Blogs - Resonant 7

May 19, 2022 by smattern Leave a Comment

Great Reasons to Give Him Glory, Part 2

To God be the glory great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in

To God Be the Glory 1875
By: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

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

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant! Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!! 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.

As we continue our journey through this hymn of praise which serves as an encouragement and call to worship prepare to respond and give Him glory. Let’s think about this.

Life Yielded

Here is another great reason to glorify God: His willingness to be nailed to a cross.

Who wants to be nailed to a cross? Nobody, right? But that did not stop Jesus from going there.

When Jesus yielded His life it was for a very specific reason. It was only sacrifice that could make atonement for our sins. His perfect life was the only one that could pay for our sins, all of our sins.

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

…he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 NRSV

Atonement means we are made “at-one” with God again. When Jesus yielded His life as a sacrifice for our sins, that is what He accomplished: atonement. He did this for us, the whole world. Give Him praise for restoring your relationship to God through His sacrifice.

Jesus yielded His life so we who were separated from God by our sin could be made one with Him again. That is what Christ’s atoning sacrifice accomplishes: it makes us one with God again. Give praise to Jesus for making the miracle of atonement possible for us.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about Jesus yielding His life. His willingness to surrender to the Father’s will, even to the point of death, evokes praise from every willing heart. Pray the simple prayer, “Jesus, thank You for Your atoning sacrifice.“

Gate Opened

The yielding on His life evokes our praise, but when we realize the impact that surrender had we are compelled to worship Him. We were dead in our trespasses but Jesus opened up the gate so we are trespassing no more. Instead we are welcomed to pass from death to life.

And opened the life gate that all may go in

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

Christ made a way for all to go in. Though all may go in, not all will. Thank the Lord for making a way for you to enter the gate and find life. Then commit yourself again to helping others come to and enter the narrow gate that is Jesus Christ.

The life gate has been opened through His atoning sacrifice. The gate to destruction is wide and the road is easy, but Christ has made a better way so that none would perish. Unfortunately, many never find the gate and the way Jesus has made. Help as many as you can.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and give glory to God for the difference His sacrifice made. Be careful not to keep that to yourself. Pray this simple prayer, but only when you are ready for it to be answered. “Lord, help me help others find Your gate.“

Jesus, thank You for yielding Your life. If there is a reason to give You glory this is it. This one act of surrender changed everything. Help me live a grateful response every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grateful 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 41.1 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.

To God be the glory great things He has done

..our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:2-3 ESV

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

Nothing should prompt our praise more than the recollection of this simple fact: God loved us so much that He gave us His Son. He loves His Son, and yet He gave Him to us to demonstrate HIs love for us. Think about that for a moment and then give Him praise for many.

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

…he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 NRSV

And opened the life gate that all may go in

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 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 the Refrain.

Praise the Lord praise the Lord Let the earth hear His voice
Praise the Lord praise the Lord Let the people rejoice
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory great things He has done

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 Great Reasons to Give Him Glory, Part 2 appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/crucifixion-of-jesus-bible-story.html
And opened the life gate that all may go in – https://pixabay.com/photos/gate-field-fence-grass-green-419890/

May 17, 2022 by smattern Leave a Comment

Great Reasons to Give Him Glory, Part 1

**To God Be the Glory Great Things He Hath Done**

To God be the glory great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in

To God Be the Glory 1875
By: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

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

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we begin our journey through this hymn of praise which serves as an encouragement and call to worship prepare to respond and give Him glory. Let’s tune our hearts.

Creation

One does not have to look very far to see evidence of the great work God has done. Especially this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere when life is springing up everywhere. Stop and consider the handiwork of God in His creation, then give Him praise for it.

To God be the glory great things He has done

..our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:2-3 ESV

We echo the words of the Psalmist. The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad! When was the last time those words left your lips, when you were somewhere other than church and not signing a song? Today? Last week? Last month? We should be quick to give Him glory.

Yes He is worthy of glory for the great things He has done. The writer is issuing a call to worship. The question then becomes how will you respond to that call. Will you join it and echo it for all you have ears to hear or will you say a quiet “Amen” and keep it to yourself?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and give God glory for the great things He has done, particularly in creation. Tell Him you want to be faithful to give Him the glory He deserves. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, help me join and echo the call to worship.”

Re-creation

**So Loved He the World That He Gave Us His Son**

Not to be mistaken for “recreation”, re-creation is the work God does in restoring creation back to the status before the Fall. The only way He can do this is by dealing with sin. He chose to do that by sending His Son.

While we will look deeper into exactly how He accomplished that work in the second part of the hymn text on Thursday, let’s simply focus on the act of sending His Son. So often, we see the baby in the manger and we fail to connect that gift at Christmas with the finished work of Easter. He loved us so much that He was not willing to leave us in the state our sin had created. Instead, He chose to re-create us by dealing with our sin.

