Category Archives: Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Searching the Night for a Light

December 9, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

On the night when Jesus was born, I wonder if Joseph prayed, “Father, this all seems so bizarre. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another?” You’ve stood where Joseph stood. Each of us knows what it’s like to search the night for a light. Not outside a stable, but perhaps outside an emergency room or on the manicured grass of a cemetery. We’ve asked our questions. We have wondered why God does what he does.

If you’re asking what Joseph asked, let me urge you to do what Joseph did. Obey. He didn’t let his confusion disrupt his obedience. What about you? You have a choice: to obey or disobey. Because Joseph obeyed, God used him to change the world. Can He do the same with you? Will you be that kind of person? Will you serve. . .even when you don’t understand?

From In the Manger

Max Lucado – Out on a Limb

December 8, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 1:18 NKJV). Joseph was perched firmly on his branch in the tree. Predictable and solid, Joseph had no intention of leaving it. That is, until he was told to go out on a limb.

“Conceived by the Holy Spirit? Come on! Who will believe me?”

Pride told him not to do it. But God told him to do it. I have a feeling you can relate to Joseph. One foot in your will and one foot in His. His will or yours? Disrupting, isn’t it? You can bet it won’t be easy. Limb-climbing has never been. Ask Joseph…or better yet, ask Jesus! He knows better than anyone the cost of hanging on a tree!

From In the Manger

Max Lucado – Christ in You

December 5, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Proliferating throughout Scripture is an enticing and inviting preposition —the preposition “in.” Jesus lives in his children. From Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

God in us! Have we sounded the depth of this promise? With God in you, you have a million resources you didn’t have before. Can’t stop worrying? Christ can. And he lives within you. Can’t forget the past, forgive the jerk, or forsake your bad habits? Christ can! And he lives in you.

Oh to be so full of him that we could say with the apostle Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!”

From In the Manger

Max Lucado – God Came Near

December 4, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment. God became a man! Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb. Jesus came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held him were un-manicured, calloused, and dirty. For thirty-three years he would feel everything you and I have ever felt. Weak and weary; and afraid of failure. His feelings got hurt.

To think of Jesus in such a light seems almost irreverent. There’s something about keeping him divine that keeps him distant and predictable. But don’t do it! For heaven’s sake, don’t! Let him be as human as he intended to be. Let him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let him in can he pull us out!

From In the Manger

Max Lucado – Just Call Him Jesus

December 3, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

God’s plan for humanity…it was crafted in the halls of heaven and carried out on the plains of earth. Only holiness could have imagined it. Only divinity could have enacted it. Only righteousness could have endured it.

When God chose to reveal himself, he did so through a human body. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under its nails. The feet upon which the women wept were calloused and dusty. And his tears—oh, don’t miss His tears. They came from a heart as broken as yours or mine has ever been.

So people came to him! Not one person was reluctant to approach him for fear of being rejected. Remember that the next time you find yourself amazed at your own failures! Or the next time you hear a lifeless liturgy. Remember. It’s man who creates the distance. It’s Jesus who builds the bridge!

From In the Manger

Max Lucado – Why Would He Come?

December 2, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The God of the Universe was born into the poverty of a peasant and spent his first night in the cow’s feed trough. He left the glory of heaven and moved into our neighborhood. Who would have imagined he would do such a thing?

What a world he left. Our classiest mansion would be a tree trunk to him. God became a one-celled embryo and entered the womb of Mary. He became like us. Just look at the places he was willing to go: feed troughs, carpentry shops, badlands, and cemeteries.

The places he went to reach us show how far he will go to touch us. He loves to be with the ones he loves!

From In the Manger

Max Lucado – On Your Knees

December 1, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps. You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the quiet cave, where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of the King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you can’t enter standing up., at the birth of Jesus. . .while the theologians were sleeping and the elite were dreaming and the successful were snoring…the meek were kneeling. They were kneeling before the One only the meek will see. They were kneeling in front of Jesus!

The same is true of the Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get on your knees! So, at the birth of Jesus. . .while the theologians were sleeping and the elite were dreaming and the successful were snoring…the meek were kneeling. They were kneeling before the One only the meek will see. They were kneeling in front of Jesus!

In this day of Advent, this is Max Lucado.

