Shirlee Abbott

Running from God’s Call

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Jonah heard God’s call and ran away.

Jonah 1:2-3 (NLT)
“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.

Jonah’s run landed him in the belly of a big fish. In the end, he obeyed God’s call (albeit with a bad attitude).

Sometimes, Lord, I hear Your call and think about running away. Grant me the common sense to obey from the get-go (with an appropriate attitude).

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Morning Prayer: Doubting God’s Call

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes, it seems like You have more confidence in me than I do. I forget that the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in me (Ephesians 1:19-20). Teach me that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

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Doubting God’s Call

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Samuel heard God’s call and stepped forward in faith. Not so Moses. He heard, but he had doubts.

Exodus 3:10-12 (NLT)
“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?”

… God answered, “I will be with you.”

I’m a lot like Moses.

Me: God, I don’t think I’m the gal for the job.

God: I know, and you are.

Me: I don’t doubt You, Lord. I doubt me.

God: I will be with you.

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Morning Prayer: Hearing God’s Call

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. Tune my ears to hear Your voice. Make my heart sensitive to the nudge of Your Spirit. Open my mind to the instructions from Your Word. Work in me to will and act according to Your good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

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Hearing God’s Call

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

The story of Samuel comforts me. Like young Samuel, I’ve been known to miss God’s call.

1 Samuel 3:4-5 (ESV)
Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.

Fortunately, God willingly repeats the call … for Samuel and for me.

Lord, teach me to hear–and obey–you the first time. But I’m grateful for second changes.

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God’s Calling

Posted on October 15, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

You’re probably familiar with this verse:

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We tend to focus on the first half of the verse, the part about things working together for good. Let’s focus on the last half.

God calls each of us according to his purpose. His purpose, not ours. Question is, are we listening?

Lord, what’s your purpose for me? Let’s do it!

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged God's call, Romans 8:28 | Comments Off

Dream Room

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I dreamed a realtor welcomed me into my new home. It was a beautiful room:

- - - A wall of wood-grained closet doors, hiding every bit of clutter
    - Floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular mountain views
    - A stone hearth housing a cozy fire
    - Against one window, a comfy bed to sleep under the stars

Custom-made for me. Perfect!

John 14:2 (ESV)
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

I hope it was a preview of what’s yet to come.

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Dreaming of Bathrooms

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I record highlights I remember from interesting dreams. For several years, I dreamed about bathrooms: outhouses off the beaten path, public restrooms, comfy bathrooms. I wrote in my journal, “What’s with the bathrooms, Lord?“

I realized those dreams represented my prayer life. The outhouse with the weed-choked path–I neglected prayer. Public restroom–I prayed with others but not by myself. The cozy-cottage bathroom–prayer was part of my routine.

Matthew 6:6 (CEV)
When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door.

Those dream bathrooms = my real-life prayer room. God has a sense of humor.

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Unexpected Dreams

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

In my dreams, I often step through a door and into an unexpected room. Sometimes it is big and beautiful. Sometimes it is big and cluttered. Always big. Impossibly big.

These dreams remind me that I don’t know it all. God has plans I know nothing about. Big plans.

Ephesians 3:20 (CEB)
Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us.

More than I can imagine or dream. Unexpected, big and beautiful.

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My Dream Home

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Do you dream of houses? I do.

I’ve learned that the houses in my dreams often reflect the state of my relationship with God. If my “dream house” is in desperate need of renovation, my soul needs some quality time with the Master Carpenter.

Psalm 23:3 (ESV)
He restores my soul.

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