WHAT IS THAT DOING BACK IN MY LIFE?

 

Ephesians 4:22

 

"...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires." ESV 

 

Sometimes we get frustrated that our old sins and the baggage that goes with them keep cropping back up. That's why we are told in the Word to keep throwing off the old things of our sinful nature that keep getting us sidetracked and hinder our walk with the Lord.

 

Lord, forgive us for getting caught up in our hectic lives, ignoring that we are getting caught back up in things we thought were left behind forever. Examine us and show us those things we need cast aside each and every time they try to creep back into our lives. We pray in Your name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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SOMEBODY PAID MY DEBT FOR ME?

 

Romans 4:8

 

"Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." ESV

 

And who is it that is so blessed to never be accountable for his sins? It is the man who has confessed and repented of his sins and accepted that Jesus Christ took accountability for them. Because He did that, our sins are no longer held against us. If we find no pleasure in anything else, this alone should make us shout for joy continually.

 

Lord, we magnify Your name that You loved us so much You took all our sins and paid the penalty for them on the cross. Help us to share the joy of this to everyone we meet. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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PRAYERS FALLEN IN THE FLOOR

Lamentations 3:44

 

"You have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through." ESV 

 

The Word of God has spoken to us time and time again about coming to Him in prayer with unconfessed sin in our hearts. We are much like teenagers who disregard their parents instructions and come to their parents wanting money to go to the mall. When the parents refuse to give them the money, the teens get insulted and angry. The parents did not refuse out of selfishness or lack of love. The teens created a situation where the parents kindness was blocked because the teens refused to obey. This is how the Lord deals with us. We are to examine ourselves and confess any sin. Then, we have removed the barrier that hinders our prayers.

 

Lord, examine our hearts and reveal any sin that hides there. Convict us so that we will confess and repent. Then we will know our prayers are not stopped from reaching You. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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OUT OF CONTROL

 

Ephesians 4:26,27

 

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." ESV 

 

Uncontrolled anger is a perfect environment for Satan to get his foot in the door and barge in with all kinds of toxic thoughts, words, and deeds. Anger is a normal emotion. It is up to us to allow the Holy Spirit to keep our anger controlled.

 

Lord, forgive us for allowing our anger to get out of control and giving Satan opportunity to work through us with hurtful words and actions. Help us to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we will have self-control. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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REFLECTING LIGHT

 

1 John 1:7

 

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." ESV 

 

The true Christian journey takes us to increasing light of the knowledge of God. We all walk in different amounts of light, but, nevertheless, we walk holy and completely in the light we have. God is Light. If we are walking in Light, together we are joined with one another to Him. We will resemble Him and we will have one purpose, that is, to reflect Him, bringing Him glory. We are fully able to do this because of the blood of Jesus Christ.

 

Lord, thank You for being the Way for us to be able to walk in Your Light. Help us to walk worthy and to walk closer to Your Light so that we will reflect Your glory, drawing others to You. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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BEING IMMORALLY REPELLED

 

1 Corinthians 6:18

 

"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." ESV 

 

As Christians, our bodies belong to Christ, we are His temple. Because we live in a sexually corrupt society, we will be exposed to sexual temptations. God tells us to run the other way when sexual immorality is present. That includes within our own minds. He knows how weak we are and how easy it is for us to get caught up in that kind of sin. If we desire to be clean and holy for Christ, we will avoid sexual temptation at all costs.

 

Lord, we ask for forgiveness for having allowed ourselves to be in the presence of sexual immorality, whether it be in our homes, in our workplace, through social media, or in our own minds. Forgive us for entertaining sexually inappropriate thoughts when we know it's not right. Move us by Your Holy Spirit to flee from it. In Your name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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EYE AND HAND DANGER

 

Matthew 5:29

 

"If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell." ESV 

 

It is our eyes that see the forbidden fruit. It is our hands that reach up to pluck it from the tree. Jesus teaches us to get ride of anything that causes us to be unfaithful to Him, no matter how much we want it in our lives. It is our own senses that seek pleasure to the point that we lose sight of our relationship with the Lord. He expects us to turn our backs on those things we know are a temptation to us.

