Thursday Thoughts Archives

To God be the glory great things He has done
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in

To God Be the Glory 1875
By: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

Listen to this modern version of this 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 hymn of praise which serves as an encouragement and call to worship prepare to respond and give Him glory. Let’s think about this.

Life Yielded

Here is another great reason to glorify God: His willingness to be nailed to a cross.

Who wants to be nailed to a cross? Nobody, right? But that did not stop Jesus from going there.

When Jesus yielded His life it was for a very specific reason. It was only sacrifice that could make atonement for our sins. His perfect life was the only one that could pay for our sins, all of our sins.

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

…he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 NRSV

Atonement means we are made “at-one” with God again. When Jesus yielded His life as a sacrifice for our sins, that is what He accomplished: atonement. He did this for us, the whole world. Give Him praise for restoring your relationship to God through His sacrifice.

Jesus yielded His life so we who were separated from God by our sin could be made one with Him again. That is what Christ’s atoning sacrifice accomplishes: it makes us one with God again. Give praise to Jesus for making the miracle of atonement possible for us.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about Jesus yielding His life. His willingness to surrender to the Father’s will, even to the point of death, evokes praise from every willing heart. Pray the simple prayer, “Jesus, thank You for Your atoning sacrifice.“

Gate Opened

The yielding on His life evokes our praise, but when we realize the impact that surrender had we are compelled to worship Him. We were dead in our trespasses but Jesus opened up the gate so we are trespassing no more. Instead we are welcomed to pass from death to life.

And opened the life gate that all may go in

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

Christ made a way for all to go in. Though all may go in, not all will. Thank the Lord for making a way for you to enter the gate and find life. Then commit yourself again to helping others come to and enter the narrow gate that is Jesus Christ.

The life gate has been opened through His atoning sacrifice. The gate to destruction is wide and the road is easy, but Christ has made a better way so that none would perish. Unfortunately, many never find the gate and the way Jesus has made. Help as many as you can.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and give glory to God for the difference His sacrifice made. Be careful not to keep that to yourself. Pray this simple prayer, but only when you are ready for it to be answered. “Lord, help me help others find Your gate.“

Jesus, thank You for yielding Your life. If there is a reason to give You glory this is it. This one act of surrender changed everything. Help me live a grateful response every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grateful Thinking!

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Podcast 41.1 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.

To God be the glory great things He has done

..our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:2-3 ESV

We echo the words of the Psalmist. The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad! When was the last time those words left your lips, when you were somewhere other than church and not signing a song? Today? Last week? Last month? We should be quick to give Him glory.

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

Nothing should prompt our praise more than the recollection of this simple fact: God loved us so much that He gave us His Son. He loves His Son, and yet He gave Him to us to demonstrate HIs love for us. Think about that for a moment and then give Him praise for many.

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

…he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 NRSV

And opened the life gate that all may go in

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

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 the Refrain.

Praise the Lord praise the Lord Let the earth hear His voice
Praise the Lord praise the Lord Let the people rejoice
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give Him the glory great things He has done

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 Great Reasons to Give Him Glory, Part 2 appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/crucifixion-of-jesus-bible-story.html
And opened the life gate that all may go in – https://pixabay.com/photos/gate-field-fence-grass-green-419890/

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read. This is a nice instrumental ambient version.

Please enjoy this podcast and the transcript below.

On Tuesday we tuned our hearts with the wonder of what is in store for us one day we soar into the skies to join our Resurrected King! Today we are going to think again about how He accomplished that, and what the implications of that are for us. Glad you could join us as we ponder these things.

Exalted Head

When we go soaring on high we will do so by following our “exalted head”. There are a number of things that come to mind with these words. The first to ponder I believe is what does it mean by saying Christ is our head. Next how exactly He earned that exalted position. Finally, how we will follow.

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV

Jesus was the firstborn from among the dead, but many more will follow His lead. Those who will follow are His church, His blood-bought bride. They are the ones who are trusting Christ’s work to make us right with the Father. He is our Head, and we His body will follow Him, just like every body follows wherever its head goes. He has ascended to the Father, and so shall we.

