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A Sequence of Fortunate Events

Sequence

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I Need Thee Every Hour
By: Annie S. Hawks, 1836-1911 (1872)

Listen to this beautiful piano version as you read, or watch the video then read.  Please make certain to enjoy the video log below.

So here we are again, declaring our need of God.  There is a beautiful flow through this stanza. Know God’s will, understand His promises, then see them fulfilled.  We must make certain we do not get these things out of order because that can influence our ability to see them clearly in our lives.  Let’s tune our hearts.

Sequence

It is unusual that one verse of Scripture so clearly is captured in the stanza of a hymn.  There are countless illusions to different Scriptures in every stanza of most hymns, but this stanza ends up being nearly a paraphrase of one verse in particular.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36 ESV

Do you see it?

  1. We need God
  2. We do His will
  3. His promises are given
  4. His promises are fulfilled

What an incredible sequence of events!  But let’s be careful.  Though this is essentially a promise of God, there is no guarantee on the timeline, and certainly no assurance given that we get to dictate which promises, only that we will receive what is promised when we endure and do His will.

There is a sense in which it is like dominoes.  One leads to the next in an inextricable sequence.  The only issue is that God is in control of how the dominoes are set-up, when they begin to fall, what their design looks like, etc.  We are invited to enter into the sequence, but we are not in control.

The Scripture, and the sequence it outlines, is true.  Can you think of a time when you experienced this truth?  You discovered God’s will.  You endured to see His will done in your life.  You positioned yourself to receive what was promised.

Think of the life of Christ.  It is quite plainly the greatest expression of this sequence.  He knew the Father’s will was to go to the cross.  He endured that to the point of death.  The Father had already declared He was pleased with Jesus.  He fulfilled that by seeing that every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

So what about you?  Jesus knew what God’s will was for Him.  Maybe there is a situation where you lack clarity or confidence.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know God’s will in that particular circumstance.  Then just listen.

Teach Me

So in order for us to endure the will of God, that is to live through it for His glory, first we must know it.

Teach Me

I remember as a child being fascinated by dominoes.  If YouTube had existed back then I am sure I would have watched videos of extensive set-ups.  I received a set complete with templates to help set up complex sequences.  I remember more failures than successes as at times I accidentally knocked over parts of my elaborate design.

I also remember my dad helping me.  I recall how he would very carefully wold lift the templates with a precision I simply seemed to lack.  We built some wonderful layouts taking what seemed like forever.  When we would finish and look at each other with pride and joy.  The thrill of my dad smiling at me as he could see me asking with my eyes more than words if I could start the sequence is still a vivid recollection.

Oh, to gently tap that first domino and watch them all begin to fall.  The delight was only eclipsed by the reality of how long another would take to set up.  But it was so worth it.

My dad carefully and painstakingly taught me how to set those dominoes up.  It reminds me how our Father wants to help up endure a similar process as we learn His will.  He wants to teach us, but we need to ask, because asking demonstrates our desire to learn.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.  Psalm 25:4-5 ESV

I know the waiting is not easy, and we are so tempted to just start doing, but it is often pointless until we know what to do.  You may assume the endurance needed from the earlier has to do with this waiting, but it actually has to do with the endurance required to do the will of God once it is revealed to you.

Is there something you are waiting on God to show you?  Ask Him again to lead you and teach you.

Interruption

Interruption

Maybe the issue in your sequence is instead that you know the will of God but are not doing it.  If you follow the progression of our sequence, failing to do the will of God that has been revealed to you effectively stops the sequence.  God is gracious and sometimes ushers the fulfillment of promises into our lives in spite of our failure to do His will, but the Scripture makes clear it is His desire to fulfill His promises, even His promise to do so, when we do His will.

Before you think this is punitive allow me to ask you a question.  Are you glad when God keeps His promises?  What if He did not keep up His end of the bargain, if He was fickle.  Would that not be disappointing?  Imagine how disappointed God is when we fail to do the will He has revealed to us.  Keep in mind though that much of that flows from His knowing what is best for us and that our failing to do His will actually robs us of His greatest promises.

It may simply be a matter of time.  You must simply wait to see the promise fulfilled.  That can be hard waiting too and we can begin to doubt if we have done His will His way.

