1 Peter
2:9
"But you are
a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession,
that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light." NIV
"But ye are
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light." KJV
It's not "cool" to
be odd and peculiar these days. However, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord
and Saviour, we have accepted that God has bought us with the blood of His Son,
and we are His private property, His own people. This makes us totally the
opposite of those who live without God in their lives. While they live with
hearts that desire the things of this world, we, as God's holy people,
understand that we are not even of this world, nor are we at home in this world.
As long as we live in this world, we are not a part of it and it stands out
clearly to everyone who sees us. While the ungodly may mock us and cut us down
with their words and deeds, we continue to shine as lights in a dark world. The
Holy Spirit will convict those who are living in sin, and then they will have to
choose to be a part of God's kingdom or remain in the darkness.
Heavenly Father,
forgive us for being backward in showing our faith that makes us different from
those without You. Forgive us for trying to blend in with them out of fear. Give
us boldness, by Your Holy Spirit so that we will shine as peculiar people so
that those who are in the dark will see Your light and will be drawn to You by
the Holy Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
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Sunday, September 30, 2012
ODD PEOPLE
Saturday, September 29, 2012
WHEN IS IT TIME?
Ecclesiastes
3:1
"There is a
time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
NIV
"To
everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
KJV
We all know that
our world's view is one of instant gratification, instant answers, instant
closure. Technology is geared to develop faster processors, quicker
communication, and instant knowledge. This is not God's way. It is our God who
governs the right time for all things and how they will come about. We might
have high speed Internet, but when we pray to the Lord for an answer to our
situations, we wait on Him to work it out in His time and in His way, because it
is His will and His good pleasure to make it perfect and to be glorified in it.
When we allow our God to work things out in His time, we can know beyond a
shadow of a doubt that it is right and it is perfect timing.
Heavenly Father,
how weak we are that we pray for answers and say that we trust You for the
answers, then we complain and become worrisome that the answer isn't here now.
Help us to wait in quiet confidence that You have time for everything and a
purpose for our waiting for it. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Friday, September 28, 2012
IT'S REALLY GOT A HOLD ON US
Romans
7:25
"Thanks be
to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my
mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature, a slave to the law of
sin." NIV
"I thank God
through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of
God; but with the flesh the law of sin." KJV
Do we really grasp
the captivity of sin that Christ freed us from by His death and resurrection? We
are free to make a conscious decision to live the way our Lord intends for us to
live. We no longer have to be enslaved by temptation and ungodly ways. When we
get our minds off God, it is natural for us to fall back into our old fleshly
ways. If we commit ourselves to engulf ourselves in communion with God and His
Word, we will stay safely in the freedom for which Christ paid such a precious
price.
Heavenly Father,
how we praise You that You sent Your Son to set us free from our own fleshly
natures and from the grasp of Satan. Give us more hunger for Your Word and to
spend time in quiet communion with You so that we will not fall back into our
old natures. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Thursday, September 27, 2012
FUELED WITH POWER AND PATIENCE
Colossians
1:11
"Being
strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have
great endurance and patience." NIV
"Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all
patience and long suffering with joyfulness." KJV
We can think of
times when we have worked a very hard day and with our weary bodies we lie down
to a good night's sleep. When we wake up, we feel refreshed and strengthened.
Just imagine how we can feel when we allow God to strengthen our weary spirits
with His mighty power. Yes, God longs to make us strong by His all powerful
strength. His Word tells us He does this so that we will meet every day in this
evil world with more energy and patience.
Heavenly Father,
we cannot fathom the power that dwells with You that is all power. We stand in
need of strength to stand against the trials and problems this world throws our
way. Forgive us for wanting to give up and sit back in defeat. Give us strength
to endure with patience and joy through Your almighty power. We ask in the name
of Jesus, Amen.
©2011
Daily
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Wednesday, September 26, 2012
THE HOPE WHICH HE HAS PLANNED FOR US
Ephesians
1:18
"I pray that
the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to
which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy
people." NIV
"The eyes of
your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his
calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."
KJV
How do the eyes of
our hearts get enlightened? God tells us in His Word that if we ask believing,
He will give us that which we ask for. If we sincerely pray for eyes of
understanding, God will not only remove the veil that keeps us from seeing His
mighty deeds, but He will show us the magnificence of the eternal future He has
made for those of us who love Him and live according to His Word.
