"Grace goes beyond mercy. Mercy gave Ruth some food. Grace gave her a husband and a home. Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace threw him a party...Mercy pardons us. Grace woos and weds us."

A small excerpt from Max Lucado's recent book, "GRACE", gives a glimpse of a bigger picture of grace than maybe we've ever seen before! Even as Christians, it's hard to wrap our minds around this concept of God's grace that is offered to us — a grace that should shape our lives because of Christ living within us.

Max does an outstanding job of taking us on a journey through the lives of various Biblical characters as well as several modern day contemporaries and how God's grace goes beyond anything we can imagine. Whether we feel unworthy of it, can't bring ourselves to quite believe the depths of it, or think there's a need for us to contribute to it, this book will give us a fresh look at the unlimited and sustaining grace God wants to give us.

At the beginning of each chapter there are Bible verses as well as quotes to draw you in, and of course there's a story...Max always has a story to tell that will capture your attention. It also includes a Reader's Guide at the end that may be used as an extended Bible study for individuals or groups.

With a balance of encouragement and challenge, you won't want to miss this latest release. You won't want to miss the message of God's grace — "This is the gift that God gives. A grace that grants us first power to receive love and then the power to give it." "The gift is the Giver."

The book "Grace" by Max Lucado does not try to be deceptive or confusing in any regard. One of the things that has endeared Lucado to his readers and even to his church is his simplicity and directness in his message. This particular book examines grace in the most simple, direct way in an effort to reach those who feel they are "too far" from God or even those who are followers that feel their past is continuing to haunt them. Lucado is attempting, and seemingly succeeding, in expressing a new worldview that is aimed at evangelism and unity over beliefs and traditions. While some will have problems and take issue with his approach, you cannot refute the words written in this book. The book is an excellent read for those who may be struggling in their own spiritual maturity and a great encouragement for those who may be mature but need to hear more about how God has forgotten their past. Everyone has a past and Lucado, for this book's sake tries to remind everyone that the past is not in the way of your path to God.

Grace is something we may find puzzling...and it is also the title of Max Lucado's latest best-seller. I have been a fan of his writing for many years, so I knew to expect a book that would touch my heart and deepen my understanding of a topic that some find difficult to understand. This isn't my favorite of his many books, but I was by no means disappointed. In fact, once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Max has a way of simplifying a topic in a way that makes it easier to understand, and punctuates his illustrations with anecdotal material that further illuminates.

Grace is defined as the love and mercy given to us by God because God wants us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it. But that is still hard for some of us to understand, especially if you were raised that good behavior is rewarded. So, I really love the subtitle of the book: "More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine". Max stresses the point that we are adopted into God's family and accepted...despite our faults. One story in particular stood out to me about a child who was separated from her family, yet reunited with them years later. We may wander, but God's grace calls us back Home to Him. His love and mercy give us a strength we wouldn't have on our own.

In summary, this isn't my favorite, but it is a good solid book that I would recommend to anyone. His style is very appealing to one who wants a basic grasp and a down-to-earth look at grace (or any of his other topics). Also, I love that he includes a Reader's Guide in this book (as usual) for those who want to do a more indepth study.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Grace by Max Lucado is an encouraging book for any reader because it reminds you once again of the significance of the gift of salvation. Grace is there for all who believe and is limitless. For a new believer, this book will help you make some sense of grace and what it means to you. For someone who has walked with God for many years, this will just re-ignite your wonder and awe at the gift that is grace.

The chapters are short and each one begins with Bible verses from various translations/paraphrases and quotes from all kinds of people that help you see the context of a life touched by grace. There is an extensive reader's guide that would make this a good choice for a group book — either small group or a Sunday School class. I think senior high students and older would be able to grasp the concepts — and maybe if we started there, more adults would have less reason to struggle with grace and forgiveness.

Lucado drew from a lot of sources to write this book and so it feels, in part, more like a compilation of sermons, articles, and illustrations than new material from his own study. It's good, and he ties it all together in his warm style that just points you to the Saviour. The chapter titles give you quick insight into where he is headed — The Grace-Shaped Life, You Can Rest Now, Coming Clean with God, Fear Dethroned (my favorite).

If you are looking for a heavy, intense word study or even doctrinal study on grace, this isn't it. However, the time you invest in reading this book will be rewarded with a sense of being loved and cared for in the way that only God can do. So, for that reason alone, it is a good read. Sometimes, we just need to know — again, or for the first time — that we've been died for because of love and that God's grace is sufficient for anything we bring to Him.

Grace by Max Lucado is an amazing book that I finished in a couple of readings. Nothing you do can make God love you more, nothing you can do can make God love you less.

In his typical style, Max mixes humor, stories and scripture to help us better understand the grace of God.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about this crucial subject.

I am a member of Book Sneeze by Thomas Nelson Publishers and have received this book for free in exchage for a review.