Just as I am Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve
Because Thy Promise I believe
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this simple version of this popular hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video 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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s tune our hearts.

He Will Receive

When you think of God what image comes to mind? For many I think it is some cosmic killjoy standing off at the end of existence idly watching events unfold. For others a malevolent father waiting to chastise his children every time they step out of line. For others some different woefully inadequate and inaccurate view of our Lord.

For me it is of a righteous, gracious King who offered His only Son to pay the penalty of our sins.

He receives us. All because of Jesus.

Just as I am Thou wilt receive

“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

We are received based solely on the merits of Jesus Christ given for our salvation. We are drawn to the Father,  given eternal life and spared from never-ending anguish if we believe in Him. Even still few choose to come. Thank God for receiving you just as you are. 

We keep coming back to this central theme. There is nothing I have to do before I come to God. I do not have to get my act together, clean myself up, or somehow make amends for all my failures. I simply come. Just as I am. God receives me. Hallelujah!

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what Jesus did so we could be received. God opens His hands up to accept us. We could never have been welcomed without the work Jesus did. Make this your simple prayer today “God, I praise You for receiving me.” 

He Will Pardon

While each one of these four words is very powerful, for some reason I am fixated on one in particular, pardon.

The first line talks about receive, so the word welcome is a very natural next step from that thought. The final word also is the natural and supernatural result of the middle two. The order of them is interesting, pardon and cleanse, which I would argue is intentional. He pardons us even before He cleanses us. He can do that because we are pardoned on the merits of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and cleansed by His blood.

But what about that word pardon? To pardon is to forgive or excuse an error or offense. Legally, it means to release from the consequences of an offense or conviction. We were guilty, but God chose to pardon us.

Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7ESV

Wicked and unrighteous. Those are the words that describe us before we return to the Lord. His compassion is revealed in the sacrifice of His Son and flows to us through the quickening of our conscience by the Holy Spirit. We are abundantly pardoned. Give praise to God!

God can receive me as I am because He can do all the pardoning, cleansing and relieving that I could never accomplish on my own. That work clears the way for Him to receive me and even welcome me which is simply remarkable. Thank Jesus for welcoming You.

RESONATE!

Take a few moments and reflect on your abundant pardon. You were guilty, but God chose to pardon you, releasing you from all guilt, and opening up the opportunity to be welcomed. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Jesus, thank You for welcoming me.” 

God, I am so thankful you receive me, and that You make it very plain that You do. You welcome me and pardon me. Hallelujah! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Pardoned Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 33.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Just as I am Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve
Because Thy Promise I believe
O Lamb of God I come I come

We keep coming back to this central theme. There is nothing I have to do before I come to God. I do not have to get my act together, clean myself up, or somehow make amends for all my failures. I simply come. Just as I am. God receives me. Hallelujah!

God, I praise You for receiving me.

God can receive me as I am because He can do all the pardoning, cleansing and relieving that I could never accomplish on my own. That work clears the way for Him to receive me and even welcome me which is simply remarkable. Thank Jesus for welcoming You.

Jesus, thank You for welcoming me.

Though it is no small thing and many fail to do it, the only thing we must do is believe. Believe His promise. Believe that He has already accomplished everything needed to grant us access. Believe we can come. And demonstrate that by simply coming. Will you come today?

Spirit, help me to believe and come.

The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John saw Him and exclaimed this truth. Have you ever done that? It is on the basis of this belief we can come at all so we should be quick to declare it. Believe it in your heart and confess it with your lips today.

Lord, help me to declare Your saving work.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post What Is Your Default View of God? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Just as I am Thou wilt receive – https://pixabay.com/photos/receiving-hands-hands-receive-1920865/
Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/gavel-hammer-judge-justice-court-568417/

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot
To Thee Whose Blood can cleanse each spot
O Lamb of God I come I come

Just As I Am 1835
By: Charlotte Eliott (1789-1871)

Listen to this simple version of this popular hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video 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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue our journey through this beloved hymn come with fresh ears. Sometimes a song can be so familiar some of the meaning can get lost. Try to reclaim a bit of this one as we look deeply at these words. Let’s tune our hearts.

