Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing

Joy to the World 1719
By: Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)

Listen to this modern acapella version of this carol 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 begin our journey through this carol in which we plead for the abiding presence of Jesus, ask Him to make Himself known. Let’s tune our hearts.

Joy, the Lord, Has Come

Everything changed that night. Certainly the shepherds lives would never be the same, but they were only the first ones to receive the good news. The Lord had come.

But not as anyone expected. Quite the contrary. They were looking for a conquering King not a helpless baby.

How often do we miss His appearing because we are looking for a different representation of His presence? One more like how we would right the wrongs. When will we learn our Lord has an entirely different economy than the one we tend to employ.

How often do we miss the joy because we are looking for a different path toward it? A Savior had been born. He was the anointed One of God. Lord of all. Joy had come to the world from an unexpected source.

Joy to the world the Lord is come

…the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 ESV 

Good news of great joy indeed. God’s people had longed for the Messiah and in this angelic proclamation they learned He had arrived. He was the anointed King, come in the form of a baby, to deliver them from their sins. Imagine what it must have been like to hear that news.

There is no greater cause for joy in this world than to learn that the Lord of all has come to us. It is what we celebrate in this most wonderful of seasons, but it can easily be overshadowed by all the tinsel and business. How will you live in the real joy of the season that is Jesus?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about what brings you joy. Was your first thought Jesus? Oh to find the path to that way of thinking and the impact it has on our living. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, help me live joyfully.” 

Receive Your King

That joy should burst out in song as you welcome your King. Think about it. When a king arrives there may be trumpets to herald his presence. The angels announced the birth of our King but otherwise there was little fanfare.

How will you prepare yourself for the celebration of the King? Will you keep silent or will you be ready to make a joyful noise? Will you hold your praise or will you let it rip?

Your response to His arrival indicates how special you believe it to be. Yes, we celebrate it every year, over and over, so it can become routine but we can work to make it special. What kind of preparations will you make to join the praise Jesus deserves?

Let earth receive her King

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!…With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Psalm 98:4, 6 ESV

The King had come, but they were not ready for Him. Not on that holy night, and not even years later when He preached good news and healed the sick. What does it mean to receive the King? Certainly there should be praise. How will you make a joyful noise this Christmas?

There is much pomp and circumstance when an earthly King arrives. Such ado is fitting. Jesus came long ago, but still many have failed to receive Him. How can herald the coming of the King of Kings and help them do so? Every circumstance is different but let’s be ready.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider how you will receive Your King. Will it be as if the Ruler of Creation just burst on the scene, or some unexpected, unwelcome guest just rang your doorbell. Be ready to give him the welcome He deserves and pray a simple prayer like this one, “King, help me herald Your coming.”  

Jesus, thank You for coming to earth. Angels announced your arrival, and I want to do so as well. Shepherds told anyone who would listen of their encounter with the Savior, and I want to as well. Make it so Lord. In Jesus’ name. 

Joyful 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 47.1 Transcript

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

Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing

There is no greater cause for joy in this world than to learn that the Lord of all has come to us. It is what we celebrate in this most wonderful of seasons, but it can easily be overshadowed by all the tinsel and busyness. How will you live in the real joy of the season that is Jesus?

Jesus, help me live joyfully.

There is much pomp and circumstance when an earthly King arrives. Such ado is fitting. Jesus came long ago, but still many have failed to receive Him. How can herald the coming of the King of Kings and help them do so? Every circumstance is different but let’s be ready.

King, help me herald Your coming.

Welcoming a King with a parade or banquet is common. Welcoming a King by yielding your entire life including eternity is not. This is however exactly how our King must be received, offering Him not just room in our heart, but its throne. Our heart must become His throne room.

Jesus, make my heart Your throne.

When our heart becomes His throne room, joining all heaven and nature singing His praises becomes the only appropriate response, and one we long to do. Do you love to sing to your King? If not, ask the Spirit to reveal why. Maybe there is an issue in the throne room.

Spirit, is there an issue in my throne room?

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.

Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n and nature 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 How Will You Herald His Happening? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Joy to the World the Lord is Come – https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?phrase=joy+to+the+world
Let earth receive her King – https://www.redeemerchurchofsouthhills.org/sermons/let-earth-receive-her-king/

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

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

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

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Faithful

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

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

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

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

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness

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

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

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

Jesus, help me join the chorus proclaiming Your faithfulness.

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

Mercy

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

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

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

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

Morning by morning
New mercies I see

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

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

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

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

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

Faithful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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 46.3 Transcript, 23.6 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.

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

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

Jesus, help me join the chorus proclaiming Your faithfulness.

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

Spirit, help me see God’s mercies daily.

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

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

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

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to me.

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

Sing

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

The post Cultivating Eyes of Faith REPOST appeared first on Resonant 7.

