Shirlee Abbott

Beyond Bread

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3
Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Bread = food for our bodies.
God’s Word = food for our souls.

Live well. Eat, read. Feed both body and soul.

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Daily Bread

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)
Give us today our daily bread.

Daily bread. Not daily cake, brownies or ice cream.

What I need daily. Not what I want daily.

Teach me, dear God, to tell the difference.

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Good Taste

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

1 Peter 2:3 (ERV)
You have already tasted
the goodness of the Lord.

One good taste deserves another. And another. And another.

“The more you read the Bible; and the more you meditate on it,
the more you will be astonished with it.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Be astonished. Taste the goodness of the Lord.

Often called the “Prince of Preachers,” Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached thousands of sermons to millions of people. His sermons still speak–over 3000 are available in print and online.

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Great Taste

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)
When your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart’s delight.

“Eating your words” is an unpleasant thing. Humbling.

“Eating God’s words” is a great thing. A joy and delight. Even better than brownies.

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Sweet Taste

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 119:103 (ESV)
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

God’s Word–sweeter than dessert.

All too often, I take more pleasure in a gooey brownie than the Bible–which explains why I’m giving up sweet desserts for Lent.

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Taste Good

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s Ash Wednesday, the first of the 40 days of Lent. Many Christians make fasting a part of their Lenten season. Some give up a meal a week, others a meal a day. Some fast from one type of food. Others give up something other than food (social media, anyone?).

After several talks with God, I decided to give up sweets. My goal is to become less attached to the sweetness of the world, more attached to the goodness of God’s Word.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good.

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Be Prepared – Have a Plan

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

We talked about Lent and fasting in Sunday’s Bible class. We ended class with these questions:

What is God calling you to do during Lent?

Do you have a plan?

Don’t charge ahead with your own plan. Check in with God first.

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.

Lord God, show me Your plan.

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Be Prepared – Think Ahead

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Ash Wednesday is two days away. It’s the start of Lent, the season of preparation that ends with Easter. What do you think about Lent?

- - - I don’t (Lent isn’t on my radar)
    - I fast – Lent calls for sacrifice
    - I do a bit extra: more prayer, more worship, more service

What would God have you do for Lent?

2 Timothy 2:21 (NET)
Be a vessel for honorable use,
set apart, useful for the Master,
prepared for every good work.

Think about it. Are you ready for this season of preparation?

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Food and Shelter in Ethiopia

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Folks in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia are suffering. Warfare has driven thousands upon thousands from their homes. Families are sheltering wherever they find space. These Ethiopians face a triple whammy–displacement, disease and devastation.

Samaritan’s Purse is airlifting emergency food supplies:

“The dire situation these desperate people face may quickly deteriorate further without immediate relief. In addition to armed conflict, the people of Tigray have had their struggles compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and swarms of locusts that have devastated crops in the area.”

This is a humanitarian crisis.

We plead, Lord, for an end to the fighting in this area. May the people safely return their homes. Provide what’s needed to sustain them in this crisis. Supply what’ s needed to replant and restore their food supply. Protect their bodies and their souls, in Jesus’ name.

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Stand Strong

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Valentines Day is coming–
Think love.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.

Love stands strong. It perseveres.

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