New Releases by Max Lucado

We all pray. . . some. But wouldn’t we like to pray better? Stronger? With more fire, faith and fervency? We aren’t the first to struggle with prayer. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance too. In fact, prayer is the only tutorial they ever requested. In Before Amen, New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado helps readers discover the very heart of biblical prayer, offering hope for doubters and confidence for both prayer beginners and experts. In this book, Max will help you: Distill prayers in the Bible down to one pocket-sized prayer. Remember that the Good Shepherd has authority over your life. Learn that prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and his child. Don’t be bogged down by crafting elegant words or apologizing for incoherent sentences. Climb into God’s lap and tell him everything on your heart. Today is the day to let the conversation begin.

We all pray . . . some. We pray to stay sober, centered, or solvent. When the lump is deemed malignant. When the money runs out. When the marriage is falling apart. But wouldn’t we like to pray . . . more? Better? Stronger? With more fire, faith, and fervency? In this four-session video-based study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author Max Lucado reveals his own struggles with prayer and how he discovered that it is not a privilege for the pious nor the art of a chosen few but a simple tool everyone has been given to have a conversation with God. He shows you how to: Let go of uncertainties about prayer. Trust that God hears you. Embrace a prayer life that brings peace and rest. Join Max Lucado on a journey to the very heart of biblical prayer and the power unleashed with five simple sentences: "Father, you are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus'' name, amen." This study guide includes leader helps, discussion questions, conversation starters, and between-session activities to enhance your understanding and application of Max''s teaching. Sessions include: Father, You Are Good I Need Help They Need Help Thank You Designed for use with Before Amen Video Study 9780529123428 (sold separately).

One God, One Plan, One Life by bestselling author Max Lucado is a 365-day devotional for students that focuses on teen issues, such as bullying, self-esteem, and purity, delivered in short daily devotions. A perfect gift for Christmas or New Year, New You resolutions that support quiet time with God. One God, One Plan, One Life is an ECPA 2015 Christian Book Award finalist. Over 100,000 copies sold! With a focus on Christian faith, this devotional for teens helps them cut through life''s distractions and rely on the one thing that is truly important: a relationship with God. Building faith through short devotions, busy teens can find a few minutes each day to spend time with God and grow in trust and confidence. Each devotion includes the following: An inspiring Bible verse, A simple but thought-provoking devotion, and An application to help students put their trust in God and His plans. Including a devotion for every day of the year, this guide for teens... Is for ages 13 to 18, boys and girls; Is easy to fit in a backpack at school or to carry to small groups and bible study; Has a bright ribbon bookmark and embossing on the cover; Has a presentation page to make gift-giving easy; Is a great gift for graduations, baptisms, birthdays, and coming-of-age celebrations; and Makes a great Christmas gift for teens or New Years resolution daily reader.

Find hope from God to get you through when life is messy…really messy. Does it ever feel like life is out of control? Could you use the reminder that God is in control? You might remember the Old Testament story. He was tossed in a pit, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten, and dismissed. But Joseph''s story contains an audacious promise. Whatever mess you face, God will use it for good. He did for Joseph, and he will for you. In the meantime, don''t become bitter or angry. Do what Joseph did. Trust in God. In God Will Use This for Good bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado encourages you, “You''ll get through this. It won''t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. In the meantime, don''t be foolish or naive. But don''t despair either. With God''s help you will get through this.” In this hope-filled booklet, Max will help you: Find the courage to never give up during turbulent times Trust God to help you through all of life''s trials Remember that God will use every painful circumstance for good God Will Use This for Good also includes a “Scriptures for Your Turbulent Times” section to help you ground your faith and hope in the promises of God''s Word when everything else seems to be shifting under your feet. So even when your world is upside-down the words of Scripture can remind you that God will never give up on you and that he will help you get through it. God Will Use This for Good is ideal if you or someone you care about is experiencing a difficult time in life. It doesn''t promise quick fixes or easy solutions, but it does show you that God is faithful, that he has a plan for your life, and that he will get you through your present trials.

