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Power from on High, REPLAYED

Spirit Descend

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
  Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
  And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
 By: George Croly, 1780-1860

Listen as you read.  This is a nice string quartet version.

On Tuesday we considered the first and last lines of this stanza, centered in on inviting the Spirit to come and pour God’s love into our hearts.  Today as we examine the middle two lines we will wrestle with the our weakness and the opportunity it presents for the allures of this world, even as we continue the invite the Spirit to move in every pulse of our hearts.  Let’s think about this.

Weaned from Earth

Weaning is a painful process.  It speaks to the gradual removal of something that we felt at some point and in some measure we had to have, but have since realized otherwise.  It is like working to break a bad habit, at least in terms of the effort required and the pain caused.

One use of wean means to free from an unusually unwholesome habit or interest.  This gets a little closer to what the writer is asking of the Holy Spirit.  The flesh is inclined to unwholesome habits and interests and pursues them diligently among the materials of earth.

Weaned Through Affliction

I think to some extent we really do not know what we are asking for in this noble, earnest prayer.  The end will be truly beneficial, but the means by which we will likely get there will likely be difficult.  Charles Spurgeon put it this way,  “The Lord’s mercy often rides to the door on the black horse of affliction.  Jesus uses the whole range of our experiences to wean us from earth and woo us to Heaven.”

So we ask the Holy Spirit to wean us from earth and His answer just may come in the form of affliction.  That experience generally strips away what we thought mattered and gets us to desire what actually does.  As we transfer our longing from earthly things to Heavenly ones, we find a very different rhythm to living.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16 ESV

Those longings for the things of earth effectively make us sick, without even knowing it.  Walking in the Spirit, allowing Him to direct every pulse of our intellect, will and emotions, is the antidote for this malady.  Ask Him to be that for you today.

Pulsating with the Spirit

Pulse of the Spirit

Being weaned from earth and pulsating with the Holy Spirit are two sides of the same coin.  The more we invite the Spirit to beat in our hearts, the less we are inclined to long for the things of earth.  But conversely, the more we long for the things of earth, the less we are inclined to invite the Spirit to beat in our hearts.  

So it becomes a decision of the mind, an act of the will, to pursue a better path.  One marked by the rhythm of the Spirit.  Oh, that the Holy Spirit would help our hearts to manage without some of the things of earth of which we have become increasingly fond.  Oh, that we would sense His presence moving through every pulse of our hearts. Ask Him for these things.

Sounds easy, right?  Wrong!

If you have walked with Jesus for any length of time you know better.  How? By experience.

Stoop to My Weakness

The Spirit Stoops Like Lincoln Here

You have likely experienced the frustration of knowing what to do, but lacking the power to do so.  But the truth is we do not lack the power, we simply fail to tap into it.  Because the Spirit is like Abraham Lincoln in this image.  This quote has been attributed to numerous people so I am uncertain as to who said it, but it illustrates what God has already done and is continually willing to do:  stoop down to help us since He is familiar with how weak we are.

We are weak, but He is strong.  What perfect vessels to put His glory on full display, ones that can truly take no credit for the work He does in them!  Humble yourself, by admitting your weakness, and His strength.  Receive the power He has already made available to you.  Not certain that power is available to you?  Consider this Scripture.

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.   1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

The Spirit works in us to produce fruit that is beneficial for our lives and those around us, including the Church.  We need His empowering because we are weak. He gives to each according to His will. Ask Him to give you power from on high to engage in God’s will and work.

Spirit, I realize I do not really know what I am asking for when I express my desire to be weaned from earth, knowing You pulsing through every beat of my heart, but I know I need it.  I know I am weak, and that I need Your strength.  Put it on display in my life as I learn daily to depend on You.  In Jesus name.   Amen.

Deliberate Thinking!

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Below is content available only to Subscribers and Free Members.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here.  Or check out some samples at our Free Member Content Library.  We have lots of tools and lots of options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today!!

Subscribers AND Free Members enjoy this podcast! Everyone else, the transcript below.

Podcast 58.1 Transcript, 6.1 REPLAYED

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.

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESV

The heart is the seat of our intellect, will and emotions.  When we ask the Holy Spirit to settle on our hearts, we are asking Him to teach us, and bring to remembrance everything Jesus said.  Ask the Spirit to instruct your intellect, will and emotions.

 Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 ESV

One use of wean means to free from an unusually unwholesome habit or interest.  The flesh is inclined to those very things and searches for them among the materials of earth.  Walking in the Spirit, allowing Him to direct every pulse of our intellect, will and emotions, is the antidote for this malady.  Ask Him to be that for you today.

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

The Spirit works in us to produce fruit that is beneficial for our lives and those around us, including the Church.  We need His empowering because we are weak. He gives to each according to His will Ask Him to give you power from on high to engage in God’s will and work.

 And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 ESV

What a beautiful image this evokes!  God’s love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  We are incapable of loving God as we ought to without His help.  We may approximate it but we will always fall short. Ask the Spirit to help you love Him.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more.

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
  Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
  And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

Image Attributions
Spirit Descend – https://gifer.com/en/Gs03
Wean From Earth – https://imgur.com/gallery/OxBxCLI
Though All Its Pulses Move – https://gifer.com/en/9lfa
Lincoln Stoops – http://www.abelincoln.com/cliffhangers/1-68.htm

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Sing Along for the Sting is Gone

church gladness sing
Let the church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing

Lo Jesus meets us Risen from the tomb
Lovingly He greets us Scatters fear and gloom
Let the church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing
For her Lord now liveth Death hath lost its sting

Thine is the Glory
By: Edmond Budry 1904, trans. Richard Birch Hoyle

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.

Sing Along

I love to sing. There is little that moves my soul like lending my voice to a song. When I can sing with others there is an extra level of joy. It is laden with opportunity to stir my heart with gladness and wonder when our song declares something about Jesus.

When was the last time you sang praise to Jesus? Was it with someone else? It was about two hours ago for me and it was wonderful. There were only three of us with a couple instruments but it was rich.

Find a Song

There are many opportunities to join the song of the people of God. At least once a week in most communities. I encourage you to find one soon, and find a place in there songs of triumph.

Let the church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 ESV

We have a reason to celebrate, and one of the many ways we do that is by singing. We sing glad songs of triumph because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Will you join us?

We do not mope around with tears in our eyes like a group of followers whose leader has been vanquished. We lilt along with a song on our lips because our God has triumphed over the grave. Sing with gladness church as often as you gather!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about the last time you sang with gladness. Make it a regular practice to find a place in the hymns of triumph of God’s people. Start by making this your simple prayer, “Spirit, fill our hymns with gladness.“

No Sting

Jesus lives death has lost tis sting
For her Lord now liveth Death has lost its sting

Now here is something to sing about! The first part of the phrase makes the second part two. Because Jesus has risen victorious over the grave Death has lost its sting.

Really? Has Death really lost its sting? When people die we still grieve. We have lost them, even if only for a time, but still they are no longer wth us. There is definitely a pain to that loss, but for those of us who have hope of a resurrection, that pain is much lessened.

Think of it this way. Have you ever had a splinter in your finger? When you bump that just right, or wrong, shooting pain. Remove the splinter and the pain is lessened immediately. It still hurts but not nearly as much as when the splinter was still there.

Splinter Gone

Jesus has removed the splinter of Death. It still hurts. But not like it did before the resurrection.

For her Lord now liveth Death hath lost its sting

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV

No victory. No sting. Even though we may die we will be victorious over death and it will have no painful, burning effect on us, like the piercing fang of a venomous cobra. 

It’s like death played Hot Hands with Jesus and lost. But not only that. Jesus surprised death by moving so quickly the attempted slap seemed to only grazed Him and had no sting. In truth, it was a fatal blow and left a mark. Then Jesus changed the game.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to how the sting of Death has been removed. It still hurts, but not like it once did. Make this your prayer today, “Father, thank You for giving Jesus authority over death.“

Jesus, thank You for giving us something to sting about, truly the best thing ever. Victory over the grave is ours in You. Death has no sting. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Joyous Thinking!

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Podcast 57.2 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.

Lo Jesus meets us Risen from the tomb

Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene…After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. Mark 16:9, 12 ESV

The resurrected Christ met many of His disciples face-to-face before his ascension. Here we read of Mary, and two others, and even though we do not see Him face-to-face, we know Jesus lives and meets us also.

