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 throughout 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 refreshes, 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 your hope and encouragement cause you to delight in the freedom of being conformed to the character of Christ.

From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. Proverbs 12:14

As we mature along our journey through life we learn the value and joy of working hard. Our labor can provide us with income that will bless us and our families. But sometimes along our journey we forget the income that comes from our mouth. With it we express through words, tones and expressions the attitude of our heart. It is here where grace can be experienced with great refreshment. Grace changes everything, in that it reveals our motives about ourselves and others. We can then become aware of words, tones and expressions that are less than outstanding. We then have the wonderful opportunity to have our attitudes be expressions of grace. On this new day may you rejoice in the work of your hands, but especially rejoice in what grace sounds like as it is being spoken and expressed through your life and character. You will like it and it will put a smile on your face as well as those around you.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. my brothers, this should not be. James 3:9,10

The grace that has been given in and through our Lord Jesus the Christ is meant to refresh how we feel and respond to our world. Since grace is filled with kindness and encouragement, we are given opportunities to speak words of grace to others. Expressions of blessings, encouragement and refreshment become not just what we say but actually who we are in the grace of our Lord. Today may you enjoy the freedom of his grace. May the expressions on your face, the tones of your voice and the words from your mouth bring encouragement and refreshment to everyone you meet. Grace gives you the joy to express yourself in such a way that it brings delight to you and delight to others. Words of grace never have any regret.

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

It is one thing to believe that there is a God or to believe in God. The beauty of grace, which is God's love given without condemnation, is meant to change how we view God and therefore how we feel and think about ourselves. Grace lets us know God in a way that refreshes and it fills us thanksgiving. The man or woman that lives thankful automatically gives glory to God. On this new day may you delight in finding ways to be thankful. Let God's grace express through your words the beauty 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.

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.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Think of all the moments and relationships that could have been refreshed if someone was willing to speak with kindness and gentleness. 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 go act like it. God’s grace is his power in the human soul to live in the freedom of life that is called eternal. Today may you choose to live your life in the freedom of his grace. Everything around you will begin a new journey when you are the image of His grace. Your day will be renewing and will begin to refresh those who come in contact with you. There will be no regret or sorrow because of your actions of kindness, mercy and grace.

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

Our lives really do make a difference to our family, our friends and those around us. Our response to situations has a great impact on those who know us. The beauty of God’s grace in Jesus Christ is the freedom of response to situations that are less than desirable. When grace is free to express emotions and thoughts in us, we experience a freedom that looks like and feels like relief. Then those around us are inspired to react to life’s opportunities in a much more enjoyable way which is called freedom. There is no regret of any kind when we let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Today enjoy the power of eternal life that is in you, it is called God’s grace. Here you will have no condemnation 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. Our Lord has given this to you and now it is yours.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13,14

In the Word of God, we are described as being born into a kingdom of darkness and at the very beginning we can see and experience the nature of that kingdom. Without anyone teaching us we learn and begin to express fits of frustration, anger, dissatisfaction and the desire to have our own way. As this nature matures we learn to express ourselves at times with words and actions that are less than outstanding and this has many times led to relationships that begin to disintegrate. Grace changes all these things by giving us the freedom from the mastery of our old nature. We then begin to learn and put into practice the beauty of grace which continually lives and expresses itself with words and actions that are refreshing to us as well as those around us. As we see and experience this grace our thinking and emotions are refreshed and we begin to actually become an encouragement to those we meet of the love of God that is in Jesus the Christ. On this new day may you experience the relaxing joy of being rescued by the grace of God. Let his uncondemning love cast all your fears and frustration away and enjoy the freedom of praise and thanksgiving. Grace heals the hurts and the fears; it refreshes our thinking and emotions which put a smile on our face. This will not only impact you, but those around you. Living in the nature of grace beats living in the dominion of darkness every minute of every day.

Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14,15

Life itself is just an amazing journey, when you think we all start off in the same place, as babies. No matter what nationality or language we start off being cared for and begin to learn our worth, which gives expression to our relationships. As we grow, many of our relationships become tense, so we continue to change relationships. But the beauty of God's grace is that we receive his love without condemnation and this starts us off again in a new place where we learn the joy of being loved and learning how to cover others in Christ's love. This leads us to the freedom in our attitude and emotions of esteeming others as better than ourselves. It is here where relationships can be healed and come to peace. Today may you relax in the love that our Lord has for you. May the attitude of your heart be refreshed and give you expressions, attitudes and words that bring encouragement to others and to you. May you be refreshed in the peace of Christ that gives you the confidence of thanksgiving. You will like this expression of worth and you will enjoy today.

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

If we start our day with thanksgiving and praise, in the quiet of the morning before the noise of our world gets to us, we will find beauty even in the midst of opportunity (sometimes called difficulties). It is refreshing to be aware of God's grace and experience it's by-product in and through our lives at the beginning of each new day. Today before everything else starts to get your attention, open your mouth and express your thanksgiving to the one who is always faithful and watch what happens. (Psalm 37:4)