Max Lucado - Better Thinking

May 6, 2026 | 27:29

The pastor and author of “Tame Your Thoughts” shows you how to change your life by learning to manage your thoughts.

#Truth #Lies #RenewingtheMind #Mind #Thinking #PositiveThoughts #NegativeThoughts #MentalHealth #SpiritualWarfare #Obedience #Jesus #Habits #Transformation #Change #Devil #Sow #Seed #Doubt #WordofGod #Faith #JamesRobison #BettyRobison #MaxLucado

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Life Today with James Robison | Max Lucado - Better Thinking | May 6, 2026

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.356
Male announcer: the following program is sponsored by friends
00:00:00.790 --> 00:00:02.092
Of life outreach international and the friends
00:00:02.225 --> 00:00:03.993
And partners of tbn.
00:00:04.127 --> 00:00:04.461
Max lucado: an untruth leads to a false narrative, leads to
00:00:06.729 --> 00:00:10.834
An overreaction.
00:00:10.834 --> 00:00:12.368
We wanna deal with the overreaction, but somewhere
00:00:12.368 --> 00:00:15.105
Along the line there's an untruth that's going on in
00:00:15.105 --> 00:00:17.340
There, and we can help disentangle it.
00:00:17.340 --> 00:00:20.009
Announcer: max lucado offers a fresh perspective on renewing
00:00:20.009 --> 00:00:23.580
Your mind.
00:00:23.580 --> 00:00:24.914
Just as untruth leads to false narrative leads to overreaction,
00:00:24.914 --> 00:00:28.551
The right truth leads to a healthy narrative that can lead
00:00:28.551 --> 00:00:32.222
To a positive reaction.
00:00:32.222 --> 00:00:33.990
Announcer: next.
00:00:33.990 --> 00:00:35.992
[music]
00:00:35.992 --> 00:00:53.710
Randy robison: welcome to "life today."
00:00:46.002 --> 00:00:55.078
I'm randy robison, and blynda lane is with me.
00:00:55.078 --> 00:00:57.313
How you doing, blynda?
00:00:57.313 --> 00:00:58.648
Blynda: i'm doing really good today.
00:00:58.648 --> 00:01:00.016
Randy: i'm excited because max lucado is one of my
00:01:00.016 --> 00:01:02.519
Favorite guests.
00:01:02.519 --> 00:01:03.853
Blynda: is there just really--i mean, you say that name and it's
00:01:03.853 --> 00:01:05.788
Like, you know it's going to be a great show.
00:01:05.788 --> 00:01:07.790
Randy: it's going to be insightful, encouraging,
00:01:07.790 --> 00:01:11.861
And fun.
00:01:11.861 --> 00:01:13.196
Blynda: of course.
00:01:13.196 --> 00:01:14.564
Randy: and so i'm excited to have him here today.
00:01:14.564 --> 00:01:15.899
So "tame your thoughts" is the book that we're talking
00:01:15.899 --> 00:01:17.567
About today.
00:01:17.567 --> 00:01:19.936
I wanna start, if i could, with a quote, and i wanna see what
00:01:19.936 --> 00:01:22.438
You think about this.
00:01:22.438 --> 00:01:23.806
This is a quote from max's book "tame your thoughts," okay?
00:01:23.806 --> 00:01:26.643
"we manage our lives by managing our thoughts."
00:01:26.643 --> 00:01:31.347
Blynda: i mean, look at that.
00:01:31.347 --> 00:01:32.715
Randy: did you write that down?
00:01:32.715 --> 00:01:34.050
Blynda: "we manage our lives by--"
00:01:34.050 --> 00:01:35.418
We had the thing.
00:01:35.418 --> 00:01:36.753
I loved it because it was like, 70,000 thoughts a day.
00:01:36.753 --> 00:01:38.221
How do i manage that?
00:01:38.221 --> 00:01:39.556
How am i going to manage 70,000 thoughts a day?
00:01:39.556 --> 00:01:41.925
Randy: we'll find out.
00:01:41.925 --> 00:01:43.259
Blynda: we're gonna find out, and i'm so excited.
00:01:43.259 --> 00:01:44.627
Randy: welcome to the program.
00:01:44.627 --> 00:01:45.962
Max: it's great to see you both.
00:01:45.962 --> 00:01:47.330
It really is.
00:01:47.330 --> 00:01:48.665
Blynda: thank you for joining us.
00:01:48.665 --> 00:01:50.033
What we love about you, max, is there is probably many people
00:01:50.033 --> 00:01:53.937
Around the world who would say you have been a father or a
00:01:53.937 --> 00:01:56.739
Grandfather to them.
00:01:56.739 --> 00:01:58.308
Yeah, you've helped so many in the body of christ.
00:01:58.308 --> 00:02:01.044
We're so thankful.
00:02:01.044 --> 00:02:02.412
Max: thank you.
00:02:02.412 --> 00:02:03.746
Randy: let's jump into this topic.
00:02:03.746 --> 00:02:05.114
Max: okay.
00:02:05.114 --> 00:02:06.449
Randy: you know, we hear this scripture, we know we're
00:02:06.449 --> 00:02:07.817
Supposed to take every thought captive.
00:02:07.817 --> 00:02:09.185
I'm sure you've heard that one.
00:02:09.185 --> 00:02:10.520
But i don't know that we know that we can actually do it.
00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:14.357
I mean, sometimes it just--my brain just runs and i'm like,
00:02:14.357 --> 00:02:18.094
What am i--you know, i'm not even aware of it half the time.
00:02:18.094 --> 00:02:20.630
Max: isn't that the truth?
00:02:20.630 --> 00:02:21.998
Randy: where's the beginning point for managing our thoughts?
00:02:21.998 --> 00:02:24.867
Max: well, blynda mentioned that quote of 70,000 thoughts.
00:02:24.867 --> 00:02:28.371
That comes from the cleveland clinic, a reputable source.
00:02:28.371 --> 00:02:31.207
I don't know how in the world they count that we have 70,000
00:02:31.207 --> 00:02:34.877
Thoughts a day.
