OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

 

 

1 Samuel 15:22

 

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." NIV

 

"Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." KJV

When performing outward good works becomes more important than the inward obedient attitude, God becomes displeased. It is a sacrifice of time and energy to volunteer to clean the church, but it is a greater spiritual work to bring all of your thoughts captive to Christ. Make this more important in your life without neglecting the good works.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for thinking our attendance at church, our reading our Bibles, and involving ourselves in Christian activities are what we need to do to please You. Help us to understand and begin living out obedience to Your Word that is more pleasing to You than anything. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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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NO GREATER JOY

 

 

3 John 1:4

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." NIV

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." KJV

It is a pleasure for our spiritual leaders to see those under their care prosper in the ways of God. Likewise, the greatest joy and peace that Christian parents can experience is knowing their children are serving the Lord and remaining in His truth. God has entrusted us as caretakers of the church body and our own children to make every effort to be Godly examples and teachers of God's truth to them.

Heavenly Father, we need Your help to be Godly examples to our spiritual children and our offspring. Without our hearts being right before You and living a life of holiness and consistency with Your Word, we will cause our children to stumble. Help us to be Godly teachers and parents so that our children will come to the truth, walk in it, and be holy examples to their children. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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GOD BREATHED

 

2 Timothy 3:16

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." NIV

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." KJV

The authority of scripture is being highly questioned in today's world. Non-Christians and even so called Christians believe the Bible to be a book written by men, in their own words and their own thoughts. This is a dangerous belief that is gaining a foothold in our society. As Christians, we know that the Word of God is true and the God Himself chose men of holy character to reveal His words so they could write them down for us to study, to know Him, and to live holy lives. If we allow any person or thought to allow us to discredit the reality of the Word as God breathed, we will be deceived and begin living in error like the world does. God's Word is true, eternal, and holy. We can stand on it forever.

Heavenly Father, help us to reject the world's idea of Your Holy Word. Increase our faith as we look to the scriptures for answers to this life and how to live. We thank You for giving us Your Word and pray that we hide it deep in our hearts so that we become holy. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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IT WAS NOT ME

Deuteronomy 8:17,18     "You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." NIV   "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." KJV   Self satisfaction and pride in our abilities and accomplishments are an open door to rob and dethrone God of the honor He deserves. After we have worked hard, gotten ahead financially, and feel more secure financially, of course we have a human tendency to feel we have achieved this through our hard work and perseverance. When we admire our selves for these accomplishments, we create an idol in God's place. Remember, all we are and all we have is from Him. And He will hold us accountable for how we use these blessings.   Heavenly Father, how we thank You and praise You for Your abundant blessings to us. Forgive us if we have taken any credit for these blessings and forgive us if we use them for our own pleasure. Give us open hearts to hear Your voice as to how You want us to use these blessings. Thank You for allowing us to enjoy them but also to bless others with them and glorify You as King of Kings. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.         ©2012 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

THE HEART SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS

 

 

Titus 1:16

"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good." NIV

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." KJV

Many people claim to be committed to God, to be true Christians, and on the surface their lives seem to be very Godly. However, if a discerning Christian looks beyond these exterior appearances and sees the true fruit of these professing Christians, very ungodly things begin to make themselves known. There are wrong thoughts, unforgiveness, judgment of others, feelings of spiritual pride and status. These people will usually fail to see their own spiritual failings and exaggerate the spiritual failings of others. They become defensive if they are confronted with their own problems. For these Christians who claim to know God, they are only fooling themselves, because God is exposing them to His true children. This is the time for His true children to pray for these people. They need spiritual cleansing and renewal to get all the ungodliness out of the way of true communion with our Lord.

Heavenly Father, forgive us if we are among those who claim to be good Christians, yet we harbor wrong thoughts, attitudes and feelings. Help us to repent and forsake all wrongs to walk in holiness and righteousness as Your children. We pray this in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

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UNVEILED FACES

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." NIV

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." KJV

When Moses came down from the mountain after being in the presence of the Holy God, he had to cover his face with a veil because the people could not stand to look at the glorious light that emanated from his face. Because Jesus' death tore down the curtain into the holy of Holies, we can look toward the glory of God just like looking in a mirror. His glory is reflected back to us and we become more and more like His image.

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your grandeur and glory. How privileged we are that we can come to the throne of grace and behold the face of Christ. Open our eyes, our hearts, and our souls so that we can be changed into the image of Your Son. We pray in His name, Amen.

       

©2012

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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

No Copyright Infringement Intended

Personal Use Only