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Saints Teach Us How to Wait, REPLAYED

Anna and Jesus

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)

Listen to this simple piano version as you read, or watch the video complete with lyrics then read.  Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

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

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

We continue our journey to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  This week we consider the saints who are bending their lives to the will of God at the altar of God.  Their role in the story shows us that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Tuesday, we looked at Simeon.  Today Anna.  Let’s think about this.

Anna

We looked at Simeon on Tuesday and were challenged to hold on to our hope of seeing God’s salvation in our lives.  We know a little more about Simeon than we do Anna, including the prayer he offered in praise to God for fulfilling His promise.  Still, there are a few things we see in Anna’s life which make me so thankful she is included in the Luke account of Jesus’ birth.

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,  and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[a]She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.  Luke 2:36-38 (ESV)

Looking into her Response

What do we see about her in this passage?

  • She was a prophetess.
  • Though married, she had long been a widow.
  • She never left the temple.
  • She was poised to praise.

What do we glean from these things?

  • She spoke for God.  And that was a dangerous thing for if one of the “thus sayeth the Lord” statements did not come true, she should have been stoned.  People who speak for God sometimes have very challenging lives because the messages they are compelled to share are sometimes difficult for their listeners to hear.  We do not know anything she said, but she was obviously regarded as a person who spoke from God and had nonetheless lived a long life.
  • She had lived many years alone, with no companion but God.  Such a journey tends to have one of two effects on people.  They become either bitter or better.  And being a widow, let alone a prophesying widow, in that day would not have easy.  Still, she remained faithful to God.
  • So abandoned was she to the Lord that she never left the Temple.  Some commentators argue that this means she was there every time the doors opened, but we know there were rooms within the temple complex and it is possible someone of her renown and station may have actually lived there.
  • Though she likely lived a challenging life, had God alone as her life-long companion, and spent all of her time in the temple, she was still poised to praise God for sending His Messiah.  “At that very hour” she began to praise and speak to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Israel.

Waiting Like Her

Living Like Anna

So, on the heels of yet another celebration of the appearing of the Savior, what will you learn from Anna?  Are you willing to wait as she did.  Are you poised for praise now, and will you commit to still be ready decades from now?

Let’s think about this.

Do you realize you are called to speak for God?  You may not consider yourself a prophet, but in becoming Jesus’ disciple, you were invited into a believing family that has been commanded to share everything we know as often as we have opportunity about our Savior.  Scripture says effectively, as you are going, or along the way, make disciples.  [Matthew 28:19] Are you willing to engage in that process?

Are you finding your satisfaction in God alone?  Married for only 7 years and a widow at 84, we assume Anna was alone with no companion but God for possibly 60 years or more.  Whether it is a relationship or some other affection, is your desire for God greater still, and can you say He is enough for you.  If you are compelled to find satisfaction in something besides God, you may not be emulating Anna’s desperate dependence on Him in your life.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how consuming is your passion for Him alone?

Going Deeper

Ok, I am not saying you should live at the church, but what might be a parallel in modern day for Anna’s abiding in the temple?  Well, the Scripture ask the question, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?” [I Corinthians 6:19]  Whoa! That brings it close to home.  We do not have to live somewhere else to be near God.  Quite the contrary, we need to be mindful to make our bodies and our lives places where it is obvious God lives.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you today if there is anything hindering your living out the reality that He is living in you, believer?

Anna obviously had ears to hear what the Spirit was saying to her [Matthew 11:15], and had lived a life of sharing that with others. She immediately began to share what God had revealed to her in the sending of His Son as proclaimed by Simeon.  We are commanded to do the same, as we teach others everything the Lord has shown to us.  [Matthew 28:20] Are you willing to follow Anna’s example and join Jesus in the work that He has entrusted to us?

These are some big questions to ponder as we round out the Christmas celebrations.  May they serve to lift your spirits as you consider the fact that, like Anna, you are invited into something much bigger than yourself.  Merry Christmas my friends!

Spirit, thank You for giving us the example of waiting we see in Anna and Simeon.  Their patience is remarkable and inspiring.  But it was obviously active as well, or they may have missed those moments when Jesus came to be dedicated.  Help us to make the most of the moments You show Yourself to us as they did. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Patient Thinking!

