Holy Week — Rejoice

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

The final countdown to Easter begins. Yesterday was Palm Sunday, when we remember Christ’s entry to Jerusalem. The people joyously welcomed him.

 

John 12:13 (NIV)
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

 

Good morning, Lord. Holy week is hard for me, and I wasn’t the one who lived it. The honor, the betrayal, the fellowship, the disappointment, the joy and the sorrow — so much emotion and contradiction packed into a few days. What are the lessons You have for me this year? Open my ears, my eyes, my mind and my heart. 

 

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Recommitment to Our First Love

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Revelation 2:4 (NASB)
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

 

Does this powerful statement from Revelation apply to me?
To you?

 


Good morning, Lord. There are hours, days and seasons when I operate on autopilot. During those times, I forget that You are my first love, forgive me. Rekindle that love and wrap it with perseverance. I commit this day to You — grant me the wisdom to serve You well.

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Recommitted to Service

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
But if you are unwilling to obey the Lord, then decide today whom you will obey. Will it be the gods of your ancestors beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites here in this land? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

Service isn’t a one-time commitment. It’s a day-by-day, moment-by-moment commitment.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. You died for me, I live for You. I chose to serve You yesterday. I choose to serve You today. I will choose to serve You tomorrow.  Help me be as faithful to You as You have been to me.

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Recommitment to God’s Kingdom

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Matthew 6:33 (EXB)
Seek first [Be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and what God wants [his righteousness]. Then all your other needs will be met as well [these things will be given to you].

Where’s my focus? What are my priorities?

 

Good morning, Lord. It’s easy to let my to-do list order my priorities — I focus on tasks of little consequence and miss the eternal picture. The routine items like dusting and laundry must be done, of course, but not at the expense of (or instead of) deeds that carry spiritual impact. Teach me to study Your Word, pray, connect with others and do good in Your name, amen.

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Recommitment to the Son of God

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Is my commitment to Christ changing … for the better?

 

Good morning, Lord. You gave Your life for me, I should commit every moment of every day to You. And yet, I often seek my comfort above Your will. Forgive my selfishness and forgetfulness. Show me the way to go, the actions to take, the words to say. Lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake (Psalm 23:3), amen.

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Lent — A Season of Recommitment

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

“I wish that saints would cling to Christ half as earnestly as sinners cling to the devil. If we were as willing to suffer for God as some are willing to suffer for their lusts, what perseverance and zeal would be seen on all sides!”
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Lent is the perfect time for an honest assessment of our commitment to God. Let’s ask ourselves:

Am I as earnest about my faith as I used to be?
How much am I willing to give up for Christ’s sake?

 

Good morning, Lord. I admit to seasons of reluctant faith. Forgive my flagging zeal, spark my enthusiasm and restore my perseverance. I look back on my life and see that my best times weren’t the easiest ones, but rather the times when my faith was strongest. Teach me to cling to You in good times and bad, now and forever, amen.

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Message of Reconciliation

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (NIV)
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Be reconciled with God! … Pass it on. 

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for treating the message of the cross as though it’s a secret. I should be shouting it from the rooftops: “Be reconciled to God!” It’s the best invitation in the world, thank You.

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Reconciliation with Others

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Reconciliation starts with God, but it doesn’t end there.

 


Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Reconcile with others as God has reconciled with you.

 


Good morning, Lord. Teach me to offer reconciliation to others as freely as You have offered it to me. Forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me (Matthew 6:12).

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Reconciliation Instead of Alienation

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Colossians 1:21-22 (MEV)
And you, who were formerly alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight.

From alienated to holy … now that’s a change for the better.

 


Good morning, Lord. You transform me — through Your Word, through prayer, by the persistent nudge of the Holy Spirit. I am not the person I used to be, nor the person I will become in future days. Thank You for Your patience, Your presence and Your power at work in me.

 

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Reconciliation with God through Christ

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott


Romans 5:10 (NIV)
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 

Reconciliation is God’s doing, not mine.


Good morning, Lord. I am reconciled with You, not by my good deeds, but through Christ’s death on the cross. Any good deeds I do are my way of saying “thank You.” Fill me, O God, with gratitude; grant me countless opportunities to show my appreciation.

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