FOR OUR OWN GOOD

 

 

Romans 8:28

 

 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." NIV

 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." KJV

There are definitely things in this world that are not good for us as believers. We still experience trials and sufferings. But our Lord does make the things that we experience work together for our ultimate good. What is that ultimate good? That He will bring us to Himself a holy and righteous people.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember when things get really rough, that You will take the circumstances and cause them to turn out for our good. Forgive us for fretting when trials come. Bring to our remembrance that these times are a part of the process that You have planned to make us holy and righteous. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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UNSEARCHABLE MIND OF GOD

Romans 11:33   "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" NIV   "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out." KJV   When we look at a mountain range against the horizon, we are struck by the vast beauty of it's height. When we gaze up into the night sky, we are awed by the countless stars that seem to just keep going on and on. When we glimpse at the tiny body of a new born baby, our breath is taken away. These things are only creations of the Almighty God. If we just make an attempt to know and understand the glory and splendor or God, we can only fall to our knees in humble adoration and praise.   Heavenly Father, how awesome You are and how inadequate we are to really know just how great and glorious You are. Give us hunger to search out Your ways so that we will have the fullness of Your greatness that we can humanly hold. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.           ©2012 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

HUMBLE PEOPLE

 

 

1 Peter 5:6

 

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." NIV

 

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." KJV

It is a very humbling thing to take the lowest position in the kingdom of believers. It is so easy to make sure we're seen or to tell others about the things we have done for the Lord. If we lift ourselves up in front of others, that is our only reward and God will make sure we are humbled in His time and His way. God promises that He will lift us up in His perfect time. It is far better to humble ourselves now than to have the hand of God humble us later.

Heavenly Father, how far we are from being where You want us to be. Forgive us for our pride and put within us the desire to put You and all others first. Help us to see the humility Jesus displayed always while He was here on earth. 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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USELESS ARGUING

 

 

Titus 3:9

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." NIV

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." KJV

There are so many different traditions, doctrines, and beliefs within the different denominations of Christianity. Unfortunately, many divisions in the Body of Christ exist because Christians defend and argue beliefs that are of really no significance when it comes to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and building up the body of believers. These useless differences only serve to distract us from the real purpose of the Church and our Christian walk. If every Christian focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word, and His death and resurrection for our sins, we would be in unity and have far more power to effect this world.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for getting caught up in less important beliefs that are specific to our own local church or denomination. Help us to stay focused on our Lord Jesus and His purpose for us as His children. Help us to seek unity among all true believers. 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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MERCY OVER JUDGMENT

 

 

James 2:12,13

 

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" NIV

 

"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." KJV

We will all be judged by the plan of salvation that has delivered us from the prison of sin. Knowing that, we are urged to live like we have received this grace and mercy by not being judgmental toward others. It is in our human nature to judge, but we have been set free from our human nature so that we will live in Christ. If we want God to be merciful to us, we must be merciful to others. Judgment delivers what we deserve. Mercy pardons.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for those times we judge others. Let our hearts be stung when we set ourselves up as judge. Help us to show mercy, even when we know it is not deserved. After all, You showed mercy to us when we did not deserve it. We ask this 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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BODY BUILDING

 

Ephesians 4:13

"Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." NIV

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith,and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." KJV

The Lord has provided ministers of the faith in order to build up the Body of Christ. The finished work God intended for His Church is that we first of all be unified. Until we can get past our traditional beliefs and denominational thinking, we will keep struggling to reach unity in Christ. The Lord intends for us to become knowledgeable of the things of God so that we will be more like His Son. If we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, we will learn and we will grow.

Heavenly Father, how far we are from being the Church You would have us to be. Help us to hunger for the likeness of Christ, to be attentive to those who have been entrusted to teach us, and to seek unity with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. 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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CREATE AND RENEW

 

 

Psalm 51:10

 

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." NIV

 

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." KJV

When God creates a new heart it means He has made something that did not formerly exist at all. Our natural hearts are far from pure, and He is the only one who can do this miraculous creating. Furthermore, God is the only one who can restore us from our unholy, fallen condition. If we pray for a pure heart and renewed spirit, He is more than willing to give them to us abundantly.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of renewal in our hearts. Help us to remember the marvelous miracle of salvation that made our hearts new. Search us and show us any impurity in our hearts so that we can confess it, repent, and stand before You with clean hearts. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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UNFOLDING

 

 

