Shirlee Abbott

Responsible Words

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

The words you speak can be good or evil.
The same is true of your silence.

“You are not only responsible for what you say,
but also for what you do not say.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Luther was a German theologian, composer and Augustinian monk. His disagreement with some Roman Catholic teachings sparked the Protestant Reformation. He translated the Bible into German (from Latin) and encouraged congregants to read it for themselves. Luther famously took responsibility for his own words: “my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything,”

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Simple Words

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Keep it short:

Matthew 10:37 (TLV)
Say just a simple ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I won’t.’
Your word is enough.

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Worthless Words

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Are the words you’re listening to worth your time?

Proverbs 10:19-20 (MSG)
The more talk, the less truth;
the wise measure their words.
The speech of a good person is worth waiting for;
the blabber of the wicked is worthless.

Are the words you’re speaking worth anyone else’s time?

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Long-Winded Words

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Job 16:3 (NIV)
Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?

Heard any “windy words” lately?

- - - On the news
    - From politicians
    - Even with friends and family

You need some quality time with God. He has a way with words.

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Shelter from Extinction

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

ISIS met military defeat in Iraq, and many displaced Christians hoped to return to their homeland. The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is one of several organizations wanting to help. ACN conducted several surveys to define the problems and identify the Christians’ attitudes on emigration.

One survey, called “Life after ISIS,” gives a grim outlook:

“‘Life after ISIS’ warns that anticipated emigration could reduce the Christian population in the region to 23,000 within four years – down 80% from the prejihadist invasion in 2014. This would move the Christian community from the category of ‘vulnerable’ to the critical category of ‘endangered with extinction’.”

We know how it will end:

Revelation 7:9 (NIV)
There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

Lord, we pray for our Iraqi brothers and sisters. Be their shelter in a weary land. May they thrive and grow and bear fruit. We look forward to standing with them before Your throne. Preserve Your Church, in Jesus’ name.

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Otherwise

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Isaiah 5:21 (NIV)
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight.

I want to be wise in Your eyes, Lord. Otherwise, woe is me!

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Not Wise

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Lots of folks claiming to know it all
don’t.

James 3:13b-14 (MSG)
Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom.
Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom.
Twisting the truth to make yourselves
sound wise isn’t wisdom.

Beware false wisdom.

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Simply Wise

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 19:7 (NCV)
The rules of the Lord can be trusted;
they make plain people wise.

You don’t have to be a great reader to understand God’s wisdom.

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Get Wise

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

“If you lack knowledge, go to school.
If you lack wisdom, get on your knees!”
Vance Havner (1902-1986)

Dr. Havner started preaching at age 14 and wrote more than 40 books. He had a knack for packing biblical wisdom into short, memorable phrases. We should follow his advice.

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Who’s Wise

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

In the flow of debate, grandstanding and angry words, which words influence you? Whose wisdom is worthy of our attention?

- - - Someone who doesn’t claim to know it all
    - Someone who explains why without name-calling
    - Someone who takes time to listen

Measure what you hear by this:

James 3:17 (NIV)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

True wisdom doesn’t insult, promote violence and play favorites.

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