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Want To Be Like Angels? Choose to Fall Down!

Angelic Wings

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, Holy, Holy
By: Reginald Heber 1783–1826

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 began our journey through another great hymn this week.  In the first half of this stanza, we considered how to use today to prepare ourselves for eternity by considering the worship there now.  In the second half, we continue the consideration particularly in light of God’s eternal quality.  Let’s think about this.

Falling Down

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

From guarding the entrance to the paradise of Genesis to ever-circling His worship-evoking throne, angelic beings have been, are, and always will be a part of the fabric of the reality created by our God.  They were there when the morning stars sang their first song, and voiced their own praise at the birth of His Son.  In John’s vision in Revelation, they are central figures, and Isaiah also esteemed their work around the throne describing them this way:

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

Even though one might say their close proximity to God and the length of their tenure could possibly have the impact of their becoming a little casual in their service, nothing could be further from the truth.  Though they could use all six wings to fly, they only use two, the other four covering their face and feet, perspective and life.  Even they humble themselves.

Cherub

I do find it odd that though Scripture clearly states they have six wings, most of our images of them depict only two.  I wonder if the reason for that is we are comfortable with two because they would obviously use those to fly, but we are uncomfortable with the other four because they might force us to rethink our  approach to God.  My point is that I think we are often too casual when we come before the Lord God Almighty.

Angel Warrior

The other interesting thing is that often our images of angels make them out to be very docile, whereas, I think Scripture portrays them to be more powerful.  Cherubs are often chubby little winged cupid-like creatures shooting people in the heart with their arrows, whereas the Bible seems to portray a much more focused and determined image.  Let us be faithful to allow the Scriptures to teach us truth and not just a plethora of images.

Having said all that, the more important thing may be honestly considering their activity and responding to it in faith.  There are 282 occurrences of the word angel in the ESV and not one with the word fall as it is used in this stanza.  I do believe that the image created in the hymn is still an accurate one because those same angels are ever the servants and messengers of God.

When given the opportunity, the cherubim and seraphim humble themselves before God.  And we must do the same.  They dwell in His presence, and one day, so shall we.  Until then, we must find ways to humble ourselves before our Lord, and we must do so routinely.  How will you do that today?  Maybe you will not fall prostrate before God in worship, but you must find expressions that mirror that humble heart.

When given the opportunity to esteem yourself in a conversation, choose instead to esteem God.  When confronted with a choice of how to handle a circumstance your own way, pray and ask for God’s direction.  When afforded the chance to serve yourself, ask God how you may serve His purposes instead.  When you have the option to share your message or God’s, choose to be His messenger.  Use one of these or find your own way to humble yourself before God today.

For Good Reason

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

When given the alternative to honor God instead of yourself, you are going to be most effective if you have a clear sense of why you would make such a choice.  Though I think the most obvious is in response to the eternal life that trusting in Christ offers us, for this context, I will offer another more objective one.  I can choose to honor God based on the self-proclaimed reality of Who He is, not my personal feelings or opinions.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 ESV

Well, there you have it.  The Lord God declares Himself to be the beginning and the end, and everything in between.  This provides us with a solid reason to choose to honor Him.  

Because He is the first and the last, we can trust the Eternal, Almighty God, for there is nothing we face which surprises Him.  Whatever decisions you have to make today to honor Him, He already knows about them all and wants to help you.  So what is your choice?

You may already know a few choices that will be a part of your day, but there is no way you can know them all.  You can still make the choice to honor Him now.  That way, when those moments come, honoring Him will be much easier because your decision has already been made.  Will you commit to honor Him today, no matter what?  It is a decision you will never regret.  After all, the cherubim and seraphim haven’t.

Jesus, thank You for being the Alpha and the Omega.  It makes choosing to honor You much easier, but still sometimes it is difficult.  Thank You for the picture of  the angelic beings who fall down before You, and the inspiration that provides me to do the same.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Awe-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 14.2 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.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered…standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. Revelation 15:2 ESV

The saints referenced here are all those who have conquered, overcomers by the blood of the Lamb.  Though I believe we will engage in other pursuits, it is clear here that we will indeed play harps of God around the glassy sea.  Take a moment and imagine what that will be like.

