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Setting Our Sights Toward Home

Fair and Bright the Home in Glory

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

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 conclude our journey through this hymn that challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Looking forward to what God has in store for us impacts how we journey through these days. Let’s think about this.

Home

I have said many times before that it is sad how little time we spend thinking, talking, and teaching about heaven, especially considering how much time we are going to spend there. So let’s change that for at least the next few minutes.

When was the last time you thought about it? Heaven. The place where we are planning to spend eternity. I guess one could argue, I already have my inheritance there and it is my reward for following Christ, nothing more needing to be done to earn it. And while all that is true, thinking about where we are going to spend the rest of forever has an impact on the quality of life in these days.

Fair and bright the home in glory

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

Jesus promised not only that He was going to prepare a place for us, but that He would return to take us there. We have a home in glory. It will be fair and bright. We will see it with our eyes one day, but for now, we need Jesus to give us eyes of faith to see, even if only with our mind’s eye, our eternal home.

So what do you imagine it will be like? Clouds and harps? Maybe, but I do not think that will be all. I think we will enjoy God and each other. Think of the things you do in your home. Rest and relate with a smaller group of people. Prepare for the activities which take you beyond your home.

Some of us have spent a lot more time at home these past few months. At times I am sure that has driven you crazy, wanting to get out and do other things, but I hope you have also made the most of the quarantine to spend it enjoying those who were with you. It has probably also caused you to long for the experiences that home is not designed for, gathering in larger groups.

RESONATE!
We can enjoy our homes here, but we must also be careful to long for that which is coming. All the good things here are a shadow of what is to come. Are you longing for that home in glory, fair and bright as it will certainly be? Take a few moments before you read on and simply ask the Holy Spirit to give you an even deeper longing for your home in glory.

Gaze

Your Enraptured Soul Will View

Your enraptured soul will view. 

There’s an unusual word, enraptured. If something enraptures your soul, it is giving intense pleasure or joy to you. Certainly that will be the effect viewing our eternal home will have on us, in all its fairness and brightness.

When we finally see that place Jesus has been preparing for us, our souls will be consumed with intense pleasure and unimaginable joy. I can hardly wait. But even still, sometimes it is difficult to lift my gaze enough to allow it to be filled with that longing for my eternal home.

How about you? When was the last time you looked into the skies and hoped the return of Christ would happen soon? If it has been awhile, take a few moments right and do so. Maybe you can even get outside and look up. If not, look at the image above and utter a simple prayer like this. Thank You, Jesus, for promising to return to take me to the home You have been preparing for me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 ESV

We look forward to that eternal dwelling in the house of the Lord, but let us not forget the promise of goodness and mercy following us either. I would argue that knowing we will dwell in the Lord’s presence forever allows us to receive and extend mercy and help create an atmosphere where goodness is left in the wake of wherever we trod. What are you doing to cultivate goodness and mercy where you are so there can be a residue of them left behind even after you leave? May God give us the grace to build our hopes on things eternal, and live is such a way that anticipates them while inviting others to do the same.

RESONATE!
Ask God to help you to evaluate if your living is leaving goodness and mercy behind you. Ask Him to show you if there are ways you are too focused on daily living and how you can adjust your thinking to be more eternal. We all need to keep our gaze up, ever mindful of where we will spend forever, without losing sight of today. Help us, Lord.

Jesus, thank You for leading me through these days and filling my life with goodness and mercy. Help me to leave a residue of these two qualities behind everywhere I go, and help me to always build on the eternal hope I have on You as I endeavor to do so. I long to dwell with You forever and long for the day when my enraptured soul will view my home in glory. 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 19.4 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.

When your journey is completed,

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

Sometimes while you are holding on to God’s unchanging hand, it seems like you will not be able to make it through everything you are facing. Even then, take comfort in the fact that God will finish the work He started.  There will be an end. Thank Him for completing what He has started in You.

When the valley you pass through,

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Psalm 23:4 ESV

We all walk through valleys at some point, but there is no need to fear for God is with you. When death is casting a shadow over you, it can be very difficult to recall this simple fact. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you today, and whenever you need it in the future.

