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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Showing posts with label Matthew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew. Show all posts
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. :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Matthew 5:14-16
Good morning, everyone! :)
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Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
There are three things that have to happen for this lamp to be optimally effective. First, it has to be lit. Second, it must be set up on a lampstand. And finally, the "globe" around the lamp must be kept clean so that the most light possible shines through.
We are the light of the world; we are like lamps. We must be "lit" by having and maintaining a relationship with Jesus Christ. We must be "set up on a lampstand" by utilizing our place of influence, wherever that may be. Note, the lamp does not set itself on a lampstand, but is placed there by someone else. We do not set ourselves up in places of influence; God places us there. And we must keep our lives pure and clean so that the light of Christ can shine through brightly.
Father, help me to live a pure life in close fellowship with You, seeking to utilize the influence You have given me to shed Your light on a darkened world!
May the Lord bless you richly as you seek to be the most effective light you can be!
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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Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
There are three things that have to happen for this lamp to be optimally effective. First, it has to be lit. Second, it must be set up on a lampstand. And finally, the "globe" around the lamp must be kept clean so that the most light possible shines through.
We are the light of the world; we are like lamps. We must be "lit" by having and maintaining a relationship with Jesus Christ. We must be "set up on a lampstand" by utilizing our place of influence, wherever that may be. Note, the lamp does not set itself on a lampstand, but is placed there by someone else. We do not set ourselves up in places of influence; God places us there. And we must keep our lives pure and clean so that the light of Christ can shine through brightly.
Father, help me to live a pure life in close fellowship with You, seeking to utilize the influence You have given me to shed Your light on a darkened world!
May the Lord bless you richly as you seek to be the most effective light you can be!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Matthew 15:32-38
Good morning! :)
Matthew 15:32-39
Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." Then His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?" Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"
And they said, "Seven, and a few little fish." So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus was proposing the impossible here. There were probably nearly 8,000 people there, and He wanted to feed them all! But when the disciples came in with a dose of realism and said, "uh, Jesus, that just isn't practical", He asked a simple question: "How many loaves do you have?" And with their seven loaves and few little fish, He pulled it off. Because with God, nothing is impossible! (Luke 1:37)
What is the impossible thing God wants to do in your life? Even where you don't see how it can be done, He just asks, "what do you have? what can you do?" And when you place what you have and what you can do in His hands, He makes it enough. He makes it work. He pulls off the impossible in you and through you.
Father, I give You me! All that I am, all that I have, I place it in Your hands. So you can work Your impossible dreams out in me and through me!
May the Lord bless you richly as He works the impossible 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
Matthew 15:32-39
Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." Then His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?" Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"
And they said, "Seven, and a few little fish." So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus was proposing the impossible here. There were probably nearly 8,000 people there, and He wanted to feed them all! But when the disciples came in with a dose of realism and said, "uh, Jesus, that just isn't practical", He asked a simple question: "How many loaves do you have?" And with their seven loaves and few little fish, He pulled it off. Because with God, nothing is impossible! (Luke 1:37)
What is the impossible thing God wants to do in your life? Even where you don't see how it can be done, He just asks, "what do you have? what can you do?" And when you place what you have and what you can do in His hands, He makes it enough. He makes it work. He pulls off the impossible in you and through you.
Father, I give You me! All that I am, all that I have, I place it in Your hands. So you can work Your impossible dreams out in me and through me!
May the Lord bless you richly as He works the impossible 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
Monday, May 4, 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
Happy Monday, y'all! :)
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
This passage has been pretty majorly misinterpreted, with the whole "Peter is the rock that the church is founded on" thing. No, the "rock" that Jesus is referring to is the rock of revelation. Peter had received a revelation of Who Jesus was, and the church is built on that. Revelation is a powerful thing! In this passage, we see that it is:
Father, I never want to be satisfied with what I know of You! Reveal Yourself to me more and more, and help me to walk in the light of Your revelation!
May the Lord bless you richly with a deeper glimpse of Who He is!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
This passage has been pretty majorly misinterpreted, with the whole "Peter is the rock that the church is founded on" thing. No, the "rock" that Jesus is referring to is the rock of revelation. Peter had received a revelation of Who Jesus was, and the church is built on that. Revelation is a powerful thing! In this passage, we see that it is:
- a source of blessing ("Blessed are you...for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father")
- the foundation of our faith ("on this rock I will build My church")
- indestructible ("the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it")
- a key to intimacy ("I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven"--free access to the place where He lives and reigns)
- our source of power ("whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven")
Father, I never want to be satisfied with what I know of You! Reveal Yourself to me more and more, and help me to walk in the light of Your revelation!
May the Lord bless you richly with a deeper glimpse of Who He is!
Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website
Friday, March 27, 2009
Matthew 6:31-33
Mornin', y'all! :D
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Matthew 6:31-33
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Mom and I went to a Bible study last night and the topic was "contentment". These verses came up, and we got to talking about George Mueller and how completely he depended on God, never asking anyone for anything or storing things up ahead of time "in case of a rainy day". That was the life God had called him to, and God proved himself faithful to George and the orphans he cared for over and over and over again.
But I got to wondering--does God call everyone to live *that* sort of life? Where does complete dependence on God meet the wisdom of planning and providing? So, with that question in mind, I pulled out my trusty concordance this morning and looked up the words like "prepare" and "provide" (and their various forms), and here's some of what I found:
That's what it means to "seek first the kingdom of God...". Even in our planning and preparation, are we seeking Him? Do we trust Him, or do we trust our hardwork?
Father, thank You for the many, many blessings You have poured into my life! Even as I try to plan things out and prepare for the future, help me to keep my focus on You and my trust in You!
May the Lord bless you as you seek His kingdom and righteousness first!
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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Matthew 6:31-33
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Mom and I went to a Bible study last night and the topic was "contentment". These verses came up, and we got to talking about George Mueller and how completely he depended on God, never asking anyone for anything or storing things up ahead of time "in case of a rainy day". That was the life God had called him to, and God proved himself faithful to George and the orphans he cared for over and over and over again.
But I got to wondering--does God call everyone to live *that* sort of life? Where does complete dependence on God meet the wisdom of planning and providing? So, with that question in mind, I pulled out my trusty concordance this morning and looked up the words like "prepare" and "provide" (and their various forms), and here's some of what I found:
- God provided the lamb for sacrifice in place of Isaac. (Genesis 22)
- God provided food and water for the Israelites in the desert. (Exodus 16:11-15, 17:1-7)
- The disciples were commanded not to take money or provision when Jesus sent them out by twos. (Matthew 10:9-10)
- And many other times when God alone provided for His people.
- Husbands and fathers are to provide for their families. (1 Timothy 5:8)
- David planned and provided for the building of the temple, gathering the materials for Solomon to have it built. (1 Chronicles 22:5)
- The ant is held up as an example, gathering food in the summer and harvest to prepare for the winter. (Proverbs 6:6-8)
- The virtuous woman is praised for her industry in caring for her family, and her foresight in providing for them. (Proverbs 31:10-27)
- Paul worked as a tentmaker to provide for his ministry, and Joseph stored up grain, etc. in preparation for providing food during the famine.
That's what it means to "seek first the kingdom of God...". Even in our planning and preparation, are we seeking Him? Do we trust Him, or do we trust our hardwork?
Father, thank You for the many, many blessings You have poured into my life! Even as I try to plan things out and prepare for the future, help me to keep my focus on You and my trust in You!
May the Lord bless you as you seek His kingdom and righteousness first!
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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