Some of the first books I ever read to build my spiritual life were books by Max Lucado. For a long time, he was one of my favorite authors. His more recent works have been slightly disappointing, and have left me feeling like there could have been more.
However, Next Door Savior is not like that. This book was very encouraging, and reading it felt like some of the older books by Lucado that I enjoyed so much.
Next Door Savior is simple in concept. The gospels give us several impressions of Christ, but two distinct characteristics stand out: He was God. And he was man.
So how in the world do we mix those two ideas, that are opposite in almost every way? Lucado answers that question and more in Next Door Savior. Looking at several events in the life and ministry of Jesus, he shows just how close Christ was to us as humans, and yet how extraordinary he was as God in the flesh.
Next Door Savior is divided into two sections. The first is No Person He Won’t Touch. In these chapters, Lucado looks at the people Christ touched, and made a difference in their lives, such as the discouraged, the suffering, the spiritually weary. And if Christ can change these lives in the Bible, he can touch us in the same ways, helping us through our difficult times.
The second half of the book is called No Place He Won’t Go, and shifts from the people Christ touched to the places Christ went. Lucado writes about such places as the ordinary, the unexpected, the stormy places that Christ visited. And he shows how Jesus wants to visit us in our own difficult places as well.
I was very encouraged by reading Next Door Savior. This book came into my hands just when I needed to be reminded of Christ’s ability and willingness to step into my life and lift me up, time after time.
I loved the book, and was helped tremendously by reading it. I recommend you pick up a copy and read it. You’ll be reminded just how close to home God really is.
Have you read any of Max Lucado’s works? If so, which was your favorite? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you are interested in reading next Door Savior, by Max Lucado, you can purchase it at Amazon.com in print or for Kindle.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“
A bless day to you and (late) happy father’s day.
My favorite is He Did This Just for You, published way before The Next Door Savior. I ‘am a child of God and I believe that God did it for me and for all of His creation. The word “DID” has left a special place in my heart meaning that God finished it for me. Even the title is compelling and considering how easy it is to understand Max Lucado’s writing skills, one cannot find this book hard to grasp. Though I cannot compare Max Lucado’s previous work from his recent because I haven’t got a hold of any of his new books.
I have read at booksforevangelism.org that this book is an excellent way to introduce the gospel to our non-believing family members, friends and acquaintances. Maybe you and your readers can check out that site too! Great collection of books are listed there which I really found great!
By the way, I started following your blog. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by! I’ll check out that site.