Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, jusrt as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1,2 NIV

 

Have you ever wondered what God really thinks or feels about you?  As dearly loved children, live a life of love, just as Christ loved us.  That is an eternal definition of God’s thoughts and what he feels about you.  Therefore, the  blessing is given -  Be imitators of God.  God's grace gives us this blessing and lets us clothe ourselves  with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NLT. We then become the images of God through his grace and with these new clothes, our thoughts, our desires, our hopes and of all things our emotions will be a fragrant offering and blessing to us and everyone around us. In fact, Being imitators of God will bless us with a graceful kindness that will be defined as making allowance for each other's faults and forgiving anyone who offends us. Colossians 3:13 NLT. WOW!!! What is wonderful about  being an imitator of God, being clothed in grace is that we become living expressions of the nature of God.  Today enjoy what the Lord has provided for you to be and wear through his grace – tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility gentleness and patience.  These are wonderful emotions that will clothe your heart and you will find that what he has given you to  be and wear is a perfect fit. Enjoy!

If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.  John 7:37, 38 NIV

 

There was a time in my life when I know I became thirsty. If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  It was after I had grown up into a young man, finished my time in the Marine Corp and had come back from Viet Nam. The thought came to me – “what is life for, what is its goal?”  I had no problem believing in God because it says – “In God We Trust” on our money.  So I asked this God on our money to please do something with my life and he began to do something in me that would change and renew me forever. If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  By his grace he renewed my faith to trust again in Jesus the Christ and I have never been the same.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from with him. This living water flowed, which I discovered was the Holy Spirit producing a new character within me, which looked like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and of all things self-control, Galatians 5:22,23.  Today enjoy being thirsty for our Lord and his grace. The life that is eternal will be yours even through your opportunities.  As the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow naturally from within and through you.  This will give you a life that will bless you and bring inspiration to those around you.  Enjoy!

You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  Matthew 5:14, 16 NLT

 

God’s grace in Jesus Christ really changes things.  You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  Wow, now that is a change.  In Jesus the Christ a new life is given to us which produces wonderful results. Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. The illustration of the life of grace here is seen as light, light that can be seen in all directions like a city on a hill.  But this light is also now our character which is the character of grace.  The life of his grace produces a new nature in us to “let” this new life be lived and seen in the midst of all our opportunities. Let your good deeds shine, they will refresh families, neighborhoods, churches and communities. Today may you find that what you are “letting” is like a light shining on a hilltop, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Enjoy!

Don't fool yourselves.  Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people - none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.  Some of you were once like that.  But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.   1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT.

 

The nature of sin will produce results that are catastrophic to relationships. There has never been a family, a community, a church, a state or a nation that has become refreshed when these sins are the habits of its people.  Therefore the promise of grace was given. God’s grace is offered to remove sin's power and give us a new nature that will be a pleasure to relationships. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  Grace is the power of God's love in Jesus the Christ to release us from habits that are hurtful by our own natural nature. You were cleansed, you were made holy, you were made right with God.  Grace produces a new life that has its foundation in God's love, where there will never be any regret or shame.  Today allow the life of his grace to set you free from habits that do not bless you or anyone else. This new nature is now and forever yours because of his grace given to you in Jesus Christ.  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

 

Let’s start with a question: Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?  The answer that is given is: Absolutely not!  What is so amazing about God’s promises is that they give something to us that we cannot ever accomplish by our own efforts. If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But new life is given through what God promised his grace would do through Jesus the Christ.  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., God’s grace gives us the freedom to see clearly the difference between our new life and being a prisoner to our sinful life. Today enjoy being refreshed in who you are because of the promises 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!