Fair and bright the home in glory

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

Jesus promised not only that He was going to prepare a place for us but that He would return to take us there. We have a home in glory. It will be fair and bright. We will see it with our eyes one day, but for now ask Jesus to give you eyes of faith to see your eternal home.

Your enraptured soul will view.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 ESV

We believe with David that goodness and mercy are with us every day, but we will know it completely on that day. Our souls will find a rest we only dreamed was possible. That is the hope we build on, and long for. Ask God to help you hold to His unchanging hand as you wait.

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.

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 Setting Our Sights Toward Home appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Fair and Bright Your Home in Glory – https://pixabay.com/photos/cloud-sky-yellow-sunshine-sunset-143152/
Your Enraptured Soul Will View – https://pixabay.com/photos/summerfield-woman-girl-sunset-336672/

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Nestle Your Hand in God’s Today

Wednesday Wanderings is 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 Abandonment and Trusting God. This week we will investigate ???????????????????.  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.”

Mighty Arm


PROMISE: Pslam 89:13 ESV 

You have a mighty arm;
    strong is your hand, high your right hand.

Over these weeks we have focused on our need to hold onto God’s unchanging hand, and for good reason. His grip is true even when ours is not. What better time to trust in God’s grip than when we come to the end of this life. That trust effects not only how we face the end of this life, but how we live it as well.

PSALM: Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand By: Mary Jane (Jennie) Bain Wilson, (1856-1913)

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Jennie (the writer of this hymn) must have experienced a sense of abandonment through the lost of her father, typhoid fever, and the loss of her legs. becoming an invalid.  Still, she choose to cling and trust in God who will never let us go.

Strong Hand

PARABLE: Have you ever had a time when you really wanted to hold on to God’s unchanging hand but you just were not sure if you could anymore? A time or times when your strength has failed you? Or maybe it was a decision of the will. You made a conscious decision to let go, either to test God’s grip, or simply give Him the chance to demonstrate just how faithful He is.

If you have experienced either one or maybe even both of those painful realities, well, you are in good company because all of us have had those experiences whether or not we are honest enough to admit them. That is good news, we have all failed at one time or another, but there is even better news. God never fails. His grip never weakens or wearies.

How incredible is that? Even when we are faithless, He is faithful. Not sure about that. Read 2 Timothy 2;13 [ESV], “if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” WOW! He never lets go!

You may have no trouble believing a weary hand would still be held by God, but a faithless one? Believe it. It’s true. Even when our faith lets go, He remains faithful.

So when we come to our end, and our strength is almost gone, and then totally gone, and our cold, lifeless hand can not longer cling to God’s…guess what? He will still be holding us. Once we place our faith in Him, He holds us secure forever. Take comfort today in the eternal grip of God.

So…How do we apply this truth today?  We put our faith in God’s hands, and rest that we are held eternally. 

PONDER and WANDER:  If you have ever struggled with a time when you faith waned, find comfort in this powerful truth. God is faithful!

Soul care training exercise: If you choose, when you are ready, complete the H.A.N.D. exercise that can help you to strengthen your trust in God.

  • First, Humble yourself and admit there have been times your grip failed, and other times you chose to let go.
  • Next,  Acknowledge God’s faithfulness in the midst of your faithlessness.
  • Then, Nestle your hand snuggly in the strong hand of God today.
  • Finally, Declare your intent to hold God’s hand through this life and in the next, and thank Him in advance for holding you even when you don’t.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for holding me even in the times I have left go do to failing strength of faith. How kind of you to keep me even then safely in Your hand.  In the strong 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 and let the work of your wandering fill you with strength.

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 Nestle Your Hand in God’s Today appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Mighty Arm – https://pixabay.com/vectors/arm-exercise-fist-flex-health-2029406/
Strong Hand – https://pixabay.com/vectors/fist-hand-gesture-power-strength-24468/

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Journeying with the End in Mind

When Your Journey is Completed

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is content always available to Subscribers, often to Free Members, and sometimes to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here, or for the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the complete Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

We conclude our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Seeing the end from the beginning impacts the journey. Let’s tune our hearts.

Complete when Completed

Have you heard the saying “The joy is in the journey, not the destination”? The point of the saying is to enjoy the process of how you are going by staying engaged every moment and not simply focusing on the end. Where you are now versus where you are going. I have experienced the truth of that and would generally concur with it, with one exception, heaven.

