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An Empty Bed and A Broken Seal

Vainly they watch His bed

Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord

Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this resurrection 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.

As we conclude our Easter celebration this week think about His resurrection and make each stanza your response of worship by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Keeping Watch

Soldiers were watching over the place the disciples had laid Jesus the night of His death. Interestingly, there were some folks keeping watch the night of His birth as well. That is about the only thing those two night had in common.

At His birth, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night. At His death, soldiers were keeping watch over His tomb. At His birth, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. At His death, He was wrapped in grave clothes and laid in a stone-cold tomb. At His birth, no one knew He had arrived. At His death, everyone thought He was gone. At His birth, He was the son of an unknown carpenter. At His death, He was the King of the Jews.

Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour

So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Matthew 27:66 ESV

The Jews were concerned Jesus disciples would come and take His body then assert He had risen as He promised, so they pleaded with Pilate who let them seal the tomb and post a guard. They did not realize their seal and watch would be useless. Those things could not stop the Resurrected Christ. 

They did not expect Jesus to walk out of the tomb on His own. That same resurrection power is at work in the lives of all who believe. Do you believe?

RESONATE!
What difference is the resurrection making for you today? Are there and “stones” others may have placed in your way that you are letting stop you today? Ask the Spirit to help you identify them and roll them away.  As they are removed give praise to the Risen One and walk out of your tomb!

Making Tracks

Vainly they seal the dead

Have you ever thought about the soldiers as the stone was rolling away? We know what the angelic message was for the disciples who arrived after the stone was rolled away, but not what may have been said to the soldiers, if anything. The Scriptures tell us they were so afraid they shook and became like dead men. This image captures a moment of confusion and terror which seems pretty accurate to me.

Were some of them the same ones from the crucifixion? Did any of them come to the same conclusion as the centurion, “Surely this was the son of God”? After seeing what they saw, how were they able to repeat the story they were paid and told to tell?

Their sealing of the tomb and watch of the same were both in vain, but at least they were alive. As Roman soldiers deserting your post was punishable by death. Even though reassured by the Jewish leaders, it seems reasonable they would have been uncertain they would remain alive.

How will you respond to the broken seal?

Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:2-3 ESV

The soldiers saw the truth yet maintained a lie. His disciples found an empty tomb and still struggled to believe. Who are you more like?

I wonder how often we are guilty of the soldiers denial or the disciples unbelief, or at least slow belief. Jesus has shown us time and time again His victory over the grave. Do you sometimes struggle to believe? Praise the Lord for His patience.

They placed a seal over the tomb so they could verify if it had been opened, presumably so they could offer that as evidence His body was still there. Jesus removed all doubt by not only breaking the seal but rolling the stone away. Are there any seals you have allowed others to place over your faith? Ask Jesus to break any seal others may have set on you.

RESONATE!
Unbelief is easy. Especially when you allow others to seal the truth of your faith by evoking some fear. Will you climb down into the tomb, invite others to so the same, and expose the reality of what Jesus did? Do not be like the soldiers who denied the truth. Be like the disciples who declared it.

Jesus, help me to have the courage to stand for truth. Break the seals others may have placed on me to silence Your story. Help me walk in resurrection power today and every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Useful 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 27.3 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.

Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord

Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord

They posted guards so Jesus’ disciples would not be able to come and take His body. They did not expect Jesus to walk out of the tomb on His own. That same resurrection power is at work in the lives of all who believe. Is there anything you are letting stop you today?

Spirit, roll my stones away today.

They placed a seal over the tomb so they could verify if it had been opened, presumably so they could offer that as evidence His body was still there. Jesus removed all doubt by not only breaking the seal but rolling the stone away. Ask Jesus to break any seal others may have set on you.

Jesus, break the seals others have placed on me.

Death is a relentless predator. He thought he had won when Jesus died, and that he could hold his prey. Wrong! When Jesus exited the grave He demonstrated power over death, the same power that is at work in all who believe and one day will raise us up. Thank Him for that power.

Jesus, thank You for resurrection power.