But that right to ascend was not easily acquired, even though He had willingly and voluntarily laid down His glory to become one of us and perfectly obey the Father. When I think of Christ as head, my mind often goes to this translation of an old German hymn. It alludes to the glory He had laid down to walk among us, “once…bright as morn!”

O Sacred Head

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
Anonymous

That self-sacrifice not only paved the way for Christ’s exaltation, but shows us our path to follow as well. We must be willing to lay down our lives and take up our cross just like Jesus. This is what it means to follow our exalted Head. Though we will not be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, we must follow His example to deny our selves that we may fully pursue the path our Father has marked out for us.

Like Him

When there is repetition in any form of literature the author is always emphasizing something. It is a very deliberate choice to repeat the words “like Him” in this line. “Made like Him, like Him we rise.” Colossians 3:1, 4 puts it like this.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Since we have been made like Him in His resurrection, we will rise as He did, not only from the dead, but also on high to join Him in glory. As the last line says, “Our the cross, the grave, the skies”. We are made like Him so when He appears we will appear with Him in glory. What an incredible promise! But with it comes an exhortation to “seek the things that are above”.

So often we get mired in daily living, the rudiments of our earthly existence, that we forget we have something coming that far surpasses the best of these days. We must daily remind ourselves to “seek the things that are above”. How do we do that? By setting on mind on them, and allowing the reality of them to shape not only our thoughts but our behavior as well.

Reflect on the fact that you are made like Him, but acknowledge you would like to be more even more like Him. Then ask Jesus to show you today how you can practice that.

Jesus, thank You for making me like You. I know that I am a work in progress, but I welcome Your transforming power into my life today. Show me how I can be more like you today, even as I long to “appear with you in glory” one day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Deliberate Thinking!

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

Podcast 40.4 Transcript (5.4 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.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!

And when (Jesus) had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 ESV

This account is from the Ascension of Christ, when He was taken up into glory. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples many times, but this was the final time. He led the way and one day we will join Him. What if were today? Are you ready?

Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV

He was the firstborn from among the dead, but many more will follow. Who are they? His church, His blood-bought bride. All who are trusting Christ’s work to make us right with the Father. He is our Head, and we His body will follow Him. Are you following Him today?

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1, 4 ESV

Our having been raised with Christ, enables us to be made like Him in resurrection glory. Being made like Him ensures that we will appear with Him in glory. The wonders that await us are beyond comprehension. Thank Him for making you like Him.

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV

So let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. That makes it much easier to follow Him, and since we want the skies, like Him, we must take up our cross and die to ourselves, so we can live for Him. Ask Him to help you take up your cross today and die to sin.

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.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

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 Like Him? Like Him! REPOST appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Exalted Head – https://gfycat.com/speedyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5QgWH5GY1Uweakchrysalis
O Sacred Head – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326370304240768829/?lp=true
Made Like Him – https://gfycat.com/speedyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/easter/three-reasons-the-resurrection-is-important-today.html

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read. This is a neat orchestral karaoke version.

Please enjoy this podcast and the transcript below.

On Tuesday we considered how Christ finished the work the Father had given Him to do thus opening paradise. He did this by defeating death. Today we are going to think about a couple ways that defeat is described in lines 2 and 3 of this stanza.

What Battle?

The hymn alludes to a battle, so you may wonder what battle is it talking about? Some have likened this to the idea that Christ descended into hell, which is expressed in some versions of the Apostles Creed with the words “he descended into hell.” There are a few different Scriptures that can be interpreted to support this, but none of them explicitly state this, so it is a bit of a stretch.

One other way of making sense of the line in the creed is to acknowledge there were different versions, some not including this line. Some newer versions substitute dead for hell, which is probably a more accurate acknowledgement of the fact that in the ancient world Hades was often equated with the grave, rather than hell.

