The Reason for the Right Road

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 


This is the reason for this Lenten season:

 


Matthew 20:17-19 (NIV)
Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

 

Good morning, Lord. I look forward to Easter, the celebration of Your resurrection. But without the crucifixion there would have been no resurrection. Sometimes my mind skips right over the betrayal, mockery, pain and suffering You experienced — for our sakes. Teach me to count the cost of my salvation. Fill me with gratitude.

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Tears on the Right Road

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Luke 19: 41-42 (NIV)
As he [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

Jesus wept. It’s OK to cry.

Some things are just so sad.

 

Good morning, Lord. Let’s be honest … I get frustrated with the chaos, I don’t like it when things don’t go my way. My thoughts hover over my own self, how it impacts me. Forgive my self-centeredness. Give me eyes to see what is happening to others and a heart that shares their pain. Teach me to seek their wellbeing — in prayer and deed — as much as my own.

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Joy on the Right Road

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Luke 19:37-38 (NIV)
When he [Jesus] came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Did the crowd of disciples understand where Jesus was headed?
Probably not. 

Do we have to understand what lies ahead before we joyfully praise God?
I don’t think so.

 

Good morning, Lord. As I look back on my life journey, I’m grateful I didn’t know about all the speedbumps and dangerous curves before I started. And yet, I keep wishing for complete knowledge of the road ahead. Teach me to step out joyfully, trusting Your plan and not my own wisdom. As the song says, “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.”

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More than Enough

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries published a devotional I wrote. I hope it speaks to Your heart.

 

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A Stumbling Block on the Right Road

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Jesus told His disciples He was going to Jerusalem to die.

 


Matthew 16:22-23 (NIV)
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Would I have been like Peter, a stumbling block to God’s plan? Probably.

 

Good morning, Lord. You know my tendency to look for the easiest way, the path of least resistance. I’m grateful You walked the hard road to the cross. Empower me to step out in obedience, even when the path looks scary. Stop me short, O God, whenever I start to be a stumbling block on someone else’s road to faith. Teach me to walk in Your way.

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Setting Out on the Right Road

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Luke 9:51 (NIV)
 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.


Resolutely — not reluctantly. Not looking for detours or a way out. He didn’t drag His feet, procrastinate or wait for a more convenient time. He knew what was coming, and yet, He got up and got going.

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for resolutely walking the road to Calvary. You know my tendency to procrastinate, to put off things that might be unpleasant. Teach me to walk the path You’ve laid out for me — resolutely, deliberately, without hesitation. 

I understand that it won’t be all sunshine and roses. I trust You to walk with me through the storms and thorns, the good and bad, the mountaintops and the valleys. Let’s get going … together.

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The Way Home

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“We are like little children strayed from home, and God is now fetching us home; and we are ready to turn into any house, stay and play with everything in our way, and sit down on every green bank, and much ado there is to get us home.”
Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
A Puritan Goden Treasury

400 years ago, and still today — believers lose sight of their forever home.

 

Good morning, Lord. I’m like a child, always on the lookout for the next new thing to see and do. All these things distract me from my final destination — my heavenly home with You. I want to enjoy my time here on earth, yes, but also keep eternity in view. Grant me a simple, practical life on earth while I await my future in the glories of heaven.

 

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The Best Place to Be

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

They say real estate is all about location, location, location.

 


Psalm 23:6 (NLT)
I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

My permanent address is the house of the Lord … no better location!

 

Good morning, Lord. You so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son so whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

I believe!  My eternal home is in heaven. Thank You.

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Forever Home

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

I won’t find my forever home on Zillow or any other real estate listing. I’ll find it in the Word of God.

 


Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the glimpses of heaven written in Your Word. It’s more than I can imagine, but I know it will be beautiful … because You are there. Set my feet on the earthly path You’ve ordained for me here and set my heart on the glorious hope of heaven.

 

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Trading Spaces

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

John 14:2 (NKJV)
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.


Mansions, rooms — moné in Greek, meaning dwellings or permanent residences.

“The house itself is lasting; our estate in it is not for a term of years, but a perpetuity. Here we are as in an inn; in heaven we shall gain a settlement.” Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1706

I’ll trade my temporary space on earth for a permanent place in heaven.

 


Good morning, Lord. I’m grateful for my cozy house here on earth and even more grateful for my permanent home in heaven. It would have been enough that You saved me from my sins. Eternity in heaven with You … more than enough! Thank You.

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