Enter Jesus…

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

We issue the call to worship because we want everyone to know that He gave us His Son as the most extravagant expression of His love for us. Many have heard the words of John 3:16 but only the Holy Spirit can bring glory from the one who accepts the truth of it.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider how God work or re-creating in you should prompt your praise. If it were not for the sending of His Son that would not even be possible. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Spirit, thank You for revealing Jesus to me.”

Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to be re-created. It prompts my praise like nothing else could. Help me give You glory every day. In Jesus’ name.

Re-created 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 41.1 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.

To God be the glory great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in

Yes He is worthy of glory for the great things He has done. The writer is issuing a call to worship. The question then becomes how will you respond to that call. Will you join it and echo it for all you have ears to hear or will you say a quiet “Amen” and keep it to yourself?

Jesus, help me join and echo the call to worship.

Spirit, thank You for revealing Jesus to me.

Jesus, thank You for Your atoning sacrifice.

Lord, help me help others find Your gate.

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 Great Reasons to Give Him Glory, Part 1 appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
To God be the glory great things He has done – https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/to-god-be-the-glory/
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son – https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=879173065484137&substory_index=0&id=537360552998725&_rdr

May 12, 2022 by smattern Leave a Comment

Like Him? Like Him! REPOST

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read. This is a nice instrumental ambient version.

Please enjoy this podcast and the transcript below.

On Tuesday we tuned our hearts with the wonder of what is in store for us one day we soar into the skies to join our Resurrected King! Today we are going to think again about how He accomplished that, and what the implications of that are for us. Glad you could join us as we ponder these things.

Exalted Head

When we go soaring on high we will do so by following our “exalted head”. There are a number of things that come to mind with these words. The first to ponder I believe is what does it mean by saying Christ is our head. Next how exactly He earned that exalted position. Finally, how we will follow.

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV

Jesus was the firstborn from among the dead, but many more will follow His lead. Those who will follow are His church, His blood-bought bride. They are the ones who are trusting Christ’s work to make us right with the Father. He is our Head, and we His body will follow Him, just like every body follows wherever its head goes. He has ascended to the Father, and so shall we.

But that right to ascend was not easily acquired, even though He had willingly and voluntarily laid down His glory to become one of us and perfectly obey the Father. When I think of Christ as head, my mind often goes to this translation of an old German hymn. It alludes to the glory He had laid down to walk among us, “once…bright as morn!”

O Sacred Head

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
Anonymous

That self-sacrifice not only paved the way for Christ’s exaltation, but shows us our path to follow as well. We must be willing to lay down our lives and take up our cross just like Jesus. This is what it means to follow our exalted Head. Though we will not be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, we must follow His example to deny our selves that we may fully pursue the path our Father has marked out for us.

Like Him

When there is repetition in any form of literature the author is always emphasizing something. It is a very deliberate choice to repeat the words “like Him” in this line. “Made like Him, like Him we rise.” Colossians 3:1, 4 puts it like this.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Since we have been made like Him in His resurrection, we will rise as He did, not only from the dead, but also on high to join Him in glory. As the last line says, “Our the cross, the grave, the skies”. We are made like Him so when He appears we will appear with Him in glory. What an incredible promise! But with it comes an exhortation to “seek the things that are above”.

So often we get mired in daily living, the rudiments of our earthly existence, that we forget we have something coming that far surpasses the best of these days. We must daily remind ourselves to “seek the things that are above”. How do we do that? By setting on mind on them, and allowing the reality of them to shape not only our thoughts but our behavior as well.

Reflect on the fact that you are made like Him, but acknowledge you would like to be more even more like Him. Then ask Jesus to show you today how you can practice that.

Jesus, thank You for making me like You. I know that I am a work in progress, but I welcome Your transforming power into my life today. Show me how I can be more like you today, even as I long to “appear with you in glory” one day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Deliberate 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.

Below is content available only to Subscribers. Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here. Or check out some samples at our Free Member Content Library. We have lots of tools and lots of options designed to help you be Resonant! Check them out today!!

Subscribers enjoy this podcast! Everyone else, the transcript below.

Podcast 40.4 Transcript (5.4 Replayed)

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.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

And when (Jesus) 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

This account is from the Ascension of Christ, when He was taken up into glory. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples many times, but this was the final time. He led the way and one day we will join Him. What if were today? Are you ready?

Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV

He was the firstborn from among the dead, but many more will follow. Who are they? His church, His blood-bought bride. All who are trusting Christ’s work to make us right with the Father. He is our Head, and we His body will follow Him. Are you following Him today?

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1, 4 ESV

Our having been raised with Christ, enables us to be made like Him in resurrection glory. Being made like Him ensures that we will appear with Him in glory. The wonders that await us are beyond comprehension. Thank Him for making you like Him.