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne…Revelation 4:10 ESV

Even those who are worthy of some honor, here symbolized by the wearing of crowns, will cast those symbols down when in the presence of the real royalty of the King of Kings.  What honor are you willing to lay down today if doing so will bring greater honor to God?

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

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

Even the angelic beings will humble themselves before Almighty God.  If they who were created as servants and messengers for God, existing forever in His presence, fall down before Him, so should we.  How will you humble yourself before Him today?

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 ESV

He is the beginning and the end, and everything in between.  We can trust the Eternal, Almighty God for there is nothing we face which surprises Him.  What are you facing today that has surprised you? Will you trust Him to get you through it?  Tell Him 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.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

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 Want To Be Like Angels? Choose to Fall Down! appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Angelic Wings – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/angel-wings-angelic-bird-2479771/
Cherub – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/angel-wings-angelic-bird-2479771/
Angel Warrior – https://pixabay.com/photos/angel-warrior-the-archangel-justice-4361856/

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Responding to Holy

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

Watch the Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.

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

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we considered R.E.A.L. Friends. This week we will consider our response to God’s holiness. 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: Isaiah 6:3

3 And one called out to another, saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is filled with His glory.”

Holy is not just an attribute of Jesus but it is His being. His name is Holy and declares a sacred response (Phillipians 2:10-11).

PSALM: Holy, Holy, Holy originally was written by Reginald Heber in 1826.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

It is meaningful that Heber chose to use the word Holy three times. God is Holy, Jesus is Holy, and the Holy Spirit is Holy. Jesus was holy in the past. He is holy in the present. He will be holy in the future. His majesty is worth repeating.

PARABLE: Jesus is sacred, set apart, and sovereign. Everything about Jesus is Holy. Therefore His love is holy. His grace is holy. His mercy is holy. His patience is holy, His kindness is holy. His actions are holy. The life of Jesus shows us what “holy” looks like. Jesus shows us that HOLY is being touchable, relatable, authentic, and vulnerable. Jesus is all of these things yet His deity remains holy and perfect. Jesus is worthy of a sacred and set apart response of adoration from all the saints.

PONDER and WANDER:  

If you choose, Ponder the questions: How do I respond to the Holiness of Jesus and show my adoration? 

We can respond to our Holy King Jesus through worship. February 14th is set aside to acknowledge those we love. Yet, how often do we set aside time to adore Jesus? In worship we touch His presence and we relate to Jesus by being authentic and vulnerable in our worship.  When is the last time you responded to the holiness of Jesus with unapologetic worship?

Soul care training exercise: Only things we water and nurture will grow. If we want to grow in our adoration to Jesus, we have to take time to bow before Him. 

If you choose, complete this week’s soul training exercise by setting aside time to worship Jesus in the beauty of His holiness. 

  • Take time to still your mind and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
  • When you are ready, drop to your knees before the throne of God.
  • Take a few minutes and listen to your favorite worship song that helps you experience the Presence of God.
  • Or you can click on the link to listen to the song I Worship You with All of Me
  • Then, let the consuming fire of God’s Presence bring you to your knees and worship our Holy King Jesus.

PRAYER:  Jesus, You are Holy. I want to be intentional about responding to Your holy love, Your holy mercy, Your holy grace, Your holy patience, and Your holy compassion. Help me to worship You with all of me, fall to my knees, and worship You in the beauty of Your holiness. In the Holy 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 thank our Holy King Jesus. 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 Responding to Holy appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image attributions:
Jesus is authentic: https://www.belovedwomen.org/blog/
Holy holy holy: https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-holy-spirit-4336337/with added text

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How to Use Today to Get Ready for Eternity

Fire Water

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, Holy, Holy
By: Reginald Heber 1783–1826

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

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

Everyone enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We continue our journey through another great hymn this week.  In the first half of this stanza, we consider the worship happening around the throne eternally, including right now. That current activity by those in God’s presence should inform how we live our lives today.  Let’s tune our hearts.

All the Saints

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

John’s vision as recorded in the book of Revelation gives us this incredible image of the saints on high adoring God.  Can you imagine what that must have looked like? It must have been so overwhelming to try to explain what he saw using words and concepts that an earthly mind can comprehend when it must have truly been incomprehensible.

