ANGER IN ITS RIGHT PLACE

 

Psalm 86:15

 

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, show to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." ESV 

 

If every person in the world responded to difficult people and circumstances like we do, what kind of world would we have? If we all responded like our Lord does, how would this world be? We are so blessed that He is compassionate and slow to get angry. Where would we be if He weren't?

 

 

Lord, thank You for being patient and gracious toward us, although we know we don't deserve it. Help us to be more like You when we interact with others in this world. Amen.

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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WHAT'S HIDING IN YOUR HEART?

 

 

Proverbs 28:13

 

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." ESV 

 

 

It's human nature to want to hide those things we know are sin. We work increasingly hard to keep these things private so others will not find us out. But, this keeps us stuck in our spiritual walk with Christ and we sit guilt ridden, with fear of exposure, and physically ill from the pressure of carrying hidden sin. We cannot hide our sin from God. But we can be set free from the burden of sin by stopping it, approaching God, and confessing our sin to Him. With His loving forgiveness, He will shower us with His mercy.

 

Heavenly Father, we rejoice that You are always ready to forgive us when we come to You confessing and repenting of our sin. Give us courage, insight, and strength to face our own sins, so that by Your mercy, there will be nothing standing in the way of our spiritual prosperity. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

 

 

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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ROYAL PASS

 

Hebrews 4:16

 

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we might receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." ESV

 

 

Jesus Christ was God who became a human, lived among us, and faced the same trials and temptations we face. Unlike us, He lived His life here without sinning. He knew why He came. Because He resisted the human nature, we can come right to the throne of the Father with confidence, not fear. We can receive mercy and grace whenever we ask for it.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Son, who knows what it's like to live in this world and did it without sin. We are in awe of the grace and mercy You pour out so that we can come directly to Your throne. Help us to always remember it is because of what Jesus Christ did for us that allows us to come. In His name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2014

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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STAYING WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE

 

 

Jude 1:21

 

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." ESV

 

While we are waiting for Christ's soon return, it is our responsibility to keep ourselves in the light of His love, just like that first love we had for Him when we first accepted Him into our hearts. We can do this only by His unending grace and mercy. It is His love for us that supplies this grace and mercy so that we will be found ready when He comes.

 

Heavenly Father, You know our human nature and how often we drift off into the things of the world around us. We stand in great need of Your grace and mercy to remain in the light of Your love so that we will be ready when You come for us. Help us, we pray, to commit ourselves to staying in the light of Your love. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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RECIPE FOR FREEDOM AND PEACE OF MIND

 

Job 42:10

 

"And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." ESV

 

Someone in our lives has wronged us, hurt us, betrayed us, caused us grief. Our human nature responds with resentment and anger. The truth is, if we are merciful to those who have wronged us, and we pray for them, the Lord will show us mercy and release us from the chains of resentment and anger. His Word says He will show us mercy in the same way we show mercy to others.

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing our natural emotions to fill our hearts with resentment and anger when we are wronged by others. Help us to open our hearts to Your Holy Spirit who will give us the desire to pray for them, show mercy to them, and free us from the cage of resentment, anger, and the desire to get even. 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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IN A NUTSHELL

 

 

Micah 6:8

 

 

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." ESV

 

 

Often we sit and wonder just what it is we are supposed to be doing for the Lord. We pray and we do not get a clear answer. He has told us in His Word, in a nutshell, what we are to be doing. He requires us to be always fair and just, to long for and seek after kindness, and to live our lives humbly as we walk daily with Him. Such a simple request, but we spend our whole lives aligning ourselves with it.

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us everything we need to meet your requirements. Forgive us for not meeting up to Your expectations, but You know our hearts and we trust that You are working within our lives and surroundings to bring us to this place You want us to be. We pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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MERCY PLEASE

 

 

Hosea 6:6

 

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." ESV

 

God's mercy moved Him to bring Himself to us through Jesus Christ. If we desire mercy, we will come to Christ and allow Him to make us like Himself. Without mercy, any religious act or Christian work is useless. They are only empty acts with a religious appearance. God would rather we show mercy to the poor, needy, and lost than to give all our time, talents, and gifts to a religious cause.

