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Is Your Soul Awake?

Awake My Soul and Sing

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

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 conclude our journey toward Easter transitioning from the cross to giving glory to the One who died there for us. In the first half of this stanza, we pondered the heavenly refrained and our ability to hear it.  In this second half, we ponder who we can join it, even in this season of isolation.  Let’s think about this.

Soul, Wake Up!

The heavens are declaring the glory of God.  And I do not mean the clouds and stars, I mean those around the the Lamb and His throne right now.  I hope you have taken some time already this week and quite your heart and soul to listen.  If not, check out the Tuesday Tunings with video that creates some space or the Wednesday Wanderings with the soul care exercise and do that. I would contend that before you can really join it, you have to hear it.

Either way, you may still be asleep.  I do not mean physical sleep, but spiritual.  The heavenly anthem may seem like something from a dream, and in a sense it is.  But it can be a daydream you engage with vocally.  The hymn writer is doing what the Psalmists often do when he speaks to his soul to wake up, but then he is speaking about joining the song with his voice, and I believe his life.

Of Him Who Died for Thee

Awake, my soul and sing Of Him Who died for thee,

We can join that song with this life, as certainly as we will with the one to come.  Because of what Jesus accomplished that week in Jerusalem we will enjoy an eternal city where among among other things we will sing to the One who died for us…and rose again!  Because He rose, so shall we if we die before His return.  That is the promise of the Old and New Testaments alike.

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! Isaiah 26:19a ESV

So don’t wait until you rise form the dead to join the praise of the firstborn from among them.  Join it now! Find some expression of worship and send it up.

RESONATE!
As Easter approaches, it is obvious our worship will be different than usual.  The big pageants and presentations are not possible so you can not just get in your car and drive to one.  But there are many very accessible opportunities to join others online if you do not possess the ability to accompany your praise.  Even if you are alone, determine now you will awaken your soul on Easter, and even before, and join the eternal refrain.  Take a few moments now and make your plan.

And Sing!

And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

Hail means to cheer, salute, or greet; welcome, acclaim; approve enthusiactically.  That creates a very clear framework for what our writer is encouraging us to do as we lift our songs to the One who died for us.  Would your songs be characterized this way?  Sure, when we are together it might be a little easier, but do not let our separation hinder you from offering your praise with some energy.

Hail Him as Thy Matchless King

That speaks of the passion of our praise, but let us look for just a moment once again at the focus of it, Jesus.  Having a clear mental image of Who He is instructs our praise.  I would dare say even inspires it.

And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood Revelation 1:5 ESV

John’s description of Jesus is well, inspiring!  Jesus faithfully bore witness to the reality of God.  He was the first one to rise from the dead victorious over sin, and we shall be like Him in that. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth, over all of them, having authority not one of them, or even all of them combined possess.  King of Kings!  AND He loves us, demonstrating that by freeing us from our sins by His blood!  Hallelujah! and Amen!!

There is no one like Jesus, worthy of our praise.  Never has been.  Never will be.  And never is a very long time. But it is very safe to say His praise will NEVER end. Will you be a part of it?  Today and every day for the rest of eternity? I certainly hope so. I know I will be. Praise His name!

RESONATE!
So I challenged you to prepare for this very unusual Easter celebration, but I encourage you to get started before that. How will you praise Him today? Sing along with your favorite worship song? Sing down with some instrument and accompany your praise?  Gather with your family and sing? Find one of the many streams online and join in? Whatever tool you use, pick it up today and get your eternal song going.  He is worthy.

Jesus, thank You for giving us something to sing about today and every day.  Thanks You for the challenge to wake up from our worship slumber and give You glory.  Help me today to discover some tool that will encourage me, and empower me to us it and others regularly.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Eternal 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 16.1 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.

Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne;

His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. Revelation 19:12 ESV

This describes Jesus, riding His white Horse, and called Faithful and True and The Word of God. Before we admonish others to crown Him, we must be willing to do it ourselves.  Tell Him that He is worthy of all the crowns we could ever bring, Jesus the Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own!

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders 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, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:11-12 ESV

How I look forward to lifting my voice in that eternal song!  They are singing even now. Join them and tell Him He is worthy!

Awake, my soul and sing Of Him Who died for thee,

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! Isaiah 26:19a ESV

Because of what Jesus accomplished that week in Jerusalem we will enjoy an eternal city where we will sing to the One who died for us and rose again.  Awaken your soul to give praise to Jesus for this promise of life beyond the grave even in the Old Testament! 

And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood Revelation 1:5 ESV

This is the One we hail as the matchless King. May our souls never grow weary in this lifetime of declaring the fullness of Who He is.  Glory hallelujah! Crown Him with many crowns, Jesus, the ruler of kings on earth!

