WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHT?

 

1 John 2:11

 

"But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." ESV

 

 

If we can't seem to find our spiritual direction and the Lord seems to have moved farther away from us, it's time to search our own hearts for harbored resentment and anger. If we are holding grudges or rehearsing angry thoughts about anyone or anything, we have turned off the Light of our Lord and His Holy Spirit. It is only when we let go of this resentment, forgive whoever wronged us, and ask for forgiveness from our Lord, that the Light will shine on us once again.

 

Lord, forgive us for harboring resentment toward others. We truly desire Your Holy Spirit to fill us with Your love and forgiveness toward those we feel have wronged us. Cleanse us Lord of the negative hold of anger and hatred that leaves us stumbling around in the darkness. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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I FORGIVE YOU

Matthew 6:14

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ESV

Can we detect even the slightest hint of unforgiveness in our hearts? Is there lingering resentment over hurts and disappointments that we just can't get over? Our human nature tells us that if we forgive someone who has wronged us, it's like telling them that what they did was all right. How can we accept the forgiveness of God for our own sins and failures and withhold that same forgiveness from someone who has wronged us? We can't. Before we can receive forgiveness from God, we must forgive others. There's no other way.

Lord, help us to examine ourselves so that we can detect unforgiveness and make it right. We are in awe of the forgiveness you have given us after we were so ungodly toward You. Help us to see that this is all the more reason we must forgive others. We pray in Your name, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

 

Matthew 6:14,15

 

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ESV 

 

Jesus brought up the issue of forgiveness on several occasions. Therefore, it must be very important. Well, it is! Forgiveness is a relationship matter. Not forgiving others is an indicator that we are not right with God and with our fellow men. Also, our prayers will be hindered. Are our prayers getting through to God? Is there unforgiveness in our hearts? Let's go to the Lord and get it settled.

 

Heavenly Father, we are hard hearted at times, especially when it comes to holding resentment. Forgive us for failing to forgive others knowing You gave Your life for our own great sin. Enable us to have hearts of forgiveness so that we will be more like You. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT WE REALLY ARE

 

 

Psalm 130:3,4

 

"If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared." ESV

 

We have a tendency to judge ourselves through our own eyes and in comparing ourselves to others. This works for us because we don't seem like such bad people. But, God sees us through His eyes, in total truth and reality. Quite a different view. If He dealt out to us what we deserve, we would be condemned and hopeless. However, He made a way for us to be forgiven , through Jesus Christ, who took what we really deserve on His own body on the cross. When we grasp this wonderful news, we can never stop honoring and thanking Him for his eternal grace and mercy.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for not using the right measuring system to that would reveal the truth about ourselves. Help us to stay in the Light so that we see through Your eyes and always stay on the straight and narrow path that leads us right to You. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LOVE PRAYS FOR ENEMIES

 

 

Acts 7:60

 

"And falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep." ESV

 

 

 

How easy would it be for us to pray for someone who was harming us, slandering us, robbing us, plotting against us? In our human nature, it is impossible. But when we are following the Lord in the power of His Spirit, we can love our enemies and pray for them.

 

 

Heavenly Father, we fall so short of the sacrifice of praying for those who are against us. It is far easier for us to fight back, taking action to get them before they get us. We praise You for saving us and filling us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can love those who hurt us and pray for You to forgive them. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GOT MERCY?

Colossians 3:13   "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also much forgive." ESV   Are we really honest about the resentment, anger, or bitterness we are holding toward others? Do we realize that we are not only capable, but most likely guilty of doing the same kinds of things they did to hurt us? If we choose to hold on to resentment and anger, we are nothing more than hypocrites throwing stones. If we forgive with mercy and grace, we are walking in Christ's footsteps. We will receive the same mercy we have given.   Heavenly Father, forgiving those who have wronged and hurt us is such a hard thing to do. It humbles us to say we don't have to have You search our hearts very far to find the resentment and anger we have held fast in our hearts. Help us to hold fast to the abundant stream of mercy and grace that constantly flows from Your heart so that we will have peace and joy in forgiving those we have not allowed ourselves to forgive. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.           ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

THE FORGIVEN FORGIVE

 

 

Colossians 3:13

"...bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." ESV

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? We are commanded to pass forgiveness on. And, if we have the Holy Spirit, we will desire and move to pass it on to the unlovely.

