Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose
Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated 1874
By: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)
Listen to this modern version of this classic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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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 continue our journey through this classic text and hymn, think about what it will mean to sincerely offer each part of your life and your entire life to God. It requires diligence and intentionality. Thanks for joining us in this grand pursuit. Let’s think about this.
What I Think
If you do not view yourself as possessing great intellectual prowess you might be tempted to diminish this commitment. Not so fast my friend. We are truly addressing the thought-life here and the impact it has on your living.
There are far-reaching implications on the way you live based on how you think. Allowing God to have control of your intellect shapes the decisions you make and the things you do. That is what we are aware of as we commit our intellect to God.
We must be diligent because of minds are battlefields. The forces of good and evil are ever waging war there, if not subtly. If we are not careful, we can loose the battle before we have even begun. We must be cautious as to what is shaping the way we think.
Take my intellect and use
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
From our money to our minds, we are called to put our resources to use for Christ. Have you committed your intellect to God. Maybe you do not feel like you are wise, but the question remains. Will you commit your thought life to God bringing Him glory where no one else sees?
You may not consider yourself an intellectual and so assume you can take a pass on this one. You can’t. Your thought life must be consecrated to God because it shapes much of your attitude and behavior. So, no passes. Consecrate your thought life to God today.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and assess your thought life. Are you diligent or lazy when it comes to the way you think? If you are not working to use your thoughts to glorify God, the enemy of your soul may very well be slowly undermining your confidence in Him. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, I consecrate my intellect today.“
What I Do
Our thoughts shape what we do. Having committed our intellect, our minds to God, we can assume there will be actions that will flow out of those thoughts. We commit before we know what those actions will be, offering them to God to use however He might choose.
Stop and imagine some of the things that might flow from your consecrated intellect. Some of it may be very beautiful. Some powerful. It will not be all butterflies and roses, but it will all have a positive impact on the world around you. It will likely be very surprising when you experience what God does through you, but at the same time it will make sense as it flows out of how He is remaking you.
When we commit our intellect to God we are yielding the control of it in that moment to Him. Have you gotten to that place where you are ready to make that commitment? Is there something holding you back? Sort through those thoughts and commit all the rest to God.
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV
Our thought life is reflected in our actions so they will be revealed. Allow your wisdom to help you make the best use of your time with a constant awareness that the days we live in are evil so we must be careful how we walk. Commit your intellect to God.
How will God use your mind? To shape your perspective and your actions. When you have dedicated all your mental powers to God you will think about things very differently because you will be yielded to His influence. Embrace the blessing of consecrating your mind to God.
RESONATE!
It is so important to offer your intellect to God so that your mind can be prepared to be used for His glory. When you mind is prepared you actions are more likely to follow suit. Pray simply, “Lord, I yield my mind to Your influence.” Then keep praying and watch Him use every intellectual power as He chooses.
Lord I commit my intellect to You. Use every power however You choose. Help me to be diligent in offering them to you routinely. In Jesus name. Amen.
Intellectual Thinking!
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Podcast 30.4 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.
Take my silver and my gold
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV
The offering of our bodies now turns outward, yet not entirely. Though the measure is the use of our money, the underlying factor is our heart which we will look at more closely in the next stanza. So for here, ask yourself if you are willing to put all your resources at God’s disposal.
Not a mite would I withhold
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 ESV
The widow’s mite. What a challenge! To give all we have to live on. That is a remarkable act of faith which is impossible without God’s help. Giving not out of abundance but poverty. Lord show us how to mirror this in our lives.
Take my intellect and use
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
From our money to our minds, we are called to put our resources to use for Christ. Have you committed your intellect to God. Maybe you do not feel like you are wise, but the question remains. Will you commit your thought life to God bringing Him glory where no one else sees?
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV
Our thought life is reflected in our actions though, so there is a way in which it is revealed. Allow your wisdom to help you make the best use of your time with a constant awareness that the days we live in are evil so we must be careful how we walk. Commit your intellect to 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, with the refrain.
Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose
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 The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste, So Offer It To God appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
Take my intellect and use – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/brain-mind-psychology-idea-drawing-2062057/
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose – https://pixabay.com/photos/mind-beutiful-butterfly-2567460/
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