Author Archives: Shirlee Abbott

Joy Restored

The psalmist praises God: Psalm 30:11 (TLB) Then he turned my sorrow into joy! He took away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy. God restores joy that’s gone missing. Wait for it!     Good morning, Lord. … Continue reading

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Joy Lost

  “If you have no joy, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.” Billy Sunday (1862-1935)   I plug one leak, and the enemy drills another. I have to be vigilant.   Good morning, Lord. Some days I feel joyless. … Continue reading

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Joy Full

John 15:10-11 (ESV) If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your … Continue reading

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Persevering Joy

James 1:2-3 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. As I watch the news, I see folks facing the trials of … Continue reading

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Love as God Commands

James 2:8-9 (CEV) … It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves. But if you treat some people better than others, you have done wrong, and the Scriptures teach that you have … Continue reading

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Love Like God

John 13:34 (NIV) A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. A new command? What makes this different from the old command? Old:   love others as I love myself ([Leviticus … Continue reading

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Love God Better

“When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.” C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)   Loving God better makes me a better (more loving) person.   Good … Continue reading

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Love God’s People

Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” A religious … Continue reading

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Love God with Words

Matthew 22:37 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [also Deuteronomy 6:5]   For me (a talker and a writer): love the Lord my God with all … Continue reading

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Pruning God’s Family Tree

John 15:1-2 (NIV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener … every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Sometimes my Master Gardener prunes fruitful branches to make room … Continue reading

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