So needed. Excellent book.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

First sentence: "It's just me, and I ain't much." We’d been talking for well into an hour before she said the words. We’d worked our way through two cups of machinebrewed, hospital-waiting-room coffee. Hers with sweetener, mine with powdered creamer. Small of stature she was. No makeup, hair matted. Her T-shirt was loose fitting and crumpled. I wondered if she’d slept in it.

Max Lucado's newest book is drawn from the gospel of John. Each chapter in one way or another connects to a chapter of John. I emphasize in one way or another because the focus of each chapter centers more on stories and experiences--from his own life, from his conversations with others, his observations and conclusions--than on the Word of God itself. While other books quote Scripture--moderately to even liberally--Lucado's quoting of Scripture is sparse to almost non existent. He talks about the contents of the gospel of John--it's clearly evident that he's familiar with John and that he has given it much thought--but it's more like a summary aside that supports his narrative. I definitely think he leans towards inspirational application.

I read Lucado sparingly. I prefer to read something that requires more chewing, more thought, more attention. But I love, love, love, love, love, crazy love the gospel of John. I am always up to read a book that relates/connects to John. And so I was open to reading and reviewing this.

I definitely enjoyed it. Lucado has a way with words. Like he knows he's going to be quoted a billion times and then some. Which he is. Often. He knows his audience and what they expect. I definitely found gems that were worthy of quoting.

Life happens when we believe. We find strength beyond our strength. We accomplish tasks beyond our capacity. We see solutions beyond our wisdom. Belief is not some respectful salute to a divine being. Belief happens when we place our confidence in God. It is a decision to lean entirely upon the strength of a living and loving Savior.

Each and every one of Jesus’ miracles was an act of kindness. Someone benefited. All these events stand together as one voice, calling on you to lift your eyes and open your heart to the possibility—indeed, the reality—that the greatest force in the universe is One who means you well and brings you hope.

You’re stronger than you think because God is nearer than you know.

Read the Bible from the table of contents in the front to the maps in the back, and you will not find any promise of a pain-free life on this side of death. But you will find this assurance: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5 niv).

Set your compass on the polestar of God’s promise, and place one weary foot in front of the other. Jesus has spoken. Let his word do what it was intended to do: lead you home.

It is not ours to say what God will do. Our job is to believe he will do something. It simply falls to us to stand up, take up, and walk.

When we wonder if God is coming, he answers with his name: “I AM!” When we wonder if he is able, he declares, “I AM.” When we see nothing but darkness, feel nothing but doubt, and wonder if God is near or aware, the welcome answer from Jesus is this: “I AM!” Pause for a moment and let him tell you his name. Your greatest need is his presence. Yes, you want this storm to pass. Yes, you want the winds to still. But yes, yes, yes, you want to know, need to know, and must know that the great I AM is near.

When I was a fifth grader, the optometrist gave me a vision test. If God tested your spiritual vision, would you pass it? Can you see the meaning of life? Have you caught a vision for eternity? Most of all, can you see God’s great love for you? The hand you sense on your face is his. The voice you hear is his. It is not his will that we grope blindly through life. He wants us to know why we are on earth and where we are going. Our vision matters to Jesus. He will do whatever it takes to help us see how to see.

What's In Your Basket? This is the second time I've had the honor of working with one of my childhood literary heroes as an advance reader of his new book, and the first time I've actually read the entire book before publication (in this case, roughly 3 months before). And this book is classic Lucado. Full of humor, real life stories, encouragement, ... and prooftexting. For those that don't know, "prooftexting" is the concept used quite extensively in Christian circles where you cite seemingly random Bible verses in support - "proof" - of whatever claim you're making at the time. And it is an automatic star deduction whenever I encounter it. No ifs, ands, or buts. This is my own way of waging war against the practice.

All of that noted, this particular book looks at several of the miracles as seen in the Gospel of John, which has long been my own personal favorite Gospel and book of the Bible. So much so that when I preached my own first sermon over two decades ago now, it too came from John - though not one of the stories Lucado so eloquently discusses here.

