SPIRITUAL LAZINESS

 2 Peter 3:17,18 

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and in the day of eternity. Amen." ESV 

 

Some Christians believe that once they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they can merely walk along in this life and the Lord will do everything else. If things don't go right, they believe God is unhappy with them or has forgotten them. This is totally opposite of what the Bible teaches us. It is our responsibility to exercise our faith in obedience to the things He has told us to do. Being a Christian is not a spectator sport or a just be glad you're saved and not going to hell concept. We have been commissioned by Jesus, Himself, to go out into the world telling the Good News wherever we go. We are to be on guard to stay victorious over the enemy. We are to seek Him through prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with other believers. Growing in grace and knowledge of God is not an option if we want to stay in the will of God.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for being lazy Christians and expecting You to do what You have told us we are to do ourselves. Help us Lord to do our part in seeking and knowing You so that we will stand strong and grow in Your grace. 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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EXPOSING A HYPOCRITE

  

Matthew 5:20

 

 

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." ESV 

 

Some people can look so virtuous and devoted as Christians on the outside, while in their hearts, they are full of selfishness, bad attitudes, and ungodly intentions. The thing is, one cannot be a Christian on the outside without the true inner things of the heart coming out in their outward lives. On the other hand, one cannot be a true committed Christian in the inner heart without it radiating out to others at any time or any place. It is pretty hard to tell the true from the fake. We don't want to be hypocrites, but to be true lights with our inward hearts radiating out to a lost and dying world. So, we will not only wash our hands, but our hearts too.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that you would show us our hearts and to rid our inner selves of anything that is displeasing and inconsistent with the way we live on the outside. Give us clean hearts we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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TELL IT LIKE IT IS

 

Philippians 4:6

 

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." ESV 

 

None of us are strangers to worry and anxiousness. This is a normal human condition when things are overwhelming or we're not sure about the future. But if we talk to the Lord about our worries and concerns, turn them into prayers, God will hear us. If we learn to deepen our prayers to petitions, which are more specific in details about what we need, we will be better prepared to recognize the answer when it comes. Our heavenly Father already knows what we need. We are the ones that need to be able to see and accept the answer.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for staying worried and concerned without taking time to talk with You about it all. Help us to pray about those things that keep us stuck and anxious, and to tell You more detailed things about our needs. Give us spiritual eyes to see the answers when they come. We thank You for this, and in the name of Jesus we pray it, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PAYBACKS

 Romans 12:17 

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all." ESV 

 

Unfortunately, we live in a world of "pay backs" for personal insult and injury. As Christians, we are committed to the mindset of God. When we encounter personal attacks, we can respond the way Christ would have responded. We can pay back evil by doing good. When we do that, even the ungodly will take notice that we are different, that we live what we believe.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask Your forgiveness for those times we have failed to imitate You and we have paid back evil for evil. Stir us to put on the full armor so that we will be ready to encounter evil and respond with good. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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MY WAY IS NOT NECESSARILY GOD'S WAY

 Romans 8:5 

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." ESV 

 

How often do we find that we struggle to do what we want and then find a way to make it seem as though it is God's desire for us. The noise of the world and our weak spirits tend to drowned out the voice of God in us. It's really hard to stop and just listen. But if we do, we will hear His voice telling us His will for us and we will find it is the best thing that could ever happen to us.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask for Your forgiveness because we try to make our own desires as if they are Yours for us. Help us to shut out the noise of this world that keeps us deaf to Your voice. Give us hearts to turn from our own wants and to follow You wherever You want us to go. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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USE IT OR LOSE IT

 Philippians 3:16 

"Only let us hold true to what we have attained." ESV 



We often wonder why we have not received answer to our prayers for more maturity, knowledge, and revelation from Him. The reason we have not received more is because we have not used what He has already given us. If we put into practice all that we have, we will find that He gives us more in His time and in His way.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for failing to live in the light You have already given us and yet, we ask for more. Help us to savor the light we have, to use it to it's fullest so that we will be prepared to receive the light You are longing to add to what we have. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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COPYCAT HEART

 Acts 13:22 

"And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'" ESV 

 

The Lord is pleased with those who have a heart like His. He was pleased with David. How could the Lord be pleased with David after he committed adultery, murder, and deceit? He chose David because, like us, he was human and inclined to sin. But, he had a heart for doing good and seeking to do God's will. David recognized his sin, cried out to God, and fully repented. If we do the same, our God will not only forgive us, but will also consider us as people after His own heart.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that Your Holy Spirit would reveal to us our sin so that we can cry out to You and repent. We thank You that You will forgive us and consider us Your children--with hearts like Your own. 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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NEVER CHANGING EYES OF GOD

 2 Chronicles 16:9

 

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him....." ESV 

 

The tender but piercing eyes of God perpetually see us. He never stops noticing. Why do we find ourselves doubting Him like He has forgotten or doesn't care? Have we forgotten that we live in a cursed world? Jesus told us we would have tribulation in this world. He also told us He would never leave us or forsake us. In all our troubles, sorrows, joys, and victories, He is right there with us, never taking His eyes off of us. We can fully trust Him no matter what is going on in our lives.