For all this controversy, there is no debate among Christians as to whether Jesus descended into the grave. It is clearly described in a number of the gospel accounts, and helps to clear up the possible confusion. Either way, it is widely accepted that Jesus defeated death based on a number of different verses, not the least of which are Jesus’ own words.

[The Son of Man] laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17b-18 ESV

In these verses, John has a vision of Jesus as the Son of Man. Jesus declares He died, but is alive forever, and that overcoming death has earned Him the keys of Death and Hades.

I think of it like arm wrestling. Jesus fought Death for the right to have final authority over Death. Jesus won the match or battle, so He gets to keep the keys, saying effectively who comes and goes. You can not take someone’s keys unless you have authority over them.

Thank Jesus for winning that battle.

Stay Down! Ok, Get Up.

Jesus demonstrates His victory over death through His resurrection. Can you imagine what that must have been like? For a couple days Death thought it had won. Then on the third day, there was an earthquake and everything changed. It is as if Death tried to tell him, “Stay down!”, until it realized it had no dominion over Him, so it conceded with “Ok, get up.”

He did die, but now He lives. I like how these verses say it with the double doubles of “he died he died” and “he lives he lives.”

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. Romans 6:9-10 ESV

We are invited into a similar transaction, dying to sin and living to God. As we enter into that activity by faith, we ensure that Death will have no dominion over us either. Like Christ, we may very well descend into a grave, but also like Him we will leave it behind one day.

Thank Jesus for making that possible.

Alleluia!

Jesus, thank You for fighting the fight and winning the battle with death. Thank You for demonstrating your victory by rising to life, and giving me the hope I will as well, even if I die. Until then, may Your resurrection power be at work in me helping me to live for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.

Grateful Thinking!

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Podcast 40.3 (5.3 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.

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”… When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28, 30 ESV

Jesus went to the cross out of love and obedience to the Father. He went there to redeem us by offering His life as a perfect sacrifice. He finished His work. Give Him praise!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

[The Son of Man] laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Revelation 1:17b-18 ESV

John has a vision of Jesus as the Son of Man. Jesus declares He died, but is alive forever, and that overcoming death has earned Him the keys of Death and Hades. You can not take someone’s keys unless you have authority over them. Thank Jesus for winning that battle.

Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. Romans 6:9-10 ESV

Death no longer has dominion over Him. His life was not taken from Him, instead He willingly laid it down, then took it up again. He rose to life and invites us into that life. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live your life to God, like Jesus, our Risen Lord.

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43 ESV

One thief on the cross beside Jesus chose to acknowledge Him for who He was by rebuking the other thief, and followed it with a simple request, remember me. Christ has opened paradise to all who will acknowledge Him for who He is. How can you acknowledge Him today? Not sure? Ask Him to show you.

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.

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

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 Stay Down! Ok, Get Up. REPOST appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Keys of Death and Hades – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SMPOf55v3c
Descended into… – https://avondhupress.ie/easter-celebrates-undying-flame-life/empty-tomb-of-jesus-at-night/
Arm Wrestling – http://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/arm-wrestling.html

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read. This is a short but beautiful cello version.

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

Let’s think about this. He is alive because He has the authority to take His life up again after He laid it down. He had to lay it down because our sin had a consequence. The consequence was death.

Borrowed Tomb

There is a powerful line in a song we sang on Easter Sunday called Resurrecting, from Elevation Worship.

The tomb where soldiers watched in vain,
was borrowed for three days.
His body there would not remain.
Our God has robbed the grave.

Who borrows a tomb? Only someone who knows they will be able to return it, having only needed it for a short time. Jesus had a grave, but the Father robbed it.

Though when we sing this powerful stanza we are asking the rhetorical question, “Where thy victory, O grave?”, it could just as well be Jesus making the inquiry. In fact, He had already asked those questions through the prophet Hosea hundreds of years before.

