FUTILITY: KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES

 1 Timothy 6:6,7 "But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." ESV 

We get so attached to the things of this world. We compare ourselves to others by the things we have and the things they have. These things are going to wear out; they will break; they will become outdated; they are all temporary things belonging to a temporary, decaying world. Why not get attached to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? He will be with us here and throughout eternity.

 

Heavenly Father, we need You to help us keep our eyes on those things that are eternal and to keep from getting distracted by the glamour of temporary material things of this world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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HE IS OUR SAVIOR, IS HE OUR LORD ALSO?

 Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices." ESV 

We can wait with contentment and acceptance when we have truly given our lives over to the Lord. He has gone before us and has worked out everything in His time and in His way. Wait and see! We will give Him praise and glory for the amazing things He does in our lives. We don't need to get uneasy or upset because there are trials. Nor do we need to worry when we see ungodly people having a seemingly smooth life. They will reap what they sow.

 

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that Your ways are right and just. Strengthen our faith, draw us to the

Word, and give us an unquenchable desire to commune with You. We recognize we are in critical need of allowing You to not only be our Savior, but to be our Lord. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FULL STEAM AHEAD

 Romans 12:11 "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." ESV 



As Christians, we don't have any lack of work to do, nor do we have time to waste. There is an enormous harvest waiting and so few who are willing to work. We cannot allow ourselves to become lazy, complacent, or distracted. Let's find ourselves fervently going about our Father's business.

 

Heavenly Father, we can only maintain our spiritual fervor by your grace and mercy. Help us Lord to stay fervent and focused on the work at hand as we walk minute by minute toward Your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 ©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FREE INSURANCE

 

Psalm 18:35

 

"You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great." ESV

 

To have the shield of God's divine protection is to be safe in His care though all trials and tribulations. Our God gives us His power and courage to stand strong in the face of danger. There is nothing we have done to deserve this kind and generous favor of God in our lives. It is only because of His great love and grace toward us.

 

Heavenly Father, we can never earn or deserve the favor You lavish on us. We can only offer our lives to You as witnesses of Your mercy and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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SAYING NO BECAUSE WE CHOOSE TO DO SO

 

Titus 2:11,12

 

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." ESV

 

Jesus Christ is the Grace of God sent to provide salvation for everyone, everywhere, at all times. No one is excluded except those who choose not to receive His free gift. If we accept this gracious, free gift of salvation, we are free to say no to sin, impurity, immorality, and ungodliness, the ways of the world. It's not that we are bound by a set of rules to stay away from these things. We are set free to choose to stay away from these things. Without salvation, we are imprisoned to be caught up in them.

 

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for Your grace that gives us eternal life and freedom to live Godly lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE ARE SHEEPLE!

 

Isaiah 53:6

 

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--everyone--to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." ESV

 

As humans, just like sheep, we are naturally inclined to scatter and wander around taking our own way. Christ brings us together, just as a shepherd with his sheep. Because we are so bent on going our own way, Jesus, who was pure and innocent, took the punishment for our selfishness and insistence on our own way. He made it as if we have never strayed. He is the Great Shepherd. We are just like sheep.

 

Heavenly Father, there is no way we can repay the sacrifice you made for us, so that we would not wander off to our own destruction. We can only give you our lives, and as we do, we ask that You make us more like you. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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I HAVE TO LOVE THEM?

 

 

Matthew 5:44,45

 

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." ESV

 

Jesus tells us that we are to imitate the love of God by showing the same love to our enemies. He showed His love to us when we were His enemies. He sends good and bad, sun and rain to every human whether they are Godly or not. We are called to be like Him.

 

Heavenly Father, only by your grace can we love those who are unlovable. We desire to be like you and accept Your grace to love everyone, good and bad. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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I DID IT OR HE DID IT FOR ME

 

Proverbs 27:21

 

"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise." ESV

 

We have learned how silver and gold are purified by the refiner's fire; how it separates the purity from the impurity. Will we show how purified we have allowed the Lord to make us when we speak of our own accomplishments and the good life we have. Are we prideful, feeling superior, self-satisfied that we have accomplished much? Or are we humble and speak the truth of how it is only by the grace of God that we have gotten to this place? Do we honor ourselves for what we have accomplished or do we give all the glory to God? That will tell our purified we are.

