FROM ANOTHER PLACE

 

Philippians 3:20

 

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." ESV 

 

Sometimes we forget that this world is neither our home nor our destination. We are here in the enemy's territory, waiting for our Lord. Our attitude toward and our response to this world makes the difference between a joyful heart and a heavy, defeated heart.

 

Lord, forgive us for forgetting that this world is not our home. Help us remember each day that we are merely passing through this place and are eternal citizens of Your kingdom. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT SPIRIT HAVE WE ACCEPTED?

 

1 Corinthians 2:12

 

"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God." ESV 

 

It isn't in our human nature to know and understand the things of God. We can know them by His Holy Spirit. The spirit of the world can only reveal those things we can experience through our five senses. As true children of God, we can have full knowledge of the things of God that the world cannot understand. The world thinks we are foolish. They need Christ.

 

Lord, we thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth. Help us to remember that the world is blinded to the things of Your kingdom because of sin. Prompt us to pray for them to believe and receive You into their lives. 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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CHOKING OUT OUR TIME WITH GOD

 

Matthew 13:22

 

"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." ESV 

 

Are there things in our lives squeezing our time for personal communion with our Lord? Our days seem to be filled with things going on that take up our time and before we realize it, the day is done. How many times did we read from the Word this week? Have we spend thoughtful time praying? Are the cares of this life choking out our personal relationship with the Lord? We want to be ready for Him when He comes for us. Let's prioritize our time by putting our time with Him first.

 

Lord, we can't use the excuse that we live in such a busy world that we have no time for You. Forgive us for getting so caught up in the cares of this world. Help us to make it our primary goal each day to spend time with You. Our lives depend on it and You are so worthy. 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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STUCK IN THIS WORLD

 

John 17:15

 

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." ESV 

 

Make this world go away! Get us out of here! As we watch the evil and disasters all around us, we wonder how we can ever escape without getting hit by the harsh, unrelenting torture this world brings. Jesus didn't pray that we would be spared the agonies of this world, but that the evil one would never destroy our soul. This way we would never be overcome by the evil in this world. Seeing God at work in this way will increase our faith and trust in Him.

 

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that You never leave us while we are here in this world. We know bad things happen and we get hit hard by the evils of this world, but we know that You are right here with us, protecting our souls. You prayed to the Father about that, and He listened. Help us to always remember this. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

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John 3:19

 

"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." ESV

 

Jesus is the Light of the world. His life and His words light up the Truth for all to see and accept. Yet, there are those who refuse to come into the rays of His light because they don't want to acknowledge the darkness within themselves or having it exposed to others, or having to give it up. God does not send anyone to hell. People choose to go there because they prefer their own way, which is in darkness, and are deceived into thinking they are safe.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that a person living in darkness does not see the Light unless we shine it on and around them. Give us the fullness of Your Holy Spirit to have wisdom and discernment as we shine Your light on those we encounter, so that they might be drawn by Your Spirit into the Light and turn their backs on the darkness forever. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LIFE INSURANCE

 

 

John 17:15

 

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." ESV

 

When we take out auto insurance, we do not keep our vehicles in the garage to keep from having accidents. We take them out on the road, and with insurance, we know any accidents will be covered financially. We have spiritual insurance, or should we say, assurance, that our Lord will keep us from the evil one who seeks to destroy us. We cannot hide inside our homes so that we will not be tempted and tried. With God's insurance, we can be courageous and go out as He commanded and be lights for Him in this evil world.

 

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for being the sovereign God who is in control of everything. Forgive us for our fear and insecurity that keeps our lights hiding under cover. Give us what we need to be able to live in this evil world and yet shine as lights for You. 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

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CHOKING ON WORRY

 

 

Matthew 13:22

"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." ESV

When unbelievers hear the Gospel, the evil one stands ready to keep it from taking root and becoming productive. This happens to Christians more often than we think. We know the Word, but when a serious problem comes our way, we focus on the problem and choke out the Word that brings us faith and courage. Worrying and fretting only chokes the precious Word of God in us and allows us to be fearful and overwhelmed. If we do as the Bible tells us and we hide the Word in our hearts, we will not be overtaken by our problems.

Heavenly Father, forgive us allowing our problems to choke out the Word in our hearts. Help us to hide Your Word in our hearts where we will be ready for trying times and will not choke on worry and fear. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

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LIFE IS NOT FAIR

 

 

Isaiah 30:18

"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." ESV

We have all felt and said that life is not fair. Bad things happen to very good people, God's own children. It's so hard to understand how our God of love would let such things happen. If we will take our hearts and minds back to the cross of Christ, we will understand that God takes care of all things in His own time and His own ways. He waits for the perfect time to show His glorious power. Then His perfect justice and fairness is revealed. No, the world is not fair. But our God is.

Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You that You are love and You are just. Help us to use our faith to remember that this world is not just and things happen we don't understand. But You will bring justice to all that happens here. 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

WE'RE LIVING IN ENEMY TERRITORY

 

 

1 John 5:19

"We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." ESV

Being humans, we still ask God why terrible things are happening to us and to other good people in this world. We seem to forget that we are only travelling through this world. We are not not citizens of this world, nor are we even of this world. We are, however, confined here, in enemy territory, so that we can be lights in a dark world. Whatever tragedy happens to us here is a wound from the enemy. He would love nothing more than for us to question our God and to forget we are in enemy territory. What happens here is temporary. We are just passing through. Some of us will enter the gate of eternity maimed, ragged, and torn. But once we enter the portal of heaven, we will be made perfect, like Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that we are not of this world, but that we are passing through here now. Help us to be aware that we are in the enemy's territory and in danger of attack from every side. Give us strength and courage to keep going until we see Your loving face. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only