GOD'S POWER IN UNITY

 

Ephesians 4:13

"Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." NIV

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." KJV

There is power in unity. That's why God's Word tells us over and over to be "one" in Him, be unified as the body of Christ. Remember what happened on the day of Pentecost when the 120 were all in one accord. Remember what God did to disable the work done at the tower of Babel because the people had one purpose? Pray for unity with the body of Christ. Then we will know Christ in His fullness.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the divisions that exist in the body of Christ because we insist on having our own position and beliefs. Help us to gain unity with Your true believers so that we will be able to know Christ in His fullness. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN

 

Mark 11:25

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." NIV

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." KJV

How quick are we to forgive those who hold on to unforgiveness in their own hearts? Why would we expect God to forgive and show mercy to us if we are harboring grudges against others? It is God's character that we will be forgiven in tandem with the way we forgive others.

Heavenly Father, help us to forgive others so that our hearts will be free of resentment and that You will find us ready to accept the forgiveness we so desperately need from You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

GOD'S TIMING

 

2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." NIV

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." KJV

No one knows the day or the hour of Christ's return. We do know He will come like a thief in the night. He has told us the signs that let us know His coming is near. Those signs are occurring loud and clear. Yet, God is patiently waiting for all who will come to Him, giving ample opportunity to all.

Heavenly Father, Although You have kept the time of Christ's return locked in Your heart, we thank You and praise You that Your patience is allowing those who need Your salvation to come while there is time. Help us to shine Your light that will draw others to You until that day comes. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD

 

Jeremiah 32:27

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" NIV

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" KJV

There are times when we struggle with things in our lives and we wonder if God is going to work out the problems we face. At times, we may give up and stop bringing our needs and requests to God. Many of us see no possible way this thing is going to be resolved and turn out for good. Be comforted! There is nothing too hard for God and He will supply the answer.

Heavenly Father, we praise You that we can put our faith in You as Lord of all. We believe by faith that there is nothing impossible for You and that we can confidently bring our needs and petitions to You and place them in Your hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

TURN OUR HEARTS

 

Psalm 119:36

"Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain." NIV

"Incline my heart with thy testimonies, and not to covetousness." KJV

Why would we need to pray daily for the direction of our hearts? If we assume we are free of selfish desires and ambitions, we are clearly deceived. Our hearts have natural human tendencies to satisfy our senses. Without being alert to this and praying daily that our hearts be spiritually directed toward the ways of God, we are in danger of becoming lukewarm and ineffective for our Lord.

Heavenly Father, how we pray diligently that you keep our hearts turned toward You and Your Word so that we will not fall into seeking to satisfy our own selfish desires. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

SUFFERING WTIH COMFORT

 

2 Corinthians 1:5

"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." NIV

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." KJV

We are well aware as Christians that we will have tribulations because of our faith. If our Lord and Saviour suffered such, why would we expect to escape suffering? Take heart fellow Christians. Jesus Christ lavishes us with comfort that more than adequately outweighs the trials we suffer. Through Him we have been redeemed, given the Holy Spirit, and the reward of eternal life. The sufferings are so temporary. The comfort is everlasting.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of Your grace as we face the trials that result from our faith in You. We thank You and praise You for the comfort You so freely give us. Help us to rest in that comfort so that we will endure to the end. In Jesus' name. Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS

 

James 1:17

"Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." NIV

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." KJV

There is no evil in God, about God, or from God. All things good and beneficial flow from Him down to us. Like the clouds hide the sun, things may hinder our perception of God, but He never ever changes. We change our perspective of Him. He is still always showering us with good and perfect gifts, even if we can't clearly see it.

Heavenly Father, when things don't seem to be going well for us, help us to remember that You are showering us with good and perfect gifts, even if we are looking through clouds and can't see it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

BEGINNING OF WISDOM AND INSIGHT

 

Proverbs 9:10

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." NIV

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." KJV

If we fear God and walk in His ways, we will find wisdom. Wisdom is found in abundance on the straight and narrow road. There we will find insight into the nature of our God. It may be a difficult journey, but the reward is gloriously beyond all imagination.

