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Learning How to Offer Praise that Extends Peace, REPLAYED

Ye Who Sang

Angels from the realms of glory,
 Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
 Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
 Come and worship, come and worship,
 Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Angels, from the Realms of Glory
By: James Montgomery, 1771-1854 (1816)

Listen to this simple piano version as you read, or watch the video complete with lyrics then read. Please make certain to enjoy the video log below.

Below is 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 lots of 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.

We continue our journey through Advent as we look at the second part of this stanza. We started with the angel host, and now consider how they were there at the creation, and also present to herald the coming of redemption in the birth of Messiah, the anointed One of God. Let’s think about this.

Start at the Very Beginning

It’s a very good place to start. And that is where the praises of the angels began. They sang creation’s story as it unfolded.

When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:7 ESV

Creation’s Story

Angels are referred to in many different ways throughout Scripture, but one of them is “sons of God”. Here we read that they “shouted for joy” at the creation of the world.

Colossians 1:16 says that all things were created in Christ. They were there when He was making all things, and they are still there as He is remaking all things through His work of redemption. If you listen closely, you can almost hear them singing today as their echoes ring across eternity.

But what does this mean for us? The ones who were offering praise to God as He created all things, were still the first in line when it came time to offer praise for His sending His Son. We should follow their lead. They joined the stars that first morning, and continued their praise, even upping the ante by revealing their glory to the shepherds, in the moment Christ’s natal star appeared. We encourage them to continue to offer their praise, but must be willing to add ours to it.

So will you? Today, join your voice in extending the invite to come and worship to someone. How can you do that? The Christmas season provides many opportunities to invite people to join in the worship of the Christ. How can you invite someone to join you in it? Maybe an event at church or in the community? A Christmas Eve celebration? Commit to find some way to invite some more character’s into this greatest of stories.

Join the Praise

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14ESV

These are the words the multitude of angels sang in grateful chorus the night of Messiah’s birth. To proclaim it best, they gave glory to God first, and then extended peace to all who choose to please God. May we always start by giving glory to God, then extending the offer of peace to all who will walk in God’s ways.

  • He was worthy at creation. So they praised Him.
  • He was worthy in Bethlehem. So they praised Him.
  • He is worthy today. So they praise Him.
  • He will be worthy eternally. So they will praise Him.
Messiah’s Birth

When you give glory to God by praising Him for sending Jesus to us, you are joining the eternal praises of God offered specifically for the Incarnation. God became flesh and dwelt among us. It is as if you are actually singing your praise with those angels over the pasture outside of Bethlehem. Incredible! But that is not all…

You also enter into those moments when you extend peace by sharing what Jesus has done for you. If you have decided to spend your life ascribing to God the worth that is due His name He is pleased with you. Even though chaos may develop in our lives at times we can still have peace despite those circumstances. When you live that out before others, they see that something is different about you. That gives you the opportunity to speak of the peace you have found in Christ, and that in turns gives Him glory.

It is a powerful cycle we are invited to step into, and welcome others into as well.

Have you ever shared with anyone the peace you have found in Christ? As you consider inviting someone to join you in giving God glory with you at some point in the season, pray about an opportunity to share with them the peace you have found. It may just make al the difference in whether they are intrigued enough to check it out for themselves.

Jesus, thank You for creating the angels to be Your messengers. I want to be your messenger as well. Create some opportunities for me to not only give You glory, but also extend peace to someone who needs it. In Jesus name. Amen.

Angelic Thinking!

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Podcast 54.1 Transcript, 12.1 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.

Angels from the realms of glory,

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Luke 2:13 ESV

We will get to their song later but note that these angels have come from the heavens. The realms of glory left behind, they come to tell of the King’s arrival. What kind of King gets such a royal, angelic proclamation? Only our King, Jesus Christ. Worship Him who alone is worthy.

