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Are You Willing to Let Wisdom Have His Way?

O Come Thou Wisdom from On High

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

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

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text that invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s tune our hearts.

Ancient

What does Wisdom look like? When you think of wisdom, what kind of images come to mind? Stuffy old books and stodgy old men, or peace and rest and light?

Earthly wisdom makes me think of ancient texts and people, but Wisdom from on high evokes the latter images for me. It seems to me Wisdom would know when to walk and when to sit. When to enjoy the sunlight and when to head for cover.

God’s Wisdom towers over us but we seldom stop the frenetic pace of living to observe or identify the cues it may be giving us. When was the last time you were simply still for at least five minutes with no other agenda but to tap into the wisdom of God? He wants to show us His way, but are we truly even looking, let alone inviting Him to come to us and show us?

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV

And how we long for Emmanuel to come and impart that wisdom to us. Wisdom whose presence allows our lives to be filled with some remarkable qualities. The question becomes will we welcome that Wisdom to find expression in our lives. 

God knows all things, but His wisdom goes even further. It includes experience and judgment. Of course God possesses all these and so much more. We need those things in our lives. We need Him. 

RESONATE!
Ask Him to search your heart.  Are you ready to welcome Him to show you His Wisdom? Invite Him to come with all His knowledge, experience and judgment. God, come and bring your knowledge, experience and judgment into my life.

Lofty

And Order All Things Far and Nigh

Not only is His wisdom ancient, it is lofty. It is simply higher than we can grasp without His help.  His perspective is so vast we can truly not even begin to fathom it. And yet, He wants us to welcome Him to order all things in our lives and beyond

There is a remarkable beauty in the ways and thoughts of God. It we would but lift our eyes from our own hurts, habits and hang-ups, we would be able to see it better. Then it would be able to change us.

Putting everything in our lives in God’s control can be a little intimidating, right? Will we even be able to understand what He is telling us. Maybe we will end up confused.

Hardly. God’s ways are higher than ours, but they are often reasonable, if not at least a little faith inducing.

Who orders all things far and nigh;

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 ESV

The first issue arises: God’s ways are not our ways. If we are going to welcome HIs presence, then we must first acknowledge it will require us to behave and think differently.

Being Wisdom, He is, after all, over all. His position is one of reigning authority. He wants to order things in your life so you can find rest and peace in a hurting world. Will you allow Him to order the things in your life, so you may experience the benefits of His wisdom?

RESONATE!
Are you willing to make those adjustments in your living and thinking? He wants to give you reasons to rejoice, but you must be willing to let Him have His way. Trust Him and simply ask, “Father, order things near and far, including the things in my life.” Then prepare to be amazed. 

Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us, and Wisdom from on high, taking up residence with us and ordering all things according to Your will and way. Help me adjust my thinking to let You have Your way in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Lofty 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 24.2 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.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in its ways to go.

God knows all things, but wisdom goes even further. It includes experience and judgment. Of course God possesses all these and so much more. We need those things in our lives. We need Him. Invite Him to come with all His knowledge, experience and judgment.

God, come and bring your knowledge, experience and judgment into my life.

Being Wisdom, He is, after all, over all. His position is one of reigning authority. He wants to order things in your life so you can find rest and peace in a hurting world. Will you allow Him to order the things in your life, so you may experience the benefits of His wisdom?

Father, order things near and far, including the things in my life.

One of the ways He orders the things in your life is by revealing the very path of knowledge. When you know the way to go, that which knowledge dictates, you have a better opportunity to take it. Ask Jesus to show you the path of knowledge.

Jesus, please show me the path of knowledge.

Knowing the path and taking it are two different things. Often we may know the right way, but we still choose the wrong. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to walk the path of knowledge so you may be positioned to receive the blessings of walking with wisdom.

Spirit, teach me how to walk with wisdom.

