Welcome to the Mornin' SunShine blog!
May the Lord bless you and yours richly with His grace and joy!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Matthew 5:2 & 4
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Matthew 5:2 & 4
And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
"Mourn"--having a heart that is broken by what breaks God's heart, that is: sin in my own life, sin and it's consequences in the lives of the world around me, the suffering of innocent ones. It's a heart that will not only break over the weak, vulnerable, captive and helpless but will also rise to their defense. This "mourning" moves beyond a feeling of sorrow to action, whether it's repenting of sin as God faithfully convicts, standing in the gap for others, or fighting for freedom (physical, emotional or spiritual) in the lives of those others.
And then there's the promise: "they shall be comforted." It already sounds sweet on the surface, but then I dug a little deeper. The word there for "comforted" is "parakaleo" (para-kuh-LEH-oh), which literally means "to call near". It is a word that is also translated "encourage", and can also mean "to strengthen." I am reminded of Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." When we allow God to break our hearts for what breaks His, He calls us even closer to His heart, encouraging us and infusing us with His strength. Now that's comforting... :)
So, do you mind if I paraphrase this verse a bit? :)
"Blessed are those who cultivate a heart that reflects God's heart, allowing their heart to be broken over what breaks His heart. They are the ones that are called near to God, the ones He strengthens to continue the fight, the ones to whom He breathes life and encouragement."
Father, my heart is Yours! Shape it and mold it into a heart like Yours--let it be broken over what breaks Your heart and let it delight in what delights Your heart.
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Matthew 5:2-3
The Beattitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) are one of those passages in the Bible where it is really easy for me to just sort of go into autopilot mode and almost tune it out. They are so familiar, it doesn't matter how long I go without even thinking of them, I can still quote them at the drop of a hat. However, recently my boss was reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) out loud to us during our morning worship time at work. As I caught myself "checking out" for that first part, I prayed, "Jesus, what do you want me to learn from these verses that are so familiar?"
He replied, "You want to know what My will is? You want to know how to live out this crucified life you are called to live? Here it is, in black and white, spelled out for you!"
Then as I went through each Beattitude, He gave me deeper, more "fleshed out" meanings for each one. So, we're going to have a little mini-series for the next little while as we go through the 8 Beattitudes. :)
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Matthew 5:2-3
And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Poor in spirit"--a recognition of the reality that I have nothing and am nothing without Jesus. This one can be hard, because there are times when I really want to be "good enough" in some ways. I want to think I can "do it myself", very much like a toddler trying to assert their own false sense of independence. But the reality is, I can't. And I am not "good enough" on my own!
But here's the cool thing--when it says "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven", it doesn't just mean "somewhere out there in eternity". Yes, Jesus gives us eternal life when we put our trust in Him. But He also gives us abundant life, the kingdom of heaven here on earth!! He gives us Himself--His righteousness, His strength, His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control! 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that He "has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness". He gives us everything we need to live and live in such a way that honors and glorifies Him.
Without Jesus, I am nothing. I have nothing. But with Jesus, in Him, I have everything!! Now how amazing is that?!
Father, thank You that I'm not good enough on my own, because if I were I would never know the depth or the glory or the riches of all that You so freely give! You amaze me!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Philippians 2:5-8
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Philippians 2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
These, of course, are very familiar verses, since they are some of the most oft-quoted! However, that familiarity in no way diminishes the depth of their meaning, nor does it mean that I will not occasionally see something new in them!! :)
That clause, "which is yours in Christ Jesus", jumped out at me recently. This mind of humility, of emptying self and being obedient to God no matter the cost is mine already in Christ Jesus! It is not something I come up with or accomplish on my own, but something that Jesus bought and paid for with His very life in order to give to me. How often do I find myself struggling, fighting for this in my own strength and failing miserably because it was never meant for "me" to obtain it alone. I can only have "this mind" when I come to Jesus and say, "Give me Your mind, Your heart!!"
Father, I'm done with trying to do this on my own! I will choose to walk in "this mind" that Jesus already gained for me and that only You can give!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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Monday, September 9, 2013
Psalm 143:12
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Psalm 143:12
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails on a regular basis yourself, you can e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, just e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Psalm 73:27-28
Friday, February 8, 2013
James 1:2-4
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James 1:2-4
Have you ever heard the saying, "Life is just so DAILY"? Sometimes those "daily" moments can definitely be a trial! I realized this week that I have mostly just applied these verses in James to the "big" trials in my life. But James says "trials of various kinds"...I guess that would include the daily kinds of trials.
Like when breakfast takes me a little longer than anticipated to make, so now I'm 5 minutes late for work (again).
Or when the driver in front of me refuses to go anywhere near the speed limit (or stops at the yield sign...).
Or when the phone is ringing, someone walks in the front door, and everyone suddenly remembers that list or those labels or some important piece of information they need from the secretary...RIGHT NOW. And oh, yeah, did you print those permission forms yet?
Or when club day rolls around and several (most) of the volunteers are calling to say they can't make it today...sorry, can you handle 65 or so kids K-2nd grade with just 2 teenage helpers?!
Or when I'm trying desperately to teach said K-2nd graders about how Jesus gives us peace and patience even when the world would say they're impossible, but I keep having to interrupt myself to tell these crazy kids to just be quiet, can't you pay attention for 10 minutes?!
