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Making Your Feet Swift and Beautiful, REPLAYED

Take my feet and let them be

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee

Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated 1874
By: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Listen to this modern version of this classic 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 classic text and hymn, think about what it will mean to sincerely offer each part of your life and your entire life to God. It requires diligence and intentionality. Thanks for joining us in this grand pursuit. Let’s think about this.

Firm Standing

How’s your footing?

Maybe you can feel the sand squishing between your toes. Is it carpet, or grass, or gravel? Maybe you have not really thought about your footing for some time, or your feet for that matter. Do they hurt so much they are all you think about? Let’s think about them for a few moments right now.

Wherever your feet go you are certain to follow. We do not often think about our feet, and certainly not in this way. We tend to think we tell our feet where to take us and that is fair, but what if we were to think about them differently. Think about them as committed to God’s purposes and not our own.

Maybe you are struggling on the path of life. Have you considered it might be because you are on your own path? You are slipping and sliding, get banged up along the way, yet you carry on. Maybe you have a sense you are walking a tightrope of sorts. One false move and you are a goner.

Different Journey

The writer of the Psalm quoted below knew an entirely different journey. Wide places to step and no slipping. Sound good? All it requires is committing your feet to God. Keep in mind where your feet go you go also so you are really committing yourself to God entirely. While that does not mean the path is easy, He will keep you. Not only that but He will use you, which we will examine more below.

Take my feet and let them be

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:36 ESV

God wants to direct our steps so our story can echo this scripture, but that can only happen as we look to Him to direct us. That direction will lead us to places like that described here as contrasted to narrow places where our feet may slip. Will you let Him direct your feet?

Where will you go, or not go? Will you offer your feet to God so that He can move you or keep you to do His will? This seems so simple but requires a great deal of intentionality and patience. You will likely want to move before He moves you. Wait for Him. Offer and wait.

RESONATE!
Take a feet moments and think about the places your feet have taken you. Likely you have not always gone where God desired. Ask for His forgiveness. Receive His forgiveness and then commit your feet to the ways of God. Pray this simple prayer, “Jesus, my feet will wait for You.“

Swift AND Beautiful

Swift and beautiful for Thee

We want to use our feet in a dutiful way, but we should keep in mind that will also make them beautiful.  When you go the places God has in store for you accomplishing His purposes will more likely constrain you. When you are about His ways you will make a difference in peoples lives and they will be glad you came. Your feet become beautiful to them.

Not only do we want God to make our feet beautiful as we go where He leads us, we want them to be swift. In other words we do not want to delay or postpone our willingness to follow His leading. Are your feet beautiful and swift?

Imagine you are strolling along the beach. The waves are washing over your feet as you walk along the edge of the water. Suddenly you see an older man ahead on the beach also at the edge of the water who falls face-first and then does not move. You pick up the pace and maybe even take off running to assist him.

The same feeling should influence our movement through life. There is someone ahead who needs our help. We can assist them with their fall by helping them up and then gain their footing. You may or may not know who that person is right not, but you will when in that moment that it is clear they need some help.

Committed

You were the one who needed help before you committed your feet and the rest of your life to God. Now God wants to use your feet to take the same Good News that has given you sure footing and share it with someone who does not. Do you want to make peace and salvation known to someone who does not know it is available?

Swift and beautiful for Thee

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 ESV

If you allow Him to direct you He will make your feet beautiful. Beautiful not as much in form as in function. When you bring good news, peace, happiness and salvation to those who lack it your feet are beautiful indeed. Will you be swift about offering your feet to walk His path?

Not only beautiful because they bring good news, but swift because they are anxious to do so. Why? Because people are perishing and need to hear there is a Savior. Wait for Him, but be ready to move and move quickly when He directs. Someone else may be waiting for you.

RESONATE!
Maybe you do not think your feet are beautiful, but God can make them so, especially in the eyes of others. Maybe your feet have been sluggish to go where God has prompted you. You can begin to change that today. Pray simply, “Spirit, make my feet swift and beautiful.” Then keep praying and watch Him answer.

Jesus I commit my feet again today to staying one step behind You. Teach me how to stay close to You and allow me to marvel at how you make my feet swift and beautiful. Take my feet. In Jesus name. Amen.

Fleet-footed 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 56.2 Transcript, (30.2 REPLAYED)

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.

Take my hands and let them move

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV

There is no shortage of things into which we can engage our hands, and many will leave us feeling like wise Solomon. Wiser still is the one who determines to offer their hands to God for His purposes. Will you offer your hands to God and His purposes today?

