Looking at Mercy

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Micah 6:8 (NIV)
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God.

 

If God exercised justice without mercy, we’d all be facing condemnation. Let’s be quick to extend the same mercy to others.

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Looking Out for My Neighbor

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 22:39 (NLT)
A second [command] is equally important:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

OK, Lord, I get that I’m not just looking out for my own good. But how do I sort out what’s best for everybody? Whose needs are more important? Social justice gets complicated. Grant us wisdom. Your will be done.

 

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Looking to Be All Love

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.

 

My intentions are good, but . . .

My heart breaks when I don’t get my own way.

My soul is pulled in so many directions.

My mind is preoccupied with foolish fantasies, self-serving excuses and momentary distractions.

I’m still working on it all.

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Looking Out for God’s Image

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Loving God or loving people . . . which is easier?

 

  • I’m good with God; people make me crazy
  • I see all the trouble people face, and I get mad at God
  • Both at the same time? No way
  • Love God, love His creation

If you’re having a hard time loving people and God, maybe you’re not seeing the God’s image in the people.

Genesis 5:1b (NIV)
When God created mankind,
he made them in the likeness of God.

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Running to Shelter

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

When folks run from their homes, they are either running away from something or running to something. Which one makes a difference.

People running from danger seek the nearest safe place. Those running to something will keep running until they reach their destination.

We can help those running away by providing shelter as near as safely possible.

Some runners-to are headed for destinations that won’t be as welcoming as they hope. Angry teens might imagine life on their own to be more fun than it works out in reality. Distant family members can have problems of their own. A different community may be hostile to newcomers.

Lord, we pray for those on the run. May those running from disaster quickly find safe shelter. May other runners seek Your will for their future–here on earth and for all eternity. Show the rest of us how to help: rescuing when necessary, redirecting when practical, restoring relationships when possible, reviving troubled souls in Your name.

For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive them. In Your righteousness bring their souls out of trouble (based on Psalm 143:11).

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Quick Political Prayer

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

James 1:19 (NIV)
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

 

Lord, when it comes to politicians, make me quick to pray, slow to criticize and slow to get all worked up.

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Political Prayer for the Simple LIfe

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

1 Timothy 2:2 (MSG)
Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply.

 

Pray that we can keep it simple.

 

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Political Prayer, Done Wisely

Posted on June 5, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

“It is easy to criticize and find fault with the conduct of kings, and write furious articles against them in newspapers, or make violent speeches about them on platforms . . . We would exhibit more wisdom if we prayed for them more, and criticized less.”
J. C. Ryle, 1816-1900

 

Less criticism, more prayer — wise advice!

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Loving Political Prayer

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Reworked from Matthew 5:44-45
I tell you, love your political opponents and pray for those who say your ideas are stupid,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

The are folks who think God’s ideas are stupid. God still loves them. Be more like God.

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Prayer over Politics

Posted on June 3, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Do you pray for your President?

 

  • Didn’t vote for him, won’t pray for him
  • I pray he’ll change his mind
  • I’m praying for the leaders of both political parties.

1 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
Pray this way for . . . all who are in authority.

“All.” Not just the ones I like. 

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