00:02:34.877 --> 00:02:36.412
Most of them are benign, you know, "boy, what a pretty
00:02:36.412 --> 00:02:39.716
Picture," you know, they don't--
00:02:39.716 --> 00:02:41.417
But there are enough of them that are significant that, well,
00:02:41.417 --> 00:02:47.123
Scripture teaches us, "be careful how you think because
00:02:47.123 --> 00:02:49.359
Your thoughts run your life," proverbs 4:23.
00:02:49.359 --> 00:02:53.730
Our thoughts really do, and learning to manage our lives
00:02:53.730 --> 00:02:58.134
Begins by corralling, or directing, redirecting, these
00:02:58.134 --> 00:03:05.208
Thoughts in a direction that is not self-destructive and
00:03:05.208 --> 00:03:10.647
Not self-critical.
00:03:10.647 --> 00:03:12.615
And that's not an easy thing to do.
00:03:12.615 --> 00:03:15.618
Blynda: it's not, because i think about times in my life
00:03:15.618 --> 00:03:18.321
Where the biggest obstacle in my way was myself, how i thought
00:03:18.321 --> 00:03:22.825
About something or how i saw something, that i couldn't get
00:03:22.825 --> 00:03:26.796
Past that thing.
00:03:26.796 --> 00:03:28.164
And you actually talk about in the book, like, you kind of give
00:03:28.164 --> 00:03:30.533
Us three different tools of thought, of ways that we're
00:03:30.533 --> 00:03:36.172
Supposed to be maybe managing our thoughts.
00:03:36.172 --> 00:03:39.375
And one of them really was good for me.
00:03:39.375 --> 00:03:44.080
And it was the picky--it was like--
00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:48.217
Max: practice picky thinking.
00:03:48.217 --> 00:03:49.552
Blynda: yes, picky thinking, because i don't think i'm
00:03:49.552 --> 00:03:51.487
Picky enough.
00:03:51.487 --> 00:03:52.855
The thoughts that i let in my mind, there's a lot of them, and
00:03:52.855 --> 00:03:56.259
Some of them kind of sabotage maybe how i'm gonna move forward
00:03:56.259 --> 00:04:00.763
In something that god's asking me to do.
00:04:00.763 --> 00:04:02.398
Can you talk about that?
00:04:02.398 --> 00:04:03.766
Max: you know, the big idea is that just because you have a
00:04:03.766 --> 00:04:07.370
Thought, you don't have to think it, you know?
00:04:07.370 --> 00:04:10.940
Just because an idea comes into your mind, that idea does not
00:04:10.940 --> 00:04:15.178
Have to be processed or pondered.
00:04:15.178 --> 00:04:17.747
And that's that 2 corinthians passage you referred to, randy.
00:04:17.747 --> 00:04:21.517
We take every thought captive.
00:04:21.517 --> 00:04:24.020
We do not fight with the weapons that the world uses, but we take
00:04:24.020 --> 00:04:28.858
Every thought captive, causing it to submit to the authority
00:04:28.858 --> 00:04:33.396
Of christ.
00:04:33.396 --> 00:04:35.131
I was, for some reason i got anxious about a decision my wife
00:04:35.131 --> 00:04:38.568
And i were making.
00:04:38.568 --> 00:04:39.936
It's a very small decision.
00:04:39.936 --> 00:04:41.704
Aren't they all?
00:04:41.704 --> 00:04:43.039
But it was a small decision, but i was getting anxious about it,
00:04:43.039 --> 00:04:46.676
And i thought, no, jesus said, "don't worry about tomorrow.
00:04:46.676 --> 00:04:50.913
Today has enough worries for itself."
00:04:50.913 --> 00:04:53.149
I thought, okay, i'm not gonna think about that anymore.
00:04:53.149 --> 00:04:55.918
Now, i don't always do that, but that's the skill set that i'm
00:04:55.918 --> 00:05:01.791
Promoting or encouraging, and that is this idea of just
00:05:01.791 --> 00:05:05.495
Because you have a thought, you don't have to go down that path
00:05:05.495 --> 00:05:08.898
With it.
00:05:08.898 --> 00:05:10.233
Randy: i've experienced that, and i think that's where the
00:05:10.233 --> 00:05:12.502
Idea of taking every thought captive to the obedience of
00:05:12.502 --> 00:05:15.171
Christ started to make sense to me.
00:05:15.171 --> 00:05:16.906
Mine, and maybe it's a byproduct of my dad traveling so much when
00:05:16.906 --> 00:05:20.777
I was growing up, you know?
00:05:20.777 --> 00:05:22.345
But i would have this thought of, "uh-oh, what if something
00:05:22.345 --> 00:05:24.747
Happens, and they don't come home?"
00:05:24.747 --> 00:05:26.082
Carried it over into my marriage if my wife would go on a trip.
00:05:26.082 --> 00:05:28.017
She's from florida, so she would occasionally drive to florida
00:05:28.017 --> 00:05:31.287
Or something.
00:05:31.287 --> 00:05:32.655
And then you have kids and god forbid, you know, they're
00:05:32.655 --> 00:05:34.457
Driving i-35 going to college, which all mine did.
00:05:34.457 --> 00:05:37.627
You start to have--and what happens is that i would have
00:05:37.627 --> 00:05:40.096
That thought of, what if something happens, worst-case
00:05:40.096 --> 00:05:42.398
Scenario, you know, injury or death.
00:05:42.398 --> 00:05:45.101
And then i would go down that path, instead of stopping it
00:05:45.101 --> 00:05:49.405
Where you're talking about, go down that, and just fantasize
00:05:49.405 --> 00:05:53.476
About all the terrible things that could happen.
00:05:53.476 --> 00:05:55.678
"because it happens to other people, it could happen to me."
00:05:55.678 --> 00:05:57.713
And pretty soon, i mean, it just throws you into a really
00:05:57.713 --> 00:06:01.050
Bad mindset.
00:06:01.050 --> 00:06:02.385
Max: tailspin.
00:06:02.385 --> 00:06:03.753
Randy: it's not healthy.
00:06:03.753 --> 00:06:05.087
And when i go, okay, now wait a minute, it's that awareness of
00:06:05.087 --> 00:06:07.223
What i'm doing.
00:06:07.223 --> 00:06:08.558
I'm going down this path of negative thoughts of something
00:06:08.558 --> 00:06:11.060
That has not happened, right?
