Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this resurrection 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 Easter celebration this week think about His resurrection and make each stanza your response of worship by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Horror Movie Opening?

Though at first glance it may seem like the opening line of a ghost story or the opening scene of a horror movie, Christ’s rising up from His grave not like that at all. To create a sense of just how different these two things are imagine the spooky, creepy music that would be playing as the horror movie would begin as opposed to the expectant, triumphant and joyful music that would accompany the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For someone who does not understand what we are talking about when we say “Jesus rose from the dead” the music might help them immediately have an entirely different perspective.

I can imagine those first visitors to the tomb must have been a little frightened though. Whether it was the angelic greeting or the confusion over where His body had gone, they were experiencing something truly remarkable. Not only that, but the first words from the angel give us a clue how they must have appeared.

Scared.

Up from the grave He arose

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said…”  Matthew 28:5b-6a ESV 

His is the most remarkable story ever told. Jesus died and was buried. But that was not the end of His story. He rose again from the grave demonstrating victory of it as well as sin and death. The foundation of our hope is this crucial fact. Hear the angels words again today and marvel at His promise fulfilled.

Jesus died so He could live. Jesus went down so He could come back up. He had authority in death and He also has it in life. There is truly no one like Jesus. Never has been. Never will be. 

RESONATE!
Continue your resurrection celebration this week by marveling in the power of our Risen King. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you imagine what the first visitors to the tomb must have felt that resurrection morn. They may have been afraid, even confused, but it was eventually replaced with wonder and worship.

Quite the Contrary

While there may have been some fear for the disciples in those early moments, this is ultimately not a story of terror but of triumph. There were certainly evil characters in the story. They even seemed to have won at a point but Christ’s resurrection changed that.

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:15 ESV

He triumphed over sin, death and the grave, but that is not all. He had other adversaries,  spiritual, demonic forces. He triumphed over them in the cross, the very instrument intended to humiliate and end His reign, but He used it to put them to shame. Thanks be to God!

Jesus faced violent opposition, both temporal and spiritual. They all thought they had won, especially when they laid Him in a tomb, but my were they wrong! Not only did He triumph over His foes, He did so mightily. That triumph changed our destiny. Praise Jesus for His victory!

RESONATE!
How will you find your part in the great resurrection story this week. As the music of Easter Sunday fades, does you exuberance in declaring this remarkable story fade with it or will you find ways to tell that story to someone who needs to hear it. Praise Jesus for His triumph, and ask Him how to live it out today. 

Jesus, help me find my place in the resurrection story. Help me to live it out and take advantage of opportunities to declare it. I want Your story to go out through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Triumphant 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 27.2 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.

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah, Christ arose!

Jesus died so He could live. Jesus went down so He could come back up. He had authority in death and He also has it in life. There is truly no one like Jesus. Never has been. Never will be. Continue your resurrection celebration this week by marveling in the power of our Risen King.

Jesus, help me marvel at Your resurrection power.

Jesus faced violent opposition, both temporal and spiritual. They all thought they had won, especially when they laid Him in a tomb, but my were they wrong! Not only did He triumph over His foes, He did so mightily. That triumph changed our destiny. Praise Jesus for His victory!

Jesus, I praise You for Your mighty triumph.

Though thought to be defeated, He arose victorious! He did so after descending not only into the grave, but the dark domain of the spiritual realm. When He arose in victory from there He demonstrated an unmatched authority. Thank Jesus for showing us nothing can defeat Him.

Jesus, thank You for showing us nothing can defeat You.

He invites us into that victorious, overcoming reality. And it does not start at some point in the distant future. It began with the resurrection, and begins for each of us when we place our trust in Him. Affirm your desire to not only live in Him, but reign with Him eternally.

Jesus, show me today how to reign with You eternally.

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 Not Terror, But Triumph appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Up from the grave He arose – https://pixabay.com/photos/grave-stones-694098/
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes – https://pixabay.com/photos/break-through-wall-fist-4206948/

Low in the grave He lay Jesus my Saviour
Waiting the coming day Jesus my Lord

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this resurrection 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 make our final approach to Easter think about His grave and make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

The Borrowed Tomb

It is actually not easy to find a picture portraying the one Jesus borrowed with the stone sealed. All the images that are readily available show the stone rolled away and the grave open. But I suppose that makes sense.

I have often thought that the stone was rolled away not so much that Jesus could get out, but so that the disciples could get in. Jesus was not testing His authority over the grave, He was proving it. The only way He could prove it was to die, and then rise again. He had already demonstrated His authority with Lazarus, but He went all the way with His illustration on this one.

That is what we celebrate during this special week of the year between Palm Sunday and Easter. Jesus came to establish His kingdom, one where He reigns over all, even death. In order to appreciate that fully we need to spend a little bit of time thinking about the fact that He needed temporary use of a tomb.

Low in the grave He lay

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. John 19:41 ESV

Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. His death purchased our pardon. He was laid in the tomb and the opening was sealed. Imagine what that must have been like for His disciples. I struggle to imagine what that must have been like for His disciples seeing Him die, let alone placed in a tomb.

RESONATE!
Will you take some time this week to ponder what that must have felt like for them? This Passion week take some time to ponder their emotions. Take a few moments right now.

My Savior

He died to save us. He died to save me.

Have you personalized that message? Jesus died for you. He wants to be your Savior. In order for that to happen, you have to believe in Him and His work on the cross, and in the grave.

Jesus my Saviour

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 ESV

His finished work on the cross saves us from the curse of sin. Everyone wants to be saved, but not everyone is willing to trust in Jesus’ name alone for that salvation. Is Jesus your Savior? If so, thank Him. If not, place your trust in Him alone today.

RESONATE!
That dying saved us from the penalty of sin. Jesus is our Savior. When was the last time you remembered how much you needed a Savior? This Passion week take some time to do that. It will make your celebration of the resurrection that much sweeter come Easter morning.

Jesus, help me remember how much I needed saving. Overwhelm me this Holy Week with the knowledge that you died and were laid in a tomb to complete the transaction. Make my Easter celebration a sweet one as I reflect on all You did once again. 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 26.1 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.

Low in the grave He lay Jesus my Saviour
Waiting the coming day Jesus my Lord

Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. His death purchased our pardon. He was laid in the tomb and the opening was sealed. Imagine what that must have been like for His disciples. Will you take some time this week to ponder what that must have felt like for them?

Spirit, help me ponder Jesus’ burial.

That dying saved us from the penalty of sin. Jesus is our Savior. When was the last time you remembered how much you needed a Savior? This Passion week take some time to do that. It will make your celebration of the resurrection that much sweeter come Easter morning.

Jesus, help me remember how much I needed saving.

Tombs are not normally borrowed, but that is exactly what Jesus did. He waited there for resurrection day, then we walked out. His victory over the grave changes everything. Thank the Father for sending Jesus to die, so we might have victory over the grave as well.

Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die.

He is Lord over the grave and Lord over our lives, yet sometimes we fail to act like we know that is true. Accepting Jesus as Savior gives Him the right to be Lord, and we must remind ourselves of that routinely otherwise we drift in our resolve to live for Him. Jesus, be my Lord.

Jesus, be my Lord.

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 Remembering My Savior’s Borrowed Tomb appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Low in the grave He lay – https://pixabay.com/photos/grave-easter-stone-resurrection-5105472/
Jesus my Savior –  https://twitter.com/jesus_savior_

At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Seeing the Light

I remember the moment. I remember the pew. It’s gone now. I remember the cross. It’s still there.

I had wrestled with the cross and Jesus work there for some time. I had ignored it even longer. When I finally saw the light I was humbled by the realization of all that Jesus had done for me, how much I needed it, and how long I had spurned His generous offer of forgiveness.

But it is really more than that. Being forgiven, cleansed, and healed makes the entire exchange breathtakingly remarkable. Being invited into a new way of living is even moreso.

You see, our standing changed because of the cross, and that is amazing. But not only that, our experience was transformed. We die to sin.  Hallelujah! And we live to righteousness! Thanks be to God! We were stuck in sin. Now we are free to move about in grace. Good thing we can see.

At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV

Jesus bled and died at the cross so that we could die to sin and live to righteousness. At the cross He opened our eyes and delivered us from the dominion of darkness. Can you remember those moments you first saw the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ? Those moments when His work on the cross for your sins was first revealed to you?

RESONATE!
Give Him praise for opening your eyes at the cross.  Ask Him to help you see the cross as if with new eyes of faith. “Jesus, help me see the cross with eyes of faith.” Take a few moments right now and simply talk to Jesus.

Burdens Rolled Away

I sat there in tears, in that pew that is no longer there. The wonder of that moment often comes back to me even still when my Lord reminds me of that transaction. When I realized the burden my living in sin had created for me before a holy God, I was undone.

What really brought the tears, the remorse, the repentance was His willingness to take burden for me. Even as I write now I am overwhelmed with gratitude and my eyes are filled with tears once more. Thank You Jesus!

Have you humbled yourself before God? Have you confessed your sin and your need of a Savior? Would you like to have your burden roll away?

And the burden of my heart rolled away

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV

Can you recall the feeling forgiveness first afforded, when the burden of sin lifted for you? If you have placed your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross, you know what it feels like to have the weight of your sin lifted. Thank Him. If you do not know, humble yourself before Him, confess your sin and need of a Savior, and feel the burden roll away today.

 

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to remind you of the weight of your sin so you can marvel again at the gift of salvation Jesus made available to you at the cross. Spirit, remind me of my burden and the lifting of it. As we make our final approach to Easter, humble yourself before your King.

Jesus, thank You for the cross and opening my eyes to see the light. Overwhelm me routinely with the extravagance of Your sacrifice there. Help me to live a life responding to that love. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Humble 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 26.6 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.

At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day

Can you remember those moments you first saw the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ? Those moments when His work on the cross for your sins was first revealed to you? I can. Ask Him to help you see the cross as if with new eyes of faith.

Jesus, help me see the cross with eyes of faith.

Can you recall the feeling forgiveness first afforded, when the burden of sin lifted for you? Ask the Spirit to remind you of the weight of your sin so you can marvel again at the gift of salvation Jesus made available to you at the cross.

Spirit, remind me of my burden and the lifting of it.

What a gift to see the cross with eyes of faith! Many who look upon it never truly realize the significance of what Jesus did there. If you do, give Him praise. If you do not, ask Him to give you faith-enabled sight right now.

Lord, give me sight by faith.

The writer is not saying we never have anything but happiness. Instead, he is affirming that because of the cross, even when we deal with unhappy things we are able to maintain a level of happiness in spite of it. Thank the Father for making you happy.

Father, thank You for making me happy.

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 Can You See the Burden-Blasting Light? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
At the cross at the cross where I first saw the light – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-hands-god-jesus-religion-4033437/
And the burden of my heart rolled away – https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-love-wave-water-association-3367962/

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Drops of Grief

What breaks your heart?

Do you recall when you last uttered some version of those words? “That really breaks my heart.” Was it the plight of someone on the news. Or maybe the news of a dilemma of a dear friend. Whatever the case may be, you are familiar with that sentiment and that feeling I am sure.

What breaks God’s heart?

The plight our sin had left us in, and the dilemma that placed a holy yet merciful God. Having to sacrifice His only sin to deal with sin, knowing that many would spurn His offer of forgiveness, and even those who would receive it would too often live as though they had not. Shame on us.

That should prompt some grief. But so should the fact that the sacrifice was necessary at all.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV

When we look at the cross and realize it was necessary because of our sin, it causes grief. That grief is the result of the awareness of our Savior’s sacrifice to take the burden of sin. In this penitent season, look to the cross again, and feel that grief again.

Can you recall the feeling that conviction of sin first evoked? Do you remember what it felt like when you first understood Jesus had removed that guilt through His work on the cross? Ponder that grief again today for just a few moments, and then we will consider what to do with it.

RESONATE!
Ask the Spirit to help you recall that first awareness of your need of a Savior when you were confronted with your sin. “Spirit, remind me of my first grief over sin.” As you recall that, and reflect on the sacrifice that set you free from the curse of it, prepare to respond.

Debt of Love

Whether we look upon the cross, the crown of thorns, or the story as found in the words of Scripture, our eyes should cloud with tears, and our hearts with love. We respond to love. We must respond with love.

The world looks at the cross and responds with disgust. After all, it was a hideous punishment device. Yet we look on the cross with love. They see a circular crown of thorns. We see a heart. They see a man crucified. We see our Savior sacrificed.

And we respond with wonder, awe, and love.

