Gentle Strength

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness,
nothing so gentle as real strength.”
Francis de Sales, 1567-1622

 

Never mistake gentleness for weakness. They are grounded in totally different places.

 


Good morning, Lord. You spoke the universe into being with words, and You could speak us out of existence in a flash. I cannot comprehend Your power, partly because You are so gentle with me. Thank You for grace and mercy, more than I deserve or understand.

I am wrapped in faithful kindness, gentle strength and everlasting goodness, thanks be to God!

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Gentle Shepherd

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.


We sheep want our Shepherd to be tough on the enemy, gentle with us. And for the most part, that’s how He works.

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for being my gentle Shepherd, for gathering me in Your everlasting arms and carrying me close to Your heart. I know I can be a stubborn, wayward sheep, forgive my foolish wandering. Lead me in paths of righteousness — even (especially) when I’m reluctant to follow. May Your love and mercy follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:3,6)

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Gentle Jesus

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus said:

Matthew 11:29 (NIV)
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.


When I think of the King of kings and Lord of lords, gentle isn’t the first word that comes to mind. And yet, Jesus used it to describe Himself. Thus I stop and think: when and how was Jesus gentle?

          • Healing the sick, with quiet words and a kind touch
          • Blessing the children
          • Teaching and re-teaching His disciples
            (they often failed to get it the first time)
          • Teaching and re-teaching me
            (when I don’t get it the 1st, 3rd or 23rd time)

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the quiet nudge, the subtle push, the gentle touch to tell me I’m on the wrong path, following bad advice or a faulty train of thought. You are so patient with me. Rarely do You smack me harshly — even then, I know, it’s not to show me who’s boss. Sometimes I’m distracted, forgetful, or rebellious. You get my attention for my own good, and I’m grateful.

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The Faithful Message

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


Romans 10:17 (NIV)
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

 

I heard, I believed.  

Who has heard through me?

 


Good morning, Lord. I am grateful for the good news of Your salvation. Show me when and how to share that message with others — sometimes in words, sometimes in actions, always in faithful obedience. Be my strength, my shield and my story.

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The Measure of Faithfulness

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“Success is the world’s criterion of merit;
fidelity is God’s.”
Charles S. Robinson (1829-1899)

 

Fidelity = faithfulness. Faithfulness is doing things God’s way.

Faithfulness (obedience) is God’s measure of merit.

 

Good morning, Lord. You don’t call us to succeed, You call us to obey. Remind me of this when I struggle, when the win doesn’t come easily, when a plan doesn’t play out the way I expected.  My goal should be obedience to You — not popularity with the world, not financial reward, not another step up the corporate ladder.

Teach me to learn from Your Word, to listen to the nudge of Your Spirit, to walk in the path of righteousness for Your sake.

 

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God’s Faithfulness

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Oh, to be as faithful to God as He is to me!

 

Good morning, Lord. You are forever faithful. I am not. Forgive me for fixing my mind on worldly distractions, chasing after useless treasures, and following the foolish fantasies of my culture. Thank You for never giving up on me, welcoming me back when I’ve strayed, and restoring my broken soul time and time again. I don’t know why You love me so, but I am grateful.

 

 

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Heartfelt Faithfulness

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

 

God’s faithfulness to me – His Word in my heart.

My faithfulness to God – my heart on His leash. 

 

 

Good morning, Lord. I hear, read, study and sometimes memorize Your Word. My heart is filled with Your faithfulness — thank You for Your grace. 

 


As the old hymn says, “Let that grace now, like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee” (Robert Robinson, 1758). With a heart filled with Your love, I shouldn’t wander … but I do! Forgive me. When I step out of line, Lord, pull me back. You never let go of Your end of the leash. Thank You for Your mercy.

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Faith-Full

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

I want to be faithful — literally, full of faith.

What is faith?

 

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

I can’t see faith, but I want to be filled with it. I hope others will see it in me.

 


Good morning, Lord. I can’t see You, but I have faith in You. I do see Your Word — I read it, I hear it, I study it, I memorize it. Those words, written so long ago and inspired by Your eternal Spirit, feed my faith. 


And yet, I neglect Your Word. I fill my eyes and ears with social media and worldly images, and thus I fill my soul with useless thoughts. Forgive me. Help me shift my focus. Teach me to drink from Your fountain of life. Flood my soul with faith and hope.

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Good Job

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


We all crave approval — most of all God’s approval.

Matthew 25:21 (NIV)
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

 

Jesus wrapped these words in a fictional story. But we all know the “master” in the story is God. 

Every now and then, I sense God saying, “Good job!” It’s a great feeling. I hope to hear it more often.

 


Good morning, Lord. Today (and every day) I hope to walk in Your way, follow Your directions, do Your will. I want to hear Your Spirit whisper to my spirit, “Good job, well done.”

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Good Fruit

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


James 3:17 (NIV)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

 

Craving good fruit? Look in the right place. 

It’s in the Bible, and it transforms us.

 

Good morning, Lord. You are always good, I am not. All too often, my initial thought or first reaction is self-serving. I know that’s not right, so I put on a good face. Most of the time, thankfully, my heart and mind come round to match. Lord, I want to be good to the core. Make me good from the inside out. I want to be Your good fruit.

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