SOMEBODY TURN ON THE LIGHT!

 

 

Psalm 97:11

 

"Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart." ESV

 

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and turn from being our own sinful god, He will breathe into us the seeds of light, being able to see with our spiritual eyes. The joy this brings to our souls will overflow into all that we think, say, and do.

 

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for Jesus Christ who took the punishment for all we have done against You. Give us more fervor to open our spiritual eyes to see the light You have given us, and to experience the joy that this brings. We want to live our lives so that others will be drawn to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHO ARE WE FIGHTING?

 

 

Ephesians 6:12

 

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." ESV

 

 

We are not fighting and struggling with people. We are fighting against the natural, sinful spirit that all of us were born with because of sin. We are fighting with the powerful, dark, spiritual army of Satan's kingdom that currently prevails on earth. We cannot understand the magnitude of this battle, nor can we fight it on our own. We can survive and overcome the eternal death of this war only by the power of God and the armor He supplies us to protect and conquer.

 

Heavenly Father, we confess that we are but weak humans who get so caught up in the environment we're in that we forget what we are dealing with. Help us to stay spiritually minded to see beyond what our senses are telling us, and to be fully clothed in Your armor to overcome for Your glory. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.

 

 

 

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE CAN GET WHATEVER WE WANT?

 

 

 

Psalm 37:4

 

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." ESV

 

Does this mean God will give us whatever we want? Well, first we will be delighting ourselves in the Lord. What does that mean? It means we will be conscious of Him, eager to know Him, imitate His ways, commune with Him, and making His will our desire. If our hearts are truly right with God, we will no longer desire personal gratification, not that He won't bless us with that, but we will live to serve and please Him.

 

Heavenly Father, how humbled we are by the way we send up our list of requests for the things we want and for circumstances to go our way. Give us that hunger to focus on You and Your will for us. Help us to let go of our selfish wants and allow You to bless us according to Your grace and mercy. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I SAID THAT?

 

 

Psalm 19:14

 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." ESV

 

Because we live within the boundaries of this world, we are exposed to the ideas and communications that are contrary to Godliness. Too often, without even being aware of it, we allow the things of this world to invade our thoughts and speech. Our God will help us keep watch over our thoughts and speech if we ask Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we confess that we have had thoughts and said things that would not be pleasing to You. Forgive us. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we might be alert to what we allow into our minds and speech, so that all we think and say will be pleasing to You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE'VE GOT A TWISTED VIEW

 

 

Isaiah 53:4

 

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." ESV

 

 

 

Remember the story of the young girl who was ashamed of her grandmother's hands because they were scarred, blemished, wrinkled, and twisted? The young girl would look away and try to keep her friends from seeing her grandmother's hands. One day the young girl asked her grandmother about her hands. Her grandmother told her the story of how she grabbed the young girl who had caught fire by the wood stove and put out the fire with her hands. Now read today's verse again.

 

 

 

Heavenly Father, we ask Your forgiveness for our sins that drove the nails into Your hands at Calvary. Forgive us for looking the other way and not accepting that You did that to save us. Give us hearts of praise that we will lift up Your name and the grief and sorrows You carried for us there. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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IT'S THE INSIDE THAT REALLY COUNTS

 

 

Isaiah 66:2

 

"All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." ESV

 

The most elaborate and ornate churches, temples, and shrines are only impressive to the human senses. God is not impressed with them at all. After all, He made the awesome universe. What gets God's attention as the most beautiful temple, is the individual that is humble in spirit. One who grieves the sin in this world and gives total respect to the things of God.

 

Heavenly Father, continue to work with us on our perspective of what is really important. Help us to keep our human senses in control and keep our lives humble and in communion with You. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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NO WEAPONS CONTROL HERE

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 10:4

 

 

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." ESV

 

 

How often do we forget that we are not fighting against people, or groups, or an organization, or a country? Yes, there is true earthly conflict that is real and deadly. But the reality is these conflicts are only an earthly manifestation of the conflict of an inferior evil trying to overcome an all powerful Good. We get caught in strongholds, prisoners of war so to speak. We can break loose of this by remembering to put on the armor of God. The forces of evil cannot prevail against that.

 

 

Heavenly Father, show us that what we see with our human eyes is only a result of what is happening in the world of the spirit life. Help us to use the power You have lavishly given us to take down these strongholds and bring glory to Your name. We pray this 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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GOT SALVATION? GOT STRENGTH?

