I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness
Where is death’s sting where grave thy victory
I triumph still if Thou abide with me

Abide with Me 1847
By: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)

Listen to this lovely version of this 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 hymn in which we plead for the abiding presence of Jesus, ask Him to make Himself known. Let’s tune our hearts.

Hand

What better expression of presence is a handing reaching out to touch? The reassurance that simple gesture can bring is difficult to measure. I person can feel very alone, even in a crowded room, but for the gentle touch of a hand.

How much more is this true when we have some sense of the presence of God in our lives? Though we do not feel the touch of His hand, He is no less present when we sense Him with us. That may be through another person, or simply a quiet confidence that He is near.

Never is this more true than when we are facing some fear. Again, it may not be a physical threat, but emotional, relational, even spiritual, though no less real. It is in those moments we most need reminded of the presence of God.

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 ESV

There are plenty of adversaries that should strike fear in our hearts if the Lord were not on our side, but He is. So, we need not fear any foe with the Lord nearby to bless. He is our light and salvation. The stronghold of our lives. Thank Him for His presence which drives out fear.

There is difference in you having fear and fear having you. There are foes that evoke fear in us, that is until we invoke the presence of God. His presence changes everything. If you have any fear of any foe welcome the presence of God and watch in confidence as it drifts away.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider your fears. We all have them, but they need not have us. God’s presence drives them out. Make this your simple prayer “God, I welcome Your presence.” 

Tears

Do you recall the last time you tasted the saltiness of your tears? We all shed them from time to time. That is universal. What need not be universal is the lingering pain they can represent.

We have a Savior who not only delivers us from our fears, but sometimes even delivers us through them. Sometimes the path through our fears brings ills and the tears that are often associated with them. Jesus gives us a way to deal with them by providing a perspective on them that changes how we feel about them, both their weight and their bitterness.

Transformation is the way of our Lord. Will you bring the the ills and tears to Him? Trust Him to do with them what you never could.

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

We do suffer ills and shed many tears, but the weight of them is light and the bitterness absent when we see them in comparison to what God is producing in us through them. The key to this perspective is trusting God in the midst of them so you can see them clearly.

Recall some of the ills you have suffered. Remember some of the tears you have shed. Now bring them to the abiding presence of God. The weight of them lightens in the heaviness of His presence, and the bitterness of them turns sweet. Ask Jesus to change your ills and tears.

RESONATE
Take a few moments to recall and remember. Now ask Jesus to do what only He can do with them. He may not remove them but He will change them. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, transform my ills and tears.”  

Jesus, thank You for Your presence. I can face my foes with courage with You. I can carry the ills I have experienced because they are not so heavy with Your help. I can experience abiding joy on the other side of pain with Your presence. In Jesus’ name. 

Restful 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 45.4 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 fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness
Where is death’s sting where grave thy victory
I triumph still if Thou abide with me

There is difference in you having fear and fear having you. There are foes that evoke fear in us, that is until we invoke the presence of God. His presence changes everything. If you have any fear of any foe welcome the presence of God and watch in confidence as it drifts away.

God, I welcome Your presence.

Recall some of the ills you have suffered. Remember some of the tears you have shed. Now bring them to the abiding presence of God. The weight of them lightens in the heaviness of His presence, and the bitterness of them turns sweet. Ask Jesus to change your ills and tears.

Jesus, transform my ills and tears.

The Holy Spirit allows us to see beyond the painful sting of death and the fleeting victory of the grave as He reveals to us the breathless wonder of the resurrection. Though we may even die, we will live again as the Breath of God breathes life into our souls. Thank Him for that.

Spirit, thank You for life.

We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, Romans 8:37. There is no better expression of that love than giving us the presence that allows us to overcome all things, even death. This is the ultimate, eternal victory. Give praise to Jesus for His overcoming presence.

Jesus, I praise You for Your overcoming presence.

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.

