LIVING ABOVE ACCOUNTABILITY

 

Habakkuk 2:9

 

"Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm!" ESV 

 

There are well known business, political, sports, and evangelistic leaders who build their empire in ways that are far from Spirit led. They aspire to live exalted above common man and believe they are above danger and ruin. They will be exposed for what they are. Ruin and devastation will come on them unexpectedly and it will be indescribable tragedy.

 

Lord, keep us from thinking we can build our lives so that we can be deceitful and think we are safe. Help us have a heart of compassion and intercessory prayer for those who do such things. In Your name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET

 

Luke 23:31

 

"For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" 

 

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was humiliated and murdered, young and in the height of His earthly ministry. If evil was that deep rooted and wide spread during the time of Jesus' walk on earth, when the wood was green, how will it be in these the last days before His return? We are seeing evil things we never imagined possible. The wood is dry, and dry wood burns quickly.

 

Lord, we seek Your Holy Spirit and wisdom so that we will make the most of this time while the wood of the tree is so dry, but not yet burning up. Help us understand that the time of Your grace is quickly drawing to a close and we are living Bibles to a lost and dying world. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT KIND OF ROCK IS THAT?

 

Matthew 16:18

 

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build by church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." ESV 

 

What is this rock on which Jesus Christ builds His Church? It wasn't on the man Peter, but on what Peter responded to Jesus' question to him, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." v.16. If we have this same faith Peter had, we have the knowledge of the power of the sovereignty of God. We will conquer death, hell, and the grave as Jesus did. And together, united as one on the Rock, we will bring others to this saving grace and we will trample down the very gates of hell.

 

Lord, we worship You and give You praise for coming to this earth so that we would know the Truth. Oh, how we need Your grace to live in this power and victory as Your Church. Help us to stand on the rock, make our every conscious thought remember who we are in You, and give us victory over the attacks of evil. In Your gracious name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LET THEM HAVE IT!!!

 

Nahum 1:3

 

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." ESV 

 

Why does God allow evil people to flourish and enjoy their evil ways, especially those who defy the ways of God? The Lord is not impatient like we are. When the time is right, and His timing is perfect, He will bring justice and vengeance like a swirling hurricane that destroys everything in its' path. All we have to do is pray, wait, and watch with Him.

 

Jesus, forgive us for becoming impatient and taking it on ourselves to get vengeance on those who do evil to us and those we love. Forgive us for wanting them to get what they deserve right now. Help us remember that You were patient with us and did not destroy us when we were still sinners. We believe by faith that You will take care of all these evil people and their evil ways in Your time. In Your name, 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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DON'T SLAP BACK

 

Matthew 5:39

 

"But I say to you, 'Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.'" ESV 

 

How many times do we think, "It isn't fair!" No one likes being treated unfairly. At times like these, it is hardest to let the light of Christ shine thought us. Our first reaction is to get even, an eye for an eye. We believe turning the other cheek is a weak cop out from having to stand up for ourselves. We need to think again. Jesus told us not to fight evil with evil, but to fight evil with good. We are always left disappointed because we expect fairness and justice in this cursed and perverted world. Having the true heart of Christ finds us constantly seeking to be Christ-like and just. When we turn the other cheek, just like Christ, we are saying, "I don't expect fairness from this world, but I will never be unfair. I will be like Christ."

 

Heavenly Father, You know our human hearts and how natural it is for us to even the score. We ask that You forgive us for these times and give us strength and courage to be like Christ, not seeking fairness, but always showing it to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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STUCK IN THIS WORLD

 

John 17:15

 

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." ESV 

 

Make this world go away! Get us out of here! As we watch the evil and disasters all around us, we wonder how we can ever escape without getting hit by the harsh, unrelenting torture this world brings. Jesus didn't pray that we would be spared the agonies of this world, but that the evil one would never destroy our soul. This way we would never be overcome by the evil in this world. Seeing God at work in this way will increase our faith and trust in Him.

 

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that You never leave us while we are here in this world. We know bad things happen and we get hit hard by the evils of this world, but we know that You are right here with us, protecting our souls. You prayed to the Father about that, and He listened. Help us to always remember this. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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REVENGE DOESN'T LIVE AT OUR HOUSE

  Proverbs 20:22 

"Do not say, 'I will repay evil;' wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." ESV

 

 

When we have been hurt, and terrible injustice has been done to us, our natural response is to get even. If we follow our natural inclination to get even, we only turn ourselves into the same kind of person that wronged us. Instead, God says to do nothing, but wait on Him. He will make sure we are vindicated. He will cause the one who harmed us to reap what was sown.

 

Heavenly Father, oh how we need Your grace when we have been hurt by others. Help us to rise above our human natures and leave revenge to You. We trust in You to take care of all these situations for 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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WALK AND FIRM UP NOW

 

 Matthew 24:12,13 

 

  "And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." ESV

 

Jesus warned us that the world would become so evil that many would view evil as acceptable and normal. They will not be pierced in their hearts by evil and their love for God will lose it's fervor. We are to be alert to this subtle takeover of evil, because only those who are firm in their spiritual walk with Christ will be saved.

Heavenly Father, we know this world is getting more evil as time passes. We ask You to keep us firm and passionate in our walk with You. Help us to resist evil and to continue being living testimonies of You in this evil world. We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LOVE AND HATE

 

Romans 12:9

 

 

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." ESV

 

 

Love is not merely an emotion, it is action. What is in our hearts will show in our actions. Do our actions show genuine love? Abhor is a very strong word. It means hate. Like love, it is not merely an emotion. It is an intense action that comes out of our heart. Do we genuinely hate evil to the point that it shows in our actions? If so, we will be actively destroying evil that comes near us and will be actively clinging to the Lord.

