Shirlee Abbott

Judge Right

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

John 7:24 (NIV)
Stop judging by mere appearances,
but instead judge correctly.

Check the original Greek:

Appearances – opópa, with the eyes
Correctly – díkaios, approved by God

Not so much right in your eyes, but right in God’s eyes.

Posted in other | Tagged John 7:24, judge, Right | 2 Comments

The Truth about Truth

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“When regard for truth has been broken down or even slightly weakened, all things will remain doubtful.”
Augustine ( 354-430)

Posted in other | Tagged Augustine, Truth | 2 Comments

When Guilt Is in Doubt

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Teasing out the truth can be a challenge.
Which way do you lean?

I’ll err on the side of trust
I’ll err on the side of blame

God’s standard is truth.

Proverbs 17:15 (NIV)
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent–
the LORD detests them both.

God knows all, and we don’t. Pray for wisdom, don’t rush to judgment.

Posted in other | Tagged guilty, innocent, justice, Proverbs 17:15 | 3 Comments

Safe Judgment

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Justice isn’t a game.

But all too often we act like it is. Winning is the goal. People pursue personal benefit, political advantage or financial gain instead of justice. Someone goes free on a technicality. Favors are traded. Bribes are paid.

Amos 5:24 (NLT)
I want to see a mighty flood of justice.

We usually fear floods. Imagine a flood of justice. A just world would be a safer place.

Lord, we pray that righteousness will flow through our courts. Let the flood of justice sweep away all lies and distortion, let truth be told, let impartiality judge.

Posted in other | Tagged courts, justice, Safe Shelter | 2 Comments

It’s Not All about You

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged Philippians 4:19, prayer | 4 Comments

God Doesn’t Need Your Advice

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

It is tempting to tell God what to do. Don’t do it.

“Beware in your prayers, above everything else,
of limiting God, not only by unbelief,
but by fancying that you know what He can do.”
Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

God’s got a better plan.

Posted in other | Tagged Andrew Murray, prayer | 2 Comments

Not So Simple

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Job 37:13 (NIRV)
He brings the clouds to punish people,
or to water his earth and show his love.

Punishment or love? It’s not always simple.

Posted in other | Tagged Job 37:13, K.I.S.S., short and simple | 3 Comments

God of Wind and Waves

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Fearing for their lives, the disciples woke Jesus from a sound sleep, “Lord, save us!” Jesus rebuked the winds and waves, calming the storm.

Matthew 8:27 (NLT)
“Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Hurricane Florence was downgraded from a category 4 storm to a 3, then a 2 , finally a 1. Was it happenstance, or the answer to prayer?

God knows.

Posted in other | Tagged hurricane, Jesus calms the storm, Matthew 8:27, wind and waves | 2 Comments

God of the Weather

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Our screens give us front row seats for some powerful weather. What do you think? Do these storms come from the hand of God?

He gives us grace, not killer storms
Storms are just part of natural weather patterns
It’s our wake-up call
We get what we deserve

Could be all of the above.

Yes, weather follows patterns. Yes, Scripture tells how God used floods and disasters to punish ungodly nations. Yes, Scripture says bad things happen to good people. Yes, experience tells us that God loves and protects us, even when we don’t deserve it.

Posted in other | Tagged God, storms | 2 Comments

Shelter from the Storm

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Hurricane, cyclone, typhoon — what’s the difference?

Location, location, location.

While America watched Hurricane Florence’s painfully slow approach to the Carolinas, Typhoon Mangkhut slammed the northern Philippines. In the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific oceans, these storms are hurricanes. In the Northwest Pacific they’re typhoons. In the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, they’re called cyclones.

High winds and driving rain swirling over sea and land–wherever, it’s a call to prayer.

Lord of the wind and water, we pray for those facing the strong winds and rising waters. Protect and comfort them, Lord, and meet their needs for safe shelter–physically and spiritually.

Posted in other | Tagged cyclone, hurricane, Safe Shelter, typhoon | 2 Comments