Max Lucado

The church names we banter about? They don’t exist in heaven. Because it’s not the denomination that saves you. And I wonder, if there are no denominations in heaven, why do we have denominations on earth?

I know this is a crazy thought, but what would happen if all the churches agreed, on a given day, to change their names to simply “church?” And then when people chose which church to attend, they wouldn’t do so by the sign outside, they’d do so by the hearts of the people inside. And then when people were asked what church they attended, their answer wouldn’t be a label but just a location. And then we Christians wouldn’t be known for what divides us; instead we’d be known for what unites us—our common Father.

Crazy idea? Perhaps. But I think God would like it. It was his to begin with!

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One morning, my wife Denalyn was with me in the car. “I’m about to remind you why you married me,” I told her as we drew near to the intersection. “See that long line of cars?  See that humdrum of humanity? Not for me. Hang on!” I swerved from the six-lane onto the one-lane and shared with my sweetheart my secret expressway to freedom.

“What do you think?” I asked, awaiting her worship. “I think you broke the law.” “What?” “You just went the wrong way on a one-way street!”

I did. I missed the “Do Not Enter” sign. Before coming to Christ, we all had our share of shortcuts. What we consider shortcuts God sees as disasters. He doesn’t give laws for our pleasure. He gives them for our protection. He knows what we need.

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Here is a practical idea. Quarry from your Bible a list of the immutable qualities of God and press them into your heart. When calamity strikes, recite them over and over. My list reads like this:

He is still sovereign. He still knows my name. Angels still respond to his call. The hearts of rulers still bend at his bidding. The death of Jesus still saves souls. The Spirit of God still indwells saints. Heaven is still only heartbeats away. The grave is temporary housing. God is still faithful. He is not caught off guard. He uses everything for his glory and my ultimate good. He uses tragedy to accomplish his will, and his will is right and holy and perfect. God bears fruit in the midst of affliction.

Welcome this truth into your heart: Jesus understands. Grip God’s sovereignty and never let it go.

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

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Tragedy wages an all-out war on faith, so take some practical steps to grab hold of God’s goodness.

First, invite God to use your suffering for his glory. Most Christians ask God to remove the pain, not use the pain. The apostle Paul prayed for God to remove his thorn in the flesh. Later, he made this resolution: “I want to join [Christ] in his sufferings.” (Philippians 3:10 NIRV). Paul’s prayer changed from “remove this” to “use this.”

Also, resist the urge to demand a reason. If God gave one, would we understand it? Most important, guard your thoughts. Disallow any notion that runs counter to God’s truth. We may not understand the reasoning of God, but can we not trust the character of God? If he permits pain, it is for a higher purpose.

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

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We all have pain. Some sufferings we deserve, but many we do not. Deformities? Death of a child? Wartime atrocities? What do you do with these? Why are some people bitter, angry, and harsh, while others are tender, receptive, and kind? Much of the answer is found in their response to pain.

Scripture makes three clear statements about affliction. First, there is no pain-free option.  “In the world you will have tribulation,” Jesus said. (John 16:33 ESV). Second, everyone does something with their pain. Numb it. Obsess over it. Run from it. But thirdly, pain displays God’s glory. We exist to make a big deal out of God. Regarding humanity, God declares, “I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them” (Isaiah 43:7 NLT). And nothing glorifies God greater than faith in the midst of suffering.

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

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Thoughts of faith create feelings of hope. So be God-minded! Meditate on him. I recommend doing so by focusing on three specific moments.

Give God your awakening moments. “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3 NLT). Rather than dread the challenges of the day, thank God for the blessing of the day.  Think less about what you need to get done and more about what God has already done.

Give God your waning moments. Those middle-of-the-night thoughts?  Rather than toss and turn, turn and pray.

Give God your worshiping moments. Young David worshiped God in full view of the giant. Let’s do likewise.

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

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“‘The battle belongs to the Lord” (1 Samuel 17:47 MEV). When everyone stared at Goliath, David never gave him the time of day. David found a source of strength into which he could tap. The right thoughts led to the right reaction.

No one needs to tell you giants roam this world. No one needs to tell you this life is a battle. But maybe someone needs to remind you the battle belongs to the Lord. You never fight alone. You never fight solo. You never face a challenge without the backup of God Almighty. God is with you as you face your giant. With you as you are wheeled into surgery. With you as you enter the cemetery. With you, always. Silence the voice that says, “The challenge is too great.” And welcome God’s voice that reminds, “The battle belongs to the Lord.”

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Your mindset is your most valuable tool. It’s time to screen thoughts, interrupt thoughts, extract and replace thoughts. And I know just the fellow to help us. God called him “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22 NIV). Why? He made this six-word motto his mantra: “The battle belongs to the Lord” (1 Samuel 17:47 MEV).

Goliath stood nine feet nine inches tall and wore 126 pounds of armor. David was the youngest in his family—a teenager. He showed up and piped up. “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26 NIV).

David sees a battle; he thinks of God. He sees the Philistines; he thinks of God’s armies. And he announces, “The battle belongs to the Lord.” How does David’s reaction to the enemy compare with yours?

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

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Satan wants you to look back, to obsess over past failures. Yet, the grace of Christ invites you to move forward, enter a new life. “His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14 NCV).

The disciples of Christ abandoned their Lord. They left him to carry his cross alone. What would have happened if they had lived in the past? We would not have their gospels, their influence, their teachings.

What about you? If you fail to move forward, who wins? What messages will go untaught? Words unsaid? People unloved? Organizations unled? Children unparented? Confess your struggle to God. He will hear, and he will help. Help will come through a circle of good friends. Get smart, make some changes, time for a new start! It’s time to come home.

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

I do not know how to say this tactfully, so I won’t try: don’t listen to stupid people. And when it comes to sexuality, everyone is stupid but God. Don’t think you can lust and not get hurt or hurt someone else. At the same time, don’t underestimate God’s love. You have not out-sinned God’s grace. Move from self-reliance to God-reliance.

One of the greatest toys is the Etch-A-Sketch. Twist the two knobs and watch a figure appear. The genius of the device is not in the creating but in the erasing. Just shake the toy and you get a fresh start. In God’s hands, your heart is an Etch-A-Sketch. And he can do what you cannot do: he can wipe away the past.

Read more Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.