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Thinking that Befriends God

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
  If with His love He befriend thee

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.

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.

As we continue 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.

Sitting with Your Thoughts

Most people do not like to sit with things. Whether it is trying to make a decision between two difficult paths, or finding the best course in a perplexing situation, it is easier to just run headlong into the fray. We wold be better off if we would learn to think a little before making a decision or moving ahead.

This can be difficult. Maybe you feel the pressure to keep things humming. Maybe it is simply trying to gain the approval of some of those involved, or even just one. Sometimes things seem to be swirling out of control and to attempt to stop and think seems impossible.

Many times it might be. But not always.

Thinking on God

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; Lamentations 3:21-22a ESV

Do you set your mind on these things? Do you allow yourself to sit and ponder the demonstrations of God‘s steadfast love to you every single day? You would be well-served to set aside some time to ponder what God is doing in your life. Nothing will fill you with more hope than that exercise.

What do you think about when you aren’t thinking about anything? When your mind trails off the task that is right in front of you what do you find yourself daydreaming about? What you think about tells you what your value, but you can also teach yourself what is valuable by training your mind to ponder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ask God to think about what God could do in your situation. What situation? That one that came to mind when we asked you to think. Coming to God with those things is a great discipline to develop. Start by making this your simple prayer.”Spirit, help me to routinely call to mind the things of God.” 

Need a Hand?

If with His love He befriend thee

We all need a helping hand some time. What better hand to reach out to than God’s? There is nothing He can not do.

But God does not do everything we want. We might even question whether God does everything I need. He does, but sometimes we just need a little “perspective corrective”.

Put it in the view of the one being helped up here. If he was looking the wrong way, no help. There would also be no help if he was not willing to accept it. What if he just decided to try to jump to the top? He might find it is a long way down. He definitely needs a hand.

We All Do Sometime

You have been there to haven’t you? Truth is, we all have. But we have not always been willing to receive the help that is readily available.

If with His love He befriend thee

…his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22b-23 ESV

His mercies never come to an end. He wants to befriend us with his love. But we have to put ourselves in a blessable state. This requires us to remove some things from our lives and add other things. What needs to be removed or added for you to know the love of God?

Did you notice the word “if”? Is it possible for God to not befriend me? To befriend means to offer help or support. God wants to show his love to all, but not all are ready to receive it. If you have give Him thanks. If you have not ask yourself why.                       

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider your posture. Are you ready to receive the help you desperately need? Do you even realize you have a need? Make this your prayer today, “Jesus, help me to receive your love.   “

Lord, thank You for befriending me. Help me to make myself available to You so You can train my mind to ponder the possibilities. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Thoughtful 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 55.3 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.

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee 

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

Either one of these demonstrations of God‘s power are worth their own stanza at the very least, but there is so much that could be said about him that they are simply used as demonstrations of His faithfulness. Which one of them are you more thankful for today?

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee

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

As we long forward to our eternal home with God, we are confident of his goodness and mercy every day. Are you careful to arrange your days so that you can have this confidence? What are you doing to develop your ability to see his goodness and mercy on display every day?

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; Lamentations 3:21-22a ESV

Do you set your mind on these things? Do you allow yourself to sit and ponder the demonstrations of God‘s steadfast love to you every single day? You would be well-served to set aside some time to ponder what God is doing in your life. Nothing will fill you with more hope than that exercise.

If with His love He befriend thee

…his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22b-23 ESV

His mercies never come to an end. He wants to befriend us with his love. But we have to put ourselves in a blessable state. This requires us to remove some things from our lives and add other things. What needs to be removed or added for you to know the love of God?

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.

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
  If with His love He befriend 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 Thinking that Befriends God appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do –think-mental-work-man-face-black-272677
If with His love He befriend thee –https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-men-silhouettes-helping-1807524/

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Prosperity, Protection and Pity

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper Thy work and defend thee

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
  If with His love He befriend thee

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 video below.

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

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue 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 tune our hearts.

Provision

Abundance. That is what God allows and protects.

This does not mean to say all the believer ever knows is protected abundance. Hardly. But when we experience prosperity and protection we are able to see it as flowing from God’s good hand.

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee 

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

Blessing and Defense

Either one of these demonstrations of God‘s power are worth their own stanza at the very least, but there is so much that could be said about him that they are simply used as demonstrations of His faithfulness. Which one of them are you more thankful for today?

What have you done that God has prospered or established? God will bless your work in this way and protect you personally. Does this make you wonder if we have some part in that? We do. We should praise him for the things He has done and the things His is doing. In large part, that is our work.

RESONATE! 
Take a few moments and consider all the ways God has provided and protected you. How have you responded? Make this your simple prayer “Lord, thank You for the work of praise.” 

Daily Care

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee

So does that mean that we never experience lack or harm? No. We live in a fallen broken world. Even when we are reminded of the condition of creation we can rest in the knowledge that our Lord is like a shepherd, father and doctor when we need Him. Jesus has pity on us when he shows us mercy because of our suffering.

He guides us through dark valleys, leads us beside refreshing pools, and restores our weary bodies, physical and otherwise. In those moments we know His love for us sometimes even better than when the abundance is overwhelming.

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee

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

Dwelling

As we long forward to our eternal home with God, we are confident of his goodness and mercy every day. Are you careful to arrange your days so that you can have this confidence? What are you doing to develop your ability to see his goodness and mercy on display every day?

When we are faithful to engage in that labor, we learn to dwell in the presence of God, a place where His goodness and mercy readily flow to us. Where are you living? Is your life marked by a conscious awareness of the presence of God? Learn to dwell.

There is nothing quite like weakness or infirmity to bring us to a place of desperation. When we realize we must look beyond ourselves for care, whether it be a physical, emotional or relational need, we find ourselves in a place to receive. Humble yourself to arrive at the that place and let Jesus, shepherd and care for you.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and think about the care God has shown for you. Think about how you have known HIs goodness and mercy today. Pray this simple prayer, “Father, teach me to dwell.“  

Jesus, thank You for the prosperity, protection and pity You show me at just the right time and in just the right way. You are so good to me. May that mercy fill my life with praise every day. In Jesus’ name. 

Diligent 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 55.3 Transcript

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

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
  If with His love He befriend thee

What have you done that God has prospered or established? God will bless your work in this way and protect you personally. Does this make you wonder if we have some part in that? We do. We should praise him for the things He has done and the things His is doing. In large part, that is our work. 

Lord, thank You for the work of praise.

When we are faithful to engage in that labor, we learn to dwell in the presence of God, a place where His goodness and mercy readily flow to us. Where are you living? Is your life marked by a conscious awareness of the presence of God? Learn to dwell.

Father, teach me to dwell.

What do you think about when you aren’t thinking about anything? When your mind trails off the task that is right in front of you, what do you find yourself daydreaming about? What you think about tells you what your value, but you can also teach yourself what is valuable by training your mind to ponder.

Spirit, help me to routinely call to mind the things of God.

Did you notice the word “if”? Is it possible for God to not befriend me? To befriend means to offer help or support. God wants to show his love to all, but not all are ready to receive it. If you have give Him thanks. If you have not ask yourself why.

Jesus, help me to receive your love.

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.

Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
  If with His love He befriend thee

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 Meet the One Who is Reigning and Sustaining appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Praise to the Lord Who doth prosper
  Thy work and defend thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/abundance-of-fruit-severin-roesen-867856/
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee –https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-good-shepherd-merciful-father-1603691/

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Aligning Our Will to God’s

Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

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.

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.

As we continue 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.

Can You See It?

What are you looking for? We are inclined to longer the things we desire most, which we think we give us the greatest delight, or grant us the greatest deliverance. Unfortunately, we generally look to the wrong things to usher in those seemingly elusive pursuits.

So what are you looking for? A relationship to grant you companionship? Or a career to give you a sense of purpose? Maybe a home to provide a haven of security? Possibly something you can shop for or travel to see, or potentially something as simple as a tribe to call your own.

All of these things are wonderful, but also give us only a limited sense of what our souls truly long for, God. When we look to him to be our companion, purpose and security, the lesser expressions of them become a sign of His benevolent care. The things we own or the places we go, as well as the people we are them with become so much richer when they are demonstrations of His love for us.

Seeing all these things as His provision points us to Him, the One who is the true Satisfaction of every desire.

Developing Your Perspective

Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been [Granted]

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14 ESV

Here we find a rhetorical question. It is asked to make the point that God answers us when we ask in accordance with His will. The trouble we have is that we often ask God for things, we desire things that are not in His will. How do we experience this confidence? Learn His will.         

Have you seen God grant your every desire? No? What do you imagine the issue might be? Is God stingy? Maybe He is incapable of providing for some of our desires. Sounds ridiculous if He truly is Ruler over all things, right? So maybe He isn’t. Or maybe the issue is my desires.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to ask God to reveal to you the true longing of your soul. Ask Him to show you where you may be longing for counterfeits. Determine to bring you desires in lie with His. Start by making this your simple prayer.”Spirit, help me desire the things You want for me.” 

His Ordained Will

Granted in what He ordaineth

When we see His will clearly, we can bring our labors in line with fulfilling it. We are capable of bringing all our efforts to bear to this pursuit, rather than trying to simply get what we want. It is the best way to use all those abilities fo the purpose for which they were designed, helping us know God better and share Him with others.

What are you laboring toward? Your dreams, goals, aspirations? Or God’s? It is easy for us to sanctify our desires and ask God to bless them. We would be better served surrendering our will in pursuit of His. That pursuit will bring us a deeper fulfillment than anything we could ever achieve outside of it.

Aligning Our Will to His

[Granted] in what He ordaineth

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15 ESV

As an expression of His care for us, God will not give us things that will not help us to know, love and trust Him more. That is His will for us. When we ask for those things, we can have confidence that we already have them, even if they have not been delivered just yet.

If aligning our desires with God’s is really the issue, and it is, then how do we even begin to make the necessary adjustment? Can we even desire different things or are we just broken? Yes we can and yes we are, but God’s will is to help us desire better by finding rest in His provision.

RESONATE!

Most of our desires are pursuits of things outside of ourselves. Our most significant challenge to taking the drive for the external things and address the internal craving. It requires a change of heart. Make this your prayer today, “Jesus, change my desires by changing me.”

Lord, thank You for granting all my desires. Help me to align my will to Yours so I can experience the wonder of that fulfillment. When You do I will give you all the praise. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Adjusted 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 55.2 Transcript

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

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
  So wondrously reigneth

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV

We praise God because He is the sovereign, providential King reigning over all things. He owns them all and wondrously displays His authority and care as our benevolent Ruler. Give Him praise!

Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1 ESV

The writer contrasts the powerful image of God ruling and reigning over all to a gentle one of incredible, intimate care. God shows His mercy to us by offering protection and sustenance when things are threatening to destroy. Recall the last time you snuggled in such a sweet spot. 

Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been [Granted]

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14 ESV

Here we find a rhetorical question. It is asked to make the point that God answers us when we ask in accordance with His will. The trouble we have is that we often ask God for things, we desire things that are not in His will. How do we experience this confidence? Learn His will.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

[Granted] in what He ordaineth

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15 ESV

As an expression of His care for us, God will not give us things that will not help us to know, love and trust Him more. That is His will for us. When we ask for those things, we can have confidence that we already have them, even if they have not been delivered just yet.

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.

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

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 Aligning Our Will to God’s appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been –  https://pixabay.com/illustrations/social-media-manager-online-woman-1966025/
Granted in what He ordaineth – https://pixabay.com/photos/skills-professional-development-3371153/

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Meet the One Who is Reigning and Sustaining

Praise to the Lord Who over all things                        So wondrously reigneth

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

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 video below.

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

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue 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 tune our hearts.

Wonderful Rule

The way God rules over all should create a wonder in our hearts and minds. What is it about His rule that is so wonderful? Wonderful is a mingling of surprise and admiration.

What is wonderful about the way God rules is the mixture of the greatest by which He is over all and the personal way which He reveals that to us. Granted, not everyone who grasps that greatness of God comes to understand this on a personal level, but for those who do the first and most genuine response is likely and often…wonder.

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV

We praise God because He is the sovereign, providential King reigning over all things. He owns them all and wondrously displays His authority and care as our benevolent Ruler. Give Him praise!

Rightful Response

That great and all, but we must find a way to experience it on a personal level. Otherwise , it does not really change us. The wonder is generated through an intimate knowledge of God, and that a gift from Him.

How is God reigning over your life today? How are you aware of His providence and care for you? Maybe you are looking for what you do not yet have instead of focusing on all the things you do, all the things He has provided. Take a moment and consider recount just a few.

RESONATE! 
Take a few moments and consider all the ways God has revealed Himself to you. He is reigning over you right now. Make this your simple prayer “Lord, I recount your provision for me.” 

Sustaining Shelter

Shelters thee under His wings Yea so gently sustaineth

Have you ever needed shelter? I was once on a long hike with my boys as a storm approached. We were about halfway along the trail when the clouds opened up. The path became a stream and we had no choice but to finish.

We climbed into the van drenched, even dripping. Though we created a lasting memory, we were thankful for have found shelter from the storm, like snuggling under the feathers of a wing. It was not possible to be any more wet than we were, but we still were glad for the respite.

Wings of Refuge

God provides that shelter in the midst of the storm. Sometimes we are aware, but often we are not. Our awareness does not change the reality of God’s sustaining shelter.

Shelters thee under His wings
   Yea so gently sustaineth

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1 ESV

The writer contrasts the powerful image of God ruling and reigning over all to a gentle one of incredible, intimate care. God shows His mercy to us by offering protection and sustenance when things are threatening to destroy. Recall the last time you snuggled in such a sweet spot.

One of the kindest expressions of His love for us is keeping us safe when trouble comes. Sometimes we have invited it and other times we have not, yet when we draw near to God we experience the tenderness of His sustaining shelter. My boy and I were thankful for the shelter of our van. Thank God for the shelter He provides to you.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and think about the shelter God has been for you. He gently sustains us by His grace more often than we realize. Pray this simple prayer, “Father, thank You for Your sustaining shelter.“  

Jesus, thank You for Your good work in me that prompts my praise. Every bit of it reminds me of the power at work in making me, and remaking me. I am humbled by that work, and the opportunity to echo the praise that is due Your name alone. In Jesus’ name. 

Reverent 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 54.2 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.

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

How is God reigning over your life today? How are you aware of His providence and care for you? Maybe you are looking for what you do not yet have instead of focusing on all the things you do, all the things He has provided. Take a moment and consider recount just a few.

Lord, I recount your provision for me.

One of the kindest expressions of His love for us is keeping us safe when trouble comes. Sometimes we have invited it and other times we have not, yet when we draw near to God we experience the tenderness of His sustaining shelter. Recall the last time you experienced it and thank Him.

Father, thank You for Your sustaining shelter.

Have you seen God grant your every desire? No? What do you imagine the issue might be? Is God stingy? Maybe He is incapable of providing for some of our desires. Sounds ridiculous if He truly is Ruler over all things, right? So maybe He isn’t. Or maybe the issue is my desires. 

Spirit, help me desire the things You want for me.

If aligning our desires with God’s is really the issue, and it is, then how do we even begin to make the necessary adjustment? Can we even desire different things or are we just broken? Yes we can and yes we are, but God’s will is to help us desire better by finding rest in His provision.

Jesus, change my desires by changing me.

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.

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

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 Meet the One Who is Reigning and Sustaining appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Praise to the Lord Who over all things
  So wondrously reigneth – https://pixabay.com/photos/crown-gold-royal-luxury-golden-2661334/
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth – https://pixabay.com/photos/blue-feather-bird-macaw-background-6959585/

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Gladly Gather to Glorify God

All ye who hear now to His temple draw near

Praise to the Lord the Almighty, The King of creation
O my soul praise Him For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration

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 begin 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.

Invitation

Can you hear it? The call to worship. The invitation to come and join the praise. Maybe you can hear the music faintly. Possibly you simply feel draw. You know something is happening and you want to be a part of it.

It is the sound of the music to which you are responding? Or the call of the Spirit? What do think made David glad?

He had been a musician since he was young. Several Psalms are attributed to him. This poet-musician, literally a psalmist, must have loved everything about drawing near to God, especially with others as is evidenced this following passage. But what do you think it was that made him glad?

All ye who hear now to His temple draw near

A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1 ESV

The invitation that begins in the inner-working of the soul rings out to all who have ears to hear. It echoes across all time and space but not everyone will respond, only those who the Spirit gives ears to hear the invitation. Give thanks that you are hearing the invitation even now.

We can worship God in the quietness of our soul but that is simply not enough. We must gather with others and join together to offer the glory due His name. Do you have a group of Christians that you join with regularly to worship God? If not, find one soon.

God, thank You for calling me to worship with others.

RESONATE!
If you are not gathering with others to offer God praise why not start now? You can play your favorite worship song and raise your voice in your car or at home, but doing so with others is different. Part of it is the discipline, but another part is the community. It is a privilege so take advantage of it. Start by making this your simple prayer.”God, thank You for calling me to worship with others.” 

Praise Him in glad adoration

Glad

David was glad. The Psalmist below exhorts us to gladness. Why should our adoration be marked like this?

Think about it. The One who made everything has made Himself known to us. Not only that but He has granted us health and salvation. As if that were not enough already, He then extends a call or command to come together with others and offer Him praise.

This may seem a little heavy-handed, God commanding us to praise. What is truly remarkable is not that He does so, but why. He could do so simply because He deserves it, but that is not all. He does so because He knows that bringing Him the praise He deserves reorients us toward Him which is as great a blessing as all the other things He has done.

Praise Him in glad adoration

A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Psalm 100:1-2 ESV

We praise Him in glad adoration, not just adoration. Joyful gladness should mark the praise that we bring. Do a quick self-assessment. Could that description be offered for the praise you regularly offer to God? If not, determine today to bring him that kind of praise.

Not just adoration, glad adoration. Adoration that you are pleased, even delighted to offer. God wants us to be able to find great joy in offering our praise, and to do so with others. This communal character of our worship is a dimension of what makes us glad. Join in, and soon.

RESONATE!

God goes one step further and enables you to offer adoration that is glad. He commands it then empowers you to offer it. You still have to respond in obedience of course, but even the ability to do that is a gift from Him. Make this your prayer today, “Spirit, make my adoration glad, and in a group.”

Lord, help me to offer the praise that You so rightly deserve. Then help me to extend that invitation to others. As I discover new depths of glad adoration empower me to bring other into it. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Glad Thinking!

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Podcast 55.1 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.

Praise to the Lord the Almighty, The King of creation

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Psalm 150:1-2 ESV

This entire hymn is a call to worship, or maybe more accurately a command to worship, supported by a careful and fairly comprehensive list of all the reasons why we should. We start with His position over all, having made all, Almighty King of Creation. Praise Him!

O my soul praise Him For He is thy health and salvation

Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!…who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:1, 3 ESV

This next line echoes the admonition of David to His soul in response to the twofold work of God in restoring health to it as well as the body. The soul needs to be reminded of the need to praise because it is so fickle, so here is the reminder. Praise God as Healer and Savior.

All ye who hear now to His temple draw near

A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Psalm 122:1 ESV

The invitation that begins in the inner-working of the soul rings out to all who have ears to hear. It echoes across all time and space but not everyone will respond, only those who the Spirit gives ears to hear the invitation. Give thanks that you are hearing the invitation even now.

Praise Him in glad adoration

A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Psalm 100:1-2 ESV

We praise Him in glad adoration, but just adoration. Joyful gladness should mark the praise that we bring. Do a quick self-assessment. Could that description be offered for the praise you regularly offer to God? If not, determine today to bring him that kind of praise.

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.

Praise to the Lord the Almighty, The King of creation
O my soul praise Him For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration

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 Gladly Gather to Glorify God appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
All ye who hear now to His temple draw near –https://pixabay.com/photos/choir-choir-master-church-conductor-5781096/
Praise Him in glad adoration –https://pixabay.com/photos/prayer-worship-church-religion-4979713/

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