Thou canst fill me gracious Spirit
Though I cannot tell Thee how
But I need Thee greatly need Thee
Come O come and fill me now

Fill Me Now 1879
By: Elwood H. Stokes (1815-1897)

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

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

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

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

As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Great Need

We come with open, empty hands.

This admission does not come easy for most of us. We have needs. It is rather difficult for most of us to readily admit we have need of assistance beyond our own capacities. In short, we are not naturally a humble bunch.

To admit that we need help, that we need some intervention can be a challenging thing to acknowledge, no matter the scenario. This is especially true at the root of our deepest need, peace with God. The Holy Spirit is the One who meets that need by revealing to us our need of a Savior and the reality that Jesus wants to be that for us.

Among all our other needs, even the most spiritual ones, this is the most crucial. We need strength to live daily for God’s glory. We need patience to deal with the difficult people in our lives. We need peace in the midst of our conflicts. But most of all we need need the Spirit of God to dwell in us marking us as those who belong to Christ.

But I need Thee greatly need Thee

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9 ESV

We need the Spirit because He is the one who imparts Christ to us. It is imperative for our salvation that we have Christ and thanks be to God the Spirit makes Him ours and us His. Ask Him to help you live in the Spirit instead of the flesh, then make that choice again every day.

RESONATE!
Have you ever acknowledged this deepest of needs, your need for a Savior? If you have, rejoice that it was the Spirit in you that allowed you to do so, and that same Spirit who revealed Christ to you. If not, do so today. Pray, “Spirit, I confess my need of a Savior and pray you will make me His and He mine.” 

The Gift

God fills those open empty hands with light and love, with Himself.

When we acknowledge our need to God, whether for a Savior or for any other need which He reveals to us, He delights to fill that need. He reveals it so that He can meet it and in doing so allow us the privilege of knowing Him more. The need becomes a way for us to come to know God and His goodness to us.

If you have a need in your life today do not hesitate to bring it to God. Bring it in your open hand and give it to Him. Then wait patiently to see what He will do with it.

Allow that practice to remind you of your greatest need to routinely come to Him for filling. That filling enables you to live or abide in Him and He in you. This is the work of the Spirit. Thanks be to God!

Come O come and fill me now

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13ESV

He has given us of His Spirit so we abide in Him. We must make that choice every day, the choice to live in Him as He lives in us. It seems so simple and in many ways it is, but we make it difficult. Ask the Spirit to help you make abiding in Him simpler every day.

RESONATE!
Are you abiding or living with a continual awareness of God’s presence? The Holy Spirit and He alone is the one that will help you cultivate that kind of awareness. That is precisely why it is so important to routinely pray simple prayers that acknowledge your need and ask Him to meet it. Pray, “Spirit, come, o come and fill me now.”

Jesus, thank You for the gift of your Spirit. He reveals You to me and helps me realize how much I need You. Help me to welcome His work in my life every day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Continual 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.

Image Attribution
But I need Thee greatly need Thee – https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-two-palms-light-hand-in-hand-1044882/
Come O come and fill me now – https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-bokeh-give-gift-offer-open-3889288/

Hover o’er me Holy Spirit
Bathe my trembling heart and brow
Fill me with Thy hallow’d presence
Come O come and fill me now

Fill Me Now 1879
By: Elwood H. Stokes (1815-1897)

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

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

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

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

As we continue our journey through this penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s think about this.

Hallowed

Here is another word that is not common in our daily speech and needs a bit of explanation. It means honor as holy. God’s presence should be honored as holy. His Holy Spirit fills us with His hallowed presence and enables us to honor it as holy.

How is God’s presence honored as holy by these disciples in those moments they were all filled with the Holy Spirit? They began to speak in other tongues as them the ability to do so. They honored God as holy by speaking languages they formerly did not know.

God knows all languages and wants to be know, loved and worshipped by the people who speak each of them. On the Day of Pentecost when Jews and God-fearers had gathered in Jerusalem from all over the known world God chose to honor His name as holy by giving His disciples the ability to speak the languages of the people.

Fill me with Thy hallow’d presence

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.   Acts 2:4 ESV

Your experience of the Holy Spirit may not be identical to these disciples who first received Him, but it need be no less real. The filling of the Spirit is a mark of God’s presence with us. Do you long to be filled with the Holy Spirit not matter what that may look or sound like?

Oh, to be filled with the fullness of God. That is what the Spirit does when He fills us. He consumes us with an awareness of the holy presence of God. He is without fault or blemish and to be filled with that perfection is life-changing, whether He enables you to speak in another language or not.

 

 

RESONATE!
Have you ever asked God to fill you with His hallowed presence? If not, might it be because you are afraid of what may happen. Don’t be. His desire if simply for you and others to be empowered to honor His name as holy. Beg for that filling today. Pray, “Spirit, fill me with Your holy presence.” 