 

Heavenly Father, we humbly bow in Your presence because we have engaged in religious activities and have neglected showing mercy those who are in need. Mercy is Your great desire for us to give out just as You give to us. Help us to show mercy each day and bring You glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

          

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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GOT MERCY?

Colossians 3:13   "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also much forgive." ESV   Are we really honest about the resentment, anger, or bitterness we are holding toward others? Do we realize that we are not only capable, but most likely guilty of doing the same kinds of things they did to hurt us? If we choose to hold on to resentment and anger, we are nothing more than hypocrites throwing stones. If we forgive with mercy and grace, we are walking in Christ's footsteps. We will receive the same mercy we have given.   Heavenly Father, forgiving those who have wronged and hurt us is such a hard thing to do. It humbles us to say we don't have to have You search our hearts very far to find the resentment and anger we have held fast in our hearts. Help us to hold fast to the abundant stream of mercy and grace that constantly flows from Your heart so that we will have peace and joy in forgiving those we have not allowed ourselves to forgive. 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

IT WAS NOT ME

Deuteronomy 8:17,18     "You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." NIV   "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." KJV   Self satisfaction and pride in our abilities and accomplishments are an open door to rob and dethrone God of the honor He deserves. After we have worked hard, gotten ahead financially, and feel more secure financially, of course we have a human tendency to feel we have achieved this through our hard work and perseverance. When we admire our selves for these accomplishments, we create an idol in God's place. Remember, all we are and all we have is from Him. And He will hold us accountable for how we use these blessings.   Heavenly Father, how we thank You and praise You for Your abundant blessings to us. Forgive us if we have taken any credit for these blessings and forgive us if we use them for our own pleasure. Give us open hearts to hear Your voice as to how You want us to use these blessings. Thank You for allowing us to enjoy them but also to bless others with them and glorify You as King of Kings. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.         ©2012 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

MERCY OVER JUDGMENT

 

 

James 2:12,13

 

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" NIV

 

"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." KJV

We will all be judged by the plan of salvation that has delivered us from the prison of sin. Knowing that, we are urged to live like we have received this grace and mercy by not being judgmental toward others. It is in our human nature to judge, but we have been set free from our human nature so that we will live in Christ. If we want God to be merciful to us, we must be merciful to others. Judgment delivers what we deserve. Mercy pardons.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for those times we judge others. Let our hearts be stung when we set ourselves up as judge. Help us to show mercy, even when we know it is not deserved. After all, You showed mercy to us when we did not deserve it. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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GOD'S MERCY

 

 

Isaiah 30:18

 

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" NIV

 

"And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you, for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him." (KJV)

It is a wonderful thing that God waits on us to change our hearts from living for ourselves to committing our lives for Him. He shows us such mercy in His waiting so that we can receive His pure love and blessing. When we truly understand this, we will lift His name up as never before. We will never forget what a gracious and merciful God we serve.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for ignoring Your love and mercy when You so freely offered it to us. Give us hearts of thanksgiving and praise for your unending love. We can only give You our lives to show how truly grateful we are. Help us to always know all that is good comes from You. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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FASHION STATEMENT

 

Colossians 3:12

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." NIV

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering." KJV

We can tell a lot about people by the clothes they wear. So many different styles and ways to dress. One thing for sure, most people wear clothing and would be embarrassed or arrested if they were caught naked. If we stop for a minute and look at the spiritual world, many people, including Christians, are spiritually naked. They don't seem to be concerned about it at all. God expects His people to be fully clothed spiritually so that we won't be ashamed when we represent Him to the lost in this world. The greatest spiritual fashion statement a Christian can make is being compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. These things never go out of style and look holy and majestic to our Lord.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for neglecting to dress spiritually appropriate. Search us and reveal to us the spiritual clothes we wear. Help us to never be naked of those things that You consider holy and pleasing in Your sight. Help us to be aware of how we dress spiritually and make us pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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PLAY THE TRUMP CARD

 

James 2:13

 

 

". . .judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." NIV

 

 

"For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." KJV

 

 

What is mercy? It is showing compassion on someone who would otherwise deserve punishment of some kind. How many of us have deserved negative consequences for something we have done, but we were pardoned from punishment and given leniency for our wrong? How many of us have shown mercy to someone who deserved to be punished? We will be judged in the exact same way we have shown or not shown mercy to others. Jesus Christ showered us with His mercy by shedding His blood on the cross for us when it should have been us nailed there.