Psalm 119:130

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." NIV

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." KJV

When we unfold a tablecloth, we take each fold and open it up. Layer after layer, we carefully lay each layer out flat until the whole piece of cloth is opened and the shape and pattern are revealed. Are we this careful when we read the Word of God, when we listen to the Word of God? Or do we just look at a compact square of folded cloth, that unless it is unfolded, it cannot be used. If we go inside of the words God has given us to grow and mature, we will find precious treasures of God's knowledge and wisdom. He longs for us to hunger for His Word.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for taking the Word of God for granted. Forgive us for failing to get into Your Word on a regular basis or even neglecting it. Put a burning hunger in our hearts to unfold and enter in to Your Word. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we will have the light of understanding and we will grow in Christ. 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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THANK YOU

 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." NIV

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." KJV

We thank You Lord for the greatest gift of love, salvation through Jesus Christ. We thank You for being the God who never changes, who has all power and all glory. We thank You Father for allowing us to have all the things we need and many of the things we just want. We thank You for loved ones and the joy of fellowship. We thank You for protection from the difficult weather and dangers of this world. We thank You God when sickness strikes, You are there with Your healing balm to get us through. We thank You that when sickness or situations take our loved ones from us, You are there to comfort us and give us hope that we will one day see them again. We thank You Father that when financial crises come our way, it opens the door for You to show Your grace and mercy to provide for us. We thank You Lord, that the Holy Spirit brings us peace and comfort when relationships are bad. We give thanks that You help us to humble ourselves and seek to make things right. We thank You for the beautiful gift of nature that speaks of Your awesomeness. God, we can't thank You enough FOR all the blessings and IN all the troubles; they are too numerous to recall. Most of all, we thank You for being the One true God, eternal love, who concerns Himself with each one of us in all things we experience in this world.

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks in spite of the bad and for all the good. Help us to always have hearts of thanksgiving, not just today, but every moment of every day for ever. 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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RID OF THE OLD LIFE

 

1 Peter 2:1

 

"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." NIV

 

"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings."

The Word of God is clear about getting rid of all remnants of the old life. This includes attitudes of the heart, such as: unholy ill will, intentional dishonesty, false spiritual appearances, resentful jealousy, and malicious gossip. These things linger and will surface if we do not make a clean break with our life as it was before we accepted Christ.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of Your grace to get rid of the old things in our lives that keep us separated from You. Help us to be aware that these old ways will crop up in our lives again and again, but that You will help us by the power of the Holy Spirit within 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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GOD'S MERCY

 

 

Isaiah 30:18

 

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" NIV

 

"And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you, for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him." (KJV)

It is a wonderful thing that God waits on us to change our hearts from living for ourselves to committing our lives for Him. He shows us such mercy in His waiting so that we can receive His pure love and blessing. When we truly understand this, we will lift His name up as never before. We will never forget what a gracious and merciful God we serve.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for ignoring Your love and mercy when You so freely offered it to us. Give us hearts of thanksgiving and praise for your unending love. We can only give You our lives to show how truly grateful we are. Help us to always know all that is good comes from You. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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POWERED BY GOD

 

2 Peter 1:3

 

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." NIV

 

"According to His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." KJV

Our spiritual life in Christ is 100 percent powered by God. We cannot claim any credit. Because He has given us this power, we are responsible to be diligent and respectful of it by staying in ongoing communion with Him. Without this ongoing communion with our Lord, we are of no more use than an unplugged lamp.

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for Your endless supply of power that we need to make it in this world. Help us to stay mindful of it with respect and with hunger to stay connected by prayer and reading of the Word. 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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WINGS OF SAFETY

 

 

Psalm 36:7

"How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings." NIV

"How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of they wings." KJV

The Lord God has never failed us. He has never turned His back on us when we have come to Him with a contrite heart. He is love and has always loved us even when we could not have cared less. There is no doubt or fear that God's love is faithful and can be relied on no matter what. We can run to Him for cover just as the little chicks run to the mother hen and hide themselves under the safety of her wings. What peace and security!

Heavenly Father, how we stand in awe of Your unfailing love and grace toward us. You have shown us over and over throughout time that You are faithful. We thank You and praise You for being our haven of safety, for providing the shadow of Your wings to protect and keep us. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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AMAZED

 

Luke 9:43

"And they were all amazed at the greatness of God." NIV

"And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God." KJV

When Jesus walked the earth, he spent much time with the people, teaching them and performing amazing miracles in their sight. The many extraordinary things that He did made the people look on in amazement. If it weren't for the fact that they saw these things with their own eyes they might not have believed them. What about us today? We are not first hand witnesses to the mighty things Jesus did while He was here on this earth. How can we believe that He really did such things? We didn't see these things with our own eyes. For those who are alive spiritually and look with spiritual eyes, many more amazing miracles are happening around us every day. Some will call them coincidences. Some will completely overlook them and take no notice at all. As Christians, we have the privilege to witness, by faith, through the Spirit, the wonderful workings of our God.

