The mind-bending awareness of God’s limitless love, his incalculable sacrifice, and the priceless teaching at the core. How can we know? Because God so loved the world.In 3:16, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado encourages us to study closely the “Hope Diamond of the Bible”: John 3:16.Max says of his favorite verse, “Every time I recall these words, they are fresh and as stunning as my first encounter with them. But for every challenge there is a breathtaking promise: It’s going to be okay. We’ve all had our fair share of disappointments, loss, or hardships. And then when this day is done I will place my head on my pillow and rest.Now with brand-new content added, one of Max Lucado’s all-time bestselling books is updated for a new generation!Sometimes life appears to fall to pieces and can seem irreparable. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. And kind to the unkind, for that is how God has treated me. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage. 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. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. Today I will love God and what God loves. No occasion justifies hatred no injustice warrants bitterness. "I can eat dirt if I want to!" we pout and proclaim. We don't enjoy the cleansing sometimes we even opt for the dirt over the ice cream. "I've got something better for you." And so he cleanses us of filth immorality, dishonesty, prejudice, bitterness, greed. "Spit out the dirt, honey," our Father urges. I carried her over to the water fountain and washed out her mouth. I loved her right where she was, but I refused to leave her there. Was I going to allow her to keep the dirt in her mouth? No way. Was she any less of my daughter with dirt in her mouth? Of course not. Where I had intended to put a delicacy, she had put dirt.ĭid I love her with dirt in her mouth? Absolutely. I purchased her a treat, and when I turned to give it to her, I saw her mouth was full of sand. One day as she was playing in a sandbox, an ice-cream salesman approached us. “When my daughter was a toddler, I used to take her to a park not far from our apartment.
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