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Rooted On the Rock

Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri is biweekly and a time we set aside to wander in the Presence of Jesus and ponder His truths. When you are ready, prepare your mind, body, and soul to have a transformational encounter with Jesus.

Watch the Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.

Now that we have cleared our souls of the clutter, we can wander on the journey with Jesus.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we investigated Holding Hands with God. This week we will consider to what we are clinging.   When you are ready, you may begin the dialogue with Jesus and state: “Jesus, I invite you to help me to leisurely wander into your Presence. Prepare my heart to receive, and illuminate my spiritual senses to encounter you.”

PROMISE:  Proverbs 12:3 ESV 

Broken tree

 No one is established by wickedness,
     but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

In the first stanza we acknowledged that no one on earth is unmoved by the swift transitions of time. Think of a tree. When the wind blows, you see the evidence in the branches, maybe even in the trunk itself a bit, but not the roots. Even if the entire tree snaps off the roots almost always remain intact. The same is true of our souls. The events of life move us, but not at our core. That is safe with God. Where are your roots?

PSALM: Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand
By: Mary Jane (Jennie) Bain Wilson, (1856-1913)

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Jennie (the writer of this hymn) was that the things of this temporal life are faulty and failing.  At a young age she lost her father, and was also stricken with typhoid fever which left her an invalid. Yet from the lifetime seat of a wheelchair, she choose to put her roots deeply into the unchanging hand of God.

PARABLE: As I journeyed on the path below Newport Lake at Millcreek Park where I shot our welcome video, I was struck by how the trees along the path had grown. The landscape was pretty rocky with many stones exposed and a shortage of soil in any places. This left the roots of many trees exposed.

The tree above had succumb to what I can only imagine was a catastrophic storm which revealed the weakness of the trunk unequal to the strain. Even still the roots remained intact. I think of our hymn writer and what she endured yet remained hopefully holding to God’s unchaining hand.

Earth Forsaken

I long for that kind of faith. Faith which allows me to hold on even when everything around me seems to be crumbling. Look at the root of this tree.  Even thought the soil in probably once grew through seems to have forsaken it, it is still more closely clinging to the rocks.

What an incredible picture of what our God invites us to do. Even when the things of earth forsake us, cling even more closely to Him. I am trying to exercise that faith today.  How about you?

How do you cope with the circumstances of life which leave your roots exposed? Will you keep holding on? Are your roots firmly established righteousness? Let’s take a few minutes and ponder that.

PONDER and WANDER:  As we walk through the storms of life, maybe even raging today, holding to God’s hand will reassure us that we do not journey alone. He is the Rock that that imbues us with righteousness not our own. That righteousness allows our roots to remain unmoved, even when all else fails.

The soul training ROOTS exercise can assist us in pressing deeply into God’s hands.

Soul care training exercise: If you choose, complete the R.O.O.T.S. exercise.

  • When you are ready, clear your mind and invite the Holy Spirit to help you Root your soul into God’s hands by whatsoever means are necessary. God’s hand and hand over the weights that are holding you back from discovering the purpose of the pain.
  • Next,  Open your heart that the Spirit may reveal and faulty soil into which you may have mistakenly put your the roots of your soul.
  • Then, Open your hand and let go of any wickedness [faulty thinking or living] He may have revealed.
  • Trust Him for the continued work of growth required for your roots to be ready to hold when the branches and even the very trunk of your life is swayed by the circumstances in this temporal plain.
  • Finally, Set your hopes on things eternal which will give you a very different perspective to deal with even the most tragic of loses, including life itself, yours or others.

PRAYER: O God my Rock, root my soul in You again and deeper still today. For the storms of the today and the disappointments of tomorrow may my roots be true and founded on you. My strength is not enough for them, so I put my trust in You for this life and the next.  In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your mind of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to breathe in and let the work of your wandering fill you with strength.

Then take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.

Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Rooted On the Rock appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions:
Millcreek Park, Newport Lake Dam and West Trail

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Learning to Trust God Through the Years

Him Who Will Not Leave You

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Ever had a friend forsake you? That is painful. But take heart, God never will. Let’s tune our hearts.

Never Alone

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Recall the last time you felt alone.

