My Advocate

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


John 14:26 (NIV)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

“Advocate,” paraklétos in Greek, means helper, comforter, counselor, intercessor. Para—to the side of, klē—to call. The Holy Spirit is God-at-my-side, in my corner, answering my call. He’s my shoulder to cry on, my strong support when I’m weak. He speaks the words I can’t say for myself, the heart-prayers I don’t even know I need.

 


Good morning, Lord. Your Spirit is by my side as I trudge through my trials and celebrate my successes. You put good words in my mouth, You help me hold my tongue if necessary. And when I don’t know what or how to pray, Your Spirit speaks for me (Romans 8:26). Thank You.

 

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My Breath of Life

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

John 20:22 (ESV)
… he [Jesus] breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

 

The word “spirit” is tied to “breath.” The Old Testament Hebrew word ruach is translated breath, wind or spirit. The New Testament Greek pneuma also means wind or spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s breath in me. That’s the way it’s been from the beginning:

Genesis 2:7 (GNV)
The Lord God also made the man of the dust of the ground, and breathed in his face breath of life, and the man was a living soul.

 


Good morning, Lord. Just as the oxygen I breathe keeps my body alive, Your Spirit empowers my soul. I recognize when I am short of breath physically, but I often fail to notice when I’m short of breath spiritually. Fill me with the Breath of Life. Holy Spirit, dwell in me.

 

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It’s All about the Holy Spirit

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Last Sunday commemorated Pentecost, the anointing of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2 — the birthday of the Church (upper-case C, meaning all believers in Christ, over time and around the world). 

“Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds. Like branches without sap, we are withered. Like coals without fire, we are useless.”
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Happy birthday, Church! God gave us the gift of power.

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the wisdom of the Father, the love of the Son and the power of the Spirit — at work in Your people, at work in me.  Every day, everywhere, You are with me and in me. I am not alone.

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Remember the Heroes

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

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Strife of Tongues

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 


God is the antidote to the strife of tongues.

 


Psalm 31:19-20 (ESV)
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues.

God is our safe space.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. I need less strife and stress in my life. Teach me to step into Your presence, where I will find peace of mind. You are my refuge and shield (Psalm 119:114). You are my safe space, ever and always.

 

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Blessings and Curses

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

James 3:9-10 (ESV)
 With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

As I read the news and scroll through social media, curses seem to outweigh blessings. That’s not how it should work.

 

Good morning, Lord. Keep watch over the words I speak. Put a stop to my curses, inspire more blessings. As much as it depends on me, let me live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). Show me how to love those who don’t love me, those who disagree with me and those who walk the wayward path. Teach me to reach out to them with godly grace.

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War of Words

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.

 

A war of words requires at least two people.

 


Good morning, Lord. When someone shoots angry words at me, I want to shoot angrier words back. When taunts and curses fly to-and-fro like flaming arrows, grant me wisdom to step away from the war of hurtful words. I want to be a peacemaker who speaks gentle words of healing, comfort and encouragement. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

 

 

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The Con and the Grace

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Scripture describes a clever con that resulted in an undeserved peace treaty.

 

 

Joshua 9:3-6 (NLT)
But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they … put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy …. they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.”

Joshua made the treaty with these nearby neighbors, the Bible says, without inquiring of the Lord. In the end (Joshua 10) he graciously honored the treaty.

 


Good morning, Lord. Despite my best intentions, I make mistakes. Grant me the grace to own up to my errors, even when someone else shares the blame. Show me the right thing to do and empower me to do it.

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Hurting and Healing Words

Posted on May 18, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


“Cold words freeze people, and hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter, and wrathful words make them wrathful.”
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

 

I often feel like I live in the flow of freezing and scorching words. It’s an uncomfortable place. I don’t want to join the bitter, angry stream.

The book of Proverbs offers an alternative:

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)
The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

 

Good morning, Lord. Fill my mouth with healing words. Keep me from speaking without thinking, deliver me from the temptation to respond in anger or bitterness. Show me when to be silent. Teach me when and how to respond to all the hot and cold words that come my way. Make me a fount of warmth and comfort, in Jesus’ name.

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The People of Heaven

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Usually, I’m not a fan of crowds.
But heaven’s great multitude —
count me in!

 

Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

 

Good morning, Lord. I want to be part of heaven’s great multitude, to praise You alongside people I’ve known and loved, ancestors I’ve seen only in  photos, folks I prayed for (and those who prayed for me), even some people I didn’t expect to see there (and ones surprised to see me). In perfect unity, we’ll rejoice together, so be it, amen.

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