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD.  They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.  Psalm 92:12-15 NIV   What an interesting journey life can be.  We can hardly wait to grow up and become an adult. Then one day we look up and we are seniors, Wow!  I have a sign above my fireplace that says – “Old age is coming at a really bad time!”  I find it humorous that it has taken me so long to understand righteousness.  Listen to the impact of grace on a man or woman –They will still bear fruit in old age; They will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright, he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”  I love this, that God’s grace in Jesus the Christ produces His righteousness in us, which is the deliverance from the penalty of our own sin along with the deliverance of its power over us.  Now how cool is that kind of grace? Grace reveals to us that the joy of the LORD is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Today may you be refreshed by the promise of grace in your life.  You are meant to be the expressions, of the attitude of God's love to everyone around you. What you say and do in the grace of our Lord can bring a beautiful delight to everyone you meet and at the same time make your day brand new. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.  Enjoy!

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. 

Romans 3:21, 22 NIV

 

What a wonderful journey life is!  We usually try so hard to make things right in all of our relationships and yet we find we are powerless to change most things.  Righteousness is an amazing word which comes from the grace of God through Jesus the Christ.  It means to be declared free from any condemnation, guilt or shame because of our sin! Free from our sin’s authority or power over us.  But now a righteousness from God has been made known.  BUT NOW, is there two words that are more revealing than these?  Right is the midst of our sadness, frustrations and failures God has found a way to declare us righteous and give us a new nature through grace that looks like being born again (John 3:3 NIV).  This declaration is the life and power of His Grace in Jesus the Christ!  Martyn Lloyd Jones – “Would you like to know for certain at this moment whether you are a Christian or not?  I suggest that this is one of the best tests.  “But now,” is there something within you that makes you say, thank God!  Is there a “But now” in your experience?”  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Today may you live in the life that has been declared righteous by God because of your faith in Jesus Christ!  Enjoy!

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back.  Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.  Ruth 1:16 NIV

 

Sometimes along the journey of life we forget what the impact of relationships has on our life.  Maybe it is because of all the noise of the world or all the busyness , but think what this kind of grace could do in our marriages and churches. Sometimes we even take our faith in the Lord and turn it into some form of religion or standards by which we judge ourselves and others.  Well, God’s grace is relational and has no ridicule or condemnation with it.  His love in and through Jesus Christ is meant to give us new relationships with him and those around us.  Grace renews our moods, our goals and even what we value.  Listen again to the words and emotions of grace. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Today allow yourself the freedom of his grace to assure you that he will never leave you no matter where you may find yourself.  His life is now your life and your life will be a breath of fresh air to those who get to meet you.  Living in that freedom will bring you a sweet refreshment along your journey and flat our inspire your relationships!   Encouragement, thanksgiving and inspiration will just become who you are. Enjoy!

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

Colossians 3:12,13 NIV

 

Have you ever wondered what God really thinks or feels about you?  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.  That is an eternal definition of God’s thoughts and what he feels about you.  Therefore, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  God's grace sets us free to clothe ourselves with new living clothes, which impact our thoughts, our desires, our hopes and of all things our emotions. In fact, these clothes will bless everyone around us and bring a very refreshing desire to that will change all relationships, Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  What is wonderful about these clothes is that they are a gift from the Lord and they are wrapped in grace.  Today enjoy what the Lord has provided for you to wear through his grace – compassion, kindness, humility gentleness and patience.  These are wonderful emotions that will clothe your heart and you will find that what he has given you to wear is a perfect fit.  Joy and praise will come very naturally to you and these clothes never get old or wear out.  Enjoy!

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.  Psalm 116:5, 6 NIV

 

There is a life of grace and righteousness given to us when what we believe about Jesus the Christ becomes who we are in the depth of our soul. The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.  It does not mean troubles and opportunities all leave the scene, but seeing them with the attitude of grace brings the blessings of real emotions in the midst of it that are renewing and can be relaxing. The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. This is the story of someone who has been in a serious opportunity, but knows God is full of compassion.  When we allow his grace to gain access to our emotions and thoughts we will discover what the Psalmist meant when he said – “when I was in great need, he saved me.”   Today, take a good deep breath from his Word and let your heart express thanksgiving for his grace and compassion for you.  Your nature is on a great journey of renewal and the freedoms you were created for are about to bring delight to you in every way. Enjoy!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   