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered…standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. Revelation 15:2 ESV

Sea of glass, mingled with fire. Water and flames somehow coming together.  This powerful imagery of opposites coming together forces our minds to go places beyond the normal.  And that is exactly what a glimpse into the dwelling place of God would be.   Beyond normal.

Harps of God

It is in this very unusual setting that we read “those who had conquered…with harps of God in their hands.”  The saints referenced here are all those who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb.  Though I believe we will engage in other pursuits, it seems clear here that we will indeed play harps of God around the glassy sea.

I think it is interesting that it does not say some of them had harps, simply that those who conquered…had.  So what do you think that will be like?  What do you think that will sound like?  Those who have conquered offering their praise to God collectively, all while standing around this sea of glass mingled with fire.

So what are the implications for us?  What does that have to do with us?  What difference does it make?  I have often contended that if praise is going to be at least a part of our eternal occupation, we should get prepared as much as we can before we get there.

The reality is God will give us what we need to praise Him in those days, but I also believe He does the same now and that there really is no good reason to wait.  If you have saving faith in Jesus Christ, then you are a saint.  How will you echo the conquerors’ eternal praise in your life today?    Think about it.  Commit to it.  Do it!

Laying Down Our Honors

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Revelation again is greatly symbolic.  With that said, our hymn writer here takes liberty and refers to saints casting down their crowns.  While Scripture refers to them as “elders,” the hymns takes a more poetic approach by calling those who will cast their crowns saints.  Those who cast their crowns are in a sense a specific group, and yet at the same time may very well be representative of a larger one.

The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne…Revelation 4:10 ESV

Glassy Sea

These twenty-four seem to be clearly human figures, all believers in God, possibly representing the church including its leaders, and certainly indicates they are somehow worthy of the honor of wearing crowns, which is not even said of the angels.  What an incredible thought!  We will get to fall down before the throne and worship Him.  

One fascinating aspect of this to me is the fact that even though these elders are given the honor of wearing a crown in the presence of the King of Kings, they willingly, and I would even say gladly, lay them down before His throne.  The use of the word cast, in both the Scripture and the hymn, seems to imply something.   Cast means to throw forcibly in a specific direction.  The emotion and intention of that is striking to me, and I would even say instructive.

If these elders are indeed believers, then we will possibly be counted amongst their number.  How can we learn from them?  What honors have you received that you are most proud of?  Would you be willing to cast them down at the feet of Jesus if doing so would bring Him greater honor than keeping them?

So, let’s practice that.  You may not have a crown, but each of us has things we have been honored to receive.  Think of a thing or two.  Now consider if you would be willing to lay them down, casting them before the throne, or would you be inclined to keep them as a badge of honor?  Seems pretty simple.  But what if laying them down today, not before His throne but somewhere else, would give honor to Jesus.  Careful before you answer.  You may have that opportunity today.

Jesus, thank You for giving me saving faith so that I may be among the conquerors.  I look froward to giving You praise around that glassy sea, and casting my crown at Your feet.  But until then, help me, even today, to use my life and the honors I have received to bring glory to Your name.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Worshipful 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 14.2 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.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

As the imagery of the worship around God’s throne continues to develop, we declare the reality that all the saints, from every tribe and tongue and nation, will give praise to the Lamb for the salvation He has made available through His blood.  Join their adoration right now.

Revelation 4 tells us that the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and cast their crowns before the throne.  Can you imagine what those moments will be like? All creation lining up to give glory to our God, and these crown-wearers throwing theirs down.  Humble yourself today.

From Genesis, through Isaiah and Ezekiel, all the way to Revelation, we read of these angelic creatures, ever the messengers of God.  We should follow their lead and fall down before God. Have you ever laid face down before our King? Will you do so today?

Here we pick up again the refrain of the four living creatures, attributed in the hymn to the cherubim and seraphim.  His eternal quality alone sets Him apart from everything else in all creation, which will rise up together one day to give Him alone all honor and glory. Worship God!

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 How to Use Today to Get Ready for Eternity appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Fire Water – https://bfksolutions.com/fire-and-water-acetone/
Harps of God – https://pixabay.com/vectors/lyre-lira-musical-instrument-29474/
Glassy Sea – https://www.endtime-insights.org/2019/09/the-sea-of-glass.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+endtime-insights%2FjDAn+%28Endtime+Insights%29

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Mercy or Might, Mystery or Certainty? Yes He Is!

