smattern, Author at Resonant 7 Page

April 23, 2020 by smattern Leave a Comment

Wonder-filled Sight of Mysteries Bright

Crown Him the Lord of love!
Behold His hands and side—
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends His wond’ring eye
At mysteries so bright.

Crown Him with Many Crowns (1852)

By: Matthew Bridges, v. 3 by Godfrey Thring, pub.1874

Listen to this modern arrangement as you prepare to ponder this old 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 crowning Jesus the Lord of love. In the first half of this stanza, we considered the fact that Jesus still bears the wounds from the crucifixion. In this second half, we ponder the weight of that glorious mystery which causes all the angels to bend their eyes downward.

Angels Overwhelmed

No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight,

Scriptures seems to indicate there are a few distinctions among angels. In Isaiah 6 we find the seraphim. Ezekiel 10 describes the cherubim. I Thessalonians 4 foretells the call of the archangel. And then of course you have your ordinary angels which are most often referenced like here.

I heard…the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…” Revelation 5:11-12a ESV

Though our words say “No angel” and most often this would evoke the idea that not one of the angels could bear the sight, it is interesting to also consider the fact that no kinds or types of angels could. Though not even the most important thought it remains an interesting one.

All that said, so great is the sight that no angel can fully bear it. Like the image above, maybe they covered their eyes with their hands, or the seraphim from Isaiah 6, on set of wings, or simply looked down, none of them could fully bear the sight.

What sight? The sight of the Lamb that was slain. Jesus still bearing the wounds He took to purchase our redemption. That is a truly remarkable thought. It fills the angels with wonder. They existed eternally in the glory of God, but could not even take in the this mystery.

RESONATE!
If these heavenly beings can not take in this sight, imagine what our reaction will be like. We will have just arrived at our glorious eternal home and we set our eyes on the One who died to declare His love for us. Though there are times when that love amazes us now, that will certainly be true when we finally see Him face-to-face. How do you imagine you will respond in that moment? Take a minute to ponder that heavenly seen and how you might respond.

Mysteries Bright

They is no doubt what the mystery is. It is the display of love that our Savior will bear eternally. The mystery is simply that He would love us that much.

But downward bends His wond’ring eye At mysteries so bright.

Bright mysteries. Seems like a contradiction as mysteries tend to be shrouded in darkness and mist, but not so with these wounds. Angels bend their eyes downward in wonder, and we may as well, but all the same we look forward to crowning Him the Lord of love eternally with heartfelt praise.

That nail-scarred hand. What an incredible symbol of love! I like this image because it acknowledges the pain, but fills it with the brightness of His glory and helps me to understand in a miniscule way the wonder of the angels.

Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Isaiah 6:2 ESV

RESONATE!
So what ideas come to mind as you imagine the flight of the seraphim? Does the thought of it fill you with wonder? Take a few moments and consider what leaves the angels looking down, and ask Him to fill you with wonder. Then approach the Lord of love with wonder as often as His scars come to mind throughout this day.

Jesus, thank You for filling the angels with so much wonder that they bend their eyes downward when they look to the glorious mystery of your scars of love. Help me fill my life with wonder and crown You the Lord of love today and everyday, for all eternity! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wonder-filled 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 16.3 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.

Crown Him the Lord of love! Behold His hands and side—

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27 ESV

When Jesus appeared to His disciples following His resurrection, He obviously still had the crucifixion wounds. Thomas was not there, so He did not believe. When Jesus appeared again He offered Thomas the opportunity to believe. Give Him thanks for the grace to believe.

Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…Revelation 5:6a ESV

The Lamb of God is described as appearing as though it had been slain. Though it is not clear why, obviously something about His appearance evokes this description leading us to believe His wounds are still visible. Praise Him for bearing the wounds that brought you life.

No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight,

I heard…the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…” Revelation 5:11-12a ESV

The angels looked upon His form and declared the Lamb to be worthy. They who had circled the throne from eternity past were compelled to declare the worth of the One slain for the sins of the world. Are you quick to join them in praising Jesus? Be certain to do so somehow today.

