Perfect submission all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest
Watching and waiting looking above
Filled with His goodness lost in His love

Blessed Assurance 1873
By: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

Listen to this worshipful 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 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 Are You Watching For?

The answer to that question reveals a lot. It shows where our eyes are fixed. That tells us where are hearts are.

Like a mom waiting for her little one to return home from school that first day of kindergarten. Waiting for that bus to round the corner. Watching for the return of one who is exceedingly precious.

Why do we spend so little time thinking about where we will spend eternity?

Or, why so we spend so much time thinking about our lives here which will soon pass away?

Some might say it is because we prefer to occupy our thoughts with that which is directly before us. Others might say it is because we would prefer to avoid thinking what comes after this life. Both views may develop from the reality that waiting is hard and so we would rather avoid it if we could, either by thinking of something else, or simply trying not to think about it at all.

Watching and waiting looking above

Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13 ESV

Though my standing is in Christ the moment I surrender to Him I still long for the day when I will finally see Him face to face. It is His appearing for which my soul waits. I watch for it, looking to the skies for Him to make His return and take me to my eternal dwelling place with Him.

There is an incredible blessing in learning to live in Christ, but greater still is the delight that will be ours when we are finally in His presence eternally. To that end, we learn to watch and wait for His return because of the promise it holds. Ask the Spirit to remind you to look up.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider what you are watching for. The Spirit will reveal it to you if you genuinely seek to know.. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, remind me to look up.” Then lift your gaze above this earthly plane.

What Are You Longing For?

For me, it is often a quiet walk through the woods. To hear the birds and even just the wind whistling through the trees. To be still and alone with God.

That is my sacred pathway. What is yours? How do you cultivate an ever-increasing awareness of God’s presence?

That is really what you are longing for. True, we look for it in many other places and even accept counterfeits, but we do not have to. God wants to fill us with His goodness and help us to get lost in His love, which basically means to allow everything else to become less important that Him.

Filled with His goodness lost in His love

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

As I find myself more and more in Christ, surrendered to His will, looking above for His return, I am assured of His goodness and love. That does not mean things never seem bad, but I can rest in the fact that He is working them together for good because He loves me. Hallelujah!

Even while we wait we are overwhelmed by His goodness and love toward us. This is remarkable for we still live in a fallen world filled with hatred and badness. His presence with us in the midst of them is a blessing beyond measure. Thank the Lord for His presence.

RESONATE!
It is so essential to identify what is important to us. There is one thing that truly satisfies our deepest longing as is unattainable through any action of our own. The presence of God. Is that what you are truly longing for? Pray simply, “Lord, thank You for Your presence.” 

Lord, thank You for Your goodness and love. They flow from Your presence so please help me to long for more of You, and even look for You everyday. In Jesus name. Amen.

Watchful Thinking!

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Image Attribution
Watching and waiting looking above – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-african-looking-up-head-1030895/
Filled with His goodness lost in His love – https://pixabay.com/photos/peace-of-mind-woman-girl-outdoors-349815/

Perfect submission perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy whispers of love

Blessed Assurance 1873
By: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

Listen to this worshipful 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 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.

Special Delivery

Who? Where? and What?

Those are the three questions answered in the last part of the stanza. We will examine the first two here and the last one below. First, let us consider Who?

Angels, that’s who. There are many references to these messengers of God throughout the Scripture, but not many in the songs we sing. I imagine that is because they are a bit mysterious. The descriptions of them, their appearances, and their activity evoke a degree of awe.

On this occasion they are simply mentioned and attributed with a task. That task is straight-forward and consistent with what they are often doing in the Bible, serving as messengers for God. In this stanza the writer says they are bringing “echoes of mercy and whispers of love”. Both seem word-based, that is echoes and whispers, the kids of things we night imagine a messenger would deliver. Messages. We will look at this more below.

What of their origin, these “echoes” and “whispers”? The writer simply offers “above”. We associate heaven with the skies above because that is at least one definition of the word itself, which resonates with us as God’s dwelling since the Scripture often describes God as being over all.

Accordingly, our eyes trail up in an effort to catch a glimpse of their journey down to us. That is reasonable and fair, but is also limited by our understanding, which God is not. All that to say, we should remain aware that God has angelic servants that do His bidding, and some of that bidding is to help us in our pursuit of Him and His will.

Angels descending bring from above

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 ESV

After rejoicing over our repentance, God’s angels are then commanded to descend and first of all help us by guarding our way. I wonder how many times I might have fallen if it had not been for the lifting work of the God’s angels in my life? They descend to bear us up. Hallelujah!

Angels descend bringing things from the Father to us. What an incredible and powerful truth! God sends His messengers to us to bring us what we need. This becomes our story and our song when we determine to praise our Savior. Look up. Help is on the way!

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider this incredible truth, God is sending you help through His angels. Sometimes we feel like we are alone, but that is never true. Pray this simple prayer, “Jesus, thank You for sending me the help of our angelic servants.” Then trust Him and them to do their work.

