WE ARE SLAVES TO THE MASTER WE CHOOSE

 

2 Peter 2:19

 

"They (unrighteous) promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." ESV 

 

According to the Word, we are mastered by one of two things: the Lord Jesus Christ or our own limited, self-directed minds. The former leads to eternal life. The latter leads to eternal darkness. The good news is, we can choose which of these will be master over us.

 

Lord, we praise You and glorify Your name that You have given us the gift of choice. Thank You for having charge over our lives, because You know what is best for us. Give us boldness to witness to those who are attempting to control their lives in this fallen world. 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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WHO'S GIVING THIS TEST?

 

Ephesians 6:13

 

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." ESV 

 

When we are struggling with a temptation or heavy trial in our lives, we sometimes say God is really testing us through this. God does not test us nor does he tempt or wrestle with us. The truth is, we are wrestling with the evil forces of Satan. Our Lord emphasizes that we need to put on and keep on His armor so that we can stand strong and overcome these evil forces. It is our choice to keep the Armor of God firmly on, or to let ourselves get spiritually sloppy and find ourselves wrestling a losing battle to the enemy. Our gracious God have given us all we need to overcome, even the choice to use what He has given us.

 

Lord, forgive us for getting so caught up in our own earthly lives that we fail to even recognize we have only part of Your armor on. You have shown us these are truly the last days. Give us zeal for being prepared and for being witnesses of Truth. In Your name we pray, 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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WALKING THROUGH FIRE AND WATER

 

Isaiah 43:2

 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." ESV

 

The Word tells us over and over that God will never leave us nor forsake us. When we go through overwhelming waves of suffering and tragic circumstances that make us want to give up, God is with us and will go through it all with us. Be comforted by that no matter where you are or what you are experiencing.

 

Heavenly Father, the forces that come against us in this world seems too much for us at times. Help us to remember we are not walking alone and that the battle is Yours. 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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THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY OUT

 

1 Corinthians 10:13

 

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." ESV

 

Temptation is universal. It comes to every human being. Giving in or not giving in to the temptation is always a choice. God says He will never allow us to be tempted to the point that we can do nothing but sin. There will always be an option to get through the temptation without sinning. It is our choice and we will be held accountable for the choices we make when temptation comes.

 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have made excuses for giving in to temptations large and small. There are no excuses. Let our hearts be filled with Your Word so that we will be able to make the choice that allows us to escape the temptation. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

 

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

 

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LISTEN AND LIVE

Revelation 2:7   "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." ESV   Salvation is the free gift of God through faith in Christ Jesus. However, it is our walk through this world of time on earth that shows whether we have truly accepted that free gift. If we overcome the obstacles and trials lying in our path, we will be counted as the true believers and live forever with Him.   Heavenly Father, how we stand in need of Your forgiveness for allowing ourselves to be overcome by the things of this world. We pray for the fullness of Your Holy Spirit that we will be armed and ready to overcome whatever this world puts in our way. 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           

IN PRISON BY OUR OWN DOING

 

2 Peter 2:19b

"For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved." ESV

We all have something that has gotten the best of our thoughts, emotions, and bodies. We have been taken over by something that was able make us cave in to our weaknesses. If we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord and do not walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are in danger of becoming prisoners of our own inability to conquer and stand strong against whatever would try to take us captive. As children of the King, we are overcomers. None of us should be held as slaves of this world.

Heavenly Father, how we need Your forgiveness for letting down our guard and giving in to those things that take us away. Help us to be alert and equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we will not be taken captive by the things of this world. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

         

©2008-2013

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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OVERCOMING

 

 

1 John 5:4

"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." NIV

"For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." KJV

The natural man works to overcome the world by common sense, learned behavior, and knowledge gained from the world. Sometimes this works, but for the most part it is temporary and incomplete at best. True faith in the Son of God by salvation in Christ will provide us with all we need to overcome the obstacles in this world. Without faith, we cannot be successful overcomers.

Heavenly Father, how we stand humble before you that we have tried to defeat the trials in this world by our own strength. Forgive us. Help us to use the faith You have lavishly supplied to us so that we can overcome this world as You did. We praise You and thank You for the gift of faith and overcoming power. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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GOOD TRUMPS EVIL

 

 

Romans 12:21

 

 

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." NIV

 

 

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." KJV

 

 

Getting even is such a response of the natural man. Our first instinct is to seek revenge on those who threaten or hurt us in some way. The Word of God plainly tells us it is our responsibility to keep the natural man bound up and allow our new man to act in the ways we were taught by Christ. Repaying evil for evil only creates more evil. Overcoming evil with good causes the evil to stop. If there is ever any question as to how to handle a situation where evil comes attacking, remember that we are to do good instead of trying to get even with evil.

 

 

Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing the natural man to rule in situations where we are threatened, hurt, or taunted by evil actions of others. Help us to do what You have given us the power to do, respond to that evil with goodness. 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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