Self-Righteous Child

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

There’s a second son in the parable of the prodigal son. He seems stuck in the moment. No somber reflection, no change of heart.

 

Luke 15:28 (MSG)
The older brother stomped off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen.

In his mind, this son had consistently been right with his father. He was offended when his wayward brother was welcomed back into the family. Would he really prefer his brother be lost forever? 

 

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I’m so sure I’m right that I’m wrong. My self-righteousness becomes my stumbling block. Forgive me!

You love is not finite — that is, more love for one person doesn’t mean less for someone else. Your love and grace are always and infinitely more than enough. Thank You, and praise Your holy name..

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Repentant Child

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Luke 15:21 (NIV)
The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”


Jesus told the well-known parable of the prodigal son. This rebellious young man foolishly claimed his inheritance and blew it on wild living. When his money disappeared, so did his friends. Alone and hungry, he engaged in somber after-the-fact thinking and changed his mind. That is, he repented.

During this Lenten season, be like this young man. Think … repent, change (the Father is waiting). 

 

Good morning, Lord. I can be so rebellious and stubbornly follow my own way, even though I know I shouldn’t. Later, when I’m stuck in a mess of my own making, I call, “Help me, God!” You’d be justified in turning Your back, but no! You embrace me and help me untangle the web of trouble I created. You are merciful, and I am grateful. Thank You for loving me when I least deserve it.

 

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Repent for Lent

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


Acts 3:19 (NIV)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.


Repent — metanoeó in Greek, from the words meta (after or beyond) and noeo (to think) — to think after the fact or beyond the moment. To change my mind. 

Lent is a perfect time to think carefully about what I’m saying and doing. Is it bringing me nearer to God or moving me further away? Is it time to change my mind, change my plan, change my heart?

 

Good morning, Lord. I want to learn from my mistakes, not repeat them. But first, I have to admit my missteps … to myself and to You. Teach me to think after the fact and recognize the error of my ways — not to be stuck in regret, but to change my motivation or behavior. Then I can move forward, forgiven and refreshed.

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Step up to the Throne

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I imagine stepping up to Gods’ throne:

 

 

 

 

Praise.

Repentance.

Submission.

 

 

In humble submission, I kneel before the Lord, my Maker.

 


Good morning, Lord. I come to You with praise on my lips, repentance in my heart and submission on my mind. “Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.” 

 

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Lord God Almighty

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

In my imagination, I approach the throne of grace, starting with praise, followed by repentance. As I get closer to God’s throne, I’m totally in awe of His power. The only response I can imagine is to fall to my knees in submission. I can’t picture standing there and arguing with the Lord God Almighty. There’s only one thing to say.

Your will be done (Matthew 6:10).

 

Good morning, Lord. May all that I say and do today line up with Your will. If I start to stray from Your plan, nudge me back into place. Keep my every step within the guardrails of Your commands. I want to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You. Transform me, renew my mind so that I may know and do Your good and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). 

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Holy … and Merciful

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


The second of my three imaginary steps to the throne of grace: repentance.

Luke 18:13 (ESV)
God, be merciful to me, a sinner!


We recognize our sin and look to Holy God for salvation and forgiveness.

As the old hymn says, “Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!” We repent and He is merciful.

 


Good morning, Lord. In Your great mercy, You don’t give me the punishment I deserve — thank You! I stand before the throne of grace, not because I am good, but because You are merciful. As Elvina Hall wrote so many years ago, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” Yes indeed, Lord, I owe it all to You.

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Praise Thy Name

Posted on March 18, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Continuing to focus on God’s holiness as described in Reginald Heber’s hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy: “All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea.”

In my imagination, there are three steps to the throne of God. The first step is praise.

Psalm 148:13 (NLT)
Let them all praise the name of the LORD. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!

 

Good morning, Lord. I want my life to bring honor to Your holy name. Forgive me for the many moments when my words and deeds have dishonored You. Teach me to start and end every day with praise. Fill me with awe and gratitude. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight (Psalm 19:14) and praise Your name. 

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Holy, Holy, Holy

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name,
in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.”
Reginald Heber, 1826

 

Lent is the perfect time to ponder the holiness of God. The words of this familiar hymn are a good place to start.

 

Good morning, Lord. You are all loving and all holy. Sometimes I focus so much on Your love that I overlook Your holiness — forgive me. There You are on the high throne of heaven, surrounded by armies of angels, with the earth as Your footstool and light as Your robe. Here I am, speaking to the One who spoke the universe into being. How is it even possible? I stand amazed in Your holy presence.

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God Sees Me

Posted on March 14, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Lent is a good time for private, secret prayer. Fear not, God sees and hears.

 


Matthew 6:6 (AMP)
But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

 

Good morning, Lord. Here I am, in my secret prayer closet. Here You are, seeing and hearing. I am not alone, I am in the presence of the Creator of the universe! What can I say?

Have mercy on me, a sinner. I love You, I praise You. Your will be done — in my life, in the world.

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God Who Sees

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Genesis 16:13 (NLT)
Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”

Hagar thought she was running away. Instead, she ran to God.

This Lenten season, make an effort to run to God. He sees you coming.

 


Good morning, God-Who-Sees. When I’m scared, I run to You. When I’m lost, I run to You. You see me coming, and You never turn me away. You know the way through, You know the way home — You are the Way! (John 14:6). Thank You for watching and waiting.

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