But downward bends His wond’ring eye At mysteries so bright.

Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Isaiah 6:2 ESV

Though they acknowledge His worth, they can not look directly at Him, so marvelous is the bright mystery of His countenance. Does the thought of it fill you with wonder? Take a few moments and consider what leaves the angels looking down, and ask Jesus to fill you with wonder.

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.

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 Wonder-filled Sight of Mysteries Bright appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
No Angel…Can Fully Bear that Sight – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/258253359870905142/
Mysteries So Bright – https://www.freeimages.com/search/nail-scarred-hand

April 22, 2020 by smattern Leave a Comment

Do Your Eyes Wonder or Wander?

Wednesday Wanderings is 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 minds of the clutter, we can wander on the journey with our Holy Jesus.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we reviewed how to Crown Christ in the Crisis. This week we will consider our Wondering Eyes. 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: Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

PARABLE: I definitely do not think this is what Jesus had in mind when He taught that one eyes are lamps to our bodies! What He was teaching was the our eyes allow things into us that influence who we are and what ultimately comes out of us. We are going to look at a bit of juxtaposition of the two words, wondering and wandering as prompted by the hymn text for the day and the meandering with Jesus we hope to do together here.

The angels are described to have wondering eyes. They are overcome with the scars of the Savior as we will see below. That left them overwhelmed and in awe of His sacrifice. Those are the kinds of eyes we need. Eyes that flood our souls with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [2 Corinthians 4:6]

The kind of eyes we do not need are wandering eyes. This describes eyes that end up looking at things or in places that generally create trouble for us. Wandering eyes are more prone to invite darkness in, rather than light, or so the phrase normally goes as it refers to someone in a relationship who has eyes that wander away toward someone other than the person with whom they are in relationship.

PSALM: Crown Him with Many Crowns
by Matthew Bridges,(1851), v. 3 by Godfrey Thring, pub.1874

Thring proclaims he will crown Christ as Lord of love. We could learn from the angels who bend their wondering eyes downward. Seeing Jesus and His love rightly help us to fill our souls with the light of this transforming truth. We must cultivate wondering eyes. But how do we do that?

PONDER and WANDER: If you choose, Ponder the question: How can I develop wondering eyes?
Trying to formulate this answer makes me think about the difference between different kinds of meditation, in the simplest form. While some forms focus on emptying our minds, which can be a very dangerous practice, I believe Christian meditation is a filling of the mind with the ways and will of God, by way of His Word in particular and His Spirit in general.

What does this mean practically? In this context I believe it means asking God to reveal to the eyes of our souls Himself, His purposes and His ways. Start with Scripture and use that as a solid foundation for creating God a context to speak to you. We could return to our Scripture above and use it as framework for prayer asking God to fill our eyes and our souls with His light, as in the exercise below.

Soul care training exercise: If you choose, complete this week’s soul training exercise and consider taking time to let the B.R.I.G.H.T. mystery of God to flood your soul as you seek to develop wondering eyes.

When you are ready, clear your mind and invite the Holy Spirit to Begin by helping you center in on God a passage of God’s word. We will use Matthew 6:22-23 for this exercise.
Next, Read the passage and ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive for you.
Then, begin to pray the Scripture. Inject yourself into the passage by personalizing it. For example, “Lord I confess my eye is the lamp of my body. Make my eye is healthy, so my whole body will be full of light. Keep my eye from looking at things that are bad, so my whole body will not be full of darkness. May the light in my body be the light of your glory, so as to escape the darkness of this world!”
Give the Holy Spirit time to speak to you as you wait quietly, silently before the Lord.
Hold your soul before God and ask Him to reveal any darkness, then be quick to confess it and determine to welcome light in its place.
Lastly, Thank God for the light of His Word and His presence, and the forgiveness and mercy that allow you to walk in them.

PRAYER: Lord of love, I bless you for the light of Your glorious sacrifice for me. You will ever bear the scars that purchased it for me, and want to always be quick to give you praise for doing so. Fill my soul with the B.R.I.G.H.T. mystery of Your incredible love for me. In the wonderful 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 crown Jesus with your praise. Let the work of your wandering fill you with the love of Christ.

