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!

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:6, 8 NIV

If men and women want to know what in the world does God’s grace do or what does it look like, these verses are a great definition of it. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this.  God recognizes that we were powerless, ungodly and sinners. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  In that condition God demonstrates his own love for us, he gives us his grace through Jesus the Christ.  Grace has to do with his love which is given to us without any condemnation concerning our circumstances so that we can be made new in our life.  If you have ever wished that you could start over, you can in the grace that is given in Jesus Christ.  Today trust in God’s grace for you. Christ died for the ungodly, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Come just as you are and experience the grace of his love for you.  Let your heart express thankfulness for his love for you.  This might just be the beginning of a brand new life to live.  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

This verse is 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 or to believe in God. A belief in God that produces no love for God is a futile, useless 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. 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 as an encourager and a blessing.  Some of the most difficult situations are changed with a heart of thanksgiving.  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!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15 NIV

Life itself is just an amazing journey, when you think we all start off in the same place, as infants. No matter what nationality or language, for most of us we start off being cared for, which gives meaning to our relationships.  But we all discover that many of our relationships become tense, so we continue to change relationships, which all affect our attitudes and emotions. So in the beauty of God's grace we have to learn something, it is called “Let.”  For this to happen we have to desire the will of God. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.  This can start us off again in a new place where we can learn joy in the midst of our life. Since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  It is here where relationships can be healed with the joy of peace. Today let in the peace that our Lord has for you.    Allow your will to be refreshed in his peace and you will have expressions, emotions and words that bring encouragement to others as well as thankfulness to you.  Enjoy!

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.  I will sing your praises among the nations.  For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.  Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 57:9, 10 NIV

If we are willing to start our morning being thankful, we will find our afternoons filled with praise. I will thank you, Lord, among all people. I will sing your praises among the nations. It is refreshing to be aware of God's grace and find our life being thankful at the beginning of each new day.  Why are we willing?  For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.  Today before everything else starts to get your attention, open your mouth and let your heart express your thankfulness and praise to the one who is always faithful to you, then watch what happens. (Psalm 37:4) 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 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 eternal. It is full of righteousness, peace and joy. We see all this through his grace on the cross of Jesus the Christ.  Today celebrate your life as a man or woman of God because of Jesus Christ.  How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, 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!

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  Matthew 27:50, 51 NIV

Just a week ago we as a nation celebrated Easter, which is the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.  The death of Jesus Christ was not a religious moment, it was God’s grace coming into contact with humanity. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. The curtain in the temple separated people from the presence of God because of their sins and only the high priest could go behind the curtain once a year for the atonement for the sins of the people.  The tearing of the curtain, from the top to the bottom was the action of God’s grace. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This declared that our sins have been atoned for and now because of his grace nothing can separate us from the love and presence of God.  Yet some who have experienced grace for salvation let their sins keep them from living life by the grace of God that tore the curtain.  Today because of the grace of God in Jesus the Christ let yourself be willing to live in the joy of his presence and love.  No matter where you have been, nothing can separate you from the life, the love, the kindness and the presence of God because of the grace found in Jesus Christ.  This is a good day to choose to celebrate God’s grace in your life.  In his presence all things live and become new.  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 there is a result of a holy life. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord… not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  To be holy we must begin with Jesus the Christ.  He is the root and beginning of all holiness. The way to be holy is to come to him by grace through faith and be joined to him.  He not only washes away 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.  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.  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. 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.  When God’s grace is allowed 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.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. Today trust 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!

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.  I do not conceal your love and your truth from those I meet.  Psalm 40:10 NIV

What happens to the heart of a man or woman who has received the grace of God? I do not hide your righteousness in my heart. Your righteousness in my heart gives us a beautiful view of our life without condemnation, ridicule, slander  or unforgiveness in our emotions or our thinking. I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.  With that in place, our faith in our Lord brings about a joy in our journey and others are then blessed with his love through us. I do not conceal your love and your truth from those I meet. When God’s righteousness has become what we are, relationships can be rebuilt and renewed. Today let his grace and love continue to overwhelm you as you speak of God’s faithfulness and salvation.  In his grace you can say – I do not conceal your love and your truth from those I meet.  Those you meet today will be very blessed to experience God’s love for them through 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

Being overwhelmed by God’s grace through Jesus Christ is a transformation that takes place within the desires of our mind and our heart.  Instead of words, tones, physical expressions on our face or deeds that are less than refreshing, grace gives a new desire of expressing in whatever we do with our words and our actions thanksgiving 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, encourage and renew others through their life.  Emotions that live in grace are always refresh and bring a great relief to those who meet you! Today, may the life of His grace come out of your mouth 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!