STAY AWAKE

 

 

Mark 13:37

 

"And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." ESV

 

Of course our physical bodies require certain amounts of sleep to renew and replenish. Spiritually, the Lord directs us to stay awake, alert, because the enemy is constantly and subtly seeping deception into our lives. Our protection against these deceptions is to be aware, watch, and discern. We do that by keeping close the our Lord, always being filled with His Spirit, studying the Word, and being with fellow Christians who are committed to staying awake as well.

 

Heavenly Father, we confess that we sleep at times in our spirits and become easy prey for the enemy. Give us that hunger and perseverance to stay alert at all times, so that we will not be deceived. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

GOD BLESS THE OTHER GUY

 

 

Numbers 6:24-26

 

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." ESV

 

It is a sacrificial gesture of love to ask for God to bless others. When we do this, it shows our own right relationship with the Lord and our desire to see Him bless and protect others. Ask the Lord to keep His face toward others, smiling on them in His never ending grace and mercy. Pray for the blessing of peace on them that is so rare in our times. What a beautiful way to bless and pray for each other.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for always seeking Your blessings for ourselves. We confess that we are more self-centered that we want to admit. Give us Your Spirit of loving others so that we will pray Your blessings on them continually, knowing that You are already pouring out Your blessings 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

NOT WORTH CONSIDERING

 

Romans 8:18

 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." ESV

 

As Christians, we pray that the Lord makes us as pure wine poured out for His glory. The problem with us is that when He starts to squeeze the grapes, we begin to holler, cry, and ask Him why He is doing this to us. He told us we would have troubles in this world, but time is so fleeting, it will all be as nothing when we see Him.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for our weak faith when we get into troubled situations. Help us to recognize that they are so very temporary and not even worth worrying about when we compare them to what You have in store for 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

SHARED HUMANITY

 

 

Hebrews 2:14

 

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil." ESV

 

Christ became human flesh and blood for the specific purpose of being the sinless sacrifice for our sin. If He would have remained fully God, He would not have been able to die. With a body such as we have, Jesus died and took the control of death from Satan. Now Satan cannot taunt us with fear about death and hell. By His death, Jesus Christ the door for us to pass through into eternal life.

 

Heavenly Father, we cannot even fathom how You went through this life without sin, though You were human like us. Give us eyes to see the reality of what You gave up for us, and by doing so, gave to us everlasting life. In Your 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

NO ROOM FOR EXCUSES

 

 

1 Corinthians 10:13

 

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." ESV

 

When we sin, we can never say we couldn't help it. We can never blame someone or something other than ourselves. When we are tempted, there is a point where we are able to make the choice to refrain from sinning. Yes, there is that point, because God said He won't let us be tempted to the point we have no choice but to sin. He always makes a way for us to escape.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for making excuses for our sins. We ask for a greater hunger for the gift of discernment so that we will be aware of that way of escape You have made for us. Thank You that we can choose not to sin. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

CLOSE TO THE WATER

 

 

Jeremiah 17:7,8

 

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." ESV

 

Water is the vital source of life for every living thing. A tree planted by water, near the banks, is made strong and enduring from the nutrients and refreshment. The tree will stand strong with healthy roots through any type of weather, mild or harsh. Likewise, the Lord is absolutely trustworthy as our source of life and renewal through any circumstances we might encounter. We can plant ourselves close to Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we give You praise and glory for the bountiful richness You supply to us. Help us to draw nearer to You so that we will be stronger and more fruitful by Your presence. 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

ONLY ONE

 

 

Isaiah 44:6

 

"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.'" ESV

 

There are not many roads to eternal life. Not all who worship a god worship the true God. There are many false religions and prophets. If they do not recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah, Lord and Saviour of the world, as God's one and only Son, they are paths that lead to destruction.

 

Heavenly Father, we recognize You as the sovereign God, Creator of all, from all eternity. We put our faith in Jesus Christ, Your one and only Son, as our Lord and Saviour. We are blessed to be able to worship You, the One True God. 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

CONCISE DIRECTIONS

 

 

James 4:7

 

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ESV

 

God will never force us to obey or serve Him. We are free to choose willingly to make ourselves subject to God's authority. Likewise, the devil will continually make attempts to taunt and tempt us, but we are free to resist him by faith in God and he (Satan) has to leave us alone.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We give You all we have and ask that You use it all for Your glory. We rejoice that Satan has no hold on us and we are free to resist him. In Jesus' precious 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

NO BIG DEAL?

 

 

Isaiah 57:11

 

"Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me?"

