Do you find it difficult to turn to prayer when you need it most? Do you have trouble finding the words to capture exactly how you’re feeling? Start with Prayer, by pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, will give you the tools you need to feel more comfortable when you communicate with God.

When struggles and anxieties come up in our lives, we invite God into our world, watching our fears surface and then depart. But how do we help prayer become a tried-and-true practice in our daily lives? Finding the right words to pray can be challenging, but Max is here to help.

Whether you’re learning to pray for the first time or you’re hoping to reinvigorate your prayer life, Start with Prayer will change the way you think about your relationship with God. Pairing timeless scripture with thoughtful prayers, Start with Prayer is a special collection of 250 prayers that will help you develop the strength and hope you need to turn to prayer first in any situation you're facing.

Adapted from Max’s series of Pocket Prayers with brand new prayers added, Start with Prayer is divided into categories designed to foster prayers that impact every aspect of life, including prayers centered around:

• Clarity and creativity
• Healing and safety
• Inspiration and encouragement
• Preservation and endurance
• Wisdom and leadership

Start with Prayer is a trustworthy resource that you can turn to no matter what season of life you’re in right now, reminding you that starting with prayer is always the right answer.

Is your soul weary? Are you worn out by the demands of life, disappointing setbacks, or downcast days? If so, stand under the waterfall of God’s unfailing love and soak in the promise that God will never let you go.

“For God so loved the world…” This verse stops us in our tracks: “Wait, this world? With heartbreakers, hope-snatchers, and dream-dousers?” Yes. And God loves this world so much that he gave us the precious gift of himself. New York Times bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado invites us to dive deep into the heart-stilling, mind-bending, deal-making claim of John 3:16.

In this book, Max will help you:

• Rest in the fact that there is nothing you can do to earn salvation.
• Understand more fully the living hope you have through Jesus’ resurrection.
• Stand in awe of how deep, wide, long, and high God’s love is for you.

Don’t wait another minute to get to know the God who invented time. Don’t live another second without growing close to the God who is life itself. Today, step confidently into the greatest news you’ll ever receive.

Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life

Our thoughts have consequences. Most people would agree that positive thoughts generate positive actions. Negative thoughts activate negative behaviour. But do we understand that we can manage our lives by managing our thoughts? Not only does neuroscience back this concept, but the idea is also embedded throughout Scripture. "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom.12:2 ESV). Tame your thoughts and transform your life!

In Tame Your Thoughts, Max explores three key thought-management tools and then applies them to the most common thought problems: worry, guilt, anxiety, and other types of mental quicksand that threaten to trap us. God loves us too much to let us lead a life marked by poor thinking. He made our brains; he can retrain our brains. God has not left us alone in this battle of the mind.

Stuck in your head? Hounded by regrets? Weighed down by worry? Change is possible! The thoughts that have characterized your past need not characterize the rest of your life. Readers will learn to

• Take thoughts captive,
• Test each message against the truth of Scripture,
• Interrupt poisonous thought threads, and
• Think and act like Jesus.

If God can resurrect the dead, can he not resurrect hope? Defy depression? Clarify confusion? Silence shame? Destroy doubt? Banish bitterness?

Take God at his word. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7 NKJV, emphasis added). With God as their helper, the reader will discover a new way of thinking and a better way of living. A new person will begin to emerge.

Hierdie omnibus bestaan uit drie boekies van die immergewilde Pinkenolsie. Dit bring ’n boodskap dat elke mens vir God spesiaal is omdat Hy elkeen uniek gemaak het. Dis ’n wonderlike geskenk wat kinders sal koester selfs wanneer hulle al groot is.

Jy is spesiaal
Die Wemmels doen elke dag dieselfde ding: hulle plak óf goue sterre óf grys kolle op mekaar. Dié wat mooi en talentvol is, kry altyd goue sterre. Dié wat egter min kan doen of stukkende hout het, kry lelike kolle. Kinders sal mal wees daaroor om te sien hoe Eli vir Pinkenolsie oortuig dat hy baie spesiaal is, net soos hy is! So sal hulle besef dat hulle self ook kosbaar is vir God.

