Shirlee Abbott

Watch Your Words

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Careless words can cause a ton of trouble.

Matthew 5:33 (MSG)
Don’t say anything you don’t mean.

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Call in the Good Guys

Posted on January 17, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Years ago, when Haiti was going through a change in government, I asked a Haitian friend which ones were the good guys. He answered, sadly, “there are no good guys.”

Sometimes, here in my own country, I wonder which ones are the good guys.

Lord God, send in the good guys.

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Blessed Nations

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

I heard last week that not one of countries with the worst quality of life for their citizens is governed by Christians. I haven’t researched that statement, but it lines up with Scripture.

Psalm 33:12 (NIV)
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

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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?

Posted in other | Tagged Fake News, John 8:44, Matthew 5:44 | 2 Comments

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.

Posted in other | Tagged Ephesians 4:15, K.I.S.S., Keep it short and simple, Truth | 2 Comments