WHAT'S IN A NAME?

 

Isaiah 33:6

 

"And he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure." ESV 

 

Fearing the Lord is giving total respect to His divine authority. Do we have true fear of the Lord? Is so, we have access to His vast storehouse of blessings, His wisdom, His knowledge, His power. Can we grasp what glorious treasures He longs to give us, if we will give to Him the glory and honor that belongs to Him?

 

Lord, we offer up to You all honor, glory, and praise for Your almighty splendor and unequalled magnificence. We are humbled by Your gift of free access to all Your blessings, Your knowledge, and Your wisdom. Help us to be clothed with the righteousness from Jesus' own blood, so that we will have the key to Your unfathomable riches. In Your glorious name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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NO NEED TO FEAR

 

Isaiah 41:10

 

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ESV 

 

This world is an anxious and fearful place. If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we have fear in our lives. We tend to get more discouraged while we watch the world getting more evil day by day. Remember, the great I AM is our God. We have the assurance and peace knowing He will give us the strength and help we need to be victorious in whatever we encounter. Our God is continually holding us up with His right hand, and interceding for us.

 

Lord, forgive us for allowing fear and discouragement to overtake us. Help us to clothe ourselves with faith and understanding. You are our God and You provide us with all we need to succeed in this earthly walk. We thank You for that. In Your name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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ROYAL CROWN

Revelation 2:10

"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." ESV

A crown symbolizes one who reigns in royalty. Jesus gives His Word that He will give the crown of life to those who sacrifice, show faithfulness to Him, and endure the conflict and persecution of this world. He will place that crown on the head of the overcomer and nothing will be able to remove it. The overcomer will reign and rule with Christ forever and ever.

Heavenly Father, we know we cannot be faithful to You in our own strength. But we know by allowing the Holy Spirit to rule in our lives, we can be overcomers. Have mercy on us to overcome this world. 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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IN GOD WE TRUST

 

 

Psalm 56:4

 

"In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 

 

God's Word is truth whether we believe it is or not. Those who trust in God, also trust in His Word. His Word tells us that He will never leave us and that He watches over us always. With our God, and His unfailing love, we have no reason to fear men. Who are they to stand up against the Almighty Eternal God.

 

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You because of who You are. We know by putting our faith in You we will never be disappointed. Help us to use our faith and to share the good news to those we meet. 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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KNOWLEDGE 101

  Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." ESV 

 

Of all the knowledge mankind can obtain, it is worthless unless it is connected at the foundation to the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the most important knowledge. Recognizing God is all in all will result in total trust that God will give us the knowledge that gets us to Him. To fear the Lord is not to be afraid of Him. It is an all encompassing reverence and humble acceptance that He is Knowledge.

 

Heavenly Father, help us to search ourselves to see if we have the reverence and acceptance that leads us to the wisdom and knowledge that takes us to eternal life 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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WHAT A WORK OUT!

Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." ESV 

 

How do we "work out" our own salvation? It is much like cleaning house, getting rid of all the dirt. Or it is like heating metal to the point that all the impurity is gone. Working out our salvation is allowing ourselves to experience difficult, uncomfortable, and sometimes frightening things to drive out worldliness in ourselves. Then our God will work in holiness and purity that is characteristic of His children.

 

Heavenly Father, we pray that You would help us stay at Your side as we work out the impurity in our lives. We desire to be pure and holy, to be Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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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SAY WHAT!

 

 

Matthew 1:20,21

 

"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'" ESV

 

It is difficult and even frightening to receive knowledge or information that we don't quite understand and we're positive others will not understand. If God's hand is in it, there is nothing to fear. Like Joseph, we accept by faith and walk forward, because God is working something glorious through our lives.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for not getting out of our comfort zone when You have prompted us to do so. Help us to motivate one another to build up the faith, so that we will be ready to go forward with whatever You call on us to do. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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IT'S NOT OUR PROBLEM

2 Chronicles 20:17

 

"You will not need to fight this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you." ESV

 

As humans, we seem to fret and worry about how we are going to get through this trial, over this loss, or free of this bondage. As true Christians, we don't have to worry and fret at all. The Lord has told us to stop worrying and just give all of it over to Him and He will take care of it perfectly. He takes on our struggles as His own, while asking us to just trust Him to work it out for us.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for using so much of our time and energy worrying and fretting about things. Open our spiritual eyes to see that these things are not our battles, but Yours. Show us how to let go of them so that You can take care of them like You told us You would. We praise You for that. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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DIVINE HASMAT INSURANCE

 

 

Hebrews 13:6

 

"So we can confidently say, 'the Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

 

The Lord has told us He would never leave nor forsake us. Our faith in His words gives us full confidence in His being all powerful. No matter what people do to us, no matter what the plans and behaviors of others do to us, God's strength is far more powerful. Though it seems the Lord does not see or care, trust Him!. He is working and He will take care of us. The strength of men is limited and they cannot overpower our God.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we lose faith and feel that You have forgotten us. Help us to use the faith You have given us to rise up with confidence that You are always alongside us, taking care of us, and crushing the harm others are trying to inflict on us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GOD GAVE US WHAT?

 

 

2 Timothy 1:7

 

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." ESV

 

 

 

The Gospel was not given in the same way as the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, where there was great fear and trembling. The Gospel came through the unfathomable price of Jesus Christ loving us so much that He died for us so that He could take the punishment for our sin. If we acknowledge that we are in need of salvation from our sin, accept what He did on the cross for us, turn from sin and follow Him, we will have the power to love as He did, and the courage and wisdom to live the life of righteousness.

