Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ. Colossians 2:8-10 NLT

Many times along our journey we look for that which will give us some fullness or a sense of meaning or completeness. For in it, we think we will find our worth and passion. Without it we seem to struggle with who we are and where we are going. If that turns out to be our way of feeling valued, we will continue to set up something that gives us a sense of fulfillment and bring us a sense of value concerning ourselves. Grace lets us experience something that is more than fame, more than wealth and more than good health, all of which do bring joy, but never seem to be enough no matter how much we have. The freshness of grace is to live in a sense of wow, that we have been given the greatest of all things, our union with Christ. There can be nothing more magnificent or fulfilling than God himself. On this new day may you acknowledge your life in Christ with a heart of thanksgiving and praise. Smile, relax and rejoice for you are dearly loved in the grace of God found in Jesus the Christ. Let your emotions and thinking smile, relax and bless. This is a good day to enjoy.

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

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

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith 1 Timothy 1:5

Saint Francis of Assisi said it well when he said - "O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life".  This love is the unmotivated sacrificial giving of our self which actively seeks to give glory to God and the highest good of all others.  Enjoy this day of his grace.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Proverbs 4:23,24

These are wonderful words from our Lord to encourage us to live that life of grace given by him. Words of joy, kindness, encouragement and praise are more valuable and productive for others and for ourselves. Make choices today that will refresh your soul, bless others and give glory to the Lord. Let your facial expressions, tones of voice and your words bring life, encouragement and refreshment to those in your circle of life. Enjoy this day of refreshing conversation, it will blow your hair back in a most refreshing way.

My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their pray. My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. They have pierced my hands and feet. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. O LORD, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! Psalm 22:12-19

Along our journey we may have times of trouble. Sometimes it is because of decisions we have made and now have great regret for them. Other times it may be family or friends who we love and they respond in ways that overwhelm our soul with sorrow. All of this is what the Word of God calls the results of sin in our time. Christ knows the penalty and pain of sin. It was here in the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ where grace can be seen with clarity. Grace condemned our sin and put it upon Christ and then turned to us and gave us God's love without any condemnation, shame or guilt. On this new day, where ever you may be, may you choose to rejoice in his grace for you. He knows where you are and desires to refresh and renew you in ways that allow you to delight. Let his grace be the habit of your emotions and thoughts today. Enjoy!

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. Proverbs 3:9,10

When we were young it did not matter if its was about birthday's, Easter or Christmas because for us the exciting thing was the gifts we would receive and how wonderful those memories are. But the beauty of growing up in the grace of God that is in Jesus the Christ, is the joy we have learned in giving because we are in love and so thankful for the opportunity to give. Grace not only saves us from our old nature where we are quite self absorbed, but it gives us the freedom to express with what we have earned or what we can do with great joy and thanksgiving. Grace lets us live with open hands and heart toward our Lord and others. Our wealth is about what we have and it does not matter if it is ten dollars or a thousand, it is our wealth. The ability to earn it comes from the Lord and what a joy comes over us when we can give to the glory of God and the refreshment of others. On this new day may you enjoy the opportunities before you to honor the Lord with what is in your hand and the best part of everything you do. You will enjoy this freedom and it will refresh your journey. His grace that gives you this freedom will blow your hair back.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see - such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15,16

Clearly Jesus the Christ is not some form of belief system or religious activity. He is the visible image of the invisible God, which makes him God. Now here is where grace will blow your hair back. For grace gives us the freedom in the midst of our lives to rejoice, delight and praise him, in and through our emotions and thoughts. In this place there will be no regret, no broken family and no tension. On this new day may you let your emotions and thinking rejoice in the life of Christ in you. Your values will be refreshed, your desires will be renewed and your family will be overwhelmed with delight. On this new day, praise changes everything. Enjoy!

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and prove what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

To enjoy God in the journey of life we must undergo a change. It is an inward change of how we process the information we get along our journey. Transformed (metamorphosis) is the change we see in a caterpillar into a butterfly. As a butterfly, he views the world in which he has lived from a totally different angle. God's grace in Christ gives the same drastic change in our thinking. Relax today and enjoy the freedom that comes because of his grace.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!  Tie them around your neck as a reminder.  Write them deep within your heart.  Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.   Proverbs 3:3,4

These are freedoms in our attitude and character that are given in and through the grace of God.  Let these things give direction to your life today and enjoy watching them refresh and encourage others.  Blessings upon you.

From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done. Isaiah 43:13

This is the God who so loved the world that he gave us faith and grace through Jesus the Christ that we might know the freedom of being a new creation without condemnation. Enjoy your journey with him today by encouraging others as he has done for us.