Shirlee Abbott

Unchanging God

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

This week we’ve looked at changing seasons, consistent blessings, repeated requests and confessions. It all happens under the watch of an unchanging God.

James 1:17 (GW)
… Father who made the sun, moon, and stars … doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.

The world I’m used to — the world of sunrises and moonlight — is filled with shifting shadows. The Source of all light casts no shadows. He never hides in the darkness.

Good morning, Lord. You are the unchanging force in an ever-changing world. I think how different things are now compared to past centuries, how different things are from culture to culture … and yet, You are always the same, Your Word is still true. You are the Light of the world, the Light of my world. I praise Your glorious name.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged James 1:17, unchanging God | Comments Off

I’m Sorry … Again

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I confess my sin, I repent for my wrongdoing. Then I sin again. And repent again.

In this, I’m a bit like the Apostle Paul.

Romans 7:15 (NLT)
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

Good morning, Lord. Here I am again, confessing a new version of the same old sin. Here You are again, granting me grace, mercy and a new day. Thank You! Show me the path out of this loop, O God. I want to be more like You and less like my old self — today, all day, every day.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged confess, repeat, repent, Romans 7:15 | 5 Comments

Persistent Prayer

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Colossians 4:2 (GNT)
Be persistent in prayer,
and keep alert as you pray,
giving thanks to God.

Day after day, my prayers seem much the same. But God never seems to tire of my words … thanks be to God!

Good morning, Lord. Here I am, same time, same place, same prayer requests. How can it be that You’re not bored, tired of the same conversation?

Nudge me when my thoughts don’t line up with Yours. Give me eyes to see things from Your point of view, ears to hear Your response. Grant me a patient heart, willing to wait for Your perfect timing. Thank You for listening, day after day.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Colossians 4:2, persistent prayer | 2 Comments

Unfailing Sunrise

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Lamentations 3:22-23 (GNT)
The Lord‘s unfailing love
and mercy still continue,
Fresh as the morning,
as sure as the sunrise.

Unfailing sunrise, unfailing mercies. God is faithful.

Good morning, Lord. You loved me yesterday, You love me today, You will love me tomorrow — Your love and mercies are as consistent as the sunrise. I want to be equally consistent, loving and praising You every day. The sunrise is my daily reminder: God is good, God is good to me — thank You!

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Lamentations 3:22-23, love, mercy, morning | 2 Comments

Time and Seasons

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the US, February 2 is Groundhog Day. Every year, we pretend the groundhog can predict the end of winter. The movie Groundhog Day tells the story of a guy caught in a time loop, with every day as Groundhog Day. It’s all fun.

Let’s give credit where it’s due:

Genesis 1:14 (ESV)
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years …”

It’s God, not the groundhog.

Good morning, Lord. You are the one who set the sun, moon and stars in the sky. They mark our time — the days and seasons. You were there when our world began, You’ll be there when it ends, and You’re present in every moment in between. Truly, O God, time is in Your hands, by Your hands, of Your hands. Teach me to respect time, honor time and spend time well, in Jesus’ name.

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Guilt and Grace

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Guilt = I’ve done wrong.

Grace = Blessings I don’t deserve.

2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

God’s grace covers my guilt.

Good morning, Lord. I’ll admit it — I have sinned. I’ve been self-centered, looking out only for myself. I lied, cheated, envied, manipulated and plotted evil. I’ve done You wrong, O God.

I lay my guilt at Your feet, where You cover it with the blood of Christ, with grace I do not deserve. You, however, deserve more than my gratitude — You are worthy of all my obedience, honor and praise, forever and ever, amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 2 Timothy 1:9, grace, Guilt | 2 Comments

Malice and Mercy

Posted on January 30, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 20:22 (TLB)
Don’t repay evil for evil. Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

Don’t get even … grant mercy and leave the final decision to God.

Good morning, Lord.

Malice is a heavy burden, nursing a grudge is hard work. Teach me to let go of fierce anger before it consumes me. You, O God, are both just and merciful. In the end, evil is either covered by the blood of Christ or destined for the final judgment. It’s Your call, Lord, not mine.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged anger, evil for evil, malice and mercy, Proverbs 20:22 | 2 Comments

Life and Death

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I have a choice. You have a choice. Everyone has the same choice. Everyone since the time of Moses has had the same choice.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (TLB)
I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live!

Make the right choice — for you, for your children, for those you love.

Good morning, Lord. I want to use words that build up, not destroy. I want to do things that help, not hurt. I want to choose life, not death. And yet, I speak angry words when I could be kind, I’m selfish when I could be generous, I walk though my day in a self-centered funk when I could be gracious. I don’t kill others, it is true — but I ignore their needs. Forgive me.

Point me to better choices, O God: to speak goodness, act kindly and walk in love. It will be good for me, good for those I love, good for the world.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged choices, Deuteronomy 30:19, life and death | Comments Off

Condemnation and Restoration

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

John 3:17 (NIV)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

A different translation paints a picture in my mind.

John 3:17 (MSG)
God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for Your powerful plan to set the world right, to restore humanity, to restore my soul. Sometimes it seems too good to be true, but then I sense Your gentle touch, I hear the wisdom in Your Word. You, O Lord, are indeed good — good by nature, good for me, good to humankind, good throughout eternity.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged condemnation, John 3:17, restoration | Comments Off

Blessing and Cursing

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

James 3:9-10 (MSG)
With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on.

Ouch! This bit of wisdom strikes close to home.

Good morning, Lord. I want to leave a trail of blessings, but I drop too many rude and unkind words as I go. Forgive me! Teach me to think before I speak, to choose my words carefully, to say things that encourage others. Let the words of my mouth be acceptable in Your sight (Psalm 19:14).

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged blessing and cursing, James 3:9-10, Psalm 19:14 | 2 Comments