Psalm 143:12

Happy Monday, everyone!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 73:27-28

Good morning, y'all! :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Psalm 73:27-28

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. 

Psalm 23:1-3

Happy Monday, everyone! :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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 4:3a & 7

Good morning, y'all! :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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)

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 3

Good morning, all!
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!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 18:1

Hey, y'all! :)

This Mornin' SunShine is pulled from a journal from a couple years ago. Remember yesterday's e-mail about "the simplicity that is in Christ"? This journal entry is what brought that concept back to the forefront of my mind and reminded me that sometimes, it's the simple things that are the most precious. Apparently, I was memorizing Psalm 18:1 by repeating the verse over and over, emphasizing a different word each time, and this is what I jotted down as I did. Since the verse is a prayer, my little "notes" are also in a prayer format.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Psalm 18:1
I will love You, O LORD, my strength.

I--no matter what anyone else thinks or does or says, this is my choice and I will stick by it.
will--No ifs, ands, buts, or maybes; I will do this. Through highs and lows, thick and thin, I make my choice.
love--with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength; surrendered completely to You, walking in constant, intimate relationship with You--whatever that may mean or look like on a day to day basis.
You--You and You only! Not that I won't "love" other people, too, but that love will come more as a result of loving You than anything; You will be first and I will cling to only You.
O--I almost skipped this word; at first glance it seems so insignificant. But then I paused to think and realized--putting this "O" in here means that I stand in awe of You and all that You are; that I count You worthy of honor and reverence.
LORD--Jehovah God, the self-existing one; eternal, unchanging, wonderful, powerful, holy, just, merciful--paradoxical!
my--You are mine, all mine! As surely as I belong to You, You have allowed Yourself to belong to me. How sweet that is! You are such a precious, personal God!
strength--I am so weak. But that's okay, because You are my strength! You give me grace and hope to keep going; You carry me when I am too tired and weak to carry on.

Father, wow! That short little verse is so packed with rich sweetness! God, You are so good! Every day I love You more; I just can't help it!

May the Lord richly bless you with a new sense of amazement at how amazing He is!

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 61:2

Hey, y'all! Happy Monday! :)

---

Psalm 61:2

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

 

Life can be seriously overwhelming sometimes, and when I get overwhelmed it becomes difficult to focus or to accomplish the things I need to do. But I'm learning that when I feel overwhelmed, I need to run to Jesus--"the rock that is higher than I". I love that description! I get this picture of me standing at the base of this huge rock, looking up, overwhelmed by its majestic size. Because maybe I'm just overwhelmed by the wrong things. When I allow myself to be overwhelmed by Jesus Christ--His greatness, His power, His love, His mercy and grace--other things suddenly become less important. And a lot less overwhelming!

 

Father, overwhelm me with who You are!

 

May God bless you with an overwhelming revelation of Himself that overshadows everything else that could overwhelm you!

 

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 150:2

Good morning, y'all!

So...it's been 4 1/2 very busy months since the last Mornin' SunShine. I am so sorry! Although my life has been pretty crazy (summer internship with a local ministry and a trip to Bolivia with my sister), that's a pretty lame excuse. I'm going to be working on getting back into a routine with better priorities--one of them being the Mornin' SunShine e-mails!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Psalm 150:2

Praise Him for His powerful acts;
praise Him for His abundant greatness.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it seems like everyone is looking for things to praise and thank God for. This verse shows us the two-fold basis of our praises: 1) what He has done and 2) who He is. This year, let's go beyond "I'm thankful for my family"...what has God done in your life this year? Who has He revealed Himself to be to you? Those things are worthy of the greatest praise we can give Him--at Thanksgiving and all year long!

 

Father, You are constantly at work in my life; help me to see and recognize Your "powerful acts" and "abundant greatness" in my life!!

 

May the Lord bless you richly as you praise Him for His power and greatness 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.

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 119:136

Hey, y'all--happy Thursday! :)

---

Psalm 119:136

Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law.

 

When I think back over the things that typically make me cry, I don't know that "because men do not keep Your law" would be a common one. Yet, I can't help but think that God's heart weeps over the rebellion of His creation, and the heart of a true worshipper is broken by the same things that break God's heart. So when I look around and see a world that is rejecting God's word at every turn, shouldn't it break my heart?? Shouldn't it cause me to weep and cry out for revival??

 

Father, soften my heart and make it sensitive to Yours. May the things that break Your heart break mine; may the things that bring tears to Your eyes cause me to cry, also. I want to weep and yearn over a fallen world the way You do!

 

May the Lord richly bless you allow your heart to be broken by what breaks His heart!

 

Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website

Psalm 11:3

Hey, y'all!

---

Psalm 11:3

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

 

Foundations are critical. If a foundation is weak, the house or building standing on it will not last. In life, there is only one foundation that is strong enough to stand on for a lifetime, and that is God Himself; His word, and our relationship with Him, is what forms the sure foundation. But it takes care and attention to keep that foundation strong. If we neglect it, it will be destroyed, and then we are crippled in every area of our lives.

 

Father, help me to keep my "foundation"--my relationship with You--in good repair!

 

May the Lord bless you richly as you seek to keep your life firmly founded on His word and your relationship with Him!

 

Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website

Psalm 31:14

Good morning, everyone!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Psalm 31:14
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

This verse tends to be one we pull out in hard times, saying that even though our surroundings are less than desirable, we will trust in God. But actually, this verse could be applied in any circumstance. The idea is that my trust is in God, whatever my circumstances may be. When things are going great and I seem to have it all together, I still need to say, "God, my trust is in You alone! You are my God, You are the one who lives and reigns in my life, and You are the one who is in control!"

Father, my trust is in You alone, no matter what!

May the Lord bless you richly as you place your trust in Him!

Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website

Psalm 36:7-8

Mornin', y'all! :D
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Psalm 36:7-8
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

God loves to shower His blessings on His people. He doesn't dole them out carefully, as if there are only so many and they have to go around. No...He is infinite, and so are His blessings.
From "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young--"Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very heart of who I AM."

Father, thank you for the abundance of blessings that You have poured into my life! Help me to trust You for all I need, knowing that You are not skimpy or limited, but are generous and infinite!

May the Lord bless you richly with all that He is!

Dancing in the rain,
Haley "SunShine" Miller
"Exhort one another daily while it is called 'Today'" (Hebrews 3:13)
Mornin' SunShine Website