Heavenly Father,
we praise You and magnify Your name for the wonderful gift of grace You have
given so that we will live and reign with You in your glorious presence and the
richness of You eternal love. Give us eyes of understanding so that we will stay
on the path of righteousness and know this wonderful future You have for us. In
Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Tuesday, September 25, 2012
HONORABLY CLEAN
2 Timothy
2:21
"Those who
cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes,
made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
NIV
"If a man
therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
KJV
The Word of God
says we, who are saved, are responsible to clean ourselves up from dishonorable
thoughts, words, and deeds so that we can be useful to God and His purposes.
This cleaning is not something we can give mental assent to and it will be done.
We cannot make half hearted attempts and put on an outward appearance of being
clean. It will take getting on our knees, humbly before our Lord, confessing,
repenting, and committing ourselves to God totally for His use. God chooses to
use those individuals who choose to make themselves pure of worldly stains and
are prepared to carry out His will.
Heavenly Father,
how sorry we are that we get lazy and complacent in our spiritual walk. Help us
to have zeal for being holy and pure in Your eyes so that You will be able to
use us for Your purpose and we will be faithfully waiting to accomplish Your
bidding. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Monday, September 24, 2012
TERRIBLE DAYS
Timothy
3:1
"But mark
this: There will be terrible times in the last days." NIV
"This know
also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." KJV
We have either
said or heard others say that difficult things are happening to them and it
doesn't seem that it is letting up. Many of the things we think are difficult
are merely part of being a part of the human race. There will be a time, when
the things that come upon us will be so terrible, the things we experience now
will pale in comparison. That is why it is critical that we immerse ourselves in
the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. Then, until Christ
comes for us, we will be able to stand strong and not waver when these difficult
times come.
Heavenly Father, O
how we thank You that You have given us all we need to stay strong and
victorious in the last difficult days. Help us to cling to those things You have
provided. Give us unquenchable hunger for Your Word. Draw us to other Christians
who earnestly seek You. Give us the will to stand strong in the power of Your
might, so that we will be victorious in the difficult and terrible times. In
Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Sunday, September 23, 2012
LOOK UP AT THE SKY
Psalm
19:1
" The
heavens declare of glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands."
NIV
"The heavens
declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
KJV
When we step
outside on a clear night, we can look up into the sky and see the vast and
countless stars that fill the sky. If we focus on just one star, we begin to see
many more around it and far beyond it in the distance. God tells us in His Word
that the stars cannot be counted. They go on and on into the heavens and beyond
to eternity. It is the same when we look at the bright blue sky on a clear day.
We cannot see the end of it, past the sun and beyond. This is what God spoke
into existence for us. These magnificent creations were formed by His almighty
hands. Those who refuse to believe God have no excuse. His glory is plainly
declared merely by looking upward.
Heavenly Father,
how glorious and majestic You are that You would put the sky and the stars in
place and hold them there by Your Word and Your almighty hands. We praise You
for the magnificence of our universe and pray that unbelievers would acknowledge
that You are the Creator God who loves them and sent His Son to die for their
sins. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Saturday, September 22, 2012
WALKING IN THE FRAGRANCE OF LOVE
Ephesians
5:1,2
"Follow
God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,
just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God." NIV
"Be ye
therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also
that loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God
for a sweet smelling savour." KJV
How often do we
fail to sacrifice our own wants and needs for someone else? Are we guilty of
turning the other way when we see someone in need because it is inconvenient or
we don't have the time to give in love? The truth is, we don't have time not to
show God's love because the world is in such great need of experiencing it
through God's people. If we are children of God, we will be like Christ, and
give of ourselves and our time to show love and care to those who need it. In so
doing, our acts of love become a fragrant offering to our God, because we gave
out of love for Him and for our fellowmen.
Heavenly Father,
forgive us for our selfishness and lack of love toward those who are in need.
