Wrong-Willed

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Here’s a hard fact. When it comes to my own will, I’m strong-willed. When it comes to God’s will, I’m weak-willed. I’m in good company. The apostle Paul had the same problem.

 

Romans 7:19 (NIV)
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Thankfully, I have help.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for Scriptures that tell me how to live. And thank You for the Spirit who empowers me to follow through. Left to my own wisdom and will, I would make a mess of everything. Guided by insight from Your Word and the nudges of Your Spirit, I do better. Teach me to walk in Your way, staying between guardrails of Your will for me.

 

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Will What?

Posted on July 8, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


“Will” is an interesting word. It can be a noun, as in the will or desire to do something. It can also be a verb: I will. I want. I choose.

Will, in Greek, theléma, a noun.


Luke 22:42 (NIV)
… not my will, but yours be done.

 And also a verb, theló.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

 

Good morning, Lord. I will (verb) do Your will (noun) — at least, that’s the goal. But all too often, I don’t. I make the wrong choices; self-serving desires get in the way. I pray for Your will to be my guide, that Your wisdom will empower me. Lead me in the path of righteousness for Your sake (Psalm 23:3) and Your will be done. 

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Thy Will, Not Mine

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“Take my will and make it Thine;
it shall be no longer mine.”
Frances Havergal, 1874
From the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be”

 

We know the inspiration behind this verse in our familiar hymn:

Luke 22:42 (KJV)
… not my will, but thine, be done.

From the lips of the Jesus to His Father in heaven.

 

Good morning, Lord. I pray, “Thy will be done,” and then I go off and do what I want. Forgive me for taking these words from the Lord’s prayer lightly. When I stop to think, I know Your will is best — but all too often, I plunge ahead with nary a thought of You. Teach me to stop and ask, ‘What should I do?” Teach me to wait and listen for Your answer.

 

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Of Scorpions and Eggs

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


Today’s Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotional features my musings on stinging scorpions and wholesome eggs.

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My Mind at Work

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“So even though I do not understand myself fully, I experience so much that I marvel at you even more because of that ignorance. Without understanding fully, my mind can still perceive stars in motion or growing things in the earth–and I owe this ability to you.”
Hilary of Poitiers (circa 310-367)

1700 years after this prayer was written, we know more about the movement of stars and the growth of plants — but still we don’t understand fully.

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for this complex world, from the stars in the skies to the plants under our feet. Throughout history, they’ve testified to Your power and wisdom. As research reveals more details about their form and function, we learn more about Your consistency and attention to detail. Science doesn’t diminish my faith, it reinforces it. Great are You, O God.

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Beyond My Mind

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 


I can’t wrap my human mind around everything God says and does. 

 

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV)
… as it is written:
   “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
     and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

God’s wisdom is a mystery, beyond the ability of the human mind to understand. God never expected us to figure it out on our own.

He gives us a Helper. “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.”

 

Good morning, Lord. You are more than I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). I don’t have to understand it all. I trust You, Holy Spirit, to reveal what I need to know, the rest is divine mystery.

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Reason Together

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


Isaiah 1:18 (EXB)
The Lord says, “Come, let us talk about these things [reason together; or settle this matter; or consider your options].”

 

Reason together. Talk it over, consider the options. God isn’t looking for mindless agreement. He’s OK with our questions, up for our debate, ready for our logical arguments. I don’t check my intellect at the Bible study door.

 

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to think as I read the Bible, to picture myself in the scene, to question how it applies to my life, to debate the pros and cons. Show me how to pray with an eternal perspective, seeing the bigger picture, considering the long-term impact, looking for the common good. Help me count my blessings.

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Balanced Thought

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Matthew 22:37 (NIV) 
Love the Lord your God … with all your mind.

 

Matthew’s “with all you mind” uses the Greek word dianoia—diá, from side to side, and noiéō, to use the mind. It represents balanced thought. God wants us to think things through. He doesn’t expect mindless obedience.

 

Good morning, Lord. You gave me the ability to think, ponder, consider and come to conclusions. I can use my mind sensibly or foolishly — my choice. Teach me to think carefully, ponder my options, consider the unintended consequences and look at the bigger picture. Remind me to balance my desires with Your compassion, my decisions with Your commands. 

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Using My Mind

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


“Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.”
Frances Havergal, 1874
From the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be”

 

The wisdom of the world says that faith and intellect can’t coexist. 

Matthew 22:37 (NIV) 
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God … with all your mind.”

God and mind … together! So be it.

 


Good morning, Lord. You gave me a mind, teach me to use it well. I can remember, organize, problem-solve, plan ahead and think creatively. The inner workings of my brain are more complex than I know, and it handles the mundane, the extraordinary, even the divine in ways I cannot fathom. How can it be? I am grateful.

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Giving Is Good for Me

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

God doesn’t need my offering.

Psalm 50:9-10 (NLT)
But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.


He already owns it all.

 


Good morning, Lord. You command us to give, not because You need our offerings, but because it is good for us — individually and collectively. It is good for those of us with more than enough and for those of us who come up short. It is good for all of us to understand that everything we have comes from You. It is good for us to see wealth as a gift, not an idol.

It is good for us to put our trust in You, not money. I want to be good — here’s my offering. Use it for good.

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