 

Heavenly Father, may we never be puffed up by claiming what we have achieved as being by our own talents and abilities. Instead, let the blessings we have in this life be motivation to tell the world it is by Your loving grace, and Your desire to bless Your children. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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WHAT CONTROLS YOU?

 

2 Peter 2:19

 

"They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." ESV

 

The world is full of people who believe that the Gospel message, the Bible, and faith in eternal life in heaven are all a fantasy made up by someone who needed a crutch to help them through this world. These people make every effort to persuade the spiritually weak or to discourage those seeking the Truth into thinking Christianity is a trap of legalism and rules that keep them bound in a small world of boredom. Instead, these corrupt people entice with words like "being free to live your life as you wish" and maintaining that as long as you are good to others, you will be a free spirit. The fact is, these people who teach these things can't direct anyone to freedom, because they themselves are prisoners of their own sin. We are all slaves to that which masters us.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trying to find an easier road to get to spiritual peace and freedom. We pray for Holy Spirit hunger to seek You and obey Your Word. Gift us with discernment so that we can say no to the false teachings of this world and anything that would draw us away from You. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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ENEMY TERRITORY

 

1 Peter 1:17

 

"And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile." ESV

 

God judges impartially, so we are judged with the same set of criteria that all men are judged. As Christians, we live our lives totally different than the people of this world, because we live in enemy territory here on earth. So, we live our lives in God's kingdom here, not taken in by the cares and ways of this world.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to live by Godly faith and not by the influences of this world. We ask for strength to live our lives reverently, knowing we live here in enemy territory and that You are our Judge. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PURE LEADING THE PURE

 

1 Timothy 5:22

 

"Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure." ESV

 

Choosing those who will lead us in the ways of Christ is serious business. We are to be very careful to prayerfully choose by looking at the heart, not the outward appearance. Likewise, we have gotten complacent with our brothers and sisters in Christ who have fallen into sinful lifestyles. In doing so, we become just as guilty as they are because we condone their ways. Staying in the Light of Christ, walking in His Spirit will keep us unstained by the world.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask for wisdom to choose those who teach us and lead us. We ask for strength to call into account those fellow Christians who are doing wrong. We pray that You would help us keep our hearts pure as we walk in Your Spirit in obedience to Your Word. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

Read 1 Timothy 5:22

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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WHICH SIDE OF THE DOOR ARE YOU STANDING?

 

Romans 6:18

 

"And, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." ESV

 

God's Word is clear that, as Christians, we are free to say no to sin and free to say yes to the Lord. Actually, there is no middle ground. We can't follow our own sinful ways when we feel like it, then follow Christ when we have need of His help. We are either slaves of sin or we are slaves of Christ. The way we live our lives will reveal who our master is.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. We praise You for giving all to purchase our lives so that we would be totally free from sin. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC   http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/   No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

BLESSED

 

2 Corinthians 9:8

 

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." ESV

 

What is God's grace? It is God lavishly giving us what we could never earn, deserve, or request. Grace is God's gift fulfilling our needs and desires because His love is so infinite and over flowing. He is always lavishing His grace on His children so that they will give praise to Him and be witnesses to His power and glory.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to accept Your gift of grace with humility and joy, never taking it for granted. Give us wisdom to walk in your grace so that we will always be giving honor to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

 

 

©2008-2014

 

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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FOLLOW THE LEADER

 

 

1 Peter 2:21

 

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." ESV

 

Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, and revealed the Father to us. He also suffered greatly during His time here, and more so as He approached His death. He is our example. As Christians, we are called to follow Christ's example including His suffering. This is impossible to do in our own strength. It can only be accomplished by the grace and mercy of God and our steadfast faith in Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Son who showed us the pattern of living to which You have called us. We ask for your grace and mercy to walk as He did, for we know that without You we can do nothing. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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WHO CARES?

 

Matthew 22:4,5

 

"'Come to the wedding feast.' But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business." ESV

 

Many were invited to the wedding feast, a gracious invitation to a very important occasion. It wasn't that they could not come. They didn't feel it was that important. They even laughed at the invitation as though the feast was made out to be something bigger than it really was. Because of their indifference and self-centeredness, they missed the most important event of their lives. People do this with the Gospel when they are invited to accept Jesus Christ. And because they are indifferent, or just not interested, they lose out on eternal life.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask you to open our hearts and minds to the importance of the things of God. Anoint us as we present the Gospel and prepare the hearts of those who hear so they will believe and not be indifferent. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC   http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/   No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

EVERYBODY HAS A CROSS TO BEAR

 

 

Luke 9:23

 

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" ESV

 

We are all familiar with the Biblical call to bear our own crosses. Just what does that mean? If we live day to day focusing on the negative things that are in our lives, we will most likely be grumbling and complaining. Yes, some people do have terrible "crosses" to bear. But, carrying our cross like Jesus did it won't matter what our circumstances are, whether horrible or great. We will be living testimonies of the grace and mercy of God to the unbelieving world. In fact, the greater our crosses are, the more desperate our lives, the greater opportunity to show Christ to others.