Wing your flight o’er all the earth;

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 ESV

This glorious good news and the offer to receive it echoes to the whole earth, for all the people. The angels are God’s messengers and they carry this invitation to worship everywhere there wings take them. Will you put your journey to the same use declaring this invitation.

Ye who sang creation’s story

When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:7 ESV

Though there are several Scriptural allusions to the presence of angels during the creation of the world, this one is a good one. Taken from God’s response to Job, God Himself acknowledges the presence of the sons of God, angels, shouting for joy with the morning stars. Can you hear the echo of their praises across eternity?

Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 ESV

And here the host of angels sing glory to the newborn King! They join the first angel that started the proclamation of Messiah’s birth in angelic chorus. Imagine what that must have been like, and determine to respond to the call to worship with them today.

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.

Angels from the realms of glory,
 Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
 Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
 Come and worship, come and worship,
 Worship Christ, the newborn King.

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

Image Attributions
Ye Who Sang - https://pixabay.com/illustrations/music-clef-musical-note-background-2087771/
Creation’s Story - https://pixabay.com/photos/meadow-green-meadow-flower-meadow-2401911/
Messiah’s Birth - https://pixabay.com/illustrations/jesus-christ-god-holy-spirit-3852478/

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Setting Our Sights Toward Home, REPLAYED

Fair and Bright the Home in Glory

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. 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.

We conclude our journey through this hymn that challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Looking forward to what God has in store for us impacts how we journey through these days. Let’s think about this.

Home

I have said many times before that it is sad how little time we spend thinking, talking, and teaching about heaven, especially considering how much time we are going to spend there. So let’s change that for at least the next few minutes.

When was the last time you thought about it? Heaven. The place where we are planning to spend eternity. I guess one could argue, I already have my inheritance there and it is my reward for following Christ, nothing more needing to be done to earn it. And while all that is true, thinking about where we are going to spend the rest of forever has an impact on the quality of life in these days.

Fair and bright the home in glory

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

Jesus promised not only that He was going to prepare a place for us, but that He would return to take us there. We have a home in glory. It will be fair and bright. We will see it with our eyes one day, but for now, we need Jesus to give us eyes of faith to see, even if only with our mind’s eye, our eternal home.

So what do you imagine it will be like? Clouds and harps? Maybe, but I do not think that will be all. I think we will enjoy God and each other. Think of the things you do in your home. Rest and relate with a smaller group of people. Prepare for the activities which take you beyond your home.

Some of us have spent a lot more time at home these past few months. At times I am sure that has driven you crazy, wanting to get out and do other things, but I hope you have also made the most of the quarantine to spend it enjoying those who were with you. It has probably also caused you to long for the experiences that home is not designed for, gathering in larger groups.

RESONATE!
We can enjoy our homes here, but we must also be careful to long for that which is coming. All the good things here are a shadow of what is to come. Are you longing for that home in glory, fair and bright as it will certainly be? Take a few moments before you read on and simply ask the Holy Spirit to give you an even deeper longing for your home in glory.

Gaze

Your Enraptured Soul Will View

Your enraptured soul will view.

There’s an unusual word, enraptured. If something enraptures your soul, it is giving intense pleasure or joy to you. Certainly that will be the effect viewing our eternal home will have on us, in all its fairness and brightness.

When we finally see that place Jesus has been preparing for us, our souls will be consumed with intense pleasure and unimaginable joy. I can hardly wait. But even still, sometimes it is difficult to lift my gaze enough to allow it to be filled with that longing for my eternal home.

How about you? When was the last time you looked into the skies and hoped the return of Christ would happen soon? If it has been awhile, take a few moments right and do so. Maybe you can even get outside and look up. If not, look at the image above and utter a simple prayer like this. Thank You, Jesus, for promising to return to take me to the home You have been preparing for me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 ESV

We look forward to that eternal dwelling in the house of the Lord, but let us not forget the promise of goodness and mercy following us either. I would argue that knowing we will dwell in the Lord’s presence forever allows us to receive and extend mercy and help create an atmosphere where goodness is left in the wake of wherever we trod. What are you doing to cultivate goodness and mercy where you are so there can be a residue of them left behind even after you leave? May God give us the grace to build our hopes on things eternal, and live is such a way that anticipates them while inviting others to do the same.

