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January 14, 2021 by smattern Leave a Comment

When Thought Bubbles Become Light Bulbs

Thou My Best Thought By Day or By Night

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

Listen to this modern version of this ancient hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics.

Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast 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!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

https://resonant7.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GreatIsThyFaithfulness-23.6-16219.50PM.mp3
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We conclude our journey through this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

Thought Bubble

What do you think about when you are not thinking about anything else? What fills your thought bubble when you have time to focus on what is not important? Where does your mind go when you daydream? Whether they are undisciplined, random thoughts, or deliberate, careful ones, your best ones will be those that are about God or lead you toward Him.

Can you confess this with the hymn writer?

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18 ESV

Through both the day and the night, we can have no better thought than to think on Him. How many troubles of mind and soul could be remedied if we practiced this simple truth? Are His thoughts precious to you? Are you resolved to let them fill your mind?

Daydreams and nightdreams, every conscious and unconscious thought all find their value somewhere below Jesus. He is our best thought, and allowing Him to hold that position informs our actions and attitudes both day and night. Tell Him He is your best thought.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments right now to ponder that first question above, “What do you think about when you are not thinking about anything else?” Think of it another way. What fills your thought bubble by default? Now take a few more moments to tell Jesus He is your best thought, and simply allow Him to fill your mind with an awareness of His presence.

Light Bulb

Waking or Sleeping Thy Presence My Light

It occurred to me as I began to write about these two images that they are used interchangeably at times, i.e. a light bulb going off in your head as a thought comes that brings clarity. Since there were no light bulbs 1500 years ago when the original text was written it is obvious I am imposing this imagery on the text, but I believe it may be reasonable. What do you think?

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:5 ESV 

His presence is what makes the difference in every circumstance, like a light bulb chasing back the darkness. Being mindful of Him changes the way we address things when we are awake, but it even makes all the difference when we are asleep as well. Ask the Lord to sustain you by pressing back any darkness, particularly in your thought life, with the light of His presence.

His presence makes the difference in every circumstance, whether we are living it or dreaming of it. The terrors evoked by the dark night of the soul are no match for His countenance. The next time you are facing any darkness, maybe right now, try this. Ask the Spirit to shine bright and see if He doesn’t make a difference for you.

Spirit, shine Your brightness into my life.

RESONATE!
Maybe you have had that experience before. You were struggling with some darkness and an awareness of God’s presence ushered in His light. Maybe you have never experienced it, but want to. Is there any struggle you are facing right now. Take a few minutes and simply ask the Holy Spirit to illumine your mind with His radiant presence.

Spirit, thank You for Your being my best thought, day and night. When I am facing darkness, remind me to be mindful of Your presence. Fill my thoughts with an awareness of Your presence. 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 25.1 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.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3 ESV

This entire hymn is a beautiful prayer, starting with these first lines. We acknowledge God as the Sovereign One in our internal workings, and ask that His presence be our guide externally as well. Make this your prayer as we begin to journey through this ancient song.

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8 ESV

Be nothing else to me other that what you already are. This acknowledges that we believe He possesses everything we need, we are satisfied in Him, and desire nothing else. How many of our problems would be solved if we rested in this truth? Ask Him to help you today.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18 ESV

Through both the day and the night, we can have no better thought than to think on Him. How many troubles of mind and soul could be remedied if we practiced this simple truth? Are His thoughts precious to you? Are you resolved to let them fill your mind?

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Psalm 3:5 ESV 

His presence is what makes the difference in every circumstance. Being mindful of Him changes the way we address things when we are awake, but it even makes all the difference when we are asleep as well. Ask the Lord to sustain you with the light of His presence.

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.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

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 When Thought Bubbles Become Light Bulbs appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Thou My Best Thought By Day or By Night – https://pixabay.com/vectors/thought-bubble-think-comic-blank-305053/
Waking Or Sleeping Thy Presence My Light – https://pixabay.com/vectors/bulb-light-idea-electricity-40701/

Filed Under: Thursday Thoughts

January 12, 2021 by smattern Leave a Comment

Who Are You Looking For?

Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

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

Everyone, 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 ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Vision

We must see everything against the backdrop of the cross. I believe it was Henry Blackaby, the author or “Experiencing God” who said that. It has shaped my perspective for years, and comes to bear on lines like this one.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3 ESV

Where is the steadfast love of God better on display than at the cross? What can help inform our walk better than the steps of Jesus up the hill to Calvary? If we keep the cross central in our sight, seeing His love and walking in His faithfulness becomes a much simpler endeavor.

This entire hymn is a beautiful prayer, starting with these first lines. We acknowledge God as the Sovereign One in our internal workings, our heart, and ask that His presence be our guide externally as well. Make this your prayer as we begin to journey through this ancient song.

What are you looking toward or for? What are you aspiring to? For the Christian, the answer to those questions should be Jesus, and being like Christ respectively. This is an ancient Irish prayer of protection and it starts by centering on Christ. Is that where you begin?

RESONATE!
Ask the Father to help you begin your journey through this incredible text by centering on Jesus. Take a few moments and talk to Him about things that might be competing with your focus on Him. Be honest and sincere, echoing the heart of the text.

Everything

Naught Be All Else to Me, Save That Thou Art

This second line of this great hymn is definitely worth pondering. It is artistic, genuine and powerful in its simplicity. Consider that it is a translation from the the original prayer and it becomes even more remarkable.

Read it, and without looking ahead at the Scripture or the thoughts below answer these questions. What does that mean? How might I express that in more modern language? Then by all means, please read on.

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8 ESV

Be nothing else to me other that what you already are. This acknowledges that we believe He possesses everything we need, we are satisfied in Him, and desire nothing else. How many of our problems would be solved if we rested in this truth? Ask Him to help you today.

We want Him to be nothing more than our highest aspiration, but we definitely want Him to be that. Or do we? If you had to strip all other pursuits away except for one, what would that one be? Christlikeness? Ask Him to be your everything, and nothing more.

RESONATE!
What is God to you? Is He everything? Is He something less? Ask Jesus to help you see Him for who He really is, and to become everything to you.

Jesus, fill my field of vision until I see nothing but You, and everything against the backdrop of Your cross. Take me on a journey of finding my satisfaction in You and You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Visionary 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 25.1 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.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

What are you looking toward or for? What are you aspiring to? For the Christian, the answer to those questions should be Jesus, and being like Christ respectively. This is an ancient Irish prayer of protection and it starts by centering on Christ. Is that where you begin?

Father, help me to begin by centering on You.

We want Him to be nothing more than our highest aspiration, but we definitely want that. Or do we? If you had to strip all other pursuits away except for one, what would that one be? Christlikeness? Ask Him to be your everything, and nothing more.

Jesus, be my everything.

Daydreams and nightdreams, every conscious and unconscious thought all find their value somewhere below Jesus. He is our best thought, and allowing Him to hold that position informs our actions and attitudes both day and night. Tell Him He is your best thought.

Lord, You are my best thought.

His presence makes the difference in every circumstance, whether we are living it or dreaming of it. The terrors evoked by the dark night of the soul are no match for His countenance. The next time you are facing any darkness, maybe right now, ask the Spirit to shine bright.

Spirit, shine Your brightness into my life.

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 Who Are You Looking For? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-iris-look-focus-green-1132531/
Naught Be All Else to Me, Save That Thou Art  – https://pixabay.com/photos/question-mark-question-mark-symbol-3470783/

Filed Under: Tuesday Tunings

January 7, 2021 by smattern Leave a Comment

Provision That’s Personal

All I Have Needed Thy Hand Hath Provided

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast 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!!

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

https://resonant7.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GreatIsThyFaithfulness-23.6-16219.50PM.mp3
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We conclude our journey through this popular hymn which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s think about this.

From God

How much better off would we be if we would look to God’s hand more often and trust His provision? On a day that will long live in the memories of a nation that desperately needs some peace I would offer we will only find it as we each look to His hand, and then work to become expressions of the same. Lord have mercy on us!

That hand.

It reminds me that God is a person. A person with a body. A body which bears scars that make available everything I need.

He is my portion and my provision. He is everything I need. He provides everything I need.

What do you need today? Think of it personally. There are likely things no one else knows you need, and even things you do not know you need. How personal is that? God wants to and does provide everything you need, even the things you do not even realize you need.

