PRETENDING PURITY

 

Jeremiah 9:25

 

"Behold the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh." ESV

 

Circumcision of the flesh is a physical act representing the covenant between God and His people to be a pure, separate, and holy people. The Lord has declared to us that circumcision of the heart is a personal covenant that occurs when we commit our will over to Him. We can attend church regularly, know the Bible inside and out, and talk the Christian talk, but not have hearts that have been circumcised. If that's the case, then we are merely dressed up to look like Christians; we are imposters.

 

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and reveal to us any false pretense, any hypocrisy, any impurity that remains in our hearts. We desire to be washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ and to serve You with circumcised hearts. We pray in His precious name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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BE ALERT FOR FALLING ROCKS

 

2 John 1:8

 

"Watch yourselves so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward." ESV

 

There is no room for complacency in the Christian life. We are warned over and over to be alert to the dangers that destroy our faith. Living in the Spirit every day will keep us alert and ready on that day when He comes bringing the reward He promised to us.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask you to help us to walk in Your Holy Spirit, that we will be wise and alert. Help us to stand strong and to not fall into the things of this world that rob us of our faith. In Jesus' name,

Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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SMOOTH TALKERS

 

Isaiah 5:20

 

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." ESV

 

When someone has a hardened heart, there is a lack of acknowledging and caring about the difference between right and wrong. There is no shame in sin or evil. Whatever feels right and serves the self is the guide. It is frightening to know how easy it is to get deceived by someone like this. The manner is persuasive and the talk flows smoothly and convincingly. In a moment, wrong doesn't seem so wrong, in fact, it doesn't seem wrong at all. If we are in constant fellowship with the Lord, talking to Him and reading the Word, we will have discernment when smooth, evil talkers come our way.

 

Heavenly Father, increase our hunger for Your Word and Your presence in our everyday lives. We stand in need of discernment in this evil world and we cannot have discernment without the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Increase our faith, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS GIFT?

 

 

John 3:16

 

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

 

We have been given the most marvelous, yet critical Gift of all times and it is up to each of us, individually, what we do with this Gift. Will we trade it in for something more self satisfying and prestigious so we will appear more successful? Will we simply tuck it away in the attic, the basement, or a closet with the intention of doing something with it later? Or will we accept it in faith and joyfully wear it in our hearts, taking it wherever we go, and sharing it with others? Our decision is eternal. If we reject and ignore, we will perish. If we accept it and believe, we will live forever and ever.

 

Heavenly Father, of all the gifts that have ever been given, the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, is the greatest and most important Gift in all of eternity. We gladly accept this Gift and pray we will freely share it with others. We pray for those who have not or will not accept it, that the Holy Spirit would convict their hearts and prepare them to receive this wonderful and most precious Gift. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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KEEP YOUR HEART PROCESSING THIS

 

 

Luke 2:19

 

"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." ESV

 

Mary knew she had just given birth to God, Himself, born in the flesh, the long awaited Messiah. The greatest of miraculous things happened over the course of His birth and the heavens were opened and the celebration there was phenomenal. Mary did not leave that stable thinking this was just a wonderful experience now we must go back home and live our normal lives. No! She knew the infinite value of what had taken place. She recognized the amazing treasure of which she had been chosen to participate. Mary kept it all fresh in her mind, thinking on it all the time. Are we like Mary, or is the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ a mere remembrance during special times or when someone else recalls it?

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for letting our minds wonder away from the greatest gift in eternity to the mundane and temporary thing of this world. Give us hearts and minds like Mary so that we will treasure our Lord and always meditate on Him. In His name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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THIS IS IT!

 

 

Luke 2:10,11

 

"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" ESV

 

The plan of salvation has been set in place from the beginning. It was known by Adam and Eve in the garden when God told them about Christ coming to crush the head of the serpent. All those who believed God looked forward to this day. The humble birth was revealed in the writings of the prophets, yet the world was still astonished at the lowly meager way the Messiah, the Christ entered the world. We cannot fully understand the astonishing wonder of it, but we can rejoice that He came. He did it for us.

 

Heavenly Father, how do we thank You enough for this day, when You became flesh and walked with us. Help us to give ourselves for Your pleasure. We cannot match this gift You gave to us. We can only give you all we are and all we have. In the name of Jesus, Son of God, Holy Father, Prince of Peace, Amen.

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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THE BIGGEST PARTY EVER!

