Shirlee Abbott

Resolution: Worship

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

For once, I’m ahead of the deadline. I started my New Year’s spiritual resolution.

I’d finished a 40-day study on prayer (I can’t lie; it took me 53 days).

Me: What’s next, Lord? Consistency, maybe?

God: Worship.

And just in case I missed his message, I bumped up against worship at every turn–in conversation, when I was reading and at church.

God: You’re so busy getting ready for worship
that you forget to worship.

Good point–I do the bulletin and the powerpoint presentation. I put more effort into preparation than into worship. So now I’m ten days into John MacArthur’s True Worship.

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Spiritual Resolution

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s time for your New Year’s resolutions.

Last year’s are as appropriate as ever
I’m resolving to go with the flow
I live without resolutions, that way I don’t fail

Make 2015 the year you establish a new spiritual discipline.

Worship, prayer, Bible study, meditation, simplicity, solitude, fasting, giving, service. Which one is hardest for you? Where do you most often miss the mark? What change beckons your soul?

Resolve to grow spiritually.

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Peace – Be Still

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Hear Christ’s voice in troubled times:

Peace, be still. –Mark 4:39
Be still, and know that I am God. –Psalm 46:10
Be still, know Peace.

Not just the peace of God. The peace that is God. Be still for a few moments this Christmas Eve. Know Peace.

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Begotten Peace

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.

The only begotten Son of God, Peace.

There are things you can pray, do and say that will beget (cause, produce) peace. Be slow to judge, quick to encourage. Be the first to say, “I’m sorry.” Drop the grudge. Be kind and merciful to others. Pray that they will have Peace. And thus you will be called sons of God.

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Season of Peace?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

The fourth Advent candle stands for peace.

The world needs more peace
I just want to live in peace
What I’d give for a little peace and quiet

One of the names for the Messiah is Prince of Peace. When Jesus was born, it literally was Peace on earth. Which wasn’t the same as world peace.

When I say, “I have Jesus in my heart,” I am saying “I have Peace in my heart.” Which isn’t the same as peace in my world.

That first Christmas, there was no room for Peace in the inn. This Christmas, make room for Peace in your heart.

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Joy Full

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Forget about that old half empty/half full thing.

John 15:11 (ESV)
These things I have spoken to you,
that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be full.

Not half-full or half-empty. Joy full. Joy over the top and running over, that’s God’s gift to you.

Fill ‘er up, Lord!

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Heavenly Joy

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

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Complete Joy

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Philippians 2:2 (NIV)
Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Paul got that one right. Nothing squashes joy like an argument.

I feel the tension of my Christmas to-do list. I get cranky. Not only is my own joy incomplete, I shred the joy of those around me.

This Christmas, give the gift of complete joy.

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Off-Topic But on My Heart

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Black lives matter.

But . . .

More young black American males die from homicide than accidents
500,000 Africans die every year from malaria
More black babies are aborted than born in NYC
6000 and counting Ebola deaths in West Africa

I weep.

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Season of Joy

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Where do you see the joy in Christmas?

Music: Joy to the World!
Shared times with family and friends
Getting (or giving) the perfect gift
Good news announced by angels

We associate the angels with joy. After all, the angelic announcement started with “I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10 ESV).

Look at Scripture more carefully and you encounter another image of rejoicing angels:

Luke 15:7 (ESV)
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

This Advent, seek and celebrate heaven’s joy.

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