Maybe it was some time ago, or very recent. Remember what was going through your mind. What had happened that left you feeling exposed or isolated?

How did you deal with that terrible feeling? Did you take it to God, or in some measure had you convinced yourself or had others convinced you that He was responsible so He was the last One you wanted to talk to about it?

If we are honest, we would all admit there have been times when it even seemed like God had forsaken us. We may have even continued to believe He had not, but it sure felt like.

In times like that I try to remind myself of God’s promises. Key word, try. It is not always easy.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 ESV

I have been wrestling lately with the fact that in most situations God is responsible for His part, and I for mine. So based on this verse what is mine? I must know His name which reveals His character and put my trust in Him and seek Him. Sounds simple. Rarely is.

When you are upset with someone, it is difficult to bring yourself to the point where you search them out. It is easier to avoid the disappointment and not talk about it. But it hurts both parties. When we seek God, we find Him. When we find Him, we learn His name. When we know His name, we can trust Him.

RESONATE!
The Lord never forsakes us. Say that out loud. Personalize it. The Lord never forsakes me. Put your name in there and tell your soul. The Lord will never forsake you _____. We have all had times when we were trying to trust God was really hard, but the alternative never produces better results. If God seems distant ask the Holy Spirit to reveal why that is, and then ask Him to help you deal with what He reveals.

Time Keeps Slipping Away

Whatsoever Years May Bring

Whatsoever years may bring,

I have struggled for years with the phrase, “Time heals all wounds.” Add to that struggle the reality of this line and you can understand why? The passing of years bring new challenges, hurts, pains, joys, etc.

Sometimes the promises of God as mentioned above can bring some solace to help mitigate those challenges, but sometimes they may instead seem to exacerbate them. Take Jeremiah 29:11 below for instance.

Maybe you feel like you have suffered something evil. There is just no other reasonable explanation for it. You believe God has your welfare in mind and is giving you a future and a hope, but the evil you are facing causes you to question where God is as the clock keeps ticking.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

And the years of our lives bring many different trials and temptations. When hardship comes it is easy to blame to God. When enticement comes we can fail to look first to the One who satisfies our soul. Have the years brought something that is threatening to pull your attention or affection away from God?

He would want you to use that same incident to draw you nearer. But sometimes instead we blame Him after all the years can only bring what God allows, and sometimes those things are hard to swallow.

Maybe I am not describing your relationship with God, but someone you know. Someone you love. Someone whose heart has become hard. Whether it is you or a friend take some time to consider this.

RESONATE!
Is there something from your past that you or someone you love has not gotten over, and maybe is causing resentment God? That can be even more painful that a friend forsaken you, and harder to overcome. Ask God to reveal if there is any such thing that has come your way over the years. Whatsoever He brings to mind ask Him to heal today, and trust Him and His plans for you.

Jesus, thank You for the reminder that I am never alone. If or when I am tempted to believe anything else, remind me of your promise. That moment may come today, years from from now, or both, but I have determined to trust You and seek You, if You will but help me. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Deliberate Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence.   We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 19.2 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

There are times when it is difficult to sense God’s presence, but that does not mean He has left us.  He never will. He has made a promise and He will keep it. Does it seem like God is not near? Ask Him to reveal why that is, and to help you to address it.

God, show me anything that is keeping me from sensing You.

And the years of our lives bring many different trials and temptations. When hardship comes it is easy to blame to God. When enticement comes we can fail to look first to the One who satisfies our soul. What is threatening to pull your attention of affection away from God today?

Jesus, what is threatening my relationship with You today?

Here is the most painful test of all, when those closest to you fail you. We need others and we must share our lives, but when those we trust most are not there when we need them it is the worst. Ask the Spirit to heal you from those injuries

Spirit, heal me from the pain of friendships forsaken.

All the defeats and disappointments in life are allowed by God to remind us that He is always there for us, and enough for every need. Tell Him again today that you are committed to cling to Him still more closely because He is the One changeless reality in life.

Father, I am committed to cling to You.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Learning to Trust God Through the Years appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Whatsoever Years May Bring – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/time-clock-time-of-time-indicating-1632030/
Him Who Will Not Leave You – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/partnership-connectedness-personal-526416/

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Get a Grip!