 

Heavenly Father, so often we allow our senses to lead us to those places that cause us to act in ways that offend You. Forgive us. Give us discerning and prepared minds to stay away from those things that tempt us to sin. In Jesus' name, 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

 

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FORGET ABOUT IT

 

Isaiah 43:25

 

I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." ESV 

 

Why do we sometimes continue to feel guilty for our sin when we know we have received forgiveness from the Lord? Why do some "well meaning" people remind us of past sin and mistakes? When that feeling of guilt emerges, all we need to do is remember that God not only forgives our sins, but He also forgets they ever happened. He will never hold them against us. They are gone and forgotten forever. All because Jesus Christ already took the punishment of our sins on Himself, we are totally forgiven, clean, and righteous before God.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray for Your help when we feel the guilt of our past sins. Remind us that You have forgiven us and have forgotten the sins because the price has already been paid for them through the blood of Jesus Christ. in His precious name we pray, 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

 

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THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!

 

1 Corinthians 10:13

 

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." ESV 

 

None of us are exempt from temptation. The good new is, we will never be in a situation of temptation where we have no alternative but to give in to the sin. God has guaranteed 100%, a way out so we are not forced to sin. Of course, we still have the choice to go ahead and let the temptation overtake us. If that happens, we are totally responsible for our decision. Sin is a human choice. Resisting sin is a human choice provided by our God in every temptation.

 

Heavenly Father, we are so aware of the subtlety of sin and how easy it is to fall into its' trap. We ask that You help us to stay alert and stand firm so that we will choose to take the way out You always provide for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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OUR MINDS START THE SIN

 

 

Matthew 5:27,28

 

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." ESV 

 

We would most likely never commit a terrible and forbidden act in the open for everyone to see. Somehow, we don't have that same awareness of such terrible acts being entertained in our minds where no one sees but God. If we feed these thoughts and desires, we are just as guilty as if we actually did them. Jesus said to get as far away as possible from anything that feeds or stimulates those thoughts and desires.

 

Heavenly Father, we bow before You with repentant hearts for allowing our minds to think about things that are evil in Your sight. Give us determination to wear the armor and the fullness of Your Spirit to extinguish those sinful thoughts when they creep into our minds. We can only to this by Your grace and mercy. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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IT'S JUST ONE TIME

 Romans 5:18 "Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men." ESV 

 

Haven't there been times we have done something that we thought would make no real difference, but that one act changed our whole lives. This is what happened that day in the garden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God with one act of disobedience. The result was a cursed world and death for all humans that would ever be born. The good news is, God provided a one time act that would bring freedom and hope from this curse of sin. He sent His son Jesus Christ, who died once on the cross. Now the whole course of those who accept Him is changed back into right relationship with Him. Just that one act.

 

Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that You gave Your Son to bring us back into right relationship with You. Help us to be aware that all we do affects something or someone. Let our acts be ones of furthering Your kingdom and bringing glory to Your name. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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THE DEVIL DIDN'T MAKE ME DO IT!

 

James 4:17

 

"So whoever knows the right think to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." ESV 

 

If we know the speed limit is 40 mph and we are in a hurry and drive 45 mph, we are guilty of breaking the law. If we know there is no fishing allowed in a particular area of a lake and we ignore the sign and fish there anyway, we are trespassing and breaking the rules. If we know how God wants us to live and we don't do it, we are sinning against God.

 

Heavenly Father, we know we are responsible for the way we live our lives, because Your Word is in our hearts. We pray for discernment, insight, and conviction to confess and repent, so that we will be living in Your will and Your name will be glorified. 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'S HIDING IN YOUR HEART?