 

Luke 2:13,14

 

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"

 

Do we really get the significance of what took place in that humble stable? It was so significant that a great multitude of angels came celebrating, rejoicing and praising God. His plan had come to pass. He left His throne in eternity and arrived in this place called time, becoming human flesh, so that He could walk with us and show us how to live eternally. Jesus did not come to save the angels, look how they celebrated! He came to save us! How much more we have to celebrate than they!

 

Heavenly Father, our minds can't fully understand just how magnificent Your birth into humanity was. What an awesome plan to bring us back into the right relationship with You. You loved us that much, to give up the throne of eternity, to become one of us. Oh, Lord, open our hearts to the grandeur of this news so that we can celebrate even more than the angels did on that night. We pray in the name of Jesus who came to us as one of us that night, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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ORDINARY NIGHT, EXTRAORDINARY NEWS

Luke 2:9-12

 

"And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

 

And the angel said to them, 'Fear no, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

 

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'" ESV

 

The announcement of the Savior's birth by the Angel of the Lord was a most exquisite, majestic, and glorious appearance we cannot begin to duplicate in our minds. But this awesome phenomenon was displayed for a few lowly shepherds tending their sheep on a hillside, on what seemed to be an ordinary night.

 

Heavenly Father, coming to earth and becoming one of us in such a strange way just shows us that You are the God who has no plan to take the world by storm. But You came in a humble way to live among people and reveal the Truth so that hearts would be so moved the Truth would spread throughout the whole world. What a glorious God You are to have this way of assuring that thousands of years later, we would still be marveling and sharing the Truth. We praise You and pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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THE VOICE

Mark 1:2,3

 

"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" ESV

 

John grew, staying in the desert to prepare for his mission. He attracted crowds with the message of repentance and getting ready for the soon coming Christ. By the grace and mercy of God, He gives us a the message, a voice to open our hearts and minds to His plan. When John had used his heart and his voice to prepare those who would hear, he decreased. He dropped out of the limelight so the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, could be the shining Star.

Heavenly Father, we are so blessed with the gifts You give so that we can be witnesses to the Gospel. Forgive us for being so caught up in our successful ministries that we fail to remember who the only Star of this life really is. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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PRINCE OF PEACE IS HERE

Isaiah 9:6

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ESV

 

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, slipped into this part of eternity called time so that we would have the Way to have peace with God. Now we will be able to slip out of time and into eternity with Him forever.

 

Heavenly Father, how we praise You for Your perfect love that You became flesh and brought us Peace that will last throughout eternity. Help us to accept that Peace so that we will be with You forever. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LOWLY AND HUMBLE ENTRY

 

 

1 Corinthians 1:28,29

 

"God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." ESV

 

It was God's plan to have His Son enter humanity in a lowly and humble way. The lesson to learn here is that royalty and riches in the Kingdom of God have nothing to do with material things.

 

Heavenly Father, let this time we celebrate the birth of Immanuel, God in flesh, remind us of the important things in life. Riches and pleasures of this world are not what brings us true peace, joy, and eternal life. We bow humbly in Your presence and ask that we remember what is truly important. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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NO ORDINARY NIGHT

 

 

Luke 2:8

 

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." ESV

 

 

Just as ordinary night. The same schedule of work and routine. But, the most extraordinary event in all eternity was about to happen just minutes away.

 

Heavenly Father, we seem to get stuck in the rut of our daily routines and we fail to see the wonderful workings of Your hand all around us. Open our eyes and our hearts so that we will see the wonderful things You do around us every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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NO ROOM

 

 

Luke 2:7

 

". . .there was no room for them in the inn." ESV

 

During busy times it is likely we will be distracted from and indifferent to things that are important. We, like the innkeeper in Bethlehem, overlook the most important thing in our lives. When we get so busy with the things of this world that we have no time for the One who came to save us, we lose the only way to have eternal life.

 

Heavenly Father, we confess that we allow the things of this world to keep us too busy for You. Forgive us and fill us with hunger for You and Your Word, that we will walk with You all the time. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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Are you like the innkeeper who said, “no room”? 

Isn't this the tragedy of our time?  We keep turning Him away

…the most important Person in all of history. The only One that can save

us and change us is often rejected by our distractions and indifference.