I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness
Where is death’s sting where grave thy victory
I triumph still if Thou abide with me

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 His Presence is the Hand that Wipes Away Tears appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Thee at hand to bless – https://pixabay.com/vectors/hand-part-reaching-touch-fingers-28964/
Tears no bitterness – https://pixabay.com/vectors/drops-eye-tears-tear-drop-157364/

I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r
Who like Thyself my Guide and Stay can be
Through cloud and sunshine O abide with me

Abide with Me 1847
By: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)

Listen to this lovely version of this 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 hymn in which we plead for the abiding presence of Jesus, ask Him to make Himself known. Let’s tune our hearts.

Resting

“The presence of God is what makes the difference in every circumstance.”

I have learned this truth in ever-increasing measure over my journey with Jesus, and I continue to learn it a little more as time passes. Those passing hours provide for us innumerable opportunities to grasp the life-transforming reality of the presence of God yet too often we forfeit those moments by pressing on or trying to find a way out rather than simply resting.

As the moments tick away it can be difficult to remain still and cultivate a greater awareness of His presence but that is exactly what we must do every day. Will you seek His presence continually?

I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Psalm 105:4 ESV

Coming to the place in our journey with Jesus when we realize and are willing to confess we need Him every hour tends to be difficult. We arrive there often through difficulty and disappointment. But it is a good thing to arrive there because in it we learn our need of Him.

Have you come to the point where you know by experience you need Jesus every hour. I am not referring to the intellectual grasp of an idea, but the spiritual knowing of this truth. We are not self-sufficient. We need Jesus. The sooner we embrace this, and live it, the better off we are by far.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and seek the presence of Jesus. There is no greater pursuit, and yet we spend so little time engaged in it. Make this your simple prayer “God, I need Your presence every hour.” 

Resisting

While learning to rest in God’s presence in an active pursuit, we must stay vigilant to resist the activity of the evil one. Fortunately the antidote for  the poison of Satan’s power is the presence of God. As we learn to rest in Him we become more and more familiar with His grace. That familiarity is what allows us to resist the counterfeits of it the tempter brings before us.

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:20 ESV

Sometimes we come to that understanding of needing His presence as a result of the work of our enemy. Even still, if we will look to Jesus in those moments we will experience a different measure of His grace than we do in moments of delight.

Satan’s work is often allowed by God to bring us to the end of ourselves. Why? Because that is where we truly discover the sufficiency of Christ. It is never Jesus and, but Jesus only. Nothing but His grace will suffice, and where do we find that? In His presence. Ask for it regularly.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and ask Jesus to help you resist the devil as you learn to rest in Him. Both are active, vigilant endeavors. Be ready to work at them and pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, give me the grace found only in Your presence.”  

Jesus, thank You for the rest that can be found only in You. That rest helps me not only enjoy You, but also resist the tempter. Help me to find great delight in Your presence so the emptiness of his offers diminish in Your grace. In Jesus’ name. 

Restful 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 45.3 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 Thy presence ev’ry passing hour
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r
Who like Thyself my Guide and Stay can be
Through cloud and sunshine O abide with me

Have you come to the point where you know by experience you need Jesus every hour. I am not referring to the intellectual grasp of an idea, but the spiritual knowing of this truth. We are not self-sufficient. We need Jesus. The sooner we embrace this, and live it, the better off we are by far.

God, I need Your presence every hour.

Satan’s work is often allowed to bring us to the end of ourselves. Why? Because that is where we truly discover the sufficiency of Christ. It is never Jesus and, but Jesus only. Nothing but HIs grace will suffice, and where do we find that? In His presence. Ask for it regularly.

Jesus, give me the grace found only in Your presence.

A stay is a cable that holds the mast on a sailing ship. It is used to strengthen the mast through strong winds. Jesus always leads us, sometimes even through storms. When He does, we learn a whole different level of trust as He keeps us through the worst of times.

Jesus, be my Guide and Stay.

Learning to enjoy His presence is best done in the sunshine. We can learn the whispers of His grace so when the clouds come we can still discern them. Sometimes He calms the storms and sometimes He calms us through them. Rest in Him in every circumstance.

Lord, teach me to abide with 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.