At the impulse of Thy love

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” John 14:15 ESV

Guided by His love and our response of love. What does that look like? It may very closely resemble the hands that toil like Solomon’s but there is no vanity in the work of hands consecrated to God’s way of love. Commit your hands to move as His love directs.

Take my feet and let them be

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:36 ESV

God wants to direct our steps so our story can echo this scripture, but that can only happen as we look to Him to direct us. That direction will lead us to places like that described here as contrasted to narrow places where our feet may slip. Will you let Him direct your feet?

Swift and beautiful for Thee

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 ESV

If you allow Him to direct you He will make your feet beautiful. Beautiful not as much in form as in function. When you bring good news, peace, happiness and salvation to those who lack it your feet are beautiful indeed. Will you be swift about offering your feet to walk His path?

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

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee

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 Making Your Feet Swift and Beautiful, REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Take my feet and let them be – https://pixabay.com/photos/feet-sand-sea-summer-nails-woman-195061/
Swift and beautiful for Thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/run-feet-sea-493336/

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Constraining Your Hands to the Impulses of Love, REFRAMED

Take my hands and let them move

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee

Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated 1874
By: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Listen to this worshipful 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!!

Everyone, 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 classic hymn, work to sincerely offer each part of your life and your entire life to God. It requires diligence and intentionality. Thanks for joining us in this grand pursuit. Let’s tune our hearts.

Hands Moving

Doing. That really is the essence of this next commitment. What will I do and how will I employ my hands to do it?

Our hands are rarely still. From the moment we awake until we are asleep again, our hands are moving and doing. So what is driving them.

Often there are things to do that are simply purposeful. Getting ready for the day. Doing work. Helping those we care about.

But there are many other things to do that are our less purposeful and are simply for pleasure. Playing with our children. Throwing a ball. Climbing a tree.

Whether purposeful for pleasure there is ever the possibility of lacking true meaning, making a real difference in the world. That can lead us to the very honest conclusion that all that activity is for nothing. It may all be in vain.

But that need not be the case. Offer your hands to God and He will fill them with purpose.

Take my hands and let them move

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV

There is no shortage of things into which we can engage our hands, and many will leave us feeling like wise Solomon. Wiser still is the one who determines to offer their hands to God for His purposes. Will you offer your hands to God and His purposes today?

When we offer our hands to God they become His to direct. Even still He gives us the freedom to move them on our own, but a much better choice is to patiently wait for His prompting. God does really take your hands, but you must really give them to find them useful in His service.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and offer your hands to God. Your hands accomplish most of the doing in your life so it makes sense they are the first thing we are going to commit to God as we start our list.  Make this your simple prayer today “Father, I offer You my hands.” Then watch His fill their activity with Divine purpose.

Impulse of Love

At the impulse of Thy love

There is no more Divine purpose than to respond to the love of God with love of our own. There are few better ways to do that than to yell our hands to the impulse of love. But what is an impulse?

An impulse is a sudden urge or strong desire to act. So, an impulse of love is a sudden urge that demonstrates love, or a strong desire to act that is prompted by love. Those impulses will be directed by the Holy Spirit and one way to begin to discern His direction is to learn His ways.

We do that by learning His commandments because they teach the ways of love. They constrain us from our own selfish pursuits and invite us to loftier ideals. They begin to develop within us the very impulses that our hands will help us act out.

At the impulse of Thy love

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” John 14:15 ESV

Guided by His love and our response of love. What does that look like? It may very closely resemble the hands that toil like Solomon’s but there is no vanity in the work of hands consecrated to God’s way of love. Commit your hands to move as His love directs.

When you have yielded your hands to God you can begin to sense the impulses of His Spirit directing them. He is gentle and will not force His way but will lead if you will stay open to His prodding. It is love that guides Him and that is exactly how He wants you to move. In love.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and invite the Spirit to come teach you the ways of love as revealed in the commands of God. Then ask Jesus to help you set your hands apart to put His love on display. Pray a simple prayer like this one. “Spirit, move my hands at the impulse of Your love.” Then keep your hands ready to follow the impulse of love.

Lord, thank You for inviting me into Your love and giving me the opportunity to find purpose in using my hands to put it on display. Take my hands and let them love at the impulse of Your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Purposeful 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 56.2 Transcript (30.2 REFRAMED)

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

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee

When we offer our hands to God they become His to direct. Even still He gives us the freedom to move them on our own, but a much better choice is to patiently wait for His prompting. God does not really take your hands, but you must really give them to find them useful in His service.

Father, I offer You my hands.

When you have yielded your hands to God you can begin to sense the impulses of His Spirit directing them. He is gentle and will not force His way but will lead if you will stay open to His prodding. It is love that guides Him and that is exactly how He wants you to move. In love.

Spirit, move my hands at the impulse of Your love.

Where will you go, or not go? Will you offer your feet to God so that He can move you or keep you to do His will? This seems so simple but requires a great deal of intentionality and patience. You will likely want to move before He moves you. Wait for Him. Offer and wait.

Jesus, my feet will wait for You.

Not only beautiful because they bring good news, but swift because they are anxious to do so. Why? Because people are perishing and need to hear there is a Savior. Wait for Him, but be ready to move and move quickly when He directs. Someone else may be waiting for you.

Spirit, make my feet swift and beautiful.

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 Constraining Your Hands to the Impulses of Love, REFRAMED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Take my hands and let them move – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-light-hand-prayer-technology-5366493/
At the impulse of Thy love – https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-love-sunset-shape-sign-3147976/

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What Does It Look Like to Worship God Constantly? REPLAYED

Take my moments and my days

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated 1874
By: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Listen to this modern version of this classic 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 begin our journey through this classic text and hymn, think about what it will mean to sincerely offer each part of your life and your entire life to God. It requires diligence and intentionality. Thanks for joining us in this grand pursuit. Let’s think about this.

Moments and Days

Having offered our entire life to God in the opening part of this first stanza we begin here to enumerate the different areas which make up our life. Specifically we acknowledge time, through the lens of moments and days. Those two diverse increments provide us a contrast which helps to frame the commitment we are making in this second half of the first stanza.

A moment is a very small increment of time. Many moments strung together make up days. Both are segments of time. Time provides the linear backdrop for the living we have committed to God. We are essentially telling God that we want Him to help us make the most of the time we are given.

Take my moments and my days

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

A life lived accomplishing God’s will is made up of moments which accumulate to form days spent in this grand pursuit. Living purposefully in the smallest increments prepares us for the larger ones. Are you willing to offer God your moments, minutes, hours and days?

A faithful life is made up of millions of moments lived faithfully. Seems obvious, right? Yet without the awareness that all those smaller decisions contribute to a larger whole, it is easy to forget their significance. Ask the Spirit to fill you with that awareness and your life with purpose.

RESONATE!
Living our moments and days to God’s glory requires intent, awareness and diligence. We need His help to be faithful in the little things and big things alike. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, fill every moment of every day.“

Ceaseless Praise

Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Whether we are living moments or days, there is one activity that we want to characterize them all, ceaseless or continual praise. Brother Lawrence’s thought’s on this subject are captured in the classic “The Practice of the Presence of God”. In it, he talks about his learning to pursue God’s presence in the mundane things of life.

If we are going to live lives of continual worship, we must learn to walk with an awareness of God’s presence. It starts in moments and grows to consume larger increments of time. It becomes a way of living, or a lifestyle, not just an activity we engage in occasionally.

Let them flow in ceaseless praise

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1 ESV

Moments and days filled with praise. Not just songs of worship, but worship as a way of life. This certainly includes giving glory to God with our mouths but ultimately involves everything we are, everywhere we do, everywhere we go. Ask God to help you fulfill that commitment.

Like the drops of water that form a stream, so the moments of praise flow to make a life of unending worship. We must not simply sing songs of praise. Their words must shape the way we live every moment of every day as we pursue worship as a way of life, not just a part of life.

RESONATE!
Have you ever thought of praise in this way? Not constantly singing songs, but living your life for the glory of God. Giving Him praise in every word, thought and deed. Do not be overwhelmed with this idea. Pray simply, “Lord, help me praise You continually.” Then keep praying and watch Him answer.

Jesus help me learn how to fill every moment and day with Your praise. Not only with my songs but my words and actions as well. I want to praise You without ceasing. Please help me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Worshipful 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 56.1 Transcript (30.1 REPLAYED)

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.

Take my life and let it be

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

All of the other expressions of this classic hymn are summed up in this opening line: take my life, all that I am. The other lines give us the chance to list out different parts of our lives but we start by offering it all, and all in response to God’s mercy. Offer your life to Him today.

Consecrated Lord to Thee

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

Consecrated means to set apart. We are saying that we want our lives to be lived to accomplish His will. As we offer our lives as an act of worship, our minds are transformed enabling us to discern His will. Commit today to set yourself apart for His glory.

Take my moments and my days

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

A life lived accomplishing God’s will is made up of moments which accumulate to form days spent in this grand pursuit. Living purposefully in the smallest increments prepares us for the larger ones. Are you willing to offer God your moments, minutes, hours and days? 

