THE INTERNAL CONFLICT

 

Romans 7:22,23

"For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." NIV

 

 

"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." KJV

Are we aware that there is a conflict within us? This conflict is between the desire to do those things that are good and pleasing to our Lord and the desire to do those things that are pleasing and satisfying to our own selves. These two things are in direct conflict with one another and they are something with which we all struggle. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can exercise the power of God within us to love and do what is good and right in His eyes, while overthrowing the natural inclination of doing things our own way.

Heavenly Father, how we become weary with battling between doing what You will for us to do and doing what we want to do. We know that giving in to our selves is easy and we need the fullness of Your Holy Spirit to overcome the selfishness in us and to desire doing that which pleases You. Help us win this battle when it arises so that You will be glorified in us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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UNSELFISH AND HUMBLE

 

Philippians 2:3

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." NIV

 

 

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves." KJV

Jesus did not come to earth as God. He gave up his deity to become a man. That was the most unselfish act ever done. He was pure and sinless, yet died the death of a criminal. That was the most humble act ever done. We are to be like Christ. In our relationships with fellow believers, we are to give up our egos and human pride to love and serve others as He did.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for thinking of ourselves and failing to consider the needs of others. Help us to be more like Your Son, who gave himself and served all without thinking of Himself. We pray in His precious name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WAITING MAKES US STRONGER

 

Isaiah 40:30,31

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those whohope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." NIV

 

 

"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." KJV

The strongest and most able bodied young men become worn out with earthly toils and trials. How can anyone make it through the difficulties of this cursed world? With God, we can! If we put our trust in Him, we will never get tired or weary, no matter what our age or physical health. To expect God to move in our lives is like a farmer who plows, plants, and waits for the crop. God always comes through. Knowing this puts a strength in us this world can never match or duplicate.

Heavenly Father, oh how we need You to give us strength to get through the harsh realities of this world. Forgive us for wearying ourselves and not putting our trust in You. Help us apply our faith and trust so that we will be renewed in strength each day as we encounter the things of this life. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WHAT A WORKOUT!

 

Philippians 2:12

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (NIV)

 

 

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (KJV)

As Christians, we all have the same Lord and the same Spirit dwelling in us. However, we all have different temptations, difficulties, and situations with which to contend in this life. It is up to each one of us to work out what God has put in us and apply it to our own unique situations. We all have the same tools but a different set of circumstances in our lives and our walk with the Lord. We have to work it out, carefully following Him.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for trying to be like others in our walk with You. Help us to realize our own place in this life and the design You have for us to walk toward holiness. Show us that we have our own set of obstacles and issues of the self to overcome and that You will help us work through them, if we trust in You. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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RULES FOR JUDGING

 

Matthew 7:1,2

"Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)

 

 

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (KJV)

What measuring stick do we use to make a judgment about others? If we are honest with ourselves we would have to say we judge others by those very same things that lie within each and every one of our hearts. We are just as capable of the same things we judge in others. So be careful when you judge others. God is searching the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. He will use the same measuring stick to judge us that we use to judge others.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of Your forgiveness for taking it on ourselves to judge others. When we find ourselves making an opinion about others, help us to stop and remember that we, ourselves are not walking in perfection either. Give us awareness that we are as vulnerable to doing the same irritating, ungodly things we see in others. Search our hearts and help us clean up our own lives. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

            

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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INTENTIONS ARE WORTHLESS

 

Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)

 

 

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (KJV)

We all have good and noble intentions. The problem is that intentions are seldom accompanied by constant awareness, prayer, and action. Intentions have no power. Our power to overcome and accomplish is made real through the Holy Spirit by prayer and being on guard against the enemy. We need commitment rather than intentions to allow the Lord to give our spirit the power to overcome our weaknesses.

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and help us recognize the intentions within us that sit dormant and useless. Pour out Your Spirit in our hearts so that we will commit ourselves to doing Your will instead of intending to do it. Forgive us for our spiritual laziness and make us more like our Lord. We pray in His name, Amen.

  

            

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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A MIRACLE IS A MIRACLE

 

Proverbs 5:21

"For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths." NIV

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings." KJV

We are left astounded when we recall from the Word all the mighty miracles the Lord has done. He provided a sacrifice for Abraham after he placed Isaac on the altar. God parted the sea for His children to cross in safety. He fed thousands of people from a boy's meager lunch. So many great miracles Christ performed while teaching the crowds and people with needs came. What's even more astounding about our God is that He performs miracles for you and for me in our private lives where no one else can see. He loves us that much.

