DON'T SUBMIT TO THAT AGAIN!

 

 

Galatians 5:1

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." ESV

If we were to walk down a road and fall into a hole, would we not be so thankful that someone came along and pulled us out and be careful not to go near that hole or even that road again? Why then, do we sometimes fail to stand firm in our faith and freedom in Christ and end up repeatedly going back to those former, ungodly things that held us captive? It's not that we forget. It is that we allow our spiritual life to become complacent and we do not stay alert. The Word of God tells us over and over to stand firm, be alert, and watch.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing our walk with You to become commonplace. Help us to stay alert and stand strong so that we don't go back to our old ways that mastered us before we accepted You as our Saviour. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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FREEDOM FROM THIS, TO DO THAT

 

1 Peter 2:16

"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." ESV

Usually when we think of freedom, we think of the ability to be able to do whatever we want to do. That is not freedom, that is license. The freedom we have in Christ is twofold: He has set us free from the stronghold, bondage, slavery of sin. Sin no longer has a hold on us. Therefore, we are free to say no to sin, resist temptation, and to keep control over our bodies and minds. True freedom is being able to do what we know is right. Then when we lay our heads down on our pillows at night, we have peace, free of guilt.

Heavenly Father, we cannot thank You enough for the price You paid to set us free. Forgive us for taking advantage of that freedom and using it as a license to do whatever we want. Help us to understand true freedom in Christ. We pray in His precious name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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UNEQUALLY YOKED

 

2 Corinthians 6:14

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" ESV

To be harnessed together with those whose beliefs and life practices are in opposition to our own Christian beliefs and spiritual practices is sure disaster. The best that can be expected from this kind of committed relationship is antagonism, dissension, confusion, compromise, and division. God's Word tells us not to enter in to a committed partnership with an unbeliever. There is valid reasoning for this warning!

Heavenly Father, how we stand in need of Your forgiveness for entering into relationships of various kinds with unbelievers. We understand that we will live next door, work alongside in our jobs, and encounter unbelievers every day. But we know that it is against Your Word to enter into a close partnership with them. Help us to watch and stand firm to keep our close associations Godly. For those who live with unbelievers, we pray for Your grace and mercy to be upon them so that they might live Godly before the unbelieving ones and draw them to You. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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DECEIVED, WHO ME?

 

1 Timothy 4:1

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teaching of demons." ESV

It would be difficult to believe that Christians would intentionally follow after demonic influences. The problem is, the demonic influences of these last days are so subtle that they appear to be the One and Only Truth. This places Christians who are not alert, watching, and fully equipped with the armor of God in grave danger of being deceived. It is the gradual drifting away, the unnoticed, seemingly harmless little deviations from the Truth that will catch many. It doesn't have to happen to us! We are told by the Word to stand firm, be alert, and put on the whole armor of God.

Heavenly Father, we stand vulnerable to being deceived if don't stay alert and close to You. Help us to stay in prayer, the Word, and communion with You so that any subtle presence of deceit will stand out to us like a sore thumb. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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HATRED VS LOVE

 

Proverbs 10:12

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." ESV

Hatred sets loose all kinds of negative, destructive emotions, intentions, and behaviors. Hatred makes room for resentment, jealousy, anger, divisions, and revenge. Love sets free forgiveness, understanding, compassion, and those Godly things that restore and unify. It makes room for all those things our God has freely given us to live in love and harmony with our fellow men.

Heavenly Father, forgive us if we have any hatred or anything that it allows in our hearts. Cleanse our hearts, Lord, so that we will have only room to let You love fill our hearts and we will produce good works that glorify You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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LOOK UP

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." ESV

Because we live in the now and there are many things that grab our attention, it is easy to lose sight of the things that will matter for all eternity. If we keep our minds on eternal things, the distractions of this temporary world will not only pale in comparison, but will take their rightful place in God's eternal plan. This will give us peace and tolerance as we walk through this life.