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Podcast 54.4 Transcript, 12.4 REPLAYED

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Saints, before the altar bending,

…to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV

Simply put, saints are simply those who have decided to call on the Lord.  When we do we have chosen to humble ourselves before Him. We approach His altar with reverence and set ourselves apart for His purposes.  Will you, like Simeon, humble yourself before God.

  Watching long in hope and fear;

…so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:7-8 ESV

Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and saw the salvation of God with His own eyes.  He was able to depart in peace. There is an interesting mingling of hope and fear in our watching.  Do you feel both those realities, fear of His righteousness and hope in His mercy?

Suddenly the Lord, descending,

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; Malachi 3:1a ESV

So we wait on Him and seek Him, as we hope to see His appearing.  The prophet promises that God’s appearing will be sudden. He will come to His temple.  Anna was so fervent she never left the temple. She experienced His coming and gave thanks to God!  Will you seek Him?

  In His temple shall appear.

and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:1b ESV

The messenger is coming, and he will announce the Lord’s coming.  Are you ready like Simeon and Anna. Do you like with an expectancy that GOd is going to show up in your life?  Are you truly seeking Him, and determined enough to respond rightly when He does?

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.

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

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 Saints Teach Us How to Wait appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Anna and Jesus – https://susanmcgeown.webs.com/apps/blog/show/39188112-faith-s-attitude-at-christmas
Living Like Anna – http://www.biblewalking.com/blog-morning-minute/anna-the-prophetess

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What Can the Saints Teach Us? REFRAMED

Simeon’s Moment – by Ron DiCianni

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)

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

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

Everyone enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

We continue our journey to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  This week we consider the saints who are bending their lives to the will of God at the altar of God.  Their role in the story shows us that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Let’s tune our hearts.

Simeon

Right after the shepherds in Luke 2 we are introduced to two other characters who for the purposes of our carol are the “saints”.  They are truly saints since they are effectively described as such.  They are people whose faith was in God, who had been waiting and watching for His appearing for a long time.

We are going to consider Simeon today and Anna Thursday.

You can read the entire passage about Simeon in Luke 2:25-35, or suffice it to say he was righteous and devout.

Simeon regularly bent his knee at the altar of God, so he had positioned himself to hear from God.  This posture of humility is essential if we truly want to hear.  It also allowed his life to be a welcome place to the Holy Spirit.

Welcoming the Spirit

So welcome was the Spirit in Simeon’s life that he had received a beautiful promise from God.  He was told he would not see death before He would see the Lord’s Christ.  What an incredible promise!  We do not know how long He had held onto this promise.  It could have been years, even decades.  What we do know is that he was hopeful and watchful.

How do we know that?  He had come in the Spirit to the Temple.  When he saw the child He did not have to pray .  He knew it was the Lord’s salvation. When the Lord suddenly appeared in the Temple he was ready.

He had come again to worship with an expectant heart, and that expectancy was rewarded with an encounter with the Savior.

What an incredible story of a faithful life!  He was looking to God and that same God made Him an incredible promise.  Is there some promise you have been holding onto for some time?  Don’t let go.  Are you struggling to maintain a watchful, hopeful posture after a long wait?  Set your hope on God.  Are you alert and ready to identify the Lord when He does appear?  Stay alert.  Otherwise you could miss it.  Take a few moments and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the answers to these questions, and then press in to one of them as we consider the lessons we might learn from Simeon.

Learning from Simeon

Learning From Simeon

It is beneficial to look at Simeon’s like and marvel at the goodness of God to reveal Himself to this seasoned saint.  It is far more profitable to consider how we may emulate his approach and replicate it in our lives.  Which will you choose, beneficial or profitable?  Both are good choices, but one is far better.

Let’s take the better course and examine our own lives around these three principles

  1. Don’t Let Go
  2. Set Your Hope on God
  3. Stay Alert

Don’t Let Go – It can be heard to hold on when you believe God has said something to you and a long time has passed.  Many of us know just how difficult that can be.  What Simeon teaches us is that it is so worth it to hold on.  God is faithful, and He will do it.

What is that promise you are holding onto today?  Speak it out loud.  Is your grip loosening?  Maybe you have already let go.  But you can often just get another grip.  Ask God to strengthen your grasp own that promise and trust Him until you see it come to pass.