Stop Waiting

How often have we waited. Waited to get our act together. Waited to change our behavior. Waited…and for what? We have been granted access because of what Jesus has done yet sometimes we doubt and try to straighten things out before we come. Stop waiting.

Tik-tok.

Is there something that is keeping you waiting? You know you can come just as you are right? And yet something is keeping you from calling on Him.

Tik-tok.

Do you know what it is? Maybe it is some episode from your past. Some time you failed to do what God was leading you to do, or maybe some time you did something you know God was leading you NOT to do. We all have times like those in our lives, but they should not keep us from coming.

Tik-tok.

Can you boldly sing the first line of this second stanza?

Just as I am and waiting not

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,  I Peter 1:17 ESV

We must not wait to try to get ourselves together for we have no hope in being able to actually do so. Rather, we must call on Him as soon as we have the awareness that we need a Savior. Humble yourself and call on this Father who has first called on you.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what may be keeping you from coming. Is there anything you can identify? Confess it and come. Make this your simple prayer today “Lord, teach me to stop waiting and come.” 

Many Blots

One dark blot? HA! How about a multitude of them!?!

Sometimes we stall because we are trying to clean up some blot in our past or on our soul. We are incapable of doing that. The sooner we accept that and place all our trust in His ability alone to remove those blots the sooner we can simply come before Him.

To rid my soul of one dark blot

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, I Peter 1:18 ESV

Futile. That best describes our efforts of ridding ourselves of any of the dark blots on our souls. Whether we learned them from those who have gone before or not, it is not perishable things that will cleanse our souls. Are you trusting that futility?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider that futility, trying to rid your soul of dark blots. We have been ransomed from those futile ways. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Spirit, I confess I can not rid my soul of blots.” Then trust Him to do the work only He can.

God, help me to run to You, not wasting another minute waiting to rid my soul of dark blots. I want to  In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Grateful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 33.2 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot
To Thee Whose Blood can cleanse each spot
O Lamb of God I come I come

How often have we waited. Waited to get our act together. Waited to change our behavior. Waited…and for what? We have been granted access because of what Jesus has done yet sometimes we doubt and try to straighten things out before we come. Stop waiting.

Lord, teach me to stop waiting and come.

Sometimes we stall because we are trying to clean up some blot in our past or on our soul. We are incapable of doing that. The sooner we accept that and place all our trust in His ability alone to remove those blots the sooner we can simply come before Him.

Spirit, I confess I can not rid my soul of blots.

Why can we not simply trust Him and the efficacy of His blood? Pride or at least a lack of humility? Does it seem too simple just to trust Him? Do we think we will find a better way? Yes, yes and yes. Yet when we surrender to His work alone we find cleansing and peace.

Jesus, help me trust in Your blood.

Will you just come today? What dark blot is holding you back? Bring it to the Savior and let Him deal with it, since you will not be able to do it on your own anyway. Stop waiting and simply come, just as you are, before the spotless Lamb of God who takes away blots.

Father, help me come just as I am.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post Tik-tok. What Are You Waiting For? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Just as I am and waiting not – https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-time-time-pressure-worried-2786277/
To rid my soul of one dark blot – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/abstract-background-copy-space-313625/

O measureless might ineffable love
While angels delight to worship Thee above
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise

O Worship the King 1561
By: William Kethe (?-1594)

Listen to this modern version of this ancient hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video 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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue our journey through this ancient hymn prepare to get in on the worship. If you are going to issue this call to worship with any authenticity you need to make certain you are engaged in worship. Let’s tune our hearts.

Ineffable?

Sometimes when we sing things written years ago we come across words that are more than a little unfamiliar. This last stanza has two, one in this first part and one in the last. We will take a look at “lays” on Thursday. But first, how would you define ineffable?

