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!

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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!

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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!

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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/

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.

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 I Think

If you do not view yourself as possessing great intellectual prowess you might be tempted to diminish this commitment. Not so fast my friend. We are truly addressing the thought-life here and the impact it has on your living.

There are far-reaching implications on the way you live based on how you think. Allowing God to have control of your intellect shapes the decisions you make and the things you do. That is what we are aware of as we commit our intellect to God.

We must be diligent because of minds are battlefields. The forces of good and evil are ever waging war there, if not subtly. If we are not careful, we can loose the battle before we have even begun. We must be cautious as to what is shaping the way we think.

Take my intellect and use

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

From our money to our minds, we are called to put our resources to use for Christ. Have you committed your intellect to God. Maybe you do not feel like you are wise, but the question remains. Will you commit your thought life to God bringing Him glory where no one else sees?

You may not consider yourself an intellectual and so assume you can take a pass on this one. You can’t. Your thought life must be consecrated to God because it shapes much of your attitude and behavior. So, no passes. Consecrate your thought life to God today.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and assess your thought life. Are you diligent or lazy when it comes to the way you think? If you are not working to use your thoughts to glorify God, the enemy of your soul may very well be slowly undermining your confidence in Him. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, I consecrate my intellect today.“

What I Do

Our thoughts shape what we do. Having committed our intellect, our minds to God, we can assume there will be actions that will flow out of those thoughts. We commit before we know what those actions will be, offering them to God to use however He might choose.

Stop and imagine some of the things that might flow from your consecrated intellect. Some of it may be very beautiful. Some powerful. It will not be all butterflies and roses, but it will all have a positive impact on the world around you. It will likely be very surprising when you experience what God does through you, but at the same time it will make sense as it flows out of how He is remaking you.

When we commit our intellect to God we are yielding the control of it in that moment to Him. Have you gotten to that place where you are ready to make that commitment? Is there something holding you back? Sort through those thoughts and commit all the rest to God.

Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

Our thought life is reflected in our actions so they will be revealed. Allow your wisdom to help you make the best use of your time with a constant awareness that the days we live in are evil so we must be careful how we walk. Commit your intellect to God.

How will God use your mind? To shape your perspective and your actions. When you have dedicated all your mental powers to God you will think about things very differently because you will be yielded to His influence. Embrace the blessing of consecrating your mind to God.

RESONATE!
It is so important to offer your intellect to God so that your mind can be prepared to be used for His glory. When you mind is prepared you actions are more likely to follow suit. Pray simply, “Lord, I yield my mind to Your influence.” Then keep praying and watch Him use every intellectual power as He chooses.

Lord I commit my intellect to You. Use every power however You choose. Help me to be diligent in offering them to you routinely. In Jesus name. Amen.

Intellectual Thinking!

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 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/