Jy is myne
Die behoefte om “belangrik” te wees veroorsaak al weer chaos in Wemmeldorp. Pinkenolsie is natuurlik weer in die middel daarvan. Volg sy avontuur terwyl hy ’n les leer wat kinders altyd moet onthou: dis nie wat jy het wat jou kos¬baar maak nie, maar die feit dat jy aan God behoort.

Die heel beste
Wanneer Alta Wonderlik in Wemmeldorp aankom, wil almal deel van haar klub wees. Pinkenolsie mag nie deel wees nie, want hy is van die verkeerde hout gemaak. Eli die houtsnyer wys vir Pinkenolsie dat hy baie spesiaal is omdat Eli hom gemaak het. Kinders sal besef hulle hoef nie soos iemand gewild te wees om spesiaal te wees nie. God het elkeen van ons met ’n doel gemaak soos ons is.

Though the bright lights of Christmas glitter briefly, the message of the season lasts forever--the Word becomes flesh, and the Creator becomes the creation. Join pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado as he invites you to bear witness to the birth of Christ as you've never seen it before. Advent is a season of anticipation, a celebration of the moment that 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. Let In the Manger guide you through each of the 25 days of Advent with: A Bible verse to deeply reflect on An inspirational passage from some of Max's most popular books, including 3:16, God Came Near, The Applause of Heaven and more A prayer to help you apply the day's message Join Mary and Joseph inside a stable, beside a shepherd, and at the feet of the King in the manger as you celebrate the greatest gift of all.

Bestselling author Max Lucado will teach your children to pray and praise with these rhyming bedtime prayers about blessings, needs, fears, and hopes, written by Max and his wife Denalyn. After talking to God each night, your little one will fall asleep feeling loved and safe.

With updated selections from Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers, this board book edition for toddlers and preschoolers includes:

• Original prayers, revised to speak to the unique challenges and joys of little ones
• Prayers from the Bible that small children can understand
• Calming nature scenes of animal families
• A heartfelt note to parents about making prayer a priority

Add this essential board book to your family's routine to:
• Introduce children 0 to 3 to the habit of talking with God each day
• Model prayers of gratitude, worship, asking for help, and sharing worries
• Calm little minds and bodies with God's peace

With sweet and simple rhyming prayers, short Scriptures, and classic artwork, this prayer book makes a meaningful gift for baby showers, adoption presents, dedications, christenings, baptisms, birthdays, Easter, and Christmas. Show your kids that God listens to their prayers and He cares what they have to say with Bedtime Prayers for Little Ones.

The core idea of the book of Romans is that we are saved from sin by the grace of Christ. The apostle Paul unpacks the power of grace in a way that can completely change your life...

In this six-session Bible study (streaming video included)—the first of the 40 Days Through the Book series—Max Lucado welcomes you and your group into the knowledge and freedom of grace with his exploration of Paul's letter to the Roman church. Throughout the study, you'll explore the book of Romans with Max to gain a deeper understanding of its context and content, focusing on central truths such as:

• The extent and power of sin.
• The amazing reality and availability of God's grace.
• The battle we're still in, and the hope we have despite the lies of the enemy.
• The grand story—from creation to restoration—that we're all a part of.
• The call to live in fellowship with each other and with Christ.

• The study guide itself—a 40 Day reading plan through Romans with discussion and personal reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide.
• An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!).

