Pleasant Boundaries

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Some folks think God’s rules take the fun out of life. Not so!

Psalm 16:6 (NIV)
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

“The sense of our Father’s love is like honey at the end of every rod; it turns stones into bread, and water into wine, and the valley of trouble into a door of hope . . . and when we are upon the cross for Christ, as if we were in paradise with Christ.”
Timothy Cruso (1657–1697)
“The Treasury of David” by Charles Spurgeon

God’s boundaries = good boundaries.

 

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Someone Steps Over My Boundaries

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Others trespass on my space

  • when they covet what I have
  • when they take what is mine to keep
  • when the spread rumors about me
    (trespass on my good name)
  • when they make me a convenient target for anger, frustration or bitterness that has nothing to do with me

 

From the Lord’s Prayer:

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.

From God’s Word:

Luke 6:31 (NIV)
Do to others as you would
have them do to you.

God calls me to forgive others as I would have them forgive me.

 

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Stepping Over God’s Boundaries

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

 

God has boundaries I shouldn’t cross. Yet I do.

I step over the line:

 

        • when I tell him how to fix a problem
        • when I take on tasks he never intended for me 
        • when I think I’m right and he’s wrong

What to do? Pray!

Forgive me my trespasses.

 

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Boundaries of My Soul

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

My soul is a space set apart from everyone else. It’s separate from my parents, my best friends, even my spouse. I have thoughts I don’t want to share with anyone: things about them that annoy me, self-doubts I’m trying to process, mistakes I’m not ready to admit, dreams I keep to myself.


“Trials . . .  may come in abundance, but they cannot penetrate into the sanctuary of the soul, and we may dwell in perfect peace even in the midst of life fiercest storms.”
Hannah Whitehall Smith (1832-1911)

 

Only God can cross the boundaries of my soul.

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The -ly’s of God’s Power

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

In a hopeless situation? Remember the –ly‘s of Ephesians 3.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

        • EXCEEDINGLY
        • ABUNDANTLY

God may have an answer you’ve never imagined.

 

“Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do.”
Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

 

Prepare to be surprised by God.

 

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The Five G’s of Togetherness

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Live together in harmony:

 

 

      • Be GRATEFUL
        1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
         Give thanks in all circumstances.
        Be grateful for the people around you.
      • Be GENTLE
        Proverbs 15:1
        A gentle answer turns away wrath.
        Take care what you say and how you say it.
      • Be GOOD
        Ephesians 2:10
        For we are God’s handiwork, 
        created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
        Bring good and not harm to those around you        .
      • Be GENEROUS
        Luke 6:38
        Give, and it will be given to you.
        Share with others.
      • Be GRACIOUS
        Psalm 145:8
        The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
        slow to anger and rich in love.
        Be like God!
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The Four P’s of Resolving Conflict

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Is there conflict?

  • Is it over PREFERENCES?
    It’s not worth fighting over.
  • Is it over PRIORITIES?
    Might be time to compromise.
  • Is it over PRINCIPLES?
    Listen to each other carefully.
    Don’t jump to conclusions.

 

The last P should also be the first P:
PRAY.

 

 

James 5:16 (AMP)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and PRAY for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

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The Three F’s of Living in Unity

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Today’s lesson comes from Paul’s powerful prayer:

Ephesians 3:14-15, 19
I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being . . . that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

We have one FATHER.
We are part of His FAMILY.
We can be FILLED with to overflowing with Him.

 

 

Father God, fill us with your fullness so there will be no room for division and disagreement.

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The Two R’s of Getting Along

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The week we’ll look at the ABC’s of getting along with others. 

Let’s start with R.

 

Do you want to be right?

Or would you rather be righteous?

 

 

When you’re arguing that you’re right and the other fella is wrong, stop and think: “What’s God thinking about me?”

Habakkuk 2:4 (VOICE)
Look how pompous he is! Something is not right in his soul; he is not honest and just. But the righteous one will live by his faithfulness.

Being righteous in God’s eyes is better than being right in human eyes. Sometimes it’s better to let it go.

 

 

 

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Breath of Heaven

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

A contemporary Christmas song (originally written by Chris Eaton and rewritten by Amy Grant) includes this beautiful prayer:

 

“Breath of Heaven,
hold me together.”

 

 

Short, simple and timeless.

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