It doesn’t matter if it’s a good day, a hard day, or somewhere in-between—we need the hope God offers every day. Max shares words of hope and help through simple, one-minute daily devotionals to encourage you to take one step closer to Jesus.
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here In these tough times, could you use a word of encouragement? From Max Lucado, a pastor for over 40 years and bestselling author whose books have sold more than 145 million copies in over 50 languages, The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast is all about the greatest story ever told—the living Savior who brings you a lifetime of hope. With rich biblical insight, heartwarming storytelling, and Max’s comforting tone, you’ll be empowered to place your ...
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Listen to Today's Devotion Where is Paradise? Well the Bible refers to three kinds of heaven. There is an atmospheric heaven—the sky, the breathable atmosphere that blankets the earth. There is a planetary heaven that encompasses our mighty and majestic universe. And then there is the third heaven: Paradise. It exists outside our physical universe.…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here It’s that time of year when we're choosing gifts to give for Christmas. As the hero of the holidays, Jesus deserves our finest gift. But what could that be? We can look to the angels to know what Jesus really wants from us this Christmas. As a reminder, The Encouraging Word Podcast will be off next week,…
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Listen to Today's Devotion Paradise: the next stop on our journey. That is the term Jesus used with the dying thief on the cross. Is Paradise the same as heaven? Sort of. John Wesley called Paradise “only the porch of Heaven.” It is simply the gathering place of the saved until Christ comes for his children. The Greek word for paradise refers to a …
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Listen to Today's Devotion In heaven’s diagram death is but the beginning—the first letter of the first sentence in the first paragraph of the first chapter of the great story that God is writing with your life. Life is not the beginning and ending, but solely the ending of the beginning. Consider this assurance from the apostle Paul: “We want you …
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Listen to Today's Devotion Despair can be a dangerous season. But it can also be a developing time—a time in which we learn to trust God, to lean into his Word, to rely on his ways. The choice is ours. To help us choose the wise path, God gave the story of Esther. For fear of the death of his people, Mordecai cries out to Esther to intervene. He sa…
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Listen to Today's Devotion Satan’s scheme to kill the Son of God was defeated on the cross he designed for Christ. Had Satan known that the death of the Messiah would mean death for him and life for us, he never would have crucified the King. He never saw it coming. So that we would never forget this moment, Jesus gave us our own celebration. “He t…
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Listen to Today's Devotion You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you. Is it still hard to consider the thought of forgiving the one who hurt you? If so, go one more time to the room. Watch Jesus as he goes from disciple to disciple. Can you see him? Can you hear the water splash? Can you hear him shuffle on the floor to t…
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Listen to Today's Devotion God didn’t tell me, “Clean up before you come in.” He offered, “Come in and I’ll clean you up.” It’s not my grip on him that matters but his grip on me, and his grip is sure. So is his presence in my life. Christmas presents from Santa? That’s nice. But the perpetual presence of Christ? That’s life changing. God is always…
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Listen to Today's Devotion Let the sleigh bells ring! I love Christmas. Let the carolers sing. The more Santas the merrier. I don’t complain about the crowded shops. I don’t grumble at the jam-packed grocery store. Well, it’s Christmas. I love it because someone will ask the Christmas questions. “What’s the big deal about the baby in the manger? Wh…
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Listen to Today's Devotion Christmas cards. Punctuated promises. On this special day, can I share words from my favorite Christmas cards? “He became like us, so we could become like Him.” “Angels still sing and the star still beckons.” And from Isaiah 9, verse 6: “God has given a Son to us. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, and Pr…
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Listen to Today's Devotion The virgin birth is much, much more than a Christmas story. It’s a story of how close Christ will come to you. The first stop on his itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world? Look deep within Mary for an answer. Better still, look deep within yourself. “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” Scripture says (…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello friend. Thanks for joining me today. Can you believe we’re halfway through December? Christmas will be here in just a few days. As you’re no doubt busy preparing for the holidays, I pray today’s episode gives you a few moments to reflect on the Savior who comes at just the right moment. Purchase Yo…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hi friend. I hope you’re doing well today. The past few episodes we’ve been talking about what it looks like to live in a way that reflects God’s glory to the world around us. We’ve considered different aspects of life where we can take the focus off ourselves and put it on God. For some, the most diffic…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello my friend. I hope you’re having a good day. As we continue this series about living a life that reflects the glory of God, might I suggest that includes your struggles? We all have things in our lives we would change, things we wish we didn’t have to deal with. Illness, financial challenges, diffic…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello friend. I hope you’re doing well today. This week on the podcast we’re looking at an issue that plagued the Philippian church—legalism. They trusted the work of Jesus but were trying to add a little something on their own. If you ever find yourself looking for “Jesus plus” something else, the apost…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello friend. Thanks for joining me on the Encouraging Word Podcast. We’re tackling a new topic today. For the next few weeks we’ll be talking about living a God-centered life. Now that might sound simple, but living a God-centered life means not living a me-centered life. Not quite so easy, but with God…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, my friend. I hope you’re having a good day. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things." God calls us to walk out sacrificial love. I pray this message encourages you. Purchase You Can Count on God here…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, my friend. Thanks for joining me this week on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast. We really live in contentious times. This episode is releasing the day before a Presidential Election here in the United States. Regardless of the outcome, some people are going to be disappointed. Maybe angry. …
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, my friend. I hope you’re having a good day. This week on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast we conclude our study of heaven’s timeline and what happens next. As I’ve studied and taught on this topic, I’ve been asked many times, “So, Max, are we living in the end times?” I think we are. And in…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, friend. Welcome to the Encouraging Word Podcast. For the past several weeks we’ve been studying heaven’s timeline and God’s plan for the ages. Today’s episode brings us to a challenging topic. What happens to those who reject Jesus? There will be a judgment day. It will be a sobering event. But yo…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, my friend. Thanks for joining me this week on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast. This world is not paradise. It doesn’t look like the perfect Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter one. Devastating weather events, ongoing war, famine and illness – all symptoms of our fallen world where Satan prow…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here This week on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast, as we continue our study of heaven’s timeline, we’re looking at the second coming of Christ. It won’t be like the first. Baby Jesus, sleeping in the manger – this is a familiar image. But it’s not the image of Christ’s return. When he comes again, it …
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, my friend. Welcome back to the Encouraging Word Podcast. We’re working our way down heaven’s timeline and God’s plan for the ages. Today we come to the period of tribulation. Scripture tells us this will be a dark, chaotic time, in part because the church and those who follow Jesus will be gone. B…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here In last week’s episode of The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast, we talked about the rapture, and today we’re talking about what happens to the church after the rapture. I know these can be unsettling topics, but take heart, my friend – great celebrations in heaven await us. Purchase You Can Count on G…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Today on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast we're continuing our study on the end times. What purpose does the rapture serve? How can I believe that it will take place? Those are the questions we're beginning to answer today... Purchase You Can Count on God here…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here What do you know about the millennium? The 1,000 year reign of Christ as described in revelation. Maybe you've never heard of it, maybe you're confused by the thought of it, maybe you don't understand the purpose of it, or maybe you’re fascinated by it. Regardless of where you are in your consideration o…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here We're continuing our study on the end times, and on today's episode of the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast, we're going to look at passage in the book of Daniel. Now bare with me, it is a bit challenging, but it is an important prophecy that warrants our careful examination. That's what we're doing t…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Did you know that God has great plans for you? We get a glimpse of His plans for you in the Garden of Eden. A perfect garden where God's children, made in His image, live in perfect relationship with Him, with each other and perfected bodies in paradise. This story of the garden is more than a story...it…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello friend. As I mentioned last week this Fall on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast we'll be in a series called "What Happens Next.” Over the next several episodes we're going to look back at major events in the bible and we'll look forward to what Jesus has promised for the future. Let's do this…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Join us for a special episode where K-Love's Lauree Austin sits down with Max Lucado to answer questions about his new book "What Happens Next"! Purchase You Can Count on God hereDi Max Lucado
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here In this special episode of the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast, we're sharing an exclusive preview of Chapter 6 of Max's new book, What Happens Next. Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here. You can find the What Happens Next book and Bible study at MaxLucado.com or wherever you buy books! Purch…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here In this special episode of the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast, we're sharing an exclusive preview of Chapter 1 of Max's new book, What Happens Next. Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here. You can find the What Happens Next book and Bible study at MaxLucado.com or wherever you buy books! Purch…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here This summer on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast we’ve been talking about what we can do to give every day a chance. That can feel especially challenging on a day when things don’t go according to plan, when you’re bumped off track. Just ask the apostle Paul. You think he planned to go to prison? Y…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Thanks for joining us today on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast. On this episode we’re looking at a story in the New Testament about a daughter and the faith of her father. When the situation seemed hopeless, the father went to Jesus. And because he did, his family saw a miracle. Learn more about …
