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Where are the thankful people

Welcome to Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri–a time we set aside to wander in the Presence of Jesus and ponder His truths. When you are ready, prepare your mind, body, and soul to have a transformational encounter with Jesus.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined Hold me Steady. This week we will examine Where are all my thankful people?  When you are ready, you may begin the dialogue with Jesus and state: “Jesus, I invite you to help me to leisurely wander into your Presence. Prepare my heart to receive, and illuminate my spiritual senses to encounter you.”

 PROMISE: Psalm 107:1 Amplified Bible

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His compassion and lovingkindness endure forever!

Give thanks, for God is good. Give thanks for His compassion. Give thanks for His lovingkindness. Give thanks that His goodness, compassion, and lovingkindness are ENDLESS.

Psalm: Come, Ye Thankful People Come 1844
By: Henry Alford (1810-1871)

Come ye thankful people come
Raise the song of harvest-home
All is safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied
Come to God’s own temple come
Raise the song of harvest-home

Henry Alford invites the thankful people to come. Where are all the thankful people?

PARABLE:  The World of Disney’s International Food and Wine Festival is happy place for those who love food. People gathered from all over the world with gratitude that we finally could experience a vacation after being shut in and imprisoned by Covid-19.

Disney groupies from all over the globe transitioned back into vacation explored the festive travels of Epcot Park’s International Wine and Food Festival outdoor venues. Australia features grilled sweet and spicy bush berry shrimp with pineapple, pepper, onion, and snap peas, roasted lamb chop with sweet potato puree, bush berry pea salad, and pistachio-pomegrante gremolato. Belgium tastes erupt with beer-braised beef served with smoked gouda mashed potatoes. Kenya explodes in Kenyan coffee barbecue beef tenderloin with sweet potato and corn mealie pa and kachumbari slaw. The taste of soy-glazed sticky ribs with green onions and peanuts can be found at the Swanky Saucy Swine. Mac and Eats have a unique macaroni and cheese with house-made Italian sausage and peppers. The small appetizer plates tamed my food obsession and gave me an opportunity to taste in abundance. Yet, after a full day in the park, we had only explored one-third of the park.  The Epcot world showcase taste experience is endless.

The taste of gratitude is endless when we focus on the everlasting Goodness, Graciousness, and Generosity of God. It does not run out. His giving is like an endless buffet of mercy, grace, love, compassion, and kindness that refreshes every day. I realize I have been guilty of only counting the big blessings and that every day little blessings and miracles met me like appetizers, wetting my gratitude taste buds, fragrancing my nostrils with the aroma of Thanksgiving. The experiential lessons of Covid-19 continue to illustrate that life is not something to take for granted. The privilege to wake up each day is a blessing. Now I understand why the old timed Saints began their prayers with “I thank God for a reasonable portion of health and strength. For my laying down and rising up. For the use of my limbs.” I resonate with why when they didn’t hear the words, “Thank you God” that they asked the question, “Where are the thankful people at?” and would say “Come ye thankful people come” to the alter.

Though not always, today I can be found being thankful as I respond to to the Saints, “Here I am!” I am grateful. I am here to respond to God with my words of thanksgiving and my heart of gratitude! As I journal my way through November and count my blessings, I realize that the blessings of God are too numerous to count. 

Soul care training exercise:  Come ye thankful people come. As we experience the blessings and miracles of each day, will you take time to Ponder the question In this moment, what are ten things that I am thankful for? 

  • Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you what things you are thankful for in this moment.
  • Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness of what comes to your mind. Invite God into your sanctified imagination. Ask Him to bring to your attention what He wants you to know about the things which came to your awareness.
  • Next scan your mind and notice what the Holy Spirit is sharing about the type of gratitude you expressed. Were the first things for the spiritual things of God? Physical things? or People?
  • Finally, Focus on what you see and hear. Ask the Holy Spirit what you need to know, hear, or do. Expand your thoughts, it may be something you never heard told this way before. With a breath of gratitude, breathe in and breathe out and accept what Jesus is offering to you.

PRAYER: Abba, I give thanks that You are good, generous, and gracious. I am grateful that You are merciful and a Miracle Worker. I am blessed to experience that You are a faithful Father. Help me to continue to count the ways that You are good. I don’t want you to have to look for me and ask “Where are my thankful people at?” I want to bless you for more than what you do. I want to thank you for who You are! In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

PRAISE: Now that you have emptied your mind of the clutter and wandered with Jesus, take a closing moment to give thanks to God for his goodness, compassion, and lovingkindness. Then take the mindfulness of Jesus’ Presence in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.

Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Where are all the thankful people appeared first on Resonant 7.

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Image attributions:  Text art app with words added

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What Will You Harvest?

Come, ye thankful people come Raise the song of Harvest home

Come ye thankful people come
Raise the song of harvest-home
All is safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied
Come to God’s own temple come
Raise the song of harvest-home

 Come, Ye Thankful People Come 1844
By: Henry Alford (1810-1871)

Listen to this modern version of this seasonal 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 begin our journey through this seasonal prepare yourself to come and praise. Prepare yourself but also be ready to issue to eh call to others to join you. What better time than this season of Thanksgiving? Let’s tune our hearts.

Harvest Home

Redeeming pagan festivals for the glory of God is a common theme in Christendom. Several of the most important holidays in the Christian year are close in proximity on the calendar to such celebrations. Harvest Home is a good example of this, abiet a little lesser known.

Harvest Home was the ancient English harvest feast where they would celebrate the harvest. Participants celebrated the last day of harvest in late September by singing, shouting, and decorating the village with boughs.  It was a cause for rejoicing.

Of course, we celebrate the Creator God who makes the harvest possible by providing all the sustenance we need. We do so by committing to come and raise a song to honor Him.

Come ye thankful people come
Raise the song of harvest-home

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4 ESV

To whom will you direct your thanks? I often find it sad when people realize they should be thankful but are simply not certain where or to whom to direct it. For us as the people of God that is easy. We direct our thanks to God Himself for all of His provision to us everyday, including today.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about harvest time. We celebrate the Lord of the harvest and give Him thanks and praise for his provision through it. Ask the Spirit to help you do that, then make this your simple prayer today “Father, I raise my song to You.” 

Ingathering

All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin

Harvest time is an essential time in the cycle of all things. There is a time to plant and a time to reap. There is a time to labor and a time to rest.

Winter tends to be the time of year that is less active. We can not be outside as much and so our activities change. It is more of a time to rest, for our lives and for the land.

There are cycles and rhythms in our spiritual lives as well. Times when we plant and other times when we sow. Times when we are active and other times when we are dormant.

What season are you in?

All is safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin

You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end. Exodus 34:22 ESV

As long as there have been seasons there have been times of harvest marking some of them. Like the people of old we should be willing to observe special times of God’s provision for us. This verse marks the ingathering of the harvest, and we acknowledge the same in our lives.

Seasons change. With winter coming, it was essential for the harvest to be brought in so it would not be ruined. What harvest is waiting for you to bring it in so that it can be preserved? What is the winter coming for you that could ruin your harvest if you do not prepare?

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and reflect on the ingathering. We must bring in the harvest God has provided for us, not leaving it out in the field to spoil. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, help me gather in my harvest.” 

God, thank You for the season and the way they mark the cycles of life. Help me to identify what I need to be gathering in during my harvest cycles.  In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Harvest 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 34.1 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.

Come ye thankful people come
Raise the song of harvest-home
All is safely gathered in
Ere the winter storms begin
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied
Come to God’s own temple come
Raise the song of harvest-home

Harvest Home was the ancient English harvest feast where they would celebrate the harvest. Of course, we celebrate the Creator God who makes the harvest possible by providing all the sustenance we need. We do so by committing to come and raise a song to honor Him.

Father, I raise my song to You.

Seasons change. With winter coming, it was essential for the harvest to be brought in so it would not be ruined. What harvest is waiting for you to bring it in so that it can be preserved? What is the winter coming for you that could ruin your harvest if you do not prepare?

Jesus, help me gather in my harvest.

God provides everything we need, but He does expect that we will do our part to bring the harvest in. There is some labor involved but even that is dependent on God’s provision for the energy and stamina to do it. He is our Maker and the Provider of everything we need. 

God, thank You for the energy to harvest.

We should come to God to offer Him the praise that is due His matchless name for the way He provides. We are the temple of God and can offer Him the song He deserves only as the Spirit enables us to do so. Ask the Spirit to help you come and offer your song of praise.

Spirit, help me raise my song of 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.