 

Heavenly Father, help us focus on being more like You, no matter what our circumstances are. Help us carry our crosses and follow You. In His name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FOLLOW THE LIGHT

 

Proverbs 4:18

 

"But the path of righteousness is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." ESV

 

Our spiritual growth and maturity is seen in the path we walk. Each step we take toward God, there is an increase in the light to see the path ahead of us. Those who earnestly seek God will see the light and follow it. Those who do not seek God will see different, much less radiant lights, and will follow them into a wilderness of aimless wandering. Following God's light is like the sun rising at dawn. At first it barely lights the day, but with each minute that passes, there is more and more light. Soon the noonday shines, and it's light everywhere.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to keep seeking You and to stay on the path You have set before us. Help us to grow and mature so that Your light will shine bright through us as we take each step, and will help others find the Way. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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ARE YOU SHALLOW?

 

Luke 8:13

 

"And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away." ESV

 

Saving faith in Christ is so much more than giving mental agreement to a belief. Giving a mental assent is much the same as having good intentions, or as though seeds were planted on rocky soil. When that kind of faith is tested it doesn't last long, it washes away quickly. To be good soil, ready to receive salvation through faith in Christ, we will be drawn by the Holy Spirit with open hearts, ready to receive Him deep into our very hearts.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray for ourselves and for others, that we will be good soil, drawn by Your Holy Spirit, with open hearts to receive the salvation with which You paid such an unimaginable price. Remove the rocks from the hearts of people who need Your salvation. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, Amen.

 

©2008-2014 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC   http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/   No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

RECEIVE AND PAY IT FORWARD

 

2 Corinthians 9:10

 

"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." ESV

 

God is the supplier of seeds, He plants them, and He brings to Himself a harvest. God supplies us with His blessings. We accept His blessings and use what we need to grow more in Him. We give out of this abundance of His blessings to others so they can do the same. The more we give, the more He supplies to us.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray to receive Your blessings with a pure heart and to give them freely to others. We desire to be part of Your great harvest, multiplying Your love and grace. We praise You and ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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ULTIMATE POWER IS OURS

 

Ephesians 1:18-20

 

". . .having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might." ESV

 

We cannot understand the things of God without His Holy Spirit revealing them to us. With the Holy Spirit in us we can actually know and experience the mighty power of God! Yes, this is the very same power that brought Jesus Christ up from the grave! Our God longs to share this power with His children.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Holy Spirit. We praise You that You desire to let us experience Your great power so that we can be useful to Your kingdom. Give us increasing hunger to know You more and give room for Your Holy Spirit to work in us in this marvelous way. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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PERFECT SECURITY SYSTEM

 

1 Samuel 17:37

 

"And David said, 'The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.' And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the Lord be with you!'" ESV

 

One of the major reasons many of us are weak in faith is that we do not allow our encouragement to come from God. Rather, we listen to the voices without and within about the dangers, the impossibilities, the pointless trying. We have the choice to do as David did. He acknowledged that God delivered him before from horrifying dangers. He declared again when faced with even more danger, that God would do as He had always done, deliver him in victory. And God did, just as David believed by faith.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that our faith will increase as we draw encouragement from You and the Word as we recall the times You have rescued us in the past. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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NO STINKIN' THINKIN' ALOUD!

 

Philippians 4:8

 

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, it there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." ESV

 

We all know about the 'power of positive thinking." Don't forget there is also power in negative thinking. Our thoughts, feelings, and actions are determined for the most part by the kinds of thoughts we allow to occupy our minds. If we choose to let the positive thoughts dominate our thinking, we will have thoughts that produce the power of God in our lifestyle and our attitude.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to choose our thinking so that we will be focused on positive things. Allow our thoughts to radiate Your mind and our actions to show Your great power and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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