Happy Monday, everyone! :)
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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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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, September 16, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Matthew 5:2-3
Good morning, everyone!
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, September 10, 2013
Philippians 2:5-8
Good morning, all!!
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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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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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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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, September 9, 2013
Psalm 143:12
Happy Monday, everyone!
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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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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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Psalm 143:12
"And in Your steadfast love You will cut off my enemies, and You will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am Your servant."
So, unless your life is wildly different from mine, I would guess that none of us have people who are such enemies that they are actually hunting us down to kill us like David had. However, I still read this verse and think, "What a beautiful, wonderful, terrifying promise this is!"
Since my main "enemy" is actually my own sinful flesh, and the "adversaries of my soul" are mostly my own sinful desires and attitudes and addictions and thoughts or ways of thinking, this verse points to the destruction of all things "me" (that is, "the old man" or "the flesh", according to Bible terms). It is the absolutely necessary crucifixion of self that must happen in my life.
See, there is a crazy beauty in destruction when Jesus is the one tearing things down and throwing them out. When I want Him more than anything, I long for His fire, His "wrecking ball", His "bulldozer" to be brought to bear on my life and destroy everything that is not purely Him! There is such a sweet finality in that word "destroy". When something is destroyed, it's done, finished, game over. When He destroys those things that pull me away from Him, whether it's sin or a simple distraction, I am "set free indeed"! (John 8:36) And best of all is the knowledge that this destruction is motivated by His steadfast love for me!!
Father, I will not fear the destruction You bring, knowing that Your love for me is greater than anything I can imagine. And I want You more than anything else! So destroy those things in my life that would keep from growing ever close to You--I am Yours!
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
Good morning, y'all! :)
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For behold, those who are far from You shall perish; You put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to You. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.
Psalm 73 is all about how the writer has been struggling with feeling like those who don't follow the Lord have everything and enjoy an easy life. They get to do whatever they want, they live a life driven by selfish pleasures, and it seems to be working for them. In the meantime, those who choose to deny themselves and seek to follow God with all their hearts seem to live a life of struggle with pain and heartache. It's a Psalm I can so easily identify with!!
However, as it ends the writer is realizing that ultimately, those who seem to have everything are missing out on the one thing that matters most: the sweetness of being near our God. He ends with this thought (paraphrased): "Let them have their pleasures and distractions that ultimately end in death; it is enough for me to simply be near my God, alive in His presence, resting in His refuge."
Jesus, it is more than enough for me to be near You; whatever other things my flesh may crave, Your presence is where I love to live!! Let others have the easy, have-it-your-way life...I just want to be with You!!
May the Lord bless you as you seek to live "near" Him, in His presence!
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.
Friday, February 8, 2013
James 1:2-4
Good morning! :)
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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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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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James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, for you know that the
testing of your faith produces
steadfastness. And let steadfastness have
its full effect, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking in nothing.
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Happy Monday, everyone! :)
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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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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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