Let them flow in ceaseless praise

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1 ESV

Moments and days filled with praise. Not just songs of worship, but worship as a way of life. This certainly includes giving glory to God with our mouths but ultimately involves everything we are, everywhere we do, everywhere we go. Ask God to help you fulfill that commitment.

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.

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Let them flow in ceaseless praise

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 What Does It Look Like to Worship God Constantly? REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Take my moments and my days – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/clock-clock-face-wave-present-year-1527692/
Let them flow in ceaseless praise – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-sky-sunlight-arms-open-arms-2667455/

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Are You Asking God to Use You or Leave You Alone? REFRAMED

Take my life and let it be

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated 1874
By: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Listen to this worshipful 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!!

Everyone, 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 classic hymn, work to sincerely offer each part of your life and your entire life to God. It requires diligence and intentionality. Thanks for joining us in this grand pursuit. Let’s tune our hearts.

Present

To be clear, we are not asking God to leave us alone. The title of this hymn often leaves of the word consecrated, making the statement open to the interpretation that we are asking God to take our lives and “let them be”. Nothing could be further from the truth of God’s intention for us.

Present as a verb means to give someone something. Present as a noun can be the gift you are giving.

When we think of presenting our lives to God, we are engaging in the act of giving Him something. The something we are giving Him is our lives. Our lives are made up of many different components or areas but to say we give God our lives is meant to be an all-encompassing expression of worship as the Scripture below makes clear.

We start with this gran expression of giving our lives to God and over the next six weeks through the six stanzas of this hymn we will list many of those different areas. I am certain the hymn writer intended for it to be a kind of inventory making clear what exactly we are presenting to God. But it also serves as a kind of checklist for us so we may be certain we are not holding anything back.

Don’t hold anything back.

In response to what He has given us, His many mercies, offering our lives to Him is the only appropriate one.

Take my life and let it be

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

All of the other expressions of this classic hymn are summed up in this opening line: take my life, all that I am. The other lines give us the chance to list out different parts of our lives but we start by offering it all, and all in response to God’s mercy. Offer your life to Him today.

We offer our lives to God, our living, breathing, moving around and doing. All that we are. Like many simple commitments it is easier said than done, but it is important to say it. As we begin our journey through this classic hymn offer your life to God, to be consecrated to His ways.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and offer your life to God. It really is the only thing you have to offer, but it is also all that God wants, everything.  Make this your simple prayer today “Father, I offer you my life.” Then let us examine all that this entails starting with Who we are offering our lives to in the first place.

Lord

Consecrated Lord to Thee

We are not offering our lives to just anybody. We are offering them to the Sovereign Lord over all creation. The King of kings. This is an important thing to remember.

He has a purpose for all things, including you, and that purpose is to bring Him glory. Though that may seem a little egocentric to us, God is the only one worthy of all glory so it really is simply the right thing to do.

In a general sense, that is His will for all. But you are responsible to place your life in His hands even as you work to discern the specific way your life will conform to that purpose.

Acknowledge Him for who He is

That is the beginning point. It sets the context for discovering and embracing His purposes for your life. This will require a change of heart and mind, for the world pulls you in an entirely different direction.

Consecrated Lord to Thee

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

Consecrated means to set apart. We are saying that we want our lives to be lived to accomplish His will. As we offer our lives as an act of worship our minds are transformed enabling us to discern His will. Commit today to set yourself apart for His glory.

We are not just offering our lives to God, but to His purposes. We want to find His purpose and live it. To be set apart. He is the Sovereign of our lives so we yield control to our Lord to use us according to His design. Not asking His blessing on our plans, but the blessing of living His.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and invite the Spirit to come transform you mind and reveal to you the will of God. Then ask Jesus to help you set yourself apart for His will to be done in You. Pray a simple prayer like this one. “Jesus, set me apart for You.” Then keep your eyes open for opportunities to be set apart.

Lord, thank You for showing me Your mercies and giving me to opportunity to live my life in response to them by offering it to You. You are my King and I want to live to fulfill Your will. Help me to surrender my life every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Consecrated 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 56.1 Transcript (30.1 REFRAMED)

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

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise

We offer our lives to God, our living, breathing, moving around and doing. All that we are. Like many simple commitments it is easier said than done, but it is important to say it. As we begin our journey through this classic hymn offer your life to God, to be consecrated to His ways.

Father, I offer you my life.

We are not just offering our lives to God, but to His purposes. We want to find His purpose and live it. To be set apart. He is the Sovereign of our lives so we yield control to our Lord to use us according to His design. Not asking His blessing on our plans, but the blessing of living His.

Jesus, set me apart for You.