Build Your Hopes

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. We must be careful to build on things that will last, so when the storms come, we have a sure foundation. How’s your foundation? Let’s think about this.

Intentional

Have you ever tried to build something and realized part way through that you lacked something essential? Maybe you started, and it became clear later that you were not at all sure the completed project was what you really needed. Or maybe when you finished, it was obvious you had wasted your time.

All these scenarios can be extremely disheartening. But there is a way to avoid them, at least to some extent. That requires a diligent intentionality to make sure the plan -from the beginning- is going to accomplish what is most important to you.

Build your hopes on things eternal,

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 ESV

Jesus teaches the truth we are singing in this line. We must be careful what our foundation is. If we build on things that last, like God’s eternal word, then we are wise builders, and our lives will be strong. Seems pretty obvious right? Still, many of us struggle to build on that foundation, though it is literally within our grasp to do so.

There are so many things that get in the way of our being routinely in God’s word. 

You can not build on eternal things if you do not know what they are. You can not know what they are if you are not in God’s word reading about them. You can not read God’s word if you do not open the book, or the app.

Reading them is only part of the battle, though. Once you read them, you need to ask God how to structure or build you life on them. The Holy Spirit is the best teacher, and He wants you to know God’s words so you can build your life on them.

RESONATE!
If you are not reading God’s word regularly, will you commit today to ask Him to help you plan and carve out time to do so? Just reading is not enough though. When was the last time you simply asked the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and give you understanding of God’s eternal word? Read a verse or a passage today, but first ask the Holy Spirit to bring it to life so you will know how to build on it. That exercise will give you hope.

God’s Unchanging Hand

Yet Childlike

Even when we do develop the intentional discipline of getting into God’s word and building our hopes on its truths, we must always maintain a childlike posture before Him. It can be tempting to oversimplify spiritual realities when we see a truth, build on it, and see the positive outcome. God’s ways are higher than ours and keeping a right perspective on how limited is our understanding is always healthy.

I love the picture here. We must choose to cling to our Father’s hand even when we begin to figure some things out because that humility will keep us out of trouble. It will keep us from running off into mischief. It will also limit how much we put our hands on because we are somewhat occupied simply with the thought of staying close to Him by not letting go.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 ESV

Does that image, that line, and this verse describe your relationship to God? If not, you are probably feeling the effects of that on your soul. While getting out of those messes is not easy, the first simple step is righting wherever we may be failing. Grab, hold, and cling to His unchanging hand today, whether you think you need to or not. It will uphold you when the weight of life is too much.

 

RESONATE!
Often our failure to cling to God can be traced to pride. We thought for a moment, or a decade, we could handle things. When we finally realized we were wrong, the humility required to reach for and hold to God can be sorely lacking. Will you receive the challenge of the song-writer and hold to God’s unchanging hand today? You may be very surprised to find He has been holding you all along.

Jesus thank You that You uphold us when our strength is simply not enough. Forgive me for times I have convinced myself I could handle my circumstance. In humility I turn my heart to you again today and determine to let go of everything that might tempt me to hold to it instead of You. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Clinging Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Podcast 19.1 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Time is filled with swift transition,

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV

Time and chance are the great equalizers. They happen to every one of us. Since there is no avoiding them, the only alternative is to find a way to deal with their effects. Thank God that He has revealed this truth to You, and provided hope in Him.

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah Psalm 75:3 ESV

With the swift transitions and the shifting landscape, it is hard to stand unmoved. Actually impossible, but for God. He is the One who holds the earth steady and is able to steady us as well when things come shaking our lives to their core. Praise His steady hand!

Build your hopes on things eternal,

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 ESV

Jesus teaches the truth we are singing in this line. But we must be careful what our foundation is. If we build on things that last, like God’s eternal word, then we are wise builders, and our lives will be strong. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any ways you may be building on anything else.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 ESV

We must resolve this issue before the storms of life come. If we wait to cling to God only when peace slips away, it may be harder to sense His presence and His holding us. Let go of anything that may be keeping you from clinging to God. Ask Him to help you.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the Refrain.