 

Heavenly Father, we forget that we have the same power, love, and wisdom that You have if we walk solely in Your Holy Spirit. Help us to increase our faith so that we will let You fill us with Your power, fearlessness, and wisdom. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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CLOSE TO THE WATER

 

 

Jeremiah 17:7,8

 

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." ESV

 

Water is the vital source of life for every living thing. A tree planted by water, near the banks, is made strong and enduring from the nutrients and refreshment. The tree will stand strong with healthy roots through any type of weather, mild or harsh. Likewise, the Lord is absolutely trustworthy as our source of life and renewal through any circumstances we might encounter. We can plant ourselves close to Him.

 

Heavenly Father, we give You praise and glory for the bountiful richness You supply to us. Help us to draw nearer to You so that we will be stronger and more fruitful by Your presence. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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NO BIG DEAL?

 

 

Isaiah 57:11

 

"Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me?"

 

It may seem that God is silent, sitting way up in the sky, taking it easy, just loving everyone and being all right with whatever they do. Wake up! God is very watchful and waiting for as many who will, to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. God sees that some of us have become lazy in our Christian lives, shirking responsibilities, compromising with the world, and becoming diluted in our faith. God will not remain silent. He will call us to give an account by using the standards He set for us through Jesus Christ.

 

Heavenly Father, we bow on our faces in humility and desperate need for Your forgiveness of our complacency as Christians. Give us that discernment we need to sense the urgency of Your return and how we need to reach everyone we can with the Gospel. We pray in the blessed 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

CRITICAL PARTNERS

 

 

Job 28:28

"And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'" ESV

Sin came because doing things our way was more desirable than God's wisdom. The consequence was our separation from God. Being in reverent awe and respect of God is the doorway to wisdom. It is then, we will be listening and being obedient to Him. Then we will become more and more separated from evil and closer to the place where we can see and understand the Truth.

Heavenly Father, we recognize that we are born in sin. Give us an increased hunger to follow You in Your wisdom rather than our own way of thinking. Fill us with the Holy Spirit who will lead us to understanding of the Truth and far away from evil. 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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WHAT'S FEAR GOT TO DO WITH IT?

 

 

Psalm 56:11

"In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?" ESV

The greatest hindrance and disabling factor of our success in the Christian walk is fear. Fear can so overpower our faith and keep us from being effective witnesses and from growing spiritually. This fear can be as simple as a rejection by family and friends if we bring up spiritual matters. We have brothers and sisters around the world who suffer much worse than peer rejection for their faith. They lose more than their pride. Anyone who would reject, ridicule, injure, or even kill us for our faith only touch the temporary. God is the Guardian of our soul, which is eternal. What is there to fear from man?

Heavenly Father, some of us have no idea what our fellow Christians over the world have suffered in Your name. Yet we fear even being rejected or humiliated for our faith. We ask for the fullness of the Holy Spirit to lead us into the truth of our total protection against anything man can do to us. Help us develop the courage and perseverance to do Your will in any circumstance. Help us overcome our fear, we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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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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RUNNING AWAY: A RESURRECTION DAY REMINDER

Mark 14:50   "And they all left him and fled." ESV   Jesus Christ knew they would come for Him, that He would be murdered, and that all would forsake Him. We are all just like the disciples aren't we? When things get surprisingly scary, we run with fear and worry, and wonder why this thing is happening. We often times blame God for letting such things happen. It is time for us to be more like Jesus Christ, than like the disciples that terrible evening. They ran from the very thing that would crush Satan and death, the very act that would set us all free to live for Christ throughout eternity. If any of us is suffering, or worried, or questioning God about a great difficulty, be encouraged! Our Lord is working. His grace will raise you above the circumstance and He will be glorified. Look at the agony Jesus went through in Gethsemane and the victory of His resurrection.   Heavenly Father, forgive us for questioning You when things go wrong in our lives. How we praise You for the agony and victory Jesus Christ went through at Calvary. Help us to be open to the Holy Spirit to remind us that all things will result in our own good and for Your glory. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.           ©2008-2013 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

IN OUR RIGHT MINDS

 

2 Timothy 1:7

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." NIV

"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." KJV

Still today, some see God as harsh and ready to strike down anyone who so much as makes one little error. When Christ came, He showed us that we serve a God of love. When Christ returned to the Father, He sent His Holy Spirit. Do we realize what that means? We no longer approach, live, and serve God fearfully, but as a loving Father. He in turn, gives us the power to allow Him to work His mighty deeds through us. We are filled with His love, not for ourselves, but to give out to everyone in our path. He gives us the ability to understand His Word, to be discerning and wise. God gives us all we need to live a life of victory and fruitfulness in a lost and dying world.

Heavenly Father, we cannot praise You enough for Your mercy and grace to us. Help us to let go of the fears we seem to harbor and rest fully in You. Give us grace to allow the Holy Spirit to perform this wonderful work in our lives so that we will be worthwhile and productive for Your kingdom. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WONDERFUL PEACE

 

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." NIV

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." KJV

Peace! What is that? In this world the best we can hope for is a little quiet time from the noise and clamor. Jesus gives us His peace. This is a peace that cannot come from anywhere but Him and He has lavishly poured it out on us because He loves us. However, we have to accept it with humble hearts and gratitude. Then we will be able to experience that awesome peace within that never hides or goes away no matter what is going on around us. If we keep our eyes on Him and acknowledge His peace within us, all our fears and inner struggles will fade away. The power and presence of His peace will guard us and keep us in Him. In Him, there is love, peace, and joy.

Heavenly Father, we seem to let the troubles of this world overpower our hearts and minds, and we worry and fret about tomorrow. Forgive us for not accepting Your gracious gift of peace that You long for us to have. Clear our minds of the clatter and fears of this world and help us soak up Your wonderful peace, so that it will rule in our hearts, not fear and worries. In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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