Heavenly Father, bring to our attention any unforgiveness we have in our hearts. Work in us by the Holy Spirit to forgive and let go of resentments and unforgiveness. While we don't always forget the wrongs done to us, may we be examples of Your love to those that are offensive and treat them with love and good works. 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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GET WHAT YOU GIVE

 

Luke 6:37

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." NIV

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." KJV

God has given us minds that are free to think and make decisions and opinions. Sometimes we take advantage of this and rather than see the world through the eyes of God as we should, we form our own "fleshly" opinions and decisions. Out of our own knowledge and information, we judge, criticize, and hold grudges, because it seems fair to do so. God's Word warns us against this way of thinking. When we allow our own minds to rule our thoughts, we are bringing judgement on ourselves. We will be treated the same way we think and feels about others.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for being critical and unforgiving. Help us to remember the unfathomable mercy You have shown us so that we can in turn show it to those around us. Give us hearts of love that will drive out our being judgmental, condemning, and unforgiving. We pray earnestly in the name of Jesus, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN

 

Matthew 6:14

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."NIV

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."KJV

To forgive those who have wronged us is not a natural inclination for us. But, the Lord says we are to forgive others or else we will not be forgiven. To forgive others is to put away any wrong they have done and never bring it back. That's what our Lord does with our sins. He throws them to the bottom of the ocean and remembers them no more. We all need forgiveness, so we also need to learn to forgive.

Heavenly Father, we ask for humble hearts to forgive those who have wronged us and hurt us. Make us aware of our own wrongs so that we can confess them and ask for Your forgiveness. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WRONGED IN HONOR OF GOD

To allow ourselves to be wronged by our fellow Christians without
pressing the issue is far better than to take the matter to a public
court in front of unbelievers. What they will see is an example of
Christians who are not practicing what they preach. This is dishonoring to God and His working of love through us. Love does not keep an account of wrongs.

Heavenly Father, give us spiritual maturity to honor you by not
insisting that wrongs committed against us by fellow Christians
be satisfied. Fill us with your love, In Jesus' name.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:7

"The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been
completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? (NIV)

"Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law
one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" (KJV)

    
©2010

GOODWILL

At times we feel a sense of satisfaction when those who have wronged us
have to pay for what they did. God's heart is different. Although unrepentant sinners will be punished, He delights in and would rather sinners turn from their worldly ways and humbly walk with Him.

Heavenly Father, we ask you for hearts like yours that rejoice when our
enemies repent and turn to you; In Jesus name.

Read Ezekiel 18:23

"'Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?' declares the Sovereign Lord. 'Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?'"
(NIV)

"'Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?' saith the Lord
GOD: 'and not that he should return from his ways, and live?"' (KJV)


    
©2010

WISDOM BEGETS PATIENCE

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in an insightful, true, and
discerning way. When we have wisdom and trying situations come
our way, we can endure them with peace and confidence that God
is working out His plan. We can let many disturbing offenses roll off
our backs. God is pleased with that.

Read Proverbs 19:11

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an
offense." (NIV)

"The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." (KJV)

THE TRUTH ABOUT OURSELVES

We have a tendency to judge ourselves through our own eyes and in
comparing ourselves to others. This works for us because we don't
seem like such "bad" people. God sees us through His eyes, in total
truth and reality. Quite a different view. If He dealt out to us what we
deserve, we would be condemned and hopeless. However, He made a
way for us to be forgiven, through Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty
for us. When we grasp this wonderful news, we can never stop honoring
and thanking God for His grace and mercy.

Read Psalm 130:3,4

"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with
you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared."(NIV)

"If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But
there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (KJV)

GOT MERCY?

Are you holding on to resentment, anger, or bitterness toward others? Do you realize that you are not only capable, but likely guilty of doing the very thing that hurt you? If you choose to hold on to your resentment and anger, you are but a hypocrite throwing stones. If you forgive with patience and mercy, you are living as Christ lived. You will receive mercy just as you give it.

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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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)


  
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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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
No Copyright Infringement Intended
Personal Use Only