A concise daily devotional developed to
encourage reading and understanding of God's Word.

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better." Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

*In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C., Section 107, any copyrighted images in these messages are distributed under The Fair Use Act without profit or payment to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the information and are for non-profit research and are for non-profit research and education. No copyright infringement intended.


Sunday, December 11, 2011

LOVING OUR ENEMIES

 
Matthew 5:44


"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." NIV


"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." KJV


We take pride in our love for those who are good to us, the loveable people. However, even the non-Christians love those who love them in return. God holds His children to a higher standard. Didn't the Lord God love us when we were unlovable? When we turn on a lamp, the light does not choose the objects on which it shines. Rather, it lights up the whole room. This is how the love of God should shine through us, on everyone regardless of how lovable they are.


Heavenly Father, we listen to our human side far too often and fail to love those who do not treat us well, loving only those who are good to us. Forgive us, Lord, because You love all of us, even when we were alienated from You, lost in sin. Help us to let You love flow through us to everyone we encounter so that You will be glorified. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


           
©2011
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Saturday, December 10, 2011

THIS IS THE WAY

 
Isaiah 30:21



"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"NIV


"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." KJV


Jesus says, "Follow me." But there are times when we all turn from following Him and veer off on one of the many side roads that look right to us. When we do that, our backs are to Him and we get farther and farther away from Him. He is always faithful to call to us and remind us of His way, the way we should be going. When we hear His voice behind us, it is then we must turn around, get back on the right path, and follow Him.


Heavenly Father, forgive us for getting off onto paths that are not laid out by You. Help us to hear Your voice before we stray too far, so that we can get back on the straight and narrow road that leads us to eternal life. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.


           
©2011
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Friday, December 9, 2011

THE ONLY WAY

 
John 14:6
 
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except throught me." NIV
 
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." KJV
 
 
Jesus told His disciples that He was going away and that they could not follow Him. This left them puzzled as to where He would be and how they could find Him. He told them with holy authority that He was going to the Father, and that only He, Himself, Jesus, is how they will get there. This is an eternal truth. That is the only way we will get there. Because we believe this statement of truth by our Lord, Himself, Chtristians are seen as narrow minded and intolerant. While people have developed many ways to God and some even believe that God is so loving he won't keep anyone from eternal life, we stand firm on the the Word of God.

Heavenly Father, we ask that You would help us be on guard for beliefs and philosophies that teach any other way to You, except for Jesus Christ. Give us courage to let those who are yet lost to know the wonderful truth that Jesus Christ is the Way. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.
           
©2011
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

WAKE UP AND WATCH

 
Mark 13:36,37


"If He comes suddenly, do not let Him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" NIV


"Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." KJV


We can all recall the parable of the ten wise and ten foolish virgins. It was their charge to watch for the bridegroom. We remember what happened to the foolish virgins who went to sleep and the bridegroom came. Likewise, we know about Jesus and the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told them to watch with Him and pray. What did the disciples do? They fell asleep. We are living so close to the coming of our Lord, at times we can hear His footsteps. Yet, some of us are sleeping. If we all wake up and watch, we will see the most indescribable event taking place. Jesus is coming and the stage is being set at a faster pace each day. If we wake up and watch for Him, we will be with Him for ever and ever.


Heavenly Father, how humbled we are that we allow ourselves to sleep and nap when it comes to You and Your coming. Help us to open our eyes, seek You always, and be ready when You come. In Jesus' name, Amen.


           
©2011
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Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

TO BE MERCIFUL

 
Matthew 5:7


"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." NIV


"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." KJV


How compassionate are we toward someone who has fallen into hard times through no fault of their own? Even more important, how compassionate are we toward those who are in the pits because of their sin, selfishness, and rebellion? Are we able to see beyond the hurts inflicted on us by someone we trusted? Are we truly moved to help someone who has purposely hurt us? If we can say yes, we are compassionate to these, then we are showing true mercy. Mercy does not stop to consider if someone is deserving of mercy, it is only moved to help when someone is suffering. If the Lord has not shown mercy to us, we would still be in the pit of despair.


Heavenly Father, how great is Your mercy, it endures forever. Forgive us for not showing that same mercy to others. Forgive us for deciding first if someone is deserving of our mercy. Help us to show mercy as You show mercy to us. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.


           
©2011
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

NO TOLERANCE FOR SIN

 
Revelation 2:20


"Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess." NIV


"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess." KJV


Tolerance in our society today is a virtue. It is being permissive and accepting of all thoughts, opinions, and practices of all people in all places. As Christians, we are to approach the world around us with a heart of love and compassion for all people. However, tolerance of anything that is contrary to the Word of God must stop within the Church, the bride of Christ. Jesus is coming back for a Bride without spot or wrinkle. If we are permissive and tolerant of wrongdoing among those who claim to be believers, the Lord will hold us responsible.


Heavenly Father, we confess that we have been tolerant of people and practices in our own churches and fellow Christians when they are not what You have taught is right. Forgive us for becoming immune to the ways of the world that penetrate even into our church and our own lives. Help us to examine our hearts and to be able to take a stand for Your Truth, not tolerating those things that are against It. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.


           
©2011
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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Monday, December 5, 2011

KEEPING OUR FIRST LOVE

 
Revelation 2:4,5


"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from it's place." NIV


"Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." KJV


We should never be able to tell a new Christian from a long time seasoned Christian by the amount of spiritual energy, joy, and exuberance. That first love we experienced as a new creature in Christ should never cease to exist. Unfortunately, very often it does. Our walk with the Lord becomes routine and lacks the luster and spontaneity it did in the beginning. If that is so with any of us, we must seek to rekindle that first love because it is crucial to being an overcomer, especially in these last days.


Heavenly Father, it is a wonderful thing that You know us. We thank You that Your Word warns us about letting our first love grow cold over time. Forgive us for letting that happen in our lives. Give us hunger and desire to renew our first love for You. You are so worthy and loving that You would provide the way for us to be equipped for these difficult days. In Jesus' name, Amen.
           
©2011
Daily Grace
Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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