Justice and Righteousness

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, Holy, Holy
By: Reginald Heber 1783–1826

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 lots of 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 began our journey through another great hymn this week.  In the first half of this stanza, we reminded ourselves of Who God is and committed to come early and often to give Him praise. In the second half we consider how He mingles mercy and might, and acknowledge the mystery of the Trinity.  Let’s think about this.

Mercy and Might

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

Because He is perfect in every way, His might is genuinely no surprise to most.  Just look at the wonder of creation, His power and glory on full display.  In yesterdays Wednesday Wandering we considered the force of a river and compared it to His holiness.  In our Tuesday Tuning we considered the advantages of coming early and often to One so worthy of our praise.  Today we are marveling at how He mingles that might with unparalleled mercy.

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 33:5 ESV

That Scripture sets our context, and gives expression to the image above.  In it we see depicted Lady Justice with her scales and Moses with the Ten Commandments.  One is from the ancient world, and another from God’s inspired word.  We introduce justice with that image simply to remind us that God balances His righteousness with justice.

He revealed His righteousness and our inability to mirror it in the Ten Commandments.  After all, Moses did not even get down the mountain before the Israelites had found a very obvious way to disobey God.  If we had been there we would have been just as guilty, for we certainly have been at other moments when we have allowed other things to draw our hearts from God.

But it is justice that is intriguing to me.  The image of Lady Justice with the scales in one hand, a sword in the other and the blindfold is a striking one.  Justice weighs between right and wrong and rules accordingly.  Justice speaks with authority.  Justice sees no favorites.  The Lady is a nice symbol, but God is the source of justice, setting what is right and also measuring each of us against it.

Merciful God

And here is where the mercy flows.  None of us can keep His just commands.  Weighed down with our wrongs not one of us is righteous.  He sees no favorites and those wrongs condemn us all equally.  Still He provides a way for us out from under the sword of justice. That way is the greatest expression of mercy the world has ever known.

He sent His Son into a broken world to put it back together by satisfying justice with His sacrifice.  Jesus mingled mercy and might by becoming sin for us, then overcoming it.  He sends the Holy Spirit to bind up the bruised and worn.  Give the Father praise for His mercy and His might! 

Mystery and Certainty

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Who is this holy God?  He is at once Father, Son and Spirit.  The Godhead, three-in-one.

Trinity

This is a glorious mystery.  But it is equally a certainty.  We can not really fathom how God can be three distinct Persons, and yet One.  Our feeble minds can not really conceive of how that happens.  Mystery.

We use illustrations like the fact that one person can be a father, a brother, and a son.  But they are the same person in different roles, whereas God is distinctly three Persons somehow united as One.  Certainty.

The Father speaks.  The Son is the Incarnate Word, the Word made flesh.  The Spirit teaches or imparts that Word to human hearts.  Three distinct roles, One God.  Mystery.

Though the Scripture never uses the word Trinity, verses like this among others demonstrate the veracity of this truth.  Certainty.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV

Though the thrice repeated holy from our hymn is sometimes explained as being a literary device to communicate the certainty of a point, emphatically declaring it three times, there is another explanation I believe.  One could just as well say, Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, God is three Persons.  Give Him thanks thanks for His grace, love and fellowship woven together perfectly for you everyday and forever.

Jesus, thank You for not only balancing mercy and might, but also mystery and certainty.  There is truly no one like You.  Help me to live with mystery and certainty, even as I marvel at how You are both mighty and merciful to me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Awe-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 14.1 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.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:8 ESV

Isaiah 6 also echoes this eternal refrain, and you are welcome to join it as well.  He was holy and Almighty, He is, and He always will be. Lift your voice with the living creatures and give praise to our Lord God now, and forevermore.

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. Psalm 59:16a ESV

Singers will tell you it is not easy to sing in the morning, but once you have warmed up you are good to go.  Consider that early morning praise to be your warmup for the day. It is not meant to suffice, but simply to get you started, so you can praise all day.  What are you waiting for?

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 33:5 ESV

It is amazing to me how our Lord blends these two characteristics, mercy and might.  There is none so mighty, yet there is also none so merciful. What do you need from Him today?  Mercy or might. Ask Him now, then give Him praise for His ability to give it, no matter what you need.