Satan thought he had imprisoned Jesus, taking Him captive in His death, but Jesus tore away the bars of that presumed prison.  We will do the same, and can even live in victory over lesser prisons daily. Ask the Spirit to help you live free in resurrection power today.

Spirit, help me live free in resurrection power.

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 An Empty Bed and A Broken Seal appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour – https://cosmiccomicgeek.com/2020/12/the-mission-impossible-of-jesus-the-son-of-god/#.YHSDOi2caRs
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord – https://cosmiccomicgeek.com/2020/12/the-mission-impossible-of-jesus-the-son-of-god/#.YHSDOi2caRs

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Reigning with Christ in Victorious Light

He arose a victor from the dark domain

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this resurrection 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Victor

When Jesus rose from the grave He demonstrated more than just victory over the death. He was victor over every kind of darkness-sin, unrighteousness, death-everything. He broke the shackles that we could never have broken. He set captives free. He illuminated darkness we could have never escaped.

He is the victor.

He arose a victor from the dark domain

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison…1 Peter 3:18-19 ESV

This is a fascinating declaration. Jesus descended into the realm of the dead, not only to demonstrate authority over that realm, but also to “proclaim” to them in the spirit. There is more to this life than meets the eye and Jesus is the victor of every domain.

Though thought to be defeated, He arose victorious! He did so after descending not only into the grave, but the dark domain of the spiritual realm. When He arose in victory from there He demonstrated an unmatched authority. Thank Jesus for showing us nothing can defeat Him.

RESONATE!
Is there something you have been allowing to defeat you? Whatever it is, Jesus overcame it already, but you need to allow Him to help you apply that freedom to your living. Name it, then thank Jesus for defeating it and for showing You that nothing can defeat Him.

Reign

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

As if winning His battles over our darkness were not enough, He welcomes us to not only live in His light, but to reign with Him in it! I try to look into the heavens and imagine what that looks like, the victory the cross purchased, the life in the Spirit, Christ reigning on high, but the images are more than I can comprehend. Have you ever tried to imagine that glorious scene?

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5 ESV

Our Lord of light had power even over the dark domain. Having demonstrated that authority over death He will live forever. He invites us into that eternal life and even promises that we will somehow reign with Him forever and ever. Praise His name! Christ arose!!

He invites us into that victorious, overcoming reality. And it does not start at some point in the distant future. It began with the resurrection, and begins for each of us when we place our trust in Him. Affirm your desire to not only live in Him, but reign with Him eternally.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to look into the heavens with a sanctified imagination. What does it look like to reign with Christ on high? Ask the Spirit to give your a glimpse of that glorious reality. Allow your enhanced sense of reigning to impact how you live everyday.

Jesus, thank You for inviting me to reign with You, but first imply thank You for reigning. Thank you for enduring all that it took to redeem and welcoming us into that new reality. In Jesus name. Amen.

Eternal 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 27.2 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.

Up from the grave He arose

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said…”  Matthew 28:5b-6a ESV 

Jesus died and was buried. But that was not the end of his story. He rose again from the grave demonstrating victory of it as well as sin and death. The foundation of our hope is this crucial fact. Hear the angels words again today and marvel at His promise fulfilled.

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:15 ESV

He triumphed over sin, death and the grave, but that is not all. He had other adversaries,  spiritual, demonic forces. He triumphed over them in the cross, the very instrument intended to humiliate and end His reign, but He used it to put them to shame. Thanks be to God! 

He arose a victor from the dark domain

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison…1 Peter 3:18-19 ESV

This is a fascinating declaration. Jesus descended into the realm of the dead, not only to demonstrate authority over that realm, but also to “proclaim” to them in the spirit. There is more to this life than meets the eye and Jesus is the victor of every domain.

And He lives forever with His saints to reign

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5 ESV

Our Lord of light had power even over the dark domain. Having demonstrated that authority over death He will live forever. He invites us into that eternal life and even promises that we will somehow reign with Him forever and ever. Praise His name! Christ arose!!

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.

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!