Fill our hearts with compassion and love for those who need Your provision and
use us to supply to them out of our abundance. Help us to not give thought to
the time or amount of money it will take. But help us to give thought to the
great sacrifice Christ made for us at the cross. In His name we pray,
Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Friday, September 21, 2012
STAND FIRM TO STAY FREE
Galatians
5:1
"It is for
freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." NIV
"Stand fast
therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not
entangled again with the yoke of bondage." KJV
The lives we lived
before we were born again were lives of deep ruts of bondage to our own wills
and to the strongholds brought about by the evil one. When Christ made us a new
creature, we still have the responsibility to fight the old nature. Because the
ruts of the old life are so deep, it is easy to fall back into old patterns. If
we stand firm by the power of the Holy Spirit and of the Word of God, we will
not be caught in the trap of being captive to sin, losing our
freedom.
Heavenly Father,
Your mercy toward us is everlasting. Help us have hunger for the fullness of
Your Holy Spirit and for the Word so that we will have the weapons to fight the
old nature and not get tangled up in the old ways. We humbly ask this in the
name of Jesus, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Thursday, September 20, 2012
BURNOUT PREVENTION
Hebrews
12:3
"Consider
him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary
and lose heart." NIV
"For
consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye
be wearied and faint in your minds." KJV
So many times we
get discouraged and down because our lives seem to be stressed to full capacity
and we don't know how we can endure much more. We may be tempted to just quit
trying or get so overwhelmed that we become ineffective and unproductive. When
these times come, we can look at what Jesus endured while He walked this
earth. We can consider the horror He went through from the Garden of Gethsemane
to the Tomb. Then we will understand that He will provide the grace we need to
rise above anything that comes against us in this life.
Heavenly Father,
oh how weak and fragile we are! Help us to remember and reflect on the trials
and unfair, evil treatment Christ endured while He was here. Give us Holy Spirit
strength to stand firm against the things that come against us and weigh us down
so that we will continue to be effective and productive for Your kingdom. We
pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
OUR FOCAL POINT
Colossians
3:2,3
"Set you
minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now
hidden with Christ in God." NIV
"Set your
affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your
life is hid with Christ in God." KJV
When we live in
the material world, it is naturally human to allow the things of this material
world to distract us, discourage us, or even tempt us. The Lord knows this about
us. That is why He has charged us with the responsibility to mindfully keep our
focus on Him and the eternal things of God. Yes, it is difficult, but we have
the Holy Spirit within us to remind us that we have gotten our eyes of our God
and have allowed the things of this world to capture our hearts and
minds.
Heavenly Father,
we give You praise that You know us intimately and the world we live in that
comes at us from every side. Help us to be open to the Holy Spirit so that we
can refocus our hearts and minds on You and Your kingdom. Let us remember that
we are hidden in You and this world cannot control us or harm us. We pray in
Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
REJOICE IN THIS!
Luke
10:20
"However, do not
rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written
in heaven." NIV
"Notwithstanding
in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice,
because your names are written in heaven." KJV
Once we
have repented of our sins and accepted the sacrifice Christ made for us on the
cross, it is natural that as newborn creatures in Him that we grow. During this
time of growth, there is a danger that we will become enamored and distracted
with the power He has given us through His name to take authority over evil
forces. We may relish in sharing these experiences of how we were used in
situations to make Satan flee. That in itself is not wrong. Where we get amiss
is when this becomes our focus of the life of God in us. His Word tells us to
not get caught up in the power He gives us, but to get enamored and caught up,
rejoicingly, that our name is written in the book of life. That is the joy that
is set before us.
Heavenly
Father, we ask Your forgiveness when we get sidetracked at the things You do
through us and put the real joy of our eternal life with You on the back burner.
Help us Lord to always rejoice in that eternal joy as we share the mighty works
You are doing through us and in our lives. We ask in Jesus' name,
Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
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Monday, September 17, 2012
NOW HIRING
Matthew
9:37,38
"Then he
said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the
Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
NIV
"Then saith
he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are
few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth
labourers into his harvest." KJV
As Christians, we
all have at least one spiritual gift. We are to be putting it to work for the
Lord's kingdom. Not only that, since the darkness of the world is so great,
there are barely enough Christians who are willing to spend the energy to toil
in the fields. How sad it is for Christians to be lazy and complacent. If we
pray, God will speak to the hearts of His people to go out into the fields where
the lost and dying live. He will provide the workers necessary to bring in all
that will come. But we have to pray.