Heavenly Father, we pray for Your grace and mercy so that we will keep bringing our minds back to the eternal things and stop focusing on the things of this world, that are temporal. We ask in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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FOLLOW THE PATTERN

 

 

2 Timothy 1:13

"Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." ESV

Imagine we are watching two different homes being built by two different building companies. The houses are completed and we see that one house if built perfectly fitted together with a strong solid foundation. The other has many flaws and incomplete parts, with an unbalanced foundation. Which builder would we hire to build our house? It is the same with the narrow way of the Cross that leads us to eternal life. The pattern set down for us in His Word is the pattern we will choose if we want to live in eternity with Christ.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of forgiveness for trying to follow our own way or the ways of those who present what seems to be a sound theology. Give us discernment to help us resist unsound doctrine and teaching. Lead us by Your Holy Spirit to a life built on Jesus Christ, the Rock. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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THE FORGIVEN FORGIVE

 

 

Colossians 3:13

"...bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." ESV

God's love and forgiveness is what brought us back into right relationship with Him. What excuse do we have for refusing to show compassion and forgiveness to those who have wronged us? We are commanded to pass forgiveness on. And, if we have the Holy Spirit, we will desire and move to pass it on to the unlovely.

Heavenly Father, bring to our attention any unforgiveness we have in our hearts. Work in us by the Holy Spirit to forgive and let go of resentments and unforgiveness. While we don't always forget the wrongs done to us, may we be examples of Your love to those that are offensive and treat them with love and good works. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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GOD'S DISCIPLINE

 

 

Job 5:17

"Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty." ESV

Being disciplined can be a very unpleasant thing. But when the Lord is the one doing the correcting, we can be sure that it is for our good and for His glory. His discipline is a blessing that we learn to accept and appreciate as we grow in His love.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for complaining and for not accepting the discipline You lovingly but firmly take us through. Help us to see that it is a gift of correction, direction, learning, and growing in Your knowledge and wisdom. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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SEE TO IT!

 

 

Hebrews 12:15

"See to it that so one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it man become defiled." ESV

We are to be diligent to watch out for those who fail to walk in God's grace, since we are all easily tempted and vulnerable to our fleshly desires. Being a bad example, poisoned with bitterness spreads it to those around us and results in damaged testimonies and in contaminated witnesses of God's truth. One bitter person, who is walking by his/her own reasoning, not God's, can lead others away from the truth of God and destroy them spiritually. This is not an argument for the possibility of losing one's salvation or not. But this is a warning for us to watch for those who come around us that are evil hypocrites who can weaken immature Christians and prevent sinners from coming to Christ.

Heavenly Father, how we stand in need of You to search our hearts, that we are free of any hypocrisy and evil so that we will not spread poison to the Body of Christ. Help us to be alert to those who are false Christians so that we can stop them from spreading evil among us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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FREEDOM IN GRACE

 

Romans 6:1

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" ESV

We know that the grace God gives us includes total freedom in Christ. There are some who are deceived into believing that once we are saved by grace through faith, we are then free to live as we want and it will all be forgiven because we are living under grace. The Word says, this is not so. If we have truly received the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will not be able to live in sin. Oh, yes, we may sin and fall into temptation, but the Holy Spirit will convict us and we will repent and turn from the sin. If we are living a sinful lifestyle or persisting in any sin, we are not alive in the Spirit, but are still dead spiritually because of sin residing in us.

Heavenly Father, how we thank You and praise You for Your amazing grace. Show us our hearts and lives that we may examine ourselves to see if we are dead to sin and alive in our spirit. Help us to remember that Your grace sets us free to say no to sin and to freely resist temptation. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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GOD'S PLAN IN GOD'S TIME

 

 

Read Esther 4:14

"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" ESV

Many times we wonder why we are in certain situations, why are we here? How can anything good come from this? Surely, God has forgotten us or has not listened to our prayers. How can God really love us and put us in difficult or perplexing circumstances? Brothers and sisters, God has a plan. His plan will come to pass and He orchestrates it through us and through circumstances. Though we do not see the purpose now, it will be made very clear in His time.

Heavenly Father, it seems we try to figure out in our own limited minds just what You are doing when situations happen that we don't understand. Forgive us for doubting and for questioning Your workings. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and walking in faith. We pray in His name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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DANGEROUS RICHES AND WEALTH

 

1 Timothy 6:9,10

"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." ESV

Those who spend much time seeking after material things are most vulnerable to giving in to temptations in order to get more. They become trapped in their search for riches, making unwise decisions that eventually destroy their financial health and worse, their souls. Loving to be rich or loving to acquire material things is the source from which many evil things come.