Seriously y'all, the guy is a master of the conversational style and inspirational writing. He has been for 30 years, and this book is no different there. Were it not for the prooftexting, this is a 5* book easily if you're remotely open to Christian thinking, and if you don't want to read a book that heavily references Christian thinking... why are you reading a book by one of the most well known Christian writers and pastors in America today? It even has a revelation or two that I didn't know myself and had to Google, but for those still as plugged into this community as I was long ago were likely old news at this point.

All told, a work that is very much recommended.

Max Lucado is always a joy to read. This book is needed during these hard times. It reminds us that God is always with us- an ever present help in times of trouble.

Another excellent book from Max. He’s written it in a conversational style, and it’s a much needed message. He teaches us that we are never alone because God is near and always with us.

I love Max Lucado! This book is a must read for everyone feeling alone, sad and hopeless. Loved it. I liked how he used a biblical perspective to us approaching our problems and it's always amazing to get that reminder that we are not alone

Max Lucado is no stranger to helping people see their situation from a biblical and christ-like perspective. This book is no exception. The book’s key message is that we are never alone, never without help and never without hope. Max goes to share different stories from the Bible where Jesus intervened (through different miracles) and describes the characters in the bible as they were facing different challenging situations. They all had one thing in common which was Faith. But finding faith is difficult in the midst of a challenging situation.

Max highlighted perspectives in the bible that might be overseen. Max shows the reader how Jesus can use these adversities to strengthen our relationship with Him. Max highlights the attitude and faith that these people had, and how we should shift our attitude towards our adversities. If we see our troubles as nothing more than isolated hassles and hurts, we will grow bitter and angry. But if we see troubles as opportunities to trust God and his ability to multiply what we give him, even the smallest incidents take on significance.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Given the current pandemic that the world is facing, this book is important both in its timing and in its reminder that we are not in this alone.

Writer and active pastor, Max Lucado has a special ability to take biblical stories and make it as a living truth in our day to day world, both vibrant and active, so there is a clear reason he is a New York Times bestselling author. He has been making a difference in the spiritual lives of Christians since 1985, so when you see a new book added to his exhaustive catalogue of works, you would be wise to sit up and take notice, because it will be undoubtedly be filled with wisdom. And thankfully this book is no exception to the rule.

In You Are Never Alone Lucado explores themes found within the gospel of John and what it says to Christians as they face obstacles and issues, deal with concerns and when they experience a crisis of faith. Written in his faithful easy to read style, he takes familiar stories and weaves them with everyday examples of contemporary life and makes the truths impossible to not be affected by. He shares both personal truths and confessions and stories of other people in their walk of faith as a way of both teaching and encouragement to the reader.

He teaches the reader about the truth of God’s presence and His power, always backing up his words with biblical verses that can be (and should be) explored by the reader. Lucado always has the ability to make Jesus not just a great man to be venerated from afar, but a real, living, warm man who cares deeply for the individual. This is no whitewashing of the gospel to suit the needs of a modern-day believer who only wants to hear good news. Lucado isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade and warn Christians that sometimes our journey on earth is going to be filled with difficult times and that anyone who says differently is lying.

And Christ will not remove all the pain this side of heaven. Did someone tell you otherwise? Did someone assure you that God permits only blue skies and rainbows and sunbeams? They misspoke. Read the Bible from the Table of contents in the front to the maps in the back, and you will not find any promise of a pain-free life on this side of death.
But you will find this assurance: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

It is a stark truth that a person can cling to when doubts and troubles come upon a believer’s life, as well as a joyful reminder of grace when life is full of peace. In twelve easily digestible chapters, Lucado reminds the reader of the faithfulness of God, and it also has an extensive study guide at the end of the book, making it perfect for bible study groups and for personal reflections.

Lucado is a special gift for society today. And it seems entirely possible that one day in the future he will be spoken of in the same terms as other great biblical writers such as John Bunyan, C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer and the like; we are lucky enough to be living in the same period of time, to read his words as they fall from his pen and experience his teaching for ourselves.

As always, a delight to read, learn from and be inspired by.