Shirlee Abbott

Friend

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

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Love

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

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Restoration

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

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Come, Lord

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s Lent. We’re focused on Christ’s death and resurrection.

Let’s look ahead. Take the long view.

Revelation 22:20 (ESV)
Come, Lord Jesus!

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Come, Follow

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

“Lead, follow or get out of the way.”
I’m not sure who said it first,
but I’ve heard it often.

It’s not what Jesus said.

Matthew 4:19 (EXB)
Jesus said, “Come follow me.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Here, take the lead.”
He didn’t say, “Get out of my way!”

Lord God, I don’t want to drag behind You. I don’t want to rush ahead. I want to walk in perfect step with You.

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Come, Eat and Drink

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Lent isn’t just a time to fast.
It’s a time to eat and drink.

Isaiah 55:1 (ESV)
Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Fast from the table of the world. Feast at the table of the Lord.

Grab a seat at God’s table.

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Come, Rest

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Give thought to Christ’s words:

Matthew 11:28 (MSG)
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Want a real rest? Come to Jesus.

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Come, Adore Him

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I fondly remember my grandmother’s pastor. He had us sing a Christmas song at Easter and an Easter song at Christmas. He said that without Easter, Christmas is just another poor baby born in a barn. Without Christmas, Easter is just another guy dying for his cause.

“O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.”
Adeste Fideles, John Francis Wade (1740s)
Trans. Frederick Oakeley

Lent is the perfect time to adore Christ.

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Let’s Sacrifice

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Lent is a season of sacrifice. Our own sacrifice (often some food we give up for Lent) is a reflection of Christ’s sacrifice.

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God.

A sacrifice of praise? How is praise a sacrifice?

- - It takes time we could spend differently
  - More than a quick thank you, it’s continuous gratitude
  - We put aside our pride, exalting God and humbling ourselves

If it doesn’t come at some personal cost, it’s not a sacrifice.

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Let’s Help

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

‘Tis the season to ask:

How can I help?

Hebrews 10:24 (EXB)
Let us think about each other and help each other
[or how to provoke/rouse/encourage each another]
to show love and do good deeds.

Think about it. Pray about it.

Lord, show me how to be a blessing to others so they can be bigger blessings to even more people, all in Your name.

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