Come

This closing statement can be viewed as a command, but it would be better interpreted as an invitation. We are certainly not demanding God to fill us with His holy presence. We are asking.

It really is simple. This line captures all the essential elements.

• Humility
• Earnestness
• Desperation

Do those words characterize your approach to God? We tend to complicate this or believe His presence is only for the most reverent. The Holy Spirit wants to fill us all. Maybe you are not convinced about that. Make certain you notice the were “all” in this verse.

Come O come and fill me now

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31ESV

When they prayed…they were all filled. Again, the place where you are gathered may not shake, but God will certainly stir some things in your soul. Prepare yourself to receive the Holy Spirit by simply praying for His holy presence to fill you.

RESONATE!
Have you ever prayed such a prayer? “Spirit please come and fill me now.” If so, you can pray it again. If not, will you consider doing it today? Pray, “Spirit, come, o come and fill me now.”

Jesus, thank You for dressing me in righteousness and making me faultless. I could never have accomplished either, yet you graciously accomplish both for me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Desperate 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.

Image Attribution
Fill me with Thy hallow’d presence – https://hehasyou.org/tag/acts-24/
Come O come and fill me now – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hand-vintage-line-drawing-line-art-5815041/

Beautiful Saviour Lord of all the nations
Son of God and Son of Man
Glory and honor praise adoration
Now and forevermore be Thine

Fairest Lord Jesus 1662
By: Anonymous 1662

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

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

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

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

As we conclude our journey through this worshipful hymn ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see Jesus clearly. Marvel at the majesty of our Savior. Let’s think about this.

Every Knee Will Bow

Jesus is the the fairest of all. By far. He has no equal. Not even anyone in His league.

Accordingly, He alone is worthy of all worship. How are you acknowledging Him for who He is? Are you humbling your life before Him every day? Or are you waiting for the day when every knee will bow?

That day is coming. Get ready for it by bowing before Him today. And every day.

Glory and honor praise adoration

To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:25 ESV

Because He has become our Savior, He is worthy of all the praise we could ever bring. Jesus deserves glory and honor, praise and adoration, majesty, dominion, and authority. He has the name that is above every name and one day every knee will bow before Him.

Are you driven to offer praise to Jesus? The glory that is due His name and no other? Do you sing His praise? Do you live for His glory? Do you pray and give to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? Do you long to stand in His presence and praise Him?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about how worthy Jesus is of your worship. There is truly no one like Him. Make this your simple prayer “Spirit, consume my life with a passion to praise Jesus.” 

Every Tongue Will Confess

How about your tongue? Do you use it every day for the glory of Jesus, or for your own glory? He is worthy of your worship now, as much as He will be worthy forevermore.

Now and forevermore be Thine

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 ESV

There will come a time when every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Those who know Him will exalt Him accordingly for all eternity. We will never cease to praise Him because He will never cease to be the same. Get your praise started today if you have not already done so.

Praising Jesus forever sounds great. But remember, forever includes today, right now. Are you waiting to praise Jesus? Though we long to be in His presence praising Him forever, forever starts right now. Do not wait for forever to begin. Start praising Jesus today.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about how you use your tongue. Do you use it to praise Him every day? If you are looking forward to spending eternity doing it, maybe you should start practicing that now. Give Jesus praise by praying a simple prayer like this, “Jesus, help me praise you today and every day.“

Jesus, thank You for being Lord of all and for revealing that to me. I long to be in Your presence eternally, but want to practice my praise every day. Help me Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

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.

Image Attribution
Glory and honor praise adoration – https://escapetoreality.org/2018/06/21/every-knee-shall-bow-was-paul-a-universalist/
Now and forevermore be Thine – http://www.praise-and-worship.com/jesus-christ-second-coming.html

Fair is the sunshine fairer still the moonlight
And all the twinkling starry host
Jesus shines brighter Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav’n can boast

Fairest Lord Jesus 1662
By: Anonymous 1662

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

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

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

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

As we continue our journey through this worshipful hymn ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see Jesus clearly. Marvel at the majesty of our Savior. Let’s think about this.

Jesus Shines

We keep coming back to Jesus in the second half of each of these stanzas. That is a great habit to develop whether you are writing a hymn or going through your normal, daily living. We need to develop the practice of coming back to Jesus.

Why? Because doing so reorients our thinking.

The sun and moon are fair. Without any context, simply looking up into the heavens can lead our thinking to bad places. Coming back to Jesus reminds us that even though the heavenly bodies are awe-inspiring, they are not worthy of our worship. Only Jesus is.

Jesus shines brighter Jesus shines purer

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

But Jesus shines a light that is brighter and purer than those heavenly orbs. He is light in the spiritual realm as well as the physical. He gives us light to walk and live. Are you looking to the light that only Jesus can provide, or have you been looking elsewhere?

Jesus is brighter and fairer than the sun, moon, and a million stars combined. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all that is fair in every possible sense of the word.  He shines at shining in that He gives out light, and also is brilliant and excellent at doing so.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about Jesus brightness and purity. There is truly no one like Him. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, thank You for shining like no other.” 

All the Angels?

Yes. All the angels. How many angels are we talking about here exactly? 10,000 times 10,000? Even an infinite number of angels can not outshine Jesus.

Than all the angels heav’n can boast

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1:3 ESV

And here are his credentials. As if His reflection of the Father were not enough, He sealed His case for fairest with His finished work on the cross and His ascension into the heavenly, angelic realm.

In scripture, people are generally terrified of angels partly because they likely have a radiance that is other-worldly. How much more might that be the case of the One who is the Source even of their fairness? All the angels combined do not shine as pure as the King of Heaven.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about the angels of heaven. The different references in Scripture are clearly meant to indicate an innumerable number. Whatever that number may be, give Jesus praise by praying a simple prayer like this, “Jesus, thank You for shining brighter than the angels.“

Jesus, thank You for shining brighter and purer than all the angels heaven can boast. Help me to think about that often when I gaze into the sky. In Jesus name. Amen.

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.

Image Attribution
Jesus shines brighter Jesus shines purer – https://nathangreene.com/products/light-of-the-world-20×16
Than all the angels heav’n can boast – https://in.pinterest.com/pin/137641332339146570/

Fair are the meadows fairer still the woodlands
Robed in the blooming garb of spring
Jesus is fairer Jesus is purer
Who makes the woeful heart to sing

Fairest Lord Jesus 1662
By: Anonymous 1662

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

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

Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below!  It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.

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

As we continue our journey through this worshipful hymn ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see Jesus clearly. Marvel at the majesty of our Savior. Let’s think about this.

Nothing Like Jesus

Was Jesus created? No.

What did He create? Everything.

On Tuesday we focused on a few aspects of creation. We considered our response to them. When we are filled with awe we must be careful not to worship the creation, but the Creator. If you ever catch yourself wondering who He is, remember He is Jesus.

Jesus is fairer Jesus is purer

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15-16 ESV

Beautiful as they are, the created things are simply trying to reflect the glory of the Uncreated One, the One who visualizes the invisible God. He made them all, so obviously He is more grand than they, more fair, more pure than everything visible and invisible. Nothing compares to Jesus.          

There’s the majesty of creation. Then there’s Jesus. Nothing and no one even comparing to His beauty. Pointing to it but not becoming it. Revealing it without fully representing it. Everything some lesser version of all that He is, and yet never as untainted as Him. Jesus. No rival. No equal.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about Jesus work in creation. Then praise Him for being even more fair and pure than the best of it. Make this your simple prayer “Jesus, thank You for being so fair and pure.” 

Who Holds Us Together

Ever feel like things are falling apart? Maybe you said something you later wished you had not. Things at work seem to be slowly unraveling, and you are not sure if the problem is you or someone else. You failed to do something you had promised you would do, and they just will not let you make amends.

Whatever the circumstance, we have all been there wondering how things are going to turn out in the end. Sometimes the circumstances in front of us do unravel, but even then we do not have to. Why?

Because He holds us together, even though we are as guilty as the ones who held the hammer and nails which crucified Jesus. Of course, we were not there when that happened, but we are no less guilty than they. If any circumstance feels us with remorse, this is it.

Who makes the woeful heart to sing

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 ESV

All things hold together, in Him. The heavens and the earth. Thrones, rulers and authorities. All things. You. And me. Physically, emotionally, relationally…held together. We rejoice in His beauty, revealed in creation and our lives, but we rejoice even more for how He holds together.

His beauty is not just to be observed. It instructs. It reminds us there is wholeness and wholesomeness. It shows us that even when things are broken they can be beautiful again. Seasons change and so do our lives. There is hope in the beauty of Jesus.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about the fact that Jesus holds all things together. That is the single greatest reason why we an sing, even in the midst of suffering. Be ready to sing even in times of woe by praying a simple prayer like this, “Jesus, Your beauty points to what can be.“

Jesus, thank You for giving me a reason to sing, and enabling me to do so. I have continued to sing when my heart was filled with woe because You were still worthy, and You held me together. In Jesus name. Amen.

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.

Image Attribution
Thee will I cherish Thee will I honor – https://annointing.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/jesus-at-the-center-of-it-all/
Thou my soul’s glory joy and crown – https://pixabay.com/photos/crown-tiara-crystals-diamonds-gems-1866986/