Morning Prayer: Pardon and Sanctify

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Good morning, Lord. You look back and pardon my sins. Going forward, You sanctify me and make me more like You. I am Your work in progress! For that, I am eternally grateful.

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Lenten Beauty

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“In that old rugged cross,
stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross
Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.”
George Bennard, 1913

The horrible, beautiful cross of Christ … the turning point in human history.

Thanks to You, God, for Your indescribable gift!

 

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Morning Prayer: My Thoughts

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. You know my thoughts before I do (Psalm 139). Direct my thoughts, O God, so that I think more about You and less about myself. Teach me to fix my thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

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Lenten Vision

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;
be Thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Irish Hymn, Bí Thusa ‘mo Shúile,
Translated into English by Mary E. Byrne, 1905

Jesus is the reason for Lent. He’s the light of our lives and our hope for the future — better than we can ever imagine or think.

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When Innocent Thoughts Become Demanding Dictators

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

I read the Proverbs 31 Ministries devotional every morning. Today, they’re featuring a devotional I wrote. You can read it here,

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Morning Prayer: Amazing Love

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. You oversee the universe, and You pay attention to my every thought. You keep this planet spinning on its axis, and You watch over my every step. You spoke the sun, moon and stars into existence, and You speak into my heart. You love the world, and You love little ol’ me. Amazing love!

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Lenten Love

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!”
Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
Isaac Watts, 1702


John 15:13 (NLT)
There is no greater love than to
lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

No greater love, amazing love!

 

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Morning Prayer: Faith

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. I’ve been through many Lenten seasons in my life, and I can’t imagine how I would get through a day without You. Your ministry, death and resurrection are integral to my own story: I am loved, saved, protected and guided by You, and for that I am truly grateful. As a song says, “no turning back, I’ve come this far by faith.“

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Lenten Music

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

From childhood to the present, I’ve heard and sung old hymns over and over. The first few notes or words can bring the whole hymn to mind. This week I’ll be highlighting the music of Lent–that is, some of the hymns that float through my head as I ponder Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.


Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Man of Sorrows, What a Name
Phillip P. Bliss, 1875

We are free in Christ.

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Morning Prayer: Restore My Soul

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. When I break something, it’s usually a mistake. But when You break my rebellious, stubborn, hard-hearted spirit, it is good. So break me, O God! Sweep away the remaining chunks of pride, bitterness and defiance. Clean me, make me better, restore my soul.

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