THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE

 

John 11:40

 

"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'" ESV 

 

Faith is a difficult thing. While we have all been given a measure of faith, it is contrary to our common sense. Common sense is human logical thinking that works on the premise that things can be explained and understood by the human mind. On the other hand, faith is total and unwavering trust in the unseen God. We can only know and witness His glory by faith. We will miss His great and glorious workings if we try to explain Him with our common sense.

 

Jesus, forgive us for relying on our common sense to try and understand Your working and Your ways. Help us to use the faith You have given to us and to increase our faith by study of Your Word. We ask in Your precious name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GROWN UP WATCHING

 

Matthew 26:40

 

"And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, 'So, could you not watch with me one hour?'" ESV 

 

When we first become believers in Jesus Christ, we are like little babies and are quite self-centered. We are pretty aware of what we need from Him and what He is doing in our lives. We get used to the Lord watching over us. That is what He does and will always do. But, as we grow up spiritually, we come to realize Jesus Christ is asking us watch with Him. He desires that we see things through His eyes and to be aware of His working all around us and in others. Are we still focused on Him watching over us, or are we becoming more mature, watching with Him?

 

Lord Jesus, we stand in need of Your grace to be able to watch with You. Our human nature keeps us focused on our own needs and that You are watching over us. Help us grow and mature so that we can watch with You. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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WHERE IS THAT WATER GOING?

 

John 7:38

 

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" ESV 

 

If we understand the nature of streams, we know it is virtually impossible to know all the places the flowing water touches. It passes along snags and reroutes itself. It collects at some barrier and overflows around it. The Lord tells us that our faith in Him will be like streams, flowing out of us, and we will have no idea the places it will reach. Just because we can't see where it is flowing and spreading doesn't mean it isn't reaching places only known to Him. On that day, when we stand before Him, we will see the mighty work God has done through our faith.

 

Lord Jesus, help us to realize the miracle of faith You have given to each of us. Help us to remember that our faith not only affects our relationship with You, but our faith affects lives and circumstances we know nothing about. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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THROW IN MY ANCHOR NOW

 

Hebrews 6:19

 

"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain." ESV 

 

An anchor is a device made to hold a ship firmly in place so it does not move the place it is intended to be. Hope in the Lord is our anchor to keep us firmly in God's hands. This anchor allows us to go directly to the throne of grace because we have been kept safe from wandering off into unknown waters. What a marvelous anchor, hope, He gives us.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our fear and refusal to put our anchor in Your hands. Give us spiritual insight to see that we are not restricted by the anchor of hope, but that it sets us free to look up, where You are and where we can receive all that You have for us. We pray this in Your name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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LIVING WITH THE LIGHT OUT

 

John 8:12

 

"Again Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" ESV 

 

Once we've been in a dark room for a while, our eyes seem to adjust, at least to where we can see things enough to get by. That is exactly how each of us live in this world before we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. We see enough to get by and enough to believe we don't need to change the way we live. Once the Light comes in, we are amazed at the things we missed, the things we misunderstood, the things we never even knew were there. Living in the Light allows us to live life to its' fullest, to see the Truth of God and His creation.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive those of us who still feel that we have enough light on our own to make it in this world. Help us to walk in Your Light so we can know the Truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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NOT FOR THOSE WHO THINK THEY'RE JUST FINE

 

Luke 5:32

 

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." ESV 

 

Jesus did not come to earth to rescue people who see themselves as sufficiently righteous with no need to be saved from anything. Those are the people Jesus condemned as having a religious spirit and He just left them to their rotting prideful lives. Jesus came seeking those who were sorely aware of being trapped in sinful lives and of needing a way to get free. Jesus will answer the call of anyone who acknowledges their sin and who reaches out to Him in faith.

