Shirlee Abbott

Complacency, A Deadly Foe

Posted on November 10, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

“Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.”
A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God, 1948

Satisfaction with the status quo, or transformation through the power of the Spirit — I know which is the better choice.

Good morning, Lord, May I never be spiritually complacent — instead, Lord Jesus, I want to know You better every day. Fill me with a thirst for Your Word and a desire to live in constant conversation with You. Nudge me when I miss the mark, show me what needs to change, keep me moving forward on the path of righteousness, amen.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged A.W. Tozer, Complacency | 1 Comment

Woe to the Complacent

Posted on November 9, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Last week, my Bible reading schedule took me to the book of Amos. These words caught my attention:

Amos 6:1 (NIV)
Woe to you who are complacent …

“Complacent” — per my dictionary, satisfied with the status quo, pleased with oneself, smug, unaware of fault or potential danger.

My first reaction was “not me.” Then I thought about my cozy home, my reliable car, the job I mostly enjoy, my friends and family. Am I satisfied with the status quo? You bet.

Woe is me!

Good morning, Lord. It’s easy to be so comfortable in my own situation that I fail to see and serve the needs of others — forgive me. I take pride in what I have and fail to give You credit for my many blessings — forgive me. I think that somehow I am more deserving than others — forgive me. Change me, dear Jesus, to be more like You: kind, compassionate, patient and loving.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Amos 6:1, complacent, status quo, woe is me | 4 Comments

Deliver Us

Posted on November 6, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 6:13 (NIV)
… deliver us from the evil one.”

And who is “the evil one”? Not the elected officials I don’t happen to like, and not the folks who voted for them. There is an evil entity who stirs up trouble, spreads dissension and fires up hatred. He plays both sides of the political aisle. The more havoc he creates, the happier he is.

Good morning, Lord. I’m tempted to focus on politics and overlook the real battle “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Empower me, Almighty God, to keep the faith and stay the course until the final victory is won. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Ephesians 6:12, evil one, Matthew 6:13 | 2 Comments

The Coming Kingdom

Posted on November 5, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.

The coming kingdom is not a democracy — we won’t vote God into office. Our holy, perfect, powerful God is sovereign.

Good morning, Lord. I cast my ballot for flawed humans who serve in an imperfect government. I look forward to my eternal future in a perfect kingdom — basking in the light of the holy, just and loving Lord God Almighty, seated on the throne and ruling over the new heaven and the new earth.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged election, Heavenly Father, holy name, Matthew 6:9-10 | Leave a comment

Our Daily Needs

Posted on November 4, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s the day after the election. Based on the results, folks think the future is either bright or gloomy. Regardless, our daily needs are unchanged.

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)
Give us today our daily bread.

Remember, it is God, not some elected official, who satisfies our longings.

Good morning, Lord. You know exactly what I need today, tomorrow and beyond. You are the one who satisfies the desires of my heart, and for that I am grateful.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged daily bread, desires of your heart, Matthew 6:11 | Leave a comment

Your Will Be Done

Posted on November 3, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
… your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

As I cast my vote, God already knows the outcome.

Good morning, Lord. Your will be done,
in today’s election as it is in heaven.
Amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged election, Matthew 6:19 | 1 Comment

A Prayer for Election Week

Posted on November 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the US, it’s finally here — the week of the election we’ve been hearing about for weeks. I pondered how to approach it on this blog, and I settled on the Lord’s Prayer (not necessarily in line-by-line order).

Let’s get started.

Matthew 6:13
… lead us not into temptation.

“Us” — the candidates and the voters. What kind of temptation?

- - - Cheating
    - False witness (lying, exaggeration, misdirection)
    - Name-calling
    - Bullying, browbeating, violence

Keep it honorable.

Good morning, Lord. There’s so much anger and poor behavior this election season — from the candidates and from their loyal followers. I ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” Surely God, He would speak only the truth, but wrap it in grace. He would seek the wellbeing of all, with no trace of personal greed. Make us — make me — more like Jesus, amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged election, Matthew 6:13, temptation, The Lord's Prayer, What Would Jesus Do | 4 Comments

God’s Word

Posted on October 30, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Words are powerful weapons — for good or for evil. God’s Word destroys evil.

Hebrews 4:12 (CEV)
God’s word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.

God’s Word is the ultimate weapon for truth.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the words of Scripture — use them to reveal my faulty reasoning, cut away my self-centeredness, trim back my ego, and chisel the hard parts off my heart. Reshape my worldview, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged God's Word, Hebrews 4:12, words as weapons | Leave a comment

Deceitful Words

Posted on October 29, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the US, it’s election season. We’re surrounded by an abundance of words. It’s hard to know which words are true, and which are not.

Psalm 144:7-8 (NLT)
Reach down from heaven and rescue me;
rescue me from deep waters,
from the power of my enemies.
Their mouths are full of lies;
they swear to tell the truth, but they lie instead.

God knows the truth.

Good morning, Lord. So many words … I’m confused. Which words are true, which ones are crafted to mislead, and which ones are out and out lies? Grant me discernment to separate truth from deceit, right from wrong, good from evil. May the words I speak be grounded in Your Word and bring honor to Your name.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged deceit, Psalm 144:7-8, truth and lies | 2 Comments

First and Last Word

Posted on October 28, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.

Jesus is the first and last word — past, present and future. What more can we say?

Good morning, Lord. The world fills my ears with words: excuses, demands, complaints, lies. It’s only Your words, O God, that matter. Teach me to find Your voice amidst the clamor of our culture. Fill my mind with true wisdom, renew my heart and restore my soul.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Alpha and Omega, first and last, Revelation 22:13 | 1 Comment