Set Your Hope on God – This can be tricky.  The Lord told Simeon he would see God’s salvation, but what would that look like. Simeon could easily have crafted his own idea of what form that salvation would take.  If he was mistaken he might have missed the moment.  Instead he put his hope in God and waited with open eyes and heart to see it.

What have you set your hope on?  Is it God, or something of your own making that resembles Him?  This can be so tricky as we pursue God’s best for us because we can shape it to our own likely, or weak faith when God may having something much better in mind.  Determine to clearly set your hope on Him, and you will never be disappointed.

Stay Alert – We do not know the particulars of the arrival of Mary and Joseph at the Temple for the dedication of Jesus, but there were likely many people in and out for various reasons.  Simeon could have easily missed this little family, but he did not.  Certainly the Holy Spirit prompted him, but he had to stay alert.

What are you waiting to see?  Have you grown weary in your waiting?  It is difficult to maintain the kind of focus required to stay focused on one thing when there are many things moving around you.  And Simeon was old.  Still, he was ready when the what he was longing for suddenly appeared.  Can the same be said of you?  Are you alert today and watching for the thing you are hoping for?

Lok back over those three lessons and determine to address one of them today.  That kind of reflection and discipline may be the very thing that positioned Simeon to experience the promise of God.  Position yourself in a similar position today.

Holy Spirit, You came upon Simeon, but I believe your dwell in me.  Show me what may be keeping me from listening to You the way he did.   Then give me the courage to act on what you show me so I can be one the saints that sees You when You move in my life.  In Jesus name.  Amen!

Watchful 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.

Video 54.4 Transcript, 12.4

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.

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

If you have not seen yourself in the story yet, hopefully you do here.  I think this has a dual meaning, for the saints in that day, and for all who came after them.  We humble ourselves at the place where we meet God. We depend on His work to make us holy. Then and now.

Saints are simply those who are looking to God for the fulfillment of their hope.  The fear is evoked by a right understanding of the majesty of God. Are you watching for the coming of our Lord?  He came once. He will come again. Are you ready?

Though they were waiting and we wait now, they were surprised as we will be when He makes His final appearance.  He will come down again, not as a baby, but as the Lord of all. Even before then, He wants to come down upon us to make His glory known.  Welcome Him.

Mary and Joseph brought newborn Jesus to the Temple as instructed by the law, and Simeon and Anna welcomed Him.  Jesus comes to us as well and desires a similar welcome. Will He receive it when He comes to you?

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 What Can the Saints Teach Us? REFRAMED appeared first on Resonant 7.

When Image Attributions
Simeon’s Moment – by Ron DiCianni – http://www.burrowdesigns.com/advent-simeon/
Learning from Simeon – https://pixabay.com/photos/climb-knot-hand-partner-check-517053/

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Be Sincere, Be a Seeker REPLAYED

Seeking

Sages, leave your contemplations,
 Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
 Ye have seen His natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)

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

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

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

We continue our journey to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  Having already looked at what the wise men left behind, we press in a little closer to examine what they are pursuing.  As we do, ask yourself what you are going after.  Let’s think about this.

Seeking Him

The wise men had come from the east, and we have no indication that they were previously God-fearers, non-Jewish believers.  They had left some things behind in order to pursue the One whose birth the star proclaimed.  They were not just leaving some things behind they were also going after something.  What exactly?  Or more precisely, Who?

They told Herod they were looking for the King of the Jews.  Why would prominent Gentiles be seeking out a king who sits on a throne in lowly Israel?  Well, as they said, they had seen His star and had come to worship Him.  Yes, they had left some things behind but they were simultaneously pressing toward something greater.

They had come from other lands and nations to pursue One who would not only be King of the Jews, but so much more.  Our hymn writer here describes Him as “the great Desire of nations”.  Jesus describes Himself this way.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12ESV

He is not only the light of the Israel, He is the light of the world.  We all were walking in the darkness of death until we discovered the light of life.  The wise men are no different.

He is what are hearts long for.  Light.  Hope.  Peace.  Love.  He is our desire, and the great Desire of the nations.