You see, the difference with heaven is that when it becomes our intended destination, the implications are profound. Our journey is forever altered because we live each moment in the light of eternity, as opposed to simply trying to stay open to what each moment may bring. We are indeed longing for the journey to be completed!

When your journey is completed,

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

We hold God’s unchanging hand while He continues the good work He started, ever longing for that work to be completed. We hold to God’s unchanging hand through all the uncertainties of life, knowing one day they will come to an end. Sometimes while you are holding on to God’s unchanging hand, it seems like you will not be able to make it through everything you are facing. Even then, take comfort in the fact that God will finish the work He started.  There will be an end.

You will be complete when your journey is completed.

Looking toward the completion of the journey, and the good work God is doing through it, gives us peace. Peace from knowing that it will culminate in His presence. The very presence of Jesus Christ our Lord.

RESONATE!
Are you weary from the toil of the journey? We all feel that way at times, but building our hope on eternal things renews and restores our hope when we are spent. The journey complete, we will finally stop to enjoy the rest that God has made available to us in His eternal presence. Thank Him for the promise the journey ends. Thank Him for completing what He has started in You. Father, thank You I will be complete when my journey is completed. Help me be content with the process as I go.

When the Valley You Pass Through

True Through

The valley looks beautiful from the ridge, but when you get down into it, sunlight greatly hidden by the dense growth of the trees, all perspective of the forest lost, it came seem like a very forbidding place. Some valleys are deeper and darker than others, but they have this in common, they are unavoidable. We all must go through them at times as we make our way to our eternal home.

You simply can not journey along the ridge endlessly. Eventually, you will have to descend into the valley. But the valley has a way of teaching us something of God’s presence that the ridge can not.

When you are walking along the ridge all sunshine and smiles one step behind Jesus, following is a glorious endeavor. When the path leads you to make your way down into the gorge, following becomes a challenging pursuit. They put our faith to the test.

When the valley you pass through,

Interestingly, this line is actually a substitute for the original.

If to God you have been true,

They are two different ways of looking at the same reality. Our faith must pass through the valley of unbelief, where we are tested and tried. We can walk through it without fear of evil. God is always with us in the valley though and provides us a way out if we look to Him.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Psalm 23:4 ESV

I like the imagery of the valley better, and I believe that God will help us to be true. We have our part, and He has His. He will allow all those who follow Him to find their way out of the ravine, eventually.

RESONATE!
Maybe you are walking through a valley right now. Trying to be true to your faith in your God. Maybe you are weary and worn. We all walk through valleys at some point, but there is no need to fear for God is with you. When death is casting a shadow over you, it can be very difficult to recall this simple reality of God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you today, and whenever you need it in the future. Then praise God for always holding you when you pass through the valleys.

Jesus, thank You for walking with me through he valleys, even carrying me when my strength is gone.  Thank You for the faith that allows me to remain true through the difficult times. You are so faithful to me. Show it again today. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Complete 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 19.4 Transcript

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

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

We hold to God’s unchanging hand through all the uncertainties of life, knowing one day they will come to an end. The journey complete, we will finally stop to enjoy the rest that God has made available to us in His eternal presence. Thank Him for the promise the journey ends.

Father, thank You this journey has an end.

Some valleys are deeper and darker than others, but they have this in common: they are unavoidable. We all must go through them at times as we make our way to our eternal home. Praise God for always holding you when you pass through the valleys.

Lord, I praise You for holding me when I pass through the valleys.

The shadows of the valleys we traverse cloud our souls. Those experiences cause us to long for our eternal dwelling, bright and fair as it will be, even more. Recall your last valley, and from that place ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate an even deeper longing for your forever home.

Spirit, give me an even deeper longing for my home in glory.

When we finally see that place Jesus has been preparing for us, our souls will be consumed with intense pleasure and unimaginable joy. I can hardly wait. Thank Jesus for promising to return to take you there, and take a few moments now to consider what it will be like.

Jesus, thank You for promising to take me to my eternal home.

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

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 Journeying with the End in Mind appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
When Your Journey is Completed – https://pixabay.com/photos/railroad-tracks-tracks-railway-163518/
When the Valley You Pass Through – https://pixabay.com/photos/clouds-cloudy-conifers-dawn-1852955/

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What Are You Carefully Keeping?