00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:13.596
And i go, oh, wait, i'm gonna take those thoughts and make
00:06:13.596 --> 00:06:16.866
Them obey christ, who says what you just quoted, right?
00:06:16.866 --> 00:06:21.437
Why worry about--
00:06:21.437 --> 00:06:22.772
Max: exactly.
00:06:22.772 --> 00:06:24.106
Blynda: and even i love the "captive."
00:06:24.106 --> 00:06:25.475
It makes me think of putting something in captivity.
00:06:25.475 --> 00:06:26.809
It's like i'm putting them in jail.
00:06:26.809 --> 00:06:28.911
Max: like handcuffing them.
00:06:28.911 --> 00:06:30.279
Yeah, i think that's deliberate.
00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:32.048
Randy: so your idea of picky thinking, i mean, i don't know,
00:06:32.048 --> 00:06:35.952
How do--is self-awareness not the first step?
00:06:35.952 --> 00:06:38.254
Max: it is, and forgive me for trying to sound like i'm smarter
00:06:38.254 --> 00:06:43.092
Than i am, but neuroplasticity is a kind of a buzzword these
00:06:43.092 --> 00:06:47.363
Days, of how we've learned that the brain really does create
00:06:47.363 --> 00:06:51.167
Habits, you know?
00:06:51.167 --> 00:06:53.603
They do call them ruts, you know, my brain is in a rut or
00:06:53.603 --> 00:06:58.140
I've got a rut, literally is, what i'm told, a physical rut
00:06:58.140 --> 00:07:02.512
That the neurons create, firing back and forth and back
00:07:02.512 --> 00:07:07.083
And forth.
00:07:07.083 --> 00:07:08.451
What that is, that's a habit.
00:07:08.451 --> 00:07:10.453
That's a habit.
00:07:10.453 --> 00:07:11.854
And a lot of these are things we pick up from our parents.
00:07:11.854 --> 00:07:15.658
My mom really was a worrier, and i think i've learned a lot of
00:07:15.658 --> 00:07:20.029
Good things from her, but i picked up her worst-case
00:07:20.029 --> 00:07:23.633
Scenarios and began to practice it.
00:07:23.633 --> 00:07:27.470
So most of us have a tendency to get in a rut or two.
00:07:27.470 --> 00:07:33.175
And so, learning what those are and breaking them is essential.
00:07:33.175 --> 00:07:36.145
Blynda: that's what i was gonna ask.
00:07:36.145 --> 00:07:37.513
You have to create a new pathway of thinking.
00:07:37.513 --> 00:07:39.715
What would you say is the first step in doing that?
00:07:39.715 --> 00:07:42.952
I mean, if it's--because sometimes if it's just the
00:07:42.952 --> 00:07:45.888
Default, that you don't even necessarily know, it's just the
00:07:45.888 --> 00:07:49.759
Default, so you're now creating a new pathway in your thinking
00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:54.196
Or in the way you do things.
00:07:54.196 --> 00:07:55.731
How do you do that?
00:07:55.731 --> 00:07:57.099
Max: you treat these lies with truth.
00:07:57.099 --> 00:07:58.834
That's what it is.
00:07:58.834 --> 00:08:00.169
So everything gets back to who's the authority in our
00:08:00.169 --> 00:08:02.572
Life, right?
00:08:02.572 --> 00:08:03.940
And jesus said, "all authority has been given to me in heaven
00:08:03.940 --> 00:08:07.677
And on earth, been given to me."
00:08:07.677 --> 00:08:09.011
He has ultimate authority.
00:08:09.011 --> 00:08:10.680
So the scripture says, "do not worry about tomorrow.
00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:14.517
Tomorrow has enough worries in and of itself, or of its own,"
00:08:14.517 --> 00:08:18.487
Then he has authority.
00:08:18.487 --> 00:08:19.855
Christ said, "don't worry.
00:08:19.855 --> 00:08:21.324
I'm gonna do my very best today."
00:08:21.324 --> 00:08:23.426
And by the way, it gets easier.
00:08:23.426 --> 00:08:25.428
It gets easier.
00:08:25.428 --> 00:08:26.796
Just as you create negative thought habits, you can create
00:08:26.796 --> 00:08:29.098
Positive thought habits.
00:08:29.098 --> 00:08:30.533
That's when we talk about wonderful people we love who are
00:08:30.533 --> 00:08:32.802
People of faith, because over the decades they've developed
00:08:32.802 --> 00:08:36.005
This ability.
00:08:36.005 --> 00:08:37.340
And what we're doing is we're creating a new rut in our brain.
00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:40.576
Literally, it's refiring.
00:08:40.576 --> 00:08:43.079
"do not be transformed by the world but be--do not be
00:08:43.079 --> 00:08:45.881
Conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of
00:08:45.881 --> 00:08:49.952
Your mind."
00:08:49.952 --> 00:08:51.287
I don't know if paul was a neurologist, but i think the
00:08:51.287 --> 00:08:53.990
Holy spirit--
00:08:53.990 --> 00:08:55.324
Randy: okay, so that's one of these things i love about
00:08:55.324 --> 00:08:56.792
Science, modern science, and a lot of people try to pit faith
00:08:56.792 --> 00:08:58.894
And science as competing things, but science just confirmed what
00:08:58.894 --> 00:09:03.966
Paul said.
00:09:03.966 --> 00:09:05.334
And the plasticity part of neuroplasticity is literally new
00:09:05.334 --> 00:09:10.373
Ways of thinking.
00:09:10.373 --> 00:09:11.707
Like, you can create these new ways of thinking.
00:09:11.707 --> 00:09:13.676
So science caught up, great for them.
00:09:13.676 --> 00:09:15.311
Max: that's encouraging, isn't it, randy?
00:09:15.311 --> 00:09:16.646
Randy: it is.
00:09:16.646 --> 00:09:18.014
Max: to think that i don't have to think this way
00:09:18.014 --> 00:09:19.482
The rest of my life.
00:09:19.482 --> 00:09:20.816
Randy: absolutely, absolutely.
00:09:20.816 --> 00:09:22.151
All right, so the second step that you talk about is not what
00:09:22.151 --> 00:09:24.020
I thought it was when i first saw it.
