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.

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First Work, Then Rest

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Here in the US, today is Labor Day, a tribute to American workers.

It’s a good week to ponder work.

 

Genesis 2:3 (NIV)
Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

God did His work of creation and then He rested. The Hebrew word for “rested” is shabath, meaning brought to an end, ceased. Our good God worked and then ceased working.

What do you do when you’re not working?

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to work eagerly, and then rest without guilt. Forgive my reluctance to start or stop working. Help me maintain the right balance, for Your name’s sake, amen.

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Mountains Sing and Trees Dance

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)
…the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

 

I love autumn. Every year we get a sneak preview of a glorious concert yet to come … when mountains sing and trees dance.

 


Good morning, Lord. Every season provides a glimpse of heaven’s glories: spring’s delicate beauty, summer’s blazing sun, autumn’s dancing leaves and winter’s glittering snow. Together, they sing a complex melody of praise. Give use ears to hear nature’s tribute to the Creator. 

 

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In God’s Hands

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 


God’s hands shaped the world as we know it.

 


Psalm 95:4-5 (NIV)
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

It can be reshaped any way and any time, as He directs or permits.

 


Good morning, Lord. You notice every little change I make to my flowerbeds. No natural disaster, earthquake, flood or wildfire catches You by surprise. Truly, You’ve got the whole world in Your hands. In spite of all the trouble it has seen, our planet continues to spin as it did from the beginning. Great is Your faithfulness!

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Disguised Blessings

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


“What we count the ills of life are often blessings in disguise, resulting in good to us in the end.”
Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

 

This wisdom still applies … to me.

 

Good morning, Lord. As I look back on my life, I see how You used what I didn’t want or like to get me out of a rut and back on the right road, or slowed me down enough to catch the right opportunity, or cut me off from a path leading to trouble. Thank You for these disguised blessings. Forgive my complaining heart, O God; teach me trust in Your goodness.

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Without Favoritism

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


The Nepali flood made no distinction between tourists and villagers, rich and poor, good and evil. 

Likewise, blessings roll down on all sorts of folks.

 


Matthew 5:45 (NLT)
… [God] gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for taking my blessings for granted … for thinking that somehow, I deserve them. Your hand has held back disaster more times than I know, and Your hand continually pours out undeserved grace and unmerited mercy. The beauty of the earth testifies to Your goodness, and the power of the storm testifies to Your strength.

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Shaken!

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Last week, the world witnessed a chunk of mountain ice break away and tumble into the valley below. The landslide slammed into river waters with deadly force. It wrought destruction of biblical proportions.

 

Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

Let us pray for the people of Nepal and Tibet.

 


Good morning, Lord. We pray for these people who were simply going about their daily business when their world was forever rearranged. Be their refuge and strength in this troubled time. This reminds us how easily our own world can be shaken. Teach us trust not in our own strength, but in You.

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Measuring Our Choices

Posted on August 28, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Isaiah 28:20 (NLT)
The bed you have made is too short to lie on.
The blankets are too narrow to cover you.

 


Yesterday’s constructive thought measured justice and righteousness. Today’s Scripture describes what happens when we bend the rules too much. It’s Isaiah’s version of “choices have consequences.”

 


Good morning, Lord. When I give in to temptation, I start down a path that ends in trouble. My poor choices lead me into tight and uncomfortable places. Even then, You don’t abandon me. I may suffer the consequences of my decisions, but I am not alone. You never lose sight of me and for that, I am grateful.

 

 

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A Measured Life.

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I’ve been reading from the book of Isaiah. I’m always amazed by the prophet’s inspired choice of words.

Isaiah 28:17 (NIV)
I will make justice the measuring line
and righteousness the plumb line …

 

Our house started out as a hand hewn post-and beam barn. I don’t think the builder had a plumb line (a long string with a weight on the end, used to keep walls perfectly vertical). I don’t hold it against him; he didn’t know his barn would be turned into a home. 

My life is a bit like my house — a bit off-kilter.

 


Good morning, Lord.  Forgive me for bending Your rules to fit the circumstances. I sometimes finagle things to my advantage and favor the folks who can do something for me. Keep me on the straight and narrow, for Your name’s sake, amen.

 

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See You in a Few Days

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m taking a break while my computer gets a tuneup.  

Tune me up too, Lord … restore my soul!

May God grant you an end-of-summer tuneup, a few hours or days to restore your soul.

 

 

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