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.

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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.

 

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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).

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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!

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A Thanksgiving Prayer

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

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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.

 

 

 

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Self-Control (or Lack Thereof)

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Here in the USA, it’s Thanksgiving week — a perfect time to ponder the last attribute in the fruit-of-the-Spirit list:

 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Self-control. Frankly, it’s the lack thereof I notice. I can complete this sentence with a wide assortment of wrongdoing:

“When it comes to [fill in the blank], I lack self-control.”

 


Good morning, Lord. All too often, I lack self-control. I eat too much, especially chips and chocolate. I waste too much time on social media, filling my head with stuff I don’t need to know. I procrastinate, setting myself up for more stress down the road.

Help me do the right things at the right time, Lord. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:6). Boost my faith and empower my choices, in Jesus’ name.

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Gentle, Me?

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
Let your gentleness be evident to all …

 

 

Evident to all? I’m not sure my gentleness is evident even to me. 

 


Good morning, Lord. Teach me to be gentle. I want others to see Your gentleness in and through me. Grant me the strength to put unkind thoughts on hold, to keep back harsh words, to restrain from getting even. Fill me to overflowing with love and mercy — let me pour forth a continuous stream of love and compassion.

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