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!