From In the Manger

Max Lucado – A Declaration of Truth

November 28, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

As our high priest, Jesus offers our prayers to God. His prayers are always heard. John 16:23 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.” The phrase, “In Jesus’ name” is not an empty motto or talisman. It is a declaration of truth! The cancer is not in charge, Jesus is. The grumpy neighbor doesn’t rule the world; Jesus, you do! Just speak the word, Jesus.

Since God works, prayer works. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. And on the occasions you can’t find the words to say, pull out this “pocket prayer.” “Father, you are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen!”

From Before Amen

Max Lucado – The Cure for Ingratitude

November 27, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

First Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in everything!” In everything? In trouble, in the hospital, in a fix, in a mess, in distress? Interruptions? Jesus did. When five thousand people interrupted his planned retreat, he took them out to lunch. Matthew 14:19 says, “He took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking to heaven, he thanked God for the food.”

Jesus was robustly thankful. He was thankful when Mary interrupted the party with perfume. When he hugged children and blessed babies and watched blind people look at their first sunsets, Jesus was thankful.

The cure for ingratitude? Look up. Look what God has done! Thank you, Jesus, for modeling gratitude. Thank you, King Jesus, for working all things together for your good. Thank you….for letting love happen.

From Before Amen

Max Lucado – Thank God—For Everything

November 26, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

A person never runs out of reasons to say “thanks.” Just the word lifts the spirit! To say, “thanks” is to celebrate a gift. Something. Anything. In Scripture the idea of giving thanks is not a suggestion or a recommendation. It’s a command. It carries the same weight as “love your neighbor” and “give to the poor.” More than a hundred times, either by imperative or example, the Bible commands us to be thankful.

If quantity implies gravity, God takes thanksgiving seriously. Ingratitude is the original sin. Adam and Eve had a million reasons to give thanks. They lived in a perfect world. Then Satan slithered into the garden and, just like that, Eden wasn’t enough. Oh, the hissing we hear. “Don’t you want more?”

So thank God. Moment by moment. Day by day. Thank him…for everything!

From Before Amen

Max Lucado – Take the Challenge

November 25, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Here is my challenge to you today! Join me, every day for 4 weeks, to pray 4 minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before!

When God gives, Luke 6:38 says, He gives a gift that is “pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.” As we redouble our commitment to pray, God redoubles his promise to bless. Nothing pleases Jesus as much as being audaciously trusted.

And you are never more like Jesus than when you pray for others. Pray for this hurting world. Present their case to the giver of bread. And bring your grocery basket. God will give you plenty of blessings to take back to them!

Take the challenge? Sign on at Beforeamen.com. Join me every day for 4 weeks, to pray 4 minutes—it’ll change your life forever!

From Before Amen

Max Lucado – A Bucket of Prayer

November 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Behold the power of prayer! In Revelation 8:5, John saw the prayers of the saints and said, “there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake!” You ask God for help and BAM! Fire falls to the earth. You lift your concerns to heaven, and turbulence happens.

Go ahead. Stand up on behalf of those you love. And yes, stand up on behalf of those you do not. Pray for those who hurt you. The quickest way to douse the fire of anger is with a bucket of prayer. Rather than rant, rave, or seek revenge…pray. Jesus did this. While hanging on the cross, he interceded for his enemies, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they are doing.” Even Jesus left his enemies in God’s hands.

Before you say amen—comes the power of a simple prayer!

From Before Amen

Max Lucado – We are Ambassadors

November 21, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

This is the promise of prayer! We can change God’s mind! God’s ultimate will is inflexible, but the implementation of his will is not. He doesn’t change in his character and purpose, but he does alter his strategy because of the appeals of his children. After all, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “we are ambassadors” for the king. Ambassadors speak with the authority of the throne. If an ambassador sends a request to the king, will the king listen? If you, God’s ambassador in this world, come to your King with a request, will he listen? By all means.

Your sphere of influence is your region. As you grow in faith, your district expands. We plead with God on other people’s behalf. Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer. “Father, they need help!”

From Before Amen

Max Lucado – Intercessory Prayer

November 20, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

What can you do? When the challenge is greater than you are. When you feel helpless and impotent. Where can you turn? In Luke 11:10 Jesus says, “Everyone who seeks me, finds me. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Intercessory prayer at its purest is your acknowledgement:

“I can’t heal them, but, God, you can.”

“I can’t forgive them, but, God, you can.”

“I can’t help them, but, God, you can.”

Before you say amen. . .this simple prayer gets God’s attention: “Father you are good. They need help. I can’t, but you can!” He never sleeps. He is never irritated. When you knock, he responds quickly and fairly!

