Who Is My Neighbor?

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

It appears that our President spoke negatively, even crudely, about certain nations. His words aside, what about those places?

 

  • Not my nation, not my problem
  • If I lived there, I’d leave
  • What can I do to help?

Bring to mind the parable of the Good Samaritan and the question Jesus asked the teacher of the Law:

Luke 10:36-37 (ESV)
“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” 

Back to these troubled nations. What can I do?

Go. Send money. Pray.

 

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Eternal Shelter in Niger

Posted on January 13, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Niger is back in the news, thanks to nasty words attributed to our President. Samaritan’s Purse is at work in Niger, helping local churches. More than 50 churches were burned in January 2015.

 

“‘In my heart, I felt a lot of sadness. It’s a day we can never forget,’ said Hassane Hamadou, pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church in Goudel, Niger. ‘But we also prayed for the people who did this.’”

Last November, Nigerian Christian leaders and Samaritan’s Purse celebrated the rebuilding of 52 churches.

“The persistent prayer of church leaders has not been for protection from persecution but for the salvation of people blinded by lies.”

Let us join with our beloved brothers and sisters and pray that many Nigerians will find the safe shelter of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

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Contagious Fake News

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

In the Old Testament, there is a connection between gossip (Hebrew: lashon hara)  and leprosy (tzara’at–probably not what we know as leprosy or Hanson’s disease, but rather a very contagious skin disease). In Numbers 12, Miriam speaks against Moses (lashon hara) and is struck with tzara’at, a serious skin disease. For this, she was banished outside the camp for seven days.

Old Testament rules required isolation of anyone with tzara’at. If anyone came near, the leper had to call out, “Unclean! Unclean!”

Imagine a banner declaring  “Unclean! Unclean!” scrolling over over every fake news story. Wouldn’t that be great?

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True (Not Fake) Confession

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Let me be honest, Lord. I don’t love the folks on the other side of the political aisle. I confess that I take pleasure in their troubles. And that’s not right. Forgive me.

And teach me to love. 

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Wishful News

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Jesus was clear:

Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Love your enemies.

 

We miss the mark when we gleefully read and share fake news because we hope it’s true. God calls us to want his best for our enemies. Who is behind our desire to see the guy we don’t like disgraced and shamed?

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil . . .  there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Stop and think: whose side are you on?

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Simple Truth

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)
Speak the truth in love.

 

 

Is it true?
Is it loving?

If no, don’t say it.

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Fake News

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“Fake News” is in the news. What do you think?

 

 

  • “Fake News”? Fake!
  • If it isn’t true, it isn’t news
  • I don’t believe any news any more

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true.

If it isn’t true, don’t give it a second thought–not yours or anyone else’s. Don’t say it, don’t post it, don’t tweet it, don’t follow it, don’t share it. Not even if you wish it were true.

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Safe Worship

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Last year, Christians were attacked while worshiping in here in the US, and in Egypt and Nigeria. Around the world, many of our brothers and sisters in Christ meet together in secret, hoping to avoid violent confrontations. Let us pray for their safe worship.

 

Lord, we know that there is no safer place for believers than at your feet. But here on earth, there are those who are attacked for and during their worship of you. We pray for their safety, for their joy, for their peace. May your angels encamp round about them, may their praise rise to you from the safe circle of your protection. Amen.

Psalm 34:7 (MSG)
God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

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God Accomplished

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“Holy, Holy, Holy!
  All the saints adore Thee,
  casting down their golden crowns
  around the glassy sea.”
Reginald Heber, 1826

 

We’ll cast down those crowns because . . . 
all that we have accomplished 
you have done for us (Isaiah 26:12).

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Simply Accomplished

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

God will provide what you need
to accomplish what he wants.

 

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