A faithful life is made up of millions of moments lived faithfully. Seems obvious, right? Yet without the awareness that all those smaller decisions contribute to a larger whole it is easy to forget their significance. Ask the Spirit to fill you with that awareness and your life with purpose.

Spirit, fill every moment of every day.

Like the drops of water that form a stream, so the moments of praise flow to make a life of unending worship. We must not simply sing songs of praise. Their words must shape the way we live every moment of every day as we pursue worship as a way of life, not just a part of life. 

Lord, help me praise You continually.

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 Asking God to Use You or Leave You Alone? REFRAMED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Take my life and let it be – https://pixabay.com/photos/bow-box-gift-present-1867321/
Consecrated Lord to Thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/crown-gold-royal-luxury-golden-2661334/

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All-Inclusive Praise

Let the amen sound from His people again

Praise to the Lord
   O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
   Come now with praises before Him
Let the amen sound from His people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
By: Joachim Neander 1680, trans. Catherine Winkworth 1863

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

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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 hymn ask the Holy Spirit to help you receive and then issue this call to worship. Be sure to find your place in the praise. Let’s think about this.

All People

The Psalmist calls forth praise from all people. The hymn writer admonishes praise from God’s people. Both are right.

We are longing for the day when every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. On that day, all people will praise God. We long for that day.

The day is already here when God’s people say amen. We agree with God regarding His will and His ways and we want to see them come to pass. We should enjoy being a part of that praise today.

Don’t wait until every tongue is praising. Praise Him now.

Let the amen sound from His people again

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord! Psalm 106:48 ESV

Then, a subset of mankind is encouraged to offer their praise again to God. Who is that subset? The People Of God, bought at a great price. Are you one of them, us? When was the last time you let your “amen” sound from your lips? Let it sound from your lips again today.

When was the last time you gathered with God‘s people to join the “Amen” they continually lift before Him? Maybe you are routinely there, but do not routinely join in with your voice. What’s stopping you? The command is clear. Find your place in the “Amen.”

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about your place in the praise. Make it a regular practice to be a part of the amen of God’s people. Start by making this your simple prayer, “Father, help me say, “amen” again.“

All Time

Gladly for aye we adore Him

Don’t wait for forever to begin. It already has. Find your place in the eternal praise. That’s right. His praise is an eternal activity that has already begun and will never stop.

Have you determined to be a part of it? It has already started, but have you. There is absolutely no reason to wait.

Gladly for aye we adore Him

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Psalm 145:1-2 ESV

Finally, all time. Forever. That is the timeframe for our praise. It should begin the moment we realize he is worthy and should never stop. Every day? Absolutely. Every moment for the rest of eternity? Of course. Praise To The Lord The Almighty for He alone is worthy!

The word “aye” in this final line is archaic. One sense of the meaning is an assent or affirmation. While our adoration is such, another use of the word means forever. His adoration has been going on eternally and we should gladly find our place in it forever.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to consider eternity. His praise has already begun. Make this your prayer today, “Lord, help me find my place in Your perpetual praise.“

Lord, thank You that Your praise is eternal. I want to be a part of it now and forever. Help me to enter in today. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Eternal Thinking!

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Podcast 55.6 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.

Praise to the Lord
   O let all that is in me adore Him

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1 ESV

In this last stanza, we consider the all inclusive nature of the praise of God. First, we acknowledge that all that is in us should be bent to this purpose. There should be no part of me, heart soul, mind or strength that does not engage in this pursuit.

All that hath life and breath
   Come now with praises before Him

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

Next, we agree with the Psalmist and declare that all that has life and breath should praise the Lord. Every living thing without exception, should give glory to God. Most of creation does this naturally. It is only mankind who struggles with this command.

Let the amen sound from His people again

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord! Psalm 106:48 ESV

Then, a subset of mankind is encouraged to offer their praise again to God. Who is that subset? The People Of God, bought at a great price. Are you one of them, us? When was the last time you let your “amen” sound from your lips? Let it sound from your lips again today.

Gladly for aye we adore Him

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Psalm 145:1-2 ESV

Finally, all time. Forever. That is the timeframe for our praise. It should begin the moment we realize he is worthy and should never stop. Every day? Absolutely. Every moment for the rest of eternity? Of course. Praise To The Lord The Almighty for He alone is worthy!

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.

Praise to the Lord
   O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
   Come now with praises before Him
Let the amen sound from His people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him

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 All-Inclusive Praise appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Let the amen sound from His people again – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/family-church-cross-faith-religion-5344669/
Gladly for aye we adore Him – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/jesus-church-worship-holy-praised-8341487/

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