Lovingly He greets us Scatters fear and gloom

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid….” Matthew 28:9-10a ESV

It is hard to imagine what those disciples must have felt when they heard the familiar voice of Jesus greet them. They responded with affection and adoration. How I long to fall at His feet and worship Jesus!

Let the church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 ESV

We have a reason to celebrate, and one of the many ways we do that is by singing. We sing glad songs of triumph because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

For her Lord now liveth Death hath lost its sting

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV

No victory. No sting. Even though we may die we will be victorious over death and it will have no painful, burning effect on us, like the piercing fang of a venomous cobra. 

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.

Thine be the glory risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won

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 Sing Along for the Sting is Gone appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Let the church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-service-mass-church-8599515/
For her Lord now liveth Death hath lost its sting – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-jesus-of-nazareth-8648037/


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All of Me, For All Time, For God Alone REPLAYED

Take myself and I will be

Take my love my Lord I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee

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.

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 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.

My Self

Just in case we missed something in the earlier stanzas this last phrase catches it all. And because of that it might be the most difficult to sing. But when we are able to sing it our worship goes to a whole new level.

We offer our selves and the very act of doing so initiates a positive feedback loop. We realize the joy of holding nothing back and it inspires us to give ourselves away again. And again. And again.

Take myself and I will be

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

Again, we offer ourselves to God in response to His offering Himself for us. This first part of the stanza recaps how we are to offer, love, and this part what, everything. This sums up all we have been considering these last six weeks. Offer yourself to God today.

When we offer ourselves we are also making an ongoing commitment. There are no take-backs with this one. God knows it, but do we? Many of us live like we can offer ourselves when it is convenient, but God wants us all the time. How committed are you to your offering?

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider your self. Are you willing to truly offer all that you are to God? Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, show me how offered I am.“

For Thee

Ever only all for Thee

Some see an altar. Some see a tomb. Some see both.

We offer ourselves to God and allow Him to transform our thinking so we may know His will, and knowing it we may do it. We offer ourselves to God and so die to our will so we can live for His. We offer ourselves to God because doing so opens us to a world of possibilities we could have never imagined.

How? Transformation. Offering our selves to God transforms us. When you offer your self to God it changes you. That change makes offering your self to God easier.

Ever only all for Thee

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect Romans 12:2 ESV

As He transforms us we continually offer ourselves. Forever, our offering never ceases. Only, to no one else but God alone. All, holding nothing back but offering all to Him. This positions us to know and do His will which confirms we have truly given ourselves to Him.

All of me, only to God, for all time. Wow! That is a powerful statement. When we have offered ourselves to Him it is much easier to live out this commitment daily. Offer all of yourself again today, forever, to God alone. Then rest in that.

RESONATE!
It is so important to offer everything you are to God. It changes your perspective on everything. Pray simply, “God, I offer all of myself to You alone forever.” 

Lord I offer my self to You. Help me to do so every day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Offered 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 56.6 Transcript, 30.6 REPLAYED

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 love my Lord I pour

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV

It is love which motivates all of our offerings. We are to love God with heart, soul, mind and strength Jesus taught us in the Gospels quoting this verse. When we choose to love Him we do so in response to His love for us. Are you offering your love to God today?

At Thy feet its treasure store

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:37-38 ESV

He who has been forgiven much loves much. That is what Jesus taught the Pharisees through this encounter. Offer your love to Jesus today.

Take myself and I will be

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV

Again, we offer ourselves to God in response to His offering Himself for us. This first part of the stanza recaps how we are to offer, love, and this part what, everything. This sums up all we have been considering these last six weeks. Offer yourself to God today.

Ever only all for Thee

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect Romans 12:2 ESV

Then as He transforms us we continually offer ourselves. Forever, our offering never ceases. Only, to no one else but God alone. All, holding nothing back but offering all to Him. This positions us to know and do His will which confirms we have truly given ourselves to Him.

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 love my Lord I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for 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 All of Me, For All Time, For God Alone REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Take myself and I will be – https://pixabay.com/vectors/aura-body-soul-light-spiritualism-884270/
Ever only all for Thee – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/the-altar-architecture-church-3194838/

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My Heart, God’s Throne, REPLAYED

Take my heart it is Thine own

Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne

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.

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 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.