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Get a Grip! appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Build Your Hopes – https://pixabay.com/photos/book-bible-religion-reading-study-2617987/
God’s Unchanging Hand – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-child-s-hand-hold-tight-1797401/

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Dealing with the Shifting Sands of Life

Sands of Time

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. All of us are facing a greater degree of uncertainty than we were months ago, but holding to God gives us far greater certainty than not. Let’s tune our hearts.

Sands of Time

Time. There is no stopping it. Like a great hourglass that has been overturned and is both slowly and swiftly sifting along, time halts for no one.

That indiscriminate plodding is no respecter of people great or small. It simply keep s moving forward and each of must find a way to deal with the effects it has on us universally. Have you felt the shifting of the sands of time in your life lately? Whether COVID-19, the social unrest, the upcoming election, or something else very intimate or personal, you are probably well aware that things are swiftly transition to some different state.

Time is filled with swift transition,

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV

If you have lived for very long at all you know the reality that things in life can change very quickly, and often without any input from you. Time and chance are the great equalizers. They happen to every one of us. Since there is no avoiding them, the only real alternative to simply becoming a victim of them is to find a way to deal with their effects.

Holding to God’s unchanging hand is unquestionably the best way to deal with them. I say unquestionably because ever other means of coping will fail you at some point, but God will not.

RESONATE!
What is that circumstance that you are tempted to hold and not release to God? If you are holding it with both hands, how do you suppose you will be able to hold to God’s hand? Determine today that you will let go of the things that otherwise would keep you from holding His unchanging hand. Time brings swift transitions but holding to God is your best source of help. Ask Him to be that source again today.

Shifting Sand

Shifting Sand

Those swift transitions of time unsettle every one of us at some point. We often try to struggle against the shifting under our feet trying to find some sure footing. This hymn puts it bluntly. “None of us is able to stand through all those transitions.”

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Taken as a singular truth that would be pretty disheartening. We should always be careful when considering a declaration like this whether in a song or Scripture to examine the context. In our song, the writer is going to quickly point us to where to find hope in the midst of that uncertainty.  The Scripture always does the same.

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah Psalm 75:3 ESV

With the swift transitions and the shifting landscape, it is hard to stand unmoved. Actually impossible, but for God. It would be like struggling against the shifting sands of a desert landscape, or even a spot of quicksand. But we find hope in God. He is the One who holds the earth steady and is able to steady us as well when everything we have been standing on seems to erode. 

RESONATE!
What has shifted under your feet recently? You probably do not have to think much about that. Finances, relationships, health, so many things have been effected these last few months. But God has plans even for those unsettling experiences. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen to what God is saying when the sands of change shift under your feet. Take a few moments right now to let Him interpret the shifting you have been going through lately.  Then give Him praise you never have to do so alone.

Jesus, thank You for being a steady constant when every other thing in our lives is shifting. You are so faithful and so good. Help me to trust You as time brings transitions into my life and I am unable to stand. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Solid Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence.   We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 19.1 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

If you have lived for very long at all you know the reality that things in life can change very quickly, and often without any input from you. Whether you are in the midst of a transition right now or not, thank God that you never have to face them alone.

Thank You God that I never have to face transitions alone.

Those transitions unsettle every one of us at some point. We can say “I shall not be moved”, but sometimes God has other plans which He does not reveal that ahead of time. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen to what God is saying when the sands of change shift under your feet.

Holy Spirit help me to listen to Your voice.

Even when everything else is shifting we can still choose to build our hopes on eternal things, things that last even in the storms of life. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you today how you can build on the foundation of God’s word and His love for you.

Holy Spirit, help me build on God’s word and love for me.

Sometimes in order to hold onto God we need to let go of something else. It can be so painful and fearful to release something into His unchanging hands, especially something you thought you would always hold, but you can trust Him. Ask Jesus to help you trust Him more today.

Jesus, help me trust you more today

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Dealing with the Shifting Sands of Life appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Sands of Time – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hourglass-time-sand-run-out-3308818/
Shifting Sand – https://pixabay.com/photos/arid-barren-dawn-desert-dry-hot-1866541/

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What Are You Listening For?