Like so many people today, you probably know all about Jesus. You can name his birthplace, describe his life story, even quote a few of his teachings. But do you really know him the way you know a close friend? Do you know his habits, his emotions, his passions, his personality? Could you predict how he would react in a given situation? Could you finish his sentences for him? Although Jesus' name is familiar and his story universal, so few of us could really call him a close personal friend. Just as over time we learn the subtle, familiar expressions of our closest friends, so too we can come to know the personality of our Savior.Experiencing the Heart of Jesus is about really knowing him. In this study, beloved author Max Lucado invites you to step closer to Jesus. This life-changing workbook includes: Excerpts from Max Lucado's bestselling books 52 weekly Bible study lessons on the person of Jesus Christ. A Heart of the Matter section with key takeaways for the lesson. A leaders guide to help small groups go through the material. As Max notes, One of the phenomenal things about this study is that it will give you hope. Sometimes we assume that we cannot change. You might think I've always had a quick temper. Thats just the way I am. Or maybe I've always been a cranky person, and I always will be. It's too late to change that.I've had this addiction for a lot of years. I just can't give it up. God's perspective, however, is that every single person is a work in progress, and it is his goal to take us and to shape us more and more into the image of Christ. This study encourages us to interact with God. All you need to do is call on him. 'God, help me! Change me so that I don't have to be the person I am. I want to be changed into the image of Christ.

Do you find it more difficult to think of Jesus Christ as a human, like you, than to think of him as God? You may believe in God, and you may believe Jesus is God, but many Christians find it difficult to think of him as a real person--fully human as he was fully divine. Award-winning author Max Lucado reveals in this video Bible study (DVD/streaming video sold separately) that in order to really know God and understand the Gospel, it's essential that we take a closer look at Jesus' humanity. The concept of Jesus' human and heavenly nature is difficult to wrap our minds around. He's the God who formed the universe and, at the same time, knows your personal struggles...because he went through the same things. For thirty-three years, Jesus felt everything you have ever felt. Weakness. Weariness. Sadness. Rejection. His feet got tired. His head ached. He was tempted and his strength was tested. The purpose of this study is simple: by journeying through these six lessons with a small group, you will get to know Jesus-and, therefore, God-like you never have before. And by learning more about the person Jesus was and is, we come to understand more clearly the people we were created to be. The Jesus Study Guide includes: Video teaching notes Group discussion questions and activities Bible exploration and prayers Weekly personal study and reflection materials. Get ready to study who Jesus was while he walked this earth and what that means for your life today. In doing this, you will get to know God, his purpose for you, and his love for you like you never have before. *Designed for use with the Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name Video Study, available on DVD or streaming video, sold separately.

Enrich Your Faith by Walking with Jesus Join Max Lucado on an inspirational journey through the hills, the dust, and the homes of the Holy Land! Discover, with new eyes, God's heart for his people and his deep love for you. In this video Bible study, you and your small group are invited to come with Max through Capernaum, Galilee, Bethany, Jerusalem, and more. As Max weaves together insights from his own travels to Israel with teaching from his bestselling books, he will guide you to walk where Jesus walked and ponder the promises he made. God has more in store for you than you can imagine! This video Bible study will provide you an encounter with the life-altering Holy One as you follow in the footsteps of the Savior through the Holy Land. Sessions and video run times: Capernaum: Following Jesus When You Doubt (20:00) Sea of Galilee: Following Jesus in Your Storms (20:00) Mount of Beatitudes: Following Jesus When You Worry (21:00) Temple Steps: Following Jesus...And Only Jesus (20:00) Garden Tomb: Following Jesus When You Need Hope (20:30) Caesarea by the Sea: Following Jesus When You Need Grace (21:00) This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (You don't need to buy a DVD!) Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2028. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

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. In He Chose the Nails, Max Lucado observes that the last moments leading up to Jesus' death 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. And in those details are gifts Christ provided for us...the cross. The thorns. The nails. His seamless robe. The empty tomb. God didn't have to give us 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 this Easter season study, Max will help you: Experience Lent as a time not to just give up something, but to prepare to receive good gifts from God. Take comfort that Jesus understands everything you face in this life. Receive the grace of Christ's work for us, and cooperate with God's work in us to make us more like him. Stand firm in the promise that you are forgiven, and you are welcome in God's presence, no matter what you've done. Search the scene of the cross and listen for God's gentle whisper, "I did it just for you." The He Chose the Nails Study Guide includes video notes and discussion questions, Bible exploration, an individual application activity, and a Lenten practice to complete between meetings. Sessions include: He Chose to Be One of Us He Chose to Forgive Us He Chose to Invite Us into His Presence He Chose to Love Us Forever He Chose to Give Us Victory He Chose to Give Us Confidence (optional session for Week 6 of Lent) Designed for use with Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails Video Study (9780310687849), sold separately. The DVD is a two-disc set for Christmas and Easter.

