Shirlee Abbott

Let’s Hope

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Lent: a time to ponder the despair of the crucifixion, followed by the hope of the resurrection.

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Trust God. Hold on to hope.

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Let’s Draw Near

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Let us draw near to God.

“Draw near.” Other translations say approach, come near, continue to come, go right in, come to Him.

What does this mean for us during Lent, this season of spiritual reflection?

It means God is ready and waiting. He’s not far away. It’s up to us to move towards Him.

Take the first step. Draw near to God.

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Let’s Be Confident

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s Lent — not a time to be hesitant, reluctant or resistant.

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God is waiting — not to yell at us, not to put us in timeout, not to ignore us. He offers grace and mercy. Grace grants us blessings we don’t deserve. Mercy opts not to give us punishment we do deserve. It’s all brought to us through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Step into God’s presence with confidence. It’s all good.

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Let’s Worship

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Lent: a season of prayer,
a season of repentance,
a season of worship.

Psalm 95:1-2, 6 (NIV)
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song . . .
Come, let us bow down in worship
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Worship, I can do. Kneeling — my aging knees object. It will make kneeling in heaven that much sweeter.

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Let’s Choose Joy

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Some days I feel like the world is falling apart. But Lent reminds me that God was, is and will be in control. It’s His world.

Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

We can worry, or we can be glad. We have a choice.

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Let’s Go to Church

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m looking forward to tonight’s Lenten service.

Psalm 122:1 (NIV)
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Let’s be like the psalmist. Let’s all go to church.

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Let’s Reason Together

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Lent is a good time for an honest conversation with God.

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

I own up to my sin. God offers me forgiveness.

It’s more than reasonable. It’s gracious and merciful.

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Let’s Not

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s Lent. Let’s think on what we should and shouldn’t do.

Let’s NOT be like these folks:

Genesis 11:4 (MEV)
Then they said, “Come, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top will reach to heaven, and let us make a name for ourselves.”

Those Tower-of-Babel builders made a name for themselves all right — just not the one they had in mind.

Lord God, I don’t want to be like these proud and foolish babblers.
I want to glorify Your name and not my own.

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Revival – All New

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Revelation 21:5 (NIV)
He who was seated on the throne said,
“I am making everything new!”

God is at work. Making things new is His job.

My problem: I think it’s all about me. I think it’s my job.

I can’t do what You do, Lord God.
It’s all Your plan, all Your power.
I watch in amazement.

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Revival – New Creation

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!

The new is here.

My problem: I have to let go of the old.

I’m ready, Lord. Goodbye old, hello new!

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