Friday, August 31, 2012

IN OUR RIGHT MINDS

 
2 Timothy 1:7


"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." NIV


"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." KJV


Still today, some see God as harsh and ready to strike down anyone who so much as makes one little error. When Christ came, He showed us that we serve a God of love. When Christ returned to the Father, He sent His Holy Spirit. Do we realize what that means? We no longer approach, live, and serve God fearfully, but as a loving Father. He in turn, gives us the power to allow Him to work His mighty deeds through us. We are filled with His love, not for ourselves, but to give out to everyone in our path. He gives us the ability to understand His Word, to be discerning and wise. God gives us all we need to live a life of victory and fruitfulness in a lost and dying world.


Heavenly Father, we cannot praise You enough for Your mercy and grace to us. Help us to let go of the fears we seem to harbor and rest fully in You. Give us grace to allow the Holy Spirit to perform this wonderful work in our lives so that we will be worthwhile and productive for Your kingdom. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Thursday, August 30, 2012

WATCH OUT FOR THAT DROP OFF!!!

 
2 Corinthians 10:12


"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" NIV


"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." KJV


Don't we all get a good sense of ourselves when we think we are doing well and our spiritual walk is strong? Actually, that is one of the most dangerous times for us as Christians. At those times, we tend to lose our humility and the reality that we have no strength at all, but the Lord's. The enemy loves to take advantage of these moments when we get off guard with thinking we are doing right well. We get a little too relaxed. Before we know it, we find ourselves at the edge of a cliff, the verge of temptation. If that doesn't get our attention, we will fall right off the edge. The Word warns us about this. If we remember that we only stand firm because our God is holding us up, we will be aware of just where the edge of the cliff is.


Heavenly Father, forgive us for those times we get proud of our spiritual walk and think we have it all together. Help us to keep on the cloak of humility, knowing You are our strength. Give us ongoing awareness of the cliff edges so that we can walk on solid ground by Your grace. We thank You for watching over us and we pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

WHO'S READY FOR MEAT?

 
Hebrews 5:14


"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." NIV


"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." KJV


The natural order of growth for human development is to steadily gain in height and weight while at the same time learning different things. It takes food that is appropriate for age and advancement of the child. The same hold true for the born again children of God. Many Christians accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour but they fail to get into the Word of God and make it a part of their everyday lives and they fail to faithfully commune with Him on a daily basis. They are not able to spiritually chew and digest the deep things of God, only the milk and elementary things of God. The answer is to take responsibility for working out our salvation, for hiding the Word in our heart, and growing up in Him.


Heavenly Father, we stand in need of Your grace and mercy as we work out our salvation in the way You intended. Help us to receiveYour Word and by it grow into mature Christians. Show us the way and give us the desire to grow and surrender so that we will be ready for spiritual meat, the deep things of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

HOLDING UP UNDER PRESSURE

 
Revelation 2:3


"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary." NIV


"And has borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." KJV


Too often, we get burdened down under the load of this world's tribulations and they makes us incapable of carrying on the way the Lord has directed us. The true test of commitment to the Lord God is that even when our whole world seems to be crashing down around us, we stand strong, with patience and continue to follow the leading of the Lord. Nothing can distract us for our service to Him. While we are about His business, He is steadily working out our problems and we will find it was worth doing His will rather than worrying and becoming dormant for His kingdom.


Heavenly Father, we ask Your forgiveness for allowing our problems and tribulations to overpower us to the point of stopping our progress in our Christian walk. Help us to understand that if we continue to seek You and Your will for our lives, patiently working as You lead us, You will take care of all our problems. We thank You and praise You for that. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Monday, August 27, 2012

GOD'S DICIPLINE MEANS HE CARES

 
Proverbs 3:11,12


"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." NIV


"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." KJV


None of us like to be disciplined. Many times we are chastised and feel unfairly treated. Sometimes we believe the one who deals out the discipline is against us or doesn't really like us. With God, this is not the case. He disciplines us like a good parent disciplines his child in order that the child stays on the right path. If God didn't care about us, He would let us wander off and not bother to help us when we get into strange and dangerous situations. What would we say about parents who do that with their children? How much more does God love us?


Heavenly Father, how we praise You that You have such love for us that You take the time to discipline us when we need it. It is so amazing that the God of all creation would concern Himself with each of us and our daily living. Help us to have open hearts to recognize Your discipline and follow Your leading until we get home to You. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Sunday, August 26, 2012

EVEN DEMONS BELIEVE

 
James 2:19


"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." NIV


"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." KJV


According to a recent survey by the Barna Group, 78% of Christians believe there is an almighty, sovereign, supreme God. That seems to be a really large number of people and it makes our hearts glad to know that all these people believe in our God. The sad part is, many of these do not believe that God cares about and desires a personal relationship with all His children. Even more tragic is that many of those who believe in God think this is all that is necessary to live eternally with Him. The Word of God tells us that Satan, himself, believes in God. He knows God exists and has defeated him already through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. That's why Satan and his demons shudder at knowing God exists. The Word of God says that we must believe that He exists and believe He will reward us if we earnestly seek Him. We must be born again by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.