Yep, even those kinds of trials count. Even there, I should be "counting it all joy" (rather than counting the minutes until the kids are picked up, or the seconds until the light turns green). I'm sure the "dailiness" of your life looks different than mine, but I am also sure that you have "daily trials", too. And the truth is, even in the seemingly smallest, most mundane trying moment, we need to remember to count it joy and let God develop the character He desires in us. In fact, perhaps it's even more true in those daily trying moments. Maybe those are the trials that, when counted joy, most develop steadfastness, perseverance and patience (all possible translations of that one Greek word, hupomone) in us.
Father, help me to remember to "count it all joy", even in the most daily kinds of moments in my life!
May the Lord bless you richly as you "count it all joy", even in the normal "dailiness" of life!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails on a regular basis yourself, you can e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, just e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Psalm 23:1-3
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Psalm 23:1-3
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."
He does all this for His name's sake! He provides all I need, not so that I have everything I want but so that I and others will see that He is the Great Provider.
He brings me rest in green pastures and beside still waters, not so I will "feel better" but so I and others will see that He is a refuge, a place of rest even in the midst of storms or battles.
He restores my soul, not so I can appear strong to the world around me but so I and others will see that His strength is more than enough and He can pour that strength through me to a dying world.
He leads me in His paths of righteousness, not so I will have an easy life but so I and others will see that His way is always perfect.
It's all about Him, all for His glory. How dare I ever for a moment make it about me?!
Jesus, please forgive me for the ways and times I have made life and Your work in it about me. Help me to live truly "for YOUR name's sake"!
May the Lord bless you richly as You live for His name and glory!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails on a regular basis yourself, you can e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, just e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Psalm 4:3a & 7
Good morning, y'all! :)
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Psalm 4:3a & 7
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself...You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
God has set me apart for Himself--His way, His will, His pleasure. And in that, He has given me MORE joy than those who have outward things or circumstances to give them "joy", or happiness. It's a joy that cannot be stolen or shaken by anything in this world because it comes from Him and He is above all earthly things. How amazing is that?!
Jesus, of all the things in this world that can bring joy to my heart, nothing beats the joy of just being Yours! Thank You for choosing me, setting me apart to follow You, and placing this great, amazing "more joy" in my heart! I love You!
May the Lord bless you richly as you find your greatest joy in being His!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
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If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails on a regular basis yourself, you can e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, just e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Genesis 7:24-8:1
Friday, January 4, 2013
Psalm 3
Our day here in San Angelo is starting out sparkling white, with a fresh new layer of snow on the ground. We are all quite excited! There's just something about snow that makes the world seem like a whole new place. I pray that your day would be filled with sweet blessings that make your world seem like a whole new, amazing place because you see it through the lens of a new, deeper love for our Jesus!
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Psalm 3:5-7
I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For You strike all my enemies on the cheek; You break the teeth of the wicked.
I started to type out all of Psalm 3, because the whole thing is just David rejoicing and resting in victory that has been given to him by the Lord. I used to find myself sort of skimming through verses/Psalms like this because I would think, "I don't really have any enemies." But recently, the Lord has been impressing on me that I do have enemies: Satan, sin and self. All of which would just love to destroy me, but over all of which Jesus has already won the victory! He fought for me and won on Calvary; so why does it often seem as if I live in defeat? The battle is over and He is the Victor, but sometimes I don't live like it.
I love the end of verse 7: You break the teeth of the wicked. Since the Bible describes Satan as a "roaring lion", the picture I get here is a big, old, nasty lion--with no teeth! He may be roaring, and he may be mean-looking, but he can't actually do anything when I'm living in the power of Jesus Christ and the victory He has already won! Sin has no power in my life, Satan has no ground to stand on, and self is a defeated enemy through my Jesus...now that's worth celebrating! :)
Jesus, thank You for the victory You have won for me! Help me to live and walk in it daily, every moment!
May the Lord bless you richly as you live in the victory He has already won for you!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails on a regular basis yourself, you can e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, just e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Genesis 2:3, Hebrews 4:9-13
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Genesis 2:3
So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation.
God's rest is, evidently, holy; a sacred thing. It is not meant to be just thrown around, given indiscriminately to whoever. There are prerequisites to sharing in His rest. I'm reminded of Hebrews 4, the chapter that speaks of the rest God offers His people and how the Israelites (the first intended recipients of this promised rest) failed to enter it because of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:7, 9-13--"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts...So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."
So then how do we enter this rest? It's simple, really: through obedience. We must be open to hearing and heeding His voice, and we must be willing to open ourselves up to the sword of His living, active Word. It is a predetermined "yes" to God--whatever He may ask of me, whatever He may reveal to me through His word that needs to change in my life, my answer to Him is "yes". That is where I live in the holy rest of God--in faithful, surrendered obedience to Him.
Father, I am only truly at rest when I am surrendered to You! I choose now that my answer to You will always be "yes"...wherever You lead, whatever You ask: yes! I love You!
May you find that sweet, holy rest of faithful obedience to the Lord!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Genesis 1:1
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
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If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails on a regular basis yourself, you can e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, just e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.