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.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

HUSH! INSIDE VOICE PLEASE

Proverbs 15:1

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." ESV

When we get into an argument with another person, it is natural for us to raise our voice and match the negativity of the other person. There is blaming, bringing up past, hurts, criticizing, and making demands. The natural outcome of this behavior is more anger and hurt. As Christians, we are free to stay unhooked from arguing by responding with gentleness and soft words. Soft words have a way of taming anger.

Heavenly Father, please help us to remember that we don't have to get caught up in arguments that stir up anger. In those times when arguments happen, give us the soft words to speak that will take the anger captive and calm it. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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Friday, April 11, 2014

OK FOR ME, NOT OK FOR THEM

1 Corinthians 10:23

"All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up." ESV

Accepting the Truth of God sets us free. What does this freedom mean? It means we are free to say "no" to sin. Even more, we can choose to say "no" to those things that are not necessarily sinful, but they do not feed our spirit or promote growth in less mature Christians that are watching us. All things may be available to us to do, not all things are always the right thing to do. We use love and discernment, considering our own walk with the Lord and the spiritual welfare of others.

Heavenly Father, we humbly confess that we sometimes carry out our own agendas that are not necessarily wrong, but we haven't used spiritual judgment to give us awareness of how our behaviors might affect others. Help us to be aware that just because something is all right for us to do, it might confuse or cause a less mature Christian to stumble. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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Thursday, April 10, 2014

WALK AND FIRM UP NOW

Matthew 24:12,13

"And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." ESV

Jesus warned us that the world would become so evil that many would view evil as acceptable and normal. They will not be pierced in their hearts by evil and their love for God will lose it's fervor. We are to be alert to this subtle takeover of evil, because only those who are firm in their spiritual walk with Christ will be saved.

Heavenly Father, we know this world is getting more evil as time passes. We ask You to keep us firm and passionate in our walk with You. Help us to resist evil and to continue being living testimonies of You in this evil world. We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

THE ROUGH ROAD: WAITING

Psalm 27:14

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" ESV

Waiting is a very hard thing when we are in need of something right now. It becomes nearly impossible when we have waited far beyond the time we expected we would need to wait. It is at this point we begin to lose heart, become weak and discouraged. However, this is the exact time when we can allow the Lord to strengthen us and give us courage. This act of faith and trust will be a testimony to an unbelieving world.

Heavenly Father, we confess that we become impatient and lose heart quickly. Help us to exercise our faith so that we will be strong and confident that the answers to our prayers are on the way. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

SUPREME GLUE

Colossians 1:17

"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." ESV

Do we really grasp the awesome nature of our Lord Jesus Christ? He is eternal, existing from eternity to eternity, no beginning and no end. Do we really understand that Christ is the One who causes all things created to hold together, have shape and form, and have organization? That includes all things in the universe and all things in the spiritual world. That is why every knee will bow at this coming!

Heavenly Father, the greatness of Your Son, Jesus Christ is so vast it is impossible for our minds to comprehend it. Help us to show Him the reverence and obedience that belongs to Him. We thank You for sending Him to save us and the eternal life You have prepared for us. In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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Monday, April 7, 2014

INSEPARABLE

Romans 8:38,39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." ESV

The Gospel proclaims that God is love and that He gave is only Son to save us. There is nothing that can get in the way of God's love for us. We have the choice to reject God's Love and His plan of salvation that will cause us to spend eternity away from His presence. But His love is everlasting.

Heavenly Father, our minds cannot contain how unending Your love for us is. We pray for Your grace to live in this Love, to share this Love, and to honor this Love in everything we do. We pray for those who have not accepted this Love, that You will allow our path to cross with theirs, so we can share this Love and they will ask for it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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Saturday, April 5, 2014

WHEN THE WORLD'S WISDOM GOES BUST

1 Corinthians 1:19 "For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'" ESV

Earthly knowledge and wisdom have grown by leaps in bounds. We get so impressed by the things that are discovered and explained by today's men of respected expertise. As Christians, we understand that the knowledge and wisdom of this world cannot reconcile us to God nor lead us to God. The world's wisdom is temporary and it will disappear along with the rest of the world's wood, hay, and stubble when Christ comes for us.

Heavenly Father, we ask for Your true wisdom and knowledge so that the Life You give will fill our souls and bring us safely home to You. Give us awareness of those things that get us distracted and caught up in the wisdom of this world. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

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

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