Heavenly Father, we humbly pray that You will prepare our hearts to earnestly seek You and hunger for Your Word. Help us to not just believe You exist, but to know that You are a God who loves us, who provided a way for our sins to be forgiven by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, and who has prepared a place for us to be with Him for eternity. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.


           
©2011
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

WARN TODAY, NOT TOMORROW

 
Hebrews 3:13


"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by it's deceitfulness." NIV


"But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." KJV


Just what does it mean to exhort? It is defined as a serious urging, advising, cautioning, and warning. We all work together as Christians to help one another stay on the narrow path of righteousness. In this world, it is so easy to get distracted and get off on little side roads only to find ourselves lost and confused. It is our responsibility as fellow Christians to exhort one another when we see one getting sidetracked. If we do this in love and humility, God will honor it and we will be open to the exhortation of our brothers and sisters in Christ.


Heavenly Father, how thankful we are for the body of believers that You have given us to help us stay on the path You have laid out for us. Help us to receive exhortation and to give it as You lay it on our hearts. May we give and receive it in love and humbleness. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Friday, August 24, 2012

GOT GOD?

 
2 John 1:9


 
"Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." NIV


 
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." KJV


 
How many of us get so caught up in the things that are happening in our daily lives that we fail to let the Word of God rule our hearts? Instead, we try to help God out or just take matters into our own hands. When we do that we show that we do not trust God, nor are we walking in the Spirit of God. If we get involved wholeheartedly in the Word of God and walk according to it's ways, we will find our lives much more peaceful and encouraged. Knowing God is in control and His timing and ways of working things out are the only way to true communion and peace with Him.


 
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we try to take care of our issues and problems in our own inadequate ways. We long to continue in Your Word and walk in the ways It teaches. Help us to stay in communion with You so that we will stand on Your Word, strong and ready to let You complete Your work in us and for us. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Thursday, August 23, 2012

THE PERFECT GLUE

 
Colossians 3:14


 
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." NIV


 
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." KJV


 
We all strive to attain to the virtues of Christ, and walk as He did on this earth. There are many characteristics we seek to make a part of our lives and the Lord is pleased with this. However, if we do not have love, God's love, in our hearts, these other virtues will not last and will be weak at best. With His love filling our hearts, all the good things of God will be held fast within us and will be usable in all situations. Love is the glue that holds it all together.


 
Heavenly Father, how can we ever thank You enough for Your almighty and everlasting love. We cannot make use of any of the other Godly traits unless we have Your love within our hearts. Help us to keep our hearts open and willing to accept Your love that it may bond all the other Godly ways we have and be useful for Your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

THE VASTNESS OF HIS LOVE

 
Ephesians 3: 17b-19a


 
"....And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge...." NIV


 
"....that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge....." KJV


 
There are just some things that our human minds cannot comprehend. There is so much about our own world that we are unable to fathom how it came to be or how it became so magnificent. How much more are our minds limited in knowing just how big and unending God's love is for us. We may try to comprehend it, study it, talk about it, but our minds cannot contain it's vastness. However, by the grace of our loving God, He allows us to experience it. Isn't that such amazing grace!


 
Heavenly Father, we can't begin to know how great Your love is toward us. We thank You that You allow us to experience it in our hearts even though we don't understand it fully. Give us hearts to share this wonderful love with others. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.


           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

WHAT IS GOD TO US?

 
Psalm 18:2
 
 
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." NIV
 
 
"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." KJV
 
 
The world has all kinds of security and protection plans to help us feel secure. We buy insurance to cover losses to our property and our lives. We buy warrantee plans in case something we purchase is defective. Even with all this type of security, there is none that can compare to the awesome and infallible power of the protection of our God. He will deliver us from trouble, keep us from trouble, stand between trouble and us, and hide us beneath His wings. He will deflect the fiery darts of the evil one and crush the army of Satan. There is no such peace and security that comes from this world.
 
 
Heavenly Father, forgive us when we allow ourselves to become anxious and fearful of the enemy. Help us to remember that You are our source of security that will never fail. Help us to use our gift of faith You have given us to stand secure in Your almighty presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.
           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Monday, August 20, 2012

 
Proverbs 8:17
 
 
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." NIV
 
 
"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." KJV
 
 
Do we normally go seeking after something that we don't really want? Of course not. If we are seeking something, it is because we want it and are willing to take the time to look for it until it is found. Our God loves it when we seek Him because He knows we truly desire Him in our lives. And He will always allow us to find Him.
 
