God's Grace

This morning, my pastor preached a wonderful message on God's grace. (I think he must've read my 2nd post, because it was quite similar... same scripture even! ha!) And since my blog is named "Grace Like Rain" for a reason... I thought I'd share my thoughts.

Apparently, there is a Family Circus cartoon of the family sitting in church singing "Amazing Grace" and the little girl looks up to the mom and says, "Mom, what did Grace do that's so amazing?" Haha! I looked for it online, but I can't find it anywhere... so if you can, let me know!!

As you can see in my new header... it says "The stories of a girlfriend, daughter, friend, and future teacher, in God's unmerited favor." Unmerited. I like that word - it means undeserved. Since, merit is accomplished through good work, or success, and it entitles you to receive a reward, not having merit would mean you were undeserving of a reward. As I said in my previous post, grace is receiving something good that you don't deserve (while mercy is not receiving something bad that you do deserve - grace & mercy go hand-in-hand.)

Back to getting something good that you don't deserve - boy is that looked down on in our society! American culture teaches us that you should work hard, be successful, and then you can earn good things. The problem is, we can't earn God's grace. Not only that, but we can't take credit for God's favor because we didn't do anything to get it, he just gave it to us. We can't boast about it, because it was a gift and we are undeserving.

Here are the lyrics to Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone by Chris Tomlin:

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace.

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God, Who called me here below

Will be forever mine

Will be forever mine, You are forever mine.

Sorry my thoughts are so jambled - it's 12:30 am, but I wanted to share! Have a good night!