Find hope to get you through life''s toughest times when you know that God will carry you through. Looking for answers to replace your tears? Running low on hope for the future? Spending more time with discouragement than joy? New York Times bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado has discovered that at any given point, almost everyone is dealing with something difficult. Whether it''s the loss of a loved one, marriage issues, illness, job loss, or the stress of everyday life, you need the assurance that God will be there for you during tough times. In God Will Carry You Through, Max teaches through the life of Joseph in his no-fluff, casual storytelling style, inviting you to let God’s words guide you through loss and uncertainty. Laced throughout are: Real stories about everyday people facing struggles Thoughtful quotes Scripture passages for meditation Through decades of betrayal, abandonment, and false accusations, Joseph never gave up on God or His purpose. And Max assures you that, like Joseph, you''ll get through this. It won''t be painless; it won''t be quick, but God will use your mess for good. This beautiful and inspiring book makes a comforting gift for people dealing with: Health issues Separation and divorce Depression or anxiety Job loss Any difficult time Sooner or later, life turns us upside down. Sooner or later, we all encounter the pain and disappointments of life. When life gets hard, the road to peace may not be painless. It may not be quick. But God will use your struggle for good. Trust him. God will carry you through. After all, says Max, "Good days. Bad days. God is in all days."

Join bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado as he brings to life the most important event in history: when God Came Near. It all happened in a moment--a most remarkable moment: God came near. He 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 held him were not manicured, but callused and dirty. No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla. God came near, just for you. In God Came Near, Max reminds us that just because we want a calm life doesn''t mean we''ll have one. The minute you sink down in the easy chair of life, heaven pushes the remote and changes the channel: The financial aid office says "no." A doctor says "pregnant." The boss says "transfer." The test grade reads "F." The auto mechanic says "totaled." Despite the challenges we face on earth, the Bible gives us a chance to be eyewitnesses of Jesus'' majesty. We can take on our problems, we can have a fresh start tomorrow, and we can rest assured in the safety of God''s embrace. Christ entered our world, and, as a result, we can enter his. God Came Near invites you to travel back in time and celebrate Christ the Son of God as he became man. When you catch a vision of this incredible moment, let it mark the beginning of a new perspective, a new life, and a new appreciation for Jesus. Because when you see the truth of his life, it will change yours forever.

In this six-session small group Bible study, pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado reveals how your life story is part of a grand, overarching narrative, and helps you see between the lines to witness God’s hand at work. With contemporary anecdotes and New Testament stories, God’s Story, Your Story traces your Savior’s unchanging, loving pursuit of you through the chaos of life. In God’s Story, Your Story Max Lucado casts a fresh perspective on how your daily life relates to God’s grand, epic story. Your journey of faith will come alive as you explore the divine narrative in New Testament and contemporary characters, and discover how the ancient stories of Scripture reveal God’s plans for you today. Join America’s favorite Christian author for a personal look at the story of God’s eternal redemption being told through your individual story right now. Sessions include: When God’s Story Becomes Yours Ordinary Measures You Hear a Voice You Can Trust You Won’t Be Forsaken Your Final Chapter Becomes a Preface You Will Finally Graduate Designed for use with the God''s Story, Your Story DVD 9780310889861 (sold separately).

"God''s love is like the ocean, my little boy," she said. "It''s always here. It''s always deep. It never ends. God''s love is special." Just how wide, how deep, and how big is the love of God really? See for yourself in this heart-warming story about a boy, his parents, and the wonder of creation. From the vast reaches of the ocean to the towering heights of the mountains, Max Lucado takes us on a journey of discovery and thanksgiving as he shows us how creation expresses the unmatched love of the Creator. Filled with beautiful illustrations, this charming tale teaches about the God whose love never ends, and will remain a favorite among families for years to come.

