Max Lucado

Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leave you speechless remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

God is fond of you. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. If He had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Face it, friend, He's crazy about you.

When he says we__e forgiven, let__ unload the guilt. When he says we__e valuable, let__ believe him. . . . When he says we__e provided for, let__ stop worrying. God__ efforts are strongest when our efforts are useless

The maker of the stars would rather die for you than live without you. And that is a fact. So if you need to brag, brag about that.

A few songs with Him might change the way you sing. Forever.

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.

Worry divides the mind.

When we would say 'No way,' he would say, 'My way.' Then the ones who doubted would scramble to salvage the blessing. And the one who gave it would savor the surprise.

Let him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let him in can he pull us out.

Though you see nothing, he is acting.

Confession is the act of inviting God to walk the acreage of our hearts. __here is a rock of greed over here, Father. I can__ budge it. And that tree of guilt near the fence? Its roots are long and deep. And may I show you some dry soil, too crusty for seed?_ God__ seed grows better if the soil of the heart is cleared.

You come before the judgment seat of God full of rebellion and mistakes. Because of his justice he cannot dismiss your sin, but because of his love he cannot dismiss you. So, in an act which stunned the heavens, he punished himself on the cross for your sins. God__ justice and love are equally honored. And you, God__ creation, are forgiven.

When God looks at you, he doesn__ see you; he sees the One who surrounds you. That means that failure is not a concern for you. Your victory is secure.

I Choose Love...No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.I Choose Joy...I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.I Choose Peace... I will live forgiven. I will forgive so I may live.I Choose Patience...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so, Rather complain that the wait is to long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.I Choose Kindness...I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for that is how God has treated me. I Choose Goodness...I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I accuse. I choose goodness.I Choose Faithfulness...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My friends will not question my word. And my family will not question my love.I Choose Gentleness...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.I Choose Self-Control...I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then when this day is done I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Focus on giants - you stumble.Focus on God - Giants tumble.

Don't worry about having the right words; worry more about having the right heart. It's not eloquence he seeks, just honesty.

Create a trophy room in your heart. Each time you experience a victory, place a memory on the shelf. Before you face a challenge, take a quick tour of God__ accomplishments. Look at all the paychecks he has provided, all the blessings he has given, all the prayers he had answered. Imitate the shepherd boy David. Before he fought Goliath, the giant, he remembered how God had helped him kill a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-36). He faced his future by revisiting the past.

Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia