High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

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!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

As we conclude our journey through this ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Victory

Do you ever feel defeated? Like you are pretty certain there will be no recovery from your latest skirmish with the world, the flesh, or the devil. It is difficult for us to understand, but our victory is already won, even though our battles are not yet over. Even though we are still waiting to experience it, the final outcome has already been decided.

It all revolves around our faith in the completed work of our Savior and all He has accomplished. The High King of Heaven has taken His seat at the right hand of God the Father. His work is completed, but the impact it is having and will have on us is not.

There are these two, co-exisiting realities of now and then.

There are also the two ways which we can look at the second part of this first phrase, both flowing out of the sequencing. First, that He has won my victory. Second, that when we finally experience the victory, we hope to have reached our final destination.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV 

This incredible promise frames the hope, patience and perseverance prayed for through the balance of the stanza. What a glorious promise it is! It states a reality which we are waiting for as if it had already been realized, because it has. 

Jesus, the King of Heaven is the One who has secured our victory. He is the victory for us and in us. Simultaneously He is also the prize for the victory of a life lived to honor Him, having fought the good fight and finished the race. 

RESONATE!
Are you looking forward to that eventual transformation of your lowly body becoming like His glorious body? Ask the Spirit to reveal if your hope is that real. Ask Him to help you win the battle, for His glory and your good. “High King, help me win the battle.”

Heaven

Becoming like Jesus is our hope. Arriving in the place He is preparing is our longing. How great is your anticipation of that hope being finally realized?

May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13 ESV

His promise.

Our waiting.

The righteousness of Heaven is the Son of God, bright Heaven’s Sun. He will be the light of the new heavens and earth for which we are waiting. The earth we live in has many sorrows, but the new one has all joy. This is a bold, hopeful prayer, “May I reach…” When did you last ask such a prayer for the inheritance you await?

When we have won the battle, we will get to enjoy a celebration unlike any we could ever imagine. Bright Heaven’s joys are beyond comprehension here on dark earth. They are entirely wrapped up in the One who is the Sun of bright Heaven. Are yours?

RESONATE!
Do you long for your eternal home? Do you want to be there more than you want to be here? Ask for His help to reach Him and the joys of His Heaven. “Sun of Heaven, help me reach You and Your joys.”

Jesus, thank You for granting me citizenship in Heaven through Your effective and effectual work on the cross. How I long to be transformed to be like You. Do it in me even today by the power that enables You to subject all things to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Hopeful 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 25.4 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.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

To take no notice of riches or people’s praise is a difficult assignment. Like so many of our hymn texts, this one is easy to sing, but not so easy to live. The rest of the stanza illuminates the path that makes it possible. Ask the Spirit to search you for any worldly affections.

Spirit, search me for any worldly affections.

Here is the beginning of the clarity and conviction that allows us to pay no mind to riches or praise, the singular fact that God is our inheritance. That knowledge changes everything. I do not need gold or applause if I have Him. Thank Him for revealing this to you.

Lord, thank You for revealing You are my Inheritance.

When we are convinced He is our Inheritance, we find it much easier to put Him and Him alone first in our heart. We love others to be sure, but none so much as Him. Do you know what it looks like to put Him first in your heart? Ask Jesus to show you today.

Jesus, show me how to make You first in my heart.

We set out on this journey believing He is our Treasure, but the further we go the more we realize just how true that is. Wherever you are on that journey, ask your King to take you higher into the knowledge of what Treasure He truly is, now and forevermore.

High King of Heaven, lift me to a greater knowledge of You.

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 My Hope for Heaven is Wholly Him appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Riches I Heed Not, Nor Man’s Empty Praise – https://pixabay.com/photos/gold-treasure-rich-golden-money-207585/
Thou Mine Inheritance, Now and Always – https://pixabay.com/photos/people-concert-fans-the-crowd-1728150/

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

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!!

Everyone, 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 text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Heed Not

To take no notice of riches or people’s praise is a difficult assignment. Like so many of our hymn texts, this one is easy to sing, but not so easy to live. The rest of the stanza illuminates the path that makes it possible, but first let’s take a closer look at the things by which we must not allow ourselves to be preoccupied.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16 ESV

There is nothing inherently wrong with riches or praise. The problem arises when we seek these things with greater enthusiasm than the things of God.  There are many tempting things in the world, but when God fills our vision these things pale in comparison.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

I like to think about it this way. What do you find yourself thinking about when you are thinking about nothing in particular. Do you begin to wonder how to make more money, or the stuff it would buy? Do you try to figure out how to get recognition for the things you do, or the people you do them for? When we allow these things to crowd out our gaze upon God is when the real trouble begins.

What do you love more? The things of this world, or the things of your Father?

Spirit, search me for any worldly affections.

 

RESONATE!
What do you love more? The things of this world, or the things of your Father? Ask the Spirit to search you for any worldly affections that may be competing with Him. Ask Him to help you overcome these lesser things as He fills your gaze.   

Inheritance

Spurning the allure of riches and the draw of applause becomes much simpler when we set our hearts instead on something much more satisfying. Both money and recognition are fleeting, but the not the endowment of God. While there is an unfathomable extent of it waiting for us in eternity, we do not have to wait until this life is over to begin to enjoy it.

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 ESV

He is and has everything we need both now and forever. We may want some other things, but our deepest needs are supplied only when we look to Him for there provision. With this in mind, we commit to turn from the things that would impair our glorious pursuit of Him and run with abandon to the One who is our Inheritance.

It is with that commitment we find is the beginning of the clarity and conviction that allows us to pay no mind to riches or praise, the singular fact that God is our inheritance. That knowledge changes everything. I do not need gold or applause if I have Him.

RESONATE!
Setting our hearts on Him routinely helps to create a rhythm which protects us from the things that would seem to satisfy but never can. Thank Him for revealing to you that He is everything you need. Tell Him, maybe again, you will place your trust in Him alone. 

Jesus, thank You for supplying everything I need. Help me to develop a habit of setting my heart on You so I am enabled to resist the temptation of seeking that supply in counterfeits. I will trust You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Satisfied 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 25.4 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.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

To take no notice of riches or people’s praise is a difficult assignment. Like so many of our hymn texts, this one is easy to sing, but not so easy to live. The rest of the stanza illuminates the path that makes it possible. Ask the Spirit to search you for any worldly affections.

Spirit, search me for any worldly affections.

Here is the beginning of the clarity and conviction that allows us to pay no mind to riches or praise, the singular fact that God is our inheritance. That knowledge changes everything. I do not need gold or applause if I have Him. Thank Him for revealing this to you.

Lord, thank You for revealing You are my Inheritance.

When we are convinced He is our Inheritance we find it much easier to put Him and Him alone first in our heart. We love others to be sure, but none so much as Him. Do you know what it looks like to put Him first in your heart? Ask Jesus to show you today.

Jesus, show me how to make You first in my heart.

We set out on this journey believing He is our Treasure, but the further we go the more we realize just how true that is. Wherever you are on that journey, ask your King to take you higher into the knowledge of what Treasure He truly is, now and forevermore.

High King of Heaven, lift me to a greater knowledge of You.

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 Finding True Satisfaction, Not a Counterfeit appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Riches I Heed Not, Nor Man’s Empty Praise – https://pixabay.com/photos/gold-treasure-rich-golden-money-207585/
Thou Mine Inheritance, Now and Always – https://pixabay.com/photos/people-concert-fans-the-crowd-1728150/

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

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!!

Everyone, 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 text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Fighting the Battle

We can appreciate the powerful imagery of this stanza, but dare I say not as well as those who sang it in generations when swords and shields were the primary tools for combat. Being an ancient hymn, there were many who lived in such a time when that was the case, which probably explains why it is the stanza most often left out of modern usages of this great text. While that is understandable, it is also unfortunate.

Though we may not take up physical swords and shields for the battles we face every day, our battles are no less real. Just because we may not bleed or be dismembered by our foes does not mean we do not face dangers each day. They tend to be spiritual in nature, but also emotional and relational. Are they beginning to come into view?

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:16-17 ESV

This is from the larger passage in Ephesians which encourages us to pray for the full armor of God. We need that armor, for various parts of our bodies, because there are a variety of skirmishes every day. God wants to help us with each of them and so He offers us defensive and offensive tools to use against them. 

There will be a battle and a fight. Maybe you are very aware of that, or maybe you are just now realizing this is a reality of the Christian life. When we determine to see God and walk in His wisdom, opposition will arise in our lives. Again, some are spiritual, but not all.  God has already offered to be your Shield and Sword, and through Christ’s work on the cross is already victorious in every way. He invites you into that victory as surely as His presence ensures it.

 

 

 

RESONATE!
Whatever you are facing today or in this season, ask God to be your shield and sword. Ask Him to be your protection and weapon in the fight for right. Take a few moments right now to pray, “Lord, be my defense and offense against my foes.”

Enjoying the Accolades

We can savor the victory that Christ has accomplished and makes available to us. The ultimate victory of sin, death and the grave are assured, but so are many smaller ones because they are secured by it and flow from it. We are victorious because God makes it so.

In ancient times, the laurel wreath was awarded to victors as a sign of respect and honor for their achievements. They we presented to winners of sporting events and battles alike. You had to earn it. It was not a participation award, and not everyone who competed or fought was given one.

If there was ever someone worthy of respect and honor for accomplishments in is Jesus Christ. He laid down His life to overcome sin, and then took it up again to demonstrate His victory over death and the grave. The incredible grace to us is that God shares the respect and honor He has rightfully earned with us who have not when we choose to associate with Him in His crucifixion. What seems like a disgrace becomes the means that dignity is imparted to us. What seems disastrous, is the very path to delight.

Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV

We have no greater honor than to die to ourselves and let Christ live in us. We must strive to find our worth and our delight in Him. There are no accolades that convey greater honor and respect than to be associated with Him in His death and resurrection.

But we must be careful to not “rest on our laurels”. This is an old saying that implies becoming complacent and trusting in the honor of victories won long ago. Instead of simply enjoying the honors of what Christ has accomplished, we must balance that with  allowing His life to shape our living so we continue to bring honor to Him.

We must always remember though that His presence with us is what makes us worthy of honor and respect. With this knowledge, it becomes clear why He would be our delight as well. He has won the battle, and graciously shares all the accolades with us.

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to reveal to you if you are living by faith in Christ. Thank God for gracing your life with the dignity and delight which comes with an ever-increasing awareness of His presence. Tale a few moments now to pray, “Jesus, thank You for the Dignity and Delight I find in you.”

Jesus, be my Shield and Sward, my Dignity and Delight. Thank You for opening my eyes to these truths. Help me to live in them today, and turn all the glory right back to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Victorious 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 25.3 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.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r:
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.

There will be a battle and a fight. When we determine to see God and walk in His wisdom opposition will arise in our lives. Certainly some are spiritual, but not all. Ask God to be your protection and weapon in the fight for right.

Lord, be my defense and offense against my foes.

His presence with us makes us worthy of honor and respect. With this knowledge it becomes clear why He would be our delight as well. Thank God for gracing your life with the dignity and delight which comes with an ever-increasing awareness of His presence.

Jesus, thank You for the Dignity and Delight I find in you.

His presence also provides Shelter for our souls and Tower of protection for our lives. Again we acknowledge that there are forces which come against us, but that God if for us as we face them. Ask Him to be your Shelter and Tower.

God, be my Shelter and Tower.

If we have and power His presence is the real Power behind it. This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and ultimately will raise us heavenward to His glorious presence.  Thank the Holy Spirit for being that Power from on high, for today and the day when you rise.

Spirit, thank You for being the real Power in my life.

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 Connected to the Truth appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Be Thou My Battle Shield, Sword for the Fight – https://pixabay.com/vectors/shield-sword-weapon-armour-sharp-34911/
Be Thou My Dignity, Thou My Delight – https://pixabay.com/vectors/laurel-wreath-accolade-winner-award-304839/

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

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!!

Everyone, 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 text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Words of Wisdom

Who doesn’t want more wisdom?

I mean, come on. Wisdom keeps us out of trouble. It helps us make the best decisions, decisions that impact every area of our lives, spiritual, relational, emotional, financial, physical, etc.

But…

There is no easy solution to discovering Wisdom. The same can be said for employing it once you have it. Both require an investment of time and energy that few are willing to make.

This simple prayer begins a process. One that is worth every once of effort the willing soul will afford.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6 ESV

God is pouring forth Wisdom. The supply is not the problem. The problem arises with whether we are listening. Whether we will receive it.

There is a connection throughout this stanza of God’s words being in us so we can be in Him, which starts with our acknowledging that He is Wisdom and Truth. From there we have to take the time to allow His words to find their way into us. His mouth is speaking, but our ears are not always listening.

When was the last time you asked God for wisdom and truth? When you did were you patient enough for Him to speak them into your life? Do you know how to do that?

How do we find God becoming our Wisdom? We search for Him and it in His Word. We must make time in the Bible a regular occurrence, and when we come we must ask Him to open our blind eyes and give us understanding. It seems so simple, and it is, but that does not mean it is easy. It requires diligence, perseverance and patience. Are you setting His words before you so you can hear and see Him?

RESONATE!
Ask Him to be your wisdom and truth. “God, give me eyes to see You in Your word.” Then take the time reading to allow Him to reveal Himself to you. Sit and ponder. Read and pray. Even a few minutes every day will begin to allow Wisdom to grow in you.

Connecting

Getting into God’s word, reading it often, provides a context where we can be connected to Him and His ways. When we are spending time with God in His word He speaks to us, then and later, in addition to helping us make sense of what has already happened in our lives. There are both active and passive elements of this exchange.

The active part is our responding to God’s prompting and the desire to know Him by actually reading His Word. The passive part comes when we have to wait and allow Him to bear fruit in us. The latter makes us like a branch that is connected to the vine which supplies everything it needs for fruit bearing.

Jesus connects us to Himself, the True Vine, and then we must choose to stay connected. It seems silly to think about a branch separating from the vine and still trying to produce fruit, because a branch can not take the initiative. But we can. We can drift away and fail to nurture the essential connection for not only fruit-bearing but life itself.

When we realize how crucial that connection is we sincerely pray prayers like this one.

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 ESV 

When He reveals His Wisdom and Truth to us, we are left with another choice, allowing those things to live in us, and us in them. Jesus uses the illustration of a branch and a vine. His words connect us to His life.

Time and relationship. These are the words that come to mind in the context of this Scripture. I want to be with God, and I want Him to be with me. How does that happen? Again, sitting in His presence be immersing ourselves in His Word.

RESONATE!
Ask Jesus to help you dwell in Him, always staying connected to Him. Ask Him to help you learn how to live in His presence, by allowing His words to dwell in you. “Jesus, help me live in Your presence.”

Jesus, I want to live in Your presence. I want to allow Your word to dwell in me so I can dwell in You. I want Your Wisdom to shape my every thought and decision. Help me Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Connected 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 25.2 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.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

How do we find God becoming our Wisdom? We search for Him and in it in His Word. We must make time in the Bible a regular occurrence, and when we come we must ask Him to open our blind eyes and give us understanding. Are you setting His words before you so you can see Him?

God, give me eyes to see You in Your word.

Time and relationship. These are the words that come to mind with these words. I want to be with God, and I want Him to be with me. How does that happen? Again, sitting in His presence be immersing ourselves in His Word. Ask Jesus to help you live in His presence.

Jesus, help me live in Your presence.

Like Father, like son. We want to be like God. This happens as we imitate and emulate His ways. In order to do that we must know Him and His ways. Ask the Spirit to reveal the ways of God, and empower you to walk in them, thus demonstrating you are God’s child.

Spirit, help me to imitate God’s ways.