Deep breath.  That is some profound processing.

So one last question.  Is there anything you are aware of that you have done that may have interrupted the sequence God has put in motion for you?  Maybe you are not aware, but need to ask just in case.  Maybe you simply need to be patient.  That requires some endurance as well.  Ask the Spirit to teach you what you need to know.

Jesus, I need You every hour.  Teach me Your will, then grant me the endurance I need to do it.  Forgive me for all the times I fail to do things Your way and walk down my own paths.  Draw me back into the sequence of blessing You with my obedience.   In Jesus name.  Amen.

Sequential Tuning!

Keep coming back and we will work 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 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.

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.

Video 11.4 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.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

And here we are again, confessing our need for God. Four weeks in and I have prayed for you that you are starting to develop a rhythm of telling God how much you need Him hour by hour.  Let’s start this time by telling Him again, “Lord, I need You.” 

The Holy Spirit is our teacher, so when we ask to be taught, we are asking for His influence in particular.  There are two aspects here that I see. The first is the general will of God, His ways, and the second specific direction in particular circumstances.  Ask Him for both, general and specific.

As we come to know and live His will, we are perfectly positioned to see the richness of His promises unfolding in our daily lives.  Do you know His promises? He has offered us so many in His word. Tell Him right now you want to know them all.

Are there promises you are already hoping in today?  Remind God that you long to see them fulfilled in your life, and commit to adjusting your living to His will, so you may find yourself in a “blessable” state, one where God’s promises may truly be fulfilled daily.  

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Sequence – https://pixabay.com/photos/dominoes-domino-colorful-patterns-4020618/
Teach Me – https://pixabay.com/photos/dominoes-colorful-patterns-4020617/
Interruption – https://pixabay.com/photos/dominoes-domino-barricade-hand-1902622/

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A Way to Ensure You Avoid Emptiness

Abide

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I Need Thee Every Hour
By: Annie S. Hawks, 1836-1911 (1872)

Listen to this beautiful piano version as you read, or watch the video then read. Please be sure to experience the worship-cultivating podcast below.

We transition to a different perspective of our continual need of God in the latter part  of this stanza.  In the first part it was the extremes and in-betweens, every moment of life.  Now we consider that fact that without His abiding presence our lives are useless.  Let’s think about this.

Two Unusual Words

As is often the case with hymnody, we come across words that require us to think a bit because they are not commonly used today.  This stanza has two in my option.  Abide and vain.

Vain is a little simpler since it is not quite as far removed for common use.  As it is used in this occurrence it means, producing no result or useless.  The reason this usage is in play here is because of our other word and the imagery of producing which it evokes.

Abide has several meanings which factor into this discussion.  We certainly need God to bear patiently with us, and to endure without yielding, but that is only the beginning.  We also need Him to wait for us and to accept (us) without objection.  What we mostly need though is for God to remain stable or fixed in a state and to continue in a place.   In other words, we need Him to connect to us and stay connected.

The passage of Scripture that portrays this best is John 15:1-10.  For our purposes we are going to focus in on one verse in particular.  It illustrates both the benefit of abiding and the vanity of not doing so.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5 (ESV)

Fruit

Abide

As noted above the most crucial thing we need is to be connected to God.  This connection enables us to be useful, to fulfill the purpose for which He created us.  We are to bear fruit.  We, the branches, can only do that when we stay connected to Him, the Vine.

I think of this latter part of the stanza in the context of the first.  Joy and pain.  What would be expressions of this for a branch?  Rain or drought?  When there is water the plant can be healthy and grow.  When there is no water the plant will wither and eventually die. Seems pretty obvious right?

It is no less true of us, only that the consequences, particularly of not abiding, are not immediately visible.

So it begs the question, “How do we abide?”  If it is only a matter of connection then we need to discern by what means we stay connected to God and then practice them as if our lives depended on them, because they actually do.

There are the obvious answers of reading the Bible and praying, but how many other things may help us abide?  What about worshipping?  And serving, being the hands and feet of Jesus?  Even in just these few there is a tremendous diversity of expressions.  For example, praying is not only talking to God, but listening.  When was the last time you just listened to God for even five minutes?  Seem challenging?  It certainly is if you have not trained yourself to do it.