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 with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

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 Is Your Soul Awake? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Awake My Soul and Sing – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-praying-believing-god-person-571715/
Of Him Who Died for Thee – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/art-artistic-painting-digital-1703880/
Hail Him as Thy Matchless King – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-christ-statue-sea-pigeons-2744230/

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Why Should We Sing Heartily?

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

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we considered the Old Rugged Cross and the the meaning of  being True to the Cross. This week we begin our journey through another hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns and another set of powerful truths. 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.”

Conquering King

PROMISE: Revelation 6:2 ESV  And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

As we prepare to look into the words of this great hymn, we set the context by considering the words of Scripture that describe this One who is worthy to be crowned.  Even as we do, invite the Holy Spirit to come and reveal Him to you for we simply lack the capacity to fathom the riches and wonder of all that He is.  Look at this image and read those words again as you prepare to instruct your soul to crown Jesus with many crowns today.

PSALM: Crown Him with Many Crowns was written by 1852 by Matthew Bridges.

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

Matthews Bridges, author of Crown Him with Many Crowns having listened for the heavenly anthems heralding the honors of Christ endeavored to awaken his soul to join in the eternal refrain. Jesus is indeed worthy of of the crowns and the praise we could ever bring, but there is another reason we should offer it to Him. It changes us. Giving praise to our matchless King reorients our life to Him, His ways, and His purposes, as it revolutionizes our perspective on the every aspect of our lives, including even the pandemic we find ourselves in today.

PARABLE: Why should I awaken my soul to sing? As a worship leader I have often looked out at a group of people and spotted those who were reluctant or struggling to sing.  I realized that part of my responsibility to them and our Lord was to help them sing, and to do so without admonishing or exhorting them in a heavy-handed, guilt inducing way.  Instead, I always tried to offer encouragement to the weary traveler and modeled hearty singing as I offered my own worship to Jesus.

Singing

Often I would think of the singing instructions that John Wesley wrote to encourage those who were finding his teachings to stir their souls.  His brother Charles wrote some great hymns to give them fresh expressions of the ancient faith they were experiencing.  We even examined one of his best known following last Easter here at Resonant 7, Christ the Lord is Risen Today.   Here is the first of those blogs.

Though I appreciate all of John’s words in his Directions for Singing which you can find here, This is probably my favorite, at least today.

IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.

So does that describe your singing?  I certainly want it to describe mine!  Why?  Because Jesus is worthy of that praise, and offering it changes me and my perspective.  When was the last time you sang lustily and with good courage?  Maybe cooped up at home makes it harder for you, but I want to encourage you, put on a song and join in today, and certainly Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection.

PONDER and WANDER:  If you choose, Ponder the questions: Might there be another aspect of lifting my soul to sing I am truly missing these days?  

I would say yes.  We are missing the communal aspect of our singing.  It is something we do together infrequently in society outside of church and the Star-Spangled Banner, but it was encouraging to see Italians singing from their apartments a few weeks ago.  Singing is a powerful medium for our souls, but singing together is even more so.

You probably already now that is true but check out this short video for some of the why…

Soul care training exercise: We find safety and comfort when we sing together.  We need singing together now more than ever, but we are isolated.  I think those first church services when we can come back together are going to be filled with some incredible singing by God’s people.

If you choose, complete this week’s soul training exercise and consider taking time to be transparent with Christ. 

  • Singing Together

    When you are ready, clear your mind and focus on being authentic with Christ.

  • Next, allow the Holy Spirit to stir your soul to give Him praise for He is worthy.  Pray something like “Help me find my voice in this time of isolation Lord.  Help me discover new ways to lift my soul to praise Your name.”
  • Then, begin to pray with the confidence of Christ. Acknowledge the longing, even God develops it in You, to offer your courageous praise among His gathered people. Say, “Give me a newfound courage to offer praise to You when I can be among Your people again.”
  • Lastly, ask for patience. Say, “Even as I long for that to come when I can offer praise to You with Your people, give me the patience to wait for it and until then welcome Your work in me.”

PRAYER: Father, thank You for giving me a reason to sing. Help me find my voice in these quiet days, and anticipate offering my praise with your people once again. May I develop in this unusual season and even greater courage and desire to sing lustily for the glory of Your name, and may it continue to transform me from the inside out. In Jesus worthy name I pray.  Amen.

PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your mind of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to thank our loving God for the many crowns that Jesus is worthy to wear. 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 Why Should We Sing Heartily? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image attributions:
Conquering King – https://henrytrocino.wordpress.com/2018/02/04/jesus-is-called-faithful-and-true/
Singing – https://pixabay.com/vectors/singing-kids-child-group-children-304617/
Singing Together – https://pixabay.com/vectors/singing-kids-child-group-children-304617/

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Can I Hear the Heavenly Anthem?

Many Crowns

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

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 conclude our journey to the old rugged cross this week as we consider this heavenly anthem.  In the first half of this stanza, we will examine our commitment to being true to the cross, even when it costs us.  In preparation for making such a statement, we must carefully consider the price.  Let’s tune our hearts.

Crown Jesus

Let us be clear from these opening words.  The Him we are referring to here is Jesus.  Unequivocally Jesus!  Only ever Jesus.

Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon His throne;

If you have come to know Jesus, this seems like a very reasonable thing to do, not only in the throne room of heaven, but here on earth as well.  In our praises, in our thoughts, in our convictions, to esteem or laud Him above all others. Most believers would offer a hearty “Amen!”

Consider any number of the accounts of who He is in the Scriptures, even just the book of Revelation.  The Lamb upon His Throne [Revelation 7:17]. The Alpha and the Omega [Revelation 22:13]. The faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, and he ruler of the kings of earth [Revelation 1:5]. Consider how He is described in the this passage.

His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. Revelation 19:12 ESV

The larger context of this passage describes Jesus, called Faithful and True and The Word if God, riding His white Horse.  This is the One we are admonishing one another to crown.  Before we do that, though, we must be willing to do it ourselves.  But it is sometimes not as easy as it may seem when reading these passages.  Let us provide a little context.

You watch the news.  You see the realities of this pandemic broadcast near and far.  Most of the stories told create a bleak picture.  You have a conversation with family members, maybe through Zoom or some other forum, and they are visibly worried and shaken by the startling realties of  COVID-19.  

Now, crown Him with many crowns. Before you exhort them to do so, you must have made the choice to do so yourself.  Ready?

RESONATE!
If you have clicked through to this post, watched the video, or at least read this far, I am certain you are ready to crown Him.  I applaud you for that commitment.  You can not do it in your own strength, but here is the good news, you do not have to.  Ask the One, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, to help you, and do so with the confidence that He will.  He wants you to welcome others into crowning Him King of the corona virus and EVERYTHING else, and He will certainly help you to crown Him King of your own life on a continuing basis if you simply ask.  “Jesus, help me crown You King of my life!”

But First, Listen

Yes, listen.  That is what “hark” means.  What a great example of a word from our hymns that we do not readily use today, which has a clear and compelling meaning and usage.

Heavenly Anthem

You probably are most familiar singing this word in the Christmas carol, “Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing”.  Interesting to note, both in that title and in this line, “hark” is followed by an exclamation point!  Listen!

Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own!

How often do we fail to do that, though?  We sing that word, and then do not do it.  I like to take words literally, so at times when leading worship, I have had people stop singing and do what we have just instructed each other to so.  Some examples include kneeling down, lifting hands, or being silent.  I do not recall ever doing something like that with “hark”, but that is exactly what I am going to invite you to do.

First, I want you to read this passage which includes a quote of some of that “heavenly anthem”. Pay special attention to those words and prepare to listen.

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders 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, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:11-12 ESV

So here is your exercise.  Before you can resonate, you have to let the song come to you.  Resonance is a passive activity in some ways, but we can take an active part in it by getting quiet and still enough to let it happen.  In this unusual season, I pray you can find some time to…listen.

RESONATE!
I want to ask you to get as quiet as you can. I want to encourage you to listen with your heart. You know there is praise being offered to Jesus around His throne right now.  Ask Him to help you hear that.  Will you hear it with your ears? Probably not. But I pray you will be able to hear it with your heart.  He is worthy!

Jesus, thank You for living a life that made You worthy of being crowned with every crown we could ever bring. Even now that is happening. Give us the ability in our hearts to listen to that praise, and enable us to join it.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Attentive 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 16.1 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.

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, so He is worthy of every crown we could give Him.  Here we begin by crowning Him as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. An appropriate place for us to start, declaring His forgiveness.  Thank Him for being the Lamb.

I am a lover of music.  It is such a powerful tool God has given us to declare His praise.  Here, we are invited to consider how the anthem of heaven, offered to the Lamb, drowns out all other music.  Oh that we would have ears to hear the praises being offered even now. Listen.

And not just listen, but once you can make it out, join it.  Our heart cries to our soul to wake up from its slumber and sing to the One who has died for us.  What a wonderful reminder to not only be alert to hear the praise but enter into it. Are you awake?  Sing from your soul.

