How to Have Hope in a Divisive World with Max Lucado

Friend, you are in the right place today! Max Lucado joins me for a conversation full of hope and encouragement, and I am so excited to share it with you. Max gives us an update on his recent health crisis, what his youth was like growing up in West Texas, and his new book, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope.  Over the last several years, we’ve all been through so much. There is so much division, a lot of which is steeped in a “me first” mentality and anti-God philosophy. Max brings an encouraging word from one of the most famous verses in the Bible, John 3:16, and how God can love us no matter what if we seek Him. Max and I also discuss what we think Heaven and Hell will be like, as well as the idea if someone can “out-sin” God’s love and forgiveness. And he shares an exciting new online study that kicks off next month.  Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and bestselling author who, in his own words, “writes books for people who don’t read books.” He serves the people of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, and his message is for the hurting, the guilty, the lonely, and the discouraged: God loves you; let him.   Listen in to learn more about:  Max’s conversion story and what it was like for him to come back home to the church.  Heaven’s policy for who gets in. How he decided that an entire book on John 3:16 was the next book to write.  Favorite quotes: 1) This whole promise that is found in John 3:16 has been a treasure to me. I clung on that verse, in fact in the book I call it a life vest, cos I have clung to that throughout my life. For me, personally, it is that verse that summarizes the gospel, that expresses our hope so well, so brilliantly simple yet so deeply profound.  2) I think we forgot that the whole purpose of being here is to say Yes or No to God’s invitation to come and spend forever with Him in a restored garden of Eden. 3) I have a sinful inclination within me, but I am chosen by God, I have been made special, I am indwelt by His Holy Spirit and I am being prepared for Heaven. All these ideas that give me strength and joy I would have missed out on had I not been willing to put my trust in the ability for God to forgive me. 4) Studying John 3:16 increased my longing for heaven and increased my horror of hell.   In this episode I answer this question: How do I convince myself or others that the business I'm building is worth it? (32:00) Links to great things we discussed:    1. Max Lucado’s Website   2. Free 5 - Week Online Bible Study 3. Ain't no sunshine 4. The Chosen 5. The Grand Slam Book 6.  Peloton 7. Standing Strong   Hope you loved this episode! Be sure to subscribe in iTunes and slap some stars on a review! :) xo, Alli