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 Reigning with Christ in Victorious Light appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
He arose a victor from the dark domain – https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-faust-violent-ward-victory-749676/
And He lives forever with His saints to reign – https://pixabay.com/photos/inspiration-heaven-spirituality-2706594/

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Not Terror, But Triumph

Up from the grave He arose

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this resurrection 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.

As we continue our Easter celebration this week think about His resurrection and make each stanza your response of worship by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Horror Movie Opening?

Though at first glance it may seem like the opening line of a ghost story or the opening scene of a horror movie, Christ’s rising up from His grave not like that at all. To create a sense of just how different these two things are imagine the spooky, creepy music that would be playing as the horror movie would begin as opposed to the expectant, triumphant and joyful music that would accompany the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For someone who does not understand what we are talking about when we say “Jesus rose from the dead” the music might help them immediately have an entirely different perspective.

I can imagine those first visitors to the tomb must have been a little frightened though. Whether it was the angelic greeting or the confusion over where His body had gone, they were experiencing something truly remarkable. Not only that, but the first words from the angel give us a clue how they must have appeared.

Scared.

Up from the grave He arose

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said…”  Matthew 28:5b-6a ESV 

His is the most remarkable story ever told. Jesus died and was buried. But that was not the end of His story. He rose again from the grave demonstrating victory of it as well as sin and death. The foundation of our hope is this crucial fact. Hear the angels words again today and marvel at His promise fulfilled.

Jesus died so He could live. Jesus went down so He could come back up. He had authority in death and He also has it in life. There is truly no one like Jesus. Never has been. Never will be. 

RESONATE!
Continue your resurrection celebration this week by marveling in the power of our Risen King. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you imagine what the first visitors to the tomb must have felt that resurrection morn. They may have been afraid, even confused, but it was eventually replaced with wonder and worship.

Quite the Contrary

With a mighty triumph over His foes

While there may have been some fear for the disciples in those early moments, this is ultimately not a story of terror but of triumph. There were certainly evil characters in the story. They even seemed to have won at a point but Christ’s resurrection changed that.

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:15 ESV

He triumphed over sin, death and the grave, but that is not all. He had other adversaries,  spiritual, demonic forces. He triumphed over them in the cross, the very instrument intended to humiliate and end His reign, but He used it to put them to shame. Thanks be to God!

Jesus faced violent opposition, both temporal and spiritual. They all thought they had won, especially when they laid Him in a tomb, but my were they wrong! Not only did He triumph over His foes, He did so mightily. That triumph changed our destiny. Praise Jesus for His victory!

RESONATE!
How will you find your part in the great resurrection story this week. As the music of Easter Sunday fades, does you exuberance in declaring this remarkable story fade with it or will you find ways to tell that story to someone who needs to hear it. Praise Jesus for His triumph, and ask Him how to live it out today. 

Jesus, help me find my place in the resurrection story. Help me to live it out and take advantage of opportunities to declare it. I want Your story to go out through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Triumphant 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 27.2 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.

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Jesus died so He could live. Jesus went down so He could come back up. He had authority in death and He also has it in life. There is truly no one like Jesus. Never has been. Never will be. Continue your resurrection celebration this week by marveling in the power of our Risen King.

Jesus, help me marvel at Your resurrection power.

Jesus faced violent opposition, both temporal and spiritual. They all thought they had won, especially when they laid Him in a tomb, but my were they wrong! Not only did He triumph over His foes, He did so mightily. That triumph changed our destiny. Praise Jesus for His victory!

Jesus, I praise You for Your mighty triumph.

Though thought to be defeated, He arose victorious! He did so after descending not only into the grave, but the dark domain of the spiritual realm. When He arose in victory from there He demonstrated an unmatched authority. Thank Jesus for showing us nothing can defeat Him.

Jesus, thank You for showing us nothing can defeat You.

He invites us into that victorious, overcoming reality. And it does not start at some point in the distant future. It began with the resurrection, and begins for each of us when we place our trust in Him. Affirm your desire to not only live in Him, but reign with Him eternally.

Jesus, show me today how to reign with You eternally.

