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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.

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 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!

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 15.3 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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What Needs Covered Today?

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 concept of being despised because of our association with it. This week we will consider the beautiful grace that flows down from the cross and what it accomplishes. 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.”

Grace Flows Down

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

The Old Rugged Cross invites us to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the grace that flows down from it which covers our sin and shame.  His blood accomplishes our redemption, ushering in forgiveness for every wrong, and all this according to His grace.  We get what we could have never deserved.  The cross reminds us of this remarkable truth.

PSALM: The Old Rugged Cross was written by 1912 by Evangelist and song leader George Bennard who was a native of Youngstown, Ohio.

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 one day for a crown

And Covers Me

PARABLE: So what is your story and how does it relate to the cross today?  Maybe you first experienced the flow of grace year ago and have learned to walk in its mighty streams.  Maybe you are just beginning to realize just how great that grace was which you have received for the first time only recently.  Wherever you are in that continuum, you need His grace today.

We know that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23) But we must acknowledge that as long as we are on this side of glory, the temptations of the flesh remain very real.  We are all guilty of choosing our own desires over God’s at times, some of those times being after we have been pardoned and sanctified.  It is the difference of our standing before God and our experience of it.

For as much as we endeavor to live cherishing the old rugged cross, there are times when the allure of other things pull us away.  We cling to the cross with one hand and reach for something else with the other.

What is your something else?  What competes with the cross in your heart?

PONDER and WANDER:  If you choose, Ponder the question: What do I need His blood to cover today, or this season?

Thankfully, it already has and it will.  When Jesus died for you, He was paying for everything wrong you would ever do.   Everything.  You are covered.  That is good news.

It reminds me of the words of another song, Grace Glows Down.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
Amazing love
Now flowing down
From hands and feet
That were nailed to the tree
As grace flows down and covers me

It covers me
It covers me
It covers me
And it covers me

Soul care training exercise: I invite you to take some time to let His grace cover you today. 

If you choose, complete this week’s soul training exercise by setting aside time to think about what needs covered.  Maybe listen to Grace Flows Down as you are praying, or just reflect on the text.

  • When you are ready, clear your mind and focus on the pardon of the cross.
  • Next, allow the Holy Spirit to bring the guilt of any unconfessed sin from deep within your soul.
  • Begin to ask for forgiveness. List the things that come to mind and believe that Jesus has covered them.  Declare that in faith  as things come to mind.
  • Then, thank God for covering you.
  • Lastly, ask Him for the strength to walk in that flow.

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank You for giving your life for me knowing I would sin, even after I have been pardoned.  Sanctify me by continuing to invite me into a life of surrender where I cherish your cross above all the things that might otherwise tempt me to choose my way.  Empower me to cling to my cross, until the day I exchange it for a crown.  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 Old Rugged Cross. 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 What Needs Covered Today? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image attributions
Grace Flows Down – https://www.dreamstime.com/christ-cross-shining-sun-heart-drops-water-blood-image149917168
And Covers Me – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/guilty-imprisonment-for-debt-sinful-3096227/

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Can You See the Blood and the Beauty?

Blood-Stained Cross

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 video below.

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

Everyone enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We continue our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross.  In the first half of this stanza, we will examine the blood of the cross to find its beauty.  We can see it with eyes of faith, if we will try.  Let’s tune our hearts.

Blood-Stained Cross

I was surprised to find so few images when I began to look for one to represent the blood-stained cross.  I found many crosses, even among the sites where I find most of my royalty-free images, but very few with blood.  As I continued to search, it occurred to me that the cross stained with blood rails against our flesh so much that even we as Christians tend to sanitize this symbol.

Imagine a blank canvas.  Begin to think of the cross.  What do you see?  Woodgrain?  Cross-beam? How about the backdrop?  What comes to mind for the setting?  Can you see the nails?  Now be honest, is there any blood?

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

But it had to be.  He had to shed His blood to cover 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!

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

RESONATE!
Think about His blood shed on the cross for you.  It has covered your sins.  What sins need covered today?  Receive that precious gift.  Even the things you have not done are covered.  Give Him praise.

Wondrous Beauty

Wondrous Beauty

Once we are able to see the blood on the cross not only as a necessary part, but a welcome one, we are situated to behold the wondrous beauty of it.  Only faith can give us eyes to see this.  Do you have these eyes of faith?

A wondrous beauty I see,

The world looks at the cross and sees the bitter wounds it inflicted on our Savior.  We see them, and so much more.  We see the sacrifice that covers our sin.  We see an invitation to die to sin.  We see the power to live for righteousness, even if it costs us our lives.

When you realize the blood Jesus shed on that cross -and the wounds that caused it to flow down upon your life- have brought healing to your soul, it becomes a symbol of life as well as death.

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

RESONATE!
There is a beauty in the cross that only eyes of faith can see.  As I reflected on the wonder of this symbol, tears welled up in my eyes.  That does not always happen, but what a gift when it does.  Ask for eyes to see the wondrous beauty of the cross, then take a few minutes to think about the cross.

Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood, which stained that cross.  I want to always see it with eyes that still see the blood, but also the beauty.  Help me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Insightful 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 15.3 Transcript

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

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.

We know that Jesus was tortured before beginning the journey to Golgotha. As He carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, it would have become stained with His blood.  That blood washes away the stains of sin in our lives. Thank Jesus for shedding His blood.

Apart from the work of the Spirit to show us the beauty of Christ’s sacrifice for us, the flow of blood on the cross is simply grotesque. When we see it with eyes of faith, it is transformed into the most beautiful expression of love the world has ever known. Do you see it that way?

Jesus taught in Matthew 26:28 that His blood was shed for the remission of sins. Remission is another word for forgiveness. Through the shedding of His blood, His suffering and death, Jesus accomplished this forgiveness.  Thank Him right now. 

Thank Him because He did not just die for the sins of the world. He died for your sins. To pardon you from the punishment you deserved, and give you a standing you could have never earned when He sanctified you or made you holy.  Cherish the cross.

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

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 Can You See the Blood and the Beauty? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Blood-Stained Cross – https://www.rgbstock.com/photo/nEe1X7K/The+Blood+2
Wondrous Beauty – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sky-clouds-sunset-dusk-2209803/

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Finding Purpose in the Darkness

Lamb of God

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

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 began our journey toward Easter this week as we ponder the cross. In the first half of this stanza, we remembered the suffering and shame Jesus endured on the cross and our response.  In this second half, we remember what Jesus accomplished on that cross and for whom.  Let’s think about this.

Unimaginable Light

If we are to rightly appreciate the darkness Jesus endured on the cross, we must remember what He left behind to do so.

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

Jesus, the one who would take away the sins of the world, had to leave the unimaginable wonder of heaven where He had existed eternally to become one of us.  He had to become one of us so He could offer His life as a ransom.  He had to offer HIs life as a ransom because we were separated from God, something that had never been true of Him, but would also never be more true than the moment of Hid death.

What did that glory above look like?

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb Revelation 22:1 ESV

Bright as Crystal

Let us just consider one image.  You may have seen the sparkling waters of a mountain stream.  For me it is the babbling brook and the light glistening off the waters as they dance around the rocks creating glimmering surfaces to reflect the light of the sun.  You might be able to describe that memory as John did by describing the water similarly but I have a feeling the river John saw was more like crystal than anything we an imagine.

Ever aspect of glory is beyond what we can imagine.  The air, the smell, the sounds, everything.  Still that did not deter Jesus from leaving it all behind to take on the weakness of humanity.

John the Baptist used this title to identify Him, and then went on to declare what He would accomplish by laying down His life, taking away the sins of the world.  If that were not remarkable enough, consider what He left behind to do it. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ponder what the glory of heaven must be like.  Maybe it is not the river of the water of life, but some other aspect that has always intrigued you.  Jesus had dwelt there eternally, and it was a reflection of His greatness and glory, still He left that unimaginable light to shatter our darkness.  Ask Him to reveal some aspect of that right now.

Incomprehensible Darkness

It is against the backdrop of this light that the story of the cross unfolds.  We can not appreciate the darkness of the cross without remembering what Jesus left behind in order to endure it for the glory of God and our good.  This comes to bear on our current circumstances as well.

It against the backdrop of the goodness of God that the story of this pandemic unfolds.  We can not rightly comprehend the purposes of God without remembering what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.  We are facing some tremendous uncertainty in these days, but this is no surprise to our Lord, and He faced  much deeper darkness to give us peace in circumstances like this.

One of the most interesting dynamics of this virus is the universal nature of it.  Famous people have been effected, ordinary people too. Professional athletes have tested positive, but so have folks who lack those abilities.  Rich and poor, influential and common.  This darkness has come to us all.

Dark Calvary

Jesus went to the cross, not only the bear the sins of every person, but to show us He is willing to meet every one of us at our point of greatest need.  For many of you reading, you know this to be true because it was your experience.  Not everyone watching this unfold have that same knowledge.  It is up to us to live it, and share it as He enables.

To bear it to dark Calvary.

Maybe you are facing something even darker than the corona virus.  Walk in that darkness knowing Jesus is with you.  He knows pain and suffering.  He knows what it is like to go through something you do not deserve.  So let Him help you. There is a purpose in that darkness.

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 NKJV

RESONATE!
His amazing love for us, demonstrated by walking through His darkness with His heart resolved to bring glory to the Father, sets an example for us.  It also quietly demands that we follow His divine example by offering Him our souls, our lives, our all.  What will that look like for you and the darkness you are facing today?  Ask Jesus to show you.

