Hey, everyone! :)
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Romans 1:5
Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name
There are three things that stuck out to me about this "obedience to the faith." First, only through God's grace and by His calling ("apostleship") can we obey. Second, it is unaffected by culture or circumstances--this faith-full obedience is yielded "among all nations." Some of the "nations" Paul was referring to were pretty hostile to Christianity, yet even there they were able to maintain obedience because their obedience was not dependent on anything but God. And lastly, this obedience is "for His name". It is for God's glory, not for our own. We obey by His grace, dependent solely on Him, for His glory!
Father, help me to be obedient to the faith, by Your grace, for Your glory, regardless of the culture around me or the circumstances I may find myself in!
May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to obey Him above all else!
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.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Romans 6:4-5
Good morning! :)
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Romans 6:4-5
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection"
Newness of life sounds pretty cool. Being in the likeness of Christ's resurrection is something we all want. But I think that too often we overlook the first part of all this: the "baptism into death" and the "likeness of His death" part. Life sounds awesome; death, not so much. Yet how can we have one without the other? Unless we die with Christ, we will never experience the glory of resurrection with Christ! Oswald Chambers hit the nail on the head when he said, "Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the disposition that ruled Him will rule us. It will cost everything that is not of God in us." That is "death"--the death of everything that is not of God in us. As those things that are not of God in our lives die, we are able to walk in "newness of life". And note that this newness of life is brought about by "the glory of the Father"; so shouldn't it be lived for the same glory?
Father, help me to walk in newness of life for Your glory!
May the Lord richly bless you as you walk in newness of life for His 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.
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Romans 6:4-5
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection"
Newness of life sounds pretty cool. Being in the likeness of Christ's resurrection is something we all want. But I think that too often we overlook the first part of all this: the "baptism into death" and the "likeness of His death" part. Life sounds awesome; death, not so much. Yet how can we have one without the other? Unless we die with Christ, we will never experience the glory of resurrection with Christ! Oswald Chambers hit the nail on the head when he said, "Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the disposition that ruled Him will rule us. It will cost everything that is not of God in us." That is "death"--the death of everything that is not of God in us. As those things that are not of God in our lives die, we are able to walk in "newness of life". And note that this newness of life is brought about by "the glory of the Father"; so shouldn't it be lived for the same glory?
Father, help me to walk in newness of life for Your glory!
May the Lord richly bless you as you walk in newness of life for His 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.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Romans 1:3-4
Happy Monday, y'all! :)
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Romans 1:3-4
Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Jesus was "fully man, fully God"; God's Son, and our Lord. He was a humble, simple carpenter from the lineage of King David while here on earth. Yet He was declared to be the Son of God with power. This power was made most grandly obvious by His resurrection from the dead, yet it was not confined to that one event. His power brought healing to the sick, hurt, and broken-hearted; it brought freedom to those enslaved by darkness; it brought new life to those who were dead. And His power has not changed! That same power can work in your life, today! Where we see impossibilities, God sees opportunities--if we will only get out of His way, yield to Him, and let Him unleash His power in our life!
Father, You are such a powerful God! My "problems" and the obstacles I see in my life become so small in light of Your power. May Your power take over my life!
May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to see His power at work in your life!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Romans 1:3-4
Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Jesus was "fully man, fully God"; God's Son, and our Lord. He was a humble, simple carpenter from the lineage of King David while here on earth. Yet He was declared to be the Son of God with power. This power was made most grandly obvious by His resurrection from the dead, yet it was not confined to that one event. His power brought healing to the sick, hurt, and broken-hearted; it brought freedom to those enslaved by darkness; it brought new life to those who were dead. And His power has not changed! That same power can work in your life, today! Where we see impossibilities, God sees opportunities--if we will only get out of His way, yield to Him, and let Him unleash His power in our life!
Father, You are such a powerful God! My "problems" and the obstacles I see in my life become so small in light of Your power. May Your power take over my life!
May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to see His power at work in your life!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, March 15, 2010
James 4:4-5
Good morning, y'all!