 

Heavenly Father, how great is Your love to us that You would seek us out to free us from our sin. We pray that You will use us to reach others by our actions and words, that they will see their need for salvation, and put their faith in You. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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SAFE, PROTECTED, AND FREE

 

Psalm 91:1

 

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." ESV 

 

A shelter is a place of protection and safety from danger. God gave His Word to shelter those who live within the boundaries of His will. This is not being confined to a particular set of laws or rules. Living in the bounds of His shelter, we are given rest and safety that knows no limits. We are free to live in total abandon for Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for making a place of protection and peace for us. Help us to learn the boundaries of Your shelter so that we can live there in total freedom and peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

 

Romans 8:6

 

"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." ESV 

 

In this world of today, it is so very hard to stay focused on the things of God. We can commit to keeping our minds on Him and to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If we really want to know His will, He will reveal it to us and will help us stay focused on it. That is when we will find real life and peace.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for getting distracted by the noise and clamor of this world. Forgive us for following our own desires. We are hungry to know Your will for us and believe You will show us. Help us to be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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ON A LONG TRIP

Psalm 84:5

 

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways of Zion." ESV

 

 

When we get ready for a trip, we tend to take care and prepare ahead of time so we have everything we need to make the trip a success. As Christians, we are on a long trip through this life. Are we being careful to make sure we have what we need and to stay focused on our heavenly destination?

 

Heavenly Father, the journey through this life gets difficult. We are in desperate need of Your power to commit to this journey all the way to the end. We thank You that You are faithful to provide everything we need to make it home to 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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CAUGHT, CORRECTED, AND LOVED

 

Hebrews 12:5,6

 

"And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'" ESV

 

None of us take too kindly to being disciplined, even when we deserve it. But, the Lord chooses to discipline us and to let us reap what we have sown. He does so to get us to a place where we will submit to His will. It is a good thing to be disciplined by the Lord. It proves we are His children and He is watching over us.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for disciplining us for those times we fail to do what is right. Help us to accept Your discipline and to remember that it brings us closer to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WALKING ALONG WITH SUFFERING

 

1 Peter 4:19

 

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." ESV 

 

Christians are suffering all over the world for their faith in Jesus Christ. We, too, will suffer in time. The fact is, we do not choose the suffering. We choose God's will. And then, we go wherever His will takes us. If His will takes us through suffering, then we go, knowing He is faithful to walk with us and get us through it all.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask for Your grace to do Your will no matter where it takes us. If it should be by way of suffering, help us to remember, You are with us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GOING THROUGH IT AGAIN AND AGAIN

 

James 1:4

 

"And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." ESV 

 

Our Lord has a way of teaching us the important things in our walk with Him. Sometimes He has to take us back to the same lesson again and again until we are able to get it right. When we learn these lessons, we know, by His Spirit, that we have matured in Him. If we remember that it is to our own harm to buck against these lessons, we will be alert, ready to stay the course.

 

Heavenly Father, so often we can't see that You are teaching us a lesson and we continually ignore it and fail to learn spiritual maturity. Help us, Lord, to recognized that it is Your patience with us that allows us to grow mature and complete in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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EYE AND HAND DANGER

 

Matthew 5:29

 

"If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell." ESV 

 

It is our eyes that see the forbidden fruit. It is our hands that reach up to pluck it from the tree. Jesus teaches us to get ride of anything that causes us to be unfaithful to Him, no matter how much we want it in our lives. It is our own senses that seek pleasure to the point that we lose sight of our relationship with the Lord. He expects us to turn our backs on those things we know are a temptation to us.

 

Heavenly Father, so often we allow our senses to lead us to those places that cause us to act in ways that offend You. Forgive us. Give us discerning and prepared minds to stay away from those things that tempt us to sin. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GOD'S WORD IS INSULATION

 

Isaiah 51:7

 

 

"Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings." ESV

 

If we live by the Spirit, doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, we are going to be ridiculed by others. If we listen to what the Lord is telling us, we will not be bothered by the talk and attitude of others. We will merely keep walking faithfully with the Lord. He will honor our hearts and he will take care of those who feel free to mock us.

 

Heavenly Father, we confess that we let the things others say keep us from speaking and living Your Word. Forgive us, Lord. Give us boldness and peace to live every moment with integrity so that we will be fit to walk with 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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KNOWING AND DOING THE RIGHT THING

 

Psalm 41:12

 

"But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever." ESV 

 

When was the last time we examined the quality of our own integrity? We can gauge our integrity by how we behave in private. Is it the same behavior we would do in public with everyone watching? I if can say yes, we have integrity. It is knowing the right thing and doing it always. The Lord has promised that He will support us in our integrity. Our lack of integrity draws us away from the presence of the Lord. How is your integrity?

 

Heavenly Father, we fail to recognize that subtle things of this world weaken our integrity. We ask for vision and discernment to see the true condition of our hearts where our integrity lives. We desire that our integrity allows You support us in our daily walk through this life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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DID YOU ACCEPT YOUR GIFT YET?

