The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

In these tough times, could you use a word of encouragement? From Max Lucado, a pastor for over 40 years and bestselling author whose books have sold more than 145 million copies in over 50 languages, The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast is all about the greatest story ever told—the living Savior who brings you a lifetime of hope. With rich biblical insight, heartwarming storytelling, and Max’s comforting tone, you’ll be empowered to place your faith in a loving God who is always near you, always for you, and always in you. For more encouragement from Max Lucado, visit www.maxlucado.com.

Episodes

June 30, 2025 30 mins

Hi, friend. I hope you’re doing well today.

For anyone who’s ever been treated badly—in other words, everyone—Colossians 3:13 offers one of the New Testament’s most challenging admonitions: “even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do.” Really, God? you might think. I’m supposed to just forgive them? I know it’s not easy, and it won’t be a straight line. But, with God’s help, you will find the space of grace.

Mark as Played

Hello, my friend. I hope you’re having a good day. 

Family pain has been around since, quite literally, the first family. The earliest chapters of Genesis introduce us to a crooked family tree. If you know family wounds, I think you’ll find some hope in Joseph’s story.  

Mark as Played
June 16, 2025 26 mins

Hi, friend. Welcome back to the Encouraging Word Podcast. 

Does gratitude matter to God? The Bible suggests it does. In Luke chapter 17 we read the story of Jesus healing ten lepers, and only one returns to thank him. But the one who comes back does so praising God. His gratitude made him joyful. Friend, the quickest way out of a tough day is through the door marked “thank you.”

Mark as Played

Hello, friend. Thanks for joining me. 

Let me ask you a question – is God good when life isn’t? I understand if that’s hard to answer. But I think today’s episode could help; I pray it does. 

Mark as Played
June 2, 2025 27 mins
Hello, my friend. I hope you’re doing well. Today’s episode reminds us that God is the business of grand reversals. For Joseph, that meant prison one day, Pharaoh’s palace the next. I can’t imagine Joseph saw that big moment coming, but he was ready for it because he saw a big God.
Mark as Played
May 26, 2025 26 mins

Hello, my friend. I sure hope you’re having a good day. If you’re the type of person who listens to podcasts while you sit in traffic or stand in lines, today’s topic has a touch of irony—waiting. No one’s favorite activity. Especially when we’re waiting for deliverance from a painful circumstance. But may I remind you of the promise found in Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall moun...

Mark as Played
May 19, 2025 27 mins

Hi, friend. I hope you’re well today.
Today we’re talking about tests. What do you do when you face a test? How do you respond? If you’re struggling to see the value in your struggle, try this: Don’t look at your test as an interruption to life, but as training for life. No one ever said the road would be easy or painless, but God will use this mess for good.

Mark as Played
May 12, 2025 29 mins

Hello, friend. I hope you’re having a good day.

Some of the most difficult challenges in life come our way thanks to bad luck, bad timing, or bad actors. And when we’re dealt a bad hand, it’s easy to justify our choices. To be tempted by shortcuts or quick fixes. When you find yourself in such a situation, be encouraged by the example of Joseph in Genesis 39 – do what pleases God.

Mark as Played

Hi, friend. Welcome back to the Encouraging Word Podcast.

Today’s episode is for anyone who knows what it’s like to lose everything, who knows what it’s like to feel far from God. Listen to this promise found in Psalm 139: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” God is not far from you, my friend. He is with you.

...
Mark as Played

Hello, friend. Thanks for joining me.

Today’s episode finds us in the pit with Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers and sent to Egypt with nothing. Nothing except a dream given to him by God. No matter how dire his circumstances, nothing could take away the call of God on his life. And nothing can take away the call of God on yours, my friend.

Mark as Played
April 21, 2025 22 mins
Hello, my friend. I hope you’re doing well today. For the next few episodes, we’ll be looking at the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He didn’t have it easy—abandoned, abused, wrongfully imprisoned. Perhaps you can relate to some of what Joseph faced. If so, I’m going to give you a sneak peek at the big promise of his story: with God’s help, you will get through this.
Mark as Played
April 18, 2025 25 mins
Hello Friend! I'm coming to you with a special bonus episode on this Good Friday. I pray you have a blessed Easter weekend. He is risen, indeed.
Mark as Played
April 14, 2025 26 mins

We’ve arrived at Holy Week. This is the most significant week in the Christian calendar. In the coming days, someone will attend a church service for the first time. Someone will hear the gospel for the first time and choose to follow Jesus. And the celebration in heaven will be jubilant.

We’ve spent the last few episodes discussing the promises of John 3:16. As we wrap up this series ahead of Easter Sunday, I want to talk to you a...

Mark as Played
April 7, 2025 21 mins

Hi, friend. I sure hope you’re doing well.

Today’s episode zeroes in on one of my favorite words in John 3:16: “whoever.” Whoever believes in him. Such a wonderful promise. The gift of salvation and the hope of heaven is available to whoever believes. And who isn’t a “whoever”?

Mark as Played
March 31, 2025 25 mins

Hello, friend. I hope you’re well today.

No one is immune to the anxiety in our world. Global concerns—wars, catastrophic weather events, a worldwide pandemic still fresh in our memories. Personal concerns—mental health issues, relationship challenges, financial concerns.

The bottom line is this: it’s not a good time to be at odds with God. A heart right with God can survive in a world gone wrong. But when the heart is alienated fr...

Mark as Played
March 24, 2025 27 mins

Hi, my friend. I hope you’re doing well today. For the next few weeks on the podcast, leading up to Easter, I’ll be sharing from one of my favorite verses.

I’ve been asked what I would choose if I could only preach one topic or one passage for the rest of my life. I think this is it—John 3:16. The Hope Diamond of the Bible. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish ...

Mark as Played
March 17, 2025 23 mins
This week on the podcast we're looking at what is, for many people, the challenge of life. Forgiving people who have hurt us. Forgiveness is not easy but, I believe with the Lord's help, the grace we have received from God can overflow into the lives of others.
Mark as Played
March 10, 2025 26 mins

Our topic for this episode is God's greatest gift to us, grace. I've preached a lot of sermons on grace, I've written a few books on grace, but I never get tired of talking about this gift of being made right with God through his grace. As perfectly summarized in 1 Corinthians 5:18-21, "All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can ha...

Mark as Played
March 3, 2025 22 mins

This week on the podcast we’re turning our attention to a favorite passage of mine found in Matthew chapter 6: “Give us this day our daily bread.” No prayer better summarizes our relationship with God than this expression of trust. God’s treatment of fear has always been trust. These are fear-filled days, aren’t they? We see it in newscasts and on our neighbors’ faces. We’re anxious. So, I can’t think of a more appropriate phrase t...

Mark as Played
February 24, 2025 22 mins
What happens when we believed we are loved by God? What do we do? How do we act? Might I suggest that the primary purpose of the Christian is this: to worship. When we worship God for who he is and all he has done for us, it reinforces what we know to be true of God’s character, enables us to receive his love, and changes how we see the world as people made in his image.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.