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)

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

It is amazing how with just a few words people's lives can be changed. God's grace allows us the joy of covering the offenses of others so that they may begin to hear and see the power of God's love. His grace, which we know as his love given without condemnation, will give us many opportunities along our journey to bless instead of curse, to give instead of take, to honor instead of revile. Today may you enjoy the freedom of his grace as it is expressed from your heart and mind through that wonderful gift of your mouth. Your day will be refreshing and anyone who meets you today will be blessed.

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

When our heart is full of thanksgiving we are refreshed in our journey and our emotions and desires seem to be able to see in the details of our life the beauty of our God. Today may you enjoy being refreshed by his grace which leads naturally to living with a thankful attitude. You will have the opportunity of being a special blessing on this day to someone. Their life will be encouraged and you will be blessed. Enjoy!