I will set these people free from the power of the grave.
I will save them from death.
Death, where are your plagues?
Grave, where is your power to destroy? Hosea 13:14 NIrV

The grave thought it had defeated Christ, but it was only a fleeting illusion. He conquered the grave when He left it empty. Alleluia! Take a moment and thank Jesus for leaving that tomb empty, and in so doing, giving you hope you will one day do the same.

Dying Once

Some versions of this stanza say “Dying once” instead of “Once He died”. That is the one I am more familiar with so I like how it rolls off the tongue, possibly more from familiarity, but I have to admit the one here is actually more clear. He was not dying once, he died once. And He did so, because He had to.

Consider these two Scriptures.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

We have all sinned. The wages of sin, what you get for doing it, is death. Ergo, we all have earned the right to die. Jesus traded us what He deserved, life eternal, for what we deserved, death. His death dealt with sin, once for all.

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

When Jesus died once for all He was satisfying the wrath of God in a way the sacrificial system of the Old Testament could never do. The Tabernacle/Temple sacrifices had to be repeated over and over because they could not really deal with sin by perfecting the conscience of the worshipper. Hebrews 9 explains this beautifully, but these two verses capture it well.

Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:25-26

Only Jesus was able to offer the perfect sacrifice. Thanks be to God, He did! Take a moment and thank Jesus for dying once, and in so doing, saving you for the wages of sin and offering you the gift of God, eternal life.

Alleluia!

Jesus, thank You thank You for offering the perfect sacrifice, once for all, to save me from my sin. Thank You for demonstrating victory of the grave by leaving that tomb empty. I will ever sing praises to Your matchless name. Alleluia! In Jesus name. Amen.

Grateful 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 40.2 (5.2 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.

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Jesus Christ is alive again. Because He lives, we have a living hope into which we have been born again. Our Father’s great mercy has accomplished this. Bless Him for raising Jesus and in so doing, giving us life and hope and peace.

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 ESV

What an incredible rhetorical question! What a remarkable statement of faith! Jesus’ body having perished, put on the imperishable, and in so doing, swallowed up death in victory. Even though we may die, we will live. Alleluia!

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 ESV

He accomplished His Father’s will, and will come a second time, having dealt with sin, to save us. And who are we? Those who are eagerly waiting for Him. You may be waiting, but are you eager? Ask Him to make you eager.

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

You have victory over sin, death and the grave. You could never have accomplished this, but Jesus already did. Thank 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.

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

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

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read. This is a short but beautiful cello version.

He is risen! It is just as true today as it was on Sunday, and Tuesday for that matter, so we continue our celebration as we think about the last two lines here. There is an interesting juxtaposition of extremes I had not noticed until a little deeper reflection.

Innermost Alleluia

So here in the context of lifting our Alleluia’s to the risen Christ, we are implored to “Raise (our) joys and triumphs high”. Though the instruction is to lift these things, consider the fact that they begin as in inner response to external circumstances. We can not raise from within what we have not perceived.

Consider it from this perspective.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV

Through His resurrection, Christ has accomplished the salvation of our souls. When we believe this, we obtain the outcome of our faith. This brings us to a point of rejoicing, albeit with an ineffable joy. Even though we may not be able to fully or completely express this “inexpressible” and glory-filled joy, we can not help but try.

This may be the epitome of the expression, “the heart sings”. There is effectively a remarkable inner alleluia that we feel and attempt to utter. This third line encourages that activity, an outward expression of an inward reality which begins at the very core of our being, intimate and personal, quiet and tender, our heart.

Outermost Alleluia

On the heels of this very micro expression of praise comes the instruction to a very macro one. From the heart to the heavens.

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

This instruction is very scripturally sound.

Isaiah 49:13 ESV

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Why are the heavens and the earth commanded to sing and exult (present tense)? Because the Lord has comforted his people (past tense) and will have compassion on his afflicted (future tense).

All the tenses make sense, but it is curious that the heavens and earth are to praise because God has had and will have compassion on his people. The implication here is that his compassion will overflow and have an impact of not only God’s people but the whole of His creation.

