Shirlee Abbott -Shirlee Abbott

No Peace

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Jeremiah 6:14 (NIRV)
They bandage the wounds of my people as if they were not very deep. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say. But there isn’t any peace.

The world’s version of peace is like a band aid on a broken bone. It’s only skin deep. Make-believe. Unreal.

Good morning, Lord. The world offers fake peace. You offer true peace, the kind that settles into my soul and sustains me through troubled times. Grant me wisdom to know the difference. Don’t let me waste energy chasing after pretend peace. I want to pursue real peace — peace with You, which grows into peace with myself and others.

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Know Peace

Posted on October 14, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (MEV)
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Know God, know peace. No God, no peace.
‘Nuff said.

Good morning, Lord. The news is often unsettling, sometimes downright scary. If I didn’t know You and carry the hope of heaven in my heart, I would be terrified. I know the future rests in Your hands. I can step out into my day knowing You are watching over me. Instead of inner fear, I have inner peace. Thank You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 2 Thessalonians 3:16, God, know God, peace | Leave a comment

Joyless

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“Holy joy will be oil to the wheels of our obedience.”
Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

Squeaky wheels may get things done, but without joy.

Good morning, Lord. I’ve learned that Your way is the best way, and yet I want things my way. I sometimes move according to Your plan with a bad attitude — complaining as I go and dragging my feet. I’m like a child headed for a delightful vacation destination, whining because the scenery is boring. Joyless.

Forgive my grudging obedience. Keep my eyes on the final destination, focus my mind on Your Word, fill my heart with holy joy.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged joy, Matthew Henry | Leave a comment

Joy Restored

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

The psalmist praises God:

Psalm 30:11 (TLB)
Then he turned my sorrow into joy!
He took away my clothes of mourning
and clothed me with joy.

God restores joy that’s gone missing. Wait for it!

Good morning, Lord. Today, when I see the destruction in Florida and the uncertainties of world events, my joy falls away. I feel the dark closing in. It’s all so overwhelming.

I look to Your Word, and it restores my soul. You have not abandoned us. You walk beside me through the darkness, lighting the path ahead. Things will be good again — if not here on earth, then absolutely in heaven. The joy of Your presence wraps around me like a blanket. I am safe. Thank You!

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Joy Lost

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“If you have no joy, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.”
Billy Sunday (1862-1935)

I plug one leak, and the enemy drills another. I have to be vigilant.

Good morning, Lord. Some days I feel joyless. I feel all alone. I feel the troubles of the world closing in. My hope and trust seem to have drained away. In those moments, dear God, remind me to trust Your Word and not my feelings. Set my feet on the path of righteousness. Refill my heart with the joy of Your presence. Restore my soul.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Billy Sunday, joy, Timeless Wisdom | Leave a comment

Joy Full

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

John 15:10-11 (ESV)
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Imagine a fuel gauge for your joy — E on one side, F on the other. Does the needle point to F?

If my joy isn’t full, I need to fill my tank with love and obedience.

Good morning, Lord. All too often, I look for joy in the wrong places: in possessions, job or popularity. Forgive me. I know my joy comes from You, from Your Word, from my hope of heaven. Align my desires with Your plan. Teach me to love and obey. Lead me in paths of righteousness. Fill my heart with the joy of Your eternal presence.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged John 15:10-11, joy | 2 Comments

Persevering Joy

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

As I watch the news, I see folks facing the trials of hurricane destruction. I doubt they count it joy. But I don’t doubt that current events will produce perseverance.

God takes bad and turns it good.

Good morning, Lord. I look at the good things around me — vibrant colors on the trees, the solid structure of my home, the well-marked roads, stores packed with products — and I am grateful. I look at the images of hurricane damage, and my heart goes out to those who have lost everything. Comfort them!

May we who dwell in safety surround them with prayer and provisions, now and throughout the restoration. May we persevere together.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged hurricane recovery, James 1:2-3, joy, perseverance | Leave a comment

Love as God Commands

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

James 2:8-9 (CEV)
… It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves. But if you treat some people better than others, you have done wrong, and the Scriptures teach that you have sinned.

God didn’t say, “Love the folks you like as much as you love yourself.” Truth is, there are people I don’t want to love. And that’s wrong.

Good morning, Lord. You are my example, and You forgave those who put You to death (Luke 23:34). You command me to love others like You do (John 13:34). I have trouble loving like that! Loving my friends, those I like — this I can do. Loving people I don’t like, people who have done me wrong — this is hard.

Nudge me, Holy Spirit, when I think unloving thoughts. Stop me before I speak unloving words. Redirect me when I start to take unloving action. Change my heart, O God.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged James 2:8-9, John 13:34, love, love your neighbor, Luke 23:34 | Leave a comment

Love Like God

Posted on October 3, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

John 13:34 (NIV)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

A new command? What makes this different from the old command?

Old: love others as I love myself ([Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39).
New: love others as Jesus loves me.

Now that changes things.

Good morning, Lord. I know You love me, abundantly, unconditionally. I am not good enough to earn Your love — You are gracious and merciful enough to love me just as I am. Thank You.

You want me to love others the way You love me. It is hard, Lord. Give me patience. Restrain my competitive nature. Remove all bitterness, envy and desire for revenge. Let me see the potential in others. Teach me to pray for their well-being.

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Love God Better

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.”
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

Loving God better makes me a better (more loving) person.

Good morning, Lord. We are all created in Your image (Genesis 1:27). The more I know and love You, the easier it is to see Your image in others. Loving You changes my view of the people around me … when I see You in them, loving them comes naturally. Give me eyes to see!

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged C. S. Lewis, Genesis 1:27, love, love God | Leave a comment

Shirlee Abbott