You may choose to argue that point, but you will not once you surrender and determine to seek Him.  For once you seek Him, you will find Him, if you search with all your heart. [Jeremiah 29:13] And when you find Him you will know that He is what every person of every tribe and tongue truly desire.

So will you?

Will you determine to seek Him?  On Tuesday we determined to to leave some things behind so we could pursue the better things God has for us.  There is nothing better than Him, and a greater awareness of His presence in our lives.  But it does not just come to us, we must determine to pursue it.  How will you do that today?  Prayer, Bible reading, worship, etc.?  What discipline will you use to seek the great Desire of nations today?

In Response

Respond

But when we do seek, we must always acknowledge that even then we are simply responding to what He has already shown us of Himself.  And that revelation has caused us too long for still more. Their search began with the star.

They saw the star when it rose.  They knew it was significant.  They responded in worship.

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:9b-10 ESV

The wise men left their contemplations.  They pursued a star which appeared in the heavens.  They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

What are you pursuing?  Be honest.  We are all going after something.  Are you confident that your pursuit will end with you rejoicing exceedingly with great joy?  We must be careful that the things we are chasing honor God and will ultimately produce good for us.

What has God shown to you?  Has He revealed something to you to which you have yet to respond?  It may require you to leave something behind.  It will certainly require you to begin a journey of faith.  But it will also absolutely be worth the sacrifice.  What response is God inviting you to make today?

Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World, and the light of my life.  Shine into my darkness so I can clearly see the path you are marking out before me.  Give me the courage to leave behind what is not needful so that I may press into what is. In Jesus name.   Amen.

Responsive 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 54.3 Transcript, 12.3 REPLAYED

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Sages, leave your contemplations,

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, Matthew 2:1-2 ESV 

Wise men, or magi, came from the east.  These learned men left their pursuit of knowledge to search for something even better.  What might God be asking you to leave behind so you may know Him better this Christmas, or in the New Year?  Will you follow His leading?

   Brighter visions beam afar;

Saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 ESV

Maybe God has already given you a vision of a better future in your relationship with Him but you need to leave something behind to pursue it.  Do you have a sense of your “brighter visions”? If not, ask God to open your eyes to them as He did for the wise men.

Seek the great Desire of nations;

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

So the magi used the star to lead them to the One who would later utter these words.  They walked through darkness, but found the light of life, the light of the world. They were not Jewish so they demonstrate that the wisest among us from every nation desire Him.  Will you?  

  Ye have seen His natal star.

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:9b-10 ESV

But just seeing the star is not enough.  We must respond. The wise men journeyed long, and when they arrived at their destination rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. As you pursue Christ, expect the same kind of feeling.  But make certain you are pursuing Him. Are you?

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.

Sages, leave your contemplations,
 Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
 Ye have seen His natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

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 Be Sincere, Be a Seeker REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Seeking – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/christmas-kings-christmas-time-934177/
Respond – https://pixabay.com/photos/nativity-star-manger-christmas-3674785/

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Be Wise, Be a Worshipper REFRAMED

Sages

Sages, leave your contemplations,
 Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
 Ye have seen His natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)

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

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

Everyone enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

We continue our journey to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  This week we consider the ones who rather than hearing angels sing, saw the star which announced the birth of the King of kings.  Their role in the story shows us that God welcomes all who pursue Him with humility.  Let’s tune our hearts.

Sages, Wise Men, Magi, They Were

Of all the things that could be said to introduce these strangers from the east, they are introduced as wise men.  The hymn calls them sages, and the other common term is Magi.  This term indicates that they would have been famed for their wisdom, even venerated for the the possession of wisdom, judgment and experience.  If men of this caliber make the decision to make a long and perilous journey, not to mention with expensive gifts.  We should take note.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, Matthew 2:1-2 ESV 

The hymn, ever an invitation to come and worship, encourages the wise men of the story, and all who will follow their lead, to leave their contemplations.  This is no small task, for someone esteemed for wisdom achieves such notoreity through careful examination and diligent pursuit.  To encourage people to leave behind the very thing by which they have attained their status could be seen as foolish.

Just consider, or learn?

But we must consider these wise men, and learn from their example.

