I'M HURTING, HOW CAN I HAVE JOY?

 

 

 

 

James 1:2,3

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." ESV

If we ask anyone we see if they have a simple, trouble-free life, we will get a unanimous answer of "no." We are told in the Word that we will have troubles while we are here on earth in enemy territory. Some of our problems we bring on ourselves. Some things happen that we do not understand at all. Regardless, we can have that deep, abiding joy during any difficulty because we know we will be made stronger. Our strengthened faith and endurance will keep us growing spiritually.

Heavenly Father, give us joy in the times of trouble, reminding us that these trials will make us stronger and more spiritually mature. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WOULD YOU GET THE DOOR PLEASE

 

 

Revelation 3:20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." ESV

Haven't we all wondered at times where our peace and closeness with God has gone? After all, He is right at our heart's door waiting for us to answer. This seems to be the place we have gotten off track. Obviously, we have let the things of this world get in the way of our peace and communion with Him. If we acknowledge we have done this, confess this sin, and open our hearts, we will again have the perfect peace and communion with our God we seek.

Heavenly Father, we know that You never change and that You are always right at our heart's door. We confess that we are the ones who constantly change and allow the things of this world to rob us of our peace and communion with You. We pray for the hunger for more of You to be the focus of our lives and that we will dwell in Your peace. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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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/

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I WANT IT! CAN I HAVE IT?

 

 

Matthew 7:7

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." ESV

This scripture has been so misunderstood and misused. Many take it as the way to get what they want and say the Bible tells them they will get it. Not so! The Bible tells us, also, that when we pray, we have not because we ask with wrong motives. This call to ask and receive from God does not work like a vending machine. Put in your money, select your desired product, and push the button. To ask God has nothing to do with wanting a favor or positive response to a personal request. In asking, we seek a closer walk and communion with Him. By knocking, we are showing God how serious we are in persevering until we are in right relationship to Him. It is then we will have right motives when we pray and our prayers will be answered.

Heavenly Father, we pray for the earnest desire to draw nearer to You and to become more like You. Help us to be open so that we will do our part in seeking You. May we pray with right motives so that we will open the door and You will come in. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WATCH YOUR MOUTH

 

 

Proverbs 21:23

"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." ESV

Sometimes our desire to speak what's on our minds is stronger than the control we have on our mouths. It is a matter of the heart. Jesus said it is what comes out of a man' mouth that defiles him. Our responsibility is to be so full of Christ that we will not let our mouths take control. Control takes discipline. Discipline takes effort. Effort takes motivation. Motivation comes from our desire to be like Christ.

Heavenly Father, how we stand in need of forgiveness for allowing our desire to speak to override the control of what we say. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we will be motivated to make the effort to be disciplined. Help us to watch our mouths. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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A WORD TO THE WISE

 

 

Ecclesiastes 1:18

"For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." ESV

The more wise we become, the more we can see the sinfulness of the human heart and the devastation it has on God's creation. It is a truly sad revelation that wisdom brings us. Understanding what is happening in the world around us and seeing it through God's eyes causes us to grieve along with Him.

Heavenly Father, we pray for wisdom so that our eyes will be open to Truth. It is by Your wisdom that we see with spiritual eyes, and by the Holy Spirit that we are guided by that Truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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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