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 Do Your Eyes Wonder or Wander? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Eye is a Lamp – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/282741682826220610/
Downward Bend – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fantasy-angel-mystical-wing-magic-4122152/

April 21, 2020 by smattern Leave a Comment

Remembering His Rich Wounds

Crown Him with Many Crowns (1852)

By: Matthew Bridges, v. 3 by Godfrey Thring, pub.1874

Listen to this modern arrangement as you prepare to ponder this old 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 of resonance on this side of Easter considering His wounds this week. Though we will be spotless eternally, He will bear the scars that will serve to remind us of the price He paid. May those remembrances inform our praise now and eternally. Let’s tune our hearts.

Believing

If we are going to crown Him the Lord of love, we must be willing to consider the wounds He bore to accomplish the work that entitles Him to the crown. Jesus taught that there is no greater love than to lay down ones life for your friends [John 15:13], then He did just that. Jesus is the Lord of love, and we will crown Him as such in our Tunings today, and, Lord wiling, our lives eternally.

Crown Him the Lord of love! Behold His hands and side—

The wounds He bore are now scars. They are healed but not removed. This is clear from His encounters after His resurrection with His disciples, like this one.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27 ESV

When Jesus appeared to His disciples following His resurrection, He obviously still had the crucifixion wounds. Thomas was not there during that first visit, so He did not believe. For this reason Thomas gets a bad wrap, often referred to as Doubting Thomas, but truth be told, how often have each of us failed to believe on someone else’s testimony. It is not until we have our own encounter with the living Christ that we believe.

Jesus does not judge Thomas, but instead shows up to Him. When Jesus appeared again He offered Thomas the opportunity to believe. And He did. For that reason, for the rest of his life and eternity I believe He has the right to called Believing Thomas. Wouldn’t you prefer to be remembered for the times you believed rather than when you doubted?

RESONATE!
We find ourselves again on this side of the resurrection account. We have once again considered the claims of Christ and found them to be worthy of believing. What will you do today to allow your faith to be put on display? Jesus still bears those scars for you. How will you bear His name today? It may look different for each of us, but I pray it has the similar quality of belief. Take a few moments and ask Jesus to show you how to put your faith in His finished work on display today.

Glorified

Rich wounds, yet visible above, In beauty glorified.

What an interesting way to describe wounds, rich. Oh, but they are. They are the wounds that purchased our redemption, and He will bear them eternally.

It is hard for us to imagine what wounds must look in glory, especially since He will be the only One who has any. He will not be nailed to a cross, but will still bear those wounds. He will not be a lamb slain and lying across an altar, but He will bear some resemblance to one.

It is difficult to conceive what John is attempting to describe when said this.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…Revelation 5:6a ESV

Jesus, the Lamb of God, is described as appearing as though He/It had been slain. Though it is not clear why, obviously something about His appearance evokes this description leading us to believe His wounds are still visible. Why do you think that is?

Why is it that His wounds will still be visible, albeit glorified, eternally? I suppose it is for two reasons. First, to remind us of His sacrifice of love. Second, to evoke a continual, eternal response of worship.

How kind of Jesus not only to suffer those wounds, but to bear them eternally for the glory of God and our good. You will praise Him then, but why not put in some practice today. Praise the Lamb that was slain for bearing the wounds that brought you life.

RESONATE!
Take a moment and try to imagine that scene before the throne. Close your eyes and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a sense of what John describes. See the Lamb that was slain and His wounds for you. Give Him praise!

Jesus, thank You for offering the perfect sacrifice so that I could be redeemed. Your love for me is greater than I can fathom. I am so thankful for the opportunity to remember and give you praise with my life today, and around Your throne on another day. Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Reflective 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 16.3 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.

Crown Him the Lord of love!
Behold His hands and side—
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends His wond’ring eye
At mysteries so bright.

The second crown we bestow on Jesus is the One He earned when He sacrificed His life to purchase our redemption. It was the greatest act of love in history. As we look to Him we see the marks of the crucifixion. May that vision ever move us to tears, and praise!

