God’s Greater Love

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

How can a loving God send anyone to Hell?

Surely you’ve heard the question. Your answer?

 

  • Good question!
  • That’s not the way it works
  • If everybody winds up in Heaven what’s the point?

In his book on Heaven, Randy Alcorn offers a memorable response:

“He so much wants us not to go to Hell that he paid a horrible price on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to.”

John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

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Hear Yourself in the Crowd

Posted on April 14, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

On Good Friday, I tend to picture myself with the cluster of faithful followers gathered at foot of the cross. Truth be told, Stuart Townend’s version is more like it:

 

“Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
  Call out among the scoffers.”
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us, 1995

 

 

Forgive me, Lord.

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Listen for the First Time

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

These words are so familiar, we hear them on autopilot:

 

Luke 22:20 (NIV)
After the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

 

Imagine hearing Jesus say them. For the first time. Ever.

And imagine the next day, seeing the blood drip from his wounds.

 

 

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Listen Like Jesus

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

I sometimes wonder how Jesus made it through this last week of his earthly life–the last meal together, betrayed by a friend, a kangaroo-court of lies, pain and ever-greater pain. Did he keep one ear tuned to the words his Father spoke at his baptism?

Matthew 3:17 (ESV)
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

 

May your words, dear Father, be my strength. 

Just like Jesus.

 

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Hear . . . and Do

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Gotta hand it to these two unnamed disciples. They followed instructions:

 

Matthew 21:1-2 (NIV)
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.”

 

Me? I’d push back.

We just help ourselves to a couple donkeys? Isn’t that stealing? Are we going to return them? Why do you want them? Why not just buy a donkey? Wouldn’t you rather have one that’s already broken in?

Hush. Listen. And follow instructions.

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Keep Listening for Lent

Posted on April 9, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

I’ve been through Lent more than 60 times. How about you?

 

 

  • Been there, done that
  • This story never grows old

Every year of life changes me. Every person is different. And God has a new message for every one of us, every year.

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

God’s got something new just for you. Listen for it.

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It’s a Conversation

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

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Listening Ears

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Our kindergarten son was on his first trip through the mountains. My ears had just popped when he called from the backseat, “Mom! My ears just turned off.”

 

Lord God, this might be a good time to turn our ears on and our mouths off.

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Babel On

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Babel – a chorus of confused voices (I hear that a lot). 

 

Psalm 33:12 (MSG)
God takes the wind out of Babel pretense,
he shoots down the world’s power-schemes.
God’s plan for the world stands up,
all his designs are made to last.
Blessed is the country with God for God.

Now would be a good time to listen to God.

 

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Sow Carefully

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Galatians 5:7-8 (CEV)
You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life.

 

When we sow selfishness, we reap envy. When we sow excuses, we reap a culture of blame. When we sow tantrums, we reap violence. When we sow arrogance, we reap power struggles.

And when we sow godlessness, we reap trouble. Big trouble.

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