Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded. 1 John 3:21-23

It is amazing to think of the struggles we go through along our journey when we feel condemnation. Here we can see again the beauty of God's grace that gives us no condemnation, shame or guilt in our heart, soul or mind. Grace gives us a freedom and joy of a relationship with the Lord that is secure, good and refreshing as each new day comes. Living overwhelmed by his grace brings a thankful attitude and gladness to our relationships and to our work. On this new day, let his grace refresh you and you will find that the focus of your life will encourage others and bless you.

None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked. Ecclesiastes 8:8

These are sobering words along the journey of our life. Jesus the Christ came to give that life that is called eternal so that on that day which we all get to experience we will know the meaning of - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Living each day overwhelmed by His grace gives our relationships a place of beauty and rest, in which we and those around us experience life in a most enjoyable way. This is where memories will be found that give glory to God and a blessing to others. Grace lets us be clothed in a joy that is refreshing and renewing each new day. On this new day may you be the expression of our Lord's kindness and encouragement. May your life be a living example of what God's love and grace look like and sound like. Praise him today for that life the is called eternal given by his grace through Jesus the Christ our Lord. Enjoy and delight in him.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Ephesians 2:1-3

Here we have a word picture of our natural state of thinking, feeling and living. Grace comes to where we are, not where we would like to be, not as we would like to think of ourselves idealistically. God's grace in Jesus the Christ is thoroughly realistic, and it starts with us exactly where we are and brings the freedom to take us exactly where we need to go. On this new day may you remember well what a great love God has for you, it is called grace. Take the time early in the morning and allow each breath you take to praise and rejoice in the Lord. Following the desires and thoughts of grace will overwhelm you with joy, encouragement and expressions of kindness that will be a delight to you and anyone around you. So go ahead in the freedom of grace and 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

Grace in Jesus the Christ brings a freedom and a joy that is contagious through our journey. Grace does not just forgive and save us from our sins, it saves us from ourselves. 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 are no longer suspicious, hateful, jealous, stingy or moody. God's grace does not just deal with a record book, it refreshed, renews and gives freedom to the foundation of our character. On this new day may you feel the freedom of grace in every detail of your journey. May you notice the joy in your tone of voice and the expression of your face. May your hope and encouragement cause you to delight in the freedom of being conformed to the character of Christ. Go ahead, enjoy!

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2,3 NLT

We are not expected to count pain and sorrow as good things in themselves and therefore the source of joy. These disappointments and sorrows that come into our life are opportunities for our development in our life of grace and faith. We are to rejoice not because troubles come, but because of their possible benefits. George Muller of Bristol put it this way - "When trials come, we should say - My heavenly Father puts this cup of trial into my hands, that I may have something sweet afterwards." We are told that when a grain of sand presents itself into the oyster, the irritation that is caused is stopped by encrusting it with a pearly formation. A true pearl is therefore simply a victory over irritations. On this new day may you cover all the details of your life with that which has no irritation, the grace of God that is in Jesus the Christ. Your attitude, your thoughts and your emotions will be overwhelmed with delight and those around you will see the beauty of grace through you. Enjoy!

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Let all that I am praise the LORD. Psalm 104:33-35 NLT

Something happens to us when the Lord is not just a thought or some kind of belief system. When his grace touches our lives we begin a relational journey with him that impacts our goals, our desires, our thinking and our emotions. His grace brings our soul to life just as yeast would impact dough. Once the yeast has been put into the dough, the dough will never be the same. So is the grace that is given in and through Jesus the Christ. Grace begins the journey of enjoying the Lord and its by-products impact our family. Grace changes our focus and gives us the freedom of giving encouragement, blessings and praise. In this place there is no irritations. On this new day may you allow his grace to express his life through your actions, your words, your goals and your money. Your enjoyment of the Lord will bring praise and rejoicing to him and be of a great delight to you and those who know you best. So go ahead and express yourself in the fragrance of his grace. Enjoy!

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

How much do we miss in our journey of life because our eyes are held down by discouragement, doubt, boredom or just plain unbelief. Faith is sure, hopeful and certain as to what God has said and promised. Grace that is in Jesus the Christ is renewing in our emotions and thinking so that our faith is confident that our Lord is in the details of our life. On this new day that has never been before nor will come again, may you find joy in seeking him, instead of seeking what he can do. There is no one like the Lord and his presence changes everything. Relax, enjoy and praise him on this new day for he has a plan and a future for you that will blow your hair back.