WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM

 

John 1:10

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him."NIV

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not."KJV

The maker of the universe, the designer of everything that exists was right here on this earth, as a man, showing us the Father and the way to eternal life. How did we not recognize him? What were we thinking He would be like that we missed Him altogether? If we immerse ourselves in the Word of God so that we get to know Him more and more, we will not make that same tragic error when He comes again.

Heavenly Father, how humbled we are that the very Son of God walked among us and we did not even know it. Forgive our ignorance, complacency, and fixation on the things of this world. Give us more hunger for the Word so that we will know Him more and more and recognize His voice. We pray this in His blessed name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

MARITAL PURITY

 

Hebrews 13:4

"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." NIV

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."KJV

In a time when over 50% of all marriages end in divorce and 63% of all couples live together for a significant period of time before they marry, it appears marriage is not held in very high esteem. God created marriage by making the male and the female and divinely ordained it as a sacred covenant all at the beginning of mankind in the Garden. Marriage is so sacred to God that He likens His Son as the groom and the Church as His bride. How easy it is to enter into a marital situation, but how seemingly impossible it is to stay committed and honor the marriage with only God held in higher esteem. There is more impurity in marriages than some would like to admit. Lustful thoughts, secret relationships, pornography, and perversions that people minimize as not hurting anybody. Marriage is to be pure and honored. Anything less will be under the judgement of Almighty God.

Heavenly Father, we are a society that has taken the honor and purity from marriage. Forgive us and help us to make it the holy ordinance and commitment You intend it to be. Create in us pure thoughts and intentions about our marriage and to honor our mates above ourselves. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

DO WE REALLY KNOW HIM?

 

1 John 2:3

"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands."NIV

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."KJV

Do we really know the Lord Jesus Christ? We can know by checking the level of obedience to His commands. That will let us know if we really know Him. To say we know Him, and to not be obedient to His word, is to be deceitful and attempting to deceive others. If we know Him, we will imitate the life and walk of Jesus.

Heavenly Father, may we search our hearts and look at our actions to see if we are in obedience to Your Word. Forgive us when we fall short. Give us sensitivity to the Holy Spirit so that we will stay on the path of obedience to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

LIVING FAITH

 

James 2:17

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."NIV

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."KJV

True faith in the Lord will always bring changes in our outward life. Faith is more than a mental belief. It is a trust that automatically brings a response from us. If we claim to have faith but ignore the needs of others, fail to share the gospel, and behave in the same way the world does, our faith is powerless and worthless. True faith produces fruit, and will find a way to express itself in our daily living. Faith transforms. Transformation shows up in our lifestyle. Is our faith showing?

Heavenly Father, we confess that our faith has wavered and has not shown through our actions at times. Forgive us when our faith is weak. May the Holy Spirit stir up our faith so that we will be showing our faith to the world around us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

LED ASTRAY BY SUBTLE DECEPTION

 

Colossians 2:8

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."NIV

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."KJV

Are we doing whatever is necessary to make sure we are not being subtly swayed by good sounding beliefs and preaching? The world is full of those who's logic and smooth tongue can distort the truth and lead us cunningly away from the important truths of our Lord. When we get caught in this kind of deceitful trap, we are taken from our true faith, hope, and work for the Lord and led away to a place that feels good and satisfies our human wants. That's right where Satan wants us to be, farther away from the things of God and His truth. If we stay alert and wear the armor of God, we won't be led astray by this deception.

Heavenly Father, we have failed You so many times because we have not been alert and ready to bring down the temptations of the evil one. Fill our hearts and minds with the critical necessity of being alert and armed so that we don't get led astray into deceit and false teachings. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

RICHES

 

1 Timothy 6:17

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."NIV

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, no trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."KJV

It is true that as humans we are drawn to accumulating material riches around ourselves. Our society seems to judge our success by the amount of the latest and most costly things we own. These judgements tend to invoke pride within us, because, after all, we want to be seen as successful in this life. The problem is, our earthly riches are temporary. They can all be destroyed in one day by fire or natural disaster. Material things become outdated and worn out with time, and we cannot take any of our possessions with us when we leave this world. At best, worldly riches might bring us short lived happiness. If we make the decision to trust in the riches of the Lord God Almighty rather than our earthly riches, we will find an eternal wealth that is secure from earthly tragedies, that cannot be taken from us, that blesses us and others with real and never ending joy.