Ears to Hear

Again, let’s remember our context. Perfect submission, perfect delight. That is the scenario described in the opening line of this stanza.

What unfolds from there is a remarkable sight, and sound. It engages at least the eyes and ears. The writer speaks of visions that evoke joy, including seeing angels descending bringing…

Echoes of mercy whispers of love

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9 ESV

And here is that lifting work again, a demonstration of His love and mercy toward us. The angelic presence which saves us, walking along with us in our afflictions. It certainly makes it easier to sing the praises of Jesus when you know His presence during your affliction.

What may bring that affliction? Sometimes choices that do not honor God, that are not in line with His will. But sometimes the Lord even allows affliction when we are on His path. Why would He do that? To help us trust Him even when things are difficult which is and imperative for a life of faith.

And things do get very difficult sometimes. But when they do we can be confident that God is with us sending us all the help we need for our situation. How can we be confident of this? Two words.

Mercy and love. Who would not welcome more of those into their lives? What a beautiful description of the things God sends to us by way of His angelic messengers. What kind of echoes do you need to hear today? Ask the Spirit to open your ears to hear.

RESONATE!
It is so important to listen for what God is saying to us. Life can get so noisy it is hard to hear God and the messages He is sending. Try to get quiet for some time today and just listen for those whispers. Pray simply, “Spirit, open my ears to hear those echoes.” 

Father thank You for Your visions, echoes and whispers. They bring me joy like nothing else. Help me to look and listen for them everyday, but especially when things are rough. In Jesus name. Amen.

Attentive 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
Angels descending bring from above – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/529665606159169668/
Echoes of mercy whispers of love – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ear-listen-hearing-listening-4920994/

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation purchase of God
Born of His Spirit washed in His blood

Blessed Assurance 1873
By: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

Listen to this worshipful 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 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.

God Bought

That’s you! Those are words uses to describe each one who has found assurance in the finished work of Christ. You are and heir of salvation and a purchase of God.

What does that mean?

It means that you have inherited salvation from the penalty of your sins. It means that God has purchased you, redeeming you back from the wages of sin by purchasing you with the life of His only Son. It means your eternal destiny has been changed.

And it starts the moment you surrender your life to Christ. It is not only an eternity in the presence of God, it is living in Christ every day here and now. So how do you practice that?

You live with forever in mind, not overwhelmed by the circumstances of any given day but resting in the knowledge of living  eternally. You live with peace, not distraught over your sin but trusting in the redemption purchased for you by Christ. You live with hope, not doomed by your sin condition but free to walk in salvation.

Heir of salvation purchase of God

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12 ESV

God purchased us with the life of His Son. That purchase made us heirs of salvation. This all hinges on the person and work of Jesus Christ. If we have the Son we have life. We simply must be willing to receive that gift, and eternal life becomes our testimony.

God has purchased us with the sacrificial life of His Son and in so doing made us heirs of salvation. Think about what that cost the Father to offer His only Son to bring many others to glory. Give praise to the Father for making you an heir to salvation though it cost Him so much.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and consider your standing before God because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. It changed your eternal destiny. Pray this simple prayer, “Father, I praise You for making me an heir to salvation.“

Blood Washed

Not only did God purchase us with blood of His Son, but He washed us clean. It is hard for us to imagine washing something in blood because it seems like that would only make it bloody. Christ’s blood is not like any other blood though, so neither is the consequence of being plunged beneath it’s cleansing flow.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit that applies that blood to us in such a way that it cleanses and purifies us. Through Christ’s work on the cross, we are freed from the dead works of our unredeemed lives. But that is not all. We are also ushered into a scenario where we can know and do the will of God.

It is a remarkable spiritual transaction that flows from the physical shedding of blood by Jesus. Our conscience is purified and prepared to serve God. Only the blood of Jesus applied to us by the Holy Spirit could accomplish this.

Born of His Spirit washed in His blood

How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14 ESV

The blood of Christ washes us and the Holy Spirit brings us life purifying our conscience and preparing us to do good works. Some of those are telling our story and singing our song to bring praise to our Savior all the day long. Will you tell it and sing it today?

We are born again into eternal life when we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus our Savior. The Spirit applies the work of Christ to us and gives us life though we were dead from our sins. Have you asked Jesus to cleanse you and the Spirit to give you new life?

RESONATE!
It is so important to remember what Jesus did, and ponder anew what it accomplishes. It changes our standing and that our ability to serve God. Pray simply, “Spirit, give me new life through Christ.” 

Jesus thank You for offering Your life for me and preparing me to serve. You have changed my eternity and I will live my life assured of that transformation. Help me to do so more every day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Assured 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
Heir of salvation purchase of God – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-1448946/
Born of His Spirit washed in His blood – https://www.hopefaithprayer.com/salvationnew/scriptures-teach-blood/

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

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.

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/