Seek to Gain the Heavenly Treasures

Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

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

Here is podcast content always available to Subscribers, sometimes to Free Members, and occasionally to everyone.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library? Click here.  Or check out some other samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

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 hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days, and the eternal hope of God in heaven. How exactly are we supposed to seek heavenly treasures?  Let’s think about this.

Where Your Treasure Is…

It is important to be careful what treasures you are seeking, because they reveal where your heart is. Jesus taught us to seek heavenly treasures, but not until after He warned us of the fleeting nature of earthly ones, which can be destroyed or stolen. This stanza echoes the teaching of Christ. Having asked the Spirit to reveal and turn our hearts away from any covetousness in our Tuesday Tuning, we now ask Him to fill our minds with a clearer perspective on the treasures we should seek.

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 ESV

These words of Jesus are the second half of a teaching on treasures. Here He points our souls toward not only the inestimable value of treasures which are stored up in heaven, but their security. The treasures which we seek in heaven can not be eaten up, and are not subject to decay or theft. When we labor toward treasures that are stored up in heaven, we can do so with the confidence that they are safe.

The challenge for us is to develop an eternal perspective. It is so easy to focus on life as we see it here and now. That focus influences our thinking, and our thinking where we invest our energies.

We all need food, clothing and shelter as we journey along here, and so we understandably spend some energies on those pursuits. The problem arises when we find our security or our identity in them, or other earthly things, all subject to decay.

So how do we avoid vain pursuits? By valuing things that will last. When we do this, we guard our hearts and minds from being consumed by things that do not matter eternally. When making decisions about how to spend our energies, we must ask some questions. Do I need this? Will pursuing it store up treasure? If so, where?

As you answer those questions and others like them, you will gain and maintain the perspective that will help you lay up treasures in heaven. And just what are those? We will think more on that in the next section, but first take a few minutes to cultivate a desire to seek heavenly treasures.

RESONATE!
Jesus, help me seek the eternal treasures of heaven. Help me question my motivation when I engage in pursuits great and small. Are any of my current pursuits hindering my search for heavenly treasures? Show me and give me the courage to redirect those energies toward eternal things. Are there other pursuits You are placing before me that could aid my search? Please make it clear today, Jesus.

Your Heart Will Be Also

They Will Never Pass Away

The treasures that we lay up in heaven are best felt in this life in the heart. The enduring nature of those treasures alone makes them more valuable than the riches of earth, but the disparity between them is best revealed in the effect they have on us. The hope of heaven’s treasures never fails and that makes all the difference when all else fails.

They will never pass away.

…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  I Peter 1:3b, 4 ESV

We have been born again in a living hope. We have an inheritance that is eternal. When we build on that inheritance, we are putting our hopes on things that will last forever. They will not die. They can not be corrupted, nor can their brightness fade.

When we are seeking those kinds of treasures, not only does it change what we are pursuing, it changes the way we pursue. When our hearts are set on things above, things kept in heaven for us by God’s unchanging hand, we are able to build our hopes on eternal things. 

RESONATE!
Are you pursuing things that will never pass away? Is your heart set on your inheritance in Christ? Ask the Spirit to reveal other passions which may compete with this and threaten to siphon away your hope. Ask Him to help you set your heart and build your hope on things eternal. Then praise God for the hope that is eternal, which we find when we hold His unchanging hand. 

Jesus, thank You for showing me the vanity of earthly riches and the value of eternal treasures once again. Take my heart and help me set it on things that will never pass away, that my seeking may be constrained to those things. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Valuable 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 19.3 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.

Covet not this world’s vain riches,

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 ESV

Jesus is teaching here to be on guard against having a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else. That can consume your soul, and become the foundation of your hope. Ask Jesus to reveal any covetousness within you.

That so rapidly decay,

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:4-5 ESV

There are at least two reasons not to covet. Here is the first. The world’s riches rapidly decay. Even if you are able to acquire them, you will eventually loose them in this life or at its end. Ask the Spirit to help you to avoid toiling to acquire worldly wealth.

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 ESV

Here is the second. Heavenly treasures are eternal. Rather that toiling to acquire treasures that will not last, we should lay up ones that will. How are you seeking to gain those treasures? What are you invested in that will produce those heavenly treasures?

They will never pass away.

…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  I Peter 1:3b, 4 ESV

And how incredible those treasures are that will not pass away! An inheritance that is eternal. When we build on that inheritance, we are putting our hopes on things that will last forever. Praise God for the hope that is eternal, which we find when we hold His unchanging hand.

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.

Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 Are You Carefully Keeping? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Seek to Gain the Heavenly Treasures – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/chest-treasure-wood-box-1657362/
They Will Never Pass Away – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/diamond-isolated-transparent-1857736/

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Trust in HIM

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 Holding Hands with God. This week we will investigate Abandonment and Trusting God.  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: Hebrews 13:5b Amplified 

For He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”

We can trust the history of God’s loving presence.  HIS-story has proved that He will not fosake us! There is no situation that can unhinge His hand from drawing us near and caring for us.

PSALM: Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand By: Mary Jane (Jennie) Bain Wilson, (1856-1913)

Trust GOD

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling

Jennie (the writer of this hymn) must have experienced a sense of abandonment through the lost of her father, typhoid fever, and the loss of her legs. becoming an invalid.  Still, she choose to cling to and trust in God who will never us.

PARABLE: When I think of feeling forsaken and abandoned, I see the vivid image of my ten year old self. I feel the hard concrete steps beneath my bottom. I feel and see the bright sunshine. I see the cars and delivery trucks riding down Milton Street. I smell the crisp dew of the morning air. I hear the sound of my siblings and neighborhood friends playing 4 square (also called A,B,C block). I hear them beckoning me to come and play. I respond, “I can’t. I’m waiting for my dad to come and pick me up.” I feel the hot sun beams from the heated cement, I see the street lights flickering on. I hear my mom saying, “You have to come in.” It’s eight o’clock at night and its dark. You can’t sit out here. I’m sorry. Your dad is not coming.” I taste the salt from my tears of abandonment. I feel the snot from my runny nose. I hear the whimper song of disappointment as I cry myself to sleep.

There were times when my father was unable to pick me up for our visitations due to working overtime at the steel mill. I now understand that the disappointment and anticipation of the waiting was a seed that the Evil One was planting. It would grow and become the root of why I would believe, act and feel that God my Heavenly Father could not be trusted and that He would forsake me. It was painting a picture of unhealthy and untrue God attachment that would take years to re-portrait.

Because we cannot physically see God, we forget that God is El Roi and He sees us.  Perhaps you have your own memories of how our trust in God is often based on our mistrust of others who have abandoned us. Regardless of what lies our past may try to tell us, our present self,  the Presence of Jesus can help us to live in the truth that we can trust in Him who will not leave us no matter what life brings.

So…How do we re-portrait the picture of abandonment?  We place our hand in Our God of hope and trust that He will never leave or forsake us.  

PONDER and WANDER:  In circumstances when we feel abandoned, we can trust the history of God’s love. HIS-story has proved that there is no situation that can unhinge His hand from caring for us.

T.R.U.S.T.

Soul care training exercise: If you choose, when you are ready, complete the T.R.U.S.T. exercise that can help you to strengthen your trust in God.

  • First, Turn over your memories of abandonment to Jesus.
  • Next,  Recognize the lie that the Evil one is using to draw you away from the truth that God, El Roi is our God who sees you.
  • Then, Understand that God is not like man. He will keep His promise to NEVER leave you.
  • Now, Surrender the stronghold of the past memories of being abandoned to Jesus.
  • Finally, Towards Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you to the arms of Jesus. Rest in His arms knowing He will never leave you.

PRAYER: Lord God, Help me to trust your track record more than I trace the memories of feeling abandoned. Let me know what it means to trust you with my whole heart. 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 and let the work of your wandering fill you with strength.

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 Trust in Him appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions:
Trust God: Belovedwomen.org photo with added text
Trust: Belovedwomen.org photo with added text

BONUS REFLECTION: Our experiences can damper our ability to put our total trust in God. If you choose, take five minutes to experience this T.R.U.S.T. guided reflection of placing our feelings of abandonment in the hands of God.

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