I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:24,25

What a wonderful journey life is, even with all its highs and lows. The awe of falling in love and finding that someone else loves you as much as you love them. Wow, what a refreshing time that is, and as wonderful as that is, it gets even better with age. When the Lord becomes a reality to us in the journey of life instead of some kind of belief or religious system, his grace begins to overwhelm us. Let us remember that his grace is his love expressed and given without condemnation and with his grace in our lives we now have the freedom to enjoy expressing and giving love to others the same way that he has done for us. With grace we find the joy of giving more than receiving and now our thinking and emotions can really enjoy our journey. On this new day may you enjoy the Lord as your portion, knowing how much he loves you. May all who meet you see and hear your hope and joy in him and let his grace allow your life to overflow with gladness. His grace will do things through your life and speech that will blow your hair back and it will feel like you have lost weight. Enjoy the freedom of the Lord and give his grace to everyone, it will put a smile on your face and all those around you. I told you love gets better with age.

Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean. Hebrews 10:22

Sometimes along our journey we feel or have some kind of sense that God is not interested in the details of our lives. That feeling or sense is real, but it is not telling us the truth. Here again we have in God's Word a wonderful picture of his grace working in and through our lives. We are invited to come into his presence with our full emotions and intellect, allowing the faith and grace he has given to express itself before him. We are reminded that we now have no condemnation, shame or at times feelings of worthlessness, all because of the blood of Christ. So on this new day, may you enjoy your journey of grace and go right into his presence with the details of your life. As you do, enjoy the attitude of thanksgiving, it will bless you, those around you and refresh the direction of your life. Enjoy!

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16, 17 NLT

We are born with a nature that always has a tendency for low self-esteem, peer pressure which is condemnation of all kinds, easily irritated and the inability to forgive well. The problem is that for many of us, we also feel that God looks at us the same way we feel about ourselves and how we view others. But the grace of God is completely different. This love given without condemnation or judgment gives us the freedom to no longer be mastered by our old nature and changes our view of God, ourselves and others, it is called eternal life. It is a freedom that is known and experienced because of the grace found in Christ. On this new day that has been given to you as a gift of God, may you relax and rejoice in who you are because of Jesus the Christ. His grace will refresh your thinking, your emotions and your view of others. It is absolutely OK to rejoice, give thanks and not get irritated.

Everything that does not come from faith is sin. Romans 14:23

This statement in the Word of God is not one of condemnation, anxiety or stress. In reality, it is bathed in grace so that we may discover the life that has been given in and through Jesus the Christ. So what is faith? Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. It is not a system, belief or otherwise. It is the gift of God through his grace and it is living. Faith therefore can see and hear. I like to think of it this way, that grace is the river and faith is the channel along which the beauty of grace flows down to refresh and renew our souls. Being free from all kinds of condemnation, having thoughts and emotions that are relaxed and experiencing joy and gladness flow from the river of grace through faith into and through our lives. On this new day may you experience the life called faith by the grace of our Lord. May your fears, your anxieties and your regrets find no place to express themselves in the beauty of who you are because of the grace and faith of Christ.

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O LORD, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness. Psalm 130:3,4

Sometimes along the journey through our life events take place that affect us in ways that overwhelm our emotions in all the wrong ways. They can be things we have done to others, things others have done to us, or just great disappointments in relationships we thought would be outstanding. In this place, for some reason we seem to have a difficult time with forgiving well. It is actually in this place that grace takes its stand. Grace in and through Jesus the Christ removes the heaviness from our broken relationships by giving to us the love of God without any condemnation to us or about us. In this place there is a freedom that refreshes our emotions, our thinking and our attitude. On this new day may you enjoy this freedom of forgiveness that is yours through the grace found in Christ. May all who come in contact with you feel and sense the freedom to stand and know your joy of them. God fully intended that his grace would overwhelm you in all the right ways and joy, kindness, hope and encouragement would become who you are.

