Shirlee Abbott

Meekly Dressed

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

In God’s kingdom, meekness is high fashion.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Colossians 3:12, meek | 3 Comments

All Meek, to All

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Titus 3:1-2 (ASV)
… be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.

“All meekness.” Many Bible versions translate this as perfect courtesy.

Perfect courtesy? All meekness? To everyone?

O Lord, I fall short here! I want to do better. Show me when and how.

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Meek: Learn from the Best

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus said,

Matthew 11:29 (JUB)
… learn from Me.
For I am meek and
lowly in heart …

Jesus, who held the power that spoke our world into existence, changed this world with His meek and gentle actions. Be like Jesus.

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Morning Prayer: Words as Weapons

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. Yesterday, I used words as weapons–sharp arrows I shot at someone else’s heart. Their words had pricked my heart, so I shot mine back. It’s a far cry from “do onto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). Instead, I did to someone else as they did to me.

Forgive me, Lord. Forgive them. Help me forgive them too, in Jesus’ name.

Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged Golden Rule, morning prayer, words | Comments Off

Blessed Are the Meek

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

We think of meek as a negative: a wimp, a doormat, a weakling who lets others take advantage of him.

God sees meek as a positive.

Psalm 37:11 (ESV)
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Moses, who spoke truth to pharaoh’s power, was no wimp.

Numbers 12:3
Now the man Moses was very meek.

I’ve heard meek described as someone who carries a weapon, knows how to use it, and doesn’t.

Blessed are those who don’t rush to use their weapons.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Matthew 5:5, meek, Moses, Numbers 12:3, Psalm 37:11 | 6 Comments

Morning Prayer: When I Sin

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. It’s not a question of “If I sin.” It is “When I sin,” because I will. When I sin, nudge my soul so I understand what I’ve done. Give me the courage to admit it–to You first, then to others. Give me eyes to see through my excuses, wisdom as to why I did it, and the will to confess it honestly. Thank You for mercy, forgiveness and grace.

Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged confession, forgiveness, morning prayer | 2 Comments

God’s Anger

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

“When we see the darkness of our sin, we fear the storm of your wrath. But just as in truth rain brings new life to the Earth, so you rain down mercy on our sinful souls, bringing forgiveness and peace.”
Gilbert of Hoyland (died 1172)
Abbot of Swineshead Abbey, Lincolnshire

Because of God’s grace and mercy, we are forgiven. We need not fear His anger.

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged forgiveness, Gilbert of Hoyland, God's anger, mercy | Comments Off

Stirring Up Anger

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I know a few people who are masters at stirring up anger. They know what words whispered to which person will get a fight started. Often, they walk away with an innocent look, unscathed by the battle they started. They are motivated by evil, not good.

Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)
Hatred stirs up strife.

Rest assured, God knows who did what . . . always. He cannot be fooled.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged anger, Proverbs 10:12 | Comments Off

It’s OK to Be Angry

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Here’s more Old and New Testament wisdom regarding anger:

Psalm 4:4 (ESV)
Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts
on your beds, and be silent.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV)
Be angry and do not sin;
do not let the sun go down
on your anger, and give
no opportunity to the devil.

Clearly, anger can, but does not have to, lead to sin. How can we keep our anger on the right side of things?

- - - stop yelling (be silent)
    - think it through (ponder)
    - let it go (don’t let the sun go down)

Posted in 40 Days of Prayer for America, Constructive Thought | Tagged anger, Ephesians 4:26-27, Psalm 4:4 | Comments Off

Slow to Anger

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Old Testament wisdom from Solomon:

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV)
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

New Testament wisdom from the Apostle James:

James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Similar advice, from two different men in two different eras. It’s timeless wisdom.

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged anger, Ecclesiastes 7:9, James 1:19-20, Wisdom | Comments Off