LIVE UP TO OUR MATURITY IN CHRIST

 

Philippians 3:16

"Only let us live up to what we have already attained." NIV

"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." KJV

As Christians, we hunger for more of God, to know Him more, to be more like Him. That is a normal desire for true Christians. Sometimes we try so hard or go beyond what the Lord has revealed to us, and we stumble and fall. We fail to walk in the light we have been given thus far in our spiritual walk. We are strongly directed in the Word to make sure we live in the spiritual light we have already been given and keep going forward.

Heavenly Father, we probably look like small children trying to wear adult shoes in the way we live our spiritual lives. Forgive us. Help us to be aware of where we are in our walk with You and to live up to that before we try running ahead and stumbling. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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WATCH & PERSEVERE

We are often vulnerable to opening ourselves up to worldly ideas
and actions that seem right at the time, but they are not all right.
They weaken our spiritual holiness and faith. If that happens, we
become ineffective in our testimony, losing that anointing that drew
others to Christ through us. That's why we are strongly warned to be
alert and persevere in our faith.

Read 1 Timothy 4:16

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because
if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (NIV)

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear
thee." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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USE THE LIGHT YOU HAVE

Sometimes we find ourselves asking God for more maturity, knowledge,
and revelation from Him. Then we wonder why time has gone by and we
have not received more of these things from Him. The reason is that we
have not put into practice those things He has already given to us. If we
will apply and live in the light He has already given us, we will find that
more comes in His time and His way.

Read Philipppians 3:16

"Only let us live up to what we have already attained." (NIV)

"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the
same rule, let us mind the same thing." (KJV)




  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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WHERE SHOULD WE WALK?

Real Christianity is living our lives under the influence of the
Holy Spirit, bearing spiritual fruit, and using the spiritual gifts
God has freely given. If we keep ourselves on that path, we will
be able to overcome those temptations and pitfalls that hound us
every day.

Read Galatians 5:16

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of
the sinful nature. (NIV)

"This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust
of the flesh." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/
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WE'RE IN GOOD HANDS

In this day and age we often feel we are in a barren and dry place. Trouble
and uncertainty are all around us and we can get quite overwhelmed. Take
heart! God is right beside us, guiding us, and giving us everything we need
to make it through.

Read Isaiah 58:11

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun
scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well
watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (NIV)

"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered
garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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WEALTH: ETERNAL OR TEMPORARY

Those who are blessed with finances and the finer things of this
world should pay attention to where they place their trust. It is an
easy thing to rely on financial and material security. However, the
only sure and lasting security comes from God and He supplies it in
abundance and pleasure.

Read 1 Itmothy 6:17

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be
arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with every
thing for our enjoyment." (NIV)

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,
nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly
all things to enjoy" (KJV)




  
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Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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ARE YOU IN DARKNESS?

We can claim to be a child of God, born again, holy, righteous,
and above reproach. But, if we are harboring resentment or ill
will toward another, we are not a part of God's Kingdom.

Read 1 John 2:9

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is
still in the Darkness." (NIV)

"He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in
darkness even until now." (KJV)


  
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Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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WISE LIVING

It is a wise thing to pay attention to how we live. If we take every
opportunity to walk in Christlike ways, we will be able to stand
victoriously in the evil that is all around us. Remember, evil is a
wolf in sheep's clothing.

Read Ephesians 5:15,16

"Be very careful then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are
evil." (NIV)

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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HIS WAY IS EASIER

In contrast to the religiosity of the Scribes and Pharisees, the way of
the spiritual life Jesus lived and taught us is much less cumbersome
and bound by traditions. His way is mild and gentle. Jesus showed us
by His life that He was not stern, overbearing, or oppressive. It is in
freedom that we walk as He did, not in obligation and oppression.