RESONATE!
Ask God to help you to evaluate if your living is leaving goodness and mercy behind you. Ask Him to show you if there are ways you are too focused on daily living and how you can adjust your thinking to be more eternal. We all need to keep our gaze up, ever mindful of where we will spend forever, without losing sight of today. Help us, Lord.

Jesus, thank You for leading me through these days and filling my life with goodness and mercy. Help me to leave a residue of these two qualities behind everywhere I go, and help me to always build on the eternal hope I have on You as I endeavor to do so. I long to dwell with You forever and long for the day when my enraptured soul will view my home in glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Eternal Thinking!

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Podcast 53.4 Transcript, 19.4 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.

When your journey is completed,

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV

Sometimes while you are holding on to God’s unchanging hand, it seems like you will not be able to make it through everything you are facing. Even then, take comfort in the fact that God will finish the work He started. There will be an end. Thank Him for completing what He has started in You.

When the valley you pass through,

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Psalm 23:4 ESV

We all walk through valleys at some point, but there is no need to fear for God is with you. When death is casting a shadow over you, it can be very difficult to recall this simple fact. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you today, and whenever you need it in the future.

Fair and bright the home in glory

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

Jesus promised not only that He was going to prepare a place for us but that He would return to take us there. We have a home in glory. It will be fair and bright. We will see it with our eyes one day, but for now ask Jesus to give you eyes of faith to see your eternal home.

Your enraptured soul will view.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 ESV

We believe with David that goodness and mercy are with us every day, but we will know it completely on that day. Our souls will find a rest we only dreamed was possible. That is the hope we build on, and long for. Ask God to help you hold to His unchanging hand as you wait.

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.

When your journey is completed,
When the valley you pass through
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 Setting Our Sights Toward Home, REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Fair and Bright Your Home in Glory - https://pixabay.com/photos/cloud-sky-yellow-sunshine-sunset-143152/
Your Enraptured Soul Will View - https://pixabay.com/photos/summerfield-woman-girl-sunset-336672/

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What Are You Carefully Keeping? REPLAYED

Seek to Gain the Heavenly Treasures

Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. 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.

We continue our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days, and the eternal hope of God in heaven. How exactly are we supposed to seek heavenly treasures? Let’s think about this.

Where Your Treasure Is…

It is important to be careful what treasures you are seeking, because they reveal where your heart is. Jesus taught us to seek heavenly treasures, but not until after He warned us of the fleeting nature of earthly ones, which can be destroyed or stolen. This stanza echoes the teaching of Christ. Having asked the Spirit to reveal and turn our hearts away from any covetousness in our Tuesday Tuning, we now ask Him to fill our minds with a clearer perspective on the treasures we should seek.

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 ESV

These words of Jesus are the second half of a teaching on treasures. Here He points our souls toward not only the inestimable value of treasures which are stored up in heaven, but their security. The treasures which we seek in heaven can not be eaten up, and are not subject to decay or theft. When we labor toward treasures that are stored up in heaven, we can do so with the confidence that they are safe.

The challenge for us is to develop an eternal perspective. It is so easy to focus on life as we see it here and now. That focus influences our thinking, and our thinking where we invest our energies.

We all need food, clothing and shelter as we journey along here, and so we understandably spend some energies on those pursuits. The problem arises when we find our security or our identity in them, or other earthly things, all subject to decay.

So how do we avoid vain pursuits? By valuing things that will last. When we do this, we guard our hearts and minds from being consumed by things that do not matter eternally. When making decisions about how to spend our energies, we must ask some questions. Do I need this? Will pursuing it store up treasure? If so, where?

