OUTLINE:

Rejoice Always (ala 1Th 5:16)
Like every other blessing designed by God, joy has been counterfeited. When a blessing is counterfeited, the true substance of it will never be received, by grace through faith. This leaves a person searching forever.

The Little Things
Before it’s too late, let us appreciate all the so-called “little things” in life. May we suppose, even, that the “little things” are actually the big ones?

Jn 1:16-17
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

“grace upon grace”
Refers to the fact that God showers His children with grace (love). Christ, His Son, has made this possible. In light of this, Christ rightly becomes our central source of gratitude and focus. (Eph 1:2-8)

Perspective
Don’t forget about the best parts of your life because of familiarity. Appreciating God’s grace is to YOUR benefit.

Stop Looking!
There’s no secret rock to look under - God’s grace is where its always been, right under your nose!

NCC Congregant
So, I have been accepting your challenge today and I have noticed that focusing on what is pure and righteous in all situations provides you with a greater compassion for others. Thank you for the challenge :)

Perspective
We humans seem to get along best when we have something good to focus on (that isn’t ourselves). (ala Php 4:8)

Php 3:1a [Amplified Classic]
For the rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him.

Ro 12:9-11 [Amplified Classic]
[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

1Co 13:5 [Amplified Classic]
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

1Co13:7 [Amplified Classic]
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

To appreciate the “little things” is to appreciate grace. (ref: Jn 1)

Jas 3:18 [Amplified Classic]
And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

Any Questions???
Php 3:1; Ro 12:9-21; 1Co 13:4-7; Gal 5:22-23; Jas 3:13-18; 2Pe 1:5-7…’nough said on gratitude (the antithesis of familiarity).

“Lord, to whom shall we go?”
Peter's words epitomize the one thing that separated the Apostles from the rest of Jesus' "disciples" (some of which weren't yet saved - ala Jn 6:64; 1Jn 2:19) - HUMILITY! Submission/surrender are fruit of humility, the essence of God's grace in salvation.

“By Grace, They Were Prepared”
Jesus taught His disciples to have their OWN convictions! He then gave them His Spirit to teach, encourage, and empower this. We all have the Word of- and the Spirit of Christ, by grace.