 Jesus, thank You for leaving the unimaginable light of heaven to illumine our incomprehensible darkness.  Bring that same presence to bear in each of our lives today. We need to see You, and have Your light inform even the darkness we are facing.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Illuminated 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 15.2 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.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 ESV

The cross is despised by association because Jesus was despised.  He was the Son of God, yet became a man of sorrows for our sake and the glory of His Father.  He was rejected so we might be accepted, forsaken so we might be forgiven. Hallelujah! What a Savior! Praise Him.  

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

The world despises His cross, but we adore it.  It is folly and shame to those who are dying, but to us it is the most wonderful symbol of power and life.  Draw near by His grace and bless the name of Jesus, the One who bids you to come and die and find that you may truly live.

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb Revelation 22:1 ESV

John the Baptist used this title to identify Him, and then went on to declare what He would accomplish by laying down His life, taking away the sins of the world.  If that were not remarkable enough, consider what He left behind to do it. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.

To bear it to dark Calvary.

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Luke 23:33 NKJV

Crucified between two criminals. Condescended from glory above. Despised by the world.  Attracting us to a life of self-denial. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.  Commit everything you are to Him again today as you cling to the cross. 

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

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

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 Finding Purpose in the Darkness appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Lamb of God – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/chalice-cup-lamb-god-eucharist-4718251/
Bright as Crystal – https://pixabay.com/photos/stream-wilderness-water-river-1865419/
Dark Calvary – https://pixabay.com/photos/moon-crosses-easter-faith-calvary-4777866/

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Despised

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 responded to God’s mercy and might. This week we will consider the Old Rugged Cross. When you are ready, you may begin the dialogue with Jesus and state: “Jesus, I invite you to help me to leisurely wander into your Presence. Prepare my heart to receive, and illuminate my spiritual senses to encounter you.”

PROMISE: Matthew 5:44-45 The Message

Overflowing consuming love

43-45 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does.

The Old Rugged Cross reminds us of the overflowing consuming love of God that helps you to love the world that may despise you.

PSALM: The Old Rugged Cross was written by 1912 by Evangelist and song leader George Bennard who was a native of Youngstown, Ohio.

Held by Jesus – clinging to the cross

Oh that old rugged cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God
Left His glory above to bear it to dark calvary
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 one day for a crown

Evangelist George Bennard, a native of Youngstown, Ohio wrote the popular hymn The Old Rugged Cross. It was written after receiving ridicule following a revival meeting. He was despised for doing what he believed was the will of God. The image  reminds us that even when we are despised by the world, we are being held by and can cling to the arms of Jesus.

The cross changes our perspective

PARABLE: We cannot always articulate to others the choices we make to bear our own cross. As they misunderstand us, they may grow to despise us and ridicule our choices. Being despised or ridiculed for what you believe God has told you to do is challenging. Yet, the cross is a reminder that it is worth it. The cross represents the power of Jesus. The cross represents: 

  1. The power to set men free (1 Peter 2:24)
  2. The power to create in me a desire to be righteous (Romans 7:5-6)
  3. The power to convince me that I am loved (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8)

As we weep for our injustices, we can let the old rugged cross attract us to the truths of Jesus. The cross represents the truth that Jesus has already shed tears for our hurts and His love is bottling our tears.  The truth we can see in the symbolism of the cross is that we are free from sin and condemnation. It  replaces our natural cravings for perfection with the the supernatural desire to serve our perfect God. The cross directions our attention and affection to Jesus and it reestablishes our identity and worth in who Christ says we are in Him. Because of the cross, our life and perspective is changed.

PONDER and WANDER:  If you choose, Ponder the question: When is the last time you were despised for doing what God called you to do?

Not everyone will love you for loving God. You will face ridicule and opposition. It is the sole career of the Evil One to kill, steal, and destroy your trust of who God is and your belief of who you are in Christ. Satan will use friend or foe to wipe out your purpose. The cross is a reminder that the victory is already won but it doesn’t always prevent us from experiencing the battle.

Soul care training exercise: Since we know we will experience opposition on our path to serving Jesus, we must recognize that we will be despised and learn to pray for those who persecute us.  

If you choose, complete this week’s soul training exercise by setting aside time to think about a person who has or is persecuting you. 

  • When you are ready, clear your mind and focus on the healing love of the cross.
  • Next, allow the Holy Spirit to bring the image of the person to your mind.
  • Begin to pray for them. Pray for their unhealed hurts and trauma. Pray for them to know Jesus more closely. Pray for them to let go of stronghold that drives them to despise and persecute you.
  • Then, consider searching your heart to see if you have despised and persecuted them in any way.
  • Lastly, ask God to forgive you and pray for yourself.

PRAYER:  Daddy Jesus, thank you for the symbolism of the cross. Thank you that it reminds me that your love is a consuming fire that can burn away all the residue of ridicule and persecution. Help me to see the cross and remember to love those who persecute me. Help others to see the cross and remember to love me when I persecute them. I love you and I need you Jesus. In your loving 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 Old Rugged Cross. 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 Despised  appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image attributions:
Google prophetic art images.

 

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