As you answer those questions and others like them, you will gain and maintain the perspective that will help you lay up treasures in heaven. And just what are those? We will think more on that in the next section, but first take a few minutes to cultivate a desire to seek heavenly treasures.

RESONATE!
Jesus, help me seek the eternal treasures of heaven. Help me question my motivation when I engage in pursuits great and small. Are any of my current pursuits hindering my search for heavenly treasures? Show me and give me the courage to redirect those energies toward eternal things. Are there other pursuits You are placing before me that could aid my search? Please make it clear today, Jesus.

Your Heart Will Be Also

They Will Never Pass Away

The treasures that we lay up in heaven are best felt in this life in the heart. The enduring nature of those treasures alone makes them more valuable than the riches of earth, but the disparity between them is best revealed in the effect they have on us. The hope of heaven’s treasures never fails and that makes all the difference when all else fails.

They will never pass away.

…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, I Peter 1:3b, 4 ESV

We have been born again in a living hope. We have an inheritance that is eternal. When we build on that inheritance, we are putting our hopes on things that will last forever. They will not die. They can not be corrupted, nor can their brightness fade.

When we are seeking those kinds of treasures, not only does it change what we are pursuing, it changes the way we pursue. When our hearts are set on things above, things kept in heaven for us by God’s unchanging hand, we are able to build our hopes on eternal things.

RESONATE!
Are you pursuing things that will never pass away? Is your heart set on your inheritance in Christ? Ask the Spirit to reveal other passions which may compete with this and threaten to siphon away your hope. Ask Him to help you set your heart and build your hope on things eternal. Then praise God for the hope that is eternal, which we find when we hold His unchanging hand.

Jesus, thank You for showing me the vanity of earthly riches and the value of eternal treasures once again. Take my heart and help me set it on things that will never pass away, that my seeking may be constrained to those things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Valuable 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 53.3 Transcript, 19.3 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.

Covet not this world’s vain riches,

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 ESV

Jesus is teaching here to be on guard against having a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else. That can consume your soul, and become the foundation of your hope. Ask Jesus to reveal any covetousness within you.

That so rapidly decay,

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:4-5 ESV

There are at least two reasons not to covet. Here is the first. The world’s riches rapidly decay. Even if you are able to acquire them, you will eventually loose them in this life or at its end. Ask the Spirit to help you to avoid toiling to acquire worldly wealth.

Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 ESV

Here is the second. Heavenly treasures are eternal. Rather that toiling to acquire treasures that will not last, we should lay up ones that will. How are you seeking to gain those treasures? What are you invested in that will produce those heavenly treasures?

They will never pass away.

…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, I Peter 1:3b, 4 ESV

And how incredible those treasures are that will not pass away! An inheritance that is eternal. When we build on that inheritance, we are putting our hopes on things that will last forever. Praise God for the hope that is eternal, which we find when we hold His unchanging hand.

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.

Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay,
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures,
They will never pass away.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 What Are You Carefully Keeping? REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Seek to Gain the Heavenly Treasures - https://pixabay.com/illustrations/chest-treasure-wood-box-1657362/
They Will Never Pass Away - https://pixabay.com/illustrations/diamond-isolated-transparent-1857736/

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Committed to Clinging Closely? REPLAYED

Earthly Friends Forsaken

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)

By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. 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.

We continue our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. Ever had a friend forsake you? That is painful. But take heart, God never will. Let’s think about this.

Ouch!

When someone you thought you could count on walks away, it hurts. And when someone you thought was a friend turns their back on you, it really hurts. But when it feels like every friend you have has forsaken you, it REALLY hurts!

If by earthly friends forsaken

Being abandoned or deserted is a terrible thing to experience. Not only do you have to deal with the betrayal, but then there’s isolation. Feeling very alone is awful, ask Paul.

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 2 Timothy 4:16 ESV

How Sad

Wow! How about that response from Paul. I am not certain I could muster the courage or forgiveness to let all my earthly friends off the hook with such energy! The translation adds an exclamation point.