We humans are prone to failure. We’re experts at muddying, mixing, and messing up our lives. Who among us hasn’t looked up from the bottom of a pit and realized he dug it himself? Who hasn’t fallen so far, messed up so badly that she thought there was no hope? And it’s at these low points that we crave reminders that there’s hope for the broken. No reminder is quite as poignant as a story of second chances. A story of grace in action. Who couldn’t use more stories of grace like this? Second Chances releases just in time for Easter promotions and is an ideal companion to GRACE: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine. Filled with biblical, contemporary, and imaginative accounts of God’s grace in action pulled from Max’s previously published works, Second Chances includes tales of second chances for the rebellious, prideful, failure-prone, and more. From Peter to King David to a prodigal daughter, these stories will remind readers of the magnitude of the gospel of second chances.

God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you there. He wants you to be just like Jesus. Can you think of a better offer? In Just Like Jesus, pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado reminds us that being just like Jesus feels like an impossible goal until we accept one simple truth: God loves us. Jesus felt no gui He doesn''t love us and leave us alone; he loves us enough to live within us, making our hearts his home. But doing so requires a bit of sprucing up, remodeling, refurnishing. Why? Because he wants us to have a heart like his too. Just Like Jesus will teach you how far God will go to transform us into his likeness. Along the way, Max addresses questions that might arise as you examine the peaceful, passionate, and pure heart of Christ, including: How do we know that God wants us to be made in his image? How does this change occur? If God wants me to be just like Jesus, why do I still seem just like me? In Just Like Jesus, Max gives you the tools you need to better understand God''s gracious gift of transformation and restoration, so you, too, can start to live Just Like Jesus.

Find hope as you learn to hear God''s voice and realize He is searching for you. How far do you want God to go in getting your attention? Don''t answer too quickly. Give it some thought. What if God moved you to another land? As he did Abraham. What if he called you out of retirement? Remember Moses? How about the voice of an angel or the bowel of a fish? Á la Gideon and Jonah. God does what it takes to get our attention. It''s the message of the Bible. It''s the message of this book: the relentless pursuit of God. God on the hunt. God in the search. Peeking under the bed for hiding kids, stirring the bushes for lost sheep. Searching, wrestling, pulling us back to him, over and over again. Kind, then stern. Tender and tough. Faithfully firm. Patiently urgent. Eagerly tolerant. Softly shouting. Gently thundering. With pictures and parables from everyday life Max Lucado calls us to trust God in tough times. God''s goal, Max reminds us, is to get us home safely. He''ll do whatever it takes to save his children. God''s thunder is gentle. And his gentleness never ends. If you need a reminder of God''s love, an assurance of his strength, an example of his kindness, A Gentle Thunder will help you hear a message of hope as you realize God has been trying to get your attention all along.

The author paints a picture of Christ''s calm in what he calls "the second most stressful day in the life of our Savior." He shows the secret of transforming panic into peace, stress into serenity, and chaos into control.

What image best describes your heart? A water-drenched kid in front of an open fire hydrant? Or a bristled desert tumbleweed? You’re acquainted with physical thirst. Stop drinking and see what happens. Coherent thoughts vanish, skin grows clammy, and vital organs shut down. Deprive your body of necessary fluid, and it will tell you. Deprive your soul of spiritual water, and it will tell you. Dehydrated hearts and desperate messages. Snarling tempers. Waves of worry. Growing guilt and fear. Hopelessness. Resentment. Loneliness. Insecurity. But you don’t have to live with a dehydrated heart. God invites you to treat your thirsty soul as you would treat your physical thirst. Just visit the WELL and drink deeply. Receive Christ’s work on the cross, The energy of his Spirit, His lordship over your life, And his unending, unfailing love. Come thirsty and drink the water of life. The book you receive may have a different cover design than shown on the website.

