HEART'S DELIGHT

 

Psalm 40:8

 

"I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." ESV 

 

If we are "doing" things for God, and we feel obligated, just doing our duty, then we are not really doing anything for Him at all. Doing Godly things because we know we're supposed to is living by the law. Doing God's will from a pure and willing heart brings delight to our souls no matter how difficult His will is for us. It is knowing God is pleased that brings us joy.

 

Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness when we do things that we feel obligated to do or that give us applaud from others. Give us pure and willing hearts to serve Your because You are worthy of all we have to give. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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THE BIG TEST

 

Psalm 26:2

 

"Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind." ESV 

 

Often we become satisfied with the way we are because it's comfortable and we notice nothing within ourselves that could be a hindrance to our spiritual walk. If we ask the Lord to examine our hearts, He will show us the tiniest hint of sin. It is the small unnoticed cancerous tumors that grow into large fatal masses. It's really hard to be held under a microscope, but if we allow the Lord to do this for us, He will take the smallest uncleanness and make our hearts white as snow. It can be painful, but the results are a clean conscience, a pure heart, and eternal life.

 

Lord, please search our hearts for the smallest of sin, show us, and clean us so that we will stand before You white as snow. In Your gracious name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2015

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHERE'S THE TREASURE

 

Matthew 6:21

 

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ESV 

 

When we find treasure, we do all we can to protect it, guard it, and preserve it. Our thoughts will return to our treasure time and time again. We will have strong desires to check on it and make sure it is safe and secure. Where is our treasure? Is it something of this world, created by man. Or is it in the eternal place where our God dwells? Where ever our minds spend the most time, that is where our treasure is.

 

Lord, we thank You that You have given us the greatest treasure of all and that You keep it and guard it so that we can enjoy it for eternity. You have blessed us with so many things to enjoy here on earth, but help us remember that all of that is temporary. Our treasure is in heaven with You. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PRIVATE INVESTIGATING

 

Psalm 51:10

 

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." ESV 

 

The Lord never asks us to fix those things in our hearts that are impure. He asks us to examine our hearts to see if there is impurity there. If there is, we are to let Him shine His light there so He can make it clean.

 

Lord, help us bring the impurities of our hearts to You so that You will shine Your light on them and make us clean. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PEACE ISN'T THE ABSENCE OF ANYTHING!!

 

Colossians 3:15

 

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." ESV 

 

Peace is not a lack of war or clamor. Peace is not a lack of anything. It is a strong, silent state. It is an active condition of the heart. Peace conquers war, confusion, and unrest. If we are living true to the Lord Jesus Christ, our lives will be filled with His everlasting peace.

 

Lord, we thank You for the peace that only You can give to us. Help us to understand that peace is not the absence of war, but that it is a powerful, active condition that passes all of our understanding. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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THE CROWD HAS GONE WILD

 

Deuteronomy 6:5

 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." ESV 

 

A group of people are watching a video of a crowd in a stadium who are cheering, waving, clapping, shouting, and jumping up and down. There is no sound in the video. When the group of people watching the video are told this crowd is at a football game and their team just scored a winning touchdown, they will most likely comment that it must have been an awesome play, a really intense and exciting game. If the group was told it was a Christian rally and souls have just been won for Christ, they would most likely comment that these people are religious fanatics, going overboard with their emotions, Bible thumpers. If football athletes deserve an excited demonstration of celebration from a crowd, how much more does our Lord Jesus Christ deserve our excited, demonstrative praise for saving us and others to eternal life?

 

Lord, help us to never be ashamed to show our full excitement and joy at the wonderful gift of eternal life you provided for us and for those who continue to come to You. You gave us the ultimate sacrifice to save us. Give us boldness by the power of Your Holy Spirit to show our thankfulness and praise to You with our hearts, our minds, and with our bodies. 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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THE LAWS OF GOD ARE WHERE?

 

Psalm 19:7

 

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." ESV 

 

If we are totally free in Christ, why do we need laws and statutes? Since Jesus Christ died on the cross, and rose again, washing away our sins, the only laws we have are those written on our hearts. They follow the perfect love of God and help us to be like Him and to be separate from the world. If we follow the law of love, we will not break any other law.

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for writing Your law on our hearts so that we can live freely in Your love and thereby keep all laws. Keep us sensitive to Your Holy Spirit, so that we will live each day, separate from the world, yet living witnesses of Your love. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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ON A LONG TRIP

Psalm 84:5

 

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways of Zion." ESV

 

 

When we get ready for a trip, we tend to take care and prepare ahead of time so we have everything we need to make the trip a success. As Christians, we are on a long trip through this life. Are we being careful to make sure we have what we need and to stay focused on our heavenly destination?

 

Heavenly Father, the journey through this life gets difficult. We are in desperate need of Your power to commit to this journey all the way to the end. We thank You that You are faithful to provide everything we need to make it home to 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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HEART CLEANING TIME

 

Matthew 5:8

 

"Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God." ESV 

 

To have a pure heart, we must be free of all our own personal agendas. We must be filled with God's agenda. Then, we will see Him everywhere we look. It will be like all the clouds in the sky going away, leaving a crisp, bright, blue sky. And the pure light of the sun shines brightly everywhere.

