WE'RE LIVING IN ENEMY TERRITORY

 

 

1 John 5:19

"We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." ESV

Being humans, we still ask God why terrible things are happening to us and to other good people in this world. We seem to forget that we are only travelling through this world. We are not not citizens of this world, nor are we even of this world. We are, however, confined here, in enemy territory, so that we can be lights in a dark world. Whatever tragedy happens to us here is a wound from the enemy. He would love nothing more than for us to question our God and to forget we are in enemy territory. What happens here is temporary. We are just passing through. Some of us will enter the gate of eternity maimed, ragged, and torn. But once we enter the portal of heaven, we will be made perfect, like Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that we are not of this world, but that we are passing through here now. Help us to be aware that we are in the enemy's territory and in danger of attack from every side. Give us strength and courage to keep going until we see Your loving face. We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WARNING! THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST IS HERE!

 

 

1 John 4:3

"And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." ESV

In present times, tolerance has become the ruling law of the world. As Christians, we are in danger of being weakened in our faith by lovingly accepting everyone else's way of believing so that we do not offend them. Our law of Love keeps us from putting down another person. But, we are to test what we see and hear, thereby rejecting beliefs and philosophies that do not acknowledge Jesus as the Christ. Living for Christ, we will speak and live the truth of the Gospel to everyone, everywhere. At the same time, antichrist will be out there quickly spreading deceit, masking the Truth.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of the power of the Holy Spirit to be discerning to the lies of the antichrist. Help us to accept the boldness to speak and live the truth of Jesus Christ no matter where we are or who we are around. In Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHT?

 

 

1 John 2:9

"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness." ESV

If someone is in the dark long enough, his eyes begin to adjust to the darkness and he is able to see enough to identify things. Unfortunately, the same holds true in the Spiritual realm. Those who are deceived will say they are walking in the light because they can see just a little. But the true state of their heart is revealed when they open their mouths and speak words of scorn, being fed up with, repulsed, done with, having no use for, and detesting another person. Worse yet, they are still deceived into thinking they are in the Light.

Heavenly Father, what an awesome God You are. We recognize we are but dust and easily deceived. Search our hearts and reveal any hatred that hides as a stow-away in us. By Your grace, let us acknowledge it, confess it, and repent so that we will not be in darkness, but walk in Your light. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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HIGH WAYS

 

 

Isaiah 55:9

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." ESV

Often times we believe that God should work within the boundaries of our human reasoning. When we do that, we tend to see things going very wrong, not at all what we asked from Him. Our prayers seem to have hit the ceiling, and we wonder why God is so far away He cannot hear us. Listen! We are commanded in the Word to bring our concerns to Him, but we are not commanded to tell Him how to take care of these things for us. We are only to trust in Him, to know He is in control, and to know that He hears us. He will take care of it all His way, not ours.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for expecting You to answer our prayers in the way we think You should. Help us to leave our petitions at the throne of grace and trust that You will take care of it all in Your way. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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IN PRISON BY OUR OWN DOING

 

2 Peter 2:19b

"For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." ESV

We all have something that has gotten the best of our thoughts, emotions, and bodies. We have been taken over by something that was able make us cave in to our weaknesses. If we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord and do not walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are in danger of becoming prisoners of our own inability to conquer and stand strong against whatever would try to take us captive. As children of the King, we are overcomers. None of us should be held as slaves of this world.

Heavenly Father, how we need Your forgiveness for letting down our guard and giving in to those things that take us away. Help us to be alert and equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we will not be taken captive by the things of this world. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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ANGER COLLECTION

 

 

Ephesians 4:26,27

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." ESV

Anger is a normal emotion that all of us experience whether we admit it or not. There is no sin in being angry. The sin rushes in like a flood when we express it in an ungodly way. One of the most common ways we mishandle our anger is to hold on to it, rehearse it over and over in our minds, dwell on it, and feed it with intensity. It is then that the evil one seizes the opportunity to add his mixture of venom to it and easily takes control. Now the stage is set. The anger has festered and needs an opportunity, any opportunity, small or large, to release its' destructive force. The result is really the same as would be seen in the expression of those who are easily angered and vomit their poisonous anger right where they are.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that we are fearfully and wonderfully made with an array of emotions. You have created us with the emotion of anger to be used for Your purpose and Your glory. Forgive us for using it to express our own personal feelings and agenda. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we will bring our anger under the blood of Christ that it might be used in Godly and glorifying ways. 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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YES! GOD WANTS EVEN YOU!

 

 

1 Timothy 2:3,4

"This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." ESV

There are many who believe that God doesn't want them. They believe they have been placed in the rejection bin because they are just too far gone for God to accept them. Take heart, those of you who struggle with this belief! Repeatedly, God says in His Word, "Whosoever will may come," "Whosoever believes," and "anyone who opens the door to me" He will accept. The blood of Christ, which is God's gift of love and mercy, covers any sin and provides salvation to every soul who will trust Him and take Him at His Word.

Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. We pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of those who feel they are un-savable and to draw them in faith to Your loving arms. Use us, if You will, to be vessels of love reaching out to those who will accept the Truth of Jesus Christ. We pray His holy name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

 

 

1 Corinthians 1:10

"I appeal to you brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." ESV

If all Christians everywhere were united in thinking and purpose, the power and love of the Bride of Christ has for Him would explode in this world, breaking through the very gates of hell. Unfortunately, the Church is busy dividing itself by differing on less important interpretations of scripture, doctrine, traditions, and theological beliefs. What would be the remedy for this? It would be all Christians everywhere returning to the One and Only Truth that matters: Jesus Christ and Him crucified!

Heavenly Father, how Your heart must weep at the way Your Church has broken up into different groups based on many things that will not really matter in eternity. We pray earnestly for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to unite all true believers in Christ no matter how or where they came to know You. Help us to lay aside those things that won't matter when You come back for us. Unite us in Your Spirit so that the true purpose of the Church will be fulfilled. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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HEY JUDE!

 

 

Jude 3

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." ESV

If we are contending for the faith, that is, faith in Jesus Christ, then we are wrestling against anything that would threaten that faith. We would be taking a stand against any human power or entity that questions or degrades our faith. In addition, we would be battling any thought, imagination, or temptation that would distract us from the narrow path of truth. So, actively take a stand for the faith!

Heavenly Father, we live in a world where being different is ridiculed and misunderstood. Forgive us for not standing up for our Christian faith in times of testing. Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit to stand strong and ready to defend the faith You gave so much to allow us to have. We pray in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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YOUR SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS SHOWING!

 

Proverbs 24:10

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." ESV

A famous quote by Dwight Thompson states, "A crisis does not build your character. It only reveals it." So many of us are able to exemplify the life of Christ in our lives when things are going fairly well. It is when great adversity comes to us that our real Christian character is seen. Our responses in times of difficulty is a direct indicator of the true faith we have gained in our Christian walk.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of forgiveness for the times we respond to tragedy as if You were powerless. Give us an unceasing hunger to be more Christlike, having on Your armor, so that we will rise above any adversity. Help us to be vessels of Your almighty power no matter what happens in our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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IT'S THE LAW!

 

 

 

Galatians 5:18

"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." ESV

The law is a set of rules that govern a community or group of people so that order is maintained and the rights of people are not violated. Why do we need laws? Because the human default mode is to do what seems the most profitable for the self. We can see what results this has on our world. Being governed by the Spirit is an attitude of the heart committed to obeying God. In doing so, by His nature, we will be doing those things that are good and right, orderly and respectful, pleasing to the Lord. If we allow the Spirit to lead us, there is no need to worry about breaking any of man's laws.

Heavenly Father, how we pray for the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit so we can stop doing things our own way and begin to walk in the Spirit. Forgive us for the problems we have caused by living under the direction of our human natures. Help us to continually walk in Your Spirit, living the law of Love. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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TRY TO PREDICT GOD?

 

 

Isaiah 43:18,19

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." ESV

We are taught by human experience that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. This principle does not hold true with God. While our Creator will never go back on His Word, we cannot predict or limit Him to the same ways of working like He did in the past. We can be sure that God can and will do that which seems impossible to the human mind, like making something out of nothing and calling into being those things that do not exist.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for trying to put You in a box and expecting You to act in the ways we expect. Help us to accept that You know exactly what we need and to trust You to work all things out for Your glory and our good. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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GOT LOVE?

1 John 4:20 "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he as not seen." ESV The divine principle of God's love is quite simple. Our ability to love God is a divine gift from Him. His love flows from Himself, through us, and to those around us. If we are holding on to resentment and ill will toward others, we have not tapped into that source of love that is from God and is God. Because He is love. Heavenly Father, we cannot fathom the priceless love You shower so generously over us at all times. Search our hearts for any resentment or ill will against others that stops this magnificent flow of Your divine love through us. Cleanse us so that we will be vessels of love pouring out to others all that You shower on us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.           ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

WHAT'S THE WORD?

 

 

2 Peter 1:20,21

"Know this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." ESV

So many skeptics of the Bible use the reasoning that it is merely words written by men and what they believe. That same reasoning was used back in the time of the Apostle's. How can those who are not spiritually alive ever understand the things of the Spirit? How can they understand that the Holy Spirit works and speaks through human beings who are faithful and open to Him? We know that the Word of God is inspired by Him and Him alone. Those who wrote down the words, wrote what the Holy Spirit told them to write. From the world's view, that sounds foolish doesn't it? However, from the eyes of those with the light of Christ, the truth of God's Word is more real than this page displayed before our eyes.

