Prayer School Lesson 10 – Secret Prayer

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

I posted the next Prayer School lesson here. It’s my favorite lesson–at the end I tell my aunt Peg’s remarkable story.

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Love One Another (or Not)

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Years ago, a coworker and I were discussing a difficult colleague.

“Pray that something bad happens to him so he doesn’t become our boss,” my coworker suggested.

I was shocked, “I can’t pray that!”

“Then pray that he gets a better opportunity somewhere else,” he answered.

I don’t think that’s what Christ was thinking when he said,

John 15:12 (NIV)
My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you.

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If . . . You Love

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

A line from the Easter cantata keeps playing in my head: “If you love me, keep my commands.”

It comes straight from Jesus.

 

John 14:15 (NIV)
“If you love me, keep my commands.”

Which commands of Jesus cause you the most trouble?

  • Love one another
  • Love your enemies
  • Seek first the kingdom of God
  • Let your light shine

Let’s be honest. If God showed his love for us the way I show my love for him, there’d be no Easter.

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Imprisoned Bodies, Sheltered Souls

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“But, because Jesus has been raised from the dead,
there is hope—even for the most hopeless prisoner.”
(from Ocean’s Story, Prison Fellowship)

 

That’s the reason for prison ministry–whether it’s ordinary folks heading into their local jail, or national organizations like Prison Fellowship. It all started with Christ’s own words:

Luke 4:18 (NIV)
“The Spirit of the Lord . . .  sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners.”

Bodies may be locked in the darkest of prisons, but souls can safely rest in the shelter of God’s love. 

Dear God, set the prisoners free! Open their hearts to the Easter message of salvation. Shelter them with your mercy and grace. Be with those who share your story behind bars, Lord Jesus, and raise up even more willing workers.

 

 

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Done!

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott


Philippians 2:8 (ERV)
He humbled himself
by being fully obedient to God,
even when that caused his death—
death on a cross.

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Do It God’s Way

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

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Simply Do It

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“What He says we will do,
  Where He sends we will go.
  Never fear, only trust and obey.”
Trust and Obey, 1887
John H. Sammis

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Do You Mean What You Pray?

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Jesus told this story:

 

Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV)
“There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

Your will be done. Do you mean what you pray?

 

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Do I Have To?

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

You want something. You want it a lot, and God seems to be leading in a different direction. What do you do?

 

  • I beg God
  • Reluctantly, I do it his way
  • I trust he knows what he’s doing

Jesus dreaded the cross in his future. We see his human side, the child asking his Father, “Do I have to?” There’s no sin in an honest, “I don’t want to.”

The sin isn’t in the question. The sin is in knowing the answer and ignoring it. Jesus showed his true self, not in the doubt, but in his whole-hearted, all-in obedience.

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Sheltered at Easter

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

This year, as in years past, many Christians will remember Christ’s sacrifice and victory in silence. Some are on the run, hiding by day and traveling by night. Some are in crowded refugee camps. Some are in dreary, dirty prisons. And some are in their own homes, in places where owning a Bible can bring disaster on your household.

While we comfortably celebrate Easter with spring flowers, pastel eggs and chocolate, let’s remember our brothers and sisters who risk their lives to celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection.

May your angels encamp round about our fellow believers, Lord, protecting and encouraging them. Meet their need for food and shelter. My the hope of eternal life overshadow the threat of disaster. May the joy of their salvation override their fear. Grant them peace.

 

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