Like a Consuming Fire

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

We’ve seen the photos — the flames, the destruction. The consuming wildfires.

 


Exodus 24:15-17 (NIV)
When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai … To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.

The glory of the Lord is like a consuming fire.

 

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I focus so much on Your love that I forget about Your holiness and power — forgive me. You are the God of wildfires and candlelight, of raging torrents and gentle rain, of justice and mercy, of glory and grace. You are perfectly holy and perfectly loving. You alone are worthy of all my love and praise.

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Turn Fury to Peace

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“Praise to the Lord, who, when
tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly
around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease,
turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.”
Joachim Neander, 1680
Trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863

17th-century thoughts, applicable to 21st century wildfires.

 


Good morning, Lord. Still the raging wildfires, still the raging tempests in our souls. Breathe on us, Spirit of God. Fill us with Your peace and protection. Let not our hearts be troubled (John 14:27), in Jesus’ name.

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Still Winds

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


A California reader reminded me that a torrential downfall could create dangerous mudslides and add to the damage. I don’t want to pray for greater destruction. Our God is the strong power behind both wind and water.


Mark 4:39 (NIV)
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Let us pray for still winds.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Still the raging winds that spread the wildfires. Send a gentle drizzle and dampen the embers. Bring an end to the destruction.

 

Likewise, O God, send the quiet breath of Your Spirit across our nation, turning hearts to You. Sprinkle Your grace over sinful souls, setting their feet on the straight and narrow path of faith.

 

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Dry Timber, Streams of Water

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Psalm 46:4 (MEV)
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.

 

Imagine a steady rain falling on Los Angeles — soaking the dry timber, putting an end to the fires. The city would be filled with joy. 

So shall it be when we leave this dry land behind and step into the heavenly realm.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Send streams of water on the earthly wildfires. Pour living water on our thirsty souls. Fill us with joy, now and throughout eternity, in Jesus’ name.

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Let Us Pray

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

News of the California fires catches my attention. My first thought: Lord, send rain.

Good start.


1 Timothy 2:1 (AMP)
First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people.

First of all … pray.

 


Good morning, Lord. Send soaking rains and bring an end to the wildfires’ destruction. 

 


Wrap the firefighters in the safety of Your protection. Grant wisdom to those deciding where and how to use the resources available. Fill the people dwelling in safety with compassion, the willingness to share what they have. Hedge in evil, disrupt any plans to loot or mislead. Pour out humility and integrity, ending the blame game. Give comfort to those who have suffered great loss. Pave the way to restore and rebuild better than ever. As only You can, O God, bring good out of this disaster.

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Still See

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


“Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”
Irish Hymn, Bí Thusa ‘mo Shúile
Trans. Mary E. Byrne, 1905

 

 


Good morning, Lord. Keep my eyes focused on You … ever and always. May nothing or no one be more important in my sight than You.

And thank You for keeping an eye on me … ever and always.

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Still Water

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:1-2 (ESV)

I find a hot shower invigorating. For restoring my body, nothing beats a long soak in the tub.

 

Good morning, Lord. I want to soak in Your wisdom, to absorb Your Word like a sponge. Fill me with truth and discernment, enable me to carry them with me as I walk through this day. Let streams of living water flow from me to those around me (John 7:38), especially in dry places.

Refresh and restore my soul!

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Still Listen

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“It is best to learn to silence the faculties and to cause them to be still so that God may speak.”
John of the Cross (1542-1591)

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I’m so eager to tell You what’s bothering me, I forget to listen. Teach me to quiet my soul and open my heart to the nudge of Your Spirit. Forgive me for making prayer all about me.

Speak Lord, and help me listen.

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An Important Lesson Learned

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries published my devotional on making plans.

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Still Whisper

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart …, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 1After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper ...

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

God’s still small voice whispers, “What are you doing?”

 


Good morning, Lord. Tune my ears to hear Your still small voice. Give me the humility to admit when I am wrong. Grant me discernment to see the right path and the strength to walk in it. Keep me honest, O God, and give me a willing and obedient heart.

 

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