 

 

Heavenly Father, how we praise You for Your unending mercy toward us. We ask that we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when we need to show mercy to others. Forgive us for those times we have failed to show mercy and have dealt out harsh punishment to others. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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CHRISTIAN SINNERS?

Because we are Christians, are we perfect? Are we free from mistakes?
Do we always obey the principles of the Word? Most likely not. But, if we
are truly children of God, the Holy Spirit will convict us when we get off
track. The love and grace of God will overpower the desire or inclination
to sin and, being alerted by His Spirit, we will turn back to His way. If we
continue in the sin and ignore the Holy Spirit's conviction, we are in danger of numbing our consciences from the voice of God.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you will help us be open to the Holy Spirit
and let your love and grace overpower our own desires that will lead us
away from you; In Jesus name.

Read 1 John 5:18

"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." (NIV)

"We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (KJV)

    
©2010

GOD'S LOVE

While we wait for Christ's soon return, it is our responsibility to
keep ourselves holy, faithful, and living out in that first love we
had for Him. We can do this only by God's grace and mercy. It is
His love for us that supplies His grace and mercy so that we will
be found ready when He comes.

Read Jude 1:21

"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (NIV)

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (KJV)

NOTHING WE DID

We know that God loved His created human beings and made us all
in His image. He said it was good. When humans disobeyed and fell
from His grace, He still loved all mankind and made a way to restore
them to Himself. The way back to Him cannot happen by anything we
do or don't do. The way back to Him is only through His grace and mercy
that moved Him to send His only Son, who saves us and fills us with His
Holy Spirit.

Read Titus 3:4,5

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved
us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his
mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the
Holy Spirit." (NIV)

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." (KJV)

MERCY

God's mercy moved Him to bring us to Himself. If we are merciful,
we will be brought to Him and will be like Him. Without mercy, any
religious act or Christian work is useless. Without mercy, it is only
an empty act. God desires us to be merciful above all else.

Read Hosea 6:6

"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God
rather than burnt offerings." (NIV)

"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God
more than burnt offerings." (KJV)

TRUE RELIGION

The original Latin meaning of the word religion is to tie, fasten, or bind,
like a ligament functions in the muscle structure of the human body. When our religion consists of being tied to tradition and rituals, it makes us rigid and susceptible to breaking apart. When the effect of our religion is mercy and giving to the needs of others, we become a living tie between the flowing, living love of the Lord and others around us. Being tied (bound) to the Lord is our choice. It is a choice that gives us the power to stay spiritually free from worldly ways. That is true religion.

Read James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (NIV)

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (KJV)

GOT MERCY?

Are you holding on to resentment, anger, or bitterness toward others? Do you realize that you are not only capable, but likely guilty of doing the very thing that hurt you? If you choose to hold on to your resentment and anger, you are but a hypocrite throwing stones. If you forgive with patience and mercy, you are living as Christ lived. You will receive mercy just as you give it.

Read Colossians 3:13

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (NIV)

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (KJV)


  
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Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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EARNED OR FREE GIFT

Many people have fallen into the deception that no one will go to
hell because God is so loving He would not do that to anyone. The
truth is, God will not send anyone to hell. The payment for living in
sin is hell. It is earned. No one will be in hell that does not deserve
to be there. On the other hand, we cannot earn eternal life. It is free to us because Christ paid the full price by dying on the cross. So turn from living in sin that will pay you with eternal death and accept His free gift which will result in eternal life.

Read Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord." (KJV)


  
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle
drbobbijo@yahoo.com
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