A Cup of SonShine for Your Day

Jesus is the Light in this Dark world. He is the Son of God, and He is shining for all to see. Won't you bring your cup today to be filled up by Him? This blog is about redirecting our focus to Jesus ~ the Author and Perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2). As you read, you will find prayers and encouragement, poems and thoughts inspired by the Word of God and a daily walk with Jesus. So bring your favorite mug and fill it up with a Cup of SonShine for Your Day!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Day 10: To be Still

Bumblebees buzzing over flowers so busy.

Fireflies caught in a jar in a tizzy.

So many things to do in a day…

Lord, help me stop that I may just stay—

Right where You are—

In Your Arms unafraid.

What is my cup of SonShine today?

To stop and stay in the presence of God.

It is so easy to get so busy that we miss what is important.

We must slow down enough and be still enough to listen and hear God’s voice.

When there is so much going on, and our minds are so cluttered with things that will not last into eternity, we often miss God’s guidance and the voice of His love—I am speaking of me. Can you relate?

It is so good to slow down enough to listen, to hear, to be in the presence of God.

It washes me, and makes me feel renewed.

I need to be renewed every day.

I need to be reminded every day that God loves me.

And I need to slow down enough to listen.

I wish I always did that.

I don’t.

But I need to.

So that is my cup of SonShine for today:

To stop and stay in the presence of God and to be still and listen.

“I love You, Lord.

I need You.

Thank You so much for this love that is bubbling up inside of me.

I know it is from just being in Your Presence.

You are SO AMAZING!

I love You, Lord.

I love You.

There is none like You.

My heart sings,

‘Lord, there is none like You!’

I praise You, Heavenly Father.

I love You.

Thank You for loving me.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

Day 9b: To Love without Fear

To love.

To trust.

To believe all things.

To bear all things.

To endure all things.

…Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:7-8 [See NIV and NASB versions : )]

To love. To truly love. That is definitely a God thing.

We need His help to love—to truly love.

For to truly love is to act selflessly.

It is a choice we make, and one we make and carry out with the help of God.

Is it hard for you to trust loved ones—I mean really trust them?

(Not to trust in them as we trust in God--but to trust them as your loved ones who God

wants you to be in relationship with.)

Me too.

Insecurities and fears can eat away at you.

But when you put yourself aside, you are left with that other person.

Will you come outside of yourself and love them as you want to be loved or will you stay

absorbed in yourself and your own desires?

I am talking to me.

To believe all things.

Will I choose to believe my loved ones and believe in my loved ones?

Or will I doubt, condemn, discourage, and accuse?

Will I bear all things?

Will I go through every situation—good or bad—with sincere love in my heart and supportive love in my actions for my loved ones?

Will I bear up or give up?

Love bears all things.

Will I endure all things?

At the end of our days, will I still be standing by my loved ones in sincere love?

Or will I let difficulties and worries kill my resolve to continue loving and giving love no matter what?

Love—God’s Love—never fails.

No matter what situation arises, if the love of God is in you, you will want to be there for your loved ones to support them, help them, listen to them, be kind and patient with them, and show them love.

Yes, God’s love never fails.

“Heavenly Father, help me to love like You do. There is no one like You. No one loves like You do.

Father, fill me up with that love.

I want to start today loving fearlessly and selflessly.

You are God, You are good, and I trust myself and my heart to You.

I love You, Lord.

Thank You for loving me.

Help me today to love like You do.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

What is my cup of SonShine today?

To put myself

On the shelf,

And love without fear,

Knowing my God is always near!

Day 9a: I will follow

I pick up a card—

It says “All will be well.”

I pick up another—

It says “Don’t worry, my Belle.”

The next one says,

“Peace, be still.”

So I will trust You, Lord

To do Your will.

So my heart sings,

“I will follow—

I will follow You, Jesus.

And I will worship—

I will worship You, Savior.

“I will trust You—

I will trust in You, Jesus.

I will serve You—

I will serve my Lord forever.

“For He has saved me—

He has set me free-ee.

I have purpose—

Now and Life in Him.

I have peace and

Joy forever.

“So I will follow—

I will follow my Jesus.

For He loves me—

And I am His forever.

“Yes, I will follow—

I will follow You, Jesus.

Lead me, Lord—

Where You want me to go.

For I will follow—

I won’t say no.

“All by Your grace, Lord.

In Jesus’—

Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

So what is my cup of SonShine for today?

To sing a new song to my Lord as I cheerfully follow wherever He leads.

“Lord, let it be so!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”

Day 9: My Mountain of Hope

An old fashioned typewriter in perfect condition to type on.

A valley full of pink wildflowers to run in.

The first time the mountains come into view as I gaze out the car window.

Strong trees full of green, green leaves to rest in the shade of.

I have always loved the mountains. That first time that I see them come into view, I just feel life I can breathe easier.

I live in Florida, so we don’t have mountains in our state.

There is something about rocks and the quiet strength of the mountains that I love.

Different mountains are dressed differently by God, but with very little exception, I love the mountains—the rocks, the clefts, the valleys.