Too busy, not enough time, no room. (Dr. Tom Benjamin)

Read Luke 2:7

NECESSARY INCONVENIENCES

 

 

Luke 2:4,5

 

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

 

Many times we are called to do difficult and inconvenient things. Our natural tendency is to become stressed and frustrated. How much better would it be in those times if we remember that God is in control, and He always works to fulfill His plan for His people.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for becoming irritated for the inconveniences that we face in our lives. Help us to recall that Your ways are higher than ours and these things will happen, but You always work them out for our good and Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PAYING IT FORWARD

 

Luke 2:39-41

 

"And in those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." ESV

 

There is no limit to what God can do when we share the blessings and miracles of God in our lives with others. It continues a chain of the moving and miracles of God in those with whom we share.

 

Heavenly Father, we have failed to even recognize many of the blessings in our lives. Forgive us for being so caught up in the problems and circumstances around us. Help us to be open to the Holy Spirit who will bring to our minds the wonderful things You give us every day. May it bring us such gratitude and joy we can only share it with others. Let the blessings flow, we pray in the name of Jesus

Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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SAY WHAT!

 

 

Matthew 1:20,21

 

"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'" ESV

 

It is difficult and even frightening to receive knowledge or information that we don't quite understand and we're positive others will not understand. If God's hand is in it, there is nothing to fear. Like Joseph, we accept by faith and walk forward, because God is working something glorious through our lives.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for not getting out of our comfort zone when You have prompted us to do so. Help us to motivate one another to build up the faith, so that we will be ready to go forward with whatever You call on us to do. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE

 

Luke 1:29-33

 

"But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.'" ESV

 

Gabriel's visit to Mary was just as surprising and troubling to her as it would have been had he visited you or me. He told her she would be giving birth to the Savior of the world.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to always remember that You speak to us in many ways, at the least expected moments, and with astounding messages. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT A PERFECT GIFT!

 

John 10:10

 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." ESV

 

Christ Jesus came into this world for a reason. He came to pay the price for our sins, the sins that should have been ours to pay. Because He did this for us, we can live our lives here on earth in victory over the evil that abounds here. And we can live in eternity forever with Him. What a gift!

 

Heavenly Father, only Jesus Christ could have paid the price for our sins and we stand humble and grateful before You for this magnificent gift. Help us to honor this love poured out on us every day of our lives. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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THEY TOLD US EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM

 

 

Luke 24:44

 

Then He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." ESV

 

The Old Testament was written over a period of 1000 years and written hundreds of years before Christ came to earth as a man. It contains hundreds of prophesies concerning the coming Messiah, all of which were fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that reveals Truth and gives us blessed assurance that You made the way for us to reconciled to You through Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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HUMAN GOD?

 

 

Colossians 2:9

 

"For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." ESV

 

How can God, the creator of all things, eternal and all powerful, be a man? How could there ever be a human man that is God? In His infinite majesty and most profound mystery, God became flesh and blood. Fully God, He left His throne on high and was born fully man in an animal stall on a dark, still night. Fully God and fully man, He came to show us how to live. What a joy that is for us!

 

Heavenly Father, we cannot fathom the great mystery of Your incarnation. We are in awe of such a God who would come to the people He created to save us and show us how to live. We praise You and magnify Your name forever and ever. In Christ's name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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WE ARE IMITATORS

 

 

3 John 1:11

 

"Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from god; whoever does evil has not seen God." ESV

 

We are either imitating good or evil. It does not show in what we say, but in our everyday actions. If we are imitators of good, we will be loving, kind, seeking to do good, sharing the grace and mercy of God to others. If we are imitating evil, we are unfeeling, judgmental, impatient with others, thinking of ourselves first, and striving to become more like we want to be rather than what God wants us to be. What kind of imitator are we?

 

Heavenly Father, we know that our hearts and minds get blinded by things of this world. Open our hearts and minds so that we can examine ourselves to see what we are really trying to be like. Our desire is to imitate good, so that we will be more like You. By Your grace and mercy, help us to do that. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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TENATIVE PLANS

 

Proverbs 19:21

 

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." ESV

 

It is a good feeling to have plans, dreams, and goals for our lives. However, we cannot forget that it is God who has already made plans for our lives. He will use our plans, or make alterations to our plans, or may totally disregard our plans. That is not a problems for those who have completely entrusted their lives to Him.

 

Heavenly Father, in our human nature we tend to make plans, appointments, and schedules. You know we are on enemy territory where distractions and busy lives keep us running to and fro. Help us to place all our plans into Your hands and wait with faith and anticipation for Your plan to unfold in our lives. We know You have wonderful things in store for us. We praise You and pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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