WE'VE GOT THE POWER

 

Psalm 46:1

 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." ESV 

 

Why is it that we let fear and worry have its way with us when we are faced with difficult things? Do we forget the power of our Lord and our free access to Him? The power of our Lord conquered Satan during the forty days in the wilderness. His strength conquered depression and sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane. His power overcame death in the tomb. He has given us this same power through our faith in Him. We have no reason to fear. Unless we have neglected to fan the flames of our faith, reading His Word and living it!

 

Lord, please forgive us when our faith is shaken and we let worry and fear take us over. Fill us with hunger for Your Word and communion with You so that we will build our faith strong and be able to accept the power You give us to overcome. In Your omnipotent name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

DON'T TAKE THE BAIT

 

James 1:14

 

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." ESV 

 

We all have a weakness in our spiritual armor. It's our own responsibility to know what our weakness is, to be alert, and to keep on the whole armor of God. If we will faithfully do this, we will not be like the fish who get reeled in because they swallowed the hook with bait that looked really good to them.

 

Lord, we do recognize that we are vulnerable to being tempted. Please show us our weaknesses and help us to keep our faith strong through prayer, Your Word, and spending time with Godly people. In Your wonderful name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THE HIGH POSITION OF HUMILITY

 

James 1:9

 

"Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation." ESV 

 

It's so much easier to be thankful and to praise God when things are going well. When those who are struggling with heavy burdens glorify God and live in complete devotion to Him, they are showing true faith. Regardless of our circumstances, knowing our spiritual poverty and approaching the Lord with humble hearts is what our God looks on with great pleasure and favor.

 

Lord, forgive us for taking our blessings for granted. Give us hearts that see our true spiritual poverty. Help us to take our eyes off things we have and to realize our true wealth is in You. In Your great name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

ALL IN THE FAMILY

 

Hebrews 2:11

 

"For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to them brothers." ESV 

 

 

Jesus Christ makes us holy. He is the very Son of God, the Savior of the world, the One who was in the beginning and took part in the creation of world. If we accept His sacrifice for us, repent, and follow him, we are His family. He is proud to call us His family. What an honor He lavishes on us when we never earned it nor deserved it.

 

Lord, how gracious is Your love to us that You would save us and make us eternal members of Your family. We pray for the Holy Spirit to keep us living examples of Your family and bring others that You will do the same for them. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THE BIG TEST

 

Psalm 26:2

 

"Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind." ESV 

 

Often we become satisfied with the way we are because it's comfortable and we notice nothing within ourselves that could be a hindrance to our spiritual walk. If we ask the Lord to examine our hearts, He will show us the tiniest hint of sin. It is the small unnoticed cancerous tumors that grow into large fatal masses. It's really hard to be held under a microscope, but if we allow the Lord to do this for us, He will take the smallest uncleanness and make our hearts white as snow. It can be painful, but the results are a clean conscience, a pure heart, and eternal life.

 

Lord, please search our hearts for the smallest of sin, show us, and clean us so that we will stand before You white as snow. In Your gracious name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2015

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

RULES OF COMPETITION

 

2 Timothy 2:5

 

"An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." ESV 

 

Living the Christian life is much like the life of an athlete. There are certain things required of an athlete who expects to finish first in competition. If these requirements are followed half heartedly, skipped, side stepped, or ignored, there will be no prize. There will be disqualification. The same is true for a Christian. The world may be foolish, and a person can fool himself, but when the real test comes, the winner will be the one who did things God's way.

 

Lord, we need Your help to live our lives according to the Way You have set before us. Forgive us for being lax, taking shortcuts, or simply doing things our own way. Give us hearts of obedience and fervor to do things according to Your will for us. In Your great name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

OH WHAT WE WILL BE

 

Colossians 3:4

 

"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." ESV 

 

 

As Christians, the Lord Jesus Christ encompasses our whole life. By faith, we walk this earth knowing our eternal reward. When Christ returns, we will be complete in His fullness both in our spirits and bodies. We will be like Him.

 

Lord, what comfort it is to know that here on earth we are with You and that we will be with You totally and completely when You come back to bring us home. Help us to remember this when things get difficult for us here. In Your wonderful name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

WATCHING ME BECAUSE OTHERS DO

 

1 Timothy 4:16

 

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." ESV 

 

How many times have we witnessed people who say one thing and do another? We will fall into that hypocritical lifestyle if we do not watch and keep watching ourselves. It is no secret that the goal of Satan is to discredit us as children of God. If he can do that, our walk with God is severely hindered and it could keep others from accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. We have to watch what we say and how we live. Our salvation and that of everyone around us counting on it.