Yes, He will forever bear those wounds, and when we see them we will always be reminded of His love for us. Somehow they are still visible, but glorified. Imagine what that must be like. He chooses to retain the reminder of His suffering for us. Thank Jesus for those wounds.

Angels who have forever circled the throne and eternally lifted their praise to the Lord God Almighty can not fully bear the sight of His glorified wounds. They cover their eyes with two wings, but still they can not take it in. Ponder what that sight must be like?

Bright mysteries. Seems like a contradiction as mysteries tend to be shrouded in darkness and mist, but not so with these wounds. Angels bend their eyes downward in wonder, and we may as well, but we look forward to crowning Him the Lord of love eternally with heartfelt praise.

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

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 Remembering His Rich Wounds appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Behold His Hands – https://downloadwallpaper.org/pt/passion-of-the-christ-wallpaper-2/2/
The Lamb That Was Slain – https://psalmistpetegardner.com/2019/09/25/the-glory-of-the-lamb

April 16, 2020 by smattern Leave a Comment

Continuation and Redirection

Crown Him the Lord of life!
Who triumphed o’er the grave,
Who rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.

Crown Him with Many Crowns (1852)

By: Matthew Bridges, v. 3 by Godfrey Thring, pub.1874

Listen to this modern arrangement as you prepare to ponder this old hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

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 the Easter season crowning Jesus the Lord of life. In the first half of this stanza, we considered how Jesus showed us how to deal with strife. In this second half, we ponder how we can add our praise to those who have gone before and are in His presence even now.

He Rose Again, then Rose on High: A Continuation

His glories now we sing, Who died, and rose on high,

We have already considered how Jesus overcame sin, death, and the grave with His resurrection. Now we turn our sights on the hope we can draw from His ascension. He not only rose again, but then He rose on high.

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 ESV

Here is another instance where those who were present have such an advantage over us. They had seen Him since His resurrection some 40 days before and were standing there with Him on the mountain. After giving them some last instructions, “these things,” Jesus was lifted up and out of sight in the clouds.

Died, and Rose on High — **Died, and Rose On High**

Imagine what that must have been like to see the Lord of life ascend into the clouds. He shares with them what ends up being His last words to them, “Go and make disciples”. Looking back, we knew these were His last words to them, but did they know it? Could they feel it?

What must those moments have felt like? There He is right in front of us. Wind rustling through His hair. He is smiling at us, as He speaks with an unusual weight and authority, even for Him. He promises that He will be with us, even to the end of the age, then He begins to levitate.

Did they want to protest and ask Him not to go? Did they know He would be leaving them soon? Very soon. They were probably not ready to say goodbye, but they suddenly had no choice.

What were they to do? The same thing we are to do. Sing of His glories. Tell the world all that they had seen and heard. Again, like Thomas in the upper room, we were not there, but we are invited to believe and also declare His ascension with our praise. Imagine what that must have been like to see the Lord of Life ascend to His heavenly throne. One day, He will return to take us home. Are you ready?

We crown Him the Lord of Life with our praise. We sing the glories of our Resurrected King, who is resurrecting us. He died, but then He rose again, and rose on high. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Give Him praise! Lift your voice and sing!

RESONATE!
Jesus will return the same way that He came, in glory and at an unexpected time. If He were to return today, would He find you giving Him glory, or would it have been a few days since you last did? It has been weeks since we have been at church and possibly weeks since you have lifted your voice to praise Him. Don’t wait any longer! Give glory to your ascended Lord today. Find some way to sing His glories with your lips and your life.

Death and Life: A Redirection

Who died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

Read that again, and think about it. That has to be one of the best lines in all our hymnody. It captures in just a few words what Jesus did and offers us an incredible contexts of opposites.

He lives that death may die. What a powerful line! He died to bring eternal life, and He lives to defeat death. This is Jesus. Our King and the Lord of life. He became the Lord of life, or at least demonstrated that He was, by dying. It may seem counterintuitive on the surface, but it actually makes perfect sense.