00:09:24.020 --> 00:09:25.888
Blynda: i know, i was gonna say, is this the time to ask, do you
00:09:25.888 --> 00:09:28.791
Really think there's ufos out there?
00:09:28.791 --> 00:09:30.159
I'm just kidding.
00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:31.794
Randy: right, yeah.
00:09:31.794 --> 00:09:33.129
So you say, "identify ufos," and i'm like, "oh, fine."
00:09:33.129 --> 00:09:34.730
But what does that mean to you in your context?
00:09:34.730 --> 00:09:37.633
Max: it's just a little tricky thing that i developed in my
00:09:37.633 --> 00:09:40.436
Mind, in my mind, as a pastor.
00:09:40.436 --> 00:09:43.205
I've been a pastor all these years.
00:09:43.205 --> 00:09:44.640
Blynda: i like the way your mind's working.
00:09:44.640 --> 00:09:45.975
Max: i have to have little memory devices.
00:09:45.975 --> 00:09:50.146
So this one is ufo.
00:09:50.146 --> 00:09:52.048
An untruth leads to a false narrative, leads to
00:09:52.048 --> 00:09:56.085
An overreaction.
00:09:56.085 --> 00:09:58.654
Early in my ministry i found myself talking, as all
00:09:58.654 --> 00:10:01.924
Pastors--as all people do, but we pastors help people deal
00:10:01.924 --> 00:10:05.895
With overreactions.
00:10:05.895 --> 00:10:07.263
They come into my office, they're just angry.
00:10:07.263 --> 00:10:09.131
I'll see them in the hallway, they're distraught.
00:10:09.131 --> 00:10:11.734
It's an overreaction.
00:10:11.734 --> 00:10:13.969
What i've learned is there's a reason for that overreaction,
00:10:13.969 --> 00:10:17.573
And it can usually be traced back to this untruth.
00:10:17.573 --> 00:10:21.377
Ah, here's an untruth.
00:10:21.377 --> 00:10:23.412
"nobody loves me anymore."
00:10:23.412 --> 00:10:25.414
Well, that's not true, but that is a common thought.
00:10:25.414 --> 00:10:28.517
That's a true thought that--a thought that people think
00:10:28.517 --> 00:10:31.454
Is true.
00:10:31.454 --> 00:10:32.788
That then leads to a false narrative.
00:10:32.788 --> 00:10:34.657
"i'm not lovable."
00:10:34.657 --> 00:10:36.726
Blynda: which probably affects how you act, because if you
00:10:36.726 --> 00:10:38.828
Don't think you're lovable, you're going to act that way.
00:10:38.828 --> 00:10:41.997
Max: exactly.
00:10:41.997 --> 00:10:43.532
That then leads to an overreaction, which could be a
00:10:43.532 --> 00:10:45.701
Variety of things.
00:10:45.701 --> 00:10:47.236
Alcohol abuse, angry outbursts, absolute insecurity.
00:10:47.236 --> 00:10:53.042
Just doing things that are--we're acting out of
00:10:53.042 --> 00:10:56.345
That untruth.
00:10:56.345 --> 00:10:57.713
So ufo means identify the untruth that leads to the false
00:10:57.713 --> 00:11:04.320
Narrative that leads to the overreaction.
00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.322
This is a great tool for we parents, because when our
00:11:06.322 --> 00:11:09.592
Teenagers have this overreaction, we wanna deal with
00:11:09.592 --> 00:11:13.129
The overreaction, but somewhere along the line there's an
00:11:13.129 --> 00:11:15.698
Untruth that's going on in there, and we can help
00:11:15.698 --> 00:11:18.534
Disentangle it.
00:11:18.534 --> 00:11:19.869
Blynda: so interesting.
00:11:19.869 --> 00:11:21.237
I feel like so much of the christian walk that, you know,
00:11:21.237 --> 00:11:22.838
The older i get is finding out that over time, we've tried to
00:11:22.838 --> 00:11:27.143
Always touch on the symptoms, and there's always a root you
00:11:27.143 --> 00:11:30.045
Have to get to.
00:11:30.045 --> 00:11:31.380
There's just always something that needs to be uprooted.
00:11:31.380 --> 00:11:34.250
And really i feel like if you can get to that, it doesn't just
00:11:34.250 --> 00:11:37.686
Change your life but generationally it can make
00:11:37.686 --> 00:11:40.189
An impact.
00:11:40.189 --> 00:11:41.557
Max: i hear you.
00:11:41.557 --> 00:11:42.892
Blynda: i think it's so interesting.
00:11:42.892 --> 00:11:44.260
Randy: the obvious go-to is "why did you say that?"
00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:46.262
Or "why did you do that?"
00:11:46.262 --> 00:11:47.997
But what max is telling us is that, like the quote i read at
00:11:47.997 --> 00:11:51.567
The beginning of the show, it goes back to your thinking.
00:11:51.567 --> 00:11:55.337
Your words and your actions are a direct result of
00:11:55.337 --> 00:11:58.774
Your thoughts.
00:11:58.774 --> 00:12:00.309
And so by going back where you're talking about, learning
00:12:00.309 --> 00:12:02.845
To tame your thoughts, to make them obedient to what god says,
00:12:02.845 --> 00:12:07.850
Then the words and the actions start to fall into line.
00:12:07.850 --> 00:12:11.420
Max: absolutely, and that's what we're talking about here,
00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:14.056
Dismantling the untruth, because just as untruth leads to false
00:12:14.056 --> 00:12:18.327
Narrative leads to overreaction, the right truth leads to a
00:12:18.327 --> 00:12:22.031
Healthy narrative that can lead to a positive reaction.
00:12:22.031 --> 00:12:26.435
Randy: okay, so i find that untruth, and then what i do?
00:12:26.435 --> 00:12:29.672
Just rip it out and get rid of it and now i got a hole?
00:12:29.672 --> 00:12:32.174
Max: here comes the third tool, exactly.
00:12:32.174 --> 00:12:34.777
Uproot and replant.
00:12:34.777 --> 00:12:36.178
You talked about roots.
00:12:36.178 --> 00:12:37.546
We do, we uproot them, we get serious about them.