My Heart

We have offered so much of ourselves through the words of this hymn already. Hands and feet, voice and lips, even our intellect, and now we get to the heart of it: our heart. The heart is most often associated with love and that is fair because truly everything revolves around this most powerful of decisions and emotions.

Yes, our heart is the seat of our emotions, intellect and will. We have already addressed the intellect and will in earlier sections of this hymn, but not our emotions. They are powerful and can drive us in a myriad of directions. They are also so fickle, changing at times with little notice. But they are a gift from God which we can offer back to Him. Offer your heart and all the emotions it houses to God today to use for His glory.

As you do make certain you realize that your faith finds rest in your heart as well, hearts that have been sprinkled, made new by God’s work in you. He allows you to draw near and gives you the desire to do so. Even your interest in offering your heart to God at all originates with Him and is empowered by His cleansing work.

Take my heart it is Thine own

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 ESV

Draw near with a true heart. How do we make our hearts true? By having them sprinkled clean with the pure water of the Holy Spirit. This happens when we draw near in full assurance of faith, confident that God can and will do the work of making our hearts His. Offer yours today.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider your heart. Is it helping you draw near to God, or chasing after other things? Where your treasure is your heart is also. Evaluate if God is your treasure, or if you are treasuring there things. Do not let your emotions be your guide, but offer even them to God. Pray this simple prayer, “God, use my emotions for Your glory.“

Your Throne

It shall be Thy royal throne

When we ask God to sit on the throne of our hearts, we are acknowledging Him as our King. We commit to live according to His design and wishes. We surrender everything we are to the purposes of His kingdom.

If you have offered God your heart, the very core of all that you are, then you have begun to resolve this issue. Begun because it is an on-going process of coming to God so that His love can go out through us. We must keep coming to Him and yielding to His ways.

Imagine your heart as an empty throne. Think about Jesus coming and sitting on that throne. See Him smiling at you for offering it to Him. When you offer it you are demonstrating your trust in Him and certainly expecting Him to use you for His glory. And to what end? Love.

Love is the aim of our lives. Offering our hearts to Jesus is the single greatest decision that influences and even ensures that pursuit will be accomplished. Make it your aim today, and offer your heart to be His throne.

It shall be Thy royal throne

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV

Here is the purpose of offering our hearts, love. Loving God and loving others. When we make our heart His throne He reigns and rules and helps us love with a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. Offer your heart to God today to make it His royal throne.

God on the throne of our hearts. This is powerful imagery and helps us rightly consider the cost of offering anything and everything to God. He is King of kings and when we choose to acknowledge this in our hearts the conflict between ours and His finds resolution.

RESONATE!
It is so important to offer your heart to be God’s throne. It changes your perspective on everything. Pray simply, “Lord, make my heart Your throne.” 

Lord I commit my heart to You. Make it your royal throne from which Your kingly authority is plainly on display. In Jesus name. Amen.

Heart-filled 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 56.5 Transcript, 30.5 REPLAYED

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 will and make it Thine

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! Psalm 143:10 ESV

Here is another challenging transaction. The Psalmist asks simply to be taught God’s will, but the hymn writer asks for an exchange. I suppose you could argue they have the same result but I like the surrender of the latter. Both lead to level ground though, so yield today.

It shall be no longer mine

Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 ESV

Jesus prays and voices a slightly different approach. Where His will was not the Father’s He surrendered. There is no exchanging of wills, simply surrender. However you choose to approach this today, being taught, or an exchange, determine to surrender your will to God’s.

Take my heart it is Thine own

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 ESV

Draw near with a true heart. How do we make our hearts true? By having them sprinkled clean with the pure water of the Holy Spirit. This happens when we draw near in full assurance of faith, confident that God can and will do the work of making our hearts His. Offer yours today.

It shall be Thy royal throne

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV

Here is the purpose of offering our hearts, love. Loving God and loving others. When we make our heart His throne He reigns and rules and helps us love with a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. Offer your heart to God today to make it His royal throne.

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 will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne

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 My Heart, God’s Throne, REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Take my heart it is Thine own – https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-window-rain-drip-love-5190672/
It shall be Thy royal throne – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/throne-chair-seat-royal-5223745/

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The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste, So Offer It To God, REPLAYED

Take my intellect and use

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

Every power as Thou shalt choose

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 56.4 Transcript, 30.4 REPLAYED

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, REPLAYED 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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