Heavenly Father, we seek You with our whole hearts and accept the wealth of wisdom and insight you graciously supply to us on our journey. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

KNOW THE WAY

 

John 14:4

"You know the way to the place where I am going." NIV

"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." KJV

Jesus knew where He was going and He has told us in His word where it is and how to get there. He leaves it to us to trust Him by faith so that we will know how to get to the Father. Jesus has plainly told us what we will experience on this road and has supplied all that we need to make the journey. Our part is to keep the faith, walk in obedience, and stay fixed on Him.

Heavenly Father, we praise You and give You glory that You have shown us the Way to eternal through Jesus Christ. Give us grace to walk this journey as Christ did and bring us home safely to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

BLESSED IS THE ONE

 

Matthew 11:6

"Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." NIV

"Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." KJV

If we do the words Jesus did when He was on earth, we will be ridiculed, mocked, and persecuted just as He was. We are blessed if we continue to do His work and do not fall away because of the negative reaction of others or the persecution we endure. Expect to offend others, but never be offended by the consequences of serving Christ.

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that Your Son walked this earth showing us how to live righteously. We humbly as for Your strength, grace, and mercy as we receive the same persecution that our Lord did. May we never be offended to suffer for Him. In His name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

THE ONLY DOOR

 

John 10:1

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber." NIV

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." KJV

Jesus Christ is the gate to the sheep pen, the door to eternal life. Many who call themselves Christians try to earn the eternal reward of heaven by engaging in certain rituals and traditions. Even more dangerous are those who know Jesus Christ is the only way, but they busy themselves in great ministries, church work, and 'Christian' activities to the point these things become their love. They have turned their faith from Jesus Christ alone, to their Christian lives. We should be putting feet to our faith by doing good works, but if we are doing these good works for the wrong reason, we are bypassing the true Door and are climbing in by our own spiritual sense of well being for the 'work' we have done.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us if we have shifted our faith and love for You into the things we do for You. Give us wisdom to recognize when we get our motives wrong and help us keep our faith in the true Door. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

PATIENCE VS ANGER

 

Proverbs 14:29

"A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." NIV

"He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

If we are patient in trying circumstances, we are able to gain deep understanding into the situation and to make wise decisions about how we will respond. If we are given to anger in trying situations, we react from instant emotional energy that exposes our ignorance of the reality of things and causes us to look like fools.

Heavenly Father, when difficult and trying times happen, help us to use patience so that we will be a testimony to others of the loving patience You have for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

WITHOUT MONEY

 

Isaiah 52:3

"For this is what the Lord says: 'You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed." NIV

"For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; ye shall be redeemed without money." KJV

We did not have to do anything to be born into sin. It did not cost us anything to do what just comes natural to us. But, the penalty for that is eternal darkness. It didn't cost us anything to be forgiven and made pure as God's children. We didn't even deserve it. It cost God His only Son. It cost Jesus Christ everything.

Heavenly Father, we are humbly amazed at the great plan of redemption You planned and carried out through Jesus Christ. We were carried off into captivity by our own choice, but redeemed by His blood. Help us to always live according to this wonderful plan of redemption that all the riches in the world could never buy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

WE NEED DISCERNMENT

 

Psalm 119:125

"I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes." NIV

"I am thy servant; give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies." KJV

It would be a disastrous thing to be hired for a new job, but not be given any understandable directions for how to do the job. This is somewhat like our place as servants of God. We cannot do His will without Him supplying us with understanding, insight, and awareness of His will for our lives. If we pray daily for this understanding, he will give it to us.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You hear us when we pray and bring our petitions before You. We ask for understanding, insight, and awareness of Your will so that we can bring glory to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

HE INCREASES WE DECREASE

 

John 3:30

"He must become greater; I must become less." NIV

"He must increase, but I must decrease." KJV

The Christian journey is not one of following rules or being involved in a local church, although these are very good things to do. The real Christian journey is the process of turning control of our entire lives over to the Lord. He becomes more and more the center and master of our lives and we become more and more submissive servants of His will so that He is what the world sees in us.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of Your grace and power of humility in giving control of our lives over to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

FAITH IN GOD

 

1 Corinthians 2:5

". . . .so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." NIV

". . . .that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." KJV

There are many philosophers and preachers who give out messages that seem Godly and make our hearts feel good. If we build our faith on what we see and hear from these and others like them, we will be investing our faith in the words and wisdom of men. God tells us our faith is built up by the Word of God. Listen to the Word of God and its' power will increase our faith.

