Count It as Joy

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 126:2-3 (NIV)
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

Let’s count:

What great things has God done for us collectively?
What great things has God done for you personally?

Long list = great joy.

 

Good morning, Lord. You have showered blessings on us, on me — more than I can count. Thank You! Forgive me for collecting the hurts, focusing on unhappy events, tracking what I wish I had. Teach me to look for the good, to focus on the positive, to count my blessings … and to give You the glory for all the joy in my world.

Share
Posted in Advent, Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Healthy Joy

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“Begin to rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care-all are poisonous! Joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.”   A. B. Simpson (1843-1919)

Joy may not cure everything, but joy makes everything better.

 

Good morning, Lord. Joy is comfort to my aching heart, fresh energy to my tired body, balm for my weary soul. Thank You for the joy you’ve brought to the world. Let it fill me, enlighten me, empower me, transform me. Sweep away my cynicism and negativity. Flood me — mind, heart and soul– with holy joy.

Share
Posted in Advent, Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Comfort and Joy

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


Philemon 1:7 (ESV)
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Tidings of comfort and joy, from heaven to earth, from angles to shepherds, from one believer to another.

 

Good morning, Lord. Advent is a season of joy, yes, but also of comfort — comfort in our grief and pain, knowing You will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4); comfort in our doubts, knowing You stand firm; comfort in our struggles, knowing You have a plan for our wellbeing; comfort in our weakness, knowing You are strong. Comfort refreshes my heart and fills me with joy.

Tidings of comfort and joy — teach me to share this good news with those around me.

 

Share
Posted in Advent, Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Glorious Joy

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

1 Peter 1:8-9 (N(V)
 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The end result of our faith is salvation — oh joy, glorious joy!

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for stepping out of heaven and into the form of a baby. Thank You for sharing Your eternal wisdom with us. Thank You for dying for our sins, opening the door to eternal life. Thank You for so loving the world.

Thank You for loving me, just as I am. My heart overflows with joy.

Share
Posted in Advent, Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Advent of Joy

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy.”
S. D. Gordon (1859-1936)

Joy: Jesus in the manger, Jesus on the cross, Jesus resurrected, Jesus on the throne … Jesus in my heart.

 

Good morning, Lord. We sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come,” but the whole world isn’t rejoicing. The doubt and distress I see around me don’t detract from Your message, God. It simply means there are folks who haven’t heard or don’t care. Open their hearts, change their minds — bring them to Jesus, fill them with joy.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Man

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


James 3:18 (AMP)
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].


Plant seeds of peace, grow spiritual maturity. Plant seeds of goodwill, reap a harvest of righteousness.

 


Good morning, Lord. I want to sow seeds of peace, reaping a harvest of wisdom. I want to spread goodwill, leaving a trail of encouragement. Watch over my words and deeds, make them pure and righteous. 

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Christ’s Peace

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“Christ died. He left a will in which He gave His soul to His Father, His body to Joseph of Arimathea, His clothes to the soldiers, and His mother to John. But to His disciples, who had left all to follow Him, He left not silver or gold, but something far better – His PEACE!“
Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

Peace of God, peace with God … who could ask for anything more?

 

Good morning, Lord. I am grateful for Your peace: the peace I have, knowing my sins are forgiven; peace of mind, knowing I am no longer lost and never alone; the ability to keep my peace, knowing that vengeance is Yours and it’s not up to me to get even; peace in speech, the ability to give gentle answers when others are angry. Indeed, Your peace passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Step out in Peace

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Ephesians 6:15 (NLT)
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

 

Are you all dressed up and ready to go? Don’t forget your best shoes.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation …

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the good news of peace and salvation. It puts the spring in my step, even when the road is rough. It lights my way, especially when the world is dark. It empowers my forward motion, even when I can’t see the path ahead. It keeps my feet on the narrow way, even when the crowd heads in a different direction. I step out in peace, knowing You are with me.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Live in Peace

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Romans 12:18 (NASB)
If possible, so far as it depends on you,
be at peace with all people.

 

It takes effort on everyone’s part to live in peace. Question is, am I a roadblock on the path to peace?

 


Good morning, Lord. Look into my heart and show me everything standing between me and peace. Shine Your light of truth on any lingering resentment, desire for revenge, envy, scorekeeping or one-upmanship. Grant me a forgiving spirit.


Just as You offer me new mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:23), let me clean the slate of my relationships daily. Teach me the art of living at peace with everyone.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Advent of Peace

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“The feast day of your birth resembles you, Lord
Because it brings joy to all humanity . . .
Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.
At your birth heaven and earth were reconciled,
Since you came from heaven to earth on that day
You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)

Our Prince of Peace is the Lord of Reconciliation — between heaven and earth, between God and humanity, between Him and me. 

 

 

Good morning, Lord. I long for peace. I sometimes wish You’d wave a magic wand and send peace all around the world. But really, You’ve already done Your part. The lack of peace is mankind’s doing, not Yours.

Enable me to do my part — with my prayers, my words and my actions. I want to be an instrument of reconciliation. Teach me how to be a peacemaker.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged , , | 2 Comments