Shirlee Abbott

God’s Way with Words

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

God’s got a way with words.

Genesis 1:3
And God said, “Let there be light,”
and there was light.

He speaks, it happens. No doubts, no do-overs.

Posted in other | Tagged Genesis 1:3, words | 2 Comments

World’s Words

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Our world is a sea of words: in books and papers, on the web, broadcast over the airwaves, via our phones. Thankfully, we also have the Word.

John 1:1 (NLT)
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.

The Word is in the world, the Word is in us, and we are in the Word. Thanks be to God!

Posted in other | Tagged John 1:1, the Word, words | 1 Comment

Simple Words

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Read what Jesus says in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). He packs huge thoughts into simple sentences.

If God can get his ideas across without big words, so should we.

Posted in other | Tagged Jesus, K.I.S.S., short and simple, words | 2 Comments

Well-Known Words

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Biblical words are part of our everyday speech. Which is your favorite?

Can a leopard change its spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)
My brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9)
A voice in the wilderness (John 1:23)
Letter of the law (2 Corinthians 3:6)

Is your favorite missing? This is just a start–lots more where these came from. Go ahead, do some research. Make your own list.

Posted in other | Tagged 2 Corinthians 3:6, Bible, common phrases, Genesis 4:9, Jeremiah 13:23, John 1:23 | Comments Off

Shelter of Hope

Posted on May 5, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Hopelessness is such a sad state. But with God, there’s hope.

Proverbs 18:10 (NLT)
The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.

Our hope is in You, Lord. You are our safe shelter.

Posted in other | 2 Comments

Simple Burn

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus spoke with two of his followers after he rose from the dead:

Luke 24:32 (NIV)
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

God still speaks through Scripture. May your heart burn within you.

Posted in other | Tagged K.I.S.S., Luke 24:32, short and simple | 3 Comments

Please Pray

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

In the US, today (Thursday) is our National Day of Prayer. Please take a few moments to pray for righteousness to prevail . . . wherever you live.

And don’t stop praying when today is over and done.

Posted in other | Tagged National Day of Prayer | 2 Comments

Burned Out Believers

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Do you feel burned out?

Christ has a few words for you:

Matthew 11:28-29 (MSG)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

He restores your soul with the rhythms of grace.

Posted in other | Tagged burned-out, Matthew 11:28-29, rhythms of grace | 3 Comments

Flame-Tested

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

There will be a fire. Will your work survive?

1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (NIV)
And no one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12 But there are various kinds of materials that can be used to build on that foundation . . . There is going to come a time of testing at Christ’s Judgment Day to see what kind of material each builder has used. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire so that all can see whether or not it keeps its value, and what was really accomplished.

Build with care.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Corinthians 3:11-13, fire, works | 3 Comments

Burnt Treasure

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

When a house of worship burns, believers mourn. We grieve over burned-out spaces, lost books, damaged art and absent friends. We also remember: the satin touch of a well-worn wooden rail, the familiar heft of a hymnbook, the jeweled glow of stained glass in the sunlight, the warm smile of a dear old saint.

O Lord, teach us to treasure the memories.

Posted in other | Tagged burned churches, memories | 2 Comments