 

Lord, forgive us for being complacent in our Christian walk. If we have caused anyone to stumble because we have not been consistent, we ask for Your forgiveness. We pray that those we have affected by our sins will not be lost, but will come in contact with a consistent Christian, a watcher of his ways. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

 

2 Thessalonians 3:5

 

"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." ESV 

 

Without the Lord's direction, we would be finding all kinds of paths and alleyways that would lead us away from Him. The Lord keeps our hearts pure as we give Him the control to do so. Jesus Christ showed us how to stay within the direction of the Father. We can choose to do the same with patience, until we get to eternity in heaven.

 

Lord, how thankful we are that Your direction keeps us on the right path and for the example of patience and obedience Jesus gave us. Help us to follow Your direction with contentment and joy. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

PRAYER THAT KEEPS ON GOING

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

"Pray without ceasing." ESV 

 

How can we pray all the time? We have to do our jobs, do things with our families, and we have to sleep! Prayer is so much more than a few moments of bowing our head and uttering words to God. That is certainly praying and we should be doing that every day. But, continual prayer is a conversation with our constant companion, the Lord Jesus Christ. It may be thoughts, feelings, action, or words. In our hearts we never cease to thank Him, praise Him, seek Him, and need Him. We are in ongoing communion with Him. That put's continual prayer in a different light doesn't it?

 

Lord, how we thank You that we can come directly to You and talk with You anytime, anywhere. Help us to be aware of our continual prayer of intimacy and fellowship with You. In Your gracious name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

I CAN DO IT

 

Philippians 4:13

 

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." ESV

 

 

Being a Christian is not for the fainthearted. It's one thing to believe without a doubt that our God can do anything. It's another thing for us to believe we can do all things because He strengthens us. When we find ourselves asking the Lord why is this or that happening, we need to head straight to our faith and fan the flames, or throw on another log if needed.

 

Lord, forgive us for letting our faith become weak. Stir our hearts to keep our faith burning, so when we are faced with difficult things, we will know in our heart that You will provide the strength we need to overcome. In Your great name we pray, Amen.

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

WHAT IS THAT DOING BACK IN MY LIFE?

 

Ephesians 4:22

 

"...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires." ESV 

 

Sometimes we get frustrated that our old sins and the baggage that goes with them keep cropping back up. That's why we are told in the Word to keep throwing off the old things of our sinful nature that keep getting us sidetracked and hinder our walk with the Lord.

 

Lord, forgive us for getting caught up in our hectic lives, ignoring that we are getting caught back up in things we thought were left behind forever. Examine us and show us those things we need cast aside each and every time they try to creep back into our lives. We pray in Your name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

LOOK AT WHAT?

 

2 Corinthians 4:18

 

"As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." ESV 

 

It's natural to look at what our eyes can see, and look only at our situations. Eventually we become fixed on these things. That can be quite depressing sometimes. If we focus our minds eyes on the glorious things of God that are waiting for us in eternity, all the things we see here will seem less unbearable and the things that tempt us won't seem so inviting.

 

Lord, we thank You for our spiritual eyes to see the great and glorious things waiting for us, that You have prepared for us. Help us to keep from getting focused on the temporary things of this world. We pray in Your name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

WORN OUT PHRASES

 

1 Corinthians 4:20

 

"For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power." ESV 

 

Many Christians have allowed words, phrases, and Christian lingo to have more power in their gatherings and their personal lives than they have the power of God. Words and phrases have as much divine power as wood and metal idols. We can talk about God and the things of God all day, but the power is not in the words. The power is in the Holy Spirit working through us because we have put on Christ and have done away with our own prideful natures.

 

Lord, forgive us for relying on Christian lingo to get us by and do the work for us of making us look spiritual. Help us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that Your power will flow through us and reach lost souls for Your kingdom. In Your great name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

SOMEBODY PAID MY DEBT FOR ME?

 

Romans 4:8

 

"Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." ESV

 

And who is it that is so blessed to never be accountable for his sins? It is the man who has confessed and repented of his sins and accepted that Jesus Christ took accountability for them. Because He did that, our sins are no longer held against us. If we find no pleasure in anything else, this alone should make us shout for joy continually.

