Shirlee Abbott

Snow Quiet

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I love the way snow muffles the neighborhood noise. I walked the dog in the early morning darkness, soaking in the stillness.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God.

I can only speak for myself, but God feels closer in the silence.

Good morning, Lord. I know You are present — in the clang-bang of a busy day and in the silence of a country night, in the rush of a crowded city and in quiet moments at home. I am distracted by hustle and bustle, and it’s easier to pray in the stillness. Teach me to walk in constant conversation with You, every step and all the time.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Psalm 46:10, snow, still | 2 Comments

Snow Plan

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.

By us, a morning snowstorm canceled the last day of school before Christmas break. Months earlier, the school board approved the schedule. It was posted on the school website. The plan was in place … until it wasn’t.

Good morning, Lord. The weather forecasts are better than ever, and they take some of the mystery and worry out of planning ahead. This proves that You plan further ahead than we do — the weather patterns for the next day, next month and next decade are already established. You have the first and final say, so be it. Amen.

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Snow Place

Posted on December 29, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Snow has been in the news lately … and on the ground by us. So this week, I decided to focus on what the Bible says about those white flakes.

Job 38:22 (NIV)
Have you entered the storehouses of the snow?

Let’s take a whimsical look at those storehouses. Imagine frigid warehouses filled with bins of different types of snow: fluffy clumps, tiny ice balls, feathery crystals, powdery dust, frozen shards, delicate flakes. Endless shelves of weather-ready winter moisture, waiting to be poured out on the earth at God’s command.

Good morning, Lord. Snow in all its forms — from fluffy flakes to wind-driven shards — existed in Your mind before You spoke our world into being. The vast variety of creation continues to amaze me. You are the source of the detail in each flake, the beauty of the snowdrifts and the power of the blizzards. The heavens declare Your glory, as does the snow.

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Jesus, Emmanuel

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

God with us … past, present and future.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make Himself known to you, today and through all eternity, amen.

Posted in other | Tagged Christmas blessing, Emmanuel, God with us | 2 Comments

Jesus in the Old Testament: Prophet

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Speak of Jesus, the Old Testament, and prophecy — we expect words about Jesus. But Jesus = prophet.

Deuteronomy 18:15 (NLT)
Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

Moses was a prophet. He listened to God and passed His message on to the people. That’s what a prophet is — one who speaks God’s Word to God’s people. Think of it as forth-telling. Sometimes, but not always, prophecy is foretelling, speaking of future events.

Certainly, Jesus foretold and forth-told God’s message to the world.

Good morning, Lord. You are the Word (John 1). You spoke the world into existence with words. I think in words. I read and talk in words. I connect with You and others with words. It is through You and Your Word that I learn about love, grace and salvation. You speak the divine presence — past, present and future — into my heart, thank You.

Posted in Advent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Deuteronomy 18:15, Jesus, John 1, Moses, prophet, Word | Comments Off

Jesus in the Old Testament: Melchizedek

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Melchizedek made a mysterious but important appearance in the Old Testament.

Genesis 14:18-19 (NIV)
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram …

He was a king and a priest — an unusual combination.

Like Melchizedek, Jesus is King and Priest.

Revelation 1:5
… Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

Hebrews 4:14
… we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God …

Good morning, Lord. You are King of kings, and my King. You made the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world, and for my sins. Sometimes I see the big picture and miss the personal connection. Other times, I sense Your power and love at work in my life and overlook Your eternal plan for the world. I am but a tiny speck in the great universe, and yet You know my every thought and deed. How can it be?

Posted in Advent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Genesis 14:18-19, Hebrews 4:14, Melchizedek, priest and king, Revelation 1:5 | 2 Comments

Jesus in the Old Testament: Lady Wisdom

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I see a foreshadow of Christ in the words of Lady Wisdom:

Proverbs 8:22-23, 35 (NLT)
“The Lord formed me from the beginning,
before he created anything else.
I was appointed in ages past,
at the very first, before the earth began …
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.”

Sounds a lot like the Gospel of John:

John 1:1-2, 4
In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God …
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.

Good morning, Lord. You are the source of life and wisdom. You started and sustain every good thing. Forgive me for the times when I think I know it all, that my way is the right way. Teach me to look to You for direction and follow by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Posted in Advent, Morning Prayer | Tagged 2 Corinthians 5:7, Foreshadow, Lady Wisdom, Proverbs 8:22-25. John 1:1-4 | Comments Off

Jesus in the Old Testament: the Tabernacle

Posted on December 18, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

God spoke to Moses with instructions to build the Tabernacle.

Exodus 25:8 (ESV)
And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.

That tent-like sanctuary, the Tabernacle, was a foreshadow of Jesus. We find an explanation in the Gospel of John.

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Dwelt — in Greek, skénoó, meaning to pitch a tent, to spread his tabernacle.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for “pitching Your tent” among us, for dwelling on earth as a man among mankind. Now, O Lord, pitch Your tent in my soul, making me a sanctuary for Your Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Work in me, work through me, be glorified by my thoughts and deeds.

Posted in Advent, Morning Prayer | Tagged 1 Corinthians 3:16, Exodus 25:8, Foreshadow, John 1:14, Tabernacle | 2 Comments

Jesus in the Old Testament: Moses

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Moses, a foreshadow of Christ and prince of Egypt, became a shepherd and led God’s people out of slavery and into the Promised Land. Jesus, prince of heaven, became our Good Shepherd and leads us out of slavery to sin and into the promise of eternal life.

And in the story of Moses, we see the blood of the lamb marking the doorposts of the believers, saving them from death.

1 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT)
… Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for being the Baby in the manger, the wise Teacher and my Passover Lamb. Thank You for the blood You shed to redeem me from my sin, opening the door to eternal life. As we work our way through Advent, keep my eyes on the cross as well as the manger — Christmas and Easter, all part of Your big, beautiful love story.

Posted in Advent, Morning Prayer | Tagged 1 Corinthians 5:7, Christmas and Easter, Exodus, Foreshadow, Moses, Passover Lamb | Comments Off

Jesus in the Old Testament: Abraham and Isaac

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Genesis 22:2 (NLT)
Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.

Abraham’s decision to sacrifice Isaac always bothered me. How could Abraham sacrifice his son? Why could God even ask?

When I think of this as a foreshadow of our heavenly Father and His Son, it makes sense.

1 John 4:14
… the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

How could God sacrifice His Son?

Good morning, Lord. You sacrificed Your own Son … for my sake. Jesus, You endured the injustice and pain of the crucifixion while You, heavenly Father, watched. This love is greater than my capacity to understand. My gratitude can never measure up to the cost of my salvation. Amazing love, astonishing grace!

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