Heavenly Father, how awesome You are! That You would consider each of us in our own lives and work to make things right when we come asking for help is breath taking. Give us hearts of praise and thanksgiving and keep us from overlooking those even quieter miracles You lavish on us every day. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

            

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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GOD TOLD US

 

1 John 5:7,8

"For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three are in agreement." NIV

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." KJV

If there is ever any question that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the promised Redeemer, the Word records the testimony of God the Father Almighty that He is. The Father spoke when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain and again when Jesus was baptized. At that time He sent the Holy Spirit to rest on Jesus. Jesus Christ's blood was shed at Calvary and the Father tore the temple curtain from top to bottom, caused an earthquake, and opened the tombs of hundreds of saints who came alive and gave witness to the Son of God. Our salvation is not a timely event we can recount. It is faith in Christ because of the testimony of the Father saying that Jesus is the divine Son, Savior, and keeper of our souls.

Heavenly Father, how we praise You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to die for our sins. We thank You for giving Your testimony that He is the Christ, the anointed Messiah that was promised ages ago. Help us to be living testimonies of the reality of Jesus Christ crucified for our sin and for His living to make intercession for us. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

            

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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HOW SAD!

 

Psalm 119:136

"Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed." NIV

"Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." KJV

Think of how often we shed tears because something we expected did not work out. How many times have we cried because we were hurt or hindered in some way? Of course we cry over things such as this, we are human. But how many times have we cried in deep sorrow at the sin that is rampant around us? Have we ever cried at the ungodliness that looms even in our own homes and our own lives? When our hearts are one with the heart of God, we become deeply saddened by the sin around us. Just as the Lord looks on at the rebellion against mercy and grace with a heavy heart, we too, share in His sorrow.

Heavenly Father, how great is the sin that flourishes all around us all the time! We ask that You check our hearts to see if we have become conditioned to this rampant sin so that we don't even think about it. Give us Your heart so that we will experience Your sorrow at sin and have renewed inspiration to pray for the lost and stand firm against the sin around us. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

           

            

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING

 

 

Psalm 130:5

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." (NIV)

"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope." (KJV)

Patience is a natural product of faith. It is much easier to wait when we are confident God will not disappoint us. So many things test our faith every day. But true faith will stay strong under the heaviest of burdens and trials. If we remember how long the Lord waited for us, and still waits for us, we will gladly wait patiently for Him.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for not allowing our faith to mature so that it produces the patience we need to wait on You. Help us Lord, to stand strong in our faith so that nothing in this world can cause us to waiver and lose hope. Thank you for hearing us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

     

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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RESPOND, DON'T REACT

 

James 1:19

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." (NIV)

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (KJV)

As humans, it is so easy for us to react to situations with our emotions rather than our spirits. Our emotions cause us to react, which involves no thought on our part. Our spirits allow us to respond, which involves listening to the Holy Spirit, recalling God's Word, and making a conscious choice to act in a Godly way. Are we letting our emotions control us, or are we allowing our spirits, under the control of the Holy Spirit, to direct our actions? Are we reacting or responding?

Heavenly Father, we know that you are aware of the weaknesses in us as humans. We need your help in responding to the difficult and hard things that we encounter in our daily lives. Help us to learn to be responders, listening and choosing to obey the Godly

ways, instead of reacting with our emotions. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

     

©2010, 2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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HOW TO GET GOD'S ATTENTION

 

Psalm 40:1

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry." NIV

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." KJV

The ways of the world teach us from a young age that the 'squeaky wheel gets the grease.' Whoever yells the loudest gets heard. When we become Christians, we tend to carry this worldly teaching with us and expect God to answer us when we wail with tears and loud prayers, falling on the floor, and shouting our needs to Him. Then we become disappointed when the answer is not here as soon as the request leaves our mouths. That kind of intense praying is not wrong. There are times when we are in such critical urgent need, we should cry out to Him with all our being. Most often, though, God will turn and attend to us when we wait patiently with quiet trust for Him to answer.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for expecting the world's ways from You and expecting You to jump at each request we bring to You and deliver immediate response to our needs. Help us to wait with gentle patience when we bring our petitions to You, because we know Your timing is perfect. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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ROYAL CROWN COMMITMENT

 

2 Timothy 2:5

"Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules." NIV

"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." KJV

We are aware of many well known champion athletes who have been disqualified from their rewards because they chose to go against the rules and use performing enhancement drugs. It is so tempting to take the shortcuts, the quickest, easiest way, the way of least resistance. In our journey through this world as Christians, there are no shortcuts. Yet, the enemy places so many "easy way" tactics in front of us, like a street vendor frantically trying to sell us his wares. There is a royal crown of victory waiting for us in our Master's hands, if we keep on our journey, going along the narrow path that He has laid out for us.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for trying to find ways to appear Christlike and make others believe we are mature Christians when we are not. Have mercy on us when we allow ourselves to be deceived by the evil one and follow side paths off the one You chose for us. Keep us focused on the finish line - being in the eternal presence of our Lord and Saviour. In His name we pray, Amen.