00:12:37.546 --> 00:12:39.782
We take the thought captive.
00:12:39.782 --> 00:12:41.784
We demand that the lord jesus be sovereign.
00:12:41.784 --> 00:12:44.286
By the way, the devil knows how to sow seeds in our minds.
00:12:44.286 --> 00:12:49.558
There's an interesting little phrase in john 13:2 about judas,
00:12:49.558 --> 00:12:53.696
Who, before he betrayed christ, satan planted the idea in
00:12:53.696 --> 00:12:59.802
His mind.
00:12:59.802 --> 00:13:01.170
It's a scary little idea, but we now we're protected by christ,
00:13:01.170 --> 00:13:04.406
We're overseen by him.
00:13:04.406 --> 00:13:06.408
But he still wants to come and sow negative thoughts.
00:13:06.408 --> 00:13:09.111
And so when they come, we uproot them, but then we replant.
00:13:09.111 --> 00:13:13.449
You don't just leave a hole in your head or a hole in
00:13:13.449 --> 00:13:15.517
The ground.
00:13:15.517 --> 00:13:16.886
You uproot them, but then you plant them, replant, and you
00:13:16.886 --> 00:13:20.789
Plant them with truth, truth.
00:13:20.789 --> 00:13:22.892
We were talking before the show started.
00:13:22.892 --> 00:13:24.560
I'll tell everybody.
00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.928
I got to spend half the day today with my hero, chuck
00:13:25.928 --> 00:13:29.064
Swindoll, 91 years old, and he's down to about 10% of his vision.
00:13:29.064 --> 00:13:35.971
But his mind is as sharp as ever, and i just listened to him
00:13:35.971 --> 00:13:39.975
Quote scripture after scripture after scripture.
00:13:39.975 --> 00:13:43.746
Scripture, it just leaks.
00:13:43.746 --> 00:13:46.916
Well, and he's happy, he's content.
00:13:46.916 --> 00:13:48.918
It's not easy.
00:13:48.918 --> 00:13:50.286
It's a hard time in a lot of ways.
00:13:50.286 --> 00:13:52.421
But you wouldn't know it because he is so immersed his mind
00:13:52.421 --> 00:13:55.557
In scripture.
00:13:55.557 --> 00:13:56.892
And i left there thinking, now, i need to do better at that.
00:13:56.892 --> 00:13:59.194
I need to--i need to be quick.
00:13:59.194 --> 00:14:01.163
I need to load my quiver with truth, so that when i have these
00:14:01.163 --> 00:14:05.434
Untruthful thoughts, i can reach in my quiver and pull them out
00:14:05.434 --> 00:14:09.571
And have god's word there.
00:14:09.571 --> 00:14:11.307
Blynda: i love that.
00:14:11.307 --> 00:14:12.675
I actually just--i feel like somebody out there who's
00:14:12.675 --> 00:14:14.243
Watching, i just wanna tell you, you have been discouraged and
00:14:14.243 --> 00:14:18.380
You haven't felt like you've been seen, that the lord knows
00:14:18.380 --> 00:14:23.419
The struggle that you've had.
00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:25.287
I wanna encourage you today, get into his word.
00:14:25.287 --> 00:14:29.091
It is alive and active to come alongside you, to encourage
00:14:29.091 --> 00:14:34.396
Every part of your heart and your mind that is struggling.
00:14:34.396 --> 00:14:37.766
And also i wanna remind you that we do have prayer partners right
00:14:37.766 --> 00:14:41.370
Now waiting by the phones.
00:14:41.370 --> 00:14:42.705
There's a number at the bottom of the screen, and you can call
00:14:42.705 --> 00:14:45.874
That number, and somebody will come alongside you and pray with
00:14:45.874 --> 00:14:49.211
You and encourage you, because that's why we do what we do.
00:14:49.211 --> 00:14:52.381
We are all humans walking in this earth together, with the
00:14:52.381 --> 00:14:56.051
Struggles, with the pain, but we also have the victory.
00:14:56.051 --> 00:14:59.822
And we don't wanna forget that the word of god gives us the
00:14:59.822 --> 00:15:04.293
Lifeline, gives us the truth to the victory.
00:15:04.293 --> 00:15:07.162
Max: amen, yeah.
00:15:07.162 --> 00:15:08.497
Randy: and one of the things, max, that you do say in the book
00:15:08.497 --> 00:15:10.933
Is that it's not just up to us.
00:15:10.933 --> 00:15:13.736
Like, what you're talking about doing, these are steps that i
00:15:13.736 --> 00:15:16.038
Can take, but when we take these steps, it's not us alone doing
00:15:16.038 --> 00:15:20.809
The hard work.
00:15:20.809 --> 00:15:22.811
Stuff that we can't even do on our own, that's where god goes,
00:15:22.811 --> 00:15:25.981
"i'm gonna partner with you."
00:15:25.981 --> 00:15:27.349
Max: exactly.
00:15:27.349 --> 00:15:28.684
His holy spirit is gonna speak to us, prompt us, lead us,
00:15:28.684 --> 00:15:32.654
Direct us.
00:15:32.654 --> 00:15:34.023
We have his word.
00:15:34.023 --> 00:15:35.657
We have friends, too.
00:15:35.657 --> 00:15:37.026
We have godly counsel to which we can turn.
00:15:37.026 --> 00:15:39.628
We have encouraging friends who can help us.
00:15:39.628 --> 00:15:44.066
So we're not--satan loves to get us isolated, you know?
00:15:44.066 --> 00:15:47.936
He's the lion who prowls around looking for one whom he
00:15:47.936 --> 00:15:51.407
Can devour.
00:15:51.407 --> 00:15:52.775
He likes to get that one, that one person off to the side,
00:15:52.775 --> 00:15:55.411
Wrapped up in a world of isolation.
00:15:55.411 --> 00:15:57.746
Blynda: so for the person who is saying, "okay, but you know,
00:15:57.746 --> 00:16:01.183
Pastor max, there's just no way to tell you all the the things
00:16:01.183 --> 00:16:05.354
That i've suffered in my life or the pain that i've gone through
00:16:05.354 --> 00:16:08.757
There's, you know, there's just not a few little tools here and
00:16:08.757 --> 00:16:11.727
There, i can't just start thinking positive thoughts and
00:16:11.727 --> 00:16:13.829
My life is gonna change, necessarily."
