Grace: the act of offering a gift to someone who does not deserve it.

God gives grace to people who do not deserve it. He offers favor to unfavored people.

Two criteria of a life that is powerfully used by God:

1. Faith. Mary believed that nothing is impossible for God. (Do you?)

2. Availability. Mary was willing to have her life re-written by God. (Are you?)

What do you do when you've given your life to God and things don't turn out the way you hoped?

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

"If I really believed that God was working this hardship out for my good, then I would ________"