Since you know that it is an adjective describing God’s love you might have some guesses: ie. great, extravagant, free. Honestly though, this is one I had to look up. It means, “too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.” If there is a word in the English language that aptly expresses or describes the love of our King I think this just might be it. Ironic that it is a word that does a good job describing another word that can not be described!

God’s love is ineffable. True statement. And His might is measureless as well.

O measureless might ineffable love

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

Again we see complementary qualities of our Lord set beside each other, might and love. He uses His might to display His love through our salvation which is proof of His rejoicing over us. We may struggle to communicate our response of love, but thankfully He does not.

So great is His might there is simply no way to measure it. So extravagant is His love there is simply no way to express it. He brings together these two qualities in beauty and splendor and the angels lead the praise all creation will one day join. Thank Him for revealing them to you.

 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider God’s might and love. We con not measure or express it, but we still try to do the latter. Make this your simple prayer today “God, thank You for revealing Your might and love to me.” 

Delight

Not only do the angels worship our King, they delight to do so. And why wouldn’t they? After all, He is worthy.

Can you imagine what that scene must look like. Day after day from eternity past the angels offer their praise to the Father. So incredible are their voices they are often described as sounding like a trumpet. Equally other-worldly would be their appearance and the atmosphere of their heavenly praise.

Imagine how awe-inspiring their worship must be. No wonder Isaiah declared he was undone in the midst of it, and John struggled to describe it. They certainly worship because they should, but their delight reveals they worship because they want to.

While angels delight to worship Thee above

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne…the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:11-12 ESV

This is a beautiful, powerful picture of the worship of angels. They delight to do it, and rightfully so as He is worthy. Unparalleled in all creation.

Since the morning stars first sang His praise the angels have delighted to do likewise. We have a few glimpses in Scripture of what that looks like now, and what it will look like later. Give God praise for pulling back the veil of His heavenly throne room.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what the angelic worship must look and sound like. We can imagine because He has given us some idea. Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Lord, I give You praise for describing the worship of Your angels.” Then give Him praise for welcoming you to join them.

God, thank You for letting me try to express how great your love is, even though I never will be able to entirely, nor can the angels that circle Your throne. Still yet, I will try. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Inspired Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 32.5 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

O measureless might ineffable love
While angels delight to worship Thee above
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise

So great is His might there is simply no way to measure it. So extravagant is His love there is simply no way to express it. He brings together these two qualities in beauty and splendor and the angels lead the praise all creation will one day join. Thank Him for revealing them to you.

God, thank You for revealing Your might and love to me.

Since the morning stars first sang His praise the angels have delighted to do likewise. We have a few glimpses in Scripture of what that looks like now, and what it will look like later. Give God praise for pulling back the veil of His heavenly throne room.

Lord, I give You praise for describing the worship of Your angels.

Scripture also bears out even more clearly that we are made a little lower than the angels. Accordingly, the praise we offer is humbler than theirs. Even still that does not stop us from offering the best we have now, even as we long for more. 

Spirit, help me offer my best praise today.

And more is coming. More and better praise by more of creation, frankly all of creation. We long for that day when every knee will bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord. May we praise Him now in such a way that many join us even before that Great Day arrives.

Jesus, help me praise You in a way that welcomes others to join.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post Expressing the Inexpressible appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
O measureless might ineffable love – https://www.desktopbackground.org/wallpaper/god-backgrounds-wallpapers-zone-941972
While angels delight to worship Thee above – https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/400398223108836157/

Frail children of dust and feeble as frail
In Thee do we trust nor find Thee to fail
Thy mercies how tender how firm to the end
Our Maker Defender Redeemer and Friend

O Worship the King 1561
By: William Kethe (?-1594)

Listen to this modern version of this ancient hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video 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!!

Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

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

As we continue our journey through this ancient hymn prepare to get in on the worship. If you are going to issue this call to worship with any authenticity you need to make certain you are engaged in worship. Let’s tune our hearts.