What better way could He show His authority over death, than to die, and then come back to life? He lives so that death may die, and indeed, it will. How do we know? Because it is our blessed hope.

This brings us to another opposite. He left so He could come back.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV

Here is the fulfillment of His finished work on the cross and the fruit of the empty tomb. He will transform these lowly bodies to be like Him, and when He does, the last vestiges of death will be gone forever. Then we will really know life. Hallelujah!

RESONATE!
Again this brings us back to praise. Anticipate your heavenly celebration, and crown Jesus the Lord of life today! How are you going to do it? Play a recording of your favorite song and sing along? Sit down with an instrument and accompany yourself? Call up an uninhibited friend and just burst out in song with them? Some other creative way. It does not really what it is, just do it!

Jesus, thank You for giving us something to sing about today and every day. You live that death may die. May my life reflect the stunning wonder of that. Help me fill my life with praise and crown You the Lord of life! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Praise-filled 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 16.2 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.

Crown Him the Lord of life! Who triumphed o’er the grave,

…I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Revelation 1:17b-18 ESV

He died but is alive forevermore. He holds the keys to Death and Hades! He is the Lord of life, and He earned that title by dying, then defeating death. He had the power to lay down His life and take it up again. Give praise to our King, the Lord of life! Hallelujah!

Who rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57ESV

Jesus rose victorious over death, the grave, and sin. Because He is victorious, we, too, can be. God gives us victory through the sacrifice of His Son. Victory over death and the grave, at the end of this life, and victory over sin until then. Give thanks to God who gives us the victory!

His glories now we sing, Who died, and rose on high,

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 ESV

Again, like Thomas, we were not there, but we are invited to believe and also declare His ascension with our praise. Imagine what that must have been like to see the Lord of Life ascend to His heavenly throne. One day, He will return to take us home. Are you ready?

Who died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV

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.

Crown Him the Lord of life!
Who triumphed o’er the grave,
Who rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.

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 Continuation and Redirection appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
His Glories Now – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/lent-easter-cruz-calvary-a-man-4893715/
Died, and Rose on High – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/illustration-easter-resurrection-4779064/
Opposites – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/arrows-plus-minus-opposites-staff-1668911

April 14, 2020 by smattern Leave a Comment

The Lord of Life Showed Us How to Face Strife

Crown Him with Many Crowns (1852)

By: Matthew Bridges, v. 3 by Godfrey Thring, pub.1874

Listen to this modern arrangement as you prepare to ponder this old hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We continue our journey of resonance on this side of Easter considering this week His wounds. Though we will be spotless eternally, He will bear the scars that will serve to remind us of the price He paid. May those remembrances inform our praise now and eternally. Let’s tune our hearts.

Lord of Life

Crown Him the Lord of life! Who triumphed o’er the grave,

Jesus earned the right to be crowned the Lord of life, because He overcame death by laying down His life and then taking it up again. The stone was rolled away, and the tomb is empty. Turns out He only needed to borrow it! Who borrows a tomb? The Lord of life.

My father died on March 23 of 2019. Recently, I visited his gravesite with my mom where his tombstone had been placed not long before. It was a sobering reminder of the reality of death, as I reflected on the last time I had stood in that place during his committal service.

My father’s remains are still in the ground there, waiting to rise at Jesus command as clearly stated in I Thessalonians 4:16. Jesus has the authority to call my father and all the others who are dead in Christ out from their graves. He has that authority because He is the Lord of life, and can extend life as He wishes. He is the Lord of life because He died, but is alive forevermore!

…I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Revelation 1:17b-18 ESV

Have you placed your faith in the Lord of life? There is no need to fear death if you have, because He holds those keys in His powerful hands. Affirm your trust in Him today and His authority over death.

RESONATE!
Tell Jesus you are resting in Him, and that He is Lord of your life. Maybe someone has come to mind who does not yet know Him in this way. Pray for them that they may come to see Jesus as the Lord of life, and surrender theirs to Him, then purpose to walk before them and everyone else in a way that reveals the authority of Jesus in your life.

