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"..when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus. - Max Lucado
I'd like to begin my review by sharing one of my favorite excerpts from this book.
The sheep will react with a sincere question: When? When did we feed, visit, clothe, or comfort you (vv. 34– 39)? Jesus’ answer will sound something like this.
“Remember when you got off the subway? It was a wintry Washington morning. Commuters were bundled and busy and focused on their work. You were, too, mind you.
But then you saw me. Yes, that was me! Standing between the coffee kiosk and the newsstand, that was me. I was wearing a baseball cap and a scarf and playing a fiddle. The mob rushed past as if I were a plastic plant.
But you stopped. I knew you were busy. You looked at your watch twice. But still you stopped and remembered me. You stepped over to the coffee stand, bought me a cup, and brought it over. I want you to know I never forgot that.”
This is the second book I've read by Max Lucado. No wonder his books are highly recommended in book reviews. "Outlive Your Life" is all about living a life with meaning and purpose by making a difference in the lives of others. Every chapter in this book also contains a prayer, reflections and action plans.
Here are some of my favorite extracts:
- Your life will never be lived by anyone else. p47
- We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives,
not just in heaven but here on earth. p57
- God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. p71
- “Save one life. Save the world.” - Talmud p75
- “God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well” (Rom. 12:6)
- “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again”(John 6:35)
- He has drenched his world in grace. It has no end. It knows no limits. p117
- Make sure you receive the bread. And once you do, pass it on. After all, if we don’t, who will?
- When believers agree, Jesus takes notice, shows up, and hears our prayers. p131
- No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. p136
- As you welcome strangers to your table, you are welcoming God himself. p153
- We still encounter people on the road. And sometimes we sense a peculiar
warmth, an affection. We detect an urge to open our doors to them.
In these moments let’s heed the inner voice. We never know whom we may be hosting for dinner. p163
- Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you
a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:9)
- Works done in God’s name long outlive our earthly lives. p176
- First, kind eyes meet desperate ones. Next, strong hands help weak ones.
Then, the miracle of God. We do our small part, he does the big part, and life at the Beautiful Gate
begins to be just that. p182
- Imitate the disciples. Linger long and often in the presence of Christ.
Meditate on his grace. Ponder his love. Memorize his words. Gaze into his face.
Talk to him. Courage comes as we live with Jesus.
- To do a good thing is a good thing. To do good to be seen is not. p220
- Slay the desire to be noticed. Stir the desire to serve God. p223
- “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my
anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along
the path of everlasting life” (Ps. 139:23–24)
- His to-do list? Help for the body and soul, strength for the physical and the
spiritual, therapy for the temporal and eternal.
“This is my mission statement,” Jesus declared. p234
- no one can do everything, but everyone can do something. p247
- You’ve forgotten how big God is. p260
- Our big God blesses our small faith. p263
- Take time to remember. “Look at what you were when God called you” (1 Cor.1:26).
Remember who held you in the beginning. Remember who holds you today. p265
- “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30)
- What gift are you giving that he did not first give? What truth are
you teaching that he didn’t first teach? You love. But who loved you first?
You serve. But who served the most? What are you doing for God that he could not do alone? p269
- ..when we cross the field and cheer for the other side, everyone wins. p290
- God never sends you where he hasn’t already been. p308
- God calls us to change the way we look at people. p333
- Prayer requires minimal effort. No location is prescribed.
No particular clothing is required. No title or office is stipulated. p348
- Be sure to bathe your mission in prayer. p354
- He is still listening. Are we still praying? p358
-Who had time to notice beauty in the midst of busyness? Most did not. p364
- “We all float on the same ocean. When the tide rises, it benefits everyone.” p365
- ..when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus. p366
- The works of mercy are simple deeds. And yet in these simple deeds, we serve Jesus. p370
- None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus. p376
- "Expect no credit for good deeds." p414
