WALKING ALONG WITH SUFFERING

 

1 Peter 4:19

 

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." ESV 

 

Christians are suffering all over the world for their faith in Jesus Christ. We, too, will suffer in time. The fact is, we do not choose the suffering. We choose God's will. And then, we go wherever His will takes us. If His will takes us through suffering, then we go, knowing He is faithful to walk with us and get us through it all.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask for Your grace to do Your will no matter where it takes us. If it should be by way of suffering, help us to remember, You are with us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PAYBACKS

 Romans 12:17 

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all." ESV 

 

Unfortunately, we live in a world of "pay backs" for personal insult and injury. As Christians, we are committed to the mindset of God. When we encounter personal attacks, we can respond the way Christ would have responded. We can pay back evil by doing good. When we do that, even the ungodly will take notice that we are different, that we live what we believe.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask Your forgiveness for those times we have failed to imitate You and we have paid back evil for evil. Stir us to put on the full armor so that we will be ready to encounter evil and respond with good. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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DON'T SLAP BACK

 

Matthew 5:39

 

"But I say to you, 'Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.'" ESV 

 

How many times do we think, "It isn't fair!" No one likes being treated unfairly. At times like these, it is hardest to let the light of Christ shine thought us. Our first reaction is to get even, an eye for an eye. We believe turning the other cheek is a weak cop out from having to stand up for ourselves. We need to think again. Jesus told us not to fight evil with evil, but to fight evil with good. We are always left disappointed because we expect fairness and justice in this cursed and perverted world. Having the true heart of Christ finds us constantly seeking to be Christ-like and just. When we turn the other cheek, just like Christ, we are saying, "I don't expect fairness from this world, but I will never be unfair. I will be like Christ."

 

Heavenly Father, You know our human hearts and how natural it is for us to even the score. We ask that You forgive us for these times and give us strength and courage to be like Christ, not seeking fairness, but always showing it to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LOVE AND HATE

 

Romans 12:9

 

 

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." ESV

 

 

Love is not merely an emotion, it is action. What is in our hearts will show in our actions. Do our actions show genuine love? Abhor is a very strong word. It means hate. Like love, it is not merely an emotion. It is an intense action that comes out of our heart. Do we genuinely hate evil to the point that it shows in our actions? If so, we will be actively destroying evil that comes near us and will be actively clinging to the Lord.

 

Heavenly Father, we humbly ask that you help us love with sincere hearts and hate evil so that we defeat it by the power of the Holy Spirit. Give us a burning desire to cling to You and all that You have declared good. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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SMOOTH TALKERS

 

Isaiah 5:20

 

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." ESV

 

When someone has a hardened heart, there is a lack of acknowledging and caring about the difference between right and wrong. There is no shame in sin or evil. Whatever feels right and serves the self is the guide. It is frightening to know how easy it is to get deceived by someone like this. The manner is persuasive and the talk flows smoothly and convincingly. In a moment, wrong doesn't seem so wrong, in fact, it doesn't seem wrong at all. If we are in constant fellowship with the Lord, talking to Him and reading the Word, we will have discernment when smooth, evil talkers come our way.

 

Heavenly Father, increase our hunger for Your Word and Your presence in our everyday lives. We stand in need of discernment in this evil world and we cannot have discernment without the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Increase our faith, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE ARE IMITATORS

 

 

3 John 1:11

 

"Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from god; whoever does evil has not seen God." ESV

 

We are either imitating good or evil. It does not show in what we say, but in our everyday actions. If we are imitators of good, we will be loving, kind, seeking to do good, sharing the grace and mercy of God to others. If we are imitating evil, we are unfeeling, judgmental, impatient with others, thinking of ourselves first, and striving to become more like we want to be rather than what God wants us to be. What kind of imitator are we?

 

Heavenly Father, we know that our hearts and minds get blinded by things of this world. Open our hearts and minds so that we can examine ourselves to see what we are really trying to be like. Our desire is to imitate good, so that we will be more like You. By Your grace and mercy, help us to do that. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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IN A NUTSHELL

 

 

Micah 6:8

 

 

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." ESV

 

 

Often we sit and wonder just what it is we are supposed to be doing for the Lord. We pray and we do not get a clear answer. He has told us in His Word, in a nutshell, what we are to be doing. He requires us to be always fair and just, to long for and seek after kindness, and to live our lives humbly as we walk daily with Him. Such a simple request, but we spend our whole lives aligning ourselves with it.

