Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print.

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The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

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The Touch of the Master's Hand

Thomas Nelson

Contents

Lesson 1 Becoming Like Jesus................................1Lesson 2 Loving Difficult People............................11Lesson 3 Extending God's Hand...............................21Lesson 4 Hearing God's Music................................31Lesson 5 Being Led by an Unseen Hand........................41Lesson 6 Knowing Where to Look..............................51Lesson 7 Fulfilling Your Destiny............................61Lesson 8 Living the Truth...................................71Lesson 9 Tending Your Garden................................81Lesson 10 Finding Treasure in the Trash.....................91Lesson 11 Knowing When to Celebrate.........................101Lesson 12 Finishing Strong..................................111

Chapter One

Becoming Like Jesus

"What if, for one day and one night, Jesus lives your life with his heart? Your heart gets the day off, and your life is led by the heart of Christ.... Would people notice a change?"-Max Lucado

1. Describe a person who truly lives with the heart of Christ.

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A Moment with Max Max shares these insights with us in his book Just Like Jesus.

Where did we get the idea we can't change? From whence come statements such as, "It's just my nature to worry," or "I'll always be pessimistic. I'm just that way," or "I have a bad temper. I can't help the way I react"? Who says? Would we make similar statements about our bodies? "It's just my nature to have a broken leg. I can't do anything about it." Of course not. If our bodies malfunction, we seek help. Shouldn't we do the same with our hearts? Shouldn't we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Can't we request treatment for our selfish tirades? Of course we can. Jesus can change our hearts. He wants us to have a heart like his.

Can you imagine a better offer? The heart of Jesus was pure.... Jesus' heart was peaceful.... His heart was purposeful.... His heart was spiritual....

2. List several excuses people give for not changing.

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3. What kinds of tools does God use to make our hearts more like Jesus' heart?

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A Message from the Word

21 I know that you heard about him, and you are in him, so you were taught the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to leave your old self-to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. 23 But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, 24 to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God-made to be truly good and holy.

25 So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. 26 When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. 27 Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. 28 Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor.

29 When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need-words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. 30 And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God's proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. 31 Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32 Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

1 You are God's children whom he loves, so try to be like him. 2 Live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4:21-5:2

4. To what extent are we able to fix or change ourselves?

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5. What keeps us from making necessary changes in our lives?

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6. List some practical benefits of living good and holy lives.

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More from the Word

5 In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. 6 Christ himself was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit. 7 But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant. 8 And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death-death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

7. How do we begin thinking as Jesus does?

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8. What cultural pressures do we need to overcome to become servants like Jesus?

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9. How does Christ's death on the cross enable us to change?

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My Reflections

"God's plan for you is nothing short of a new heart. If you were a car, God would want control of your engine. If you were a computer, God would claim the software and the hard drive. If you were an airplane, he'd take his seat in the cockpit. But you are a person, so God wants to change your heart."-Max

Journal

What is one specific change I can make in my daily routine to become more like Christ?

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For Further Study

To learn more about becoming like Jesus, read Romans 8:29-30; Colossians 3:10-17; Hebrews 12:2.

Additional Questions

10. What happens when we surrender our...