ARROGANCE

 

Romans 11:18   "Do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you." ESV   It is human nature to become overly confident and proud when we learn new things from the Word and we begin to think we have great spiritual insight and maturity. We tend to walk with our heads held higher than others and notice how much less they know about God than we do. What arrogance! We cannot possibly know how mature and close to the Lord another person is. Nor can we think we have advanced far above those Christians in our circle of acquaintances. We are but grafted on branches that are totally dependent on the True Vine and live only by His grace. We cannot compare ourselves to others. If we remember to compare our spiritual status to that of Jesus Christ, the perfect holy One, we will find no reason to proud and arrogant.   Heavenly Father, forgive us for our pride and arrogance. Show us the root of this pride and give us the ability to get it out of our hearts. By Your grace, give us hearts of humility and love for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Remind us that we cannot compare ourselves to others because that will result in pride. But help us to compare our lives to that of Christ so we will see how we truly are. In His name we pray, Amen.          ©2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

GET HIM WHILE YOU CAN

 

 

Isaiah 55:6

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near." ESV

God's Word is clear that there will be a time when it will be too late to seek His salvation. The Lord will come and gather those who are his and the door to eternal life with Him will be closed. Seek Him now.

Heavenly Father, if we have put off giving our hearts and lives to You because we believe there is plenty of time or there are things we want to do first, set our hearts on fire with the conviction of the Holy Spirit so that we will understand the urgency that today is the day of salvation. Help those of us who have committed our lives to You to be able to lift up Jesus Christ, so that He will draw those to Him who need His salvation. We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

BEING MATURE AND EXPERIENCED

 

 

Hebrews 5:14

"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." ESV

By frequent exposure to the Word of God and daily experiencing communion with Christ and other Christians, we become experienced, mature Christians. It is then we are able to comprehend the deep things of God and understand many of the mysteries kept hidden from babes in Christ. We are strongly encouraged to keep ourselves in tune constantly with the Word, the Spirit, and the fellowship of other believers. If we are mature and experienced, we will not only be able to discern the deep things of God's truth, but we will be able to teach and be examples to those who are less experienced or new in Christ. This is not an option for us as Christians to stay satisfied with the basics and never grow. It is our reasonable sacrifice of worship to grow and become mature in Christ.

Heavenly Father, O how we need Your grace to give us hunger for Your Word and the deep things of Your kingdom. Forgive us for being satisfied with the basics that keep us from growing and being capable of casting down falsehoods and attacks of the enemy. Help us to be sincere in growing as Christians and being able to help bring others along in their walk. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

HARD HEARTED

 

 

Hebrews 3:7,8

"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.'" ESV

Human nature does not change over time. The children of Israel saw the mighty works of God, but still continually grumbled, complained, and strayed from the commands of God. Those are the very things we do today. If we do not let our hearts get hard like they did, we will reap the wonderful promises of God and enter His rest.

Heavenly Father, You have told us that we are to be eager, alert, watching, always praying. Forgive us for being like the Israelites in the wilderness, complaining that things are like they are or that You have not answered in the ways we think You should. Help us to always be open hearted and spiritually awake to Your working and be eager to experience Your mighty deeds that You do at all times. Keep us from complaining and growing cold in our walk. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

HUNGER FOR THE WORD

 

 

1 Peter 2:2

"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." ESV

How do you know when a newborn baby is in need of being fed? The baby is putting all of it's energy and strength into crying, thrashing it's little arms and legs, and audibly exercising it's little lungs. Without being fed, the little baby will never grow and mature into a healthy adult. It is the same for us as Christians. If we want to become healthy, mature Christians, we will put all our energies and strength to take in the spiritual milk of God's Word.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that we have not put our all into seeking Your Word. Forgive us for allowing the business of this world to choke out our eagerness and time to get into the Word so that we will grow spiritually. Help us to hunger and move to get into the things of God so that we will grow and become more like Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

WATCH OTHERS, WATCH YOURSELF

 

 

Galatians 6:1

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." ESV

We are pretty good at identifying others' wrong doings. So, we are responsible to approach them in love and gentleness, rather than talk about it behind their backs or shame them in a "put down" sort of way. Just as important, if not more so, is to keep watch on our own thoughts and actions. We have a way of excusing the things we do and not allowing others to make any excuses.

Heavenly Father, it is comforting to know that You are full aware of our human weaknesses. Please give us grace and loving hearts when we speak to others about their wrong doings. And have mercy on us that we will guard ourselves from our own wrong doings and not excuse them away. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

WILLING SPIRITS, WEAK FLESH

 

 

Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ESV

It requires both watchfulness and prayer to help us resist temptation. Temptation comes in small everyday ways as well as clear and evil ways. It's those small temptations that can just slip into our lives like a seed in the ground and grow until we are in full blown sin.

Heavenly Father, we know You fully understand our weaknesses. Help us to know and understand them so that we can be more watchful and prayerful about them. Show us the small temptations that we fail to resist, but that are dangerous to our spiritual lives. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only