An unexpected bill. An upcoming doctor's appointment. A tense family visit. The list could go on. Every day struggles of all sizes creep into our lives, leaving us stressed. Frustrated. Anxious. Just plain miserable. The believers in Philippi were struggling.

They were trying to grow in faith and live for Christ. Trying to deal with conflict and threats of persecution. The apostle Paul was stuck in a Roman prison when he wrote to this young church. His letter could have focused on his own troubles. Instead he wrote about living a life full of joy, peace, and contentment. He reminds us of important biblical truths and points us to Jesus as the ultimate example. Paul's letter encourages. It inspires. His confidence reminds us of God's wisdom and control in the difficult moments of life. His excitement challenges us in this guide to joy.

The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson in this updated edition of the bestselling series includes an opening reflection, a description of the context in which the passage was written, an excerpt of the text (from the New International and New King James versions), exploration and reflection questions on the passage, inspirational thoughts on the theme from Max Lucado, and a closing Life Lessons takeaway and personal devotion.

The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.

Whose approval do you hope to win? Friends? Coworkers? Someone in your family? What about God? Do you sometimes wonder if you need to do more to earn his approval? Religious teachers in the early church were insisting that faith was not enough, that being right with God required something more. Early Christians were almost ready to accept and follow these extra requirements. This disturbed the apostle Paul. So he reminded the believers that salvation isn't based on following a religious code. Nor is it based on what we do (or don't do) or what we know or feel. Nothing is required on our part, except to believe. In showing us the profound difference between living by law and living by grace, he reminds us that we are indeed free in Christ. As you read, study, journal, and discuss the book of Galatians, watch for these key themes that Max will unpack throughout the book: Salvation comes by grace, not works. We should bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We will reap in life what we have sown in life. The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson includes: An opening reflection on the Bible book you're studying. Background information to deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical setting. An excerpt of the text (from the NIV and the NKJV). Exploration questions with plenty of room to write your own thoughts and notes. Inspirational thoughts from Max as well as a closing takeaway for further reflection. The Life Lessons series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.

Are you ready to move from insecure to God secure? From regret riddled to better-because-of-it? From afraid to die to ready to fly? Today, find freedom in God's grace. We often talk about grace, but do we really understand it? Grace politely occupies a phrase in a hymn and fits nicely on a church sign. It never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, "Do you believe in grace?" who could say no? Bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado helps us dive deeper into what it means to be changed by grace. God's grace has 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. In this book, you will learn: Grace is everything Jesus You belong to Jesus Jesus lives in you You will increasingly grow more like Jesus There is nothing you can do to get grace-grace gets you Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Have you been shaped, emboldened, and softened by grace? Let's make certain grace gets you.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul reminds us that Jesus longs for the day he will be united with the church-his bride in all her beauty. Paul's letter celebrates the beauty of the church. Ephesians gives us wonderful examples and basic overviews of a Christian life. Paul shows us how to walk worthy of Christ as we live our life for God.

Paul's focus on the beauty of the church reminds us that through salvation we become a part of God's family: a place where we can experience true belonging.

The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson in this updated edition of the bestselling series includes an opening reflection, a description of the context in which the passage was written, an excerpt of the text (from the New International and New King James versions), exploration and reflection questions on the passage, inspirational thoughts on the theme from Max Lucado, and a closing Life Lessons takeaway and personal devotion.

The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.