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.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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 Willing to Let Wisdom Have His Way? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, Thou Wisdom from On High – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/book-old-clouds-tree-birds-bank-863418/
And Order All Things Far and Nigh – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/moon-heaven-earth-blue-planet-4638721/

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Loneliness Will End

That Mourns in Lonely Exile Here

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol 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.

We begin our journey through Advent with this ancient text which invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s think about this.

Separation

When was the last time you were away from someone you really cared about? Can you recall that terrible feeling? Have you ever experienced the uncertainty of not knowing if a separation would end, and that it was all your fault?

All these evoke the feeling of having a wedge driven in your relationship with God. We have all felt it at times, even after it ended in earnest when we surrendered our lives to Him and welcomed Him in. It is awful.

This opening stanza sets up the hope of that separation ending by carefully acknowledging the pain of it. It calls to mind the Scriptural allusion of Israel being separated from God by its sin. In so doing, it allows us to enter into that drama on a personal level by considering how we have contributed to our own exile, or at least the feeling of it.

That mourns in lonely exile here

He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12 

When we do acknowledge that separation, it is painful because we realize it is our choices that have created it, just like Israel. There is a remedy for that malady.  Do you know what it is?

The separation caused by sin is real and agonizing. We must accept that, confess it and plead with the Father to deliver us from its debilitating effects. Do it today!

 

RESONATE!
Confess the things that separate you and cry out to be drawn near again. Mourn any separation from Him, and allow that grief to motivate you to repentance as you turn back to God. Do so and ask Jesus to gather you close. 

Joining

Until the Son of God Appear

Separation need not be eternal.

When was the last time you were reunited with someone you really cared about after some period of separation? Can you recall that wonderful feeling? Have you ever experienced the elation of knowing a separation would end, and that the joining together was not your doing at all?

The name God gives Himself in this stanza is Emmanuel. God with us. We will not always be separated from Him as we are today. There is coming a day of great rejoicing when we are joined with God at the return of Jesus Christ. This is our blessed hope.

Until the Son of God appear.

Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 ESV

As Israel longed to rejoice at the first coming of Emmanuel, so do we for His second. He is our blessed hope and just as certainly as He came to them as the promised Messiah, so He will come again as the conquering King. Is He your hope?

Trust that just as Jesus came to His people as a helpless baby, He will come to you as a faithful savior. He will come, and He will appear or make Himself known to you. Are you longing for that day, ready to rejoice?

RESONATE!
Prepare yourself in this season to respond to His coming to you, and ready yourself to rejoice. Ask the Father to fill you with anticipation this season. Ask Jesus to help you prepare to rejoice at His coming.

Jesus, how I long to rejoice at Your return. Help me prepare by being honest with You about things that separate me. You are my blessed hope. In Jesus name. Amen.

Solemn and Joyful 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 24.1 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.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV

Foretold in Isaiah and fulfilled in Matthew, Israel was waiting for the appearing of the anointed One, the Messiah, who would deliver them. We long for His second coming while we wait for deliverance as well. Ask Emmanuel to reveal what you are really longing for.

And ransom captive Israel

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:10 ESV

Having been exiled from the city of God for their sins, the people of Israel felt the distance which separated them from Him. As God’s people in this age, we often fail to acknowledge the spiritual distance caused by our disobedience. Ask the Spirit to reveal any things which have captivated you.

That mourns in lonely exile here

He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12 

When we do acknowledge that separation, it is painful because we realize it is our choices that have created it, just like Israel. There is a remedy for that malady. Confess the things that separate you and cry out to be drawn near again. Do so and ask Jesus to gather you close. 

Until the Son of God appear.

Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 ESV

As Israel longed to rejoice at the first coming of Emmanuel, so do we for His second. He is our blessed hope and just as certainly as He came to them as the promised Messiah, so He will come again as the conquering King. Ask the Father to fill you with anticipation this season.

