Shirlee Abbott

Prospering Work

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

This familiar passage from Isaiah looked forward to Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 53:10 (NLT)
The Lord’s good plan
will prosper in his hands.

What about you and me? Does God’s good plan prosper in our hands?

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Good at Bad Work

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The prophet Jeremiah has a thus-says-the-Lord moment (it’s what prophets do). I like the way this contemporary version of the Bible puts it:

Jeremiah 4:22 (MSG)
What fools my people are! . . .
Experts at evil but klutzes at good.

“Experts at evil.” Good at bad work.

O Lord, I want to be good at good work–
I want to be good like you, dear Jesus.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged bad work, good work, Jeremia 4:22 | Comments Off

Good Work

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The Apostle Peter said this about Jesus:

Acts 10:38 (NIRV)
You know how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went around doing good.

The same Spirit and power lives in us.

Be like Jesus. Do good.

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Celebrate Work

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the USA, it’s Labor Day.
We all have work to do (even God).

Let’s get to work!

Posted in other | Tagged Ephesians 2:10, Labor Day, Work | Comments Off

Our Heavenly Father Knows Best

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

This prayer to our heavenly Father, attributed to Fulbert of Chartres (970-1028), is as appropriate today as it was when it was written a thousand years ago:

“How brief is our span of life compared with the time since you created the universe. How tiny we are compared with the enormity of your universe. How trivial are our concerns compared with the complexity of your universe . . . You give your whole and undivided attention to each and every one of us. Our concerns are your concerns.”

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Fulbert of Chartres, prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Comments Off

Know God (not “No, God”)

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The better you know God, the easier it is to say yes when He calls.

Take Isaiah, for example:

Isaiah 6:1, 8 (NLT)
It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple …

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Isaish knew God, up close and personal. He said, “Yes, Lord.”

Be like Isaiah.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged God's call, Isaiah 6:1-8 | Comments Off

God’s Calling, No Excuses

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

When God calls, do you offer excuses?

I do.

- - - Don’t know how
    - Ain’t got no time for that
    - Somebody else would be better

I’m in good company:

- - - Moses – I’m not very good with words (Exodus 4:10 – NLT)
    - Gideon – My clan is the weakest . . . and I am the least in my entire family! (Judges 6:15)
    - Jeremiah – I’m too young! (Jeremiah 1:6)

Their excuses didn’t change God’s mind. In the end, all three answered the call. As should I. And you.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged excuses, Exodus 4:10, God calls, Jeremiah 1:6, Judges 6:15 | Comments Off

Just Say Yes

Posted on August 30, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Do you remember the story of Peter and Cornelius? You can read about in the book of Acts, chapter 10.

God used a vision to get Peter’s attention. Three times a sheet filled with forbidden food came down from heaven. Three times, God said, “Rise and eat.”

Acts 10:14 (NLT)
“No, Lord,” Peter declared.

Here’s the catch: once you ask God to be Lord of your life, there’s no more “No, Lord.”

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Acts 10, No Lord, Peter and Cornelius | Comments Off

God Is Calling

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Our Sunday sermon, “Honoring God’s Call,” was taken from the book of Jeremiah. It got me thinking: What should I say when God calls?

Jeremiah 1:5 (ERV)
Before I made you in your mother’s womb,
I knew you. Before you were born,
I chose you for a special work.

God chose me. Before I was born.

I can’t say no.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged God's call, Jeremiah 1:5 | Comments Off

The Students’ Prayer

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Wise students pray for light and love.

Hear our prayer, O Lord!

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Augustine, light, love, prayer, Wisdom | Comments Off