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV

So let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. That makes it much easier to follow Him, and since we want the skies, like Him, we must take up our cross and die to ourselves, so we can live for Him. Ask Him to help you take up your cross today and die to sin.

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

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

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 Like Him? Like Him! REPOST appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Exalted Head – https://gfycat.com/speedyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5QgWH5GY1Uweakchrysalis
O Sacred Head – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326370304240768829/?lp=true
Made Like Him – https://gfycat.com/speedyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/easter/three-reasons-the-resurrection-is-important-today.html

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read. This is a nice instrumental ambient version.

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.

The first and last lines give us the opportunity to consider an interesting tension between the standing and experience of every believer. It is this simultaneous nature of the now and not yet that exist in our relationship with God, at least from our perspective. Take a few minutes and enter into the reality of this tension today.

Soar

First, let’s deal with this whole idea of soaring…

And when (Jesus) 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

It is very difficult for me to imagine what that moment must have been like for those disciples as they stood on that hill and witnesses Christ’s Ascension into heaven. I try to place myself in that moment. Those final words of instruction and inspiration. The goodbyes. The emotions. The tears.

But another moment is like it, both in the wonder of it and my inability to imagine it. One day we will soar with Christ! And not just in a poetic sense, but at the very least in an other-worldly, hard to imagine what it will really be like, enjoying the Kingdom of God in all it’s fulness kind of way. It will be so unlike our current existence that I am certain I do not have the capacity to conceive of it, yet I fully believe it will be true.

Why? Because I believe the chronology of the last line is equally true.

Cross, Grave, Skies

Second, let’s consider our path…

Jesus commands us to take up our cross daily in Luke 9:23. While this invitation certainly is declaring His path of self-denial, we vicariously experience each of this things through Christ’s obedience to the Father. In the next few verses Jesus talks about losing our lives for His sake, and goes on to allude to the opportunity to share in the glory of the Father if we embrace His teaching and way of life. Cross, death, glory looks a lot like cross, grave, skies.

And while our path will not be exactly like that of Jesus because we do not have to actually be crucified for the sins of the world because He already did that, our journey will have similar elements to it. Embracing the Father’s will and dying to ourselves that we might enjoy the benefits of those decisions.

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Time and Eternity

If we are going to follow Jesus, we are inspired to go all the way so we may share in all that Paul alludes to when he says this in Ephesians 2:6-7.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

What Christ accomplished in His crucifixion, death and resurrection is so certain that though it happened in the past, it is as if it has already happened in the future as far as God is concerned. Not only is this true because God’s will is such a definite thing, but there is another way that I like to think about it.

We are bound by time so what has not yet happened is impossible for us to experience. The same can not be said of God. Because He is eternal there is a sense in which everything is happening all at once for Him: creation, redemption and the re-creation, everything. It other words, for God everything is now. I like to refer to Him as the “Great Eternal NOW”!

For Him there is no such thing as not yet, because it is all now. For us there is a sense of not yet, because we are not soaring and neither the skies, or the grave for that matter, are ours yet. So, there is a sense in which our soaring is both now and not yet because for God it is now, and for us it is not yet.

What I hope is the result of imagining this is a deeper longing for the eternal perspective of things because I believe that shapes how we choose to live today, since eternity for us has already begun, even though we wrestle to grasp it.

Happy Tuning!

Jesus, thank You for accomplishing something in time that has changed eternity for me. Thank You that not only are the cross and the grave mine, but so shall the skies be. I believe I will soar. Help me live today like that is true, since it is. In Jesus name. Amen.

Like what you 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.

Video 40.4, 5.4 Reframed

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.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

After appearing many times to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus’ final appearance culminated with a grand exit. He ascended into the clouds, and in so doing led the way for us. Thank Him that one day you will follow Him, and soar to realms on high.

Jesus, thank You for allowing me to soar.

We are the Church, and Christ is our Leader, or Head. Where He goes, we will follow. That will never be more true than when He calls us home, either from our final resting place or our daily living. Are you ready to hear your name called? If so, praise Him! If not, why not?

Jesus, help me follow You.

Jesus rose in Resurrection glory. Whether we rise from a grave like Him or simply leave earth behind, we will be made like Him. Though our flesh is destined to decay, we will be raised incorruptible. Let that overwhelm your heart even now.

Jesus, overwhelm my heart.

He taught us to take up our cross, and we struggle to learn to deny ourselves daily. If He does not come back first, some of us may face the reality of the grave. Even still, all of us will follow Him into the clouds, the culmination of following His example. Ask Him to help you be ready.

Jesus, help me be ready.

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.

Image Attribution
Soar We Now – https://gfycat.com/speedyweakchrysalis
Beautiful Clouds – https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1014231293-beautiful-clouds-soar-across-sky
Cross Grave Skies – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/457256168391714578/?lp=true
Time Versus Infinity – https://www.pinkcatshop.com/decor343-infinite-spiral-wall-clock.html