All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24 ESV

When we look to the Lord as our portion we find that He provides everything we need. We often realize this only after striving too long to attempt to provide for ourselves. Determine today to look to the Lord and find your hope squarely in Him and His complete provision for you.

There are many things we want and God does not provide all those. There are far fewer things we need and He does provide every one of those, which is and of itself a demonstration of His great faithfulness. Thank Him for providing all we need, and then some.

 

RESONATE!
As you determine to look to the Lord, how will you practice that? How will you find your hope in Him? It really is a determination that is aided by discipline. When you realize you need something, ask Him how to trust Him to provide even as you do your part. This working and waiting balance is essential to the life of faith. Part of that working is thanking Him in advance for how He has provided before and will provide in the future. Thank Him for providing all you need.

To Me

Great Is Thy Faithfulness Lord Unto Me

His hand is reaching out to provide for me, and I must open my hand to receive it. There is a mutual willingness on each end to do their part. God is certainly will to provide, but we must be willing to receive.

How has God positioned you to be ready to receive today? Make no mistake if you are reading this He has orchestrated some circumstance to give you the opportunity to trust His provision, and even be overwhelmed by His personal provision for you.

He wants to give you the opportunity to say and sing this final line, but creating that willingness and awareness may rove a bit uncomfortable. Even still, it will be worth it. Often our most valuable lessons feel costly at the time, but looking back are worth every bit of anguish they illicit. Trust that God is giving you a testimony of His faithfulness, and open your hand to receive it. I know I am.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25 ESV

Waiting. It is never easy. Seeking the Lord can be arduous endeavor as well, but oh the goodness that is ready to be unleashed on the soul who does.

His faithfulness is personal. He not only does all these remarkable things for the souls of all who look to Him, but He does so in unique ways for each one.

RESONATE!
Think of specific ways He has been faithful to you, some of which not one other person may even know. Trust that He will continue to be faithful. Decide today that every day in 2021 will be marked in some way by your soul actively seeking and waiting on God.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to me. Help me open my heart and my hands to receive all you have in store for me. I will gladly earn the right to declare Your personal provision for me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Expectant 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 23.6 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.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; Lamentations 3:22 ESV

Never is a long time, longer than our finite minds can really even comprehend, and yet never is when the Lord’s steadfast love ceases and His mercies end. His is a faithfulness which is truly incomprehensible, and yet we know it to be true thanks to the gift of faith. Rest in it now.

Morning by morning
New mercies I see

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23 ESV

I often joke that I am thankful His mercies are new every morning because some days I feel as though I might have used them all up. Thankfully, this is never true, so great is His faithfulness. Starting a new year, and every day in it with an awareness of His mercy changes us. Try it.

All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24 ESV

When we look to the Lord as our portion we find that He provides everything we need. We often realize this only after striving too long to provide for ourselves. Determine today to look to the Lord and find your hope squarely in Him and His complete provision for you.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25 ESV

Waiting. It is never easy. Seeking the Lord can be arduous endeavor as well, but oh the goodness that is ready to be unleashed on the soul who does. Decide today that every day in 2021 will be marked in some way by your soul actively seeking and waiting on God.

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.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me 

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 Provision That’s Personal appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
All I Have Needed Thy Hand Hath Provided – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-hand-resurrection-4676641/
Great Is Thy Faithfuness Lord Unto Me – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-hand-together-prayer-5216585/

Filed Under: Thursday Thoughts

January 6, 2021 by Sherri Woods Leave a Comment

Faithful New Mercies

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 Jesus.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined The Powerful Gift of Light This week we will examine Faithful, New Mercies.  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.”

   Loving-kindness

 PROMISE: Lamentations 3:22-23 Amplified Bible

It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His tender compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your Faithfulness.

As we approach a new year, we revisit this promise because God’s faithful new mercy is worth repeating.