They add weight to the plea offered to all who will come after them.  We will examine the why of their indubitably thoughtful response below, but here just acknowledge the fact that they came.  And in so doing had to leave something behind.  For them it was contemplations, the kind at which they obviously excelled and had set them apart.  It may be something less profound for you, but no less difficult.

What might you have to leave to be marked by a similar wisdom?  What thing that marks your life, maybe even something you find great value in and enjoy being associated with, must you leave in order to worship the Christ of Christmas?  Can you identify it today?  If not, are you willing to consider the possibility that such a thing may exist?  Something that is good, but may be holding you back from the best.  Take a few moments and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if such a thing is present in your life.

Worshippers, They Became

Worship Him

So why would such men, venerated for their wisdom, leave those pursuits behind to become worshippers? What could compel them to a different endeavor?  It would have to be something they deemed worthwhile, and because of there collective wisdom it should be assumed it was.  But it was the culmination of their journey that demonstrated their willingness to respond to God’s invitation.

Saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 ESV

They were still wise men, but they became worshippers.

When the star rose at His birth, they saw it.  They recognized Him as a king, and even determined that they would worship Him.  Why?  Because from a distance they had seen a brighter more compelling vision than any they had previously discovered.

Did You Notice Their Response?

It was one thing to leave behind their lofty contemplations.  It was another thing altogether to embrace humble worship.

The invitation rings to all those who have ears to hear and eyes to see that brighter vision.  That life of surrender to the King that transforms every rebellious heart into a worshipping one.  We know nothing of their worship prior to or after this encounter, except for their willingness to heed to warning of an angelic being, but this snapshot captures their response to the newborn Christ.

So what shall you learn from their example and the transformation it produced?  Do you have a clear mental picture or vision of something brighter than your current experience?  Is God inviting you into something grander, bigger, better?  Will you humble yourself and pursue it?  If you are not sure, why not take a few moments to ask Him what that might be, and what your response should be?  You will never regret choosing to worship.

Almighty God, thank You for revealing Your invitation to worship to those wise men.   Thank You for prompting them to follow, and giving them the courage to do so.  Thank You for their example.  Help me to be willing to emulate it in my life today. In Jesus name.  Amen!

Wise 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.

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Video 54.3 Transcript, 12.3 REFRAMED

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

Sages, leave your contemplations,
 Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
 Ye have seen His natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

From the lowly to the learned, the call continues.  The wise men were invited to leave the contemplations that had led them to the star, and we likewise are welcomed to move past what we know in search of more. Is there anything, even good things, you may need to leave behind?

They had seen the star, but the call that came to them and comes to us is that there is more.  How often we become content with less than all God wants to show us. Ask God to show you more of Himself in this season that your worship may be more complete?

The magi also represent all the non-Jewish or Gentile worshippers, which is good news for most of the world.  Jesus is the fulfillment of desire of all nations, not just Israel, and we are encouraged to seek Him. Commit to seek Him this Christmas season.

Though a new star appearing was remarkable, the fact that it announced a baby’s birth set these scholars on an incredible journey.  Some might say it ended when they bowed their knees to the child years later, but I believe it continued all their days. May the same be true of us.

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 God With Us appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Sages – https://pixabay.com/photos/magi-christmas-night-shooting-star-3795282/
Wise Men – https://pixabay.com/vectors/wisemen-wise-men-jesus-birth-story-2948680/

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Want to Disperse Your Shadows? REPLAYED

Now Residing

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
 Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
 Yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)

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

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

We continue our journey through Advent as we look at the second part of this stanza.  We started with the shepherds’ location and activity, and now shift to God’s arrival on the scene and the change that occurs.  Let’s think about this.

God with Us

Stop for just a moment and think about those three words.  Seriously.  I will wait.  “God with us”.

That is some amazing stuff right there.

When Jesus was laid in that manger, God was fully present there, making His dwelling among us.  He demonstrated in the Incarnation that He was not far off, but was with us.  The One who made the sun, which grew the hay, that made the bed, now laid asleep upon it.  Mind-boggling.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV

He is with us, ergo He is with you.  I think the first part of that is easier for each of us to accept.  Ok, God came to dwell among us. But the second part gets a little harder.  God is with me?  I believe it.  Spirit, help me receive it.  And He will.