There are other ways as well.  Some of which may be more unique or unusual but help you to stay connected to God’s will and ways.  You must find the right rhythm for you which will likely be as unique as you are.  Then and only then will you be able to bear all the fruit that God has in mind for you.

Vain

Useless

Take a look at that fruitless branch.   It looks like there may be some new growth there but there is certainly no fruit.  In a vineyard, this branch may very well be one of those that would be pruned away due to its lack of fruit.  It’s not for lack of trying, it just appears it may not be connected.

So are you more like this branch or the one at the top with the beautiful cluster of grapes.  Maybe in other seasons you have produced much fruit, but lately there is little.  There is a natural ebb and flow to fruit production, but if it has been several seasons you many need to evaluate the vitality of your connection to the vine.

If you feel disconnected, cry out to Jesus.  He wants to be connected to Him and the purposes of your Father.  He will help you.

Take a step into a more vital connection today. Even if yours is healthy, maybe you could be producing more fruit.  Even you are not producing take a step in that direction.  Do something to strengthen your connection to the vine, then do something else tomorrow.  Be diligent and patient and before you know it…fruit.

Jesus, teach me how to overcome temptations by inviting Your presence all the time, but especially when I am tempted.  I believe You will provide a way of escape if I will but look to You.  In Jesus’ name.   Amen.

Watchful Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, and sometimes to Free Members.  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 the transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Podcast 11.3 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.

I need Thee every hour,

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Though I think the time of need described here is generally considered a great need, not an hour goes by when we should not approach the throne of grace.  Have you done so in the last hour? Whether you have or not, do so now with confidence.

in joy or pain;

Romans 12:12 ESV 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

We must develop the habit of bringing everything to God is prayer.  We thank Him when our hope is strong. We cry out when the troubles are overwhelming.  We are always talking to Him. Whatever is on your heart right now, lay it before the Lord.

  Come quickly and abide,

1 John 2:6 ESV

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

We know we need Jesus to come to us, and help us live in Him, attached to Him, moving along with Him.  This requires us to become like Him, otherwise there is a constant tension. Ask Jesus to show you how you can walk as He walked.  That is what you really need.  

  or life is vain.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Unless we pursue the purpose for which we were made, our lives are vain or useless.  God has things He has prepared for us to do and we need to walk in them. Ask the Spirit to show you how to develop the holy rhythm of learning how to stay in step with Jesus whatever comes your way.  

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.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Abide – https://pixabay.com/photos/grapes-fruit-fruits-blue-1696921/
Fruit – https://pixabay.com/photos/grapes-fruit-fruits-blue-1696921/
Uselss – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/vine-cutout-branch-nature-backdrop-788905/

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In the Extremes, and the In-betweens

 

Every Hour

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I Need Thee Every Hour
By: Annie S. Hawks, 1836-1911 (1872)

Listen to this beautiful piano version as you read, or watch the video then read.  Subscribers and Free Members make certain to enjoy the video log below.

So here we are again, declaring our need of God.  It is a good habit to develop and over these six weeks we are working on it.  We want to make awareness of our need of God familiar as a well-worn path. We need Him at the extremes of life, and at every moment in between.  Let’s tune our hearts.

Every Hour

When we begin to sing the words we know just how true they are.  But between those moments it is easy to forget just how much we need God.  We get moving along from one thing to the next and sometimes many hours have passed since we last realized let alone practiced how much we need God.

How do you practice your need of God?

I walked through a scenario earlier today when I knew I needed God.  It was a little out of my comfort zone and a bit stressful so as I stood there waiting for it to materialize, I lifted a simple prayer to God.  “I need you God.  Please help me in this moment to speak words that help others realize their need for You.”

It is simple to do, yet often we forget to practice it.  Doing so with regularity reframes every moment, let alone every hour.  But every hour is a great start.

And we have absolute access so we can approach boldly.  We can cry out to Him at any time and all the time.  Mercy and grace, who does not need more of those in their life, right?

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Need some help preparing for that time of need? Developing this habit.  Set and alarm on your phone for one hour from now, or on the next hour.  When it goes off click “repeat” and offer a simple prayer like this.  “I need You Lord.  Help me fix my eyes on You and trust You in everything for this next hour.”  That should get you started developing the habit of acknowledging your need of God in the ordinary moments of life.

