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.  Romans 3:23, 24 NLT

 We are entering the beginning of the Christmas season.  This verse is God’s description of His gift to us, while we are in a less than stellar situation.  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard which means we all have found in our nature the results of that.  Jealousy, lust, irritations, anxiety, anger, feelings of criticism along with all forms of judgment concerning ourselves and others have come to us naturally.  There is not enough money or education in the world that can remove these things from how we feel.  But when we take God at his Word and receive his gift of grace (undeserved kindness) that is given to us in Jesus the Christ all things begin to change. Through Jesus Christ it is God who declares that we are righteous.   Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. Righteousness first gift is deliverance from guilt and then deliverance from the power of our own sin. In righteousness emotions of condemnation end and grace replaces it with new emotions of encouragement, peace and joy. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. In grace there is a blessing of joy that can be lived and experienced through our life. Today enjoy the life of grace that is yours because of Jesus Christ.  Let your mind experience the emotions of joy as your words and tones express rejoicing and praise.  If you are willing to receive his undeserved kindness through Christ Jesus, you will understand the blessing of his compassion and your life will become a wonderful fragrance to your family, your friends and those you meet.  Enjoy!

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.  Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 NLT

One of the great benefits of the grace of Jesus Christ is that it gives us the ability to find thanksgiving in the everyday things of life. So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.  Just look at our newspapers, our news channels and think how much complaining, grumbling, stress and anxiety go on in our time so that we forget how to be thankful and enjoy what we do have. We were meant to enjoy the simple things such as eating, drinking and all those taste buds in our mouth that are just waiting to express themselves.  Grace can celebrate these individual moments with an attitude of thanksgiving and that changes everything from how we feel to how we think.  Today let yourself find pleasure in the smallest things along your journey.  You, your family, your friends and those you come in contact with will be renewed through your attitude of grace.  Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.  Enjoy!

Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?  Absolutely not!  If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.  But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  Galatians 3:21, 22 NLT

What is so amazing about God’s promise is that it gives something to us that we cannot ever accomplish or obtain by ourselves. If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. So we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  It is called grace and known as a new life.  This new life is given through what God promised his grace would do through Jesus the Christ.  Sin is the conflict of our soul and it has no ability to love; it can only lust because it is always self-seeking.  The law says do, Grace says done!  The freedom of God’s grace lets us choose how we will respond to our opportunities.  We can now see clearly the difference between new life (freedom) and being a prisoner to our sinful emotions.  Today let your heart be refreshed in who you are because God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  His grace lets you choose what direction your thoughts and emotions will go.  We now know why we sing – “Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.” Enjoy!

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  Jude 24 NLT

So many men and women who believe all the right things about the Lord Jesus Christ are still struggling with who they are.  How sad to have a faith that only focuses on who we are instead of on who God is.  Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away.  That is meant to bring great joy to our life because all that we are has been given by God and sustained by him.  Who will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  Hallelujah!  If we can believe that Jesus the Christ died and rose again for us, then we can take God at his word in what he says here as true.  Today in everything you do, give glory and praise to God.  It will release the character of a new creation that has been given to you in Jesus Christ.  You will truly find joy and discover that the joy of the Lord is your strength. There is no one like the Lord!  Now all glory to God!  Enjoy!

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world.  It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace.  Colossians 1:6 NLT

What a beautiful picture of what the grace of Jesus Christ does.  This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives… God's Good News is that his grace changes lives which can be seen in renewed thoughts, refreshed emotions and transformed desires. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.   The Holy Spirit through Paul gave a word picture of the results of God's grace in a man or woman's life when he wrote to the Galatians.  Grace is called there the fruit of the Holy Spirit which produces changed lives that are now full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  There is no law against these things.  Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT. God’s wonderful grace changes lives which bring with it a freedom that makes you and your family new.  Today may you choose to enjoy a changed life given to you by the grace of Jesus Christ; it will bless you and overwhelm those around you to want to know about this Good News. Enjoy! 