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.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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 Loneliness Will End appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
That Mourns in Lonely Exile Here – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/silhouette-woman-tree-landscape-67202/Until the Son of GOd Appear – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515662226059884353/

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Be Freed By His Captivating Presence

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)

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

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

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We begin our journey through Advent with this ancient text that invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s tune our hearts.

Coming

The key is His presence.

This entire text is a two-fold invitation. The first invitation is to God, to come and reveal Himself as all we need for every malady that besets us. The second invitation is to the listener, in this opening stanza the captive, to come and rejoice since God is coming into each of those maladies as the solution. It has both the vertical and horizontal dimension of worship in each stanza and refrain and so encourages us to embrace the tension of a people between two realities, wanting to be with God while waiting for His appearing.

It is a perfect Advent text. Advent means coming. He is coming. This text welcomes Him and encourages the listener to rejoice even as we wait.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV

Foretold in Isaiah and fulfilled in Matthew, Israel was waiting for the appearing of the anointed One, the Messiah, who would deliver them. We long for His second coming while we wait for deliverance as well. There was an obvious tension in their waiting.  There is a similar tension in ours.

As Israel longed for the first coming of Emmanuel, so do we for His second. This opening line is the invitation to Him to be “God with us” and the other stanzas will offer different names which reveal different realities of who He is and the needs each fulfills. As you sing this and other Christmas carols, allow the undercurrent to be your asking Jesus to come to you again in this season when we celebrate His first coming.

RESONATE!
What are you really longing for? Jesus’ return, or something else. This plaintive cry simplifies all our smaller longings into one great one: the presence of God.  Ask Emmanuel to reveal what you are really longing for. Then place that longing within the context of this overarching one. O come Emmanuel.

Freeing

And Ransom Captive Israel

The bars are formed by a lack of awareness of His presence. It asks the question, “Is God with us?”

We begin to understand the ancient cry for Emmanuel as we look deeper into this stanza and the reality it portrays. Israel is crying out for a redeemer, a deliverer, a rescuer. Emmanuel is all that and more.

But it is not only Israel who needs a redeemer, is it? Much of this text has double meaning. One that resonates with the soul of those who are waiting for the coming of the Messiah, and another with those who await His return. Both are equally correct. Israel was captive by oppressors and we by the oppression of sin.

And ransom captive Israel

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:10 ESV

Having been exiled from the city of God for their sins, the people of Israel felt the distance which separated them from Him. As God’s people in this age, we often fail to acknowledge the spiritual distance caused by our disobedience. We need to be honest with God. Such honesty opens the possibility of that we will join the rejoicing of those who have been set free from captivity.

As Israel was captive by their own rebellious choices, so were we. Having surrendered our lives to God we have been set free from the consequences of our sin, yet sometimes we choose to return to them. It seems silly to think we would, but each of us knows how true that is. Acknowledging our captivity is the first step toward being set free.

RESONATE!
Are you aware of any captivity in your heart? Are there things which tempt you back to old patterns of living where new ones should have been cultivated? Ask the Spirit to reveal any thoughts or behaviors which have captivated you. Confess them to Him and prepare to join the rejoicing that marks the lives of those who know they have been set free.

Jesus, come to me anew. Spirit, reveal any captivating thoughts.

Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us. Your presence in our midst changes everything. Yet sometimes we are tempted to return to old patterns, or fail to truly believe we have actually been set free. Give us reasons to rejoice again today as we embrace the freedom. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Liberated 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 24.1 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.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

As Israel longed for the first coming of Emmanuel, so do we for His second. This opening line is the invitation to Him to be “God with us” and the other stanzas will offer different ones. Ask Jesus to come to you again in this season when we celebrate His first coming.

Jesus, come to me anew.

As Israel was captive by their own rebellious choices, so were we. Having surrendered our lives to God we have been set free from the consequences of our sin, yet sometimes we choose to return to them. Ask the Spirit to reveal any thoughts or actions that are captivating you.

Spirit, reveal any captivating thoughts.