 

 

Proverbs 28:13

 

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." ESV 

 

 

It's human nature to want to hide those things we know are sin. We work increasingly hard to keep these things private so others will not find us out. But, this keeps us stuck in our spiritual walk with Christ and we sit guilt ridden, with fear of exposure, and physically ill from the pressure of carrying hidden sin. We cannot hide our sin from God. But we can be set free from the burden of sin by stopping it, approaching God, and confessing our sin to Him. With His loving forgiveness, He will shower us with His mercy.

 

Heavenly Father, we rejoice that You are always ready to forgive us when we come to You confessing and repenting of our sin. Give us courage, insight, and strength to face our own sins, so that by Your mercy, there will be nothing standing in the way of our spiritual prosperity. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

 

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT

 Acts 13:39 "And by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." ESV 

 

There is no way we can clean up our own sins and stand righteous before the Lord. The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament became just as useless after Jesus Christ gave Himself as the final sacrifice for our sins. We can stop trying to cover our tracks and let our faith in the blood of Christ do the cleaning up.

 

Heavenly Father, we trust in the great price You paid to save us from our sins. Give us grace to stop trying to get our acts together so we can come to Your throne without guilt. We believe by faith that we are righteous in Your eyes because of Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE ARE SHEEPLE!

 

Isaiah 53:6

 

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--everyone--to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." ESV

 

As humans, just like sheep, we are naturally inclined to scatter and wander around taking our own way. Christ brings us together, just as a shepherd with his sheep. Because we are so bent on going our own way, Jesus, who was pure and innocent, took the punishment for our selfishness and insistence on our own way. He made it as if we have never strayed. He is the Great Shepherd. We are just like sheep.

 

Heavenly Father, there is no way we can repay the sacrifice you made for us, so that we would not wander off to our own destruction. We can only give you our lives, and as we do, we ask that You make us more like you. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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WHAT CONTROLS YOU?

 

2 Peter 2:19

 

"They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." ESV

 

The world is full of people who believe that the Gospel message, the Bible, and faith in eternal life in heaven are all a fantasy made up by someone who needed a crutch to help them through this world. These people make every effort to persuade the spiritually weak or to discourage those seeking the Truth into thinking Christianity is a trap of legalism and rules that keep them bound in a small world of boredom. Instead, these corrupt people entice with words like "being free to live your life as you wish" and maintaining that as long as you are good to others, you will be a free spirit. The fact is, these people who teach these things can't direct anyone to freedom, because they themselves are prisoners of their own sin. We are all slaves to that which masters us.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trying to find an easier road to get to spiritual peace and freedom. We pray for Holy Spirit hunger to seek You and obey Your Word. Gift us with discernment so that we can say no to the false teachings of this world and anything that would draw us away from You. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PURE LEADING THE PURE

 

1 Timothy 5:22

 

"Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure." ESV

 

Choosing those who will lead us in the ways of Christ is serious business. We are to be very careful to prayerfully choose by looking at the heart, not the outward appearance. Likewise, we have gotten complacent with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have fallen into sinful lifestyles. In doing so, we become just as guilty as they are because we condone their ways. Staying in the Light of Christ, walking in His Spirit will keep us unstained by the world.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask for wisdom to choose those who teach us and lead us. We ask for strength to call into account those fellow Christians who are doing wrong. We pray that You would help us keep our hearts pure as we walk in Your Spirit in obedience to Your Word. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

Read 1 Timothy 5:22

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHICH SIDE OF THE DOOR ARE YOU STANDING?

 

Romans 6:18

 

"And, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." ESV

 

God's Word is clear that, as Christians, we are free to say no to sin and free to say yes to the Lord. Actually, there is no middle ground. We can't follow our own sinful ways when we feel like it, then follow Christ when we have need of His help. We are either slaves of sin or we are slaves of Christ. The way we live our lives will reveal who our master is.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. We praise You for giving all to purchase our lives so that we would be totally free from sin. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC   http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/   No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only