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 1:21, 22 NIV

Here in the Word of God are the results of a sinful life that says it knows God, but does not live like it knows God.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.  It is one thing to know that there is a God, but a belief in God that produces no love, no thanksgiving and no desire for God is a futile belief. But their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  God’s grace is His love given as a gift, so that we are delivered from our own guilt and the power of our own sins addictions. Grace is meant to change how we view God and bring about a new creation in us which changes how we feel and think about ourselves. Grace lets us know God in a way that renews our desires and then produces emotions of thanksgiving.  The man or woman that lives thankful in grace, automatically gives glory to God and knows his joy. So today may you know who you are by your own actions.  Choose to allow yourself to delight in finding ways to be thankful.  Let God's grace express through your attitude the life of a thankful heart.  In this place you will always be known for your kindness and your blessings.  Some of the most difficult situations are changed with a heart of thanksgiving.  Enjoy!

May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O LORD, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.

Psalm 69:6 NIV

Our lives really can really make a difference, for good or bad to our family, our friends and those around us.  Our response to situations has a great impact on the lives of those who know us. Living in God’s grace that is given in Jesus Christ can change our focus on life.  May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O LORD, the LORD Almighty!  God’s Grace is full of life and joy!  There is no regret of any kind when we let the grace of Christ give direction to our responses. May those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. Today enjoy the blessing of eternal life that is in you, it is called God’s grace. Here you will find no embarrassment of any kind; in fact what you will experience is life that is rejoicing, light hearted and a sweet relief to you and those around you.  Enjoy!

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 NIV

Think of all the relationships that could have been restored in our families, our communities and our nation, if someone was willing to speak with kindness and gentleness. A gentle answer turns away wrath. Think of how many fights, quarrels and divorces that would not have happened if words and actions of grace had been heard and seen.  Imagine how many relationships could start to be healed if someone who is acquainted with God’s grace begins to talk and act in gentleness.  God’s grace is his power in the human soul to become a new creation, to live in the life that is called eternal.  Today may you choose to live your life in the emotions and words of his grace. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. It is your choice, grace brings a gentle answer, and your sin nature brings a harsh word.  There will be no regret or sorrow because of your words of kindness, gentleness, compassion and grace.  Enjoy!

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  Jude 24 NLT

So many men and women who believe all the right things about the Lord Jesus Christ are still struggling with who they are.  How sad to have a faith that only focuses on who we are instead of on who God is.  Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away.  That is meant to bring great joy to our life because all that we are has been given by God and sustained by him.  Who will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  Hallelujah!  If we can believe that Jesus the Christ died and rose again for us, then we can take God at his word in what he says here as true.  Today in everything you do, give glory and praise to God.  It will release the character of a new creation that has been given to you in Jesus Christ.  You will truly find joy and discover that the joy of the Lord is your strength. There is no one like the Lord!  Now all glory to God!  Enjoy!

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:16, 17 NLT

When we were young we began to learn the importance of who we are and what we are called.  Our name and the name of our family became important.  A good question to ask is - "When someone uses your name, what comes to their mind?" In grace there is a freedom, a richness and a joy in who you are because of the Lord Jesus the Christ. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  In fact grace creates new emotions which sound like – sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Today enjoy the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  Think of who you are now because of the grace of our Lord.  Whatever you do or say can give refreshment to those around you. Today is a good day for people to know your name.  Enjoy!

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you?  Does this mean nothing to you?  Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  Romans 2:4 NLT

For many who believe in Jesus the Christ, they still have emotions of being condemned or guilt and shame.  They feel God is disappointed, sometimes angry or accusing them along their journey through life.  Nothing could be farther from the truth! Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you?  Not only are we free from the penalty of sin, but we are free from being condemned in it, as far as God is concerned. Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  It is his gentle voice of kindness (that is his grace) that brings us to an awakening that our emotions need to be renewed so that we can enjoy that life that is eternal. His kindness says, instead of feeling condemned, come let us repent with joy!  When awakened by his kindness repentance becomes an act of worship with joy, without feelings of guilt, shame or regret.  Today rejoice in who you are because of the grace and kindness of our Lord.  This is a good day to turn from your sin, then, sing and make a joyful shout unto the Lord. You will enjoy every moment of it!  His kindness is new every morning. Enjoy!

Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?  Absolutely not!  If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.  But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  Galatians 3:21, 22 NLT

What is so amazing about God’s promise is that it gives something to us that we cannot ever accomplish or obtain by ourselves. If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. So we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  It is called grace and known as a new life.  This new life is given through what God promised his grace would do through Jesus the Christ.  Sin is the conflict of our soul and it has no ability to love; it can only lust because it is always self-seeking.  The law says do, Grace says done!  The freedom of God’s grace lets us choose how we will respond to our opportunities.  We can now see clearly the difference between new life (freedom) and being a prisoner to our sinful emotions.  Today let your heart be refreshed in who you are because God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  His grace lets you choose what direction your thoughts and emotions will go.  We now know why we sing – “Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.” Enjoy!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!  I John 3:1 NIV

Talk about grace, God has lavished his love on us so that we may know, not guess or wish for, but know that we are children of God.  This is not a theoretical or theology concept but a very real life that comes from his love. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us.  He is a Father who loves, who brings joy and who gives life that is called righteous and eternal.  We experience all this through his grace on the cross of Jesus the Christ.  Today enjoy your life as a man or woman of God because of Jesus Christ.  How great the love is the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. So let his peace, let his joy, let his kindness and let his encouragement have its way in your thinking, actions and emotions.  Praise his name in everything you do and allow yourself to be lavished in his love. Your day could be renewing in all the right ways.  Enjoy!

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord... who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:8, 9 NIV

When God's grace comes to us and we receive it, there is a result of a holy life. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord… who has saved us and called us to a holy life.  To be holy we must begin with Jesus the Christ.  He is the root and beginning of all holiness. That very word, Holy is beyond normal compression to most people. But it is just what grace does in a man or woman, whether they understand it or not.  Not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  The way to be holy is to come to Lord by grace through faith.  He not only washes away the condemnation of our sin by his own blood, but he also delivers us from the power of our own sin. The result - he puts a new love in our heart (holiness) and that makes us practically a man or woman of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life.  Today, enjoy being relaxed in the grace of God's love for you.  Actually living in his grace will bring refreshment to your life which will be a blessing for others who live and work around you.  There is absolutely no tension in grace. Your very breath today can bring praise to God. Enjoy!

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  Romans 5:3-5 NLT

The only way we can rejoice, when we run into problems and trials is because of God’s grace given through Jesus Christ declaring we are now righteous. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. It does seem that most everything that will bring some long lasting satisfaction to our life requires endurance of some kind.  Endurance seems to go hand in hand with at least some form of pain, it may be emotional, mental or physical.  Think of the effort of fine tuning of our physical body, or the challenge of education for the right career and even a good marriage requires the working of a love that at times feels like pain. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  When we allow God’s grace to give direction in our thinking and emotions, our experiences through problems produce an attitude that will be a blessing to us as well as those around us.  Today take God at his Word so that you will not have that horrible feeling of disappointment and overall depression.  Grace will let you not only believe but experience his love for you on this brand new day.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  His love is refreshing in some of the most unbelievable circumstances.  Take a good deep breath of his grace and then verbalize your thanksgiving and praise.  You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV

Being overwhelmed by God’s grace through Jesus Christ is a transformation that takes place within the desires of our heart.  Instead of words, tones or deeds that are less than refreshing, grace gives a new desire of expressing in whatever we do with our words or with our deeds thanks to God. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Words and actions of grace will refresh and encourage others through their life.  Emotions that live in grace are always renewing and bring a great relief of thanksgiving.  Today, may the life of His grace come out of your mouth very naturally and be expressed on your face.  The joy you will experience and the refreshment it will bring will absolutely delight you. When this verse is a description of who you are, then you will have an outstanding day, and your relationships will have an emotion called joy. Enjoy!

Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:24 NLT

Words, what overwhelming power they have. Think of how many broken relationships have taken place because of words and tones that had nothing to do with kindness.  How many still feel wounded because someone said something that overwhelmed them with grief.  What is so amazing about God’s grace is the new creation it brings to our thinking, which changes our words and tones into blessings. Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.  Would you like your emotions to feel better, then ask God to pour out his grace upon you through Jesus Christ.  You will find a joy coming from you that sounds like - Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.  Today let this grace be expressed through you and you will experience a joy that you had only dreamed of.  The souls of men and women around you are waiting for this blessing.  Enjoy!