Romans 15:13 NIV

 

When God’s grace penetrates the heart of a man or woman, something new begins in them which brings refreshment. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.  The words here - hope, joy, peace and overflow are definitions of a life of grace!  Here we see that our God desires for us on our individual journeys, to not just believe in him but to know him in the fabric of all our thinking and emotions. His grace is given so that we may experience that life called eternal, and find ourselves in an optimistic mood, a mood of hope, a mood of joy and a mood of peace.  His gift is given to us with the strength of the Holy Spirit through Jesus the Christ.  When we are living in grace we can find ourselves overflowing with emotions which impacts people in a very good way that live and work around us.  Today, in His grace lay aside anxiety, worry and stress and enjoy trusting in him.  It is an absolute blessing to live a life that can be known as overflowing with hope, joy and peace.  Enjoy!

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

 

There is always a feeling of refreshment in our life when we experience joy and describe it as feeling it with all our heart.  This is not meant to be an academic statement; it is something that touches the very fiber of our being. The LORD looks at the heart.  The life of God's grace is that it takes our belief in the Lord from the academic into a relationship that reaches the very soul of who we are, all our thoughts and emotions.  God’s grace impacts our heart like nothing else can (the LORD looks at the heart).  In grace our thoughts along with our emotions are reborn an become alive with the desire to express love, joy and kindness.  Here our marriage, our children and our relationships have the great possibility of being refreshed in ways that cause everyone to rejoice and give thanks to the Lord and for each other.  Today enjoy this life of his grace.  Be willing to allow your heart to be refreshed in his grace and peace.  May he then give to you the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in him (Psalm 37:4).  In this place you will find no regret or sorrow.  Enjoy!

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.  Psalm 116:5, 6 NIV

 

There is a life of grace and righteousness given to us when what we believe about God becomes who we are in the depth of our soul. The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.  It does not mean troubles and opportunities all leave the scene, but seeing them with the attitude of grace brings the blessings of real emotions that are renewing and can be relaxing even in the midst of opportunities! The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. This is the story of someone who has been hurt, but knows God is full of compassion.  When we allow his grace to touch our emotions we will discover what the Psalmist meant when he said – “when I was in great need, he saved me.”   Today, take a good deep breath from his Word and let your heart express thanksgiving for his grace and compassion for you.  Your nature is on a great journey of renewal and the freedoms you were created for are about to bring delight to you in every way. Enjoy!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   

Romans 15:13 NIV

 

When God’s grace penetrates the heart of a man or woman, something new begins in them which brings refreshment. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.  The words here - hope, joy, peace and overflow are definitions of a life of grace!  Here we see that our God desires for us on our individual journeys, to not just believe in him but to know him in the fabric of all our thinking and emotions. His grace is given so that we may experience that life called eternal, and find ourselves in an optimistic mood, a mood of hope, a mood of joy and a mood of peace.  His gift is given to us with the strength of the Holy Spirit through Jesus the Christ.  When living in grace we can find ourselves overflowing with emotions which impacts people in a very good way that live and work around us.  Today, lay aside anxiety, worry and stress and enjoy trusting in him.  It is a blessing to live a life that can be known as overflowing with hope, joy and peace.  Enjoy!

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 a new nature, all shame, guilt and condemnation are gone. It is integrity and transparency all at the same time filled with joy.  Love allows us the freedom and ability to be a  blessing to 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, rejoice in His grace and express thankfulness 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 desire 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 that are natural in grace and they look and feel like  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 you are free to 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 desire, our peace and 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.  That means no guilt or condemation, now and forever. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  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. Again, 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 new 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, at church 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 expressions. Let this wonderful gift of grace have its way in you today and all things will become possible for you.  Go ahead, sing, lift up your hands 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, in grace you have the power to fix your thoughts!!! 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!