Shirlee Abbott

Repentance and Revival

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Repentance leads to revival.

Isaiah 57:15 (EXB)
I give new life to [revive the spirit of]
those who are humble [lowly]
and to those whose hearts
are broken [contrite; repentant].

I repent. God revives (in that order.)

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Repentance and Reflection

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

“I learn from the Scriptures that repentance is just as necessary to salvation as faith is, and the faith that has not repentance going with it will have to be repented of.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Lent is a season of reflection. As I consider my actions and attitudes, I notice how often I make excuses for my poor decisions. I blame them on circumstances, or I tell myself it’s someone else’s fault, or I decide it’s no big deal.

O Lord, I repent of my lack of repentance.

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Repentance and Renewal

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Some married couples decide to renew their wedding vows. Maybe they’ve been taking each other for granted. Maybe they’ve broken trust. Might be they’ve just drifted apart.

The same thing can happen between us and God. We find it in Christ’s words as revealed in the last book of the Bible.

Revelation 2:4 (ESV)
But I have this against you,
that you have abandoned
the love you had at first.

Lent is a good time to renew our vows with God.

Forgive me, Lord, for neglecting You.
I renew my vows to love and serve You.

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Repentance and Relationships

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Lent is a season of self-evaluation,
a time to identify our sins.

Matthew 6:12 (ERV)
Forgive our sins,
just as we have forgiven
those who did wrong to us.

Self-evaluation may uncover old hurts and grudges.

Forgive my unforgiveness, Lord
Teach me to forgive as You do.

It’s a time to fix broken relationships — with God and with others.

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Lent: Repentance and Refreshing

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

“Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves…What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit?”
Catherine Doherty (1896-1985)

What stands between us and God?

Sin.

What to do?

Luke 3:19 (NIV)
Repent, then, and turn to God,
so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may
come from the Lord.

Posted in Lent, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Catherin Doherty, Lent, Luke 3:19, repentance | Comments Off

The Power behind Revival

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in Lent | Tagged 1 Peter 1:2, revival, Trinity | Comments Off

Reverent Revival

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

May this Lenten season be a season of revival.

Let’s make it a season of Bible study.

Posted in Lent, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Charles Haddon Spurgeon, God's Word, reverence, revival | Comments Off

Mini Revival

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the 40-day (+ Sundays) season of repentance and preparation. Think of it as your personal mini-revival.

Psalm 23:3
(AMP)
He refreshes and restores my soul (life).

(VOICE))
He makes me whole again.

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Imagining Revival

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I work in a high school. I bemoan the students’ attachment to their phones — texting, TikTok, YouTube, and more. I often think the world was a better place without them.

On to the Asbury revival: leaders text to keep up with the ever-changing situation. Millions of young people are learning about it via TikTok. And I’ve listened to on-the-spot testimonies via, you guessed it, YouTube.

I’ve long prayed for revival. Never did I imagine how God would use things I dislike to make it happen.

Ephesians 3:20 (ICB)
God can do much, much more
than anything we can ask or think.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Asbury revival, Ephesians 3:20, TikTok, YouTube | Comments Off

Send Revival

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I’ve long been praying for revival in America. I’m excited to read that it’s really happening. I hope to see it happen closer to home.

“Let us return to the basic things of the Word of God and prayer and soul winning and revival. Let us pray, ‘O God, send a revival. Let it begin in me.'”
Lee Roberson (1909-2007)

In me? Oh yes. Can’t get any closer to home!

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Lee Roberson, revival | Comments Off