THE NEVER ENDING CONFLICT

Galatians 5:17

"For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." NIV


"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." KJV


There is a constant spiritual battle going on within each of us between the Spirit of God and our human nature. By nature, they are adversaries and cannot abide together. That's why we cannot walk in the Spirit if we flip flop back and forth between the two. If we are walking in the Spirit, we will not be doing what our human nature wants. Actually we will be set free from our human nature so we can do what the Spirit wants.


Heavenly Father, how comforting it is to know that your Holy Spirit dwells within us so that we can cling to Him and not get drawn to the self-centered nature of our flesh. Help us, Lord, to have wisdom and discernment to know when our human nature is sneaking up on us trying to deceive us into giving in to it. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.


       

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D.

MADE RICH THROUGH POVERTY

2 Corinthians 8:9

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." NIV


"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." KJV


This grace of God's is so amazing we cannot fathom its depth, height, or breadth. Jesus gave up all He had, which was eternal glory with the Father and became as nothing. What kind of person would do that? Then, He came to us, who are nothing and gave us what He gave up, which is eternal glory with the Father. What amazing love and grace!


Heavenly Father, how can we ever show our gratitude for the amazing love and grace you have lavished on us. Help us to give out to others who need this great gift, just as you gave it to us. In Jesus name, Amen.


       

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D.

FORGIVE AND FORGET?

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


How many times have we heard the saying, "Forgive and forget?" So many have felt they have failed to forgive because they can't forget. Our God created us with a brain that records all memories. Those memories that are significant will come to mind occasionally. It doesn't mean we haven't forgiven. We have forgiven when the memory crops up and we can say we are thankful to the Lord that He gave us the ability to forgive and we aren't going to let all the negative emotions, hurt, anger, resentment, enter back and hold us captive. Forgive? Always. Forget? Not necessarily the circumstance, but always the negative emotions that signify how much we were wronged.


Heavenly Father, we praise you for the forgiveness you have given to us, even though we didn't deserve such love. Lord, it is such a comfort to know that you will never hold our forgiven sins to our charge and we are rendered clean. Help us, Lord, to forgive as you have forgiven us and to never allow the hurt and resentment to enter back into our lives. We pray this in Jesus' name.


       

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D.

BY FAITH

2 Corinthians 5:7

"We live by faith, not by sight." NIV


"For we walk by faith, not by sight." KJV


It is truly difficult to live happily and contentedly in this world. As children of God, we don't live our lives by what the path looks like or by following our instincts. We go forward trusting in His Word and His promises to us, without seeing Him. This way of living is not natural to humans. It can only be done by a special work of Christ through His Holy Spirit. It is a common spiritual nature for one born of God.


Heavenly Father, forgive us for those times we have walked by the way that seemed right to us or the way others were going. Help us to walk by the faith you have freely given us to do your will. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.


       

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D.

UNITY

1 Corinthians 12:12

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all the parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." NIV


"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." KJV


The physical body can only function when all its systems and their individual parts are working properly according to their function and working together to function as a whole. It is exactly the same with the Church, the body of Christ. All of the groups of churches and the individual Christians who are a part of them use the faith and ability given to them, and they work in unity, functioning as one, united by the head, which is Christ.


Heavenly Father, please help us to understand the importance of giving all our energies and abilities to complete the functioning of your Church. Give us hearts of fellowship and true love so that the Church will complete its mission here on earth. In Jesus' name, Amen.


       

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D.

ALL OR NONE

James 2:10

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." NIV


"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." KJV


We cannot for one minute think that it is all right to engage in a small sin that doesn't appear to be of any significance in the grand scheme of things. We cannot even give sin a rank of greater or smaller. Sin is sin. Love is the sum total of all the Law - it is all about love. If we harbor any resentment, ill will, or prejudice against any person, place, or thing, we have fully announced that we do not love God. We can call on God to help us when we fall short. We can keep from breaking the law of Christ's love by examining ourselves, staying alert, and turning our backs on those things that are inconsistent with the law of love.


Heavenly Father, we cannot accomplish keeping the law of Love without your help. Help us to examine ourselves, to stay alert, and to turn our back on those things that we know are not consistent with Your ways. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.


       

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D.

CHILDREN ARE DISCIPLINED

Hebrews 12:7

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" NIV


"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" KJV


Everyone experiences difficult and troubled times. For us, as children of God, it is not a good testimony to complain or ask God why this is happening to us. He is our Heavenly Father. He brings us to Himself by discipline. It keeps us on the right path and causes us to be more attentive. If we look at our difficult circumstances from this perspective, we will grow and mature, becoming more like Him.


Heavenly Father, help us to remember that going through difficult times are opportunities for us to display our faith and trust in you and to produce spiritual fruit in the face of adversity. Forgive us for complaining and wanting always to be on the mountaintop where we will never learn your deep and enduring realities. In Jesus' name, Amen.


       

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D.