The Trump Shall Resound

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It Is Well with My Soul (1873)

By: Horatio G. Spafford, (1828-1888)

Listen to this beautiful version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We continue our journey through one of the most beloved of all hymns, with one of the most poignant, yet inspiring, stories. If you do not know the story, you may watch more about it here. Jesus is our blessed hope and we find rest for our souls in Him and His promised return. Let’s think about this.

The Sound of the Trumpet of God

Trumpets are powerful instruments. Throughout Scripture we see them used to signal important moments and events, in both battle and worship. I am certain there is no coincidence there, but that is another blog for another day.

The voice of angels are often compared to the sound of a trumpet I believe because it is the instrument that seems to sound with utmost authority. It is clear and loud. That final trumpet that will call the dead in Christ to rise will certainly be that.

Think of it. A trumpet sounding so magnificently that it is heard by those long dead. The only appropriate response is that they will rise even before those who are alive in Christ. Remarkable! Why do you suppose that is? Maybe those living will be in shock or overwhelmed, but the dead in Christ will virtually be like, “That is the sound I have longed to hear!”

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

But not only that, the Lord Jesus Himself will descend at those moments. Wow! The dead in Christ rising to meet Jesus in the air will create the backdrop of our rising to meet Him as well. The hope of this spectacular promised and coming event is what allows our souls to be well, no matter what we have to face in this life.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV

RESONATE!
On Tuesday I asked what you are looking for? The same is true of your listening. Your mental preoccupation influences how you deal with your circumstances. If you are listening for something, if effects how you hear everything else. Are you listening for this incredible resounding of the trumpet. Undoubtedly, you will hear it either way, but if you are listening for it you will face everything differently. Take a few moments and sincerely ask, “Jesus, help me to be ever listening, watching and waiting for Your return.”

The Lord Shall Descend

Really?

 

Even so, it is well with my soul.

Well I guess if you are ready it is. But what if you are not. The skies rolling back, the trumpet resounding, Jesus descending, the dead in Christ rising: even so, it is well with my soul. HOW!?!

Though it is hard to fathom what the events of His return will actually be like and how we will ultimately respond, we can choose to echo John’s words and desire to see Jesus’ come quickly. Why? Because it is well, and will forever be well, with our souls.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 ESV

What Jesus has already accomplished through the shedding of His blood creates the opportunity for our souls to be made well. His presence with us in all things allows our souls to remain well. And the revelation of how this will all end allows our souls to anticipate being well then also.

RESONATE!
Is it well with your soul? It can be! Right now, no matter what comes until His return, and when He finally does. If it is not well, ask Jesus to show you what is effecting your soul, and when He reveals it ask Him to help you deal with it so you can experience the wellness of soul Jesus offers to all who believe.

Jesus thank You that it is well with my soul. Thank you for the promises and the warnings of the things of the end of this age. Thank You for declaring Your soon return. So be it! Help me to be ready as I wait for You to come and take us home with You forever. It is, and will be, well with me soul. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Well Thinking!

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Podcast 18.5 Transcript

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV.

We long for the day to come when what we have hoped for is realized, what we have longed for is before our eyes. Faith becoming sight. Hasten that day Lord, but help us to be ready for it. Father, give us the conviction, hope, assurance and faith we need to get there.

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Revelation 6:14 ESV

At the opening of the sixth seal the day of the Lord’s wrath will have come. We long for this day for our souls are well, but woe to those whose souls are not. May we live in such a way that others join us resting in God. Ask the Spirit to show you how today?

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV

As if the descending of the Lord, His cry of command, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God were not enough, can you imagine the dead in Christ rising first? That will be a sight that is impossible to imagine. Give thanks to God for the promise of resurrection life!

Even so, it is well with my soul.

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 ESV

Jesus thank You that it is well with my soul. Thank You for the promises and the warnings of the things of the end of this age. Thank You for declaring Your soon return. So be it! Help me to be ready as I wait for You to come and take us home with You forever. It is, and will be, well with my soul.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post What Are You Listening For? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Trump Shall Resound – http://dedication.www3.50megs.com/rev_trumpets6a.html
The Lord Shall Descend – http://www.choosingjesuseveryday.com/2018/12/14/heaven-48/

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