CONSISTENT INSIDE AND OUT

 

Matthew 15:8

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." NIV

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." KJV

When the words we speak about the Lord are not what we have in our hearts, our behaviors will show we are hypocrites. When our hearts are truly committed to the Lord and our words speak honor to him, our actions will glorify Him too. Just because someone speaks great words of praise to the Lord does not mean they have pure hearts that beat for the will of God. That's why the Word tells us to test the Spirit so that we will know the true prophets, the real children of God.

Heavenly Father, please give us hunger to make sure that our hearts are committed to You and our words reflect what is in our hearts so that our lives will be productive for Your kingdom. Give us discernment to know those who are Your true children and teachers so that we do not get deceived by convincing words. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

 

Matthew 19:26

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." NIV

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." KJV

We are all facing something in our lives that seems impossible to resolve if we rely on human strength and knowledge. Isn't it just like us to go through a variety of strategies and spend energy trying to figure out how these things are going to be worked out? Just as it is impossible for us to free ourselves from sin, it is impossible for us to solve difficult problems in our lives on our own. Oh how we are blessed to have our God, who not only freed us from sin, but can take any seemingly impossible situation and work it out. Nothing is impossible for Him. So we don't have to spend precious time trying to work out what is impossible for us. If we just rely on Him, we can use that time to worship and witness for Him.

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that all things are possible with You. Help us to refrain from trying to take care of these things on our own. Give us peace in knowing You can do all things and our situations will work out for our good and Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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A PURE HEART

 

Psalm 51:10

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." NIV

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." KJV

We can be mature seasoned Christians and still have impure thoughts and "little sins" lurking within us. No one else can see them, but God can, and we know they are there. It may be a resentment toward something or someone that we feel is justified. It may be a sense of pride that we excuse as merely feeling good about something we have accomplished. It may be just relying on our own strength and knowledge rather than the Lord's. There are many more things that can stain and tarnish our hearts. Let us pray every day for a cleansing of our hearts.

Heavenly Father, how we humbly ask You to search our hearts and reveal to us where we have spots and blemishes. Give us the courage to confess and repent so that You will make our hearts clean and pure. We ask this 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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A CRITICAL DECISION

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." NIV "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." KJV Since we are all born into sin, we cannot be held accountable for being sinners. We can and will be accountable for knowing that Jesus Christ came to deliver us from our sinful state and we refused to accept it. That is when God holds us responsible. His light has come to this world to show the way to eternal life, but some choose to stay in the darkness. They like it better there. Heavenly Father, oh how we thank You for sending Jesus Christ to deliver us from sin. May the Holy Spirit dwell so richly in our lives that those who have chosen to remain in darkness will see that choosing Jesus Christ is the far better way. Make us witnesses of Your love and grace. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.             ©2011 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

THINK BEFORE WE SPEAK

 

Psalm 19:14

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock ad my Redeemer." NIV

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." KJV

We have all had times during conversation with friends or acquaintances where we blurted out something that we later regretted. Likewise, we have had thoughts that, if made public, would put us to shame knowing others knew what we were thinking. As human beings, we can't always help the things that come into our mind, but we can, use the gift of self-control to reject thoughts and words that displease God and hinder our testimony as Christians. If we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we will let Him filter our thoughts and allow us to think before we speak.

Heavenly Father, how blessed we are to have the precious Holy Spirit who showers us with the gift of self-control. Help us to accept this gift and use it so that You may be pleased and others will see You through us. 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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ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

Hebrews 3:13 "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." NIV "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." KJV It is dangerously easy to get our eyes off the Lord and His plan by getting caught up in the things that are going on in this world. Our Lord knew we were made this way. He tells us to encourage each other and remind each other that we can get so engulfed in the earthly life that it chokes out our spiritual life. If a brother or sister in the Lord brings you a word of comfort and hope, accept it as from the Lord. This is a way God has chosen to help us get our eyes back on Him. Encourage someone today. Heavenly Father, help us to open our hearts today that we might not only encourage someone else, but that we will be able to receive the encouragement from others. We believe that You have ordained this way of bringing us hope and comfort. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen. ©2011 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

DO NOT BE AFRAID

 

Mark 5:36

"Don't be afraid; just believe." NIV

"Be not afraid, only believe." KJV

Jesus uttered these words to the man whose daughter lay dead at home. The crowds were shouting at him to leave Jesus alone, the girl was dead, it was too late. Are you in a situation in your life in which it seems hopeless? Are the people around you or your own thoughts telling you there is no use to even ask? The voice of the Holy Spirit will be firmly but gently comforting you and reminding you that God has a plan. God is in control and He is working this out for you and for His glory. Isn't it awesome that He would take a tragedy from your life and turn it into a glorious thing for you and for Him? Do not listen to those around you. Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, it seems we just crouch in fear when difficult things are facing us. Forgive us for allowing ourselves to go through a time of fear and defeat before we turn our eyes to You. Open our hearts and ears to the voice of the Holy Spirit so that we may have courage and walk in the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only