And why? Because I feel a certain way that I feel nowhere else when I am there.

My soul is refreshed. And just the sight of a skyline with mountains in the distance causes me to relax, because I know those rocks—full of quiet, majestic solidity—are nearby. I know that mountain is not far off, and just the sight of it brings comfort.

Oh, how I love the mountains!

God is my Rock and my Refuge—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (See Psalm 46:1, Psalm 27:1, & Psalm 18:2)

I do not have to go to the mountains every time I need to be renewed.

I only need to go to God.

He is my Rock. He is my Fortress. He is my sure foundation. He is my strength. He is my song.

When I go to Him, He helps me, He renews me, He refreshes me.

He gives me breath to breathe again.

“Thank You, Lord for the mountains.

Thank You for creating rocks and clefts and rocky crags and trees and valleys.

I love them all, Lord. And I love how I feel whenever I just see them.

And to touch them! Oh, that is even better! Just to feel that solid rock with all its many faces. Something about it is soothing and exciting all at once.

Oh, Lord, I cannot always be in the mountains—but I CAN always be with You.

You are always with me, and You are my Refuge and Strength.
At all times, I can run into You and the shelter of Your arms and find rest and renewal and help for every thing I face.

Lord, break through to my heart today. I want to walk closely with You.

I want to be full of Your light, that I may bring Your Love and warmth to all those I come in contact with.

Oh, how I love You!

I need You, Lord.

Help me rely on You today, Lord.

I am so weak, and my soul is in need of refreshing.

Lord, I need Your strength.

Fill me up that I may stand strong today against temptation.

Oh, Lord—how I love You, and how I love the mountains.

"You are near,

And I need NEVER fear.

"Thank You, Lord, for being my mountain of Hope.

Hope refreshes and renews.

You give me hope that does not disappoint.

Yes.

You are my mountain of Hope.

I love You, Lord.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

What is my cup of SonShine today?

Hope in God.

God—my mountain of Hope.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Day 8b: New Birth

White lilies appear as I drive by

On a busy city street.

Little pink hearts on a baby girl’s dress—

Isn’t it sweet?

So many things to look at and smile.

I bet you won’t even have to go a mile—

To find God’s goodness

And a reason to give thanks.

He put His goodness everywhere—

So it’s time for us to join the Rejoicing Ranks.

For no matter what we see

Down here on earth—

God’s promises are ours as His children.

For in Jesus, we have been given new birth.

What is my cup of SonShine for today?

To remember—with the help of the Holy Spirit—that my joy comes from hoping in the gift that can never be taken from me—my relationship with Jesus.

God’s promises are forever, and all of them are yes in Jesus Christ!

What a reason to rejoice always!

“Father, thank You for reminding me of Your eternal promises that are mine forever in Jesus.

But thank You most of all for Jesus.

Thank You for making the Way through Him for me to come to You and to be born anew into Your family.

Thank You for making me Your child forever.

I love You, Lord.

Thank You so much for what You have done and for what You have made possible for me in Jesus.

I love You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Day 8a: Sunshine and Pain

I love the sunshine—it’s so bright.

But do I love the rain?

Heartache, healing, sorrow, and love—

God uses the joy and the pain.

“Thank You, Father, that You bring sun and rain.

I love You, Lord.

When I am going through a trial, please remind me to continue giving thanks to You—for you are still good—and I am to give thanks at ALL times.

That can be hard to do, so please give me the courage and faith to do it.

I love You, Lord!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

What is my cup of SonShine today?

To thank God and rejoice in the sunshine and rain—

Through the joy and the pain.

“Thank You, Lord, for Your love!

I love You!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Day 8: Enlarge My Heart

Spagghetti Spirals,

Grandma’s macaroni and cheese,

And seeing God’s Light when the darkness falls.

These are the thoughts of today.

So, what’s my cup of SonShine?

My God will never give me more than I can handle with His help (1 Corinthians 10:13).

When it’s dark in my life, I know He can still see me just as well as if it was daylight (Psalm 139:11-12).

So what is my cup of SonShine?

It is, quite simply: To rest in God’s comfort.

“Father, I need You. I don’t even realize how much.

Oh, Lord, I love You.

Wrap Your arms around my loved ones when they come to You. Let them know the depth of Your Love for them.

Lord, heal Your children.

Make us whole again.

Take our ashes and what remains and make something beautiful.

I love You, and I love what You do.

You are amazing.

Do Your work in the lives of all of Your children.

Lord, claim Your own—and may the world know without a doubt who they are, for may they stand apart and be holy and pure even as You are.

I love You, dear Lord.

But my Love compared to Yours is puny.

Enlarge my heart that I may run after Your commands and follow them with all of my heart because of my love for You (Psalm 119:32).

Words are easily said, but dreams come to pass with much effort (Ecclesiastes 5:3).

Help me, Father, to stand strong and put in that effort.

I love You, dear Lord.

Enlarge my heart to run after You.

In Jesus’ Precious and Holy Name, Amen.”