WHY NOT NOW LORD?

 

John 13:37

 

"Peter said to him, 'Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.'" ESV 

 

Peter was eager to fulfill his purpose that Jesus had promised him. In his mind, he was ready now. But Jesus knew that Peter would have to go through many things before he could do what he was called to do. We are much like Peter. We tend to get ahead of God in our desire to serve Him, and we end up finding ourselves in quite a mess. Our Lord tells us to wait. He will bring about our readiness and the work we are to do. Meanwhile, we become living Bibles and accept the small tasks that are all around us.

 

Lord, we are very much like Peter, thinking we can do marvelous and wonderful things right now. Give us wisdom and grace as we go through preparation until You deem us ready to fulfill Your plan for our lives. In Your great name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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HOW DO WE GET THERE?

 

Matthew 16:24

 

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" ESV

 

 

Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ is not for the weak and fragile hearted. Following Christ is refusing to recognize personal agenda. It is disowning personal rights and taking on the nature of His fellow heirs of the kingdom.

 

Lord, we can't deny our selves in our own strength. We recognize our weakness and self-centeredness that separated us from You in the first place. Help us to draw from the strength of the Holy Spirit so that we can put our own agenda aside by following You and bringing glory to Your name. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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MISSING JUST ONE THING

 

Mark 10:21,22

 

"And Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." ESV 

 

Becoming a true follower of Christ is a simple act of faith for us, but the cost for this marvelous privilege cost Him so very much. Salvation is a free gift to ALL who will believe. True repentance and faith in Christ is not so easy because we find it inevitable that we manifest the life of God in our thoughts and actions. Being a Christian is not an easy mental agreement. It is living the life of God through our daily lives rather than living the way we think is right.

 

Lord, how can we ever give back to You for freely providing this most awesome gift of salvation and eternal life? All that we have is our selves and what we have collected here of material things. Take our lives and all that we have and use them for Your glory. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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DON'T JUST KNOW IT, LIVE IT

 

John 8:12

 

"Again Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ESV 

 

We can read all about sanctification, growing in the Lord, and walking in the Spirit. But, this will only educate our minds. It is obedience to the Light of the Lord and His Word that will change our hearts to bring about these miraculous things. Reading about it and discussing it merely brings knowledge. Obeying His Word brings us into the Light and keeps us walking on the path to Him.

 

Lord, please forgive us for sitting passively by, reading and talking about the life we are to be living in You. Help us to be obedient in the light You have given us and prepare us for the light that is ahead. We ask in Your precious name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LIVING WITH THE LIGHT OUT

 

John 8:12

 

"Again Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" ESV 

 

Once we've been in a dark room for a while, our eyes seem to adjust, at least to where we can see things enough to get by. That is exactly how each of us live in this world before we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. We see enough to get by and enough to believe we don't need to change the way we live. Once the Light comes in, we are amazed at the things we missed, the things we misunderstood, the things we never even knew were there. Living in the Light allows us to live life to its' fullest, to see the Truth of God and His creation.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive those of us who still feel that we have enough light on our own to make it in this world. Help us to walk in Your Light so we can know the Truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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BLUEPRINT

 Matthew 4:17,19

"From that time, Jesus began to preach saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" ESV

The Old Testament prophecies tell all about Christ's coming, His birth, childhood, baptism, and temptation in the desert. He was prepared to do the ministry He was sent to do--to bring light, life, and the blueprint for living amid a lost and dying world. Because He did it, we can carry out our ministry to Him--repent and follow Him.

Heavenly Father, we praise and worship You for Jesus Christ, His life and death that brought us back into right relationship with You. We humbly ask for Your grace to help us complete our part, repenting and growing to be like Him. In His name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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DON'T GO THE WRONG WAY!

 

Matthew 5:1,2

 

"Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them saying...." ESV 

 

We are all looking for contentment. The problem is, few look in the right place. What we seek cannot be found in this world. If we want true contentment, the place to look is at the life and teachings of Jesus. But we have to follow Him and listen.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask you to forgive us for seeking contentment from this world. We know that true contentment comes only from You. We praise You for giving us Your Word and Your Holy Spirit so that we can follow and listen, bringing us joy and peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FOLLOW THE LEADER

 

 

1 Peter 2:21

 

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." ESV

 

Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, and revealed the Father to us. He also suffered greatly during His time here, and more so as He approached His death. He is our example. As Christians, we are called to follow Christ's example including His suffering. This is impossible to do in our own strength. It can only be accomplished by the grace and mercy of God and our steadfast faith in Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Son who showed us the pattern of living to which You have called us. We ask for your grace and mercy to walk as He did, for we know that without You we can do nothing. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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EVERYBODY HAS A CROSS TO BEAR

 

 

Luke 9:23

 

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" ESV

 

We are all familiar with the Biblical call to bear our own crosses. Just what does that mean? If we live day to day focusing on the negative things that are in our lives, we will most likely be grumbling and complaining. Yes, some people do have terrible "crosses" to bear. But, carrying our cross like Jesus did it won't matter what our circumstances are, whether horrible or great. We will be living testimonies of the grace and mercy of God to the unbelieving world. In fact, the greater our crosses are, the more desperate our lives, the greater opportunity to show Christ to others.

 

Heavenly Father, help us focus on being more like You, no matter what our circumstances are. Help us carry our crosses and follow You. In His name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHO MAKES ALL MY DECISIONS?

 

Matthew 16:24

 

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" ESV

 

How would we feel if we could not do any of the things we want to do, think the thoughts we want to think, say the things we want to say, or go to places we want to go? How would we feel letting someone else decide all these things for us. If we follow Christ, this is exactly how it will be. It is a difficult, narrow path. Very few are willing to do it. But those who do quickly find a life of peace, joy, and freedom that is far greater than any life they could make for themselves.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for the gift of eternal life. We give You the glory for rewarding our faith to trust in You to have control of our lives and lavishing us with Your peace and joy. Help us to show this great gift to everyone we meet. In Jesus name, Amen.

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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KNOW HIM, NOT KNOW ABOUT HIM

 

 

Luke 9:23

 

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." ESV

 

If we truly want to follow Christ, there is a great sacrifice of self that must be offered. It is no longer what we want, but what He wants. It is to walk out actively each day the kind of life Christ lived. In doing this, we have a living, inspired relationship with the Lord God. Today, many so called Christians believe they are living that close relationship with the Lord, but they are only filling their minds with knowledge about the things of God and exchanging their ideas with others who do the same. Knowing the Lord personally is the way, not knowing about Him.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for wanting to know more about You than wanting to know You. Show us when we get off on this path and lead us back to the real meaning of loving You with all our hearts, souls, and minds. We ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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SHARP EARED SHEEP

John 10:27,28   "But you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." ESV   Do we hear our Lord when He speaks to us? If we are His sheep, we hear Him and by His grace, we live the way He wants for us. How do we, as Christians become sharp eared sheep in His flock and know His voice? We can do this by continually walking in His Spirit, studying His Word, and abiding in His presence through prayer. Then we will recognize His voice, He will know us, and we will follow Him right on into eternal life.   Heavenly Father, the noise of this world so often drowns out what You are saying to us. Anoint our ears and our hearts so that we will stay so close to You, the clamor of this world will fade, and all we will hear is Your voice. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.           ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

FOLLOWING

Matthew 4:19   "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" ESV   Following Christ is no easy task. It means we will be imitating the things Jesus did while He was on earth. We will be patterning ourselves after the ways He treated others. We will purpose to be like Him in His fellowship with the Father. If we follow Him in these ways, we are lifting Him up. Jesus told us in His Word that if we lift Him up, He will draw all men to Him. Our spiritual nets will be full and overflowing with the catch of those who have been touched by Christ through us.   Heavenly Father, we long to be like You. Help us to fill our hearts and minds with the things of God so that we will be more like You. We thank You and glorify Your name at the number of people who will be drawn to You by Your sacrifice at Calvary through our commitment to following You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.          ©2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

FOLLOW THE PATTERN

 

 

2 Timothy 1:13

"Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." ESV

Imagine we are watching two different homes being built by two different building companies. The houses are completed and we see that one house if built perfectly fitted together with a strong solid foundation. The other has many flaws and incomplete parts, with an unbalanced foundation. Which builder would we hire to build our house? It is the same with the narrow way of the Cross that leads us to eternal life. The pattern set down for us in His Word is the pattern we will choose if we want to live in eternity with Christ.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of forgiveness for trying to follow our own way or the ways of those who present what seems to be a sound theology. Give us discernment to help us resist unsound doctrine and teaching. Lead us by Your Holy Spirit to a life built on Jesus Christ, the Rock. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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