 

1 Peter 4:10

 

"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." ESV 

 

So many Christians are oblivious of the gifts God has given them. God has given very one of us a spiritual gift to serve others and to glorify Him. If we don't know what our gift is, we can pray and ask the Lord to reveal it to us. He will do it.

 

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are for the spiritual gifts You shower on Your Church. Forgive us for our laxity in using our gift. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and hunger to be used by You and to use our gifts to glorify Your name. 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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HAPPY SORROW

 

Matthew 5:4

 

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." ESV 

 

Are we truly and honestly aware of the tragedy of sin? Do we understand its' effects on our own hearts? Have we found ourselves humiliated at the fact that we have offended God? Are we deeply grieved by the sins of others and the state of the world? If so, then we are among those who mourn. To mourn is to experience great sorrow over loss or anything regretted. We will be comforted.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray for spiritual insight to understand the tragedy of sin and how it has separated us from You. We praise You because of Your great love, we can repent and mourn over the effect of sin on us and our world. We thank You for the comfort You lavish on us when we mourn. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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PUT SOME LIGHT ON IT

 

John 3:21

 

"But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." ESV 

 

Isn't it interesting that we tend to hide when we know we have done something God would not like? Adam and Eve covered themselves up in the garden trying to hide their disobedience from God. Keeping our sins hidden so they won't be publicly exposed is very exhausting and stressful. Don't we all want a clean conscience? If we bring our sins to the light, confessing them to God, stop doing them, and ask for His forgiveness, we will have clean consciences. Then we can keep clean by living each day close to our Lord.

 

Heavenly Father, we ask You to forgive us and cleanse our hearts so that we will be able to come out of the darkness into the light. Help us to stay in Your light, free to live above sin and rejoicing in our clean consciences. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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LOSERS ARE THE REAL WINNERS

 

Matthew 10:39

 

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." ESV 

 

Everyone wants to find and know their own identity. We go on a variety of quests to find out who we are. The Bible tells us not to do that. If we do, we will find ourselves forever running into a brick wall. To really know who we are, we will seek the Lord with our whole hearts. He tells us if we seek him we will find Him. In finding Him we find ourselves because we are His children.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for chasing after various things hoping we will find our true selves. Give us hunger to know You so that we will know ourselves, because You have made us Your children. That is where our identities are.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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HEART CLEANING TIME

 

Matthew 5:8

 

"Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God." ESV 

 

To have a pure heart, we must be free of all our own personal agendas. We must be filled with God's agenda. Then, we will see Him everywhere we look. It will be like all the clouds in the sky going away, leaving a crisp, bright, blue sky. And the pure light of the sun shines brightly everywhere.

 

Heavenly Father, we know You are the One who can give us pure hearts. We ask with all our beings that You will make our hearts pure and holy. Help us to guard our hearts so that we will keep them clean and pleasing in Your sight. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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THE RESTORING BUSINESS

 

Psalm 23:3

 

"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." ESV 

 

The Lord not only restores and refreshes our souls, but also provides us with the way that will lead us right to Him. There, we will find perfect peace for eternity. We will not want for anything.

 

Heavenly Father, so often we fail to take notice of the many wonderful things You provide for us and of Your constant grace pouring out on us. Help us to be aware of Your presence and Your working so that we will stay on the path You made for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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CAUSING GREAT SORROW

 

Ephesians 4:30

 

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of salvation." ESV 

 

To grieve is to cause great sorrow. How is it that we grieve the Holy Spirit and bring Him such sorrow? We do it by resisting His prompting, by hindering His moving, and by ignoring His direction. Rather, if we let the Holy Spirit have His way, we will be in right relationship with our God.

 

Heavenly Father, have mercy on us and forgive us for those times we have grieved Your Holy Spirit. We realize the great workings we have missed because we have grieved Him. Give us hearts of discernment so that we will always respect the presence and prompting of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WALKING RIGHT

 

Psalm 119:9

 

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." ESV 

 

 

The world is dense and intense with ungodliness and tragedy. We are so accustomed to the things that go on around us, it seems we don't give much thought to it anymore. As a result, we have become complacent, impure, and tainted with particles big and small of this world's ways. How can we keep this from happening to us and get on the right track? We are to make sure we are studying God's Word and walking in It's precepts.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for getting distracted by this world and for allowing impurity to enter into our lives. Put a burning desire in us to study Your Word and apply it to every part of our being. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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