 

 

Isaiah 30:15

 

 

"For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." ESV

 

 

We all want the benefits God has promised to those who trust and obey Him. Sadly, many of us are not willing to do the thing that will guarantee that happening. We don't want to let go of our own control of things, our possessions, our own ways. There is only one way we will have eternal life and the strength to get through this earthly life. It is by repenting and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It's the only way.

 

 

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and show us those places we have not allowed You full control. It may not be what we want to see, but help us to see beyond that to the great eternal reward that waits for us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHY OUR ARROW ISN'T GOING TO HIT THE TARGET

 

 

Hosea 7:16

 

 

 

"They return, but not upward; they are like a treacherous bow . . . . ." ESV

 

 

 

If we went out to an archery range to target practice and you had a perfectly straight and precise bow and I had a bow that was even slightly out of line, a bit bent, who do you think is going to hit the target? Why would we think that we should be seeing the fruits of our labors or getting our prayers answered when our spiritual lives are not aligned with Christ and have spots of the old self still clinging.

 

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for trying to live the life You desire without fully giving ourselves over to You. We still have parts of the old self causing us to be out of line and staying off course. Help us to see what we need to correct and give us the courage to straighten up, so that we will be on course with You. 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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NO FEAR HERE

 

 

2 Thessalonians 3:3

 

"But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." ESV

 

Even unbelievers admit that lawlessness and evil has been unleashed in this world. There is no escape from it, except to call on the Lord and trust Him. He has promised He will watch over us. We can fully trust Him to take care of us. There is no other person or entity that can be trusted, only our God, Him only.

 

Heavenly Father, how we praise You for being God, who never leaves us or forsakes us. We take comfort in knowing You are will us always and will protect us from any evil that seeks to destroy our souls. Let us have open hearts, clear eyes, and wisdom to know You are here and we don't need to be afraid. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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IN A NUTSHELL

 

 

Micah 6:8

 

 

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." ESV

 

 

Often we sit and wonder just what it is we are supposed to be doing for the Lord. We pray and we do not get a clear answer. He has told us in His Word, in a nutshell, what we are to be doing. He requires us to be always fair and just, to long for and seek after kindness, and to live our lives humbly as we walk daily with Him. Such a simple request, but we spend our whole lives aligning ourselves with it.

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us everything we need to meet your requirements. Forgive us for not meeting up to Your expectations, but You know our hearts and we trust that You are working within our lives and surroundings to bring us to this place You want us to be. We pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GOD GAVE US WHAT?

 

 

2 Timothy 1:7

 

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." ESV

 

 

 

The Gospel was not given in the same way as the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, where there was great fear and trembling. The Gospel came through the unfathomable price of Jesus Christ loving us so much that He died for us so that He could take the punishment for our sin. If we acknowledge that we are in need of salvation from our sin, accept what He did on the cross for us, turn from sin and follow Him, we will have the power to love as He did, and the courage and wisdom to live the life of righteousness.

 

Heavenly Father, we forget that we have the same power, love, and wisdom that You have if we walk solely in Your Holy Spirit. Help us to increase our faith so that we will let You fill us with Your power, fearlessness, and wisdom. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHO TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR US?

 

 

Romans 14:12

 

 

"So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." ESV

 

 

 

There are dozens of ways we can put the blame for what we have done on other people, circumstances, or something we just make up in our heads. The truth is, we can excuse and rationalize our thoughts, feelings, and actions all we want, but we will be totally responsible for them to God, no excuses.

 

Heavenly Father, reveal to us each time we try to shift the responsibility for ourselves to some other source. Search our hearts for excuses and logic that prevent us from taking ownership of all we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

 

 



©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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HE KNOWS US

 

 

 

Job 23:10

 

"But he know the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold." ESV

 

We do not understand the ways of God, but He knows our ways. We have the wonderful gift of choice. Sometimes we take the wrong way. Others may fail to understand our ways, but when we choose God's way, He honors us. He will examine all the choices we have made, and when we pass the test of true faith, we will emerge with the reward of everlasting life.

 

Heavenly Father, even though we know that Your ways are higher than our ways, we still choose to do things our way. Forgive us and help us to put our total trust in You, so that we will walk in Your way. It may not make sense to us or those around us, but we will pass the test of 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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LOVE PRAYS FOR ENEMIES

 

 

Acts 7:60

 

"And falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep." ESV

 

 

 

How easy would it be for us to pray for someone who was harming us, slandering us, robbing us, plotting against us? In our human nature, it is impossible. But when we are following the Lord in the power of His Spirit, we can love our enemies and pray for them.