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

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest
Sun moon and stars
In their courses above
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love 

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

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

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

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

Cyclical Seasons

Do you have a favorite season?

Most people do. There are particular things about that season that just sets it apart, whether memories, activities, family celebrations or simply the weather itself. They are excited as it approaches and sad as it gives way to the next.

If you have lived in a place that has distinct seasons and you move to a place where they are more subtle, it can be disappointing. If you have lived in a place that has subtle seasonal changes and you more to a place where they are more severe, it can be shocking. I suppose at some level that makes your appreciation of seasonal changes subjective.

Either way, the seasons do change with great predictability, whether subtle or severe. Those changes, and the cycle they portray is a beautiful thing. The fresh starts of Spring, the heat of Summer, the crispness of Fall, and the deadness of Winter represent the very cycle of life: birth, maturity, aging, and death. God appointing a time for every purpose under heaven, whether for the earth as a whole or an individual life.

The hymn evokes this imagery in these opening words.

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest

You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter. Psalm 74:17 ESV

I love the seasons and how they remind us that things change, but God does not. Reigning in faithfulness over all that He has made He demonstrates His faithfulness through their cycle. As surely as one ends another begins. He made them just like He fixed all the laws that govern His creation.

RESONATE!
Take a moment to look around and  allow the season you are in now to speak of the faithfulness of God. If the season you are in is making it difficult to do that, identify why that is. What is happening in your life in this season that God wants to use to prompt your praise? Even if you are in a rough spot and it seems like nothing is changing, take some encouragement from the seasons and rest in the fact that things will change, because God has built that rhythm into the fabric of this life. Thank Him through changing seasons you can praise Him for His changeless character.

Celestial Spheres

Looking around gives us the perspective that things are changing as the days pass, even though those changes may only be visible day to day on a very small scale. Looking up can give us a similar perspective of things changing, albeit a more expansive one. There is a rhythm to each.

As the seasons change, so does the orientation of the sphere we live on to those around us. The moon is the most obvious as it changes in appearance a little each day. The tilting of the earth on its axis causes seasonal changes as it effects our position relative to the sun, and even where we might find certain constellations in the night sky. Even so, day after day and night after night they are still there. Their rhythm is reliable when other things may seem to be anything but.

Sun moon and stars
In their courses above

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-4 ESV

Not to be outdone by the seasons, the celestial bodies get in on declaring God’s faithfulness as well. As surely as the sun sets it will rise again. This proclaims His handiwork and invites us to respond with our worship.

When was the last time you went outside at night to simply look up and marvel anew at God’s glory? All you see will be declaring it, and inviting you to do the same. It is easy to loose perspective by getting to accustomed to looking down, but you can change that today, or tonight rather.

Spirit, help me pour forth my earthly praise to join the heavenly.

RESONATE!
Step outside and look up. It is an awesome display of God’s faithfulness, whether you can locate the North Star or not. Marvel at God’s power on display in the heavenly bodies and ask the Spirit to help you pour forth praise to add to theirs. Maybe something here below the stars is keeping you from joining the celestial praise? Maybe a little star-gazing will lift you eyes and you spirit.  Try it. 

Father, thank You for the way you put your faithfulness on display through cyclical seasons and celestial spheres. There is a rhythm in each of them that speaks to order, design, and patterns. Help me to develop my own rhythm of responding to Your faithfulness through these teachers and any others.  In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Rhythmic 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 46.2 Transcript, 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.

Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest
Sun moon and stars
In their courses above
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love 

I love the seasons and how they remind us that things change, but God does not. Reigning in faithfulness over all that He has made He demonstrates His faithfulness through their cycle. What season are you in as you read? How is that prompting your praise today?

God, through changing seasons I praise You for Your changeless character.

Step outside and look up. All that you see is declaring the glory of God. Is something here below keeping you from joining the celestial praise? Marvel at God’s power on display in the heavenly bodies and ask the Spirit to help you pour forth praise to add to theirs.

Spirit, help me pour forth my earthly praise to join the heavenly.

Not only do seasons and stars declare His glory, but also all nature. Every created thing proclaims the handiwork of God, in many and various ways. You are a unique expression of that witness. How will you exercise that privilege today? Ask Jesus to help you.

Jesus, please show me how to use my life as a witness.

His love is steadfast. His mercy is unmerited. His faithfulness is great. All around there are constant expressions of these truths but we often fail to recognize them, which leaves us incapable of declaring them. Ask the Father to help you see them all around you today.

Father, show me Your faithfulness, mercy and love.

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 Developing a Rhythm of Looking Around, and Up REPOST appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Summer and Winter and Springtime and Harvest – https://pixabay.com/photos/seasons-of-the-year-summer-autumn-1127760/
Sun, Moon and Stars in their Courses Above – https://pixabay.com/photos/space-planet-earth-orbit-sky-1201086/