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 Not Terror, But Triumph appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Up from the grave He arose – https://pixabay.com/photos/grave-stones-694098/
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes – https://pixabay.com/photos/break-through-wall-fist-4206948/

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How Does a Dead Man Wait?

Waiting the coming day

Low in the grave He lay Jesus my Saviour
Waiting the coming day Jesus my Lord

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Waiting the Coming Day

As Jonah prayed from the belly of the whale, I am certain he was waiting for the day when he would see daylight again. He was alive. Jesus was dead.

The Scriptures make it clear. They laid Him in the tomb. Sealed it closed. Walked away leaving it guarded by soldiers.

Yet the writer He says that Jesus was “waiting”. I am not sure I understand how that works. There is some mystery for even though there are a few Scriptures that speak to this, there remains different interpretations.

Obviously, Lowry believed He was conscious during the period between the burial and the resurrection. Whether you have settled that issue or not, the good is that Jesus did not remain “in the heart of the earth” as the verse below puts it. He rose again. Those three days of waiting came to an end.

Waiting the coming day

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40 ESV

This is a fascinating line. Dead men don’t wait, but Jesus did, and not only that but He foretold it even before it happened. He waited three days and night in the heart of the earth and then…well that is for next week.

Tombs are not normally borrowed, but that is exactly what Jesus did. He waited there for resurrection day, then we walked out. His victory over the grave changes everything.

RESONATE!
This week, consider how you will anticipate your celebration this Easter?  But be sure to thank the Father for sending Jesus to die, so we might have victory over the grave as well. 

Jesus My Lord

Jesus my Lord

Regardless of how you might view those three days of waiting, here is the crucial issue that many fail to resolve. Even those who accept the saving work of Jesus struggle to come to terms with the implications of His Lordship. In other words, we all want a Savior, but a Lord, not so much?

These two truths are inextricably linked though. One can not with integrity place their faith solely in the teaching and work of Christ, then pick and choose which parts they like. It is all or nothing.

When you humble yourself and acknowledge your need of a Savior, it is best just to stay there. Stay in that place and acknowledge you are willing to allow the One who saved you also lead you. It is certainly the best way to find yourself prepared for the day when every tongue in all creation will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Jesus my Lord

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11 ESV

Do we want a Savior? Absolutely! Do we want a Lord? Well… We want the saving of Jesus but we often struggle with the leading of Jesus. We are even willing to confess Him with our tongues, and yet still find it difficult to confess Him with our lives.

He is Lord over the grave and Lord over our lives, yet sometimes we fail to act like we know that is true. Accepting Jesus as Savior gives Him the right to be Lord, and we must remind ourselves of that routinely otherwise we drift in our resolve to live for Him. Jesus, be my Lord.

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit for help to confess Jesus as Your Lord today. Routinely ask Him to remind you that Jesus is Lord and help you live it.  It is not easy, but neither was saving you and that is finished.

Jesus, thank You for being my Lord. You love me and have a plan that is for my good and Your glory. Help me to surrender to You every day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Happy 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 27.1 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.

Low in the grave He lay

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. John 19:41 ESV

After Jesus died, they took His body down and placed it in a nearby tomb. I struggle to imagine what that must have been like for His disciples seeing Him die. This Passion week take some time to ponder their emotions. Take a few moments right now.

Jesus my Saviour

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 ESV

His finished work on the cross saves us from the curse of sin. Everyone wants to be saved, but not everyone is willing to trust in Jesus name alone for that salvation. Is Jesus your Savior? If so, thank Him. If not, place your trust in Him alone today.

Waiting the coming day

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40 ESV

This is a fascinating line. Dead men don’t wait, but Jesus did, and not only that but He foretold it even before it happened. He waited three days and night in the heart of the earth and then…well that is for next week. This week, consider how you will anticipate your celebration this Easter?

Jesus my Lord

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11 ESV

Do we want a Savior? Absolutely! Do we want a Lord? Well… We want the saving of Jesus but we often struggle with the leading of Jesus. We are even willing to confess Him with our tongues, and yet still find it difficult to confess Him with our lives. Ask the Spirit for help to do that 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.