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV

Holy Father, holy Son, Holy Spirit, three distinct persons, one God.  We marvel at the certainty and mystery of the Trinity. Give Him thanks thanks for His grace, love and fellowship woven together perfectly for you everyday and forever.

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.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

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 Mercy or Might, Mystery or Certainty? Yes He Is! appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Justice and Rightesouness – https://pixabay.com/photos/justitia-goddess-goddess-of-justice-2638651/
Merciful God – https://pixabay.com/photos/harmony-world-peace-dove-hope-3788209/
Trinity – https://pixabay.com/photos/bible-holy-spirit-jesus-hope-29894

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Wading into a River of Holiness

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 and examine one word: transcendent.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering, we considered the R.E.A.L. friendship. This week we will consider the transcendent quality of God’s holiness.  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.”

River – City

PROMISE: Psalm 46:4  (ESV)

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

The city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.  This is the setting of our hymn this week.  And I would like you to imagine the river whose streams make glad that is city flow as the holiness of God pours forth from His eternal throne.  Think about how powerful a river is, and how it can wash away whatever stands in its path.  These qualities are true of God’s holiness and we are going to allow our imagining of a river of holiness to lift our understanding of this transcendent quality of God.   

PSALM: Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty originally was written by Reginald Heber in 1826.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

A river is powerful.  But a river in the city of the Lord God Almighty…how powerful might that me.  Especially a river that makes the city glad.  Let’s wander along that river.

PARABLE:  

So the image above depicts a river flowing through a city.  Often cities are built around bodies of water.  They were used for transport and commerce as well as a source of water which is crucial to life.  It is no surprise then that a river would be the source of gladness in the city of God.

But let us imagine in the city of God that this river is not an ordinary river.  The wording of this Scripture can be taken a couple ways.

  1. That the city of God is the holy habitation
  2. That the river is the holy habitation

I think both may be true.

Certainly the former is, but what if the second is as well.  What if this river flowing through the city is in and of itself a holy habitation of the Most High?  What if God dwells in the river and spreads something of Himself as far as its streams flow?  What if everywhere those streams go there is a gladness that flows forth from God that can be replicated in nothing else?  What if His holiness is conveyed in those waters?

Imagine walking beside such a powerful river.  Imagine how refreshing it would be to quench the thirst of your soul with its waters.  Imagine how restoring it would be to immerse yourself fully in its cleaning flow.

Are you getting the picture?  What is keeping your from wading into this river?  The current may seem overwhelming, but it is safe.  Take a few moments and put your toes in.  Then your ankles.  Go as far as you are comfortable.  Thank God for the access He has provided through His Son, and go deep if you are willing.  Let is sweep you along as you soak in the gladness of the Lord God Almighty.

PONDER and WANDER:  

If you choose, Ponder the questions: What is keeping me from stepping into the river?  How might I go a little deeper today?

Soul care training exercise: 

Imagine you are on the banks of this cleansing river.  Jesus has brought you to it and made it accessible to you.  All you have to do is step in.  Maybe your river looks a little different that the one above.  Maybe it looks more like the one below.  Close your eyes and imagine Jesus inviting you to step into that river with Him.  Take some time to consider this exercise.

  • River

    Take time to still your soul and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

  • Ask Him to let you see what might be keeping you dry.
    • Is it the expectations of others?
    • Is it your own complacency?
    • Is it a lack of faith in its power?
    • Is it something else.
  • Look at the river. Do you realize you have access to it?  There is nothing stopping you.  The Lamb of God has paid the price and you can enter.  Will you step into it today?
  • How will you take that next step into the river today and find cleansing?

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank You for leading me to this powerful cleansing river that is the holiness of God.  I could never have found it without Your help, and could never have accessed it without Your sacrifice.  Empower me to step into it early every day, and then abide in it.  I can not do this on my own.  Thank You in advance for helping me. Amen. 

PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your soul of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to thank God for the river of His holiness. 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 Wading into a River of Holiness appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image attributions:
River City – https://pixabay.com/photos/budapest-bridge-water-chain-bridge-525857/
River – https://pixabay.com/photos/autumn-landscape-nature-golden-219972/

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