 

Heavenly Father, we humbly ask that you help us love with sincere hearts and hate evil so that we defeat it by the power of the Holy Spirit. Give us a burning desire to cling to You and all that You have declared good. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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MONEY IS MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU THINK

 

1 Timothy 6:10

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." ESV

 

Money is not evil. Having money is not evil. It's the love of money that is evil. The love of money draws people, Christians and non-Christians, into a deceitful place where it seems happiness and power abound. Falling into this trap of loving money will cause great sorrow for many who realize they have rejected eternal life and happiness to bask in earthly things that will be here today and gone tomorrow.

 

Heavenly Father, we humbly ask that You will guard our hearts and minds against the love of money and the earthly things it buys us. Fill our hearts with a burning desire to love You and Your Word. 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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SMOOTH TALKERS

 

Isaiah 5:20

 

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." ESV

 

When someone has a hardened heart, there is a lack of acknowledging and caring about the difference between right and wrong. There is no shame in sin or evil. Whatever feels right and serves the self is the guide. It is frightening to know how easy it is to get deceived by someone like this. The manner is persuasive and the talk flows smoothly and convincingly. In a moment, wrong doesn't seem so wrong, in fact, it doesn't seem wrong at all. If we are in constant fellowship with the Lord, talking to Him and reading the Word, we will have discernment when smooth, evil talkers come our way.

 

Heavenly Father, increase our hunger for Your Word and Your presence in our everyday lives. We stand in need of discernment in this evil world and we cannot have discernment without the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. Increase our 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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WE ARE IMITATORS

 

 

3 John 1:11

 

"Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from god; whoever does evil has not seen God." ESV

 

We are either imitating good or evil. It does not show in what we say, but in our everyday actions. If we are imitators of good, we will be loving, kind, seeking to do good, sharing the grace and mercy of God to others. If we are imitating evil, we are unfeeling, judgmental, impatient with others, thinking of ourselves first, and striving to become more like we want to be rather than what God wants us to be. What kind of imitator are we?

 

Heavenly Father, we know that our hearts and minds get blinded by things of this world. Open our hearts and minds so that we can examine ourselves to see what we are really trying to be like. Our desire is to imitate good, so that we will be more like You. By Your grace and mercy, help us to do that. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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NO PAYBACKS?

 

 

1 Peter 3:9

 

"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." ESV

 

Retaliation! Revenge! Get even! This is the same as trying to put out a fire with a blow torch or cleaning the mud off your feet by walking through a mud pit. All pointless wastes of time that only escalate evil. Overcoming evil with good is easier said than done, but we can choose to do it out of love for the Lord. Blessing are waiting for those who choose to crush evil with good.

 

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for all the times we return insult for insult, criticism or criticism. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we will be ready to always return good for evil. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC   http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/   No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

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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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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LIFE INSURANCE

 

 

John 17:15

 

"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." ESV

 

When we take out auto insurance, we do not keep our vehicles in the garage to keep from having accidents. We take them out on the road, and with insurance, we know any accidents will be covered financially. We have spiritual insurance, or should we say, assurance, that our Lord will keep us from the evil one who seeks to destroy us. We cannot hide inside our homes so that we will not be tempted and tried. With God's insurance, we can be courageous and go out as He commanded and be lights for Him in this evil world.

 

Heavenly Father, how we thank You for being the sovereign God who is in control of everything. Forgive us for our fear and insecurity that keeps our lights hiding under cover. Give us what we need to be able to live in this evil world and yet shine as lights for You. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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THWARTED EVIL ATTEMPT

Genesis 50:19,20     "But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'" ESV     When it seems that the events of life or the actions of others are surely going to destroy us, we can take heart. We are where God is able to use us for this time and season. He intends this discouraging peril to be for our good and the good of those around us. In this way, His diving purpose is completed.     Heavenly Father, forgive us for our lack of faith when things get really hard and frightening. Help us to remember that You have always been in control, You are still in control, and You will always be in control. We may not understand the good You are intending, but we pray for that peace that tells us it's going to be all right. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.              ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC   http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/   No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

WISE GUYS

 

 

Proverbs 3:7

"Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil." ESV

If we allow ourselves to be guided by our own human wisdom, we will find ourselves falling short, missing the mark, and headed down the wrong street. If we trust in the Lord's wisdom, even when we don't understand it, we will find peace, strength, and refreshment.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for trying to get through some things in this life guided by our own wisdom. We thank You that You have given us minds that can think, reason, and learn. But we can only do these things through our senses and our senses tell us about what we are experiencing right now. We cannot know what is going to happen tomorrow, or what others are doing today that might affect us. Help us to open up to receive the fullness of Your Holy Spirit so that Your wisdom will guide us, even when we don't understand. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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DON'T BE HALF DRESSED

Ephesians 6:11   "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." ESV   What would happen if we went out to work in the sub-zero weather with a swim suit on? What would happen to a soldier who went into the battle zone with no helmet or while wearing flip flops? Living the Christian life and wearing the full armor of God is even more important. Not only is our own eternity at stake, but so is that of those with whom we share the Gospel. Without the full armor of God, we will surely be taken in by the evil one.   Heavenly Father, how we stand in need of Your full armor. Help us to be aware of all parts of the armor and to be sure we are well dressed to meet the fiery darts of this evil world. Without the full armor, we will surely be overcome by evil. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.           ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only