Pray the Day Of

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s election day. Step into the voting booth. Look carefully at each name.

 


And pray.

For everyone. Not just the ones you’re voting for.

 

1 Timothy 2:1 (MSG)
Pray every way you know how,
for everyone you know.

For everyone.

 

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Pray the Day Before

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Tuesday is our US election day.

 

 

1 Timothy 2:2 (TPT)
And pray for every political leader and representative.

Now is the day to pray for the political leaders currently in office. 
Now is the day to pray for those on the ballot.

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God’s Seasons

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

There’s a purpose behind every time and season —

  • good times and bad
  • stormy and peaceful seasons
  • times of robust health and distressing illness
  • seasons of hope and seasons of drudgery
  • times of great joy and seasons of shattering sadness

God has a plan, and He knows what He’s doing.

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Faithful Seasons

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

This well-known hymn reminds us that God is faithful.

Lord God, great is Your faithfulness!

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Changing Seasons

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

The prophet Daniel spoke of changing seasons.

 

Daniel 2:20-22 (NIV)
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.

The changing seasons remind us that God’s in control. He sees every deed done in darkness. He sees politicians rise and fall. Our times are in his hands.

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Earthly Seasons

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

We draw time zones on our maps. We mark the changing seasons on our calendars.  

The psalmist gives credit where it’s due.

 

Psalm 74:16-17 (NIV)
The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.

Our maps and calendars display our Creator’s wisdom.

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Heavenly Seasons

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

The last book of the Bible offers an intriguing peek into the heavenly realm.

 

 

Revelation 22:2 (NIV)
On each side of the river
stood the tree of life, 
bearing twelve crops of fruit,
yielding its fruit every month.

I relish the changing seasons, especially spring and fall. I like snow (in modest amounts!), but I tire of the cold and long for spring. Spring morphs into summer. When I’ve had it with hot weather, fall arrives. The first snow spreads fresh beauty on barren hillsides.

Imagine each season condensed into a single week, with the cycle repeated monthly. What’s not to love?

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Simple Words to Pray Often

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

“The Way of the Pilgrim,” first printed in Kazan (in Russia) in 1884, tells the story of a peasant on a quest to “Pray continuously” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). He found his answer in The Jesus Prayer:

The perfect prayer for every occasion.

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Simple Words to Guide Our Choices

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus said,

John 13:34 (NIV)
“A new command I give you:
Love one another.”

 

“Love one another.” Three simple words that change everything.

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Simple Words to Live By

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Ten simple rules:

 

 

Exodus 20:3-17 (CEV)
I am the LORD your God . . .
Do not worship any god except me.
Do not make idols . . . 
Do not misuse my name . . .
Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me . . .
Respect your father and your mother . . .
Do not murder.
Be faithful in marriage.
Do not steal.
Do not tell lies about others.
Do not want anything that belongs to someone else.

God’s Ten Commandments. Good for you, good for everyone around you.

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