Max Lucado

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a simulcast of Max Lucado speaking on the subject of Grace, which happens to be the title of his new book coming out. Here are some notes on the lesson.

John 8:2-11 some interesting points on this passage was that the woman was caught in adultery. That really hit home for me, as I have been caught in my sin a number of times. How does Jesus handle this? He stoops down and starts writing in the dust (or dirt), taking a lower position that the woman. When the people being to verbally push Jesus, he stands up and defends her. Isn't that interesting? Jesus defends me just as much, if not more so than that of that woman.

There was also a passage in Hebrews 7, although I am uncertain of the verse.

Romans 8:34 Jesus doesn't condemn. If I am to be like Jesus, then I shouldn't either.

Ezekiel 35:25-26 When I give Jesus my heart, he returns the favor. Jesus needs to dwell within me. When god hears my heartbeat, whose heart does he hear? My heart or the heart of Jesus?

Grace is what is done by Jesus IN me. Heaven into me. So why do I still behave bad? Transplants take time, it is a gradual process. Be strong in the grace. Grow in the grace. Have the heart of a sponge and not of a rock. Stand in the grace of God. Become a grace shaped person!

1st Corinthians 9

1st Corinthians 9: I am reading both books of Corinthians right now by the request of my wife. So far, it has been good reading. In this chapter, I see that I have to become all things to all people in order to save some. The race is marked out for me. I have to work for my recovery. I have to become something more than I already am so that I might save myself.

You see, I have become the homeless. I have become the jobless. I have become really good at being an addict. And now it is time to become something better. Now it is time to become someone recovered. As I type this at rehab, I reflect on that I have nearly 50 days pure and sober. I've lost my wife and kids, but there is hope that someday I will get them back, although to me it looks bleak. My friends have more hope about it than I do.

Anyway, it is nearing time to have to walk away from the computer, so I will close out there.