Victorious in Strife

I would definitely call death strife. All of us face some strife from time to time, but few of us to the extent Jesus did, and even fewer find it costing us our lives. To be clear, strife is angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues.

When it came to the religious leaders, strife describes perfectly what Jesus was facing. It was those religious leaders who plotted and carried out Jesus being handed over to the Romans, and ultimately made certain He was crucified. Strife, indeed.

But He rose victorious. Not only over the interpersonal strife, but also that which He faced concerning Death. You see Death does not normally release its captives, but it had no choice with Jesus.

Who rose victorious in the strife For those He came to save.

He walked out of the tomb on His own, even though He had been carried in. Why? Because He had come to save us, and He could not do that if He were still lying on His back. So He got up and walked out.

Because He did, we can have confidence we will do the same. Like my father, it may be some time before He calls us out, but that should not stop us from giving thanks to God for the victory He has given us in Christ. So whatever strife you may face, be it interpersonal or ultimately death, know you can face it victoriously with Jesus.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

RESONATE!
So how will you give thanks to God today. Will you pray? Will you sing? What other creative forms might that take? Whatever you do, make certain that today, and everyday, you walk in this victory because of His victory. The resurrected Christ is resurrecting you, and it is only a matter of time before that work is complete!

Jesus, thank You for Your triumph over the grave. Thank You for facing the strife and rising above it. Your victory clears the path for me to be able to walk in triumph every day. Forgive me for the days I do not, and give me strength today to make it one where my life is filled with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Thankful Tuning!

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 16.2 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.

This is the crown upon which all our hopes hang. If it were not for the resurrection, we are to be pitied, for our hope is in vain. But thanks be to God, it is not. He only borrowed that tomb. Jesus is the Lord of life! The grave could not keep Him from rising again. Hallelujah!

His victory over sin, death, and the grave makes Him the firstborn from among the dead, and we, too, like Him shall rise. He came to seek and save the lost, and He did just that. Thank Jesus that you are among those who have accepted the gift of life He freely offers to all!

Wow! He lives that death may die. What a powerful line! He died to bring eternal life, and He lives to defeat death. This is Jesus. Our King and the Lord of life. Crown Him with your worship, with your living, now and forevermore.

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

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 The Lord of Life Showed Us How to Face Strife appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Triumphed Over the Grave – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-bible-gospel-3279901/
Rose Victorious – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/jesus-christ-god-holy-spirit-4779543/

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

Angels Overwhelmed

Mysteries Bright

Image Attributions No Angel…Can Fully Bear that Sight – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/258253359870905142/ Mysteries So Bright – https://www.freeimages.com/search/nail-scarred-hand

Image Attributions Eye is a Lamp – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/282741682826220610/ Downward Bend – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fantasy-angel-mystical-wing-magic-4122152/

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

Believing

Glorified

Image Attributions Behold His Hands – https://downloadwallpaper.org/pt/passion-of-the-christ-wallpaper-2/2/ The Lamb That Was Slain – https://psalmistpetegardner.com/2019/09/25/the-glory-of-the-lamb

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

He Rose Again, then Rose on High: A Continuation

Death and Life: A Redirection

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

Lord of Life

Victorious in Strife

Image Attributions Triumphed Over the Grave – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-bible-gospel-3279901/ Rose Victorious – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/jesus-christ-god-holy-spirit-4779543/

Connect With Us

Image Attributions
No Angel…Can Fully Bear that Sight – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/258253359870905142/
Mysteries So Bright – https://www.freeimages.com/search/nail-scarred-hand

Image Attributions
Eye is a Lamp – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/282741682826220610/
Downward Bend – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fantasy-angel-mystical-wing-magic-4122152/

Image Attributions
Behold His Hands – https://downloadwallpaper.org/pt/passion-of-the-christ-wallpaper-2/2/
The Lamb That Was Slain – https://psalmistpetegardner.com/2019/09/25/the-glory-of-the-lamb

Image Attributions
Triumphed Over the Grave – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-bible-gospel-3279901/
Rose Victorious – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/jesus-christ-god-holy-spirit-4779543/