Good Question

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Malachi 2:10 (MSG)
Don’t we all come from one Father?
Aren’t we all created by the same God?
So why can’t we get along?

 

Why, indeed?

 

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Let There Be Peace

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

The Christmas season can be stressful. People get on your nerves. How do you respond?

 

  • “Get out of my space!”
  • I paste on a fake smile
  • I have a long talk with God

We have an enemy who is anxious to keep things in an uproar.

“Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in … Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

Keep the peace, and cut the enemy out of the Christmas conversation.

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Safety in Anger

Posted on December 8, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Yellow-vested protesters take to the streets in France. They’re angry.

“Many protesters say their purchasing power has dwindled so much over the years that today they have trouble making ends meet … costs have risen and pay has not.”

God says,

Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

Lord, shelter these frustrated folks from their own anger. Shelter those around them from the fallout of this anger. Teach all of us how to be angry without being consumed by our anger.

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Heartless

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“When you destroy unity in the church
you rip the heart out of the body of Christ.”
Unknown

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Step Up, Stand United

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Philippians 1:27 (MSG)
Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition.

No double-mindedness, dodging or distrust. Step up and start work.

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Christmas at Its Best

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

 

Make this the best Christmas ever.

 

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All in One

Posted on December 4, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Galatians 3:26-28 (NIRV)
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God by believing in Christ…You have put him on as if he were your clothes…That’s because you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The arms in your shirtsleeves are from the same body. We are one body clothed in Christ.

 

 

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What Jesus Wants for Christmas

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

What do you want for Christmas?

  • Money
  • Clothes
  • Toys
  • World peace

Have you ever wondered what Jesus wants for Christmas? The Bible tells us; it’s right there in Christ’s prayer the night before his crucifixion:

John 17:21 (TLB)
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one–as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.

 

Jesus wants unity in his followers. So give up your grudge, let go of your gossip, reach out in love to your brothers and sisters in Christ—in your own congregation, in your community and in the Church world wide.

This year, give Jesus what his heart desires.

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Safe Shelter in Alaska

Posted on December 2, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Part of Alaska was rocked by a recent earthquake. It’s hard to feel safe when the ground is shaking.

 

Lord, we thank for the safe shelter of buildings which shook but did not fall. We are grateful that the earthquake wasn’t deadly. But we know how people’s nerves are on edge—be their secure Rock, their safe Shelter, even when the ground shakes and their hearts tremble. Amen.

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Excuse: “I’m Not Sure”

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Not sure what God’s saying?
Check in with other Christians.

 

 

Proverbs 12:15
The wise listen to advice.

 

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