 

Heavenly Father, we know You are the One who can give us pure hearts. We ask with all our beings that You will make our hearts pure and holy. Help us to guard our hearts so that we will keep them clean and pleasing in Your sight. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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COPYCAT HEART

 Acts 13:22 

"And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'" ESV 

 

The Lord is pleased with those who have a heart like His. He was pleased with David. How could the Lord be pleased with David after he committed adultery, murder, and deceit? He chose David because, like us, he was human and inclined to sin. But, he had a heart for doing good and seeking to do God's will. David recognized his sin, cried out to God, and fully repented. If we do the same, our God will not only forgive us, but will also consider us as people after His own heart.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that Your Holy Spirit would reveal to us our sin so that we can cry out to You and repent. We thank You that You will forgive us and consider us Your children--with hearts like Your own. 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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HAVING A HEART CONDITION

 

Matthew 15:8

 "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." ESV 

 

We can use the Christian lingo, wear our Christian symbols, and go to church every time the doors are open. But, these are only vain forms of religion if our hearts are not surrendered to God. Failing to do the outward acts of traditional religion does not make us impure. However, failing to have a pure and clean heart before God will make all we do in outward righteous acts worthless in His eyes. In fact, without a pure and clean heart, we are lost. Does our hearts match our visible lives?

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for going through the Christian motions while our hearts and minds are nowhere near. Search our hearts and reveal to us those things we need to change and those things we need to demonstrate more in our actions. We do not want to bring dishonor to Your name by being hypocrites. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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HEART HIDDEN

Psalm 119:11

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." ESV

 

To hide something is to put it in a secret place where it can be protected. Hiding God's Word in our hearts makes His Word a part of us so every step we take is guarded by His Word. It is buried within us. Of course we share His Word with others, but we never let remove it from its hidden place in our hearts.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that lights the way for us to get through this life all the way to You and Your eternal kingdom. We praise You for enabling us to hide Your Word within our hearts so we can please You and be living witnesses to those who are ready to receive the Truth. 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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ARE YOU ON THE PANEL OF JUDGES?

1 Samuel 16:7

 

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." ESV

 

As humans, we tend to judge the worth of others by appearance. We judge the exterior. God judges by looking at the heart. We cannot make a judgment the way God does because we can't see the heart of another person. We can't judge others because we are not able to gather the information necessary to make a correct judgment. Only God can do that.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask that you help us to keep from judging others, to leave that up to You, the One who knows the hearts of all people. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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SEEK AND FIND WORKS EVERY TIME

 

 

Jeremiah 29:13

 

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." ESV

 

God always remembers. He knows how quickly we forget. So he sends us reminders every day of His love and grace. When we stop looking for even the small signs of His love and grace, we have stepped away from Him. We have gotten caught up with the problems of life. He is going to show us His great love every day. If we look for it, we will find it.

 

 

Heavenly Father, we praise and glorify You for Your endless love and grace. Forgive us for getting so distracted by things in this world that we look right past the most wonderful blessings You have prepared for us each day. Open our eyes and our hearts so that we will seek You fully. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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NATURALLY FLOWING OUT OF US

 

 

John 7:38

 

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" ESV

 

The living water Jesus gives to us is His Holy Spirit, the promise of eternal life. When His Spirit is living in our hearts, this living water will naturally flow out of us as we walk, speak, work and live. It cannot be contained. If it is there, it will flow out and others will notice it. Is that what people see when they are around us?

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that the living waters would flow through us unhindered by the things of this world. May every person with whom we come in contact, see the light of Christ flowing naturally from our hearts. In His name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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REFLECTIONS OF OURSELVES

 

 

Proverbs 27:19

 

"As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man."

 

Water is like a mirror. When we lean over water and look into it, we see the exact image of our own faces. Our hearts are like a mirror too. Whatever is in our hearts will be reflected in all we say and do.

 

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and help us to commit ourselves to Your Word so that we will have Your power to remove those things from our hearts that do not bring You glory. 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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WHO'S THE PHONY?

 

Isaiah 29:13

 

"And the Lord said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men." ESV

 

The Lord is well acquainted with our hearts. He notices when anyone goes through the motions, gathers with believers, and speaks praises, but there is an absence of worship from the heart and a true righteous hunger for the things of God. Some even fail to realize they are engaging in empty worship. The great deception lies in the belief that tradition, outward actions, and church rules equal true worship. Some have simply become lazy and complacent, letting their spirits grow cold.

 

Heavenly Father, we have been guilty of insincere worship and humbly ask You for forgiveness. Give us that first love, that hunger and zeal to seek You and worship You with a true and contrite heart. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

 

 

Proverbs 27:19

 

"As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man." ESV

 

Whether we like it or not, when we look into a mirror, we see the actual reflection of how we truly look on the outside. We cannot see the heart of others, nor can they see our hearts. Whether we like it or not, the reflection of our hearts is seen in the things we think, say, and do.

 

Heavenly Father, search out hearts and let us see those things we hide there that are not pleasing to you. Get us to a place where our hearts reflect the love and light of Christ. We pray in His precious name, Amen.

 

 

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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ACCEPTABLE MOUTHS

 

 

Psalm 19:14

 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." ESV

 

When we read these words we are not asking God to allow us to have clean thoughts and speech. The Lord wants these for us more than we could ever know. It is our plea to our Lord to help us stay in that place, close to Him, filled with His Spirit, so that anything we think or say will be acceptable to Him and not bring shame to His name.

 

Heavenly Father, we fervently pray to have so much of You within us and around us that we will always have thoughts and words that are above reproach and professing to be Your children, will honor You. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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IT'S ALL OR NOTHING

 

 

MATTHEW 22:37

 

"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind.'" ESV

 

If we love the Lord with our whole being, how will that manifest in us? Like this: There will be nothing that can compare with our love for Him. There will be no thing we would hold onto that He wants us to give up. There isn't anything we would not do for Him. There is no one we would rather fully know and be with than Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that You will search our hearts to see if we are holding on to things, things we are not willing to do, or things that are more important to us than You. We seek to love You with our whole being and we can only do that if we open our hearts to let You in to have perfect control. Fill us with Your love and give us that love for You that only You deserve. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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