Heavenly Father, how blessed we are to watch and see the marvelous things You do around us every day. Those who lived in Jesus' time and saw first hand were amazed. Today, we are even more amazed at the might power of miraculous things You work each day in us and around us. We humbly praise You and thank You for this. In Jesus' name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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SWEET MINUTE OF PRAYER

 

Luke 6:12

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." NIV

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." KJV

When is the last time you or I spend a whole night in prayer? Some of us remember the lovely hymn "Sweet Hour of Prayer." Not too many people these days even take five minutes to really get alone with God to pray. Jesus went off to a quiet place and prayed all night. The next day He chose twelve men that He would teach and prepare to carry the Gospel message to the world. In our world today, there are so many important things that require us to spend time alone with God to accomplish His will. If Jesus felt the importance of choosing this team deserved a whole night of prayer, how much more should we be in our quiet places, with our hearts turned to Him in prayer, for those who are perishing in this evil world.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for being so lax in our prayer life. Forgive us for hurrying through our time with You so we can get on with our lives. Give us a hunger for prayer and the burden of the needs around us. Help us to be more like Jesus, and take time to be in communion with You. 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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AS A SOUL WINNER

 

Jude 22,23

 

"Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." NIV

 

"And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." KJV

Some people are skeptical and indecisive. As Christians, we are to approach them with kindness and understanding when sharing the Gospel. There are others who are hardened and don't want to listen. We are to use all Godly means to persuade them, and approach them with fervor, as though warning them they are about to fall off a cliff. We are warned to be careful so as not to get so close to the edge of the cliff in sharing the Gospel, that we fall from it ourselves.

Heavenly Father, we pray for more boldness to tell the good news of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear it. Give us a hunger pray that their hearts will be ready to hear. Fill us with love and discernment to know how to speak to people in love and fervency. Thank You for allowing us to share such a wonderful gift, the free gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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FOLLOW THE LEADER

 

Luke 5:27

"After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth, 'Follow me,' Jesus said to him." NIV

"And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me." KJV

How many of us have said or heard someone else say, "I just don't know what God wants me to do." Some just wait for some kind of voice that will tell them. Some spend time in prayer asking God over and over what to do. While it is a good thing to study the Word, pray, and wait patiently, for God's direction, we can be doing His will right now. If we just do the things Jesus Christ did and the things He said, we will be doing what He wants us to do. Then, when He calls us to a special work, we will be ready. Let's just follow Him.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for holding back until we get a clear personal direction from You to move forward. Thank You that You showed us the way by sending Your Son to live and teach us how we are to live every day. Give us hearts of readiness as we walk in His ways so we will be ready for those greater moments You have for us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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IN STEP WITH GOD

 

Psalm 37:23,24

 

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." NIV

 

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." KJV

The Lord always responds to those who are careful to walk in ways that are pleasing to Him. This is not an easy walk. It is the straight and narrow path. There are many ruts, bumps, and obstructions on this walk that pleases our God. He is faithful to watch and reward each step by providing security and sure footing. Even if one stumbles, which is sure to happen in this world, the Lord will hold him up with His own hand.

Heavenly Father, we stand in great need of Your watchful eye as we walk in the way that is pleasing to You. Help us when we get stuck in ruts, get rattled by the bumps, and get discouraged at the obstacles that get in the way. Show us the way and let us see You so we will know that we are in step with You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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THE NATURE OF LOVING AND GIVING

 

 

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." KJV

God loved us so much that He gave. He gave of Himself because He is love. He put the love He had for us within us, so we have His love in us. It would only be reasonable to conclude that as Christians, our very nature is to give out of love. This does not mean only giving of money and material things. Giving out of love means giving of our time, our talents, our possessions, our wants and needs, and our blood if needed. If we love with the love our God loved us and put within us, we will lovingly give out of all our resources.

Heavenly Father, how can we ever praise You enough for Your great love that gave us the most precious and costly gift in all of eternity? Help us to accept Your love and giving that You long to put within us and be more like you: those who love so much that they give. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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