Read Matthew 11:29

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (NIV)

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly
in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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KEEP IN STEP

We have been made alive by the Holy Spirit to understand and
follow the way of Christ. It is no longer enough to just live a good
moral life. Just like a seedling springs up from the ground and follows
its nature to maturity, so we as spiritual believers have sprung up in
His Spirit and we are naturally progressing toward Christian maturity.
This is evident in our becoming more like Him.

Read Galatians 5:25

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (NIV)

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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TROUBLES ARE NOT UNUSUAL

We fall into the pattern of asking why trouble is our lives is happening. It's
like trials and tribulations should not come to us, only to others far away
that we do not know. The truth is, we are confined to this cursed world and
all that it deals out. If our Lord encountered horrible injustices, rejection,
abuse, and even death by murder, why should we expect a trouble free life?

Read 1 Peter 4:12

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as
though something strange were happening to you." (NIV)

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS

During our stay on earth there will be times when things in our lives will call for grieving and weeping. There will likewise be times when life will bring us joy and laughter. These times come to all of us.

Read Ecclesiastes 3:4

"A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to
dance." (NIV)

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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LOVE, UNITY, AND PEACE

So many things in this life are unfair and it is a challenge to interact
with difficult people. If we are walking in the Spirit of the Lord, we
will be able to put our natural feelings of superiority, resentment,
and impatience aside. We will allow His Spirit to work through us
and make us peacemakers.

Read Ephesians 4:2

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one
another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace." (NIV)

"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing
one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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RIGHTEOUS PERSEVERENCE

Just because a person is righteous before God does not mean there will never be times of failure and defeat. The difference between the righteous children of God and the ungodly is the faith of the righteous will cause them to get up, repent, and keep running the race. Those who do not know that faith will crumble under the strain of defeat.

Read Proverbs 24:16

". . . .for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." (NIV)

"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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FORGIVEN AND FORGIVE

God's love and forgiveness is what brought us back into right relationship with Him. What excuse do we have for refusing to show compassion and forgiveness to those who have wronged us? Just pass it on.

Read Colossians 3:13

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (NIV)

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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DISCIPLINE

Being disciplined can be a very unpleasant thing. But when the Lord
is the one doing the correcting, we can be sure that it is for our good
and for His glory. His discipline is a blessing that we learn to accept
and appreciate as we grow in His love.

Read Job 5:17

Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the
discipline of the Almighty." (NIV)

"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore
despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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FOOD AND WORK

Food is a life sustaining necessity. The problem is, food does not magically appear in our hands so we can eat. Someone has to hunt the food, grow the food, harvest the food, and prepare the food. We are commanded to be a part of the process that makes food available by exerting effort. Work is
therefore necessary to sustain life. This is even more critical for the spiritual life.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:10

"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'" (NIV)

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,
that if any would not work, neither should he eat." (KJV)





  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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GOD'S PLAN, GOD'S TIME

Many times we wonder why we are in certain situations, why are we here? How can anything good come from this? Surely, God has forgotten us or has not listened to our prayers. How can God really love us and put us in difficult or perplexing circumstances? Brothers and sisters, God has a plan. His plan will come to pass and He orchestrates it through us and through circumstances. Though we do not see the purpose now, it will be made very clear in His time.

Read Esther 4:14

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (NIV)

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there
enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but
thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (KJV)



  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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DANGER IN SEEKING RICHES

Those who seek only after material things are most vulnerable to giving in to temptations to gain more. They become trapped in their search for riches, making unwise decisions that eventually destroy their souls. Loving to be rich is the source from which many evil things come.

Read 1 Timothy 6:9,10

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (NIV)

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (KJV)



  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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THE LORD'S JOY

The Lord loves us as the Father loves Him. We are to stay abiding in His love. To stay abiding in His love, we will obey what He tells us to do just as He obeyed the Father. If we obey Him, we will be complete and filled with His joy. His joy is what allows us to be able to stand firm in this life.

Read John 15: 9-11 and Nehemiah 8:10b

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (NIV)

"...............Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (NIV)


"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (KJV)

"...............neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (KJV)



  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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