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 Will You Harvest? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Come ye thankful people come Raise the song of harvest-home – https://pixabay.com/photos/harvest-harvest-festival-1642438/
All is safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin – https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-branch-winter-snowfall-2465450/

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Responding to His Knocking

Yea all I need in Thee to find

Just as I am poor wretched blind
Sight riches healing of the mind
Yea all I need in Thee to find
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast 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 podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

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

As we conclude our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s think about this.

All I Need…

We come to Jesus to find all we need. These last two lines read as one thought, but a poetic one that requires a little bit of thinking to be able understand. Of course the same could be said of the cross.

One hymn writer referred to it as an emblem of suffering and shame, and rightfully so. It was a horrible way to take someone’s life. Yet Jesus was willing to go there for us and in so doing modeled the willingness to accept the Father’s will we should each seek to emulate.

The Father was not disciplining Jesus, but redeeming all mankind through His sacrifice. Still it teaches us that God is willing to go to great lengths to draw us to Himself, and that is not always through the suffering of Jesus. Sometimes that suffering is ours.

He is willing to reprove and discipline us. He knows it can lead to repentance and zeal. He shows His love for us in that.

Yea all I need in Thee to find

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:19 ESV

All I need, yes. Love, indeed. But reproof, discipline, zeal and repentance? Those are not on many of our lists of needful things, but they should be. It is our willingness to accept these things that position us to receive far better. We find everything we need in His love.

They are gifts from God, not wages I have earned. He possesses everything I need and willingly gives it to me when I position myself humbly before Him. Are you sometimes tempted to think you have earned His gifts? That is dangerous thinking. Ask Him to search your mind.

 

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider your willingness to embrace reproof and discipline. They can lead to zeal and repentance, especially when we realize they are delivered out of love. But we are sometimes to self-reliant and proud to accept such love. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, search my mind for pride.” 

I Find When I Come to Jesus

O Lamb of God I come I come

When I come to Jesus I realize that He has already come to me. I did not have to go far. He made the coming easy by drawing near.

He makes it even easier by knocking on the door of our hearts. All we have to do is open the door. But many things keep us from even hearing Him knocking, let alone opening the door to Him: pride, activity, complacency, inattentiveness to name a few. We must chose to press through these and respond to His knocking.

O Lamb of God I come I come

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 ESV

This verse reminds us that even when we come we are simply responding to the initiative our Lord has taken. If you hear His voice and open the door it is only because He started knocking. Come and open the door of your heart to Jesus again today.

Jesus takes the initiative by coming to the door of your heart and knocking. Have you seen that depiction of the door with no doorknob? He will not burst in, you must welcome Him. He is knocking again today. Will you come open yourself to the love of Your Savior just as you are?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and listen for the knocking. That knocking is not only when we first welcome Him in. We must be mindful to keep opening our heart to Him or we will become complacent. Pray simply, “Jesus, I open myself to Your love again today.“

Lord, thank You for taking the initiative and making coming to you so much easier. If it were not for you doing so I could never have made it. Thank You for being everything I need. 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 33.6 Transcript

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

Just as I am poor wretched blind

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Revelation 3:17 ESV

It is hard for us to admit our humble condition. But that humility is the beginning of an incredible journey with Jesus. The Scripture here paints a very poignant picture of the condition of our souls apart from Jesus. Will you admit those things to Him today? 

Sight riches healing of the mind

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Revelation 3:18 ESV

If we will humble ourselves, admit our helpless state, and receive His counsel of love He will transform our condition from awful to wonderful. None of that is based on any merit of our own but is simply the grace of God. He gives us what we do not deserve. Everything we need.

Yea all I need in Thee to find

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:19 ESV

All I need, yes. Love, indeed. But reproof, discipline, zeal and repentance? Those are not on many of our lists of needful things, but they should be. It is our willingness to accept these things that position us to receive far better. We find everything we need in His love.

O Lamb of God I come I come

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 ESV

This verse reminds us that even when we come we are simply responding to the initiative our Lord has taken. If you hear His voice and open the door it is only because He started knocking. Come and open the door of your heart to Jesus again today.

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, with the refrain.

Just as I am poor wretched blind
Sight riches healing of the mind
Yea all I need in Thee to find
O Lamb of God I come I come

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

The post Responding to His Knocking appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Fightings and fears within without – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/woman-ghosts-depression-throughts-6400073/
O Lamb of God I come I come – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fear-woman-crack-score-furrow-615989/

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Are You Seeing Things Clearly?