The separation caused by sin is real and agonizing. We must accept that, confess it and plead with the Father to deliver us from its debilitating effects. Mourn any separation from Him, and allow that grief to motivate you to repentance as you turn back to God.

Father, I turn away from sin and to you today.

Trust that just as Jesus came to His people as a helpless baby, He will come to you as a faithful savior. He will come, and He will appear or make Himself known to you. Prepare yourself in this season to respond to His coming to you, and ready yourself to rejoice.

Jesus, help me prepare to rejoice at Your coming.

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.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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 Be Freed By His Captivating Presence appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – https://pixabay.com/vectors/key-vintage-key-lock-old-antique-2824086/
And Ransom Captive Israel – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fence-prison-deprivation-of-liberty-1986479/

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Faithfulness Everyday for Everyone

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside.

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

Listen to this version in a gospel style as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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.

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

All You Need, No Matter the Day

God’s faithfulness is the same every day.

What are you facing today for which you need God’s strength? He is faithful. What challenge awaits you tomorrow which will require the hope that is only found in God? He is faithful. Whether today or tomorrow you can count on God to provide everything you need.

Today never really becomes tomorrow, and yet God has made a promise and provision for each in its own way.  Tomorrow is always a day away, as Annie sang in the musical bearing her name. The difference is illustrated in the two phrases, “I am” and “I will”.

“I am” is present tense. Today.

“I will” is future tense. Tomorrow.

Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

He is with us. He is our God. Strength for today.

He will strengthen. He will help. He will uphold. Bright hope for tomorrow.

Just the strength for the day we are facing is a gift we sometimes fail to open, but He also gives us hope beyond it. How gracious that two-fold gift is, and how unfortunate we fail to receive it on some days when we need it most. Ask the Spirit for the humility to accept them.

Spirit, help me to humbly receive Your strength and hope.

 

 

 

RESONATE!
All you need for whatever you are facing today, and hope that the same will be true tomorrow when it comes can be yours in Christ. What has you troubled? Look to God for the strength and hope you need to overcome it.

All You Need, Along with Everyone Else

Blessings All Mine with Ten Thousand Beside

God’s faithfulness is the same for every person. Not only every day, but also every one.

Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

Love Him and keep His commandments. Easier said than done. But He is faithful and if we will surrender we will know the blessing of standing side by side with countless others who have made that same choice and trusted God to help them fulfill it as well.

This is such a great line. All the blessings of this final stanza are fully mine, even though there are “ten thousand” others around me with the same access to each of them. How faithful is our God and how boundless His kindness to us. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness once more.

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about that incredible truth. You have a unique access to the blessings of God, but so do countless others who will trust Him. How can you love Him better today? Ask Him and trust that He will help you.

Father, thank You for the blessings that are mine, and everyone else’s who will love You and keep Your commandments. Help me do that. Amen.

Boastful 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 23.5 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.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 ESV

Pardon and the peace which flows from it. These belong to everyone who turns to the Lord and receives His compassion. He is willing to abundantly pardon. Is there anything you need to turn from today, even any thoughts, so you can find rest in Jesus?

Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

Having received the pardon and peace of God we must learn to walk in it, in His presence. He encourages our hearts, quiets us with His love, and rejoices over us, but we must be willing to listen. Quiet yourself in His presence right now, and listen for His rejoicing.

Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

All you need for whatever you are facing today, and hope that the same will be true tomorrow when it comes can be yours in Christ. What has you troubled? Look to God for the strength and help you need to overcome it.

Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

Love Him and keep His commandments. Easier said than done. But He is faithful and if we will surrender we will know the blessing of standing side by side with countless others who have made that same choice and trusted God to help them fulfill it as well.

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.

Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside.

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 Faithfulness Everyday for Everyone appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/light-tunnel-silhouette-woman-3920898/
Blessings All Mine with Ten Thousand Beside – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/people-crowd-group-abstract-5710630/

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Enduring peace, Confident hope

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.

Watch the Wednesday Wanderings Welcome for this week.