Feeble and Frail

What comes to mind when you read those two words? Your grandparents? Some other elderly person? Yourself?

Most of us would not use these words to describe ourselves, but that is precisely how the hymn writer sees us. Though you may feel pretty strong and tough, the reality is that strength is fleeting. We came from the dust and will return to it, so our perceived strength is at best temporary, and at least illusory.

Before you think the intent here is to discourage you let’s make it perfectly clear. The intent is to illumine your heart to the reality of your condition. Understanding and acknowledging how weak we are is the beginning of a marvelous journey in humility. Will you come along with us?

Frail children of dust and feeble as frail

“By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 ESV

We are weak and frail. It does not take much living to reveal this truth and yet many remain in denial even as they breathe their last. Humble yourself before God. Confess how feeble you are and how much you need Him. He already knows it since He made us.

If you have lived very long you can appreciate just how frail life is. We are not promised tomorrow but we are promised we will return back to the dust eventually. Where are you most aware of your weakness today. Thank God for that reminder, and that He meets you in it.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider how fleeting your perceived strength really is. We may feel strong, but how lasting is that strength really? Can you acknowledge your weakness before God and invite Him to meet you in it. Make this your simple prayer today “God, thank You for meeting me in my weakness.” 

Trusting God

Embracing our weakness is the first step in finding lasting strength. When we acknowledge the end of our strength we are prepared to look for another source. When we realize we are all but in the grave we can begin to look for a way to live. When we become aware of the surrounding darkness the search for lasting light begins in earnest.

If you are trusting in your strength, you will not likely be interested in another source. When you realize your strength is limited looking elsewhere takes on a whole new level of importance.Where are you in that continuum?

In Thee do we trust nor find Thee to fail

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8 ESV

One of the ways we demonstrate our trust in God is looking to Him to lead us. He never fails us because there is no limit to His strength or His love. Will you listen for His love every morning, as opposed to just starting your day without Him? Wake up tomorrow and affirm your trust in Him.

Acknowledging how weak we are positions us to look beyond ourselves for strength. As we begin to trust in God we learn that His never fails. Our strength will fail us, but God never does. Have you placed your trust in Him and Him alone?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider God’s unfailing strength and love. Will you put your trust in Him alone? Pray a simple prayer like this one, “Lord, help me place and keep my trust in You.” Then trust the Spirit to help you practice that every day.

God, thank You for giving me the opportunity to acknowledge my weakness. Your strength creates an environment where such an acknowledgment is possible. Thank You for that and the trust it inspires. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Trusting Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 32.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Frail children of dust and feeble as frail
In Thee do we trust nor find Thee to fail
Thy mercies how tender how firm to the end
Our Maker Defender Redeemer and Friend

If you have lived very long you can appreciate just how frail life is. We are not promised tomorrow but we are promised we will return back to the dust eventually. Where are you most aware of your weakness today. Thank God for that reminder, and that He meets you in it.

God, thank You for meeting me in my weakness.

Acknowledging how weak we are positions us to look beyond ourselves for strength. As we begin to trust in God we learn that His never fails. Our strength will fail us, but God never does. Have you placed your trust in Him and Him alone?

Lord, help me place and keep my trust in You.

We also learn that God is not only trustworthy and unfailing, but also His mercy presents an unparalleled mixture of tenderness and firmness. Praise God His mercy is tender for there are many times we need it to be. And also praise Him that it is firm, never wavering.

God, I praise You for mercy tender and firm.

He made us. He defends us. He is redeeming us. And so much more! Why? Because He is our Friend. He is unwilling to leave us in our feeble and frail state, but makes a way for each of us to find rest and peace in Him if we will but acknowledge Him for who He is.

Lord, thank You for being my Friend.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

The post Trusting in a Strength Not Mine appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Frail children of dust and feeble as frail – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/grave-stone-graveyard-tombstone-3995099/
In Thee do we trust nor find Thee to fail – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/light-tunnel-silhouette-woman-3920898/