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 in us, removes our condemnation from sin 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 sin 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 in Jesus the Christ, 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!

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, when we are overwhelmed by Grace! 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 and 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, our frustrations and our 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.  Read again 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 with no tension and flat out inspire your relationships!  Encouragement, thanksgiving, praise 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, they are wrapped in grace and ready to put on.  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 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 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; (genuine and sincere) 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 and renewal. 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 because grace refreshes us to trust in Him!  Here we see that our God desires for us on our individual journeys, to not just believe in him but to know and trust 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.  This is your day, 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 to obey 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 encourage and 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 and it is describe as - gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Yet it is in this condition that our Lord opens the invitation of his grace to 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 freedoms 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 in grace 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!

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, some kind of belief system. 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, no shame or condemation, now and forever. That is called a new creation in Jesus the Christ! 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, condemnation and much of mistrust about others. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God, They cannot be numbered! WOW!!! 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. Praise is to honor and glorify the Lord for who he is and for what he has done! God’s grace given in Jesus Christ produces praise which brings refreshment to our emotions and therefore impacts our goals and 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 on your face. 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, or that they really are a new creation in Jesus Christ. 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 (to keep your mind centered on something without distraction) WOW!!! 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 renewed and refreshed in this life that grace gives to you on this new day. Fix your thoughts, think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 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 today.  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, renewed and refreshed into 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 thoughts and emotions 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 has no attitude or behavior that would reveal such knowledge. 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, (destined to fail no matter how much effort is put into it) a useless belief.  But their thinking became futile (useless effort) 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 and God. Grace lets us know God in a way that renews our desires and then produces emotions with the freedom of thanksgiving and rejoicing.  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 thoughts and actions.  Choose to allow yourself to delight in finding ways to be rejoice and to be thankful.  Let God's grace express through your attitude the life of a renewed heart.  In this place you will always be known as an encourager and a blessing.  Some of the most difficult situations  (opportunities) are changed with a heart of rejoicing and 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 we are because of the Lord Jesus the Christ.  We are encouraged to "Let" which is the freedom of grace to allow or permit! Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. That means to allow it, stop holding it back. 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 Jesus Christ.  Whatever you do or say today, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus! Today is a good day for people to know your name.  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 make a difference to our family, our friends, our church 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 changes our focus on life. Ephesians 4:30, and 31 give us great picture of this grace, Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  This is our Lord's answer to, May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O LORD!  God’s Grace is full of life, kindness, gentleness and joy!  There is no regret of any kind when we let the grace of Christ give direction to our hearts. May those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. Today enjoy the power of eternal life that is in you, it is called God’s grace. Here you will find no shame of any kind; in fact what you will experience is life that is full of rejoicing, light hearted and a sweet relief to you and those around you.  Enjoy!