Now that we have cleared our minds of the clutter, we can wander on the journey with Jesus.

PREPARATION: In our last Wandering with Dr. Sherri, we examined a Heart’s Treasure. This week we will examine Enduring Peace, Confident Hope.  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:  Isaiah 26:3 Amplified Bible

My refuge keep my mind

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

What does it mean to be kept in constant peace and hope with a confident expectation?

 

PSALM: Great is Thy Faithfulness written by Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960) with music composed by William M. Runyan (1870–1957)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside

In his early adult life, Thomas Chisolm’s health often left him confined to bed and unable to work. I imagine that on those days he focused on the new mercy that would greet him with morning,  gave thanks for the strength of today, and hopefully anticipated tomorrow.
         Hold Firm

PARABLE: Have you ever watched the choppy and untamed ripples of the water when there is a storm brewing?  The storm captures everything in its way and diverts attention to its destruction. Yet, a person acquainted with the water is able to patiently ride out the storm without panic. They allow the waves to propel the boat towards the shore. Sometimes they don’t even waste the strength of the motor. They turn it off and just allow nature to be the compass and guide. 

The year 2020 seems as though it has been one storm after another. Just as we finally made our way towards opening up the country, just as the election ended, just as social injustices appeared to have reduced, along came more strong winds.  The tsunami continues as COVID-19 is surging and there is still political and racial unrest. I know that you may be fatigued from the storms of this season.  I realize that some occurrences in your life have hurt you to the very core of your soul. I recognize that the umbrella of your faith may have inverted and the wind of circumstances feels as though it is about to blow it away. Yet, I encourage you to hold firm to the umbrella and point it towards the rainbow of God’strenght for today and hope for tomorrow.

Be assured that even now, God is your Refuge and Shield.  So…like the sailor acquainted with the rift tides, turn off the motor of your mind that is riding the waves of emotional upheaval. Shift down the gears of your emotions that are overwhelming you with anxiety. Place your mind on the truths of God’s promises and let them guide you to the peaceful shore of His presence.

PONDER and WANDER:  If you choose, take time to ponder the question: How will I take my eye off the storms and place my focus on giving thanks for the peaceful mind I have in Christ?
Soul care training exercise:  In the midst of the sprinkles, showers, or storms that are raining on you this week,  invite the Holy Spirit to quiet your mind, search your soul, and reveal to you the enduring patience and confident hope you have in Jesus. I invite you to take some quiet time and ponder and/or journal the below questions.

  • What sprinkle (slight), shower (medium), or storm (heavy) circumstance has taken your focus away from God’s gifts of peace and hope?
    • Reflect and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you what wave of circumstances in your life has your attention.
  • What does it mean to be kept in constant peace and hope with a confident expectation?
    • Notice without judgment and with a curious awareness what comes to your mind. Invite God into the sprinkle, shower, or storm of circumstance. Ask Him to keep your mind in perfect peace in spite of the circumstance.
  • What promise do I need to reminded of that will refocus my mind on the hope of tomorrow?
    • Focus on Jesus and let Him empower you with enduring peace and confident hope.
Hope for tomorrow

PRAYER: Father, thank you that even in a pandemic and chaotic world,our mind is on your promise. We believe that your peace will endure beyond what we see. We believe that in you we can have hope for a brighter tomorrow. We believe your promise that ALL things are working together for our good. Help us give thanks today for the enduring peace and confident hope we have in you.  In the healing 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 breathe in the hope for tomorrow and patiently let the work of your wandering fill you with peace.

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 Enduring Peace, Confident Hope appeared first on Resonant 7.

BONUS REFLECTION: If you choose click below and take five minutes to experience the guided Waves meditation.

Image attributions:   
Hope for tomorrow: https://pixabay.com/images/search/covid%2019/with text added
My refuge keep my mind: https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-child-black-african-486950/ with added text
Hold firm: https://pixabay.com/photos/parasol-screen-rainbow-color-714185/ with added text

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