An Honest Question

Posted on September 24, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Romans 12:3 (NLT)
… Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves …

Before I get all hyped up, I should think, Is this even about me?

Note to self: Honestly, most of the time I’m not the main topic of conversation.

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for thinking everything is about me, caused by something I said or the result of my failures. I jump to conclusions about my own actions and the actions of others. Teach me to look at myself honestly and learn from my mistakes. Grant me the wisdom to be gracious in my evaluation of other people. May I be as patient with them as You are with me.

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A Question about Me

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Next question I ask myself: What I would want in this situation?

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.

Note to self: The verse does not say “do to them what they did to you.”

 

Good morning, Lord. You know both sides of every story. Teach me to consider the other person’s feelings and needs before I speak or act. Help me choose my words wisely and kindly. Grant me the discernment to know when and how to act. Make me more like You; fill my heart with grace and mercy, even toward those who have offended me or hurt my feelings.

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A Good Question

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Here’s another good question to ask myself before I act or speak:

Will this bring good and not harm?

 

Proverbs 31:12 (NIV)
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

This verse describes the way a wife of noble character treats her husband. I want to be a woman of noble character and expand the principle to include more than my spouse.

Note to self: putting up with abuse is good for no one — not the abuser, not the one abused.

 


Good morning, Lord. Teach me to speak well about others. Grant me the discernment to know when a word of correction is good for everyone involved. Show me how to offer genuine praise instead of superficial flattery and gentle suggestions instead of harsh criticism. May my words bring good and not harm all the days of my life.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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