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Do you ever feel anxious? I know there’s plenty to worry about – between wars and extreme weather and the economy, not to mention the more personal concerns of health struggles or strained relationships. But I also know what God says about worry. If you want to worry less, today’s message is just what yo…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here In today’s episode of the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast, we’re looking back at the most important days in the history of our faith – the first Easter weekend. If you’re struggling in the pain of Friday or the silence of Saturday, may you remember that, in Christ, the celebration of Sunday is coming…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Thanks for joining us on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast this week. As we continue our series “Every Day Deserves a Chance,” let’s consider something that has derailed many a day – unforgiveness. Forgiving an offense doesn’t come easily, but doing so grows our understanding of grace. As you exper…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here In Luke chapter 17 we read the story of Jesus healing ten men with leprosy. This story tells us two important truths: one, it demonstrates the mercy of Christ. And two, it reminds us that God noticed a grateful heart. Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here. Purchase You Can Count on God here…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Isn’t that something? He doesn’t just delay your sin or shove it way down in a drawer. He takes it away. May you rest today in that security. Purchase You Can Count on God here…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Imagine, on the most difficult day of your life, you encounter Jesus. That’s what happened to the thief on the cross. At his lowest moment, he was met with kindness and grace. And on your worst day, that kindness and grace will meet you too. Purchase You Can Count on God here…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, friend. I hope you’re having a good day. But if you’re not, perhaps today’s message will help turn that around. Here on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast, we’re beginning our summer series today called “Every Day Deserves A Chance.” You’re likely familiar with the passage from Psalm 118: “Th…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here This week on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word podcast we’re dipping into the book of James. This New Testament letter to first century Christians has so much for us today. Words about joy and suffering, prayer and humility, and putting faith into action. I hope the message of James chapter two encourages …
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello, friend. Welcome to the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast. “What is God’s plan for me?” Have you wondered that? I don’t think I know anyone who hasn’t. We even spent several weeks on the podcast earlier this year talking about how discover and use our God-given uniqueness. While there are so many…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Hello friend. Welcome to the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast. I’ve been a pastor for a long time—over 40 years! I’ve been asked countless questions during that time, but none more fundamental than, “Max, what do I need to know to be a Christian?” Maybe someone you care about is asking this question. …
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Thanks for joining me today on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast. We’re wrapping up our study of Romans this week by going back to a story in 2 Samuel. King David, after Saul has died, asks if anyone from Saul’s family is still alive. The relative he finds and the invitation he extends is a beautif…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here In this special bonus, Max Lucado's wife Denalyn shares a special prayer on behalf of all mothers. We pray you'll be blessed by this prayer, and will feel seen and loved by the God who sees you. Purchase You Can Count on God hereDi Max Lucado
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here Here on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast, we’ve spent the last few weeks talking about God’s great grace – what it means, who it’s for, how you get it. So now what? What happens after you receive the gift of grace? It begins to mark your days. As you live knowing you are loved by God, you are able…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here This week on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast, as we continue our study of Romans, we’re looking at God’s covenant with Abraham. A covenant made long before the life and ministry of Paul. Knowing this Old Testament promise helps us understand what makes grace so special: it’s available to everyone…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” In Romans chapter 7, verses 18 and 19, Paul perfectly describes our inner struggle. We want to live in a way that honors God, yet find ourse…
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Learn more about The Solomon Foundation here I’m so glad you’re joining me today on the Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast because we’re talking about my favorite subject – grace. Maybe you’ve walked with God for a long time. Maybe you’re just beginning to ask questions about the Bible. No matter where you find yourself, Paul’s letter to the Roman…
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