This is an important habit to develop because it will prepare you to live the extraordinary moments better.  Otherwise the moments of joy or pain may otherwise cause you to either doubt your need of God, or deny He cares.  You want to avoid both at all costs.  Coming to Him regularly will help.

Pain

Joy or Pain

The latter is easier.  When we experience pain, our immediate desire is for relief.  Whether it is emotional, physical, mental or spiritual, we want to be delivered from it.

The pain should remind us how much we need God, even more than deliverance.  Sometimes, maybe even often, God chooses to deliver us through things than from them.  The ability to persevere is a gift that serves us well in a myriad of circumstances but is not often at the top of our things to ask for in prayer.  James 1:2-4 teaches the value of trials but living through such circumstances is still very difficult.

Are you facing some pain right now?  Have you been praying about it?  If so, has it been for it to come to an end, or for it to produce something in you?  Don’t misunderstand.  It is ok to pray for pain to pass, Jesus taught us that in Matthew 26:39.  But in the same passage He also taught us to accept God’s will to unfold if it does not.

If you are facing some pain right now, you need God.  Cry out to Him.  He has a purpose for it and He loves you.  Sorrow may last for the night but joy comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)

Joy

But even more challenging is maintaining your awareness of your need of God in the moments of joy.

Pain prompts us to cry our for relief.  Joy dulls our sense of need because it is itself so satisfying.

Pain pushes us to something better.  Joy masquerades as “something better”.

Pain makes us feel small.  Joy makes us feel great.

I wish I could take you back to your last moment of pure joy.  Was your first thought, “This is awesome”  or “God You’re awesome”?  Huge difference.

Joy may be otherwise defined as delight.  It is the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune.  Joy is a truly wonderful thing, as long as we always remember the source of it all.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV

When we keep that perspective, we remember the source is better than the gift itself.  That guards us from the temptation to think we have somehow earned it or deserve it.  When we receive everything as from His gracious hand, we are far less likely to lose sight of Him, and our need of Him.
If you are walking in joy right now, you need God.  Give praise to Him.  He has a purpose for this and He loves you.  
Allow every circumstance to point you back to God and deepen you relationship with Him.  You need Him very hour.  Do not miss an opportunity to practice that.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12 ESV 

Jesus, I need You every hour.   I need you when pain is overwhelming.  I need you when joy is welling up.  I need you for every moment and every emotion in between those two extremes.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Constant Tuning!

Keep coming back and we will work 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 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.

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.

Subscribers and Free Members enjoy this video and transcript! Everyone else the transcript below.

Video 11.3 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.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

A week has passed since we last declared our need of God together, but I hope it has not been more than an hour since you last found some ways of expressing that.  Three weeks in and three weeks to go through this hymn, ask God again to help you develop this good habit.

So we have come to yet more experiences when our need of Jesus is very revealed, whether we are experiencing joy or pain.  Crying our In pain is simpler because we long for relief. But we must learn to confess our need in joy as well, to protect ourselves from conceit.  Help us Lord.

We ask God to come and dwell with us.  It reflects Jesus teaching about abiding which promises we will bear fruit.  We stay connected to Him and we are fruitful. The alternative is pitiful. Ask Jesus to teach you how to practice this.

Without God life tends toward vanity, fruitlessness, and fleeting satisfaction.  Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12 instructs us to “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”  Ask God for the awareness of Him which protects our lives and fills them with purpose.  

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Every Hour – https://pixabay.com/photos/old-man-old-person-person-2803645/
Joy – https://pixabay.com/photos/joy-success-freedom-happy-victory-4293825/
Pain – https://pixabay.com/photos/tears-crying-tear-pain-injustice-4551435/

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Two Ways to Thwart Temptations

Since the Garden

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I Need Thee Every Hour
By: Annie S. Hawks, 1836-1911 (1872)

Listen to this beautiful piano version as you read, or watch the video then read. Please be sure to experience the worship-cultivating podcast below.

We continue our journey toward greater and deeper awareness of our need of God.  We need Him to stay nearby because His presence helps us over the power of temptation.  If you have battled temptation, you are probably very familiar with how difficult it is to overcome it on your own.  Today we examine the one thing that can disarm temptation,  the presence of God, and two ways to practice it. Let’s think about this.