Heavenly Father, we confess to You that we allow our earthly riches to make us proud and lifted up by people around us. Help us to be aware that money and material wealth is worth nothing in the light of the true riches You lavishly pour on us. Give us mindfulness of true and eternal riches in Christ and less thought of gathering earthly things. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

LITTLE BUT DEADLY

 

James 3:8

" . .but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."NIV

"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."KJV

We most likely do not realize the power contained in the small little organ of our body, our tongue. We use this unruly little mass of cells to communicate many things. The tongue is small and it resides behind a set of teeth and a pair of lips. It still finds it's unruly way out and starts wagging. Our tongue's are Satan's easiest weapons to tear down and destroy and he seeks every opportunity to use them. After all, Satan is a liar, sly persuader, and the accuser of Christians. How often have we been guilty of lying, verbally abusing, talking foul language, emotionally raging with anger and hate, being sarcastic, falsely flattering, gossiping, and slandering innocent people? We are all guilty of failing to tame our tongues. Our Lord gives His abundant grace to us knowing we cannot tame the tongue on our own. He will give us grace for tremendous watchfulness of what we say, attention to what we are thinking that may come rolling off our tongue, and deliberate prayer to safeguard our speech from any evil.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for not keeping our tongues from evil and for the poison that has been strewn everywhere because of what we have said. We humbly and desperately ask for Your grace to help us get control of our tongues and resist Satan. We want to bring glory to You with all things that we say. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

RIGHT WAY NOT OUR WAY

 

Proverbs 16:25

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." NIV

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." KJV

If we insist on living and believing in our own way, we put ourselves in great danger. Our own way feels right because it makes us feel so comfortable and there is no sacrificing or self-examination. There's really not much to be concerned about. What a great deception! To be right in God's eyes, we will be in a constant struggle with our own human natures.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for insisting on doing things our own way. Empower us to take responsibility in this spiritual battle for our own souls. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

GOD SEES EVERYTHING

 

Hebrew 4:13

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." NIV

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." KJV

Integrity is living holy and above reproach in privacy when we are alone the same as we would do out where we can be seen by others. But how often do we forget or simply ignore that. God knows intimately our every thought, desire, and content of our souls. How seriously should we attempt to be holy and pure leaving nothing in our soul that we do not want known? We can hide many things from other people, but we can hide nothing from God.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trying to get by with things because we think no one will know. Father, You know and that is the most important thing for us to remember. Help us to think and behave in ways that bring You honor whether we are alone or with others. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

CHRISTIAN UNITY

 

1 Peter 3:8

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded......" NIV

"Finally, be ye all of one mind.....KJV

Today, there are so many different denominations and sects of Christianity that are maintained by differences of belief in various areas of doctrine and truth. If we will but remember that it is harmful to the Church to bicker and debate over small issues, we will be more careful to come to agreement on the deity of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection. There is awesome power in unity. God confused the people at the tower of Babel because they were working as one and God said unless He stops them they will achieve their goal to reach heaven. When the 120 were in the upper room at Pentecost, they were all in one accord and look how the power of the Holy Spirit came on them. If we will pray for unity, like mindedness, and harmony with each other, God will do mighty things through us.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for keeping divisions between ourselves. Search our hearts so that we will come together as Christian brothers and sisters having minds in one accord so that we will receive what You have for us and we will accomplish Your will. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

ENEMIES AT OUR FEET

 

Revelation 3:9

"And I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have love you." NIV

"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have love you." KJV

The enemies of the Christian overcomer will finally admit they were deceived and will acknowledge that Jesus is the only Way. They will accept the lowest places in the Kingdom of God, in service at the feet of us who have overcome.

Heavenly Father, we worship You as the Lord God Almighty. We thank You for giving us a way to come freely to You and to dwell with You forever. We thank You that You will lift the veil from the eyes of those who have been deceived. Help us to remember from where we came. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THE JOY

 

James 1:2

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds." NIV

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." KJV

What is this joy we are supposed to have when we are being tested and tried and why are we to have it? The Greek work for joy in this verse is the same one used in Hebrews 2:2 that describes the joy set before Jesus as He went to the cross to endure the most cruel and humiliating death. He was not joyful for the torture, He was joyful because He knew His obedience would redeem mankind to Himself. We experience the same joy, not because we are going through difficulties, but because we know we will be in eternity with our Lord. None of us have had to experience the trial He did, but we get to reap the reward. How awesome is our God!

Heavenly Father, we praise and worship You for the gift of salvation. Help us to never take for granted what Jesus Christ did for us at Calvary. When we are going through difficult times, help us to be joyful, knowing this is all temporary and we will be with Him forever. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

TRUE WORSHIP

 

John 4:24

"God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." NIV

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." KJV

How often have we as humans tried to picture in our minds what God looks like? Our minds can't conceive of how God looks because He does not exist in any material form. He is pure Spirit and dwells in all places at all times. Because God is a Spirit, we can only worship Him in the Holy Spirit. He knows us anyway. Only those who are born again have come alive spiritually and can worship God in the Spirit. That is the only way He receives our true worship. If we approach the throne of Grace with the Spirit and truth and not haphazardly or with complacency, our worship will be received by Almighty God and we will be refreshed and restored by having been spiritually in His presence.