Teens really do want to make a difference, but sometimes their attitudes get in the way! Today’s teens are faced with some big issues, and their attitudes can sometimes create even more struggles for their own lives and those around them. But best-selling author Max Lucado wants to teach teens that life is a gift and that gratitude is critical. With a little perspective, teens will see that God can help them overcome their ungrateful days, their stressed-out days, and even their catastrophic days. Life is not going to be perfect. When teens understand that and realize that God is their constant source of support, help, and blessings, even the difficult days can be faced with a cheerful spirit. Make Every Day Count shows readers how to deal with each day—no matter what it throws at them. Real-life teen stories, biblical accounts, and inspiring “Daylifters” encourage teens to make each day count for God. A study guide at the back of the book makes this a perfect choice for individual or group study.

Is your heart unsettled by the chaos of the world? Are you heavy-laden with bad moments, mad moments, or anxious moments? Today, rest in God''s self-giving love and leave all your troubles at the foot of the cross. There were no accidents on the days surrounding Jesus'' death. Jesus'' last moments were not left up to chance. God chose the path; he selected the nails. Our Lord planted the trio of crosses and painted the sign. God was never more sovereign than in the details of the death of his Son. God didn’t have to do all these things, you know. The only required act for our salvation was the shedding of blood, yet he did much more. So much more. In He Chose the Nails, New York Times bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado will help you: Learn just how much God loves and cares for you Take comfort that Jesus understands everything you face in this life Remember that there’s nothing you can do to earn God''s gift Stand firm in the promise that you are forgiven, and you are welcome in God''s presence Search the scene of the cross and listen for God''s gentle whisper, "I did it just for you."

Grace. We talk asthough we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a gracenote. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the wordfor hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though weknow what grace means. But do wereally understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies aphrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demandsa response. When asked, "Do you believe in grace?" who could say no? Max Lucadoasks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace?Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by thenape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace? God''s gracehas a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. Frominsecure to God secure. From regret riddled to better-because-of-it. Fromafraid to die to ready to fly. Grace isthe voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Let''s makecertain grace gets you. Endorsements for GRACE: "God''s grace--His unconditionally loving, unmerited favor--issometimes difficult for people to grasp, even though each one of us is indesperate need of it. But in Max Lucado''s new book, GRACE, it is completely embraceable and understandable. ThroughLucado''s characteristic narrative style and profound biblical understanding, welearn that God''s grace is truly much more than we deserve and greater than weimagine. " --Dr. Charles F. Stanley "Max Lucado has blended his creative writing style withhonesty about how he has experienced God''s grace, mercy and forgiveness in hisown times of failure and despair. Youwill find comfort as Max shines the light of the Word of God revealing thatJesus Christ is truly the only hope that brings everlasting peace." --Franklin Graham, President and CEO, Samaritan''s Purse, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association "Reading Max Lucado on grace is like hearing Warren Buffetton money or Julia Child on food--it''s a subject he spent a lifetime falling inlove with." --John Ortberg, pastor and author, Menlo Park PresbyterianChurch "Few writers are better than Max Lucado, no subject isbetter than God''s grace." --Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven and If God is Good "Max gives us encouragement, hope and a needed reminderthat the grace we all possess as followers of Jesus should empower us to movemountains, vs simply settling for pushing wimpy molehills." --Brad Lomenick, President and Executive Director, Catalyst "Max offers up a biblical vision of God''s grace that comesdrenched in sweat and with a set of six-pack abs; a life-defining newness andrelationship-refining kindness straight from the heart of God." --Tim Kimmel, author of GraceBased Parenting "Some writers aim for the mind, others for the heartand a small number for the soul. With his latest book, ''Grace, '' Max Lucado hitsthe trifecta, touching on all three." -- Cal Thomas, Syndicated and USA Today Columnist and Fox News Contributor "If you love the writings of Max Lucado, this will probablybecome your favorite." -- Stephen Arterburn, Founder and Chairman of New LifeMinistries, host of "New Life Live " and best selling author "I can think of no more needed message for weary peopleeverywhere, and no better writer than Max Lucado to paint so gloriously thehope that "Christ in you" affords." --Louie Giglio, creator of Passion Conferences and pastor, Passion City Church

Today''s teens are being shaped by the pressures and disappointments of the world. But Max Lucado encourages them to take a close look at what can shape their hearts and their futures from the inside out?God?s grace. As Max explains, "God?s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A whitewater, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you." Wild Grace gives teens an understanding of how grace can change their lives in powerful ways, even when those lives are messed up, off track, or in trouble. Each chapter describes another miracle that happens when we allow God?s grace to work on us and through us. -- Publisher''s website.

