Jonah’s 2nd Second Chance

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

God called, and Jonah disobeyed. Given a second chance, Jonah obeyed and warned the Ninevites of God’s coming judgment. But when God showed them mercy, and Jonah pouted.


Jonah 4:1-3 (MSG)
Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God …  “So, God, if you won’t kill them, kill me! I’m better off dead!”

Jonah did things God’s way — with an ungodly attitude. God was not pleased and suggested a change of heart. The 4th chapter of Jonah records their conversation. It doesn’t say what Jonah did with this 2nd second chance.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Align my attitude and actions with Yours. Teach me to let go of my grudges, fill me with mercy, teach me to love. When I fall short, show me how to make it right. Thank You, Lord, for second (and more) chances to do things Your way.

 

 

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Nineveh’s Second Chance

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. The Assyrians were the enemies of the Jews, defeating them and taking over their land. Many of the residents were sent to places all over the Assyrian Empire. And people from all over the Assyrian Empire were brought in to replace them. Jonah thought they deserved God’s judgment.


Jonah 3:4 (ESV)
 Jonah began to go into the city … And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

God gave the Ninevites a second chance. They took Jonah’s declaration to heart and repented. Instead of wrath, God poured out mercy.

 

Good morning, Lord. You are merciful, so merciful that I sometimes forget that You’re also holy. I climb into Your loving lap like a child, knowing I’m safe there. But Your throne is also a place of holy and powerful judgment. If I don’t acknowledge Your righteous anger, I can’t fully appreciate Your loving mercy. Help me comprehend both Your holiness and Your mercy.

 

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Jonah’s Second Chance

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


Sunday’s sermon has me thinking about second chances. Jonah heard God’s call and rebelled, bringing disaster on himself. But God intervened and gave him a second chance.

 

Jonah 1:17 (ESV)
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah followed through on his second chance and obeyed.

I’m impressed that Jonah heard God the first time. All too often, I fail to recognize God’s voice. I frequently need more chances to hear and understand. Obedience is its own issue — like Jonah, I need (and God grants) second chances.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for failing to first hear and then obey Your call. Thank You for second, third and more chances. Teach me to listen and follow through — the sooner, the better.

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Good for Me, Good for My Home

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


Proverbs 24:2-3 (ESV)
By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.


A home might contain aging furniture, worn carpets and chipped dishware. But if it’s built on a foundation of godly wisdom and understanding, the space is filled with precious treasures money cannot buy.

 


Good morning, Lord. Fill my earthly dwelling with good things: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; that is, fill my space with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Our home need not be perfectly decorated nor perfectly clean to honor You. Teach me to be content with what I have.

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Good for Me, Good for My Spouse

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 31:10-12 (ESV)
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

A good spouse brings his or her partner good and not harm … every single day.

Toxic behavior isn’t good. Nor is putting up with toxic behavior.

No harm from me, no harm to me. Belittling, nagging, going silent, ignoring, stomping out in a huff — not good for me, not good for my spouse. 

 


Good morning, Lord. Show me how to act in ways that do no harm to my spouse, my children, my parents, my friends and neighbors, even my enemies. I want to leave a trail of blessings, not curses. Teach me to be and do good consistently and graciously. 

 

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Good for Me, Good for My Finances

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 


King Solomon knew what it was to be wealthy — a good reason to look to him for financial advice.

 

Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

If I hoard my money, I’ll never have enough. When I share it from the get-go, the same income will be more than enough.

 

Good morning, Lord. I want to love You, not money. Give me the right attitude about worldly treasure, to see it as a resource from You — after all, You provided the skill and the opportunity for me to earn it. Show me how to be a good steward of my income, using it to meet the needs of my family. At the same time, give me a generous heart, using my wealth to help others and honor You.

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Good for Me, Good for My Friends

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


Proverbs 12:26 (EXB)
Good [Righteous] people ·take advice from their friends [or show the way to their friends/neighbors] …

 

Either way, godly advice — like I find in the book of Proverbs — is good for me and my friends. 

 

Good morning, Lord. That word, “good” — You are good, and I want to be good like You. I want to be good to others, and I’m pleased when others are good to me. I appreciate good advice, and I want to be a source of good advice. Open my eyes to the goodness of Your creation and teach me to be good to Your creation. May Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6).

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Good for Me

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 


I’m reading one chapter a day from the book of Proverbs. It’s good for me.

 

Proverbs 1:1-3 (NIV)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair.

Wisdom and insight leading to better behavior: it’s all good.

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the Bible, with all of its good advice for living. Let me absorb that wisdom — bit by bit, day by day, year by year — until it is permanently etched in my soul. I want to go beyond hearing (and reading) Your Word; I want to do Your Word (James 1:22-23). Make it so, Lord, amen.

 

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Heavenly Rest

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Are you tired of the daily drudge? Look ahead!

Hebrews 4:9-10 (NLT)
 So there is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God. Christ has already entered there. He is resting from his work, just as God did after the creation.

Indeed, our day-to-day work can be hard to handle. But we have the hope of heavenly rest — thanks be to God.

 

Good morning, Lord. I thank You for my work, for the day job that provides money for living expenses, for the housework that keeps my home safe and healthy, and for the works of service I do for others in Your name. I’m also grateful for rest from all this work, be it a good nap or my night’s sleep. And fill me, O God, with the hope of heaven with its eternal rest from the trials of this world.

 

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Too Much Rest

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Rest is good.

But it can also be too much of a good thing.

 

Proverbs 24:33-34 (NIV)
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.

We’re meant to work … and rest. In good balance.

 


Good morning, Lord. Help me discern the difference between too much sleep and not enough … and likewise, between not enough work and too much. Teach me, Jesus, the healthy balance between work and rest, wrapping both in prayer and praise. I want to work — and rest — as onto You, Lord God. (Colossians 3:23).

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