00:16:13.829 --> 00:16:16.565
What would you say to them about, though the journey may be
00:16:16.565 --> 00:16:19.868
Long before, you know, they feel like they're fully in that new
00:16:19.868 --> 00:16:26.542
Pathway, but how would you encourage them as
00:16:26.542 --> 00:16:29.978
They're starting?
00:16:29.978 --> 00:16:31.580
Max: let me just talk to that person, because the the fact of
00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:34.583
The matter is maybe today is a tough day for you.
00:16:34.583 --> 00:16:37.986
I would encourage you to just take a few moments and find a
00:16:37.986 --> 00:16:41.857
Quiet place.
00:16:41.857 --> 00:16:43.492
Go off in a corner, go out in the backyard, go someplace where
00:16:43.492 --> 00:16:46.762
You can be uninterrupted, and just tell jesus exactly what it
00:16:46.762 --> 00:16:50.966
Is you're facing today.
00:16:50.966 --> 00:16:52.868
Doesn't have to be eloquent.
00:16:52.868 --> 00:16:54.603
Don't worry about mis-praying.
00:16:54.603 --> 00:16:57.206
Just go talk to him.
00:16:57.206 --> 00:16:58.907
And talk as long as you want, and he will listen.
00:16:58.907 --> 00:17:02.778
He'll treat you like he has all the time in the world, because
00:17:02.778 --> 00:17:05.180
He does.
00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:06.548
Just tell him, and say, "lord, today is a tough day.
00:17:06.548 --> 00:17:10.886
I'm still struggling with--" what comes to my mind is grief.
00:17:10.886 --> 00:17:14.556
Maybe i'm talking to somebody who's, you miss your loved ones
00:17:14.556 --> 00:17:17.559
So much.
00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.894
You did not want to outlive him or her.
00:17:18.894 --> 00:17:21.730
And you just feel like you can't move forward.
00:17:21.730 --> 00:17:24.566
Well, that's okay.
00:17:24.566 --> 00:17:26.068
You can talk to god about that and just say, "lord, my heart is
00:17:26.068 --> 00:17:29.338
So heavy today.
00:17:29.338 --> 00:17:30.873
I wanna have more joy, but i can't do it without you."
00:17:30.873 --> 00:17:35.210
Be honest.
00:17:35.210 --> 00:17:36.545
Honesty is important here.
00:17:36.545 --> 00:17:37.913
Don't cover it up, don't pretend.
00:17:37.913 --> 00:17:40.082
Don't try to be perfect.
00:17:40.082 --> 00:17:41.683
It's a tough season you're in, but just tell him, and say,
00:17:41.683 --> 00:17:45.921
"lord, today, would you please go ahead of me, and would you
00:17:45.921 --> 00:17:49.525
Begin preparing me today for what i'm gonna face today?"
00:17:49.525 --> 00:17:53.028
And then the next time you find yourself, and it could just be
00:17:53.028 --> 00:17:55.898
In five minutes, but the next time you find that wave of grief
00:17:55.898 --> 00:17:59.935
Coming, then you can say, "okay, lord, i know we talked about
00:17:59.935 --> 00:18:03.071
This earlier.
00:18:03.071 --> 00:18:04.406
I know you're helping me," and you'll realize you're not facing
00:18:04.406 --> 00:18:07.709
It alone.
00:18:07.709 --> 00:18:11.713
The devil does not want you to talk to god, but god loves for
00:18:11.713 --> 00:18:15.984
You to talk to him.
00:18:15.984 --> 00:18:17.386
So start right there.
00:18:17.386 --> 00:18:18.720
Just start right there.
00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:20.088
And if necessary, contact a friend, contact a pastor.
00:18:20.088 --> 00:18:25.294
Maybe it's time for a counselor.
00:18:25.294 --> 00:18:26.628
It might be time to go in for some therapy.
00:18:26.628 --> 00:18:29.398
That's okay.
00:18:29.398 --> 00:18:30.766
It's a challenging world in which we live.
00:18:30.766 --> 00:18:33.268
And so, cut yourself some slack, be kind to yourself, and just
00:18:33.268 --> 00:18:36.805
Start right there.
00:18:36.805 --> 00:18:38.173
Start with honest, heartfelt prayer, and see where that
00:18:38.173 --> 00:18:40.709
Takes you.
00:18:40.709 --> 00:18:42.044
Randy: that's great, i love it.
00:18:42.044 --> 00:18:43.378
You know, the book, "tame your thoughts," is available wherever
00:18:43.378 --> 00:18:45.047
You get books.
00:18:45.047 --> 00:18:46.415
We'd love to send it to you today if you'd like to join us
00:18:46.415 --> 00:18:49.117
In being, actually, the answer to someone else's prayer.
00:18:49.117 --> 00:18:53.255
And in fact, in many of the areas where we're working, the
00:18:53.255 --> 00:18:57.259
Situation right now is very urgent.
00:18:57.259 --> 00:19:00.195
And so, blynda, it's tough sometimes to see the great need,
00:19:00.195 --> 00:19:05.000
But i think there's hope in knowing that we can be
00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.969
The solution.
00:19:06.969 --> 00:19:08.303
I have a simple question for you.
00:19:08.303 --> 00:19:10.405
Will you step in and give another child that hope for
00:19:10.405 --> 00:19:14.810
Success, that opportunity for education, by giving them that
00:19:14.810 --> 00:19:18.647
Bowl of food that they desperately need today and
00:19:18.647 --> 00:19:22.584
Tomorrow, and until they get to a position where their health is
00:19:22.584 --> 00:19:26.154
Stable and they can focus not on where the next meal will come
00:19:26.154 --> 00:19:30.425
From, but focus on, what can i learn?
00:19:30.425 --> 00:19:34.062
How can i get to that point where i have a hope and a future
00:19:34.062 --> 00:19:39.368
Beyond the desperate need in front of me today?
00:19:39.368 --> 00:19:42.938
Well, here's how we do that.
00:19:42.938 --> 00:19:44.306
It's called mission feeding, and we're inviting you into that
00:19:44.306 --> 00:19:47.009
Right now.
