He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Proverbs 21:21 NIV

Why is it that we work so hard at going after so many things, only to find out that while pursuing them, many of our relationships collapse and do not turn out to be what we hoped for?  Question - what is this righteousness and love?  Well, they are the outcome of God’s grace in a man or woman’s life.  Righteousness is God’s deliverance from the penalty of our sin and deliverance from the power of our own sin nature. It is integrity and transparency all at the same time filled with joy.  Love allows us the ability to bless others as we work and play.   His grace gives us the delight of being aware of the emotions, desires and goals of people we meet along our journey, and then finding ways to bless them as our Lord has blessed us.  Today let yourself experience his grace that gives you something to pursue that will not wear you out and will give you as well as others, joy in the journey. Here it is called life, prosperity and honor. Enjoy!

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.  

Ephesians 2:1, 3-5 NIV

I always find it amazing that our Lord does not say that we were sick or desperately ill or just not doing well.  He says - you were dead in your transgressions and sins.  Being dead seems to be a very hopeless condition.  Yet it is in this condition that our Lord lavishes his grace upon us as a gift. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. WOW!  Not only are we not dead in our transgressions and sins because of grace, but we have been given that life that is eternal to live and enjoy the results of his grace right now. It is by grace you have been saved.  In his grace there is no stress, no regret, no guilt, no shame or any condemnation.  Grace is more than a word, it is the power of his love and mercy that is given so that someone who was dead may now live in the freedom of that life called eternal in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Today, celebrate his grace that declares that which was dead is now alive! That is for anyone who receives his gift of grace in Jesus the Christ   May you be willing to celebrate, praise and rejoice in his grace in your life!!! Enjoy

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Philippians 4:4, 5 NLT

When we are willing to live in God’s grace, grace will develop emotions that can be called joy!  Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again – rejoice!   When we choose by faith to be full of joy in the Lord we experience attitudes of being considerate to others. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  As a result of God’s grace, we can find ourselves full of joy in some of the most peculiar places. Today rejoice with joy in what our Lord has given to you. May all who meet you be encouraged as they see your joy in the Lord. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Enjoy!

I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.  Lamentations 3:24, 25 NLT

When the LORD becomes real to our life instead of some kind of belief system, everything in us has a new direction because his grace begins to recreate us. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance. That changes everything in how we now see our life because God alone actually becomes our heritage.   Therefore, I will hope in him! The LORD is good to those who depend on him. With his grace in our lives we can now enjoy giving grace to others in the same way that he has done for us. The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.  What a wonderful journey life can be, even with all its highs and lows.  On this day may you say to yourself, the LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!  It will put a smile on your face as well as those around you. May all who meet you experience your inheritance in him.  Enjoy!

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.  Yet God, with undeserved kindness declares that we are righteous.  He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.  Romans 3:23-25 NLT

Sometimes we have a tendency to think of our faith in Jesus the Christ as some sort of religion. If Christianity has become our religion we will have a propensity to set up our own standard of judgment concerning ourselves as well as others.  Religion can never bring refreshment or salvation from our sin.  Yet God, with undeserved kindness declares that we are righteous.  It is right here where being overwhelmed by the grace that is in Jesus the Christ can recreate everything. Have you ever wished or hoped that you could start over, in God’s grace in Jesus Christ you can. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. He declares that we are righteous.  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.  Grace changes everything, in how we see God, ourselves and others.  Today rejoice in what has been given to you by God through Christ Jesus.  Declared righteous means you can start refreshed and renewed today, with attitudes that become a blessing to you and everyone around you.  In his grace you can begin a new journey, with new habits that will just be delightful, now how cool is that?  Enjoy!

You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!  I can’t count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:16 – 18 NLT

The greatness of God’s love and grace are spoken here. You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  When we are living overwhelmed by his grace we become acutely aware of the magnificence of God’s love towards us.  Grace brings to us the awareness of God’s love which automatically impacts our attitude for the day we find ourselves in.  Living in a grace condition can remove fears, anxiety and much of mistrust about others. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God, They cannot be numbered!  On this day may these verses be the definition of your thinking and emotions. If this is true to you, you will be pleased at the way you see yourself and those around you.  When you wake up, he will still be with you!  Enjoy!

Praise the LORD!  Praise God in his sanctuary; Praise him in his mighty heaven!  Praise him for his mighty works; Praise his unequaled greatness! Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD!  Praise the LORD!  Psalm 150:1, 2, 6 NLT

There is a fullness of joy that comes to the very depths of our soul when Praise the LORD describes who we are.  God’s grace given in Jesus Christ produces praise which brings refreshment to our emotions and therefore impacts all relationships, at home, at work and at play.  Grace lets us express ourselves by the sound of our words in such a way that we can’t help but to rejoice in giving praises to our Lord. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD!  Praise puts a smile in the tones of our voice, in the expressions on our face and the attitudes of our heart.  Today because you breathe, praise to the LORD!  Praise your Lord with your voice, your attitude and with joyful tones. Let this wonderful gift of grace have its way in you today and all things will become possible for you.  Go ahead, sing and express yourself with joy to the one who loves you without any condemnation, Jesus the Christ. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD!  Enjoy!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  

Philippians 4:8 NLT

It is truly amazing the impact our thoughts have on how we feel at any given moment.  Some of us are prone to worry; others seem to have in their thinking a poor self-image or a hesitation to believe that any good thing could even come their way.   There is a reason the Word of God encourages us in a life of grace. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  The impact of our thoughts not only affects our emotions, but also our decisions which direct the course of our life.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.   Today allow yourself to experience the transformation of grace in how and what you think about.  Relationships can be made well here, hopes can be experienced in this place and refreshment can be found in some of the most difficult places. There is a reason the Word of God says, Dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  May all your thoughts be refreshed in this life that grace gives to you on this new day.  Enjoy!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20, 21 NIV

God's grace comes with the power of his Spirit and produces a joy in us to trust him with all the particulars of our lives. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.  When we are living in grace we begin to know that God our Father is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… WOW!  Grace takes away all our "yeah buts and if only's." It gives us the confidence to enjoy peace in midst of some of the most awkward opportunities.  Today be willing to experience the joy of his grace so that you are sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see because of him who is able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. May your words and actions bring glory of his name and bring joy to you. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.  The life that is called eternal will be seen in real time through you.  You will like this day. Enjoy!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  

Romans 8:28, 29 NIV

Grace in Jesus Christ brings our heart to life, creating a love that is meant to be experienced and contagious throughout our life.  Grace does not just forgive, it saves us from the power of our own sin. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  If salvation in Jesus the Christ means anything, it must work where sin begins, not merely where it ends.  It changes us at our very foundation so that we no longer have to live condemning, hateful, lustful, easily irritated or so moody.  God's grace does not just deal with a record book; it refreshes, renews and gives life to the foundation of our character. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. Today may you be willing to experience the life of grace in every detail of your journey.   Let your faith and your love cause you to delight in the life of being conformed to the character of Christ. Enjoy!