Shirlee Abbott

Step out in Peace

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Ephesians 6:15 (NLT)
For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Are you all dressed up and ready to go? Don’t forget your best shoes.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation …

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the good news of peace and salvation. It puts the spring in my step, even when the road is rough. It lights my way, especially when the world is dark. It empowers my forward motion, even when I can’t see the path ahead. It keeps my feet on the narrow way, even when the crowd heads in a different direction. I step out in peace, knowing You are with me.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Ephesians 6:15, Isaiah 52:7, shoes of peace | 4 Comments

Live in Peace

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Romans 12:18 (NASB)
If possible, so far as it depends on you,
be at peace with all people.

It takes effort on everyone’s part to live in peace. Question is, am I a roadblock on the path to peace?

Good morning, Lord. Look into my heart and show me everything standing between me and peace. Shine Your light of truth on any lingering resentment, desire for revenge, envy, scorekeeping or one-upmanship. Grant me a forgiving spirit.

Just as You offer me new mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:23), let me clean the slate of my relationships daily. Teach me the art of living at peace with everyone.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Lamentations 3:23, peace, Romans 12:18 | 1 Comment

The Advent of Peace

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“The feast day of your birth resembles you, Lord
Because it brings joy to all humanity . . .
Your day is a means and a pledge of peace.
At your birth heaven and earth were reconciled,
Since you came from heaven to earth on that day
You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)

Our Prince of Peace is the Lord of Reconciliation — between heaven and earth, between God and humanity, between Him and me.

Good morning, Lord. I long for peace. I sometimes wish You’d wave a magic wand and send peace all around the world. But really, You’ve already done Your part. The lack of peace is mankind’s doing, not Yours.

Enable me to do my part — with my prayers, my words and my actions. I want to be an instrument of reconciliation. Teach me how to be a peacemaker.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Ephrem the Syrian, peace, reconciliation | 2 Comments

Foundation of Hope

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
Edward Mote, 1834

No Jesus, no hope.
Know Jesus, know hope.

Good morning, Lord. You are my hope … for sins forgiven, for eternal life, for peace on earth. Without You, my life would be gloom and doom. With You, it is light and grace. Thank You.

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The Source of Hope

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 119:114 (NLT)
You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.

Hope running low? Fill it up with the Word of God.

Good morning, Lord. When I’m discouraged, I tend to forget the stories of David, Daniel and Peter. My troubles fall short of Goliath, the lions’ den and prison — and yet, I think my situation is hopeless. If I turn to Your Word, I see Your power at work. I understand that I’m never alone, You are with me. I’m assured that no matter what happens on earth, I have the eternal hope of heaven. Thank You.

Posted in Advent, Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged God's Word, hope, Psalm 119:114 | 1 Comment

Winter’s Hope

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“In the frost when the earth is barren,
You bring new hope to our souls.
In December when seeds are hidden in the soil,
The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)

Are you in a spiritual winter, failing to feel the light? Fear not, hope rises from the chill.

Good morning, Lord. You are my hope in despair, my warm place in this cold world, the light in our dark culture, water in a dry and thirsty land. How do people get through their days without You? I need You every season, every day, every hour. Thank You for being present with and in me, everywhere and all the time.

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The Birth of Hope

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 1:21 (TLB)
… you shall name him Jesus (meaning ‘Savior’), for he will save his people from their sins.

No Savior = no hope.

Christmas celebrates the birth of hope.

Good morning, Lord. You are the Savior of the world, my eternal hope and my Redeemer. “Thank You” isn’t enough. I owe all that I am and ever will be to You. I present myself as a living sacrifice, holy and devoted to You, as my spiritual worship (Romans 12:1).

Posted in Advent, Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Matthew 12:1, Romans 12:1, Savior | Comments Off

More Hope

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s Advent, the season of hope — hope fulfilled, hope in this moment and hope for what is yet to be seen.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Good morning, Lord. You are the reason for the Advent season. You left the glories of heaven to rub shoulders with mankind, showing us God-in-flesh. By itself, that would have been enough. But You died for our sins, saving us from eternal destruction. That is more than enough.

You opened the door to eternal life, granting us the hope of heaven. And that, Lord God, is much, much more than enough. Thank You!

Posted in Advent, Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Advent, hope, Romans 15:13 | Comments Off

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged gratitude, Thanksgiving, Tychon of Zadonsk | Comments Off

Who’s In Control?

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.

If I’m not in control, who is? Who has broken through the boundaries of my life, making decisions for me?

1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Beware the enemy!

Good morning, Lord. I so often forget there’s an enemy watching for gaps in my self-control, eager to step in and take charge. Open my eyes to his devious ways, protect me from his destructive schemes. I don’t want him to snatch control out of my hands. I want to willingly hand off control to You. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 1 Peter 5:8, Proverbs 25:28, self-control | Comments Off