DAILY GRACE

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.

Friday, July 4, 2014

CELBRATE FREEDOM

Jeremiah 30:19

"Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored and they shall not be small." ESV

Today is the day we celebrate freedom from oppression and freedom to worship our God. We not only became a free nation, but also a free people to commune not only in private, but on the housetops of the great salvation of Jesus Christ. When we watch the colorful fireworks bursting into arrays of patterns and colors, we can see likenesses to the arrays of patterns and beauty with which our Lord has blessed us in this land. Let's celebrate with gladness and thanksgiving. We have been set free.

Heavenly Father, how thankful we are for the freedom You have given us as a nation and as a people who bear Your name. Help us celebrate with gladness and remember that it is by Your mercy and grace we are free. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

Thursday, July 3, 2014

HOW DO WE PRAY WITHOUT STOPPING?

Ephesians 6:18

". . .praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." ESV

No matter how well we have put on the armor, it's effectiveness is only secured with prayer. Praying without ceasing is like taking our phones with us everywhere we go. If we need to make a call or someone needs to call us, we are equipped to make it happen. Ceaseless prayer in an ongoing communication with our Lord and includes praise, thanksgiving, praying for others, seeking guidance, and asking for our needs. Ceaseless prayer enables us to be alert to the evil one, who finds the tiniest opportunity to get to us. Never stop praying.

Heavenly Father, we ask forgiveness for being too busy to keep the lines of communication open with You. Help us to pray, to always remain in the spirit of prayer, so that we can hear Your voice and always be ready to commune with You. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!

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

None of us are exempt from temptation. The good new is, we will never be in a situation of temptation where we have no alternative but to give in to the sin. God has guaranteed 100%, a way out so we are not forced to sin. Of course, we still have the choice to go ahead and let the temptation overtake us. If that happens, we are totally responsible for our decision. Sin is a human choice. Resisting sin is a human choice provided by our God in every temptation.

Heavenly Father, we are so aware of the subtlety of sin and how easy it is to fall into its' trap. We ask that You help us to stay alert and stand firm so that we will choose to take the way out You always provide for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

NUMBER 1 FASHION CHOICE OF ALL TIME

Ephesians 6:12,13

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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

Whether we choose to believe it or not, a spiritual battle is raging and we are a part of the battle. This battle is over our souls and the destruction of the Church. The enemy in this battle is Satan, whose most dangerous and cunning feature is to deceive humans into believing he doesn't exist. He works around the clock to strategically instruct his legions of fallen angles to assist in his mission. His mode of operation is to appeal to our senses, distort our thoughts, and use circumstances to deceive us. He loves it when he can make us question God and His Word. However, God has given us everything we need to fight this battle and win. It is His armor! And, we must wear it at all times.

Heavenly Father, our flesh, our natural senses override everything and we become weak and vulnerable to the tricks of Satan. Forgive us for not putting on the important wearing apparel, Your armor. Forgive us for becoming complacent and unaware of the seriousness of this battle. Help us to put on Your full armor so that we will be ready to defeat this enemy anytime and anyplace. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

Monday, June 30, 2014

TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME

Matthew 7:13,14

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." ESV

Our human natures draw us to the wide road, where it is easy, popular, wide enough to allow us to be spiritually comfortable. It gives us space to believe what seems right to us and to decide for ourselves how we should live. In contrast, with God's nature in us, we choose to take the narrow road where it is lonely, difficult, and costly. Very few are attracted to this road and even fewer choose to take it. But it is the Way, the only Way to eternal life with God.

Heavenly Father, we have travelled on the wide road and it is truly easy. But we have learned that it leads to death. We thank You and praise You for providing the Way for us to become new creatures with Your nature so that we have the power to travel this narrow road, this difficult road, that leads us to eternal life with You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

Saturday, June 28, 2014

I WANT MY PRAYER ANSWERED NOW

Luke 24:21

"But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things have happened." ESV

Most of us are guilty of praying, then immediately looking for the answers. Then, we get disappointed and lose faith because, after all, it has been plenty of time for Him to have answered and He hasn't. Are we praying for answers or are we praying for the Lord to work in our daily lives and looking for Him? When we get our eyes off Him and just look for evidence that He is answering our prayers, we have lost the purpose of prayer. The purpose of prayer is to seek Him, be with Him, and find Him.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for seeking answers rather than trusting You and seeking Your face. We believe that You will take care of our needs when we ask. Inspire our hearts to seek You and worship You, while knowing You are accomplishing great things in our lives. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only

Friday, June 27, 2014

WORRIED FLOWERS

Matthew 6:30

"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" ESV

Most of us are familiar with this scripture about the lilies of the field not worrying about anything. We could argue and say they merely survive by the programmed laws of nature and survival. However, when we put our total faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, all we have to do is follow the law of the Spirit of Christ, who leads us toward life. Like the lilies, all we need to do is take root in Christ and grow where we are planted.

Heavenly Father, we confess that we worry about all kinds of things in this world and how they affect our lives. We fail to put total trust in You. Help us Lord, to look at the flowers of the field and remember that You are taking care of us too. Help us to grow contentedly where You have planted us. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only