I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r
Who like Thyself my Guide and Stay can be
Through cloud and sunshine O abide with me

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 Rehearsing the Rhythm of Resting and Resisting appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour –  https://pixabay.com/illustrations/flying-time-woman-reflect-5457006/
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/demon-beast-horror-scary-devil-1982195/

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not abide with me

Abide with Me 1847
By: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)

Listen to this lovely version of this 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 hymn in which we plead for the abiding presence of Jesus, ask Him to make Himself known. Let’s tune our hearts.

Life’s Little Day

As we live each day, the weight of the cares of each can seem overwhelming. Make this phone call. Finish this task. Resolve this conflict, etc. But as we step back and gain a little perspective we begin to see how small those concerns really are.

What are the things are clouding your mind and heart today?

Bills? Relationships? Thoughts?

If we can gain the perspective that even the big things each day are not actually as large as they seem we will be on the right track to prioritizing what really matters. The presence of God and learning to live in it are really the most important things.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day

“O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days—you whose years endure throughout all generations!” Psalm 102:24 ESV

God has no expiration date, but we do. One day we will come to ours, and every sunset is a quiet reminder of that truth. Each day comes to an end, sometimes seemingly quickly, and so shall we. Each day our lives are rushing to their end, but our trust is in He who numbers them.

If day is life and night is death, the end of the “day” is approaching for each of us. Many choose to live as though they will never die and that leaves them ill-prepared to deal with their end as it comes quickly. Have you come to terms with your mortality? Ask for God’s help.

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and ask Jesus to give you a better perspective than you possess. That will help you deal differently with the things in your little days. Make this your simple prayer “God, help me accept my mortality.” 

Joys and Glories

There are some wonderful blessings God brings into our lives. Relationships, achievements, avocations and so much more. As wonderful as each one is they are designed to point us to the Source of all the good things, God.

I love the fall. It is easily my favorite season. Creation takes on different colors, hues and tones this time of year in my part of the world. I truly enjoy the passing beauty of the leaves, knowing they will all be gone soon, or rather in my yard waiting to be cleared away.

What are the joys and glories that are precious to you? Is your heart set on them? Or can you see past them for what they are truly meant to reveal?

Earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Psalm 102:25 ESV

The creation is a marvelous reflection of the joys and glories with which God graces our fleeting lives. From the foundations of the earth to the heavens we see a beauty that seems as lasting as the One who made them, but alas they are not. They dim and pass away like us.

As the things of earth grow strangely dim we are faced with two choices. Surrender to an uncertain eternity, or allow the light of Christ’s glory and grace to illuminate the growing darkness. Seems like a simple choice, but many complicate it unnecessarily. How about you?

RESONATE
Take a few moments and consider your choice regarding the joys of earth. Can you see the light they are meant to point us to? Be ready to do so and pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, I welcome Your light.”  

Jesus, thank You for the joys and glories of earth and this life. Help me to see past the to the You, their Source. Inform my perspective every day with how little these moments truly are compared to what is to come. In Jesus’ name. 

Informed 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 45.2 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.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not abide with me

If day is life and night is death, the end of the “day” is approaching for each of us. Many choose to live as though they will never die and that leaves them ill-prepared to deal with their end as it comes quickly. Have you come to terms with your mortality? Ask for God’s help.

God, help me accept my mortality.

As the things of earth grow strangely dim we are faced with two choices. Surrender to an uncertain eternity, or allow the light of Christ’s glory and grace to illuminate the growing darkness. Seems like a simple choice, but many complicate it unnecessarily. How about you?

Jesus, I welcome Your light.

As we get older, we become more and more aware of just how feeble our bodies are. We may retard the demise of our flesh but we can not escape it. Some people act as though this is not true but it is an inescapable fact. Can you see these things or have you turned a blind eye?

Spirit, help me see.

When we come to terms with these truths we are left to determine how to deal with them. Our inclination will be to try to cheat them or escape, but a better alternative is to surrender to the One who is over even these processes by learning to live in His presence. What’s your choice?

Lord, abide with 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.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not abide with me

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 Yearning for a Beauty Beyond Today appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/guitar-instrument-music-1913836/
Earth’s joys grow dim its glories pass away – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/swing-fall-drawing-people-man-7502838/