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for Your Word given to us through men inspired by Your Holy Spirit. While it is foolish to those in darkness, we revel in the Light Your Word gives us to know You and to walk in this world victoriously. In Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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DON'T SWERVE OFF THE ROAD

 

 

Hebrews 10:23

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." ESV

Many times we are guilty of expecting the Lord to respond to our prayers the way we think He should and in the amount of time we think it should take. When God does not respond in the way we have asked Him, we become discouraged. We begin to think God isn't listening or doesn't care. The truth is, our God has given us the responsibility of being stable and patient in our faith, knowing He will keep His Word.

Heavenly Father, we stand in need of learning how to pray. Help us to know that prayer is an interchange of communion with You, not a list of things we need You to do for us. Give us that unwavering faith that keeps us strong until Your answer comes. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WHY ARE YOU ASKING?

 

 

James 4:3

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." ESV

How could anyone think we would pray for the Lord to feed our passions or desires? The Word is pointing right to us. When we pray, we ask that our problems be solved, so we don't have to go through them anymore. We ask for financial relief in spite of having made unwise financial decisions. We asked for mended relationships with the belief that God will change the other person. We want everything to be comfortable and peaceful. Have we forgotten that we live in a cursed world that bombards us with everything but comfort and peace. Should we rather be praying that the Lord increases our faith, strengthens our perseverance, and helps us grow spiritually through all that we experience?

Heavenly Father, You have instructed us to pray. Forgive us for making our prayer time a list of things we need You to do for us. Fill our hearts with overflowing love and thankfulness for Your unending grace and with the wisdom to know You will work all things out for Your glory and for our good. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WE ARE SO IN DEBT

 

 

1 Thessalonians 4:7

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ESV

When we confess our sin and believe by faith that Christ died and rose again to redeem us from our sin, He is our Saviour. He did not intend for us to stop there and "be saved" and keep on living like we always have. He requires that He become our Lord and Master as well. If we are living a holy life, it is our testimony that we truly believe He is our Saviour.

Heavenly Father, how we praise You and thank You for our salvation You secured for us at the cross. We thank You and praise You for giving us all we need to live a holy life showing the world You are our Lord and Saviour. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WRONG VERDICT

 

 

1 Peter 3:17

"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil." ESV

In the world today, evil things are seen as "all right" and Godly things are seen as evil. The Bible speaks of things getting this way. What an honor it is to be guilty of doing right and Godly things. The eyes and judgments of men will usually leave us with a guilty verdict. Christians are seen as rigid, being intolerant, and being hypocrites. God knows the truth and so do we. We can accept the guilty verdict from men and walk on in peace.

Heavenly Father, how we praise You for giving us the courage to live in Godly ways. Forgive those who see us as being guilty. Help us to keep their verdicts from making us falter. We praise You that the blood of Christ has rendered us innocent. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WHAT'S FEAR GOT TO DO WITH IT?

 

 

Psalm 56:11

"In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?" ESV

The greatest hindrance and disabling factor of our success in the Christian walk is fear. Fear can so overpower our faith and keep us from being effective witnesses and from growing spiritually. This fear can be as simple as a rejection by family and friends if we bring up spiritual matters. We have brothers and sisters around the world who suffer much worse than peer rejection for their faith. They lose more than their pride. Anyone who would reject, ridicule, injure, or even kill us for our faith only touch the temporary. God is the Guardian of our soul, which is eternal. What is there to fear from man?

Heavenly Father, some of us have no idea what our fellow Christians over the world have suffered in Your name. Yet we fear even being rejected or humiliated for our faith. We ask for the fullness of the Holy Spirit to lead us into the truth of our total protection against anything man can do to us. Help us develop the courage and perseverance to do Your will in any circumstance. Help us overcome our fear, we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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IS THAT DOOR OPEN OR SHUT?

 

 

Revelation 3:7

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens." ESV

It is God who opens and closes the doors in our lives. Often times we bring our requests to Him and He has the door closed. We tend to just sit there. If we just keep going and do what He has asked of us, we will soon find the open door He has provided for us. He knows what we need and will provide it for us. Remember, He is in control.

Heavenly Father, sometimes we lose sight that You have a perfect will for our lives and we tend to give up when the answer is slow in coming. Renew our faith so that we will keep walking in the light You have given us until we get to that open door. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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WHAT A WAY TO WALK

 

 

Galatians 5:16

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." ESV

True Christianity is living our lives continually under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Then we will be bearing spiritual fruit and using the spiritual gifts God has freely given to us. If we keep ourselves walking right, staying on the true path, we will be able to overcome those temptations and pitfalls that hound us every day.

Heavenly Father, You know that we are but dust and that we tend to stray off the path and become dull to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Forgive us and renew the fervent fire of the Holy Spirit within us, so that we will stand strong and keep walking the right way. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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OLD FAITHFUL

Luke 16:10   "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." ESV   True faithfulness has absolutely no trace or touch of dishonesty. There is never a gray area when it comes to being faithful. We are faithful in all things, small and large, or we are merely frauds.   Heavenly Father, search our hearts and reveal to us any unfaithfulness within us. Help us to face it, confess it, repent, and become Your true faithful servants. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.           ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only