Heavenly Father, we earnestly pray that You will grant us wisdom and discernment to test all things by Your Word so that our faith will be founded in Your Truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

ASK, SEEK, FIND

 

Matthew 7:7

 

"For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." NIV

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." KJV

Sometimes it seems like we ask and ask, seek and seek, but we get nothing. It is easy to get discouraged at those times. If we do an honest self examination, we will find our asking and seeking are from selfish motives. It is the pure in heart that receive.

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we think of our own agendas when we come to you with our petitions. Help us to look inward so that we seek you with pure hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

LIGHTS

 

Matthew 5:14

 

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." NIV

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." KJV

As Christians, we know we have the light of the Gospel within us. Do we also remember that we are to live our lives so the whole world can see the truth of God in us? If we hid our light it may suffocate or cease to glow. It will certainly not be productive in this world. If we show our light, living and speaking the Word, those in the darkness will see and respond to the light. More importantly, our God will be glorified.

Heavenly Father, so many times we keep our light to ourselves to we can enjoy the blessings of communion with you. Help us, Lord, to understand that we have the light only by your grace and your plan is for us is to let that light shine so that others can know you too. In Jesus' name, Amen.           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

SUPPLIES FOR THE VALLEY

 

Matthew 4:4

 

"Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" NIV

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." KJV

When we are on the spiritual mountain top, we bask in the fullness of God with all of our senses. We feast on great spiritual insights and wisdom. Our faith is fed and strengthened beyond measure. After such experiences, we walk into the spiritually dry valley where God seems to have gone far away and we are left to face the tribulations of the valley. It is then we yearn for the mountain top experience. It is in the valley that we feed from the heavenly food we received on the mountaintop. We received it there to give us spiritual strength to live it out here. Just like Jesus did during His forty day wilderness experience.

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are for those times that you allow us to experience Your majesty on the mountaintop. Forgive us, Lord, for our failure to use those experiences as food and strength to keep us strong and victorious in the valley experiences. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

AS FAR AS EAST FROM WEST

 

Psalm 103:12

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." NIV

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." KJV

Just how far is the east from the west? It cannot be measured by any scientific device because it is an infinite distance. That's how far God has removed our sins from us so that we will be found righteous when we stand before Him. Thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ for providing the way of forgiveness. If we confess and repent of our sins, asking God for forgiveness, our sins will be remembered no more.

Heavenly Father, what love and mercy You have toward us that You would provide a way for our sins to be so far removed from us that they would be eternally forgotten. Keep our hearts mindful of any transgressions of which we are harboring so that we may repent and find forgiveness and You will remove them far far away from remembrance. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

GOD IS LIGHT

 

1 John 1:5

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." NIV

 

"This is then the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." KJV

God is light. This means there is nothing in Him, of Him, or about Him that is absent of light or present in evil. If there is even a hint of darkness, a dimming of light, it is because there is something blocking or hindering the light. That something can only be us, our environment, or the evil one. With the Holy Spirit, we have authority over the darkness and we can remove it from hindering the light. God is light. Is there any darkness within us or around us?