00:19:47.009 --> 00:19:48.377
Your gift of $30, $50, $100, or $1,000 perhaps, will help feed
00:19:48.377 --> 00:19:53.415
3, 5, 10, or 100 children, just like those two that you saw,
00:19:53.415 --> 00:19:59.054
For several months.
00:19:59.054 --> 00:20:00.856
And it's urgent that we hear from you today.
00:20:00.856 --> 00:20:03.158
There are situations that are completely out of the control of
00:20:03.158 --> 00:20:05.894
Those people, failed crops, droughts, you know, there's over
00:20:05.894 --> 00:20:10.465
350,000 children that we're feeding right now every day.
00:20:10.465 --> 00:20:13.935
We need to continue to feed so that we see more
00:20:13.935 --> 00:20:17.172
Success stories.
00:20:17.172 --> 00:20:18.507
That depends on you.
00:20:18.507 --> 00:20:19.875
So please, go online, go to the phone, and make the best gift
00:20:19.875 --> 00:20:25.380
That you can.
00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.748
You will be giving a hope and a future to countless children.
00:20:26.748 --> 00:20:31.286
Announcer: right now across the continent of africa, children
00:20:33.121 --> 00:20:36.224
Are suffering, facing severe malnutrition and even death.
00:20:36.224 --> 00:20:40.462
With food reserves critically depleted and many areas
00:20:40.462 --> 00:20:43.598
Experiencing devastating famine, we urgently need to replenish
00:20:43.598 --> 00:20:47.869
Supplies to keep feeding the 350,000 children who are
00:20:47.869 --> 00:20:51.873
Counting on us every single day.
00:20:51.873 --> 00:20:54.209
Through life's mission feeding outreach, your gift of love can
00:20:54.209 --> 00:20:57.913
Be an answer to a prayer for a hurting and hungry child in
00:20:57.913 --> 00:21:01.450
Their time of need.
00:21:01.450 --> 00:21:02.984
Call now with your life-saving gift of $30, $50, or $100 to
00:21:02.984 --> 00:21:08.390
Help feed and care for 3, 5, or 10 children for 3 full months.
00:21:08.390 --> 00:21:14.329
With your gift we'll send you "the father's heart" devotional.
00:21:14.329 --> 00:21:18.166
Drawing from scripture and his past, james robison takes you on
00:21:18.166 --> 00:21:21.837
A 90-day journey to help you experience a deeper, more
00:21:21.837 --> 00:21:25.507
Personal relationship with god as your loving father.
00:21:25.507 --> 00:21:29.077
With your gift of $100 or more,
00:21:29.077 --> 00:21:31.313
You will receive the father's heart bundle.
00:21:31.313 --> 00:21:33.749
This stationary set, paired with the devotional, is a
00:21:33.749 --> 00:21:37.152
Thoughtfully-designed collection created to help you share
00:21:37.152 --> 00:21:40.288
Encouragement, prayer, and the love of our heavenly father with
00:21:40.288 --> 00:21:44.126
Those you care about.
00:21:44.126 --> 00:21:45.861
Finally, with your gift of $1,000 or more, which will help
00:21:45.861 --> 00:21:49.564
Feed 100 children in desperate need, request life's beautiful
00:21:49.564 --> 00:21:54.069
Bronze sculpture, the good shepherd.
00:21:54.069 --> 00:21:57.072
So, please call, write, or make your gift online today.
00:21:57.072 --> 00:22:00.108
Randy: i do hope you'll go online or go to the phone, make
00:22:03.612 --> 00:22:05.347
The best gift you can.
00:22:05.347 --> 00:22:06.715
Know that you will be helping to save lives.
00:22:06.715 --> 00:22:10.852
We can do it, but we can do it only when we work together, so.
00:22:10.852 --> 00:22:14.423
And be sure you request "tame your thoughts"
00:22:14.423 --> 00:22:16.558
By max lucado today.
00:22:16.558 --> 00:22:18.260
Blynda, i just loved this conversation.
00:22:18.260 --> 00:22:20.362
To me it's core, it's so helpful.
00:22:20.362 --> 00:22:22.164
Blynda: it is--it is truly like a core christian conversation,
00:22:22.164 --> 00:22:25.734
Like, if you're a believer.
00:22:25.734 --> 00:22:27.102
It's like, okay, you've got to get your thought life in order,
00:22:27.102 --> 00:22:30.205
And we're so thankful for this book, that you are helping us
00:22:30.205 --> 00:22:33.508
Do that.
00:22:33.508 --> 00:22:34.843
Max: thank you, thank you, thank you.
00:22:34.843 --> 00:22:36.611
It's a great joy to be with you.
00:22:36.611 --> 00:22:38.447
Y'all are a lot of fun.
00:22:38.447 --> 00:22:40.015
It's a great honor.
00:22:40.015 --> 00:22:41.383
Blynda: well, we love having you.
00:22:41.383 --> 00:22:42.717
We would love for you to come back any time.
00:22:42.717 --> 00:22:44.085
Max: well, you're so kind.
00:22:44.085 --> 00:22:45.420
You're so kind.
00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.755
Randy: and we hope that you will come back every time here
00:22:46.755 --> 00:22:48.356
On "life today."
00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:49.691
We'll see you again next time.
00:22:49.691 --> 00:22:51.059
[music]
00:22:51.593 --> 00:22:57.866
Colby maier: you cannot walk into the fullness of your
00:22:57.866 --> 00:22:59.534
Calling with your hands full of what god already told you to let
00:22:59.534 --> 00:23:03.305
Go of.
00:23:03.305 --> 00:23:05.240
Let that sink in for a second.
00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:07.375
Some of us are begging god for clarity, for breakthrough, for
00:23:07.375 --> 00:23:10.946
Purpose, while still clinging on to what he's already asked us to
00:23:10.946 --> 00:23:15.550
Release.
00:23:15.550 --> 00:23:17.519
And we wonder why we feel stuck.
00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:19.855
We wonder why we feel caught in the past.
00:23:19.855 --> 00:23:23.358
See, the past may have shaped you, but it was never meant to
00:23:23.358 --> 00:23:26.561
Shackle you.
00:23:26.561 --> 00:23:28.363
God is a forward-moving god.
00:23:28.363 --> 00:23:31.266
Throughout scripture we see him calling people out of what was
00:23:31.266 --> 00:23:34.936
Into what's next.
00:23:34.936 --> 00:23:37.305
He called abraham out of his homeland, he called moses out of
00:23:37.305 --> 00:23:40.308
Hiding, he called israel out of egypt, he called peter out of
00:23:40.308 --> 00:23:44.212
The boat, and he called lazarus out of the grave.
00:23:44.212 --> 00:23:48.783
And every time the call required movement.
00:23:48.783 --> 00:23:52.354
It required letting go.
00:23:52.354 --> 00:23:54.689
It required trust.
00:23:54.689 --> 00:23:57.058
Lot's wife looked back and lost her future.
00:23:57.058 --> 00:24:00.262
Paul says this in the new testament, he says, "this one
00:24:00.262 --> 00:24:02.664
Thing i do: forgetting what lies behind, i press on toward the
00:24:02.664 --> 00:24:07.335
Goal."
00:24:07.335 --> 00:24:08.937
Jesus told his followers that no one who puts his hand to the
00:24:08.937 --> 00:24:11.873
Plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of god, why?
00:24:11.873 --> 00:24:17.812
Because you can't step forward with your head turned backward.
00:24:17.812 --> 00:24:22.150
And yet some of us are gripping onto yesterday's betrayal,
00:24:22.150 --> 00:24:24.920
Yesterday's offense, yesterday's comfort zone, yesterday's
00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:28.657
Identity, thinking we can still move forward.
00:24:28.657 --> 00:24:33.094
But faith requires empty hands.
00:24:33.094 --> 00:24:36.264
Obedience requires trust.
00:24:36.264 --> 00:24:38.900
Surrender means releasing what's behind so you can receive what's
00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:43.238
Ahead, letting go of your history so you can step into
00:24:43.238 --> 00:24:48.109
Your god-given destiny.
00:24:48.109 --> 00:24:50.312
Maybe god is asking you today to lay it down, that grudge, that
00:24:50.312 --> 00:24:55.016
Relationship, that thing that was said over you, that version
00:24:55.016 --> 00:24:58.820
Of yourself that you've outgrown.
00:24:58.820 --> 00:25:01.556
If you don't release it, it's gonna weigh you down.
00:25:01.556 --> 00:25:05.093
If you don't let it go, it will keep you from where god is
00:25:05.093 --> 00:25:08.363
Leading you, because hear this.
00:25:08.363 --> 00:25:11.566
The spirit of god is not leading you in circles, friends.
00:25:11.566 --> 00:25:15.203
He's leading you forward with confidence, with hope, with
00:25:15.203 --> 00:25:18.607
Victory, so release the weight, let the history go, and stop
00:25:18.607 --> 00:25:24.112
Rehearsing the pain, the failure, the could-have-beens.
00:25:24.112 --> 00:25:28.550
That chapter is over.
00:25:28.550 --> 00:25:30.685
God is doing something new.
00:25:30.685 --> 00:25:32.988
He's calling you into deeper faith, greater freedom, and a
00:25:32.988 --> 00:25:36.358
Future that's rooted in his promise, not in your past.
00:25:36.358 --> 00:25:41.396
So, don't let what's behind you disqualify you from what's out
00:25:41.396 --> 00:25:45.266
In front of you.
00:25:45.266 --> 00:25:47.002
Take a breath, loosen that grip, and let it go, and step into
00:25:47.002 --> 00:25:54.309
What god is doing next.
00:25:54.309 --> 00:25:58.380
Announcer: for over 60 years, life outreach international has
00:26:02.584 --> 00:26:05.620
Shared the transforming truth of god's love in both word
00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:08.957
And deed.
00:26:08.957 --> 00:26:10.291
We are forever grateful to everyone who has joined us in
00:26:10.291 --> 00:26:12.827
Our mission of providing water to the history, food to the
00:26:12.827 --> 00:26:15.764
Hungry, shelter to the orphan, and meeting the various needs of
00:26:15.764 --> 00:26:19.300
Those who are struggling.
00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:21.069
Our ministry to the lost and hurting is only made possible
00:26:21.069 --> 00:26:24.105
Because of the prayers and generous gifts of our friends
00:26:24.105 --> 00:26:26.708
And partners who provide consistent, faithful support.
00:26:26.708 --> 00:26:30.345
Become a friend for life partner with your recurring financial
00:26:30.345 --> 00:26:33.181
Gift, and we'll send you our monthly newsletter, along with
00:26:33.181 --> 00:26:36.151
Encouraging spiritual resources to uplift and inspire you in
00:26:36.151 --> 00:26:39.721
Your daily christian walk.
00:26:39.721 --> 00:26:41.456
Best of all, you'll be blessed to know that your ongoing gift
00:26:41.456 --> 00:26:44.559
Is helping make possible the outreaches of life.
00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:47.529
Your monthly support will help us continue to bring god's love,
00:26:47.529 --> 00:26:50.732
Hope, and healing to a world in need, one life at a time.
00:26:50.732 --> 00:26:58.406
Kathie lee gifford: so let's ask ourselves, what are we
00:27:02.544 --> 00:27:04.979
Zealous about that really has nothing to do with jesus?
00:27:04.979 --> 00:27:09.250
Announcer: kathie lee gifford, tomorrow.
00:27:09.250 --> 00:27:12.253
Announcer: "life today" is made possible by the supporters of
00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:14.656
Life outreach international.
00:27:14.656 --> 00:27:15.990
Your gift will be used exclusively for the exempt
00:27:15.990 --> 00:27:18.093
Purposes of life.
00:27:18.093 --> 00:27:19.427
The ministry features specific outreaches as examples of the
00:27:19.427 --> 00:27:21.863
Programs it supports and conducts.
00:27:21.863 --> 00:27:23.364
Gifts are considered to be without restriction as to use
00:27:23.364 --> 00:27:25.500
Unless explicitly stipulated by the donor.
00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:27.235
The ministry is a member of the ecfa.
00:27:27.235 --> 00:27:27.235

Max Lucado - Better Thinking

May 6, 2026 | 27:29

Closed captions

Share