The dawning of old age. Empty nest. Bifocals. Everything hurts when you wake up. And what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work. Regret can become a major pastime and may lead to rebellion against whatever ties you down. Growing old can be dangerous, so you need to be prepared. Luke 17:33 advises, “Whoever tries to keep his life safe will lose it, and the man who is prepared to lose his life will preserve it.”  The wisest are not the ones with the most years in their lives, but the most life in their years. You can take the safe route, or you can hear … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

We don’t know her name, but we know her situation.  According to the 5th chapter of Mark, she “had been bleeding for twelve years.  She suffered very much from many doctors and had spent all the money she had; but instead of improving she was getting worse.” She was physically exhausted and socially ostracized. She extended her arm through the crowd thinking, If only I can touch him.  When her dilemma met His dedication, a miracle occurred.  With that small, courageous gesture, she experienced Jesus’ tender power. God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

The tenth chapter of Luke describes the step-by-step process of the sweet becoming sour.  It’s the story of two sisters.  Martha has things to do.  Mary has thoughts to think. Martha is having Jesus and friends over for dinner.  She’s literally serving Jesus.  But she makes a common, yet dangerous mistake.  Her work becomes more important than her Lord.  Martha’s heart sours with anxiety.  And worry makes her forget who’s in charge, and she bosses God around. Jesus points out that “only one thing is important.  Mary has chosen it.” God is more pleased with the quiet attention of a sincere … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, had a task to do—Jesus’ body had to be prepared for burial. Matthew 28:2 says, “At that time there was a strong earthquake.  An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb, and rolled the stone away from the entrance.”  Did the angel roll away the rock for Jesus?  Did God have to have help?  I don’t think so.  Then the angel says to the women,  “Come and see the place where his body was.”  The stone was moved—not so Jesus could come out, but so … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Odds are, you probably have a difficult relative—someone you can’t talk to and can’t walk away from.  Did you know Jesus had a difficult family?  In fact, they were embarrassed by him.  Mark 3:21 tells us, “His family went to get him because they thought he was out of his mind.” Notice that Jesus didn’t try to control his family’s behavior, nor did he let their behavior control his.  As long as you think you can control people’s behavior toward you, you are held in bondage by their opinions. Let God give you what your family doesn’t.  We know that … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Perhaps the best-known of Jesus’ parables is found in the fifteenth chapter of Luke—the story of the lost son.  It’s also the case of the elder brother.  While his brother sowed wild oats, he stayed home and sowed the crops.  But when the rebellious son returned, the father threw a party!  And the elder son sat outside and pouted. Bitterness is its own prison.  You can choose to chain yourself to your hurt.  Or you put away your hurts and go to the party.  How does God deal with your bitter heart?  He reminds you that you still have your … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Whether private or public, shame is always painful.  And unless you deal with it, it is permanent.  The eighth chapter of John tells us about a woman caught in the act of adultery.  It was really a trap to snag Jesus.  The woman was only the bait in the Pharisees’ game.  Jesus responded by writing in the sand and saying, “Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her.”  Finally, Jesus and the woman are left alone and he said to her, “I also don’t judge you guilty.” If you’ve ever wondered how God reacts when … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Look at a bruised reed at the water’s edge—once slender, sturdy, and tall— now bowed and bent.  Are you a bruised reed?  You were upright and sturdy, rooted in the riverbed of confidence.  Then you were bruised by harsh words, a friend’s anger, a spouse’s betrayal, religion’s rigidity, or your own failure. Is there anything closer to death than the smoldering wick on a candle?  Once you blazed with faith.  Then they said your ideas were foolish, your dreams were too lofty. But the theme of the New Testament is that God is the friend of the wounded heart and … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

The Christian race is demanding, grueling, and sometimes agonizing.  It takes a massive effort to finish strong.  But many don’t.  They may come to church and warm a pew, but their hearts aren’t in the race. Jesus is the classic example of one who endured, in spite of temptation, accusations, and shame.  The devil tempted Jesus nonstop for forty days.  Jesus’ own family called him a lunatic.  And, on the cross, he bore the collective shame of all humanity.  How did he endure?  By focusing on “the joy that God put before him.”  That was the prize of heaven!  And … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories of something lost and something found: a lost sheep; a lost coin; and a lost son.  At the end of each story, Jesus describes a celebration.  The point is clear.  Jesus is happiest when the lost are found.  Jesus rejoices because he knows what awaits the saved.  In Heaven, you will at long last, have a heart just like his.  Guiltless, fearless, tirelessly worshiping, and flawlessly discerning. Jesus also rejoices that we are saved from hell.  He says there’s only one sound there—and that is the “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Every person you … Listen Now

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.