PSALM: Great is Thy Faithfulness  (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

We revisit the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness to reiterate that as we enter the first week of a new year, you can know the mercy that God extended to you in 2020 was not exhausted. There is faithful new mercy awaiting you every morning in 2021.
Thy Hand Provides

PARABLE: I blogged my way through the hurts of 2020. My Facebook chronicles of Christ  > COVID-19 began by telling the story of God’s faithfulness as I traveled the grief journey that included being evacuated from Rwanda, the deaths of our dad and uncle, close friends, and loved ones; the loss of employment for my family members; the contraction yet survival of COVID-19 for my family members and many friends; and other hardships related to the emotional trauma of the pandemic. I ended the Chronicles with the loss of my Bonus mom, my best friend’s mother, who served as one of my primary intercessors.

It is only because of God’s mercy that even though so much was lost in 2020, I can still enter 2021 saying GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS OH GOD! All I needed GOD’S hand provided. When I was overwhelmed with sorrow, HIS hand provided comfort. When our household experienced unemployment, His hand was our provision. When depression tried to drown my soul underwater, His River of Life was my raft. When grief and loss met me at every turn, His road map directed me His peaceful presence.

In spite of the anguish of 2020, God’s faithfulness did not allow me to be consumed. I experienced victories in the valley.  Through the tears, I increased my remote instruction competency, served students with more compassion and empathy, completed a social and emotional learning and digital yoga training, and launched a virtual self-care series. Most importantly, I gained an understanding of how all of my tragedies collided into triumphant victories that empowered me to walk as my authentic self and equipped me to walk out my purpose.

I am not sure what 2020 brought to your path but I want to encourage you that as the hours of 2021 turn to days, the days turn to weeks, and weeks turn into another year, God’s mercy will meet you with fresh new mercy morning by morning. As you enter 2021, grip hold of God’s faithful hand, stand tall in the Armor of God, and look 2021 dead in the eye knowing twenty twenty-one is WON!

Soften Soothe Allow

PONDER and WANDER:  Sometimes in order to move forward in confidence, we have to look back. If you choose, take time to ponder the question: What difficult situation in 2020 did God not allow to consume me?

Soul care training exercise:  As we begin a new year, I invite you to take some quiet time and ponder and/or journal the below questions.

  • Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you what difficult situation occurred in 2020 that God’s mercy kept you from being consumed?
    • Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness what comes to your mind. Invite God into that situation. Sit in the discomfort. Invite him to soften the intensity of the impact of the event. Invite him to soothe the heartaches of your soul. Allow Him to grant you mercy that can sustain you in the midst of it all.
      • Focus on the loving-kindness, fresh mercy, and compassion of God’s faithfulness.

PRAYER: Father, the phrase one day at a time sweet Jesus means so much more after facing a pandemic. Thank you for your mercy that met me in every situation. Thank you that no matter what 2021 unfolds, the same mercy will greet me with the break of every day. GREAT is thy faithfulness my God. I know that it is only because of your mercy that I have not been consumed. I praise you that your mercy is never-ending. In the loving 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 breathe in faithful new mercies of God and let the work of your wandering fill you with wisdom.

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 Faithful New Mercies appeared first on Resonant 7.

BONUS REFLECTION: If you choose to take four minutes, click below, and listen to the Light in the Mercy Seat meditation.

https://resonant7.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/greatisthyfaithfulness.m4a
Image attributions:   Loving-kindness: Pintrest/dyed4youArt by Meghan with text added                                                               
Soften Sooth Allow: Pintrest/ dyed4youArt revelation series with text added                                                                                             
Thy hand provides: Pintrest/ Janicevancronkhite with text added
 

Filed Under: Wednesday Wanderings

January 5, 2021 by smattern Leave a Comment

Cultivating Eyes of Faith

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
By: Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

To begin a New Year, we revisit our journey through this popular hymn, which declares the faithfulness of our God, true in every season, experienced by hearts of faith. Let’s tune our hearts.

Faithful

What is more faithful than the rising of the sun? The clouds may come and go, and the days may get shorter, but the sun still rises. It is a great illustration of the faithfulness of our God.

When you look at that big ball of fire in the sky, what thoughts come to mind? Maybe take a few moments and step outside, even if it is not morning, or even daytime at all, and look up. Seriously, will you take a minute and look up at the sky, even if you can not get outside at the moment you are reading this?

Such an exercise generally does two things for me. It makes me feel very small. I am reminded what a small part of creation I am, and that at least helps me to see my problems a little smaller as well. But it also has another effect on me.

It causes me to marvel at God’s interest in me, and not just me, but all of us. Though we are infinitely small in the grand scheme of the cosmos, He cares for us and every day demonstrates His faithfulness to us. Amazing!

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; Lamentations 3:22 ESV

Never is a long time, longer than our finite minds can really even comprehend, and yet, never is when the Lord’s steadfast love ceases and His mercies end. His is a faithfulness which is truly incomprehensible, and yet we know it to be true thanks to the gift of faith. His faithfulness actually informs and motivates our faith. How remarkable is that?

The songwriter is not only declaring something he has heard is true. It seems obvious he is proclaiming something that his soul wants to make known and also may just need to be reminded of regularly. That practice respositions his soul to experience the faithfulness of God anew. 

Jesus, help me join the chorus proclaiming Your faithfulness.

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to actively rest in God’s faithfulness right now. The songwriter does not mind telling God what He already knows. Will you join him? Join the chorus of creation and tell God you know He is faithful. If you need help saying it, you can even ask Him for that.

Mercy

Morning by Morning New Mercies I See

So we can see God’s faithfulness on display in the rising of the sun, among other regular occurrences in creation. But what about His mercies. Where to better see the mercy of God than in His word? And when better to see it than to start the day looking for it?

This is not simply another appeal to open the Bible. Will you consider again in this context of seeing the mercies of God anew everyday that maybe, just maybe, there may be no better place to do that than on the pages of the Holy Scriptures? Just think about it.

What is your morning routine? Think about the things you do to get going each day. List them out. Is setting your eyes on His Word an essential part of the start of your day? If you knew you would be more likely to see His mercy there, and then better equipped to see it everywhere afterwards, would that motivate you?

If so, will you consider this? Determine to include in your morning tomorrow a quick reflection on the single verse below. But before you go to bed tonight, ask Him to open your eyes of faith so you are able to see His mercies. Then simply keep your eyes open as you read this, and then go throughout your day. I sincerely believe it will make a difference. If it does, just repeat it the next day, taking it one day at a time, and starting anew when you miss a day.

Morning by morning
New mercies I see

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23 ESV

I often joke that I am thankful His mercies are new every morning because some days I feel as though I might have used them all up. Thankfully, this is never true, so great is His faithfulness. Starting a new year, and every day in it with an awareness of His mercy, changes us. Try it.

Do you have eyes of faith that allow you to see God’s mercies new every morning? Such vision is a gift from God, but it also must be cultivated. If you never open your spiritual eyes, or never look for mercy, you will likely miss it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see God’s mercies.

RESONATE!
Consider accepting the simple challenge above. I can testify when I exercise my desire to see God’s mercy, He has never failed me. Has He showed up when and how I wanted? Often not. But has He always been faithful? Yes, He has. I believe you will find the same to be true.

Faithful God, show me Your mercies new every morning. Help me to be diligent to look for them, and capable of seeing them even when they look different than I might have hoped they would. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Faithful 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.

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Video 23.6 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.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me 

The songwriter is not only declaring something he has heard is true. It seems obvious he is proclaiming something that his soul may just need to be reminded of regularly. That practice respositions his soul to experience the faithfulness of God anew. Will you join him? 

Jesus, help me join the chorus proclaiming Your faithfulness.

Do you have eyes of faith that allow you to see God’s mercies new every morning? Such vision is a gift from God, but it also must be cultivated. If you never open your spiritual eyes, or never look for mercy, you will likely miss it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see God’s mercies.

Spirit, help me see God’s mercies daily.

There are many things we want and God does not provide all those. There are far fewer things we need and He does provide every one of those, which is and of itself a demonstration of His great faithfulness. Thank Him for providing all we need, and then some.

Father, thank You for providing all I need, and so much more.

His faithfulness is personal. He not only does all these remarkable things for the souls of all who look to Him, but He does so in unique ways for each one. Think of specific ways He has been faithful to you, some of which not one other person may even know.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to me.

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 Cultivating Eyes of Faith appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is Thy Faithfulness – https://pixabay.com/photos/sunrise-sun-clouds-sky-mood-3533173/
Morning by Morning New Mercies I See – https://pixabay.com/photos/reading-girl-alone-green-nature-2798775/

Filed Under: Tuesday Tunings

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