Temptations are Common

Since the Garden of Eden our temptations have been a problem.  Ultimately they all come back to one thing, control.  We want what we want, when we want it, our way.  God has given us clear commands to protect us, but we think we know better how to meet our deepest needs.  How foolish!

That is what the Snake convinced Eve and Adam about, right?  They had everything, yet the one thing God said they could not have was the only thing that it seemed could satisfy them.  They had an insatiable appetite for more.  It led to their downfall.  And has been doing the same thing to every human being since then, with one great Exception.

Jesus.

The same enemy tempted Him, with similar enticements.  Greed, power, worship.  But He overcame because His focus on God’s glory was stronger than the voice offering the counterfeit.

And He overcome the same way we can, by inviting our perspective to be informed by the Word of God.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability…1 Corinthians 10:13a ESV 

God is faithful.  He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.  What?  Sometimes my ability seems VERY small.  And the temptation VERY BIG.  But that perspective is off.

Wrong Focus

The real problem arises when we focus on the temptation rather than focusing on God.  This problem turns our world upside down because we have chosen to focus on the moment rather than the larger reality.  That erroneous perspective is what creates the real issue.  We have lost our ability to see things as they truly are.  If however we use our ability to remind ourselves who God is, the temptation will suddenly be dwarfed by His magnificence.

Adam and Eve allowed themselves to focus on the temptation rather that God.  It allowed the temptation, the desire to be like God,  to become larger than it truly was, which simultaneously made God smaller to them.  That is an unfortunate series of events. But it is one that each of us falls prey to more often than we would care to admit.

Think about a recent time you were tempted.  If you fell prey to it, was it because it seemed too large to overcome at the time?  Do you remember your perspective on God in that moment?  You probably don’t because who had either forgotten to ask for His help or were not interested because of the lure of the temptation.  Ask Him right now to help you focus on Him when you are next tempted.

But They Can Be Overcome

How? The second part of the verse above answers that question.

…but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13b ESV

Way of Escape

If we will look for it, God has promised to provide a way of escape from the power of temptation.  The problem is we often fail to look for it.  When we do, we experience the faithfulness of God in the way of escape.  

What does it mean to endure a temptation?  To find yourself under the power of it, ask God for His help and take the escape He provides.  We have all found ourselves under the power of temptation.  We have all failed to ask God for His help at one time or another.  That failure led to our inability to see the escape, which means rather than enduring the temptation we succumb to it.

What is our way of escape?  God.  An awareness of God.  The presence of God.  His power.  Temptations which once seemed so daunting, suddenly become endurable.  Thanks be to God!

God will provide a way of escape, but He wants us to ask and search for it.  Prepare to endure your next temptation by determining to ask Him to help you find your escape the moment you feel it approaching.  That temptation will be rendered powerless in light of the incomparable presence.

So the two ways to thwart temptation are

  1. Focus on God, Not the Temptation
  2. Find Your Escape

Jesus, teach me how to overcome temptations by inviting Your presence all the time, but especially when I am tempted.  I believe You will provide a way of escape if I will but look to You.  In Jesus’ name.   Amen.

Watchful Thinking!

Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness?  Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, and sometimes to Free Members.  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 the transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

Podcast 11.2 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.

I need Thee every hour,

Psalm 86:1 ESV

Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

David knew how to speak his heart to God.  How much better off we would be if we were as quick to admit our condition before our Lord.  Practice right now by asking Him to bend HIs ear toward you and tell Him how much you need Him.

   stay Thou nearby;

James 4:8 ESV

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

It seems so simple.  Just draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  So what makes it seem so difficult? Our double mindedness.  We waver between wanting to please God and please ourselves. Ask God to help you cleanse your hands, and be single-minded.

Temptations lose their pow’r

1 Corinthians 10:13a ESV 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability…

Powerless temptations.  That sounds appealing. It is God’s faithfulness that gives me the ability to resist the temptations, effectively removing their power, but I must turn to Him and trust Him.  Ask Jesus to help you come to Him the next time you are tempted.

   when Thou art nigh.