 
Heavenly Father, how faithful You are to those who seek You. Help us to always seek more of You, that we may find more of You, Your love, wisdom, and grace. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Sunday, August 19, 2012

WHOSOEVER MAY COME

 
John 6:37
 
 
"All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." NIV
 
 
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." KJV
 
 
Some individuals believe that they have too many sins and too vile of a past for the Lord to accept them. Some believe they have crossed the line and committed the unpardonable sin. If we are truly seeking God and have the desire in our hearts to repent and give our lives to Him, He will never send us away or reject us. Our Lord will never cast out anyone who comes to Him. He is a loving, merciful Father, full of grace and truth. He is forever faithful for those who seek Him and call on His name.
 
 
Heavenly Father, how we praise Your name that You would accept us no matter what we have done. There is no sin that is greater than Your love for us and no sin that the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ will not cover. Help us to use the faith You have given us and believe that You hear us and accept us just as we are. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Saturday, August 18, 2012

BORROWING WORRY

 
Mathew 6:34
 
 
"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." NIV
 
 
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." KJV
 
 
Are we fretting over something that cannot be resolved today? Do we become anxious about how things are going to turn out in the future or if things will turn out at all? If we will stay focused on the things we need to take care of today, the things over which we have control, God will take care of tomorrow. He wants us to keep looking to Him and growing in Him while He takes care of the things in our lives that might otherwise keep us in a state of worry.
 
 
Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You that Your are the God who holds tomorrow in His loving hands. Forgive us for doubting and forgetting that. Show us what we need to be doing today and help us take care of those things. Help us leave the rest to You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Friday, August 17, 2012

HIDDEN PROTECTION

 
Psalm 119:11
 
 
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." NIV
 
 
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." KJV
 
 
There are many people who have learned the Bible and can quote many passages and scripture. Too often, their use of scripture is from a sense of responsibility or to show others how learned they are in the Bible. If we do not take what we learn from the Word and bury it within our hearts until we are saturated with it, we will be in danger of sinning against God. A heart that is filled with God's Word is sufficiently protected from giving in to sin.
 
 
Heavenly Father, we ask You to give us more hunger for Your Word and to allow it to fill our hearts. Show us how to use Your Word to protect us from sin and the evil one. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
           
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Thursday, August 16, 2012

PLAY THE TRUMP CARD

 
James 2:13
 
 
". . .judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." NIV
 
 
"For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." KJV
 
 
What is mercy? It is showing compassion on someone who would otherwise deserve punishment of some kind. How many of us have deserved negative consequences for something we have done, but we were pardoned from punishment and given leniency for our wrong? How many of us have shown mercy to someone who deserved to be punished? We will be judged in the exact same way we have shown or not shown mercy to others. Jesus Christ showered us with His mercy by shedding His blood on the cross for us when it should have been us nailed there.
 
 
Heavenly Father, how we praise You for Your unending mercy toward us. We ask that we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when we need to show mercy to others. Forgive us for those times we have failed to show mercy and have dealt out harsh punishment to others. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

THE ANSWER IS COMING

 
Habakkuk 2:3
 
 
"For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." NIV
 
 
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." KJV
 
 
We pray for specific things to happen in our lives and the answer does not seem to come. As a result, we lose heart, or we question whether God heard us. If we forget that God's timing is so very different from ours, we get frustrated that He is not working on our time schedule. Whatever it is we are believing God for and are waiting upon the answer, be certain that it will come to pass. Believe that it is because His Word is certain and will not return to him empty of His purpose.
 
 
Heavenly Father, we are sorry that we get impatient and expect You to work things out on our time schedule and in our own ways. Give us the ability to use the measure of faith You have given us to wait for the answer that You promised would come. And help us to use our time wisely while we wait. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

LOVE IS

 
1 Corinthians 13:4
 
 
"Love is patient,....." NIV
 
 
"Charity suffereth long,......"KJV
 
 
Most of us have hear the advice from others saying, "Don't pray for patience because you will be tested beyond belief." However, patience is something that makes love possible. Without patience we cannot truly love unconditionally. When we love someone, we will exercise patience with them instead of pushing or criticizing them to hurry in our own time frame. Our Lord has such patience with us that He waits for us to come to Him for salvation, for our needs, and for all that we desire. We are to be like Him.
 
 
Heavenly Father, forgive us for our impatience toward others. We try to set our own time schedules and we become irritable if others do not follow it. Give us grace and patience like our Lord has so that we will bring glory to Him and show love to those who need us to be patient. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.
           
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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