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge You as the Light and pray that You would give us discernment to know when and where You are not shining brightly in our lives. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

HIS WORD ALWAYS WORKS

 

Isaiah 55:10-11

 

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." NIV

 

"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." KJV

From the beginning of human existence, God's Word has been twisted and challenged by Satan. In our world today, the Word of God is seen as merely symbols and generational legends that weak Christians blindly hold on to for imagined faith. The truth is, the Word of God will endure forever, while Satan's lie will perish with him and his followers in due time. Whenever God's Word is spoken it remains and echoes throughout time to change the hearts of those who open their hearts to it by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Every Word spoken by God will accomplish all He has purposed. Our part is to make His Word so much a part of ourselves that we live it out and give it out every moment we live.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that endures forever. Help us to hunger for Your Word so that it will become part of us and we can take it to a lost and dying world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

BROTHERLY LOVE

 

Romans 12:10

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." NIV

 

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." KJV

We are to have love toward our fellow Christians as if they are our own blood siblings. We give this love and delight in it. Even loving them to the point of rejoicing in seeing them honored while we are totally out of the lime light. This is true Christian love toward one another. Do we have this kind of love for each other. Remember, non-Christian people are watching us.

Heavenly Father, how short we fall of being the loving children You would have us to be. Forgive us and fill us to overflowing with the love You have for us, that we may overflow with that love toward each other. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

MOTHERS COMFORT

 

Isaiah 66:13

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." NIV

 

"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." KJV

We can all remember a time when we were in distress and our mothers' held us with gentleness and tender words of comfort. Then all was well with our world. For those of us who are mothers, we can feel the heart of love that flows from our soul to our child as we lovingly let him know everything will be all right. Our Lord compares His love for us to this motherly love. It is the love of a mother that is most like the love our Lord has for us.

Heavenly Father, how we thank you for our mothers' who gave us the love we needed to grow and flourish. Help us to always honor our mothers because in doing so we honor You. Lord, bless and bring joy to all our mothers and thank You for keeping those of our mothers who have passed on to be with you so that we will be with You and with them some day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

JOYFUL, PATIENT, AND FAITHFUL

 

Romans 12:12

 

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." NIV

 

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." KJV

Can we remain joyful in this world while we wait for the hope of eternal life with Christ? Knowing that our trials are for His glory, can we endure them without complaining. Can we pray faithfully for the revelation by the Holy Spirit that will help us maintain hope and patience until He comes for us? The Word tells us this is what we are to do every day.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for being discouraged and complaining about the many difficult things we face in this life. Forgive us for lacking in our prayer life to maintain our joy and patience. Help us to be faithful in prayer so that we can remain each day with joyful and patient hearts. In Jesus' name. Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

OUR FRUIT REVEALS US

 

Matthew 7:16

"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?" NIV

 

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? KJV

We live in a world where so many people say they are Christians and say they serve God. We are given a way to recognize those who are truly children of God and those who are just claiming to be. The spiritual fruit they produce will tell who it is they follow. Even more important, the fruit we produce will tell who we really follow. Can we see the fruit we are producing? Are we producing fruit at all? It will tell if we are truly His or not.

Heavenly Father, you have given us all we need to live Godly lives and to be productive for your kingdom. Help us to produce the fruit of righteousness so that you will be glorified and we will be recognized as your true children. In Jesus' name. Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

SIN AND PRAYER

 

Psalm 66:18

"If I had cherished sin in my heart the Lord would not have listened." NIV

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." KJV

There have been times when we feel that God has not heard or answered our prayers. Most of the time, He has heard our prayers, but His answer is delayed. Perhaps He is telling us to wait or He is waiting for the right time to send the answer. However, there may be times when we are holding on to something contrary to God's Word, something displeasing to Him. It is then that God does not hear our prayers. If we want our prayers to be effective, we will examine ourselves and take care of any sin we may be hiding.

 

Heavenly Father, we want our prayers to be effective. Help us to examine ourselves so that we can deal with anything within us that is displeasing to You and would interfere with out prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

DON'T LOSE HEART

2 Corinthians 4:16

"Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." NIV

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." KJV

Even though it seems like everything is falling apart and going wrong in our lives, we can stand strong and walk on in courage. Each day we confirm our commitment to the Lord, we are being made stronger and more mature spiritually. What a wonderful assurance to us that our God keeps us from giving up, if we keep our eyes on Him.


Heavenly Father, we thank you for providing the way for us to stay strong. Forgive us for those times we become discouraged because we look at the things that are going wrong. Help us to keep our eyes on You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC