Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We begin our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. All of us are facing a greater degree of uncertainty than we were months ago, but holding to God gives us far greater certainty than not. Let’s tune our hearts.

Sands of Time

Time. There is no stopping it. Like a great hourglass that has been overturned and is both slowly and swiftly sifting along, time halts for no one.

That indiscriminate plodding is no respecter of people great or small. It simply keep s moving forward and each of must find a way to deal with the effects it has on us universally. Have you felt the shifting of the sands of time in your life lately? Whether COVID-19, the social unrest, the upcoming election, or something else very intimate or personal, you are probably well aware that things are swiftly transition to some different state.

Time is filled with swift transition,

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV

If you have lived for very long at all you know the reality that things in life can change very quickly, and often without any input from you. Time and chance are the great equalizers. They happen to every one of us. Since there is no avoiding them, the only real alternative to simply becoming a victim of them is to find a way to deal with their effects.

Holding to God’s unchanging hand is unquestionably the best way to deal with them. I say unquestionably because ever other means of coping will fail you at some point, but God will not.

RESONATE!
What is that circumstance that you are tempted to hold and not release to God? If you are holding it with both hands, how do you suppose you will be able to hold to God’s hand? Determine today that you will let go of the things that otherwise would keep you from holding His unchanging hand. Time brings swift transitions but holding to God is your best source of help. Ask Him to be that source again today.

Shifting Sand

Those swift transitions of time unsettle every one of us at some point. We often try to struggle against the shifting under our feet trying to find some sure footing. This hymn puts it bluntly. “None of us is able to stand through all those transitions.”

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Taken as a singular truth that would be pretty disheartening. We should always be careful when considering a declaration like this whether in a song or Scripture to examine the context. In our song, the writer is going to quickly point us to where to find hope in the midst of that uncertainty.  The Scripture always does the same.

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah Psalm 75:3 ESV

With the swift transitions and the shifting landscape, it is hard to stand unmoved. Actually impossible, but for God. It would be like struggling against the shifting sands of a desert landscape, or even a spot of quicksand. But we find hope in God. He is the One who holds the earth steady and is able to steady us as well when everything we have been standing on seems to erode. 

RESONATE!
What has shifted under your feet recently? You probably do not have to think much about that. Finances, relationships, health, so many things have been effected these last few months. But God has plans even for those unsettling experiences. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen to what God is saying when the sands of change shift under your feet. Take a few moments right now to let Him interpret the shifting you have been going through lately.  Then give Him praise you never have to do so alone.

Jesus, thank You for being a steady constant when every other thing in our lives is shifting. You are so faithful and so good. Help me to trust You as time brings transitions into my life and I am unable to stand. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Solid 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 53.1 Transcript, 19.1 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.

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

If you have lived for very long at all you know the reality that things in life can change very quickly, and often without any input from you. Whether you are in the midst of a transition right now or not, thank God that you never have to face them alone.

Thank You God that I never have to face transitions alone.

Those transitions unsettle every one of us at some point. We can say “I shall not be moved”, but sometimes God has other plans which He does not reveal that ahead of time. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen to what God is saying when the sands of change shift under your feet.

Holy Spirit help me to listen to Your voice.

Even when everything else is shifting we can still choose to build our hopes on eternal things, things that last even in the storms of life. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you today how you can build on the foundation of God’s word and His love for you.

Holy Spirit, help me build on God’s word and love for me.

Sometimes in order to hold onto God we need to let go of something else. It can be so painful and fearful to release something into His unchanging hands, especially something you thought you would always hold, but you can trust Him. Ask Jesus to help you trust Him more today.

Jesus, help me trust you more today

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

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 Dealing with the Shifting Sands of Life appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Sands of Time – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hourglass-time-sand-run-out-3308818/
Shifting Sand – https://pixabay.com/photos/arid-barren-dawn-desert-dry-hot-1866541/

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
O praise Him alleluia
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
O praise Him alleluia

All Creatures of Our God and King
By: St. Francis 1225, trans. William Henry Draper 1919

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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we conclede our journey through this ancient hymn ask the Holy Spirit to help you issue this call to worship. Be sure to find your place in the praise. Let’s tune our hearts.

Blessing Giver

The blessings that God showers on us are too numerous to fathom, let alone to count. They are truly innumerable. Still, we fail to acknowledge the vast majority of them.

Our God worthy of praise for so many reasons. He has created a world that provides and nourishes us. In the sky He has placed an infinite number of heavenly bodies. On the surface He has made an assortment of creatures that boggles the mind. He has given us the ability to relate to each other with tenderness and forgiveness. And the list goes on…

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

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

After we have enumerated so many of the blessings, finally we praise God because all blessings flow from him. There is no good thing that comes to us apart from His will or design. Every good and perfect gift comes down to us from Him who never changes. Praise God, and call all other blessing recipients to do the same.

What inspires your praise? The peace you have found in Him? Maybe a character of God which you have experienced in some profound way? For most of us, the purest inspiration for our worship is the blessings that flow from God’s hand into our lives.

RESONATE! 
Take a few moments and consider all the blessings God offers you. Have you thanked Him for those or given Him praise today? Make this your simple prayer “God, thank you for all the blessings.” 

Praise Getter

If for no other reason, God deserves to receive our praise because of the all the blessings He has given. Every creature that has enjoyed those blessings should join the praise. Those who can speak, and those who can not. From roars, to growls and from purrs to barks, from hissing to chirping and from mooing to cackling. All creatures should give Him praise.

Praise Him all creatures here below

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6 ESV

Those blessings fall on us from above, to every creature here below. Every creature has breath, and as long as it does, should use that breath to give praise to the One who created them and gave the breath. Everything that has breath should praise the Lord.

Praise God that you have breath, for if you had no breath, you would have no life. Then determine to use that breath to give Him praise, and in so doing join every other creature to render that which is due the One who gave us the breath in the first place.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and think about your breath. Every time you draw it into your lungs is a reason for praise. If you were to use every breath inhaled to praise as you exhaled it would not be too often. Pray this simple prayer, “God, I praise You from my breath.“  

Jesus, thank You for the many blessings you give me, not the least of which us my breath. Help me to use more of it  every day to give you praise. You are worthy! In Jesus’ name. 

Breath-filled 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 52.8 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.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
O praise Him alleluia
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost

What inspires your praise? The peace you have found in Him? Maybe a character of God which you have experienced in some profound way? For most of us, the purest inspiration for our worship is the blessings that flow from God’s hand into our lives.

God, thank you for all the blessings.

Praise God that you have breath, for if you had no breath, you would have no life. Then determine to use that breath to give Him praise, and in so doing join every other creature to render that which is due the One who gave us the breath in the first place.

God, I praise You from my breath.

It is amazing that we get to call to worship, even command, the heavenly host to give praise to the One they never cease to praise. Obviously, they do not need the exhortation because they never stop. It is really more of an encouragement to keep it going.

God, thank You for allowing us to call angels to worship. 

His love made a way for us to come back to him. That provides us the fellowship we had lost. That allows us to experience the evidence of his grace. We can find no better reason to praise Him than these. Offer Him the Alleluia’s He deserves today. Do not be left out of the praise.

Lord, I praise 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.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
O praise Him alleluia
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
O praise Him alleluia

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 Don’t Praise God Under Your Breath, But Because of It appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Praise God from whom all blessings flow – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/pray-hands-grateful-thankful-2408038/
Praise Him all creatures here below – https://pixabay.com/photos/insect-fauna-nature-praying-mantis-4448684/

Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him alleluia
Praise praise the Father praise the Son
And praise the Spirit Three in One
O praise Him alleluia

All Creatures of Our God and King
By: St. Francis 1225, trans. William Henry Draper 1919

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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue our journey through this ancient hymn ask the Holy Spirit to help you issue this call to worship. Be sure to find your place in the praise. Let’s tune our hearts.

All Things

No one gets a pass. There will be no exceptions or excuses. There is coming a day when all creation will bless our Creator.

Are you ready for that? Do you engage in His praise regularly? When did you last invite someone into that eternity-altering reality that is giving thanks to the One who made all things?

If not, why not? Remove whatever excuses just came to mind. He is worthy. Deny the exceptions you might be tempted to offer. He is worthy. Bless your Creator. He is worthy.

Let all things their Creator bless

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! Psalm 145:10 ESV

We started out with all creatures, went through a number of unexpected creations, and now have come full circle. The use of the word bless here means to thank, or express gratitude. All things should express gratitude to our creator. Have you done it today?

Nothing and no one is exempt. All things should offer blessing and thanks to our Creator. But so many of us do not. We never become aware of our need to respond to Him. Are you doing your part to call others to offer their praise to God?

RESONATE! 
Take a few moments and consider your level of gratitude. Did you offer any to God today? It is the first step toward inviting others in the praise. Make this your simple prayer “Creator, help me call others to worship.” 

Humble Worship

Who do we think we are? Too often we have an exaggerated self image, or self importance. We simply think too highly of ourselves. This can lead us to a point that we think we are the ones worthy of worship.

Not certain you have ever let your pride get the best of you? Oh, that is what we are talking about after all. Pride, a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction. That really would not be an issue if it did not keep us from giving God the glory due Him for all He has done.

Have you worshipped Him today? Have you been more concerned with your interests or pursuits? Humbly worship God right now.

And worship Him in humbleness

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. Psalm 69:34 ESV

Every moving thing in heaven, on the earth, and in the seas should give praise to God. Why? He made us, created us to reveal his glory. We should be careful to give him all the worship that only He deserves. We must be diligent about this because He is worthy.

Humility is even more lacking than praise, for it is the humbling of ourselves that heightens our awareness of our need to worship. We humble ourselves before the God who made us, and in so doing create an even greater ability to welcome others into the praise.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and think about worshipping in humbleness. What would that look like for you? Maybe simply telling God that you want to be more concerned for His glory than your own well-being? Pray this simple prayer, “Father, help me know how to humble myself. “  

Jesus, thank You for growing things and the abundance they produce. May that abundance satisfy my appetite and fuel my adoration. Help me be as eager to praise as the Earth is to be fertile. In Jesus’ name. 

Humble 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 52.7 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.

Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him alleluia
Praise praise the Father praise the Son
And praise the Spirit Three in One

Nothing and no one is exempt. All things should offer blessing and thanks to our Creator. But so many of us do not. We never become aware of our need to respond to Him. Are you doing your part to call others to offer their praise to God?

Creator, help me call others to worship.

Humility is even more lacking than praise, for it is the humbling of ourselves that heightens our awareness of our need to worship. We humble ourselves before the God who made us, and in so doing create an even greater ability to welcome others into the praise. 

Father, help me how to humble myself. 

And just who is the recipient of all this praise? First of all, God the Father, our Maker. He made us to praise, yet we went our own way.  Second, God the Son, who made the way for us to come back to the Father. Jesus reconciles us and reveals the Father to us. 

Jesus, thank You for making a way back to God.

Third, the Holy Spirit does the work of bringing us to the end of ourselves so that we can see our need of a Savior. When He shows us Jesus is that Savior it fuels our praise. All three members of the Trinity doing their part to invite and into and enabling our praise. 

O Three in One, enable my praise.

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.

Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him alleluia
Praise praise the Father praise the Son
And praise the Spirit Three in One
O praise Him alleluia

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

The post There are No Exceptions to This Call to Worship appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Let all things their Creator bless – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-of-nazareth-statue-christ-3950099/
And worship Him in humbleness – https://pixabay.com/photos/man-praying-kneel-kneeling-1867390/