           

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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NO WATERED DOWN GOSPEL

 

1 Thessalonians 2:4

"On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts." NIV

"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." KJV

If we are making a purchase, a large, important purchase, we don't want the salesperson to give us incomplete, biased, and faulty information about our selected item. In fact, it would be unfair to us if someone trusted by their company gave us only what we wanted to hear about our selection. More important than that, we are God's spokespersons to tell the good news to those who need it. He has given us the responsibility to tell it all and tell it with truth. Most people, even Christians, don't want to hear about commitment, giving up of self, and suffering for the gospel. They would rather listen to how many blessings are just waiting for us to collect and how chosen we are to partake in the good things of God. Fellow believers, that is watered down truth. The death of Christ is not a warm fuzzy story. The persecution experienced by Christians from the early church till now is not a pleasant thing to behold. Walking the narrow path is not always a mountain top experience. It is up to us to share the whole truth and in so doing we will be pleasing God, not men.

Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Your words that tell us we are trusted with the Gospel. Forgive us for trying to persuade others with a watered down rendition of the true Gospel message. Give us boldness to present the Gospel, the things of Your Kingdom, with boldness and completeness, not worrying if we are offending. The Holy Spirit will witness to the hearts of the hearers that the Truth is being told. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

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©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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ULTRA STRENGTH ENDURANCE

 

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 have a certain amount of confidence in products who's names begin with mega-, super-, extra-, and ultra-. It's like those products contain something special and more powerful than an average product. We can't really put any of these in front of the power of God, because nothing can be more powerful, nor added to the almighty power of God. What is so amazing is that God makes His power available to us for the asking so that we can stay in the race, carry on in this battle, and fight the good fight until He gets us to eternity with Him. Now there is no excuse to give up. Our own power will get us nowhere. His power will take us all the way.

Heavenly Father, we magnify and glorify You for Your awesome power that You so freely give us to keep going in this spiritual battle that often times tries to consume us. Keep us firmly engulfed in Your power and not relying on our own power to get us to the finish line. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

           

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WORK GUARANTEED

 

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 are so blessed to have our God who takes each of us in our new life in Him and works with us individually to help us mature into seasoned saints. How much more blessed we are that He is continuing to build His Body, the Church, until she is without spot or wrinkle and that He took each one of us into His Body when we first believed. As His body of believers, we have an eternal guarantee that He will complete the work in us that He planned from the foundation of time.

Heavenly Father, how grateful we are to be a part of Your family, Christ's body, the Church. Thank you for the assurance that You will keep working with us so that we will be the Bride that Christ is expecting when He comes for Her. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

           

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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BUILT TOGETHER

 

Ephesians 2:22

"And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." NIV

"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." KJV

Because Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, we have the privilege of becoming fellow citizens with with other believers. God never intended for us to take this holy journey through the world on our own. He intends for us to join together with other believers to be growing and maturing into a holy Church, His body. While He resides in our own hearts, He makes His dwelling place in the body of believers. If we are truly born again, we will be seeking out other believers in order to share, to encourage, and to be strengthened. Most of all, we will be a part of the body of the Head, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, help us to see that Your plan for us is not to make this Christian walk a personal endeavor, but a life to be added to the holy, living temple of all believers. Guide us to other believers, by Your Holy Spirit, so that we can be built up together as a suitable dwelling place for You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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TEAR IT DOWN AND LEAVE IT

 

Galatians 2:18

"If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker." NIV

"For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." KJV

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, we put off the old life, the old "us" and we put on Christ. We tear down the old life we built by our own ways and we let our Lord build us up in His ways. If we go back to the ways of our old life and try to get back for ourselves anything there, we make a dirty spot of sin on the new life in Christ. Being human, this happens without really giving it any thought until it's already done. God is so merciful, He has provided us the gift of confessing and repenting of this wrong and removing the stain completely. We can trust God fully to show us when we are about to rebuild our old, dead life, and to cause us to leave it alone.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for tromping into our past and bringing things back into our new lives. Show us when we are tempted to do this and give us Your power to leave it alone. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

           

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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