 

It may seem that God is silent, sitting way up in the sky, taking it easy, just loving everyone and being all right with whatever they do. Wake up! God is very watchful and waiting for as many who will, to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. God sees that some of us have become lazy in our Christian lives, shirking responsibilities, compromising with the world, and becoming diluted in our faith. God will not remain silent. He will call us to give an account by using the standards He set for us through Jesus Christ.

 

Heavenly Father, we bow on our faces in humility and desperate need for Your forgiveness of our complacency as Christians. Give us that discernment we need to sense the urgency of Your return and how we need to reach everyone we can with the Gospel. We pray in the blessed name of Jesus, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

I LOOK CLEAN TO ME!

 

Proverbs 30:12

 

"There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth." ESV

 

It is so easy to see ourselves as clean, doing really well as good Christian folks, when we compare ourselves to others whether Christian or not. Unfortunately for us, God is not holding us accountable for how we compare to other humans. We are accountable to be like Christ. When we compare ourselves to Him, we don't look clean at all, do we?

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for looking at others and comparing how much better we are than they are. Help us remember that our standard for Christian living is Jesus Christ and the way He showed us how to live in this world. Give us spiritual insight to shed off the pride we have in ourselves. 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

LIFE INSURANCE

 

 

John 17:15

 

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." ESV

 

When we take out auto insurance, we do not keep our vehicles in the garage to keep from having accidents. We take them out on the road, and with insurance, we know any accidents will be covered financially. We have spiritual insurance, or should we say, assurance, that our Lord will keep us from the evil one who seeks to destroy us. We cannot hide inside our homes so that we will not be tempted and tried. With God's insurance, we can be courageous and go out as He commanded and be lights for Him in this evil world.

 

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for being the sovereign God who is in control of everything. Forgive us for our fear and insecurity that keeps our lights hiding under cover. Give us what we need to be able to live in this evil world and yet shine as lights for You. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

CONTENTMENT AND CHAOS

 

 

Philippians 4:12

 

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." ESV

 

True contentment is not affected by the state of things going on around us or to us. If it was, we would seldom, if ever, know contentment at all. In the most desperate of circumstances, we can find God working to teach us, prepare us, increase our faith, and make us more mature. Just knowing God has a plan and that He is in control gives us true contentment that nothing or no one can take away.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for so often focusing on the things going on around us and letting those things cause us to worry and fret. Help us to increase our faith by reading the Word, prayer, and being around other Christians. Keep us focused on the truth that You are in control and that You have everything worked out. 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

LOGS, BOARDS, AND SPLINTERS

 

 

Luke 6:41

 

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" ESV

 

How often do we pray for the Lord to search our hearts and reveal to us any thing that is there that is not pleasing to Him? Probably not very often, perhaps we might see something we don't want to see. If we really want to apply this scripture, we need to understand it goes much further than telling others what they are doing wrong without checking our own lives. How many of us read the scriptures or a devotional or listen to a message and never fail to think of someone else that should be reading or hearing this? How many of us believe it our Christian duty to let others know they are doing wrong, when it actually interferes with the work the Holy Spirit has been doing? Remember, anything unpleasing to God that we can detect in others is something we ourselves are capable of doing. We can seek the Lord to help us with those things in us and let Him use us, if He chooses, to speak to others.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for taking the easy way and just letting others know when they are doing things wrong. Help us to have the courage to allow You to expose any unpleasing thing within ourselves and then to change it by Your grace. Give us sensitivity to Your Holy Spirit to know when we are to speak to others and when we are to keep quiet and let You work. We ask 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

HUSH UP ABOUT THAT

 

 

Proverbs 17:9

 

"Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends." ESV

 

Love is active, it is always being and doing. Exposing an offense committed by someone is also active, always being and doing. It is better and pleasing to the Lord to act with love. This way we will be letting go of the offense or keeping it between ourselves and the offender, which will keep the door of unity open for reconciliation and forgiveness. Talking about the offense to others will serve to deepen the wounds, spreading strife to other people.

 

Heavenly Father, we so desperately need Your grace to be able to cover offenses directed toward us. Help us to keep these matters between You, us, and the offenders so that we can work toward forgiveness. Make us aware when we are about to repeat the offense to others and the consequences that could bring. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

IT'S ALL OR NOTHING

 

 

MATTHEW 22:37

 

"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind.'" ESV

 

If we love the Lord with our whole being, how will that manifest in us? Like this: There will be nothing that can compare with our love for Him. There will be no thing we would hold onto that He wants us to give up. There isn't anything we would not do for Him. There is no one we would rather fully know and be with than Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that You will search our hearts to see if we are holding on to things, things we are not willing to do, or things that are more important to us than You. We seek to love You with our whole being and we can only do that if we open our hearts to let You in to have perfect control. Fill us with Your love and give us that love for You that only You deserve. 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

HIDDEN HORROR AND SHAME

 

 

Proverbs 26:24,25

 

"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart." ESV

 

Some people can make themselves look very wonderful, giving, and charming.  Without the gift of discernment, most of us will believe these people and get blind-sided by their evil ways. In this day and age, discernment of deception should be on the priority list for every Christian. The Word says that in the last days, even the very elect will be deceived. There is a great battle for the souls of every living human. We don't have time to get caught in the snares of people around us who are wolves in sheep's clothing.

