good News, the more fulfilled we become. What greater adventure can there be than helping someone take the step of faith to believe in Jesus Christ?

Now, you may be thinking, “Sure, Luis… easy for you to say. But I’ve tried sharing my faith and nothing seems to happen!”

It’s true – many times, we won’t see the results of our witnessing until years later. But what God notices is our willingness to persevere, to stick with it, and to try again.

St. Paul says in Philippians 3: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead; I press on toward the goal to win the prize…”

So let’s bury those insecurities, or what I call “chickenitis.” Let’s press on and continue sharing the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ with our world.

As you focus on the spiritual condition of others, you’re fulfilling the greatest calling on your life. And God will show you the fruit of your faithfulness. There’s nothing more exciting than that!

A few winters ago my wife and I got a phone call from a ministry in our hometown. They were collecting used blankets and sleeping bags for the homeless. So we gathered up a bunch of sleeping bags to donate. Throughout our marriage we have always made it a priority to reach out to those less fortunate than us.

Reaching out and caring for people’s physical needs is good; Jesus often healed the sick! But He always shared the Good News. Whenever Jesus met a physical need, He also told people the Good News – meeting their spiritual need also. Our Lord knew that it’s vitally important for people to have a life-changing experience with Jesus Christ. Without a conversion experience, there’s no hope for true, lasting change.

God tells us in Isaiah 40: “Surely the people are like grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

The Lord reminds us that the only enduring thing in the world is His Word — His Good News! As we reach out to help the helpless, let’s never forget that without a relationship with Jesus Christ, nothing else matters. Reach out with compassion, reach out through community service, but never never forget to also share the Gospel.