James 4:4-5
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
The motivation for desiring a friendship with God over a friendship with the world is that "the Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously". I looked up that word "yearns" in a couple of Greek dictionaries...it means : "to long for, desire, to pursue with love, to long after" (Thayer's) and "(to yearn); to dote upon, that is, intensely crave possession" (Strong's). God's Holy Spirit yearns and longs for us; He pursues us with love; He intensely craves to call us entirely His own. Do we return this craving with a longing of our own to develop an ever-deepening friendship with God? Or are we so busy trying to be "relevant" so we can "relate to the world" that we don't even realize we have ceased to relate to God? Who would we rather be friends with--God or the world? We have to choose! And do we conciously make that choice in all of our seemingly little everyday decisions?
Father, I would rather know You and be known as Yours than anything; but it's easy to lose sight of that big goal in the "littleness" of everyday life! Help me to keep that in mind, conciously choosing YOU in every decision I make, looking at each decision as a step towards You...and away from the world.
May the Lord richly bless you as you pursue a friendship with Him rather than the world!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
James 4:4-5
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
The motivation for desiring a friendship with God over a friendship with the world is that "the Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously". I looked up that word "yearns" in a couple of Greek dictionaries...it means : "to long for, desire, to pursue with love, to long after" (Thayer's) and "(to yearn); to dote upon, that is, intensely crave possession" (Strong's). God's Holy Spirit yearns and longs for us; He pursues us with love; He intensely craves to call us entirely His own. Do we return this craving with a longing of our own to develop an ever-deepening friendship with God? Or are we so busy trying to be "relevant" so we can "relate to the world" that we don't even realize we have ceased to relate to God? Who would we rather be friends with--God or the world? We have to choose! And do we conciously make that choice in all of our seemingly little everyday decisions?
Father, I would rather know You and be known as Yours than anything; but it's easy to lose sight of that big goal in the "littleness" of everyday life! Help me to keep that in mind, conciously choosing YOU in every decision I make, looking at each decision as a step towards You...and away from the world.
May the Lord richly bless you as you pursue a friendship with Him rather than the world!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Luke 1:74-75
Good morning, y'all!
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Luke 1:74-75
To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
We have been delivered that we might serve Him. That is a slightly revolutionary thought--God didn't save me from sin for my comfort, but for His glory. It also happens to lead to a much better life, ultimately, but the road there isn't necessarily going to be smooth. And I believe that how I walk that road should be impacted by this realization that I was delivered to serve Him.
This service should be bold, uninhibited, free from any fear of man. Paul stated that if he was still worried about serving men, he wouldn't be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10) "Fear of man" and "serving God" are, evidently, mutually exclusive.
Our service should also flow out of a life of holiness and righteousness. It doesn't have to be a life of "perfectness", but a constant pressing onward. And again, the idea of pleasing God, not man, is here: the phrase "before Him" literally means "in His face". Who cares what the world may say, is our life holy in God's eyes? Are we right with God? And are we striving to serve Him all the days of our life?
Father, help me to serve You boldy, without fear; living a holy and righteous life before You!
May the Lord richly bless you as you live for Him!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 1:74-75
To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
We have been delivered that we might serve Him. That is a slightly revolutionary thought--God didn't save me from sin for my comfort, but for His glory. It also happens to lead to a much better life, ultimately, but the road there isn't necessarily going to be smooth. And I believe that how I walk that road should be impacted by this realization that I was delivered to serve Him.
This service should be bold, uninhibited, free from any fear of man. Paul stated that if he was still worried about serving men, he wouldn't be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10) "Fear of man" and "serving God" are, evidently, mutually exclusive.
Our service should also flow out of a life of holiness and righteousness. It doesn't have to be a life of "perfectness", but a constant pressing onward. And again, the idea of pleasing God, not man, is here: the phrase "before Him" literally means "in His face". Who cares what the world may say, is our life holy in God's eyes? Are we right with God? And are we striving to serve Him all the days of our life?
Father, help me to serve You boldy, without fear; living a holy and righteous life before You!
May the Lord richly bless you as you live for Him!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, February 23, 2010
Job 37:5-6
Mornin', y'all! :)
Job 37:5-6
God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth"; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
Elihu, one of Job's friends, saw the snow as something that showcases God's character. I've also always been mesmerized by snow. Today, San Angelo is blanketed with a white covering, and more of it is falling softly. We don't get snow here very often, which I suppose makes us appreciate it more. I love to just stare out at it, amazed at its power to transform something so ordinary into something so extraordinarily beautiful as it falls gently, quietly. It's one of those great things beyond our comprehension that God does. We are captured by its beauty as our lives are slowed or sometimes even stopped by it. I wonder if maybe God created snow to make us slow down and reflect on Him. He reveals Himself in all of nature; His power to transform anything into something beautiful is somehow represented by the silent transforming power of the snow. This transformation by God is beautifully portrayed in one of the more famous "snow" verses--"'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the LORD, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'" (Isaiah 1:18) After all, that is the ultimate transformation; and it is definitely a great thing that I cannot comprehend!