 

Heavenly Father, how weak we are to question Your faithfulness to us. We give You praise and honor for always having Your eyes on us and preparing us to be with You for eternity. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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BLUEPRINT

 Matthew 4:17,19

"From that time, Jesus began to preach saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" ESV

The Old Testament prophecies tell all about Christ's coming, His birth, childhood, baptism, and temptation in the desert. He was prepared to do the ministry He was sent to do--to bring light, life, and the blueprint for living amid a lost and dying world. Because He did it, we can carry out our ministry to Him--repent and follow Him.

Heavenly Father, we praise and worship You for Jesus Christ, His life and death that brought us back into right relationship with You. We humbly ask for Your grace to help us complete our part, repenting and growing to be like Him. In His name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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HAVING A HEART CONDITION

 

Matthew 15:8

 "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." ESV 

 

We can use the Christian lingo, wear our Christian symbols, and go to church every time the doors are open. But, these are only vain forms of religion if our hearts are not surrendered to God. Failing to do the outward acts of traditional religion does not make us impure. However, failing to have a pure and clean heart before God will make all we do in outward righteous acts worthless in His eyes. In fact, without a pure and clean heart, we are lost. Does our hearts match our visible lives?

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for going through the Christian motions while our hearts and minds are nowhere near. Search our hearts and reveal to us those things we need to change and those things we need to demonstrate more in our actions. We do not want to bring dishonor to Your name by being hypocrites. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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TRUE AND FALSE TEST, ITS PASS OR FAIL

 Matthew 13:24,25 "He put another parable before them saying, 'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away." ESV

 

 

Satan cannot uproot true Christians, so he deceitfully plants counterfeit Christians among them. He even goes so far as to plant counterfeit churches, counterfeit preachers and teachers, and in the last days, a counterfeit messiah. Unfortunately, this evil tactic will result in some of the very elect of God being deceived and believing lies. In His time, the true and the counterfeit will be revealed. If we stay alert, hide the Word in our hearts, keep being filled with the Holy Spirit, and always examining ourselves, we will be found as true Christians when our Lord comes to separate the true from the false.

 

Heavenly Father, You have told us that deception would be rampant in the last days. We earnestly pray that you will help us to stay alert, immerse ourselves in Your Word, and stay open to ongoing infilling of Your Holy Spirit. We long to be found as Your true children. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FAMILY RESEMBLENCE

 Romans 8:16 "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." ESV 

 

As humans, we all belong to a family bloodline. Each family has a bloodline that identifies the members as belonging to that family. Each family member has the bloodline in them. Most of the time, others can identify a person as belonging to a particular family due to various physical characteristics and temperaments. As Christians, we belong to the family of God. We are connected by the Holy Spirit, given by God at salvation. Others will be able to tell if we belong to the family of God by our lifestyles and our words. How many of us can be recognized as belonging to the family of God?

 

Heavenly Father, how great is Your love for us that You would make us a part of Your family. We pray that we will live our lives with unquestionable proof by our behaviors and words that we are Your children. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FREE AS A BIRD

 2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." ESV 

 

Unfortunately, the concept of freedom in the Bible is tragically misunderstood. Freedom is not being able to do whatever we want to do, because all we have to do is ask for forgiveness and it will be just fine. Actually, freedom is being able to say no to sin. We are no longer held captive by our sinful natures. We are given this freedom from sinning through the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is then we are free to live righteous and holy lives in the sight of God.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for taking advantage of the freedom You paid so great a price to give us. Help us to trust You and be receptive to Your Holy Spirit so that we can truly be free to say no to sin and become more and more like Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FORGET ABOUT IT

 

Isaiah 43:25

 

I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." ESV 

 

Why do we sometimes continue to feel guilty for our sin when we know we have received forgiveness from the Lord? Why do some "well meaning" people remind us of past sin and mistakes? When that feeling of guilt emerges, all we need to do is remember that God not only forgives our sins, but He also forgets they ever happened. He will never hold them against us. They are gone and forgotten forever. All because Jesus Christ already took the punishment of our sins on Himself, we are totally forgiven, clean, and righteous before God.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray for Your help when we feel the guilt of our past sins. Remind us that You have forgiven us and have forgotten the sins because the price has already been paid for them through the blood of Jesus Christ. in His precious name we pray, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS

 

Matthew 6:14,15

 

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ESV 

 

Jesus brought up the issue of forgiveness on several occasions. Therefore, it must be very important. Well, it is! Forgiveness is a relationship matter. Not forgiving others is an indicator that we are not right with God and with our fellow men. Also, our prayers will be hindered. Are our prayers getting through to God? Is there unforgiveness in our hearts? Let's go to the Lord and get it settled.

 

Heavenly Father, we are hard hearted at times, especially when it comes to holding resentment. Forgive us for failing to forgive others knowing You gave Your life for our own great sin. Enable us to have hearts of forgiveness so that we will be more like You. 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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WHO AM I AND WHY AM I HERE?