Just as I am poor, wretched blind

Just as I am poor wretched blind
Sight riches healing of the mind
Yea all I need in Thee to find
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this simple 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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we conclude our journey through this beloved hymn come one las time with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s tune our hearts.

Self-Assessment

When was the last time you did any kind of self-assessment? These can be uncomfortable but the person who wants to grow must be willing to occasionally take a close look at the person they are. This includes what they used to be, and what they are becoming.

While this can be difficult for the average person, for the Christ-follower it should be a little easier because following Jesus begins with a humble admission that we need a Savior. Having acknowledged our past, and confessing our hope of a bright future in His glory, creates a much better scenario for us to honestly consider where we are today.

But that does not mean it is easy.

Just as I am poor wretched blind

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Revelation 3:17 ESV

It is hard for us to admit our humble condition. But that humility is the beginning of an incredible journey with Jesus. The Scripture here paints a very poignant picture of the condition of our souls apart from Jesus. Will you admit those things to Him today? 

That is a humbling admission to make. On my own, by my own merits, I am poor, wretched and blind. Without resources, sight or hope. That is our condition apart from Jesus and it is essential we remember that so we are not tempted to become spiritually complacent.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and acknowledge the reality of Your hopeless estate apart from Christ. Own it as your spiritual condition without Him. Ask the Spirit to help you do that, then make this your simple prayer today “Jesus, help me stay humble before You.” 

God Endowment

Sight riches healing of the mind

We could never have merited the things that God brings into our lives. It is true of the simplest as well as the most profound. The most basic and the extravagant.

Some might consider sight for instance to be a very fundamental thing, while others view it a much more lofty treasure. Whether speaking of physical or spiritual sight, God is the only one who can give it, or restore it.

The same could be said of healing of the mind. Certainly others can aid a process which restores health to a troubled, beleaguered mind, but God is the only one who can bring the healing.

But do we play any part in the restoration of sight, mental health, or even riches for that matter? Yes. We must play an active part in the restorative process, welcoming it and nurturing it. But it is a small part compared to what God does.

Sight riches healing of the mind

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Revelation 3:18 ESV

If we will humble ourselves, admit our helpless state, and receive His counsel of love He will transform our condition from awful to wonderful. None of that is based on any merit of our own but is simply the grace of God. He gives us what we do not deserve. Everything we need.

Sight, and more importantly to see myself clearly. Resources for all my needs, and the needs of others. A healthy mind, clearly discerning things. I can not acquire or maintain these on my own. They are all gifts from God, and I must be willing to receive them. Are you willing?

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and reflect on the luxurious endowments of God. Things you could have never earned on your own He graciously gives to you. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Lord, help me to humbly accept Your gifts.” 

God, thank You for the many things you endow my life with every day. Help me accept them and then live in grateful adoration of Your unmerited kindness to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Honest, 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 33.6 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.

Just as I am poor wretched blind
Sight riches healing of the mind
Yea all I need in Thee to find
O Lamb of God I come I come

That is a humbling admission to make. On my own, by my own merits, I am poor, wretched and blind. Without resources, sight or hope. That is our condition apart from Jesus and it is essential we remember that so we are not tempted to become spiritually complacent.

Jesus, help me stay humble before You.

Sight, and more importantly to see myself clearly. Resources for all my needs, and the needs of others. A healthy mind, clearly discerning things. I can not acquire or maintain these on my own. They are all gifts from God, and I must be willing to receive them. Are you willing?

Lord, help me to humbly accept Your gifts.

They are gifts from God, not wages I have earned. He possesses everything I need and willingly gives it to me when I position myself humbly before Him. Are you sometimes tempted to think you have earned His gifts? That is dangerous thinking. Ask Him to search your mind.

Spirit, search my mind for pride.

Jesus takes the initiative by coming to the door of your heart and knocking. Have you seen that depiction of the door with no doorknob. He will not burst in, you must welcome Him. He is knocking again today. Will you come open yourself to the love of Your Savior just as you are?

Jesus, I open myself to Your love again 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

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 Are You Seeing Things Clearly? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Just as I am poor wretched blind – https://pixabay.com/photos/old-man-blind-man-indian-blind-5137666/
Sight riches healing of the mind – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-blue-eyelash-eyeball-eyesight-3150089/

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Battle-Tested? Deliverance Approved!

