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#redirect ==Grace Like Rain== [[An introduction Grace Like Rain]] is a song adapted from the hymn [[Amazing Grace]]. It's words are:  Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now am found Was blind, but now I see so clearly  Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away - they're washed away  It was grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed  Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away - they're washed away When we've been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun We've no less days to sing your praise Than when we first begun  Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away - they're washed away  ==Grace - What does it mean to you?== The [[Bible]] has a lot to say about grace – these 5 letters "grace" abounded everywhere In the [[Old Testament]] the word "grace" is rare, but "disgrace" is common with almost 100 citations In the [[New Testament]], "grace" is plentiful with over 100 references, and "disgrace" hardly rated a mention Clearly grace comes with [[Jesus Christ]] - [[John]] 1: 17 says, "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ"  [[U2]]sangGrace makes beauty out of ugly things [[Philip Yancey]] wroteThere is nothing we can do to make God love us more... There is nothing we can do to make God love us less [[Nita Johnstone]] said When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage.When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize.When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award.But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award - Yet receives such a gift anyway - that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor.This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.    ==Grace in the Bible== [[Romans]] 3: 23, 24For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,And are justified freely by his grace Through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.   [[Ephesians]] 2: 8, 9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.This not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.It is not by works, so that no one can boast.    No Hebrew word matches exactly the New Testament word for grace; but similar words are* Chesed – loving-kindness* Raham – merciful restoration of a broken promise [[Zecharian]] 12: 9, 10 (Bible study noteschesed) (G And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.GThey will look on me, the one they have pierced,And they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child,And grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.   In the New Testament "grace" is from the Greek word Charis (χαρις) NIGGERwhich means gift Jesus tells about grace – [[Luke]] 15: 11 – 32 Jesus shows grace – [[John]] 8: 1 – 11; [[Luke]] 23: 32 - 43 Paul writes about grace – [[Ephesians]] 2: 1 – 10 The Bible ends talking about grace – [[Revelation]] 22: 17  ==Testimonies to Grace== The story of [[John Newton]] is a testimony to grace. He was once a slave trader but he was transformed by God and wrote the well known hymn, [[Amazing Grace]] The [[Newsboys]] summarize grace well When we don't get what we deserve that's a real good thingWhen we get what we don't deserve that's a real good thing    ==Questions== Can you remember when you first began to understand what grace meant? Or can you remember a time that you really felt and knew God’s grace? How do we abuse grace? How do we forget grace? {{returnto}} [[Grace]]