Heavenly Father, You have told us that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be. Forgive us for keeping our attention on accumulating things here on earth so that we will be like others and we will appear affluent and acceptable. Give us hearts of temperance and moderation so that we will be healthy money wise and our souls will be kept safe. We pray earnestly in the name of Jesus, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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LOVE, OBEDIENCE, AND JOY

John 15: 9-11

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." ESV

The Lord loves us as the Father loves Him. We are to stay abiding in His love. To stay abiding in His love, we will obey what He tells us to do just as He obeyed the Father. If we obey Him, we will be complete and filled with His joy. His joy is what allows us to be able to stand firm in this life.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of Your grace to be obedient and to walk in Your love as You have commanded us. Give us an unquenchable hunger to love and obey as Christ did so that we will have Your joy that gives us all the strength we need. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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PERILOUS TIMES

 

 

2 Timothy 3:1

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty." ESV

This warning cannot be stressed enough. In these end times, all events are unfolding unleashed evil, dangers, tribulations, and devastation. But still, we witness and hear of the devastating things that happen and we ask "why?" The Word tells us these things will happen. Terrible things. Things that are unfair, shocking, and very difficult to understand. Be alert! Be prepared by seeking close communion with the Lord. Continue to trust in God and walk by faith, not by sight.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for questioning the things that go on around us and wonder if You are aware of them at all or if You even care. Help us to understand that these things are taking place in a cursed world of sin and rebellion against You and that the evil one is the ruler of this world. Help us to see that our disdain is to be directed at him. Give us a stronger desire to stay in close communion with You, to trust You, and to walk by faith. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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IT IS FINISHED

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 5:7

"Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." ESV

It was the custom every year at Passover that the lambs were brought to the priests at the temple to be slaughtered and sacrificed for the sins of the people. Thousands of lambs were killed. When the priests came to the very last spotless lamb to be killed and it's body mutilated, the High Priest made a loud, long, expected announcement,"It is finished."

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for sending the blameless spotless Lamb to be the final sacrifice for our sins. We stand in awe that He is not only the final sacrificial lamb, for all time, but He is our High Priest who made the announcement that "it is finished." Help us to keep our hearts and minds aware of how great a sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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BETHLEHEM, TOWN OF SHEEP

 

 

Matthew 2:6

"And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." ESV

Bethlehem was a small town in Judea where a great many shepherds tended and bred sheep. Each year at Passover, thousands of spotless lambs were taken to Jerusalem to be sold as lambs of sacrifice for the Passover. Was it not meant, then, that the Perfect, Spotless, Sacrificial Lamb of God would come from Bethlehem?

Heavenly Father, we have so many expectations about Your workings and we anticipate You to move when we pray. Help us to not look for You to act in ways we have designed in our own minds, but to be open and waiting for You to bring to pass that which You will by Your own ways and times, just like You did with Jesus, our risen Lamb. In His name we pray, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WE DO IT GOD'S WAY

 

 

Deuteronomy 8:17

"Beware lest you say in your heart, My Power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth." ESV

We work for what we have and have accumulated what we have, because the Lord has provided the way and the strength for us to do it. We cannot forget that what we have is not ours, but it all belongs to Him. It's best we don't get too attached to "our things."

Heavenly Father, forgive us for taking credit for the things we have and the positions in life we have achieved. Help us to humbly remember that it is only by Your grace that we are what we are and have what we have. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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BEGINNING AND END

 

 

Revelation 21:6

"And he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." ESV

In Christ, God's plan was totally fulfilled to perfection. Christ became involved in living on earth as a human in time from the beginning of time and He will be here at the end of time. Our Lord Jesus Christ will give living water to those who believe in Him. Jesus Christ paid for it all and we have been given the rewards of it all. How He loves us!

Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Jesus Christ into time to fulfill the plan of salvation You set in motion from the beginning. Help us to have open hearts and minds to receive all that You have freely offered to us. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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TIME IS CHRIST FILLED

 

 

Colossians 1:18

"And he is the head of the body, the church, He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." ESV

Christ was born into time, although he existed in eternity. He went before us through death and resurrection so that He would be the first to be resurrected to eternal life. Christ is the first, above all, surpassing all, and superior to all.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of the Holy Spirit to help us even begin to understand just how majestic and all encompassing our God is. Help us to take time to be still in Your presence that we might know more of Your most awesome nature. We pray in Your Son's name, Amen.

        

©2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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