 

Heavenly Father, oh how we need the gift of discernment. Forgive us for being complacent about about the world around us. Give us the true sense of the urgency that exists in this world of deception that will take us to eternal darkness. Help us be aware of those around us who seem wonderful on the outside, but have deep hatred and bitterness in their hearts. We trust in You, Lord, to fill us with Your Holy Spirit that will guide us into all truth. 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

THE DEVIL DID NOT MAKE YOU DO IT

James 1:14   "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires." ESV   We've all been carried away with one thing or another is our lives. To be tempted is to be exposed to something we really want and have a deep longing for but we know it is wrong and should not have it. To be carried away is to be literally picked up by something and taken away by it. It is our own desires that cause us to sin. We lose our watchfulness and give in to our human senses so that we will feel pleasure. That is definitely from Satan, but it is our own weakness that causes us to give in to it.   Heavenly Father, we are in need of Your forgiveness for allowing our selfish desires to carry us away, so that we lose that wonderful intimacy with You. Help us to take responsibility for our sins and to remain in watchfulness so we don't get carried away by them. 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

OUR TROUBLES ARE OUT THE WINDOW

 

 

Psalm 34:19

 

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." ESV

 

So many buckle in their faith when adversity comes their way. There are always questions as to why God would allow these bad things to happen. We live in enemy territory. We are in active battle with the enemy and there are going to be setbacks and problems. Jesus Christ is our commander and it is an honor to serve Him in this world. There is no need to complain about our afflictions and waver in our trust that the Lord will deliver us completely.

 

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that You are our Commander in Chief in this army against the devil. Forgive us for complaining and losing faith and trust in You when things go wrong and we are suffering. We desire to focus on You and the perfect eternity that awaits us so that these earthly afflictions will seem as nothing. 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

WANNA SEE GOD?

 

 

Hebrews 12:14

 

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." ESV

 

The watered down gospel today tells us that since God is a god of love, He would never send anyone to hell. Unfortunately this is a lie direct from Satan that deceives many each day. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, and if we have truly put our faith in Him we will bear His fruit. These are not works we do on our own. The fruit is a natural expression of the life of Christ in us. Peace and holiness will pour from those of us who have true faith in Him and we are those who will see our Lord for eternity. God never sends anyone to hell. They choose it rather than let God control their lives.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for those times we do not show peace and holiness because we have let our faith grow complacent and cold. Give us the urgency of the danger of being in this state. Help us grow in Your grace that we will have the faith in You that will produce the fruit of peace, and the holiness like Christ had when He walked this earth. 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

SOMETHING SOLID TO STAND ON

 

 

1 Corinthians 3:11

 

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." ESV

 

A foundation is the base on which everything else stands. As Christians, our foundation is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Everything we do must come from this foundation. We are to stand on it, build on it, and grow from it. Allowing personal ideas and philosophies of the world to enter in to our building of faith is destructive and will not stand up under the hand of God.

 

Heavenly Father, we confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Help us to be alert and watch every thing we add to the foundation of our lives. Show us when we are adding our own ideas or those of others. Keep us focused on You so that our foundation does not become weak. Help us to hunger for You and Your Word so that we will build on Jesus Christ alone. 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

END OF OUR ROPE

 

 

Job 6:11

 

"What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?" ESV

 

Have we come to the end of our rope and realize we are helpless to do anything about our situation? If so, it is then, we can get out of the way, and God can do His mighty work in our lives.

 

Heavenly Father, we seem to always get into circumstances that are too overwhelming for us and we hang on by a thread to keep from giving up. When these things happen to us, and they will, give us the power of the Holy Spirit to look to You, put our trust in You, and let You do for us what You have wanted to do all along. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

 

 

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER

Titus 1:16     "They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work." ESV     People like to talk and some like to talk so that they will be believed. There is a rude awakening for those people. When we communicate with others, they will pay attention to only 7% of the words we say, 38% of how we say it, and 55% of our behaviors they see. Be careful about saying the right words and not living them. No one likes a hypocrite and our God sees those who do this as useless.     Heavenly Father, search our hearts and minds and show us if we are saying one thing and doing another. Help us to have actions  consistent with the words we speak about our faith. We pray that we will be useful for Your kingdom. 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