This is a sad story Paul tells, but we have all felt the sting of a friend forsaking us at one point or another. Some were no big deal, others have been exceedingly painful. What’s your story?

RESONATE!
We need others and we must share our lives, but when those we trust most are not there when we really need them it is the worst of all disappointments. We are going to consider how God wants us to respond to Him when earthly friends forsake us, but take a moment to reflect on how you have responded to those earthly friends first. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart for any hurt that has lingered. Ask Him to allow you to extend the same forgiveness Paul offered to those who deserted him. It may not mean you even restore the relationship, but carrying unforgiveness around really only hurts you.

Ahhhh!

Still More Closely

When we feel the sting of being forsaken by earthly friends, we have the opportunity to embrace the balm of clinging all the more closely to heavenly ones. It comes down to where we find our primary source of encouragement and support, and that should always be in God. Think about this.

In response to some disappointment in an earthly friendship, you cling all the more to God. Over time, your grip and resolve weaken, like that of an infant, and you let go. In that moment you will discover God is still holding onto you, like an attentive parent, aware of every need and ready to supply.

Clinging Still

There are times when we cling a little more to His unchanging hand because other things have failed us. But even the most determined of us loose our grip after awhile. Thankfully God never does.

Still more closely to Him cling.

You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 ESV

Oh He could let go, and that might cause you to fear, but He will not. It would be inconsistent with His character. We fear Him and serve Him, swear by His name and hold fast to Him, because He is faithful.

RESONATE!
What is causing you to cling more closely to Him today and in this season. COVID-19? Social injustice? An earthly friendship forsaken? All the defeats and disappointments in life are allowed by God to remind us that He is always there for us, and enough for every need. Tell Him again today that you are committed to cling to Him still more closely because He is the One changeless reality in life. Father, I am committed to cling to You.

Jesus thank You that You never fail us, even when every other friend may. Teach me in the moments of uncertainty, isolation and disappointment to cling all the more closely to You. You are faithful. Help me trust You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Restful 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 53.2 Transcript, 19.2 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.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 ESV

The Lord never forakes us. We have all had times when we were trying to trust Him but it was hard. Commit to seek Him today and then feel free to remind Him of His promise to never forsake You. He is good for it and you can trust Him.

Whatsoever years may bring,

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

The years can only bring what God allows, but even still sometimes the things they bring are hard to swallow. Is there something from your past that you have not gotten over, for which you are maybe still resentful toward God? Ask Him to heal you today, and trust Him and His plans for you.

If by earthly friends forsaken

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 2 Timothy 4:16 ESV

This is a sad story Paul tells, but we have all felt the sting of a friend forsaking us at one point or another. Some were no big deal, others have been exceedingly painful. Ask God to allow you to extend the same forgiveness Paul offers to those who deserted him.

Still more closely to Him cling.

You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. Deuteronomy 10:20 ESV

Our moments alone can cause us to fear the Lord, but they should also challenge us to serve Him and hold fast to Him. When everything else is stripped away, God is still there, and we have the choice to cling all the more closely. Determine today to do that now, and always.

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.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 Committed to Clinging Closely? REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

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Earthly Friends Forsaken - https://pixabay.com/photos/one-against-all-all-against-one-1744086/
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Get a Grip!, REPLAYED

Build Your Hopes

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1906)
By: Jennie B. Wilson (1856 – 1913)

Listen to this instrumental version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. 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.

We begin our journey through this hymn which challenges us to build on the certainty of God in uncertain days. We must be careful to build on things that will last, so when the storms come, we have a sure foundation. How’s your foundation? Let’s think about this.

Intentional

Have you ever tried to build something and realized part way through that you lacked something essential? Maybe you started, and it became clear later that you were not at all sure the completed project was what you really needed. Or maybe when you finished, it was obvious you had wasted your time.

All these scenarios can be extremely disheartening. But there is a way to avoid them, at least to some extent. That requires a diligent intentionality to make sure the plan -from the beginning- is going to accomplish what is most important to you.