Carpools and car crashes, job switches and joint custody, moves and motionlessness. Is there a cohesive storyline to the chaos, confusion, and clutter of your daily life? According to well-loved author Max Lucado, the answer is a resounding yes!So what is the text of your life? With his unequaled warmth and honesty, Lucado plumbs the depths of your storyline and comes up smiling. “Your story indwells God’s,” writes Lucado. “This is the great promise of the Bible and the hope of this book ... Above and around us God directs a grander saga, written by his hand, orchestrated by his will, unveiled according to his calendar. And you are a part of it ...” Join Max for an unforgettable journey woven with New Testament stories and contemporary examples of God’s beautiful story-making skills. The beginning of the narrative is legendary, the middle unfolds with surprises still in store, and the ending of your final earthly chapter ushers in a reunion that almost defies description.It’s time to see what your life looks like when God’s story becomes your story.

This Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends® best-selling story now available in easy-to-read format! Hermie and his friend Wormie have always felt common. They don’t have stripes or dots, they aren’t very strong, and they can’t find anything special about themselves. But every time they pray, God tells them that He loves them all the time just as they are and that He isn’t finished with them yet. When Hermie becomes a beautiful butterfly, he realizes just how special God’s plan is for him! This classic story has been revised for kids to read and enjoy on their own as a Lever 2 Reader. With fresh new art and a story kids can read themselves, plus a new, low price—this classic story will find a whole new generation of kids who love Hermie and his garden friends!

Carpools and car crashes, job switches and joint custody, moves and motionlessness. Is there a cohesive storyline to the chaos, confusion, and clutter of your daily life? According to well-loved author Max Lucado, the answer is a resounding yes! So what is the text of your life? With his unequaled warmth and honesty, Lucado plumbs the depths of your storyline and comes up smiling. “Your story indwells God’s,” writes Lucado. “This is the great promise of the Bible and the hope of this book ... Above and around us God directs a grander saga, written by his hand, orchestrated by his will, unveiled according to his calendar. And you are a part of it ...” Join Max for an unforgettable journey woven with New Testament stories and contemporary examples of God’s beautiful story-making skills. The beginning of the narrative is legendary, the middle unfolds with surprises still in store, and the ending of your final earthly chapter ushers in a reunion that almost defies description. It’s time to see what your life looks like when God’s story becomes your story.

With sweeping brushstrokes, God painted his creation across the emptiness. “Let there be light,” he called into the darkness, and a sweep of brightness blazed across the blank canvas. The Story for Children isn’t just another collection of Bible stories—it’s The Story—the big picture of God’s enormous love for his children! Presented by New York Times bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado with Randy Frazee and Karen Hill, these 48 pivotal stories show how God has a grand and glorious vision, beginning with Creation and ending with the promise that Jesus is coming again. Each story in this storybook Bible is: Personalized with God’s message Accompanied by vibrant illustrations from accomplished artist Fausto Bianchi that help bring the Bible to life for young readers ages 4–8 Perfect for sharing with elementary school kids during Bible study, small groups, and story time With a designated presentation page inside The Story for Children, a Storybook Bible, it makes a great gift for birthdays, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and the holiday season.

This special paperback gift edition of a beloved storyteller''s bestselling classic will point children and adults to the important truth that everyone is special, no matter what.

There really is more to this life than you''ve been told. We''ve been demanding our way since day one ... "I want a spouse that makes me happy and coworkers that always ask my opinion." "I want weather that suits me and traffic that helps me and government that serves me." Self-promotion. Self-preservation. Self-centeredness ... "It''s all about me." They all told us it was, didn''t they? And we took them up on it. We thought self-celebration would make us happy ... But believing that has created chaos -- noisy homes, stress-filled businesses, cutthroat relationships. We''ve chased so many skinny rabbits, says Max Lucado, that we''ve missed the fat one: the God-centered life. If you want to shift into high gear with purpose, this is it: life makes sense when we accept our place! Our pleasures, our problems, our gifts and talents ... when they''re all for the One who created us, we suddenly gain what we''ve been missing and find what we''ve been seeking. Let Max Lucado show you how to make the shift of a lifetime. How to bump your life off self-center. How to be changed and experience the meaning-charged life you were meant to have. Your discovery starts here.

"Sweet Spot." Ever swung a baseball bat or paddled a Ping-Pong ball? If so, you know the oh-so-nice feel of the sweet spot. Life in the sweet spot rolls like the downhill side of a downwind bike ride. But you don''t have to swing a bat or a club to know this. What engineers give sports equipment, God gave you. A zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. He tailored the curves of your life to fit an empty space in his jigsaw puzzle. And life makes sweet sense when you find your spot. But if you''re like 70 percent of working adults, you haven''t found it. You don''t find meaning in your work, or you don''t believe your talents are used. What can you do? You''re suffering from the common life, and you desperately need a cure. Best-selling author Max Lucado has found it. In Cure for the Common Life, he offers practical tools for exploring and identifying your own uniqueness, motivation to put your strengths to work, and the perfect prescription for finding and living in your sweet spot for the rest of your life.

Have you ever wondered what the most important part of the Bible is? Among all the do''s and don''ts and shoulds and shouldn''ts, do you know what''s absolutely essential? Bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado teaches us that the answer lies at the foot of the cross. Come with Max as he guides you through the drama of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, bringing to life Peter''s denial, Pilate''s hesitancy, and John''s loyalty. No Wonder They Call Him the Savior will lead you up the hill of mankind''s highest hope and remind you why he deserves to be called our Savior. In No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, you''ll see Jesus'' final acts in a new light: His final prayer of forgiveness His plea honored His request of love His question of suffering His confession of humanity His call of deliverance The cry of completion In No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Max invites you to relive the events leading up to Jesus'' crucifixion, from the foggy garden of Gethsemane to the incandescent room of the resurrection. Let''s examine this hour in history. Let''s look at the witnesses. Let''s listen to the voices. Let''s observe the one they call the Savior. And, most of all, let''s see if we can find hope in the unlikeliest place: at the cross.

God''s greatest desire is to be your dwelling place -- The home for your heart. He doesn''t want to be merely a weekend getaway. He has no interest in being a Sunday bungalow or even a summer cottage. He wants to be your mailing address, your point of reference, your home ... always. He wants you to live in the Great House of God. Using the Lord''s Prayer as a floor plan, Max Lucado takes you on a tour of the home God intended for you. Warm your heart by the fire in the living room. Nourish your spirit in the kitchen. Seek fellowship in the family room. Step into the hallway and find forgiveness. It''s the perfect home for you. After all, it was created with you in mind. There''s only one home built just for your heart. No house more complete, no structure more solid: The roof never leaks. The walls never crack. The foundation never trembles. In God''s house, you''re home. So come into the house built just for you. Your Father is waiting.

"This bestselling Lucado Christmas classic is now refreshed and updated with a new title and a beautiful new design. But the heart of the message-the miracle and wonder of the birth of our Lord-remains the same. Max combines warm, personal stories with the ultimate story-one that has reformed the world since Christ was born in a manger more than 2,000 years ago. One Incredible Savior will be a forever classic for generations to come"--Publisher''s description.

Meditations on the divinity of Jesus offer readers inspiration to renew their commitment to a spiritual life.

Inspiring selections offer a compelling look at the most high-impact moments in the biblical narrative, featuring stories about Mary, Peter, Matthew, Job, and other biblical characters.

This resource from beloved pastor Lucado describes how to break away from fear--with God''s help--and how to empty a heart of fear and fill it with faith instead.