Shirlee Abbott

Questions I Ask Myself

Posted on September 21, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

The week we’ll look at some questions I ask myself before I speak or act — when I take a moment to think.

Today’s question: Is it true?

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Note to self: Not all true things are noble. And my motives might be far from pure.

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to pause before I speak, to evaluate my words before they leave my mouth. Stop me from repeating false information, or twisting the truth to my advantage, or trying to make myself look good at someone else’s expense. Show me when silence is the better option.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Philippians 4:8, true | 4 Comments

The House of the Lord

Posted on September 18, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I have an eternal address … in God’s house.

Psalm 23:6 (NIV)
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

Thanks be to God.

Good morning, Lord. I thank You for my forever home in heaven, those rooms prepared for me in our Father’s house. Meanwhile, I want this earthly home to honor You. Fill me with goodness and love, let Your light shine through me, in Jesus’ name.

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The Father’s House

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus said,

John 14:2 (NIV)
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

There’s a place for me, ready and waiting in God’s house.

Good morning, Lord. I have an eternal home in Your house. No matter what happens here on earth, I can look forward to the hope of heaven and the peace of Your presences, forever and ever, amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | 2 Comments

God’s House

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Hebrews 3:6 (NLT)
But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

God lives in me. I am God’s house. So are you.

Good morning, Lord. I am Your house — amazing! Forgive me for cluttering this space with unnecessary debris, self-serving motivation and unkind thoughts. Shine Your light on the dirty corners, sweep away everything that doesn’t honor You. Show me what to clean up and what to throw out. Fill this place with Your goodness and glory.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged God's house, Hebrews 3:6 | 2 Comments

The Lord’s House of Prayer

Posted on September 15, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Isaiah 56:1, 7 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says:
“… my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”

Our places of worship are the Lord’s house of prayer — be it at church, at home or even a vacation destination. Our prayers include our praise and gratitude to God, honest evaluation of our own actions and requests for ourselves and others.

My personal house of prayer includes this website. Wherever you live, wherever you are at the moment, come pray with me.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for this open door to Your house of prayer. I can enter and connect with You anytime, anywhere — from the stained-glass glory of our sanctuary, the comfort of my couch or my darkest place of panic or despair. You hear my praise, my frustration, my hopes, my disappointments and my concerns. I speak, You listen. You speak, I listen, so be it. Amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged House of Prayer, Isaiah 56:7 | 2 Comments

Delight in the Lord’s House

Posted on September 14, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I went to church yesterday — as I do most Sundays.

It’s tempting to sleep late, stay in my jammies and lounge at home. But once I get up and get going, I enjoy the worship, the music and the fellowship.

Psalm 122:1 (ESV)
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Good morning, Lord. I am glad I went to the house of the Lord. Teach me to shut down the enemy’s whispers about sleeping in, staying home or going elsewhere. When we gather together as believers, You are there. May we all delight in our time together.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Psalm 122:1, the House of the Lord | 2 Comments

The Enemy at Work

Posted on September 11, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Let’s end this week with a look at Satan’s work.

It’s rooted in lying, deceit and destruction.

John 8:44 (NIV)
… He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Work based on lies — never a good thing.

Good morning, Lord. Close my ears to the whispered lies of the enemy; open them to the truth of Your Word. Teach me to work whole-heartedly, as You direct, with compassion and integrity. May the words of my mouth and the work of my hands reflect Your love and righteousness.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged John 8:44, lies, Satan's work | 4 Comments

Good and Bad Work

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Early in the book of Genesis, we find good and bad work.

Noah did good work.

Genesis 6:22 (NIV)
Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Not so the people of Babel.

Genesis 11:4
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves …

They were building a city and a tower. Problem was, they worked for the wrong reason – to glorify themselves. They didn’t give God any credit for their skills or their resources.

When it comes to work, attitude matters.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for my work, and for the skills and resources that equip me for the job. Teach me to do good work with the right attitude, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Genesis 1:14, Genesis 6:22, good and bad work, Noah, Tower of Babel | Leave a comment

Creative Work

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

God gave Adam, the first man, an interesting job.

Genesis 2:15, 19 (NIV)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. . . Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

Naming the animals? Sounds like a fun, one-of-a-kind job.

Good morning, Lord. You created mankind with creative minds: the ability to draw, invent, write stories, make up new recipes, fix what’s broken, design bridges and buildings … the list is endless. Thank You for the unique skills You’ve given me, may I use them well, for Your glory.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Adam, Genesis 2:15-19, naming the animals, Work | Leave a comment

The Gift of Work

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Some folks hold a negative view of work, counting it as a necessary evil. Work is necessary, and it’s not necessarily evil. Per the Bible, work is a gift from God.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NIV)
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

How do you feel about work?

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for Your gift of work: my job, housework, creative work, volunteer work. It fills my time, provides for my family, helps others and contributes to my wellbeing. Grant me the satisfaction of a good job well done.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, Work | Leave a comment