Shirlee Abbott

Pray Early, Pray Often

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Nehemiah, man of the week for this website:

He got bad news, and he prayed.
He saw an opportunity, and he prayed.
He met resistance, and he prayed.

Are you seeing a theme here?

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
Never stop praying.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Nehemiah, prayer | 2 Comments

Pray Long, Pray Quick

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

The new Foundation study here focuses on Nehemiah. I am intrigued by his approaches to prayer:

Nehemiah 1:4 (NLT)
For days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 2:4-5
The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

First, long and hard. Next, in the space of a quick breath.

Truth be told, I do more quick praying. How about you?

Posted in other | Tagged Nehemiah 1:4, Nehemiah 2:4-5, prayer | 2 Comments

Rebuilding the Walls, Restoring the Boundaries

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

I posted the first lesson of a new Foundation Study. It’s based on the book of Nehemiah. I am enthralled with the symbolism in Scripture, and Nehemiah is as symbolic as it is historic. I hope you share my enthusiasm for rebuilding broken walls.

When everyone else saw obstacles, Nehemiah saw opportunity.

Nehemiah 6:15 (NLT)
The wall was finished–just fifty-two days after we had begun.

He accomplished in 52 days what had gone undone for 50 years. And he started with heartfelt prayer.

Posted in other | Tagged Foundation Study, Nehemiah 6:15, rebuilding the wall, symbolism | 4 Comments

Prayer Stones (a la Nehemiah)

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

I am a big fan of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, so it should come as no surprise that I tracked down a Spurgeon sermon on Nehemiah. You can read it for yourself here.

“What are your difficulties, dear friend, in coming to the mercy seat? What hindrance lies in your way? Let nothing obstruct your approach to the throne of grace. Turn all stumbling-stones into stepping-stones; and come, with holy boldness, and say, notwithstanding all opposition, ‘never the less, we made our prayer unto our God.'”

Stumbling-stones into stepping-stones. Transform the rubble. That’s what Nehemiah did.

Posted in other | Tagged Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Nehemiah, prayer | Comments Off

Who-a-miah?

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m launching a new foundation study based on the book of Nehemiah. Don’t know much about Nehemiah? He was:

Cupbearer to the King
A man of prayer
Community organizer extraordinaire

What do I have in common with Nehemiah?

I’m not the head honcho, but I have influence
I try to start everything with prayer
I’m really good at telling others what to do

God gave Nehemiah a unique set of skills and experience. He had the judgment and influence to rebuild the Jerusalem’s wall.

God gave you a unique set of skills and experience. What’s your assignment?

Posted in other | Tagged Nehemiah, rebuilding the wall | 2 Comments

Love to Tell His Story

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged Psalm 139:16, testify, Testimony | 2 Comments

Love to Tell Your Story

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Seems to me, you can tell the story of your personal experience with Christ in three ways:

How you came to Christ
Your greatest God-moments
What God has done for you lately

Your story–it can be a sentence, a few paragraphs or your cradle-to-grave biography.

“I love to tell the story,
it did so much for me;
and that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee.“

Posted in other | Tagged I Love to Tell the Story, Katherine Hankey, Testimony | 2 Comments

Prepare the Perfect Pitch

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

You know about elevator pitches, right? A 30-90 second summary that opens doors to bigger and better opportunities?

Have you thought through a quick speech that summarizes your relationship with Christ? One that can open the door to a bigger message about God’s goodness.

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Peter 3:15, elevator pitch, testify | 2 Comments

I Love to Tell My Story

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

I used to say that I couldn’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Christ. Years ago, based on a friend’s suggestion, I told God, “It doesn’t bother me. But if I need to know about this, just show me.”

My answer came in the form of a God’s eye view right through the roof of my parents’ 1949 Chevy. A little girl with her Sunday best puff sleeves and velvet ribbon prayerfully singing, Come in today, come in to stay, come into my life, Lord Jesus.

Answered prayer. Twice.

Posted in other | Tagged Testimony | 2 Comments

Testify!

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

I just returned from my denomination’s annual regional meeting (American Baptist Churches of New Jersey). The theme was “Testify.”

Have you every testified to your first life-changing encounter with Christ?

I tell it often and joyously
I tell it rarely and nervously
Never told a soul

I brought home a little book, a compilation of the testimonies of 52 church leaders–each one just a few short paragraphs. 52 people, 52 unique stories. Never the same way twice.

Tell your story. It is as unique as you are.

Posted in other | Tagged encounters with Christ, testify | 5 Comments