Low in the grave He lay Jesus my Saviour
Waiting the coming day Jesus my Lord

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 How Does a Dead Man Wait? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Waiting the coming day – https://pixabay.com/photos/sun-dawn-nature-bright-light-3130638/
Jesus my Lord – https://www.modernghana.com/newsphoto/5/1/13362

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Saving Savior

Wednesday Wanderings with Dr. Sherri is biweekly and 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.

Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.

Welcome to Wednesday Wanderings where we clear our mind of the clutter. Breathe in, breathe out and invite God’s Presence to help you be resonant.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined  Grief and Gratitude. This week we will examine Saving Savior.  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: Matthew 14:30 Amplified Bible

30 But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

PSALM: Christ Arose, Low in the Grave He Lay 
Words and music by: Robert Lowery 1874

Stanza

Low in the grave He lay
Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!

Lowery was known for his ability to paint word pictures from his vivid imagination. The opening stanza paints the image of Christ LOW in a grave and then the image of a Saving Savior.

PARABLE: I have a vivid imagination and I can see pictures from the words I read. From the words of Lowery’s stanza, I see the image of my own deep and low grave and an image of a Saving Savior. Over the past year, we have reflected on some of the things that have caused us grief and how to invite Jesus to join us in the grief. This word picture of the psalm reminds us that there is nothing we are buried in so deep from which we cannot be saved. The dawning of a new day will always greet us with new mercy. 

Like me, can you see yourself laid in a low grave? Maybe we are still buried beneath the dirt because we have not acknowledged that we need saving. There was a time in my life when I was far away from God. My rituals and routines did not look like it but my heart knew it. I showed up for every bible study, Christian growth seminar, Sunday School, Praise and Worship rehearsal, and Sunday service. But in private, within my spirit, I was standing in quicksand. Sinking further into habits, hurts, and hang-ups that led me away from God. Sunday after Sunday I drowned.

There was also a time when I felt so close to God. I heard him calling me out deep into the sea into my purpose. His active power within me gave me the courage to look beyond the waves beating against the boat of life. He invited me to step out of muddy waters of hurts, habits, and hang-ups. I did and I even walked with Him to foreign lands. I did things I’d only dreamed of before. My focus changed. But when I realized that the water was so deep and the storms were still raging, I immediately sank.

However, this time I was in a different place. I did not desire to stay in the low grave that my hurts, habits, and hangups were digging for me. I had enough spiritual sense to release the weight of shame and confess that I was drowning in a lowly grave. I called on Jesus, The Saving Savior and He saved me!

Do you need to confess that you are drowning? There is good news. Holy week is the perfect time to focus on the resurrecting, saving power of Jesus, there is an invitation to ask the Saving Savior to save you and to rise up from whatever it is that you need saving.

Soul care training exercise:  

  • Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you where the effects of the wind of life are blowing. What are you focused on that is causing you to sink?
    • Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness what comes to your mind. Invite God into your sanctified imagination. Tell God the truth about where in your life you need Him to be your Saving Savior? 
    • Next scan your mind and notice times in your life where you have walked closely with God, without fear. With purpose. Following one step behind Him.  Allow these thoughts and emotions to be illuminated in your sanctified imagination.
      • Now Ask the Holy Spirit to give you an image of how your current situation will change when you admit to Jesus that you need saving.
      • Finally, Focus on what God shows you and offer Him thanks for gracing you with the opportunity to go from sinking in circumstances and from the strong winds of doubt and fear telling you that you are too far away from God’s shore to the admission that you need to be saved and the reality of walking from the deep and low into the arms of the Saving Savior.

PRAYER: Thank you Abba that no matter how deep the water or the rage of the storm, I can walk on water in the power of Jesus Christ. His hand holds me tight, it reaches into the depth of the grave I am in, pulls me up, and saves me. Saving Savior, save ME! 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 receive Jesus’ saving grace. Then take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes of wandering into the next ones and beyond.

Until next time, be Resonant.

The post  Saving Savior appeared first on Resonant 7.

BONUS Meditation: I invite you to take 5 minutes and listen to the Saving Savior guided meditation.

Image attributions:  Text art app with words added

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