Heavenly Father, we can't praise You enough for allowing us to worship You in Spirit and truth. We thank You for giving us life in the Spirit so we can worship You. Forgive us for our lack of fervor and time worshipping You, because You alone are worthy of all praise and worship. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

HOW TO STAY PURE

 

Psalm 119:9

"How can a young person stay on the path to purity? By living according to your word." NIV

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." KJV

We live in a world at a time that is packed with subtle and blatant temptations and pressures to be worldly and live like the world. It is such that it takes persistent and careful attention to keep from getting caught in the snares that lie everywhere. Even though we have such difficult things facing us every day, we can be assured that we are safe from getting pulled in to the ways of the world. The answer is the Word of God. That means reading it, meditating on it, studying it, memorizing it, and living by it's guidelines. Are we safeguarding ourselves by immersing ourselves in His Word?

Heavenly Father, we ask You to forgive us for taking Your Word for granted and failing to delve into it's truths and answers to living in this world. Help us to hide Your Word within our hearts so that we will stay clean and pure in this depraved world. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THE POWER HE GAVE US

 

Psalm 18:29

"With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." NIV

"For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall." KJV

By God's power, we have been given the ability and understanding to stand firm against our enemies. Not only that, He has given us His power to overcome them and conquer their territory. Let's remember this when we come against difficult and seemingly impossible circumstances. We can envision ourselves jumping right over the problem because His has given us His power to do so. No, we may not be able to make the problem go away, but we will live above the problem with peace and hope so that the problem does not control us anymore.

Heavenly Father, how blessed we are that You hold nothing back from us when we are in need. You know just what we need and when we need it. Help us to walk in the victory You have lavished on us and to trust that You will give us abilities we cannot imagine when we need them. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THE SERPENT'S HEAD HAS BEEN CRUSHED

 

John 12:31

"Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out." NIV

"Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out." KJV

When Jesus went to the cross, He went to the depths of hell and took the keys of death away from Satan. The enemy makes a lot of noise in our spirits and provokes us with fear, but it is only noise because Jesus Christ crushed his head and rendered him powerless. We no longer need to fear the enemy. We only need look to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and believe in Him. He will guard us and stay at our side. What peace that brings to our hearts.

Heavenly Father, how we praise You for sending Jesus Christ to take all our sins to the cross and for His resurrection from the dead because he took the power of death away from Satan. Help us to remember that we no longer have to fear what Satan might do to us. His head is crushed and he has no power. Strengthen our faith to get this truth deep within our souls, we ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

GOD IS LIGHT

 

1 John 1:5

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." NIV

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." KJV

Never does the Word of God, nor His prophets or apostles, nor even Himself say that God is in the light, of the light, full of light, or produces light. Jesus Christ came to earth and proclaimed the fullness of truth that God IS light. When we understand this, we can clearly recognize why no human has ever seen God face to face and lived. The light is blinding. If we get close to the Light, it shines on all the impure, ungodly, and unholy things in us. The more time we spend near the Light, the more the reflection of the Light comes forth from us. Staying within the rays of the Light gives us sight to travel the narrow path. All of this is a gift of grace to us to share in the Light. It is not all heavenly and inspiring. Being in the light shows us where we need to confess and repent of those things in our lives that need to be gone. Without Light, we would be in total darkness with no hope. Jesus Christ brought us hope by giving us the message that God is Light.

Heavenly Father, how we praise You, the Light, by which we may know all that is pure and holy and also that we may know those things we need to forsake. By Your Holy Spirit, make us aware that You are Light and we can bask in the rays of Light so that we can take the Light to those who are stumbling in the darkness. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THE WORK WILL BE FINISHED

 

Philippians 1:6

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." NIV

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." KJV

We can be fully assured that the maturity of the spiritual life born in us when Christ entered by our faith will be completed. We will never be left or forsaken in our spiritual journey.

Heavenly Father, how comforting to know that we will not be left alone trying to find our way in a dark and cruel world. Help us to remember that You are always with us, working in our lives so that we will be good and faithful servants when we see You face to face. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

ON THE THRONE WITH JESUS

 

Revelation 3:21

"To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne." NIV

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." KJV

When Jesus finished His work on the cross and went back to the Father, He sat down at the Father's right hand. There, He received back the glory He had with the Father from all eternity. The faithful overcomers will be granted to sit with Jesus Christ on that throne and share in that great glory! What an awesome God who would share this glorious thing with His children!

Heavenly Father, how can we ever thank You enough for Your loving generosity and grace to us. We will never be the overcomer You are, but by Your grace, our faith will make us overcomers so that we can share in this magnificent privilege. Help us to keep our faith burning while we walk this earth. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS

 

Revelation 2:26

"To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations." NIV

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations." KJV

All of the man made kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of God the Father and His Son Christ Jesus. Christ received His authority to rule over the nations from God, His Father. We will receive that same authority to rule over the nations by Jesus Christ, if we overcome the tests and trials of this world. How He loves those who overcome that He would share His authority to rule and reign over the earth with Him.

Heavenly Father, how honored we are that You would give us the same authority to rule over the nations as You gave to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to endure and overcome the trials of this world so that we might share in this great honor. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only