Shirlee Abbott

Morning Prayer: Hospitable to Strangers

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. I’m standoffish with folks I don’t know. I want to be careful but not isolated, cautious but not quick to judge. Teach me to look at a stranger and think, “Here is someone God loves. Here’s a potential friend.”

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Be Hospitable to Strangers

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Paul listed the characteristics of godly widows:

1 Timothy 5:10 (GNT)
. . . a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.

First, a good mother–check. Next up, hospitable to strangers–You gotta be kidding!

Truth be told, Lord God, I aspire to be a good mother. Good to strangers–not even on my radar. Teach me to align my priorities with Yours. Give me eyes to notice the strangers in our midst. And give me a heart that cares.

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Morning Prayer: Open to Travelers

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. It’s one thing to share my space and my faith with my friends. Opening up to passing strangers–I hang back. Open my heart to “divine appointments,” those unexpected encounters only You can arrange. Grant me wisdom to know what to say and the courage to speak up, in Jesus’ name.

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Be Hospitable to Travelers

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Job had many fine qualities, including:

Job 31:32b (NIV)
… my door was always open to the traveler.

Who among us can say the same?

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Be Hospitable to the Family of God

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I welcome my extended family into my home. I offer them a warm bed and few meals, no complaints.

So should it be for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Romans 12:13 (PHILLIPS)
Give freely to fellow-Christians in want, never grudging a meal or a bed to those who need them.

We’ll share throughout eternity. Might as well start now.

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Morning Prayer: the Habit of Hospitality

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. I got sloppy during the pandemic. I wore my PJs till noon, let housework go and got used to hanging out with myself. I’ve been slow to restore some good habits–especially the habit of hospitality.

Teach me to connect with others on home ground, to be generous with my time and my table, to share my space willingly and graciously–in Jesus’ name.

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Be Hospitable–for the Fun of It

Posted on October 22, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I used to invite folks to my house. I quit during the pandemic, and I never really started again. The world went back to normal, and my new normal didn’t include hospitality.

Until this week. We hosted a potluck dinner at our house. A fine time was had by all.

1 Peter 4:9 (ESV)
Show hospitality to one another
without grumbling.

I did, and I’m not complaining. It was fun!

It’s time to get back in the habit of hospitality.

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Morning Prayer: Answering God’s Call

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. It would be so easy to roll over and snooze through the time I set aside to spend with You. Here You are, waiting for me. Here I am, longing for a few more minutes of sleep. Don’t let me snooze when I should be listening to Your call. Forgive the excuses I throw Your way.

Give me the strength to get up and get going. Empower me to say, “Here I am, Lord, ready and willing.”

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Answering God’s Call

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

When it comes to answering God’s call, we can’t do better than Peter and his brother Andrew.

Matthew 4:19-20 (NIV)
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Unlike Samuel, they heard the first time. Unlike Moses, they didn’t question whether they were up to the task. Unlike Jonah, they didn’t run (or row) in the opposite direction.

Here I am, Lord, listening for Your call. If you think I’m the woman for the job, I trust Your judgment. Let’s do it!

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Morning Prayer: Running from God’s Call

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. You have called me to this place at this time–it is no accident of fate. I don’t want to ignore Your call, or wish I were somewhere else. Help me understand Your purpose and enable me to fulfill it–with enthusiasm. Here I am, Lord. What’s the plan?

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