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30, 31

From the time we are born we all are on a journey to find what it means to be loved and have value. For most of us, we try all kinds of things, such as money, physical relationships, education, careers, marriage and all kinds of entertainment. During this journey, for many the mention of the name, Jesus the Christ brings thoughts of religion of some kind or maybe a belief system or even standards by which I might judge myself as to my worth to God. None of which, by the way have any value for the fulfillment of life. What God planned was not a belief system of some kind, but by believing that Jesus is the Christ given by and through his love, we might have life the way our Lord intended it to be. To know the depth of being loved because of who we are, not because of what we have done. On this new day may you rejoice in the life that is now yours without feelings of condemnation, embarrassment, guilt or shame. This new day is yours as his gift so that you may delight in who you are because of Jesus the Christ.

Praise the LORD, O my soul and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalm 103:2-4

Sometimes during all the hurriedness and noise of life we forget the beauty of all the benefits that have been given to us. When that happens thanksgiving usually leaves the room and in comes a less than stellar attitude to replace it. Think of the rejoicing we can have over the ability to see, to hear, to feel and how about those taste buds? How about this beautiful benefit of grace – all our sins are forgiven. Living with a heart and attitude of thanksgiving could refresh all our relationships and change the course of our home, our community and our nation. On this new day rejoice, delight and praise our Lord for all that you are, all that you have and all that has been forgiven. Then feel free to do to others what he has done for you.

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:4

From the time we are born and along our entire journey we learn how to judge and evaluate ourselves and others. It may begin as peer pressure and we seem to learn to sense our value by what we have and who our friends are. These standards impact our emotions as to how we feel about ourselves, others and the situations we are looking at. This impacts all our relationships from God, marriage, family, the work place and the church. In this place we find condemnation, frustration and at times such fatigue that we divorce from the place we find ourselves to find something new. Grace that is in Jesus the Christ brings a totally new perspective of who we are and when enjoyed, allows a freedom in our emotions and attitudes about ourselves, others and even our Lord, that it causes thanksgiving, kindness and encouragement in the place we find ourselves. Grace gives a righteousness that cleanses our attitudes in such a way that we experience the beauty of the life of God’s grace in the details of our lives. On this new day that has never been before, nor will come again may you enjoy the encouragement of grace in your emotions and attitudes. This will bless you and overwhelm those around you with refreshment and joy. Be willing to go and celebrate this new day of grace in your life. Your smile will be habit forming right down to the depth of your soul.

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:33 NLT

One of the great freedoms that is given by the grace of God in and through Jesus the Christ is the desire and joy to say things, do things and give things that will bless someone else’s life. Salvation's goal is not to take us to heaven; it is to give us the blessing of a new nature, the nature of Jesus the Christ. His nature loves well, forgives freely, rejoices easily and is a blessing to family and friends. Grace enjoys expressing itself with goodness and thanksgiving so that people in our lives are refreshed along their journey. On this new day may you experience his grace that will allow you to be the balm that begins to heal others wounds. May your words, your attitudes, your expressions and your goals enjoy the freedom of asking for forgiveness so that those around you are well. May you be known as someone who delights abundantly in the grace of God.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Along our journey of life we will have times that we wish were not. Sometimes it is because of attitudes and actions we have taken and other times it is just the results of our world that is in sin and therefore is dying. In both cases the words of grace have a great impact on the attitudes and emotions of people. If our attitudes or actions have been less than stellar, grace allows us the joy and freedom of asking for forgiveness for the goodness of those around us. Grace brings healing to relationships with pleasant words, tones and attitudes. Everyone needs a smile and encouragement as to who they are along their journey and grace gives the freedom to make it happen with joy. On this new day may you enjoy where you find yourself and allow the grace of our Lord to overwhelm you with pleasant thoughts, words and actions. Your day will be refreshed and so will those around you. Your relationships with God and man will be headed in the right direction and you will have the freedom to rejoice and be glad.

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:9-11

Christianity was never meant to be some kind of belief system or religion by which we judge ourselves and others. For these things shackle a person to emotions and thoughts that always bring about condemnation of some kind. Think of this for a moment. As solid as the mountains look, as boundless as the sea appears, as high as the stars in heaven look, there was once a time in which they did not exist. Yet the gospel of John says it so clear – Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3. Christ is all – these three words are the essence and substance of Christianity. Salvation is an offer from the love of God; it is a free gift, not a demand. On this new day may you enjoy and experience the blessing of God’s free gift, Jesus the Christ. In him all emotions, thoughts, actions and attitudes are renewed by his amazing grace. It is now yours to enjoy and give away. Blessings!

Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4

The nature we are born with gives us the ability to be intolerant, impatient and at times less than kind towards those around us, even those of our own family. With this comes condemnation about ourselves, others and even God. The beauty of being overwhelmed by his grace is that we have the freedom to live without this condemnation, which changes all the relationships around us, especially our view of God. Repentance does not come from a feeling of condemnation, it comes as an act of worship because of his grace (his love and kindness expressed and given without condemnation through Jesus the Christ). For repentance is a change in our emotions, thinking and activities along our daily journey. This change gives glory to God, renewal to us and refreshment to others. On this new day, may you enjoy the freedom of his kindness that gives you a brand new day in your emotions, thinking and activities. May his grace overwhelm you along your journey and may you know that freedom of expression called grace. You and everyone around you will like this day. Thanksgiving and praise will become just who you are.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16, 17

Over the years of my journey through life I have tried to find the words that would give people some idea of the grace of God through Jesus the Christ. At this point, what I like to say is that grace is the power of God’s love given in and through Jesus the Christ without any condemnation, shame or guilt. In this place faith is not a belief system; it is an assurance of the cleansing love of God so that we may live life with the freedom of joy, peace and his blessed pleasure of who we are. Here all our values, goals and views of ourselves become refreshed and renewed. On this new day may you be experiencing the goodness of grace and faith along your journey. Let your heart, your soul and your mind find words and tones of praise to the glory of God, for you are dearly loved. In this place your joy will be full and you will discover the strength and blessing God has for you.

Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean. Hebrews 10:22

Sometimes along our journey we feel or have some kind of sense that God is not interested in the details of our lives. That feeling or sense is real, but it is not telling us the truth. Here again we have in God's Word a wonderful picture of his grace working in and through our lives. We are invited to come into his presence with our full emotions and intellect, allowing the faith and grace he has given to express itself before him. The idea of sincere hearts is the beauty of grace living within us bringing about trust, peace and a refreshed conscience. So here again we are reminded that we now have no condemnation, guilt or shame because of the blood of Christ. So on this new day, may you enjoy your journey of grace and go right into his presence with the details of your life. As you do, enjoy the attitude of thanksgiving which will give you emotions that are renewed, refreshed and will cause you to rejoice.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Proverbs 3:3-4

Being overwhelmed by grace allows us a great freedom of thinking, living and esteeming others as more important than ourselves. Loyalty and kindness are two beautiful parts of grace and when they are allowed to live in and through our lives, we will find the favor of our Lord as well as the favor of those we meet.. That being true, we then are filled with joy and goodness. On this new day that has never been before, may you enjoy these attitudes and emotions of his grace in you. May your journey have situations for loyalty and kindness to be seen and heard through you. Relax, smile and get ready to enjoy your day!

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

How many times along our journey do we hope that something will take place and that it will in some form benefit us? Our Lord wants us to benefit abundantly from his grace. Here there will be no regret, no stress, no irritations, no foul language and no sorrow. Instead he benefits us with the joy of thanksgiving for him, for our family, for our friends and those who come along our journey. In this place we find ourselves blessings those around us with the same blessing our Lord has given to us. On this new day may it be said of you that your words, your tones, your expressions and your desires cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God to everyone you meet. Now that is a benefit to enjoy!

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

What a refreshing thought and emotion this is. It does not say - exhaust yourself, strain yourself, worry yourself, or condemn yourself; it says delight yourself in the LORD. What is so refreshing about the grace of our Lord is that it changes the foundation of our focus about who the Lord is and therefore who we are. On this New Year, on this new day allow yourself to express the joy of Grace itself in you by delighting in the Lord. If you will allow this grace of delighting to be who you are each new day, things will happen in your journey that will blow your hair back. You and those around you will experience that life that is called eternal. Smiling, joy and encouragement will be just who you are and each day will seem like you opened a new gift.