Heavenly Father,
search our hearts to see if we are negligent to do work in Your fields. Stir our
hearts for prayer to send Christian workers to shine the light of Christ on
those who are perishing. We thank You for sending workers out so that sinners
will be saved. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
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Sunday, September 16, 2012
ABOUNDING
1 Corinthians
15:58
"Therefore,
my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in
the Lord is not in vain." NIV
"Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
KJV
It's almost
impossible to stay steady on rocky, rough ground. Spiritually, it is impossible
to stand firm when things happen that shake our world. God is always watching
and working things out for our good. If we keep our eyes on Him, He will put our
feet on solid ground so that we will be victorious. Then, we can abound in good
works, that is, do an outstanding job for the Lord. He will not let it go by
unnoticed.
Heavenly Father,
this world is so rocky and rough. We praise You that You make our feet to walk
on steady, solid ground. Help us to use this blessing as time to do Your will
and to walk in the way You lead us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
WORRY GETS US NOWHERE
Matthew
6:27
"Can any one
of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" NIV
"Which of
you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" KJV
According to the
Word of God, worry is a sign we are not putting our trust in the Lord to work
out things in our lives. Some of us have a natural inclination to worry. Some of
us believe our worry somehow helps. Regardless, worry only makes our bodies
tense and our minds stressed. It does nothing to make things work out for the
good. It is our spiritual responsibility to stop ourselves from worrying and
pray to the Lord about our circumstances so that He will work on it for us. We
can then be more at ease to read the Word and pray.
Heavenly Father,
whatever the reason, forgive us for the time we spend worrying. Forgive us for
not fully trusting that You are working all things for good to those of us who
love You. Help us to accept the peace and calm You are so ready to give us so
that we will be in the right frame of mind to be open to Your leading. In Jesus'
name we pray, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Friday, September 14, 2012
LET'S GO FISHING!
Matthew
4:19
"Come follow
me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people."
NIV
"And he
saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
KJV
Jesus knew the
disciples were familiar with the craft of fishing. They fully understood what He
meant when He said they would be fishing for people for His kingdom. It is the
same for us today in whatever profession or craft we have. The finished product
of all we say and do is shining the light of Christ wherever we are so that
those who need His saving grace will come to Him. It is not necessary that we be
of great speech or in front of large crowds. It is only necessary that we
ourselves are following Jesus and encourage others to follow along with us. God
will do the rest in the hearts of those who seek Him.
Heavenly Father,
how we thank You that You have made us fishers of men. Help us to keep pure
hearts, lifting You up in the fullness of Your Spirit, so that we will draw all
men to You. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
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Thursday, September 13, 2012
SUBMISSION AND RESISTANCE
James
4:7
"Submit
yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
NIV
"Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
KJV
We only have the
power to resist the devil after we totally submit ourselves to God. When we
recognize we are being taunted and attacked by the evil one, we often try to
chase him away in our own strength. If we turn to our God and put our lives
completely in His hands, we can then resist evil, and he has to go away. Satan
cannot stay in the presence of the Almighty God.
Heavenly Father,
we confess that we try to resist evil in our own strength at times. Forgive us
for that. Help us to always turn to You in those times of temptation and
taunting from Satan. Give us Your power to resist him and make him flee. It is
by Your power that we live and breathe. In Jesus' name, Amen.
©2011
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TELL GOD WHAT YOU NEED
Philippians
4:6
"Do not be
anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God." NIV
"Be careful
for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God." KJV
How many times
have we found ourselves minutes, hours, or even days into worrying about a
matter before we realize we have been wasting precious energy on anxiety? At the
moment an anxious thought, or troubling situation arises, we can go directly to
the throne of grace and let our God know about it. He will comfort us and give
us peace, so we will know He is taking care of it for us. After all, He is in
control of all things, and nothing is impossible for Him.
Heavenly Father,
forgive us for worrying and fretting over things. Help us to come instantly to
You when we become anxious about a matter. Increase our faith as we seek You to
take care of those things that bother us and keep us upset. We praise You for
Your peace and comfort You lavishly pour out on us when we come to You. In
Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
©2011
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Bobbi
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