Even children experience lonely moments. When they do, this book reminds them that you will always be there, and God is right there too. Max Lucado's comforting words reinforce the thought that no matter what happens--the good and bad, the firsts and lasts--children will never be alone . . . just in case they ever wonder. To a child, a day can last forever, and hurt feelings sink in deep. Whether they're having trouble making friends, struggling to learn something new, or just having a sad day, children need daily reminders of how much they're cherished. Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone soothes away loneliness by promising children that their parents or caregivers will always make time for them--they will squeeze away the sad and welcome back the glad every single day. A follow-up to the classic children's book Just in Case You Ever Wonder, which has sold more than 1.8 million copies, this jacketed picture book for boys and girls ages 3 to 7 addresses a child's feelings of loneliness and uncertainty; assures children that their parents are there for them and that God is always with them; includes tender rhymes and endearing artwork from Eve Tharlet of a loving parent and baby bear; and is a perfect gift for Easter or for children who need reassurance that they will always have someone to turn to, someone to talk to, and someone who will love them no matter what. Draw your little ones close as you affirm your unconditional love for them and God's never-ending presence and desire to be with His children.

What Happens Next, A Traveler's Guide Through the End of This Age

Seven years of chaos called the Tribulation. A cruel and cunning Antichrist. The dreaded battle of Armageddon. These images and ideas associated with prophecy can be stimulating but also unnecessarily scary. Max Lucado believes God wants us to be prepared, not scared. In his first book exploring the end of this age, Max provides a wise, well-researched, and reassuring overview of what God's Word has to say on a topic that often creates confusion and anxiety.

Max explores four big ideas that will provide a solid foundation for understanding God's plans and will remind us that we are headed to a far better place than where we started.

He explains that:

• We were made to reign with Christ;
• God has made and will keep his promises;
• Heaven has a timeline; and
• A golden era, the millennium, awaits God's children.

In a world filled with political tension, personal trials, and international turbulence, we find ourselves drawn to exploring what happens next on heaven's timeline. Whether readers find themselves in the "I can't wait," "I'm almost ready," or "I'm not sure about all of this" camp, they will be encouraged to ponder God's plans and promises for the future. In Max's signature encouraging style, he reminds us, "It's all about hope. It's all about him."

For some, Christmas is a time of excitement, celebration, and quality time with loved ones. For others, it's full of loneliness, grief, and loss. Join New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado as he unwraps the enduring promises of Christmas and discovers a lifetime of hope, all because of one baby born in Bethlehem. It's easy to lose sight of the remarkable story of Christmas. We forget that a king ordered a census, Joseph was forced to travel, Mary bounced on a donkey's back, the hotel was full, the hour was late, and the event was one big hassle. Yet, out of that hassle, hope was born. In Because of Bethlehem, Max invites us to look at the Christmas story from a different perspective. He reminds us that Christmas is about more than a pretty tree with presents piled up underneath it. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates: the child in the cradle who goes on to become the King on the cross. Because of Bethlehem, we have a place on earth and a Savior in heaven. In the midst of your hectic Christmas season, Max will give you the encouragement, advice, and tools you need to: Rekindle your connection to the Christ of Christmas Receive the promises of the Christmas season Lay down your endless Christmas to-do list and trust what Jesus has already done Heal your heartache by embracing the God who is always near you, always for you, and always with you Each copy of Because of Bethlehem will also include an Advent Devotional Guide designed to help you reflect on the miracle of Christ's birth and the promise of his return. As you curl up in a comfortable spot and take a closer look at the wild and wonderful story of Bethlehem, may you find enduring faith for all seasons of your life. No matter what this season holds for you, rest in the truth that the promise of Christmas has the power to bring you a lifetime of hope and healing.

The Max Lucado Life Lessons series continues to be one of the bestselling study guide series on the market today. This updated edition of the popular New Testament and Old Testament series will offer readers a complete selection of studies by Max Lucado. Intriguing questions, inspirational storytelling, and profound reflections will bring God's Word to life for both individuals and small-group members. Each session now includes a key passage of Scripture from both the NIV (formerly NCV) and the NKJV, and the guides have been updated to include content from Max's recent releases (2007-2016).