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us everything we need to meet your requirements. Forgive us for not meeting up to Your expectations, but You know our hearts and we trust that You are working within our lives and surroundings to bring us to this place You want us to be. We pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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THWARTED EVIL ATTEMPT

Genesis 50:19,20     "But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'" ESV     When it seems that the events of life or the actions of others are surely going to destroy us, we can take heart. We are where God is able to use us for this time and season. He intends this discouraging peril to be for our good and the good of those around us. In this way, His diving purpose is completed.     Heavenly Father, forgive us for our lack of faith when things get really hard and frightening. Help us to remember that You have always been in control, You are still in control, and You will always be in control. We may not understand the good You are intending, but we pray for that peace that tells us it's going to be all right. 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

SEEK AND PURSUE PEACE

 

 

 

Psalm 34:14

"Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." ESV

We all naturally seek after those things that satisfy the senses. We have been created that way. However, we have been made new creatures in Christ with authority over our own wills. The Word of God tell us to choose good and stay away from evil. We can no longer put the blame for our sins and wrongdoing on anyone or anything outside of ourselves. Wherever there is strife and turmoil, evil and temptation, we can freely look for the Godly, peaceful solution and go after it.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing our old sinful natures to cause us to fall into the trap of sin and temptation to do those things that are displeasing to You. Give us openness to the Holy Spirit, to stand strong and be fully able and free to turn away from anything evil, and to run after Your peace. We pray in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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GUARDING EACH OTHER'S REPAYMENT

1 Thessalonians 5:15   "See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone." ESV   How can I monitor what my brothers and sisters in the Lord are doing when I have to keep my own life on track? Whether we like it or not, we are given the charge to be a positive force and admonishment to our fellow Christians. If we see that a follower of Christ is repaying evil for evil, we are to remind them of God's Word, and most of all, live the Word in our own lives. If we are doing good to one another and to everyone we encounter, we will be used by God in marvelous ways to release the Holy Spirit to work in those who need to change in this area.   Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we repay evil for evil. Cleanse our hearts of the desire for revenge and replace it with the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Help us to be living witnesses to the Way to live, so that others will follow and grow in grace and mercy, like our Lord. In His 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

GOOD IMITATORS

 

 

3 John 1:11

"Beloved, no not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." ESV

In this day and age when things that are evil are seen as good and things that are good are seen as evil, how can we know the difference and make sure we are imitating what is really good? Friends, this is not something we can just do because it feels right, or because everyone seems to be doing things this way, or because it's what's expected from us by family and friends. We can know that which is truly good and imitate it by sincerely seeking to know God, going to the throne of Grace continually, seeking the Truth through the Word of God, and being open to the Holy Spirit. God has not given us a guessing game here. If we are truly seeking God, we will be doing good because we will be close to Him like a child to his mother and father, and we will do what He does.

Heavenly Father, You know that our spirits are willing, but our flesh is weak. We tend to take the easier route and just do what seems right at the time. Forgive us for that. Give us unending hunger for the things of Your kingdom and give us open hearts to hear the voice of the Spirit telling us which way to go and how to be like You. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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GROWING WEARY

 

 

Galatians 6:9

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." ESV

Growth is a process that happens from a starting point and increases in stages until full growth is achieved. If we have repented of our sins and have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we will by His nature, be doing those things that are good. Being human, the enemy of our soul will plant seeds of doubt into our minds when we do not see the fruits of our efforts. We tend to allow those seeds of doubt to grow until we become weary and decide it's not producing anything worthwhile. Our next likely step is to just give up. This is not God's will for us. It is up to us to overcome those doubts by the power of the Holy Spirit. Then we can keep doing good and, in time, see that we were making ready a harvest for His kingdom.

Heavenly Father, we ask Your forgiveness for those times we have allowed doubt to cause us to give up. Help us to nourish our faith to be able to overcome the doubts that nag at us. Give us determination and yielding to the Holy Spirit, so that we will not give up. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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FOR OUR OWN GOOD

 

 

Romans 8:28

 

 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." NIV

 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." KJV

There are definitely things in this world that are not good for us as believers. We still experience trials and sufferings. But our Lord does make the things that we experience work together for our ultimate good. What is that ultimate good? That He will bring us to Himself a holy and righteous people.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember when things get really rough, that You will take the circumstances and cause them to turn out for our good. Forgive us for fretting when trials come. Bring to our remembrance that these times are a part of the process that You have planned to make us holy and righteous. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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