Quotes from Max Lucado

By giving us stories like Joseph's, God allows us to study his plans.

You long for the fruit of the Spirit. But how do you bear this fruit? Try harder? No, hang tighter. Our assignment is not fruitfulness but faithfulness.

Davidson, I Called Him Roosk, He Called Me Dad: A Collection of Thoughts About a Father's Faith, Love, and Grief After Losing His Son (privately printed), 36–37. CHAPTER 11: BLIND INTERSECTIONS

Nunca podrás ir a un lugar donde no esté Dios.

God's pursuing you

The Son is the radiance of his Father.

But, Mr. Lucado, I want to be a missionary when I grow up

Of all the things you must earn in life, God's unending affection is not one of them. You have it. Stretch yourself out in the hammock of grace.

CHAPTER 2: THE GRACE-SHAPED LIFE 1. Jim Reimann, Victor Hugo's Les Misérables (Nashville: Word Publishing, 2001), 16. 2. Ibid., 29–31.

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. JOSHUA 1:9

discipline should result in mercy, not misery.

How could viewing the Lord as a faithful friend who greets you in the early morning for a long walk or a conversation over coffee shape the way you see your current situation?

remembered what you said. 'When you give a gift to one of God's children, you give a gift to God.

Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness.

God is not bound by time.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" (NIV). Such words can cut, can't they? Put them to use. "Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other" (Col. 3:16 NLT). Don't make a

I have a sin nature. So do you.

Begin by thanking God for thumps. Every thump is a reminder that God is molding you (Hebrews 12:5–8). 2. Learn from each thump. Look upon each inconvenience as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. 3. Be aware of "thump-slump" times. Know your pressure periods. Bolster yourself with extra prayer, and don't give up. Remember, no thump is disastrous. All thumps work for good if we are loving and obeying God.

Don't worry about skills you don't have. Don't covet strengths others do have. Just extract your uniqueness.

GOD LOVES YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, BUT HE REFUSES TO LEAVE YOU THAT WAY.

When you look at all the mistakes you've made, you see a mess. Like the innkeeper, you just want to repaint it and start over. But God sees what you can't. He sees a canvas with unique possibilities. When he goes to work on you, the result is breathtaking.

Exaggerated, overstated, inflated, irrational thoughts are the devil's specialty.

God does not play favorites.

Take time to meet with the Lord as a friend this week. Rest, knowing he sees and he feels along with you more than anyone else in your life can.