And not just sing, but declare Him with your lips and your life as Your matchless King, now and throughout all eternity.  There is truly no one like Jesus. Will you commit again today to give Him the praise that only He deserves? Crown Him with all the praise you can muster.

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 Can I Hear the Heavenly Anthem? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Many Crowns – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/seamless-tile-repeat-pattern-1082986/
Heavenly Anthem – https://pixabay.com/photos/figure-art-angel-sculpture-metal-749713/

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Does Your “Someday” Influence Your Everyday?

He’ll Call Me Someday

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

The Old Rugged Cross (1913)
By: George Bennard 1873 – 1958

Listen to this simple piano version as you read. 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 conclude our journey toward Easter pondering the cross one last time. In the first half of this stanza, we considered the shame and reproach we are likely to bear as we remain true to the cross.  In this second half, we look forward to what lies ahead for all who do.  Let’s think about this.

Someday

Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,

It can seem so far away at times.  Like it will never come.  The promised reward of following Jesus.  But someday can happen sooner than you think.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

Many have heard this passage used in the context of a funeral.  In that setting, the words of Jesus take advantage of that stark reminder of the brevity of life to point us to the reality that there is more beyond what we see, and a particularly good something, for those who are trusting in Him.

It comes home when the prospect or reality of death knocks on your front door.  I received a text today informing me that a childhood friend tested positive with COVID-19.  She is a healthcare worker.  She is the first person I know personally who has tested positive.  That makes this entire thing seem so more real.

Think about the last loss you had to grieve.  What did it make you feel about your own end?  How did you respond to it at the time?

Jesus offers incredible hope to those who trust in Him.  Someday when our end comes, whether we breathe our last on earth or He breaks through the clouds, we will go to a very real place that He has prepared for us. Home.  Eternally. With Him.

RESONATE!
I asked you to recall your last brush with death. Think on it once more. As that day approaches, do you have peace?  The cross offers you peace.  Have you received it?  If so, have you lost it amidst this pandemic or maybe even before?  You can reclaim it today.  Ask Jesus to usher it into your life again today.  Take a few moments to let Him speak those words to you from John 14.

Everyday

Where His glory forever I’ll share.

His Glory Forever I’ll Share

Having arrived in His glory will be an experience we can not even imagine.  “I Can Not Even Imagine” That’s my preferred title for the song “I Can Only Imagine” which I have often sung at funerals since it allows us to ponder how we will respond to arriving in glory by asking a series of questions.  Still the questions remain for us even now, for we are being transformed here in response to what Jesus has done on the cross and in preparation for that place.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 2 Corinthians 3:18a ESV

The truly remarkable thing to consider in this final line of the hymn is not only that because of the cross we will be welcomed into the glory of the Lord, but we will somehow share it with Him, forever. What?!?  I have a hard enough time fathoming my welcome, let only that privilege once I arrive.

I believe it is more than a nice poetic idea, which is what many lines from our hymnody can easily be reduced to.  I believe it is true.  If you can accept that, I want to invite you to think about it for just a minute longer.  

We are being made like Him even here.  That work will be completed when we arrive in glory.  We are beholding the glory of the Lord now as through a glass dimly, but then we will be face-to-face, unveiled.  How much better will our reflection be then for those reasons!

Even still this is an almost unfathomable mystery.  We, who have been redeemed by His work on the cross, will share in the glory of our Redeemer eternally. Not only welcomed in, but sharing His glory Hallelujah!  What a motivation to praise and glorified living that is!

And not only in His presence, but somehow sharing His glory, beholding it and then being transformed to reflect it.  What a glorious existence that will be, and it starts here and now. Ask Jesus to help you reflect His glory to a world that needs to see it, until you see Him.

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder what your arrival in glory will be like.  Jesus wrapping His nail-scarred hands around you in a full embrace.  How does the wonder of that welcome influence your living today?  Draw encouragement and power from that hope.  Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to live in these uncertain days reflecting the certainty of the ones that are coming!

Jesus, thank You for the promise that you will call me home someday.  As I anticipate that day, help me to live these days in a way that brings that glory into them so others may see the hope I have in You. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Hopeful 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 15.4 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.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 ESV

Oh that we would learn the power of this commitment, to boast only in the cross. If we have been crucified to the world, and we have, then why do we boast of things that will impress the world?  Jesus, help us to boast only in Your cross. Today and everyday. Hallelujah!

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 ESV

When we bear the cross, not one of our own design, but His cross, we will bear shame and reproach from some, as did this hymn writer.  We want to be His disciples, so we really have no choice. We must bear the cross. Jesus, this is not easy. Please help us. Help me today.

Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

And if the freedom to live this life to bring glory to the One who set us free from the real shame of our sin were not enough, there is the promise of a far better life waiting for us.  A life lived in the very presence of Jesus, in the place He has been preparing for us. Thank you, Jesus!

Where His glory forever I’ll share.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 2 Corinthians 3:18a ESV

And not only in His presence, but somehow sharing His glory, beholding it and then being transformed to reflect it.  What a glorious existence that will be, and it starts here and now. Ask Jesus to help you reflect His glory to a world that needs to see it, until you see Him.

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.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

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 Does Your “Someday” Influence Your Everyday? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
He’ll Call Me Someday – https://pixabay.com/photos/inspiration-heaven-spirituality-2706594/
His Glory Forever I’ll Share – https://www.marylutyndall.com/2018/03/what-happens-in-heaven-when-you-pray.html

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Set Apart, But For What?

Jesus Suffered and Died

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

The Old Rugged Cross (1913)
By: George Bennard 1873 – 1958

Listen to this simple piano version as you read. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

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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 began our journey toward Easter a few weeks as we pondered the cross. In the first half of this stanza, reflected on the blood and the beauty, these two things mingled down.  In this second half, we remember what Jesus accomplished on that cross and how.  Let’s think about this.

The Old Truth

The beauty the cross reveals to us is simply this: the King of all suffered and died to pardon and sanctify us.

For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

He was righteous, and we were not.  We deserved to be punished for our sins, He did not.  Our sins had separated us from God, so He chose to be separated in our place.  We could have never brought ourselves to God, so He did.  Our response must be to put to death the things that would keep us from coming daily, that we may be made alive in the spirit as He was.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV

So what will your response be today?  We are facing a pandemic.  There is uncertainty and fear abounding.  We are called to be light in this darkness.  How will you do that?  How will you live for Jesus today?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder how Jesus laid down His life for us.  He put everything aside that was rightfully His to make it all ours.  Think about that. (Pause) How can you mimic that in your life in these unusual days?  There are some lessons to be learned now that will allow us each to be better reflectors of the love and life of Christ.  Ask Him to show you one today and then pray for the ability to make it a part of your living.

Finding New Expression

So as forgiven or pardoned people, we are free to live differently than before.

Think about someone awaiting the punishment of their crime.  Waiting day after day for the execution of judgment, whatever form that might take.  Do you see the prisoner sitting there on the edge of the bed?  Look closely. Can you see the prisoner is you?

Pardon and Sanctify

To pardon and sanctify me.

What is the point of His pardoning you?  Just your own freedom?  Hardly.

Being sanctified means “set apart”.  God has given His Son to pardon you so that you could be forgiven or pardoned AND sanctified.  What purposes do you imagine you have been set apart for? His purposes, of course.  And what are those?  Pardoning as many as will believe, so rich is His grace to us.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV

We have been redeemed.  We have forgiveness.  All grace.

Now what?

Be Resonant…so that along the way many may join your song of worship to the One who set you free.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder how you can respond to your pardon and sanctification today.  You are forgiven.  That forgiveness sets you apart for God’s purposes or redemption.  What will that look like today as you share that with someone else in your unique way along your journey?  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you and empower you to do it.

Jesus, thank You for binging this old truth alive in my life. I pray by Your grace and for Your glory it may find new expression in these challenging days. Help me cling to that old rugged cross. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Illuminated Thinking!

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Podcast 15.3 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.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.  Colossians 1:20 NKJV

His blood.  He shed it to cover us, and our sins.  Only His blood could do it, and He loved us enough to offer it to make peace between the Father and us.  Amazing! Think about that sacrifice and what you need covered today. Then receive it and give Him praise.

A wondrous beauty I see,

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV

Others see bitter wounds but we see a wondrous beauty.  The cross invites us to die to sin and live to righteousness, following the example of Jesus who died for sin after living the only righteous life.  Is that what you see when you look at the cross?  Ask for eyes to see.  

For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18 ESV

Jesus suffered and died.  Close your eyes and imagine His body hanging on that cursed tree.  Hanging there for you and me. Put to death in the flesh that we could be made alive in the spirit.  As you come to God today, what needs to die that you may truly live?

To pardon and sanctify me.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 ESV

Forgiven and set apart by His finished work on the cross, and all according to the riches of His grace.  When you think of what you need to die to today, and what you have needed to die to before, I pray you are amazed at His great love for you.  Thank Him for it once more right now.

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.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

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 Set Apart, But For What? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Jesus Suffered and Died – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-crucifix-christ-cross-faith-753063/
Pardon and Sanctify – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-4433376/

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