 

Matthew 16:25

 

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." ESV 

 

To find purpose in our lives, we search diligently for self-identity, who we are, and why we are here. In this process, we go from place to place, idea to idea, following all sorts of trends and philosophies. It becomes frustrating to find our persistent attempts are dead end roads. We find ourselves still as lost and unidentified as we did before. Our true identity is not something we can find on our own. Isn't it logical that we would seek the One who made us, seeking Him and who He is? If we do this, we miraculously find ourselves, knowing who we are. So, if we want to find our identities, know who we are, and what our purpose in life is, we will seek God. It is there we will find identity and purpose.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for trying to seek out our own purpose in this world and for looking in all the wrong places. Thank You for giving us the freedom to seek You and find You so that we will know who we are by knowing You. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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DIRTY CHILD AT THE LOST AND FOUND DEPARTMENT

 

Luke 15:24

 

"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate." ESV 

 

For some reason, we seem to expect blessings in life when we don't give God the Creator the time of day. Surprisingly, He gives us what we ask for, without realizing where it will take us and how He will work things out for us. When we find ourselves in the most hopeless of conditions, lost and afraid, we turn toward Him. We hope by chance He will give us the opportunity to be even the lowest of His servants. The truth is, when He sees us coming, He runs to us, puts His arms around us, and says, "Welcome home, my child." How unworthy we are to be called His children! How great and awesome is His love for us!

 

Heavenly Father, we bow before You knowing we are totally unworthy to even be in Your presence. We ask You to forgive us for our selfishness and godless ways. We can never repay Your mercy and grace that takes us into Your arms and speaks to our hearts that You love us always. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WE ARE IMITATORS, OH YEAH

 

Ephesians 5:1

 

"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children." ESV 

 

Infants and young children imitate the faces and gestures of their parents because their parents are the only source of gaining understanding and interaction with their world. We are to be just like infants and young children when it comes to our own actions and behaviors. We are to imitate God our Father, who is our only source for gaining understanding and wisdom of eternal, spiritual things.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask that You help us to always be imitators of You, Your love, grace, and mercy. Give us the ability to walk this earth as Christ did. He obeyed You and did what He saw You doing. In Jesus' name we ask this, Amen.

 

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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THE REAL THING

 

Romans 7:5

 

"For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death." ESV 

 

As Christians, we are no longer under the control of our human natures, which endlessly gravitate to things forbidden, things that feel good, things that bring pleasure. Please understand, God never intended for His children to have lives devoid of good feelings and pleasure. However, He does intend for us to hand control of our human natures to take on His nature. This is a whole different life, living with His nature. It brings a life overflowing with deep riches, treasures, and joy that the things of this world cannot give us. In fact, doing things our own way and going along with the ways of the world grow unattractive, dark, and meaningless in comparison.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask that You help us to take on Your nature so that we will know the true pleasure and riches instead of being confined in the shallow, temporary, and unfulfilling ways of the world. We thank You for giving us access to Your nature. We praise You for the blessings we receive as we take on Your nature as our own. 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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JUST A LITTLE WON'T HURT!!!!!!!

 

Revelation 2:20

 

"But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols." ESV 

 

Living in an immoral world is difficult. Living in a world that is full of seemingly harmless departures from the truth is dangerous. How can we compromise with the values and beliefs of this world and remain holy? Compromising with the world may keep us from being ridiculed and persecuted, but it will cause us to lose holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

 

Heavenly Father, oh how we know that this world is full of things that would make it appear all right for us to follow. We pray that You would give us discernment that will keep us from compromising with this world. Then we will remain pure as Your children. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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INCONSPICUOUS DECEPTION

 

Matthew 24:4

 

"And Jesus answered them, 'See that no one leads you astray.'" ESV 

 

Deception is something we feel happens to other people. The truth is, deceit is so subtle and inconspicuous, that even the most learned and spiritual of people can be deceived. We are commanded to watch out because deception can come to us through people or situations we would have never imagined. There is no place safe in this life but that deceit is lying in wait to catch us unsuspecting in it's trap. Prayer will keep us alert and watchful so we do not get deceived.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us all we need to keep ourselves from being deceived. We know it is our responsibility to put on the whole armor so that we will be alert to the trickery of Satan. Help us by Your Spirit, to be aware of deception and to expose it for what it is. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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FOR TRADE: WILL TAKE ANXIETY FOR LOTS OF PEACE AND JOY!

 

 

Psalm 94:19

 

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." ESV 

 

We all know what it's like to be anxious. It's a human condition we experience when we face something new and uncertain. There is a sure remedy for this nervous apprehension. It is consciously allowing God to comfort, support, and encourage us. He does this in many ways, often times unique to each of us. God always stands ready with compassion to console us and give us peace. We can reach out to Him anytime and allow Him to take away the anxiety and worry, replacing it with His joy and peace.

 

Heavenly Father, so often we get tangled up in our worries and anxieties, forgetting to just call on You for help. Help us to make it our first plan of action to turn to you in these times of uncertainty and worry. We praise You and give You thanks for the comfort, peace, and joy that You give us when we seek You. 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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