God makes His dwelling in us in ever-increasing measure as we open our lives to His influence. Have you invited the Lord to come and have His way in your life recently. When you do He does, and He aligns your life to His purposes. Commit to welcoming Him regularly.

Lord, I commit to welcoming You in my life regularly.

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 Connected to the Truth appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Be Thou My Wisdom and Thou My True Word – https://pixabay.com/photos/bible-old-testament-new-testament-4179472/
I Ever With Thee and Thou with Me Lord – https://pixabay.com/photos/vine-leaf-branch-plant-nature-3236107/

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou My Vision (6th century)
By: Saint Dallán Forgaill (c. 560 – 640)

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!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

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

As we begin our journey through this ancient text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Vision

We must see everything against the backdrop of the cross. I believe it was Henry Blackaby, the author or “Experiencing God” who said that. It has shaped my perspective for years, and comes to bear on lines like this one.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3 ESV

Where is the steadfast love of God better on display than at the cross? What can help inform our walk better than the steps of Jesus up the hill to Calvary? If we keep the cross central in our sight, seeing His love and walking in His faithfulness becomes a much simpler endeavor.

This entire hymn is a beautiful prayer, starting with these first lines. We acknowledge God as the Sovereign One in our internal workings, our heart, and ask that His presence be our guide externally as well. Make this your prayer as we begin to journey through this ancient song.

What are you looking toward or for? What are you aspiring to? For the Christian, the answer to those questions should be Jesus, and being like Christ respectively. This is an ancient Irish prayer of protection and it starts by centering on Christ. Is that where you begin?

RESONATE!
Ask the Father to help you begin your journey through this incredible text by centering on Jesus. Take a few moments and talk to Him about things that might be competing with your focus on Him. Be honest and sincere, echoing the heart of the text.

Everything

This second line of this great hymn is definitely worth pondering. It is artistic, genuine and powerful in its simplicity. Consider that it is a translation from the the original prayer and it becomes even more remarkable.

Read it, and without looking ahead at the Scripture or the thoughts below answer these questions. What does that mean? How might I express that in more modern language? Then by all means, please read on.

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8 ESV

Be nothing else to me other that what you already are. This acknowledges that we believe He possesses everything we need, we are satisfied in Him, and desire nothing else. How many of our problems would be solved if we rested in this truth? Ask Him to help you today.

We want Him to be nothing more than our highest aspiration, but we definitely want Him to be that. Or do we? If you had to strip all other pursuits away except for one, what would that one be? Christlikeness? Ask Him to be your everything, and nothing more.

RESONATE!
What is God to you? Is He everything? Is He something less? Ask Jesus to help you see Him for who He really is, and to become everything to you.

Jesus, fill my field of vision until I see nothing but You, and everything against the backdrop of Your cross. Take me on a journey of finding my satisfaction in You and You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Visionary 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.

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Video 25.1 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.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

What are you looking toward or for? What are you aspiring to? For the Christian, the answer to those questions should be Jesus, and being like Christ respectively. This is an ancient Irish prayer of protection and it starts by centering on Christ. Is that where you begin?

Father, help me to begin by centering on You.

We want Him to be nothing more than our highest aspiration, but we definitely want that. Or do we? If you had to strip all other pursuits away except for one, what would that one be? Christlikeness? Ask Him to be your everything, and nothing more.

Jesus, be my everything.

Daydreams and nightdreams, every conscious and unconscious thought all find their value somewhere below Jesus. He is our best thought, and allowing Him to hold that position informs our actions and attitudes both day and night. Tell Him He is your best thought.

Lord, You are my best thought.

His presence makes the difference in every circumstance, whether we are living it or dreaming of it. The terrors evoked by the dark night of the soul are no match for His countenance. The next time you are facing any darkness, maybe right now, ask the Spirit to shine bright.

Spirit, shine Your brightness into my life.

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 Who Are You Looking For? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart – https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-iris-look-focus-green-1132531/
Naught Be All Else to Me, Save That Thou Art  – https://pixabay.com/photos/question-mark-question-mark-symbol-3470783/