DEFEAT EVIL WITH GOOD

 

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

Isn't it just our natural tendency to take revenge when we have been hurt and wronged? The Word of God tells us to do the opposite of what our own nature tells us to do. We see only through a glass darkly. How do we know there was an evil intent committed or if it was an accident? Who are we to set up ourselves as judge when there is only one Judge. Besides, who knows but what an act of kindness in response to an evil act might be the thing that brings a lost soul to Christ. If we think about that when we are face to face with evil, there is no telling what the Lord will do, if we respond with good. He will be glorified because we have obeyed His Word.

Heavenly Father, it is so difficult to respond in a way that is opposite to how we naturally want to respond. Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may be full of goodness that will overcome evil. Forgive us for seeking our own revenge and setting ourselves up as judges. 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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NO NEW MIXED WITH THE OLD

Luke 5:36 ". . .No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old." NIV ". . .No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old." KJV Jesus has taught us in His Word that the Way to eternal life is not able to be mixed with the teachings and practices of the world. Jesus did not come to earth to repair the old accepted religious ways. He came to reveal the new life of inward faith and having a relationship directly with the Father. This new life of the Spirit could not be combined with the old teaching and traditions. The old teachings consisted of numerous acts and rituals to obtain God's favor. The way of Christ is to accept God's love that provided us the way to Himself, not by our own acts or rituals, but by the blood of Christ. Heavenly Father, give us spiritual eyes to see and understand the difference between religion and being alive in the Spirit. Help us to rid ourselves of beliefs that cause us to rely on any thing but the Lord Jesus Christ to get us to You. 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

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS

Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." NIV "Jesus said unto him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment, And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." KJV The word "love" appears in the Bible at least 551 times. God is love. And to love is His greatest of commandments to us. He first commands us to love Him with everything we have. Then, He commands us to love our fellow human beings as much as we love ourselves. We can only do this great giving of love by walking in His Spirit. We cannot do it by walking in our own human nature or the spirit of this world. If we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with His love, we will fulfill God's greatest commandments. Heavenly Father, we humbly ask for the fullness of Your Holy Spirit that we might love You with all of our being and love those around us. We thank You for Your great love to us that we can never repay. And we praise You that You have given us Your Spirit to help us love as You have loved us. 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

ALL ARE INVITED, WHY NOT COME?

 

Luke 14:16

"Jesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests." NIV

"Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many."KJV

There are multitudes upon multitudes of people invited to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Some say they will come, but fail to make preparation and allow other activities and pleasures get in the way. Those do not come to the Lord. There are many who will take this course and not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. But God's plan, which will be done, is to extend His invitation to the far reaches of the earth, through you and me. His kingdom will be filled with those who are willing to come no matter what this earth holds for them.

Heavenly Father, we cannot praise You enough for inviting us to partake of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us tell others everywhere we go that they, too, are invited. May Your kingdom be filled with those of pure hearts and lips of praise. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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WATCHING IS CRITICAL

 

Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." NIV

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." KJV

The Word of God states over and over that we are to watch. We can take from this repeated urging that watching is very important. In particular, we are warned to watch that we don't get caught up in the things of this world that will stain our walk with Christ. After all, that is Satan's goal, to subtly and quickly to get us trapped in some sort of sin. Of course, we are the first to say that we would never knowingly place ourselves in a situation we know will tempt us. Oh, my, this is dangerous thinking. More often we find ourselves right on the fringes or even in the presence of temptation and we say we have the maturity and strength to overcome it. This is the reason the Word of God tells us over and over to watch. Our spirit has the right intention, but whether we want to admit it or not, our natural selves are weak and can easily succumb to temptation. Watch! We learn our weak areas and we watch what is going on around us. Watch and pray. Go the other way, leave, run, whatever it takes.

Heavenly Father, Your Word is so crucial to our being able to successfully endure to the end. Help us to take seriously Your words to watch, be careful, and stay alert. Satan is craftier than we are, but You know more than he does and Your power has already overcome him. Help us to watch for those things that are not consistent with Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

Ephesians 6:14

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." NIV

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." KJV

How important is truth? All the pieces of the Roman soldiers armor were connected to and held in place by the belt. Truth (honesty, virtue, and moral integrity) holds together all we need to fight against evil. How important is righteousness? The Roman breastplate serves to protect the most vital organs of our bodies. Because God has provided the righteousness of His Son to us, we are protected from Satan. He cannot injure or harm our vital salvation and gift of righteousness in Christ.

Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for giving us all we need to fight the enemy and to be safe from the harm of Satan. Help us to cling to truth and righteousness so that we may be victorious children of our Mighty God. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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Personal Use Only

WAITING AND WAITING

 

Psalm 37:7

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." NIV

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of a man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." KJV

As Christians, we are all waiting for the Lord to respond to an earnest request that seems to have been put aside or forgotten. However, we continue to wait for God to move. In the meantime, there are nominal Christians or even non-Christians who get the things they want for their own personal pleasure and contentment. Doesn't this seem extremely unfair? The Lord says to wait. Wait and do not worry about what others are getting. He is in control. He is working on our behalf in His time and in His way. Our requests will come about if we just wait with faith and not try to "help" God out.

Heavenly Father, You know we are human and it is hard for us to wait. Patience is not a part of our fleshly nature, but it is instilled within us by the Holy Spirit. Help us to wait with patience, continuing our communion with You and sharing Your truth with others, until our answer comes. 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