Here’s my challenge for you today! Sign on at BeforeAmen.com. Take the brief Prayer Strengths Assessment you’ll find there. It only takes a minute. But it will encourage you and give you a building block for your growth in prayer.

From Before Amen

Max Lucado – A Guilt-Free You

November 19, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

If you are in Christ, your sin is gone. It was last seen on the back of your Sin Bearer as he headed out to Death Valley. When Jesus cried on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—he entered the wilderness on your behalf. He carried your sin away.

Open yourself to the idea of a guilt-free you. This may be difficult. You have dragged around your past for so long you can’t imagine yourself with it. Jesus sees a revision of your script. Give God your guilt! Pray this simple “pocket prayer.”

“Father you are good. I need help. Forgive me. Place your guilt on the back of your Sin Bearer!

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer! My challenge to you? Every day for 4 weeks, pray 4 minutes—a simple prayer. Join me at BeforeAmen.com—it’ll change your life forever!

Max Lucado – A Prayer of Confession

November 18, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Confession isn’t a punishment for sin; it’s an isolation of sin so it can be exposed and extracted. Exactly what is it that you need forgiveness for? For being a bad person? That’s too general. For losing your patience in the business meeting and calling your coworker a creep? There, you can confess that.

Be firm in a prayer of confession. Satan traffics in guilt and will not give up an addict without a fight. Exercise your authority as a child of God. Tell guilt where to get off. “I left you at the cross, you evil spirit. Stay there!”

Then for heaven’s sake, stop tormenting yourself. Jesus is strong enough to carry your sin. Psalm 103:12 says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

Before you say amen—comes the power of a simple prayer.

Max Lucado – Give God Your Guilt

November 17, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Is guilt having its way with you? If so, here is a promise from Isaiah 1:18: “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.” God can do what no one else can. He can extract every last mark from your soul.

Give God your guilt. Pray simply, “Father you are good. I need help. Forgive me. . .” Tell Jesus what you did. Do it as often as needed. One time, two times, ten times a day? By all means! Hold nothing back. No sin is too ancient or recent, too evil or insignificant.

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer. Sign on at BeforeAmen.com. Commit every day for 4 weeks, to pray 4 minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before!

Max Lucado – Cry Out to Jesus

November 14, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

My friend Jim has battled a muscular condition much of his adult life. The atrophy slurs his speech and impairs his walk. But it doesn’t diminish his faith or erase his smile.

One Sunday we asked church members to park in the back lot and leave the closest spots for guests. As I arrived, I saw Jim. He had parked in the distant corner and was walking toward the sanctuary. His life is an example. I pray that God will heal Jim’s body. But until he does, God is using Jim to inspire people like me.

God will do the same with you. He will use your struggle to change others. Or—he may use your struggle to change you! Disease cannot destroy us. And death has lost its sting. Cry out to Jesus in the power of a simple prayer! He will heal you—instantly or gradually or for sure, ultimately!

Max Lucado – He Will Heal You

November 13, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Are you waiting for Jesus to heal you? Take hope from Jesus’ response to the blind man in Mark 10:45-47.

“Have mercy on us, O Lord!” the blind man cried. Everyone else kept going. Jesus froze. Something caught his attention. Interrupted his journey. Raising his hand to stop the people, lifting a finger to his lips for them to be quiet. What was it? What did Jesus hear?

A prayer. An unembellished appeal for help floating on winds of faith and landing against his ear. Jesus heard the words and stopped. He still does. And he still asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer! And Jesus’ heart went out to the blind men. He touched their eyes. Jesus moved in where others had stepped away. He healed them. At the gateway to heaven, God’s children will once again be whole!

Max Lucado – Your God-Given Prayer Strength

November 12, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Before you say amen—comes the power of a simple prayer! A prayer that says, “Father I need your power in my life. I face impossible circumstances and am desperate for a miracle. Would you show me your power in my life today? God, for those who have a small view of you, help them to find comfort in the knowledge of how mighty and enormous you actually are. Thank you for sending your Son. It’s in the all-powerful name of Jesus that I pray, amen.”

Here’s my invitation to you today! Release that prayer wimp self-image you have and discover confidence in your God-given prayer strength. Sign on at BeforeAmen.com—take the brief Prayer Strengths Assessment. It’ll not only encourage you—it’ll give you a simple building block for your growth in prayer!

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