1 Corinthians 10:13b ESV

…but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

I have often said it is God’s presence that make the difference in every circumstance, and temptation is certainly one of them.  Our way of escape is to find our way back to Him. Ask God to make you aware of His nearness so you may endure your next temptation.

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.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Temptations – https://pixabay.com/photos/snake-apple-paradise-eve-bible-1322240/
Wrong Focal Point – https://pixabay.com/photos/focus-telephoto-lens-lens-loupe-407244/
Way of Escape – https://pixabay.com/photos/emergency-exit-escape-fire-4168808/

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Enticements and Temptations

Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri 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 of understanding enticements and temptations.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering we examined Heart Songs. This week we will explore enticements and temptations. 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: 1 Corinthians 10:13 Amplified 

  He will provide a way out

No temptation (regardless of its source) has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience (nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance); but God is faithful (to His Word-He is compassionate and trustworthy) and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability (to resist), but along with the temptation He (has in the past and is now and) will (always) provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it (without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy).

Temptation and enticement are a common part of our flesh. BUT…God promises that He will always provide us with a way of escape. Is there a temptation in your life that God is providing you a way of escape that you are not taking?

PSALM: I Need Thee Every Hour written by Annie Sherwood Hawks.

                I need thee every hour

I need Thee every hour,
Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power,
When Thou art nigh.
Hawks transparently shares that she is being taunted by alluring enticements. However, she has experienced that staying near to Jesus helps her to resist temptations of the flesh, temptations of power, and temptations of devotion. Individually crafted temptations and enticements will come to us all but God will always provide us an escape that leads us to His will.

                       Tighten your belt

PARABLE:   Be aware: Just as Satan tempted Jesus, he will approach us with temptations of the flesh (Matthew 4:1-4); temptations of power (Matthew 4:6-7); and temptations of devotion (Matthew 4:8-11). BUT God”s Word is the buckle of hope-giving truth we can tighten around our waist to resist temptations.

Hope-Giving Truths about Temptations

  1. No temptation (regardless of the source) has overtaken you that is not common to man. You are not the only one who has been tempted (1 Corinthians 10:11).
  2. God is Faithful. He will strengthen you and protect and guard you from the evil one (2  Thess 3:3).
  3. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you’re able. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
  4. With the temptation He will also provide a way of escape. His Word will light the way (Psalm 119:105).
  5. You will be able to endure it. There is written proof that others survived (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Knowing God and the truths of His Word tightens our belts of faith, empowers us to resist temptations and live Godly lives, and binds us closer to Him where temptations lose their power.

PONDER and WANDER: Temptations of Satan are individualized crafted roadblocks (social media, shopping, eating, drinking, smoking, pornography, lust, sports, material things, isolation, medicine, ambition, status, work, religion, judgement, people pleasing, perfectionism, or performance, rage, envy, and/or gossip, to name a few) to God’s Presence.  My temptations don’t look like yours and your temptations don’t look like mine. The commonality is that we all experience these lustful illusions of temporary satisfaction that can distract our minds, our bodies, and our souls from our need for God. BUT…God has promised to provide us His way of escape that directs us away from the enticements toward His Presence where temptations are powerless.

Have you taken the time to examine the temptations in your life and notice the way of escape God has provided? If you choose to disempower the traps Satan is using to lure you away from God, Take a moment to sit with Jesus and ponder the question:   In what areas of my life am I most tempted? By the needs of the flesh, by a need for power, or by my devotion?

            Lead me Holy Spirit
  • Take time to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the area where Satan most tempts you.
  • Next, consider what has yielding to this desire cost you?
  • Allow the Holy Spirit to notice where God has provided an exit from this temptation.
  • Acknowledge that you need God to resist the enticements.
  • Then choose if you will take God’s way of escape.

 

 

PRAYER: Father, I need thee!  I need you to lead me to the wondrous upward temptations of producing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I need you to help me resist the downward temptations of my accuser. Draw me near to you where temptations lose their power. In the strong 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 God for providing a way of escape from enticements and temptations!  Let the work of your wandering fill you with the assurance that God is faithful to help you. 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 Enticements and Temptations appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image attributions:
He will provide a way out: Pixabay with text
I need thee: Beloved.org with text
Lead me Holy Spirit: Pixabay with text added
Tighten your belt: Pixabay with text added

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