 

 

Heavenly Father, we fall so short of the sacrifice of praying for those who are against us. It is far easier for us to fight back, taking action to get them before they get us. We praise You for saving us and filling us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can love those who hurt us and pray for You to forgive them. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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HERE COMES THE JUDGE

 

 

Romans 12:19

 

"Beloved, never avenged yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." ESV

 

It is truly in our natural selves to get even with those who have wronged us. Most often, our revenge is far worse than the wrong done against us. We get even out of the emotions of hurt and anger. The Word tells us to keep our emotions under the power of the Holy Spirit and let the Lord take care of what is rightfully His: vengeance.

 

Heavenly Father, we so often allow our natural selves to rob You of what is Yours. Getting even is not ours to do, even though we sure do feel like it is. Forgive us for robbing You of what is rightfully Yours and setting ourselves up as judge and jury. You will take care of all the wrongs done against us in Your time and in Your way. Thank You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LISTEN UP!

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 2:1

 

"Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it." ESV

 

The Gospel message of Jesus Christ is of such infinite importance to our eternal future, that it should be in the very front of our minds and continually the deepest concern for us. There are many things in this world to distract us from this most important message. If we consider the glory and dignity of the One who gave us this message of eternal life, we will make every effort to keep our hearts and minds from getting side tracked.

 

Heavenly Father, when we consider what You did for us on the cross, we bow in humility that we let the world and its' concerns pull us away from the most important concern. Increase our faith and awareness of the message of eternal life You freely gave us, so that we will not drift from it, but will carry it wherever we go and share it with others. We ask this 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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COMPLAIN COMPLAIN COMPLAIN

 

 

Numbers 11:1

 

 

"And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp." ESV

 

 

If we were not living in the time of God's grace, we would all be consumed by His anger because we tend to complain about the big things and the small things. Things are not going to always go right, nor will we always believe life is fair. But, we are living in enemy territory. We are in a temporary place, no matter how difficult, waiting for a perfect, eternal place. We can always praise God for that.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for complaining about things in our lives. We fail to keep our eyes on You and Your goodness to us. Help us to keep focused on the eternal, spiritual things that will matter and not this world that will waste away. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT IS OUR PLAN?

 

 

Isaiah 14:24

 

"The Lord of hosts has sworn: 'As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.'" ESV

 

Whether we make plans for our day or for our lives, it is a very wise thing to make sure these plans are tentative. God may have other plans for us and His plan trumps ours.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being in control of our lives. Help us to make our plans with the knowledge that You may have a totally different direction for us. Show us how to be ready to change the plan, whether it is a plan for today or for our whole life's journey. In the name of Jesus' we pray, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GOD SEES, AND YES IT IS A BIG DEAL

 

Proverbs 5:21

 

"For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths." ESV

 

When we are about to do something we know isn't right, we do our best to hide it, disguise it, and make certain no one sees it. Let's not be fooled here. God sees every move we make, every move. He studies what we think and do and makes rightful judgment about it. If we confess and repent, God is faithful to forgive us. If we continue to do those hidden, sinful things, God will allow us to reap what we have sown.

 

Heavenly Father, You have promised us we will never allow ourselves to get into a situation where we have no choice but to sin. Forgive us for putting ourselves in situations where we choose to sin and find we are stuck in the mire. Just as Your eyes are on our ways, help us to have open eyes and willing spirit to stay on the path that leads to righteousness so that our lives will be pleasing to You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHEN TO COME AND WHEN TO GO

 

 

Numbers 9:17

 

"And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped." ESV

 

In our human condition, we tend to make changes when we get bored, or feel we need a change from our run of the mill lives. We forget that the Lord plants us where we are for a purpose and when that purpose is fulfilled, He moves us on to another place. We cannot plan our lives on our emotions and moments. God will let us know when it is time to make changes. His timing is perfect. Our waiting is a demonstration of the faith we have in believing God knows what's best for us.

 

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for Your infinite wisdom that You share with us when we need it. Forgive us for moving ahead of You, dishonoring Your plan for our lives. Help us to wait and help us to be ready to go. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE KNOW WHERE WE STARTED

 

Isaiah 51:1

 

"Listen to me, your who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which your were hewn, and to the quarry from which your were dug." ESV

 

For those who are serious about following after righteousness, God says to recall where we were when He called us. He brought us from hopeless conditions from which we could not save ourselves. If we remember what He did for us, we will be more humble, attentive in our walk with Him. He will provide us with compassion and understanding for those who are still stuck in their mud pit.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for forgetting the place where we were wallowing when You rescued us. Help us to keep Your rescue of us in the front of our minds as we come across those who are still struggling. Give us wisdom to know what You would have us do to help them so that they will have reason to rejoice and never forget where they were when You rescued them. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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