Whether the subtle pink cross above or the overt one here, these images give expression to the fact that creation is indeed doing what Scripture has commanded it to do. So the macro scale of our Alleluia seems to be on track.

What about the micro? Are you as faithful to lift your “Alleluia” as the other works of His hands? If you are like me, you want to be, even without the command to raise your joys and triumphs high. So let’s cultivate such a mind for just a moment.

Think about your joys and triumphs. What comes to mind? Now take a few moments and give Jesus praise for them. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you keenly aware of them throughout your day. And then do it all over again every time He does.

Alleluia!

Jesus, thank You for giving me something to sing about, even though it truly is inexpressible. Just the same, give me words and others ways to express it today, even as I respond to Your work in my life revealed through every joy and triumph. In Jesus name. Amen.

Grateful 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.

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

Podcast 40.1 Transcript (5.1 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.

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

…the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5-6 ESV

The empty tomb declared it. The angels explained it. Those first disciples witnessed it and died still declaring it. May our lips and our lives echo it, “He is risen indeed!”

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, Revelation 19:1 ESV

Though this is a scene from the end of the story of Scripture, it is made possible through the resurrection. Do not wait until you are around the throne to join the great “Alleluia”! Praise Him right now!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV

Because of what Jesus has accomplished through His resurrection, the salvation of our souls, we should rejoice with a joy that is inexpressible. I love how we are instructed to rejoice, even though our joy is inexpressible. We may not be able to completely or perfectly express it, but we will not let that stop us from trying, with our songs and our lives.

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13 ESV

He could not have showed us more compassion or comforted us better than He has in redeeming our souls through His resurrection. Sing heaven, and earth reply or echo that exultation, for Jesus has not only redeemed our souls but has begun the process of making all the wrong things right.

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.

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

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 Alleluias: Innermost and Outermost REPOST appeared first on Resonant 7.

Great Reasons to Give Him Glory, Part 2

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

Life Yielded

Gate Opened

Image Attributions
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/crucifixion-of-jesus-bible-story.html
And opened the life gate that all may go in – https://pixabay.com/photos/gate-field-fence-grass-green-419890/

Like Him? Like Him! REPOST

Exalted Head

Like Him

Stay Down! Ok, Get Up. REPOST

What Battle?

Stay Down! Ok, Get Up.

Image Attributions
Keys of Death and Hades – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SMPOf55v3c
Descended into… – https://avondhupress.ie/easter-celebrates-undying-flame-life/empty-tomb-of-jesus-at-night/
Arm Wrestling – http://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/arm-wrestling.html

Tomb Borrower Defeats Grave REPOST

Borrowed Tomb

Dying Once

Alleluias: Innermost and Outermost REPOST

Innermost Alleluia

Outermost Alleluia

Isaiah 49:13 ESV

Connect With Us

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

Life Yielded

Gate Opened

Image Attributions Who yielded His life an atonement for sin – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/crucifixion-of-jesus-bible-story.html And opened the life gate that all may go in – https://pixabay.com/photos/gate-field-fence-grass-green-419890/

Exalted Head

Like Him

What Battle?

Stay Down! Ok, Get Up.

Image Attributions Keys of Death and Hades – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SMPOf55v3c Descended into… – https://avondhupress.ie/easter-celebrates-undying-flame-life/empty-tomb-of-jesus-at-night/ Arm Wrestling – http://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/arm-wrestling.html

Borrowed Tomb

Dying Once

Innermost Alleluia

Outermost Alleluia

Isaiah 49:13 ESV

Connect With Us

Image Attributions
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/crucifixion-of-jesus-bible-story.html
And opened the life gate that all may go in – https://pixabay.com/photos/gate-field-fence-grass-green-419890/

Image Attributions
Keys of Death and Hades – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SMPOf55v3c
Descended into… – https://avondhupress.ie/easter-celebrates-undying-flame-life/empty-tomb-of-jesus-at-night/
Arm Wrestling – http://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/arm-wrestling.html