Fightings and fears within without

Just as I am though tossed about
With many a conflict many a doubt
Fightings and fears within without
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.

Here is podcast 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 podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

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

As we continue our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s think about this.

Battle-Tested

Every one of us face struggles in our faith. We often forget that it is faith that either lies at the center of the problem or is the solution to it. What are you facing in this season or even today that is testing your faith?

Maybe it is some internal issue. Something that has you questioning yourself or doubting God. These can easily be the most difficult things to identify because it can be tough to get to the root of the problem.

Maybe it is some external issue. Something that is pinning you to the mat. It may be simpler to identify what is causing that conflict, but it does not necessarily make it easier to overcome.

Internal or external. Fightings or fears. Either way, God gives us what we need to not only identify the struggles but ultimately to face them with courage and faith.

Fightings and fears within without

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Often if not always there is a spiritual dimension in our fightings and fears that goes beyond the physical. Sometimes they are internal and other times external but always real, and ever a threat to keep us from coming to God when by His design they are meant to drive us to Him.

Sometimes the struggles are spiritual which can be very difficult to discern and even more challenging to master. Are you familiar with those fightings and fears that seem to return with regularity? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify them rightly and then bring them to God.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and contemplate your fightings and fears. Have you been able to identify the real issues? If not ask for help discerning them. Then bring them to God for the help you need to deal with them. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, help me discern my fightings and fears.” 

Delivered

O Lamb of God I come, I come

Are you able to acknowledge that God allows those challenges to our faith not so much to test us as to provide the tools to overcome them? We often are guilty of questioning why God allows certain things to happen in our lives. It would do us good to first consider what God might be wanting to do in and through those struggles rather than finding the fastest route out of them.

God knows our capacity better than we do. He also understands our propensity to escape those things that will strengthen our faith if we will come to Him in the middle of them. Doing so changes our perspective by giving us the opportunity to ask Him to use them for His glory in our lives and not simpler deliver us from them.

The most important thing is to come to Him. Though our tendency may be to blame Him and complain we would be better served by accepting there is purpose in those dilemmas. Come to the Lord.

O Lamb of God I come I come

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 ESV

When we respond to the fears and struggles by seeking Him and coming to Him He answers us. He delivers us from them though sometimes we still have to go through them first. Will you commit to coming to God when doubts and conflicts arise? It is by far the best choice.

Whether conflict, doubt, fighting or fears, we must learn to allow them only to drive us to God and never keep us from coming. He only allows them for that purpose yet we often fail to acknowledge this, embrace them and bring them to Jesus. Ask for His help to do that today.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what things may have been keeping you from coming, or what things you have simply not brought to Him. Sometimes we try to act like superheroes, forgetting that we are simply the sidekicks to the real hero in every struggle. Pray simply, “Jesus, help me bring the things that may have kept me from You.“

Lord, thank You for allowing things to challenge my faith. Help me respond to those struggles by coming to You. Forgive me for the times I have failed to do so. In Jesus name. Amen.

Battle-Tested Thinking!

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Podcast 33.5 Transcript

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

Just as I am though tossed about

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 ESV

Sometimes we are more affected by things outside of ourselves than inside. Like the waves of the seas that are tossed about so our souls are flung around by the circumstances of our lives. Even still God welcomes us to come just like that to Him and find peace.

With many a conflict many a doubt

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:7-8 ESV

Sometimes we are more affected by things inside of ourselves than outside. Our hearts and our minds struggle to find rest as we waver back and forth from trusting God and His word or not. That causes us to be unstable as it robs us of the stability we could know in Christ.

Fightings and fears within without

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Often if not always there is a spiritual dimension in our fightings and fears that goes beyond the physical. Sometimes they are internal and other times external but always real, and ever a threat to keep us from coming to God when by His design they are meant to drive us to Him.

O Lamb of God I come I come

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 ESV

When we respond to our fears and struggles by seeking Him and coming to Him He answers us. He delivers us from them though sometimes we still have to go through them first. Will you commit to coming to God when doubts and conflicts arise? It is by far the best choice.

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, with the refrain.

Just as I am though tossed about
With many a conflict many a doubt
Fightings and fears within without
O Lamb of God I come I come

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

The post Battle-Tested? Deliverance Approved! appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Fightings and fears within without – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/woman-ghosts-depression-throughts-6400073/
O Lamb of God I come I come – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fear-woman-crack-score-furrow-615989/

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