Build your hopes on things eternal,

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 ESV

Jesus teaches the truth we are singing in this line. We must be careful what our foundation is. If we build on things that last, like God’s eternal word, then we are wise builders, and our lives will be strong. Seems pretty obvious right? Still, many of us struggle to build on that foundation, though it is literally within our grasp to do so.

There are so many things that get in the way of our being routinely in God’s word.

You can not build on eternal things if you do not know what they are. You can not know what they are if you are not in God’s word reading about them. You can not read God’s word if you do not open the book, or the app.

Reading them is only part of the battle, though. Once you read them, you need to ask God how to structure or build you life on them. The Holy Spirit is the best teacher, and He wants you to know God’s words so you can build your life on them.

RESONATE!
If you are not reading God’s word regularly, will you commit today to ask Him to help you plan and carve out time to do so? Just reading is not enough though. When was the last time you simply asked the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and give you understanding of God’s eternal word? Read a verse or a passage today, but first ask the Holy Spirit to bring it to life so you will know how to build on it. That exercise will give you hope.

God’s Unchanging Hand

Yet Childlike

Even when we do develop the intentional discipline of getting into God’s word and building our hopes on its truths, we must always maintain a childlike posture before Him. It can be tempting to oversimplify spiritual realities when we see a truth, build on it, and see the positive outcome. God’s ways are higher than ours and keeping a right perspective on how limited is our understanding is always healthy.

I love the picture here. We must choose to cling to our Father’s hand even when we begin to figure some things out because that humility will keep us out of trouble. It will keep us from running off into mischief. It will also limit how much we put our hands on because we are somewhat occupied simply with the thought of staying close to Him by not letting go.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 ESV

Does that image, that line, and this verse describe your relationship to God? If not, you are probably feeling the effects of that on your soul. While getting out of those messes is not easy, the first simple step is righting wherever we may be failing. Grab, hold, and cling to His unchanging hand today, whether you think you need to or not. It will uphold you when the weight of life is too much.

RESONATE!
Often our failure to cling to God can be traced to pride. We thought for a moment, or a decade, we could handle things. When we finally realized we were wrong, the humility required to reach for and hold to God can be sorely lacking. Will you receive the challenge of the song-writer and hold to God’s unchanging hand today? You may be very surprised to find He has been holding you all along.

Jesus thank You that You uphold us when our strength is simply not enough. Forgive me for times I have convinced myself I could handle my circumstance. In humility I turn my heart to you again today and determine to let go of everything that might tempt me to hold to it instead of You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Clinging Thinking!

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Podcast 53.1 Transcript, 19.1 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.

Time is filled with swift transition,

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV

Time and chance are the great equalizers. They happen to every one of us. Since there is no avoiding them, the only alternative is to find a way to deal with their effects. Thank God that He has revealed this truth to You, and provided hope in Him.

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah Psalm 75:3 ESV

With the swift transitions and the shifting landscape, it is hard to stand unmoved. Actually impossible, but for God. He is the One who holds the earth steady and is able to steady us as well when things come shaking our lives to their core. Praise His steady hand!

Build your hopes on things eternal,

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 ESV

Jesus teaches the truth we are singing in this line. But we must be careful what our foundation is. If we build on things that last, like God’s eternal word, then we are wise builders, and our lives will be strong. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any ways you may be building on anything else.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 ESV

We must resolve this issue before the storms of life come. If we wait to cling to God only when peace slips away, it may be harder to sense His presence and His holding us. Let go of anything that may be keeping you from clinging to God. Ask Him to help you.

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.

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

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 Get a Grip!, REPLAYED appeared first on Resonant 7.

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Build Your Hopes - https://pixabay.com/photos/book-bible-religion-reading-study-2617987/
God’s Unchanging Hand - https://pixabay.com/photos/hands-child-s-hand-hold-tight-1797401/

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