Think about the one who first heard these words, quoted from Isaiah 7:14.  Joseph.  He was in a bad spot.  His betrothed had told him she was pregnant, and he had not yet been with her.  No to mention she insisted God was the Father.  Think about how crazy that must have sounded.

He was likely trying to figure a way out of this difficult decision.  Then an angel appeared to him and said these words.  And as far as we know he never wavered from his resolute decision to stay by her side; after all, months later it is clear he is still beside her in the Bethlehem stable when his stepson is born.

So what about you?  Do you find yourself in an unenviable situation?  How is God showing you He is “with” you?  Will you remain resolute like Joseph, trusting that God is there through even confusion and pain?  Take a moment and think about your circumstance, and invite God to be Immanuel to you today.

Infant Light

Yonder Shines

This is another beautiful thought.  The star could be referred to as the infant light, in that it was His natal star which the wise men said announced His birth.  At the same time Jesus is also the infant light Himself, Light of the World, in infant form.

This image nicely captures that duality.  While the star is absolutely shining down on that manger, the manger has an internal glow emanating from baby Jesus.  This makes me think of how God shined His light that night, and set a precedent for how He wants to shine His light still, in our darkness. 

The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.   Matthew 4:16 ESV

The people dwelling in darkness.  That is us.  And what is that darkness?  It is darkness of soul caused by the shadow of death.  Until we find the Light of Jesus, we live in the region and shadow of death.  The NLT says “those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow.”  That is a very powerful and clear picture.  Or is it?

Shadow

If we are living in a land where death casts its’ shadow, my first question is what is the shape of that shadow.  What does the shadow of death look like?  The shadow of a hand is easy to picture.  The image here makes that clear.  It is almost as if you can imagine the shadow picking up the leaf.  But it can not.

It may seem very real, but a shadow is powerless, other that to block out light from the area equal to the shape creating it.  Death casts a large shadow but it is not powerful.  Once we see the Light of Jesus the shadow of death can be clearly seen for what it is, a powerless two dimensional thing.

Yonder shines the infant Light.  Jesus at His birth was the light that dawned.  We while walking in darkness have seen a great light because Jesus revealed it to us.  The shepherds were the first to see it, and they told everyone what they had seen, so the light began to spread.  Will you shine that Bethlehem Light?

What shadow is death casting over you today?  More than just physical death, there are relational, emotional, psychological deaths.  Where do you need to see the Light of Jesus shine?  Will you invite Him to come and shine into that circumstance or situation?  He wants to show you His light.  Ask Him today.

Jesus, thank You for residing with us.  For coming and being God with us.  Your presence changes every situation.  Thank you for shining Your light into my darkness.  Reveal where death has taken territory in my life and help me to push it back.  In Jesus name.   Amen.

Bright Thinking!

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Podcast 54,2 Transcript, 12.2 REPLAYED

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field,  Luke 2:8a ESV

This story is continued from the previous passage where we are told of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.  These fields were outside Bethlehem. That is where these shepherds lived. God came to them where they lived.  How kind of Him to do that! And He has been doing that ever since. Thank Him for meeting us where we live.

Watching o’er your flocks by night,

keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8b ESV

And they were just doing their job.  Going about their normal activity. When suddenly God sent an unmistakable message to them.  God still comes to us in our daily labors. He makes His presence known to us, but we must be ready to receive it.  No doubt these shepherds were. Are you?

God with us is now residing;

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV

This verse quotes the words from Isaiah 7:14, and then adds the explanation, “God with us”.  The news the shepherds heard was first revealed here to Joseph. He came to dwell with us so that He could live a perfect life, then offer it to save us from our sins.  Give thanks to the Father for becoming Immanuel in His son.

  Yonder shines the infant light:

The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”  Matthew 4:16 ESV

Jesus at His birth was the light that dawned.  We though walking in darkness have seen a great light because Jesus revealed it to us.  The shepherds were the first to see it, and they told everyone what they had seen, so the light began to spread.  Will you shine that Bethlehem Light?

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.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
 Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
 Yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

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
Now Residing – https://pixabay.com/photos/living-nativity-nativity-creche-3885693/
Yonder Shines  – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/jesus-christ-god-holy-spirit-3852478/
Shadow – https://pixabay.com/photos/reaching-shadow-heart-silhouette-454808/

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