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  Romans 5:3-5 NLT

The only way we can rejoice, when we run into problems and trials is because of God’s grace given through Jesus Christ. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. It does seem that most everything that will bring some long lasting satisfaction to our life requires endurance of some kind.  Endurance seems to go hand in hand with at least some form of pain, it may be emotional, mental or physical.  Think of the effort of fine tuning of our physical body, or the challenge of education for the right career and even a good marriage requires the working of a love that at times feels like pain. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  When we allow God’s grace to transform our thinking and emotions, our experiences through problems produce an attitude that will be a blessing to us as well as those around us.  Today take God at his Word so that you will not have that horrible feeling of disappointment and overall depression.  Grace will let you not only believe but experience his love for you on this brand new day.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  His love is refreshing in some of the most unbelievable circumstances.  Take a good deep breath of his grace and then verbalize your thanksgiving and praise.  You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.  Galatians 5:13 NLT

We are a nation that is all about freedom.  For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. Yet as a nation we seem to be losing our freedom and becoming enslaved to actions, attitudes, morals and emotions that are destructive to our families, our neighborhoods and even our nation. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  It isn’t just alcohol, drugs and all forms of immorality but also violence in attitude and actions. What is ironic is the more someone asserts his or her self-centered so called freedom, the more he or she becomes enslaved to their own sin. But there is a prescription for freedom, it is the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. So if the Son of God sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 NIV. This freedom of grace is not a belief system; it is a life that penetrates the very foundation of our emotions and thoughts, it is called a new creation. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.  Today enjoy your freedom of grace that has been given to you through Jesus the Christ. Let your day be free in grace so that you know your old habits and addiction are no longer a definition of who you are or were. Your freedom in Christ will bless you and bring enjoyment to everyone around you.  Enjoy!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV

Being overwhelmed by God’s grace through Jesus Christ is a transformation that takes place within the desires of our heart.  Instead of words, tones or deeds that are less than refreshing, grace gives a new desire of expressing in whatever we do with our words or with our deeds thanks to God. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Words and actions of grace will refresh and encourage others through their life.  Emotions that live in grace are always renewing and bring a great relief of thanksgiving.  Today, may the life of His grace come out of your mouth very naturally and be expressed on your face.  The joy you will experience and the refreshment it will bring will absolutely delight you. When this verse is a description of who you are, then you will have an outstanding day, and your relationships will have an emotion called joy. 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.  Romans 3:23, 24 NLT

This verse is God’s description of His gift to us, while we are in a less than stellar situation.  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard which means we all have found in our nature the results of that.  Jealousy, lust, irritations, anxiety, anger, feelings of criticism along with all forms of judgment concerning ourselves and others have come to us naturally.  There is not enough money or education in the world that can remove these things from how we feel.  But when we take God at his Word and receive his gift of grace (undeserved kindness) that is given to us in Jesus the Christ all things begin to change. Through Jesus Christ it is God who declares that we are righteous.   Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. Righteousness first gift is deliverance from guilt and then deliverance from the power of our own sin. In righteousness emotions of condemnation end and grace replaces it with new emotions of encouragement, peace and joy. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. In grace there is a blessing of joy that can be lived and experienced through our life. Today enjoy the life of grace that is yours because of Jesus Christ.  Let your mind experience the emotions of joy as your words and tones express rejoicing and praise.  If you are willing to receive his undeserved kindness through Christ Jesus, you will understand the blessing of his compassion and your life will become a wonderful fragrance to your family, your friends and those you meet.  Enjo

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.  Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 NLT

One of the great benefits of the grace of Jesus Christ is that it gives us the ability to find thanksgiving in the everyday things of life. So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.  Just look at our newspapers, our news channels and think how much complaining, grumbling, stress and anxiety go on in our time so that we forget how to be thankful and enjoy what we do have. We were meant to enjoy the simple things such as eating, drinking and all those taste buds in our mouth that are just waiting to express themselves.  Grace can celebrate these individual moments with an attitude of thanksgiving and that changes everything from how we feel to how we think.  Today let yourself find pleasure in the smallest things along your journey.  You, your family, your friends and those you come in contact with will be renewed through your attitude of grace.  Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.  Enjoy!