 

Lord, we magnify Your name that You loved us so much You took all our sins and paid the penalty for them on the cross. Help us to share the joy of this to everyone we meet. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

PRAYERS FALLEN IN THE FLOOR

Lamentations 3:44

 

"You have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through." ESV 

 

The Word of God has spoken to us time and time again about coming to Him in prayer with unconfessed sin in our hearts. We are much like teenagers who disregard their parents instructions and come to their parents wanting money to go to the mall. When the parents refuse to give them the money, the teens get insulted and angry. The parents did not refuse out of selfishness or lack of love. The teens created a situation where the parents kindness was blocked because the teens refused to obey. This is how the Lord deals with us. We are to examine ourselves and confess any sin. Then, we have removed the barrier that hinders our prayers.

 

Lord, examine our hearts and reveal any sin that hides there. Convict us so that we will confess and repent. Then we will know our prayers are not stopped from reaching You. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Matthew 17:20

 

"He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'" ESV 

 

Jesus did not say to pray to Him when we are up against a mountain and ask Him to move it for us. He didn't say to pray and just wait to see if the mountain moves. He said if we use our faith, even a little tiny part of it, we will be able to move the mountain ourselves wherever it needs to go. That means putting our own action into our prayers and the Lord will make sure we succeed.

 

Lord, forgive us for expecting You to move our mountains while we sit and just hope You will do something. We have sinned against You in thinking You are an order department to bark out our orders to You to fix whatever is messed up in our lives. Fill us with Your power, with faith from the reading and hearing of Your Word, so that we will move mountains. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THE GIFT OF TODAY

 

Psalm 118:24

 

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." ESV 

 

Today is a gift from God to us. Today is an opportunity for us to live and speak of His greatness. Many who were here yesterday did not get the gift of today. By His grace we have received this precious gift. What could make us more happy than being able to rejoice in watching the ways our God is moving in our lives today!

 

Lord, we thank You for giving each of us another day to offer back to You. Help us to see the beauty of this day and to listen to Your still small voice. Give us wisdom and awareness of Your mighty works of love and grace You are doing today. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THIRSTY NO MORE

 

John 7:37

 

"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.'" ESV 

 

Being thirsty is a great motivator for us to find something to drink. If we do not drink, our bodies will eventually die. Just as this is true for our physical bodies, so it is true for our spiritual lives. This world has nothing with which to quench our spiritual thirst. The only thing that will quench that spiritual thirst is Jesus Christ.

 

Lord, forgive us for the times we have looked to things in this world to quench our spiritual thirst. We know this world has nothing that will satisfy the thirst in our souls. Thank You for the gift of living water that quenches our spiritual thirst for eternity. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

TO LIVE OR NOT TO LIVE

 

Philippians 1:21

 

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." ESV   

For us to stay alive in this world is to be able to be witnesses, being fruit bearers, bringing others to Christ. We can watch our families grow and finish things we wanted to do. To die is to be free of earthly troubles and difficulties. We will be basking in the eternal blessings of our Lord. Either way, we win.

 

Lord, help us to remember that whether we live or die, we are already in Your kingdom. If we live here help us win others to Your kingdom, and if we die, receive us as Your own for eternity. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

OUT OF CONTROL

 

Ephesians 4:26,27

 

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." ESV 

 

Uncontrolled anger is a perfect environment for Satan to get his foot in the door and barge in with all kinds of toxic thoughts, words, and deeds. Anger is a normal emotion. It is up to us to allow the Holy Spirit to keep our anger controlled.

 

Lord, forgive us for allowing our anger to get out of control and giving Satan opportunity to work through us with hurtful words and actions. Help us to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we will have self-control. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

WE DIED?

 

Colossians 3:3

 

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." ESV 

 

Having died to sin and been made alive in Christ, we are dead to the world and its' temptations. We spend so much time asking why things are happening and why we can't seem to overcome the trials in our lives. All we have to do is seek the Lord. If we seek Him we will find Him. If we find Him, we will find ourselves because we are hidden with Him.

 

 

Lord, forgive us for looking at earthly things, those things to which we are dead. Help us to keep on our eyes on the eternal things, for there we are overcomers and our lives are hidden with You. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

THIS IS THE LAW

 

John 15:12

 

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." ESV 

 

A commandment is an order given by someone in authority. Jesus Christ gave us a commandment that we are to carry out. It sounds simple to love one another. However, it is the most difficult thing to do. Didn't Jesus love us when we couldn't care less about Him? Did He not give His life for the most vile, filthy sinners such as us? To obey His command is to bring unity and harmony to the Church and draws a lost world to Christ.

 

Lord, forgive us for failing to obey this most important commandment. Help us to put aside those things that hinder our love for others. We pray in Your name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only