A New View on the Old Rugged Cross     Are peace, joy, and significance on your wish list?  How about redemption, forgiveness, the salvation of your soul?  Each of these descriptors bring us to the main event:  grace.  Saving grace, God’s immeasurable gift intended for all.  Regardless of accomplishments or station in life, despite sins of the past, anyone can receive the free gift of grace. Yet too often we take God’s incomparable gift for granted—despite the fact that God’s very Son paid for it with his body, breath, and blood. Understandably, we often find ourselves caught up in the daily routine of life, not taking time to reflect on the enormity of God’s mercy. So here’s a suggestion:  give yourself the gift of a few moments spent in the world of God’s grace.  Read pastor Max Lucado’s unique, stirring insights into God’s role as grace-giver. Spend some time reflecting on the gift of grace, in all its magnificent meaning.  Let grace, the gift for all people, speak to you personally through these pages.     For All People—Even You   God loves you more than you can imagine.   Is that hard to believe?   Many of us consider ourselves unworthy due to past sins and mistakes, wrong turns and missteps., But God’s gift of grace is limitless.  Though we are undeserving, he offers grace.  Though we are weak in our faith, he extends strength through grace. God’s endless grace is a free gift.  It cannot be earned.  No matter who you are or what you’ve done, the all-powerful God waits for you to choose him, to choose life in his presence—here and in heaven.      “[God] simply wants you home with him. And to bring you home, he offers you a gift. My prayer is that through these pages you’ll see his gift like you’ve never seen it. If you’ve already accepted it, you’ll thank him again. And if you’ve never accepted it, you will. For it’s the gift of a lifetime, a gift for all people.”   —Max Lucado More than 120 million readers have found inspiration and encouragement in the writings of Max Lucado.  He and his wife, Denalyn, live in San Antonio, Texas, where he serves Oak Hills Church. The GIFT for All People By MAX LUCADO Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Copyright © 1999 Max Lucado All right reserved. ISBN: 1-59052-439-X Contents PROLOGUE............................................11The Gift of a Savior1. IT BEGAN IN A MANGER.............................212. A DAY FOR GOOD-BYE...............................233. GOD IN THE FLESH.................................274. COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR.............................295. JESUS KNOWS HOW YOU FEEL.........................336. FAITH BEHELD, FAITH BLESSED......................377. THE GREAT EXCHANGE...............................418. EYES ON THE SAVIOR...............................459. COME AND SEE.....................................4910. ROAD TO CALVARY.................................5511. THE FOG OF A BROKEN HEART.......................5712. PARTNER IN THE PLAN.............................6113. HE SAW YOU......................................6514. HEAVEN'S SILENCE................................6715. AT ANY COST.....................................7116. RIGHT OR RIGHTEOUS?.............................7317. HEARTBROKEN FOR YOU.............................7518. "IT IS FINISHED!"...............................79Bounteous Grace19. GRACIOUS PROMISES...............................8520. PARDON AND PEACE................................8721. GRASPING GRACE..................................8922. GRACE MEANS ....................................9123. WITH TOWEL AND BASIN............................9524. ADOPTION OF THE HEART...........................9725. THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH.......................99The Choice26. THE GOD WHO INVITES.............................10527. LEAVING THE PORCH LIGHT ON......................10928. TOOGOODTOBETRUE?................................11129. WHO'S TO CHOOSE?................................11530. PURSUED BY GOD..................................11931. A DEMONSTRATION OF DEVOTION.....................12332. YOUR ABBA'S ARMS................................12733. GOD'S DESTINY FOR YOUR LIFE.....................129REFERENCES..........................................139 Prologue Bright future" said it all. Single, good looking, recent college grad. His family loved him, girls noticed him, career opportunities invited him. And yet, while Eric appeared confident without, he was tormented within. Tormented by inner voices he could not quiet. Tortured by mental images he could not avoid and by thoughts he could not understand. So, desperate to escape the torment, Eric decided to escape from life. On a gray, rainy February day, Eric walked out the back door of his home. He never returned. When Eric walked away, someone was watching. His sister Debbie saw her brother leave, his tall frame ambling down the street. She assumed he would return. He didn't. She hoped he would call. He didn't. She tho