Father, thank You for the transformation You have already accomplished in my life--that of guilty to not guilty; from dirtied with sin to white as snow. You are so great, beyond anything I could ever hope to understand! Continue to transform me into the complete masterpiece You have created me to be!
May the Lord richly bless you as you marvel at His beyond-comprehension-greatness!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Job 37:5-6
God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth"; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
Elihu, one of Job's friends, saw the snow as something that showcases God's character. I've also always been mesmerized by snow. Today, San Angelo is blanketed with a white covering, and more of it is falling softly. We don't get snow here very often, which I suppose makes us appreciate it more. I love to just stare out at it, amazed at its power to transform something so ordinary into something so extraordinarily beautiful as it falls gently, quietly. It's one of those great things beyond our comprehension that God does. We are captured by its beauty as our lives are slowed or sometimes even stopped by it. I wonder if maybe God created snow to make us slow down and reflect on Him. He reveals Himself in all of nature; His power to transform anything into something beautiful is somehow represented by the silent transforming power of the snow. This transformation by God is beautifully portrayed in one of the more famous "snow" verses--"'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the LORD, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'" (Isaiah 1:18) After all, that is the ultimate transformation; and it is definitely a great thing that I cannot comprehend!
Father, thank You for the transformation You have already accomplished in my life--that of guilty to not guilty; from dirtied with sin to white as snow. You are so great, beyond anything I could ever hope to understand! Continue to transform me into the complete masterpiece You have created me to be!
May the Lord richly bless you as you marvel at His beyond-comprehension-greatness!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 22, 2010
Psalm 119:17
Good morning, y'all! :)
Psalm 119:17
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
There are those who would say that to live according to God's word would be "restrictive", perhaps even boring or dull. But I would propose that the only way to truly live is by keeping His word. A life lived apart from God's word is just going through the motions; only as we live by His word do we find true abundant life and liberty.
Note that the Psalmist isn't asking for God's bountiful dealing so that he can be happy and free from care; or so that he will be richer than his neighbor; or so that he can fulfill any earthly desire, however innocent. His purpose in longing for God's blessing is that he might serve Him more. That he might live more fully for Him. That he might be ever truer to His word. Therefore, I don't think the "deal bountifully" is a request for earthly blessings, but for spiritual. He is longing for more of God's grace, presence and power, more of Him flowing through his life. He is crying out, "Oh, God--pour Your grace out on me, that I might continue to live in service to You!"
Father, You have already "dealt bountifully" with me, in so many ways! Continue to pour Your grace and power into my life, enabling me to live to serve You and keep Your word!
May the Lord richly bless you as you live and keep His word!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails, simply e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.
Psalm 119:17
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
There are those who would say that to live according to God's word would be "restrictive", perhaps even boring or dull. But I would propose that the only way to truly live is by keeping His word. A life lived apart from God's word is just going through the motions; only as we live by His word do we find true abundant life and liberty.
Note that the Psalmist isn't asking for God's bountiful dealing so that he can be happy and free from care; or so that he will be richer than his neighbor; or so that he can fulfill any earthly desire, however innocent. His purpose in longing for God's blessing is that he might serve Him more. That he might live more fully for Him. That he might be ever truer to His word. Therefore, I don't think the "deal bountifully" is a request for earthly blessings, but for spiritual. He is longing for more of God's grace, presence and power, more of Him flowing through his life. He is crying out, "Oh, God--pour Your grace out on me, that I might continue to live in service to You!"
Father, You have already "dealt bountifully" with me, in so many ways! Continue to pour Your grace and power into my life, enabling me to live to serve You and keep Your word!
May the Lord richly bless you as you live and keep His word!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you would like to receive the Mornin' SunShine e-mails, simply e-mail me at mornin_sunshine@psalm686.com with "subscribe" in the subject line. If you would like to unsubscribe, e-mail me at the address above with "unsubscribe" in the subject line and I will take you off the list.
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