The debt of love I owe

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 ESV

Our grief in the cross should not leave us wallowing in sadness, but responding with gratitude in the resurrection life of Christ. That gratitude is characterized by love for the One who laid down His life and took it up again so we too might live. Acknowledge your debt of love to Jesus.

Jesus does not want us to languish in grief though. Instead, He invites us into a journey of responding to His demonstration of love with our own. It is not an attempt to repay the debt we owe Him, for we could never do that. Simply the right response. Thank Jesus for His love.

RESONATE!
How will you respond to the cross this Easter season? Hopefully gratitude. “Jesus, thank You for Your love.” But it can not, it must not stop there. Respond with love. Love for your Savior, shown to the world.

Jesus, thank You for the cross and Your finished work there. I pray it prompts me to a response of love that never ends. IN this season as we approach Easter once again, overwhelm me with Your love for me and may it motivate me to love others. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Responsive 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 26.5 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.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here Lord I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do

Can you recall the feeling that conviction of sin first evoked? Do you remember what it felt like when you first understood Jesus had removed that guilt through His work on the cross? Ponder that grief again today for just a few moments, and then we will consider what to do with it.

Spirit, remind me of my first grief over sin.

Jesus does not want us to languish in grief though. Instead, He invites us into a journey of responding to His demonstration of love with our own. It is not an attempt to repay the debt we owe Him, for we could never do that. Simply the right response. Thank Jesus for His love.

Jesus, thank You for Your love.

Here is our response. We give ourselves away to God, to use our lives as extensions and expressions of the very love of Christ that has changed our eternities and is transforming our days. What will giving yourself away look like today? Ask the Father that question routinely.

Father, please show me how to give myself away today.

Giving ourselves away is the only right response to Christ doing that first. The hymn writer says it is all that we can do, so in a thousand ways this singular truth will be lived today. Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with joy as you find your unique expressions of God’s love today.

Spirit, fill me with joy as I love.

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 Of Grief-Drops and Love-Debts appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
But drops of grief can ne’er repay – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-crosses-tears-cry-emotion-5530220/
The debt of love I owe – https://pixabay.com/photos/love-died-cross-thorns-crown-699480/

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

Alas And Did My Savior Bleed 1707
By: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Listen to this modern version of this penitent 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 penitent text and hymn, make each stanza your own by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Embarrassment or Shame

There is a huge difference between these two words which may not be apparent at first glance. When we think of how we feel when it comes to having our sin revealed the contrast becomes even more stark. Embarrassment seems to be more apt to describe getting caught for doing something you know you should not be doing. Shame may have some of that connotation buts adds true remorse for having engaged in the activity at all.

When you think of your need for the cross, which do you think better describes your feeling? Are you embarrassed that you need a Savior, or do you feel shame that your sins sent Him to the cross? Be honest with yourself and answer that.

For each of us there is probably a mingling of both of these feelings, and understandably so. They are akin to one another after all, but in order for us to appreciate the gravity of the cross we must move past the first and into the second. Which is it that primarily causes you to hide your face?

 

Thus might I hide my blushing face

 

Saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. Ezra 9:6 ESV

Though these are the words Ezra spoke when he heard the sins of the returned exiles recounted, they might just as well be ours when the cross forces us to confront our sin. We should be ashamed of the lives we lived apart from the cross, and maybe even in some measure the lives we live under it. Confess your shame.                   

When we see the cross and realize how needful it was because of our sin the reasonable response is to become red in the face with embarrassment and shame. But we need not hide our blushing face for it is a mark of the Spirit’s work in us helping us embrace those feelings and deal with them at the cross. Welcome the Spirit to do that work in you.

Spirit, help me embrace my shame.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

RESONATE!
As you confront your embarrassment and shame, allow the Spirit to come and help you. Denying them does not help and neither does wallowing in them. Acknowledge them and prepare for the other work the Spirit wants to do you in. Take a moment and do that right now.

In Light of the Cross

We deal with many emotions as we ponder the beauty of the cross. The important first step in doing so is being able to see the cross clearly. If we simply hide our face, burying it in our hands, we will fail to see the glory of this gruesome device that wrought such splendor in our souls.

When was the last time you really looked at the cross? Looked at in and thought about what it really represents to you? The value of such an exercise is not lost on us as Christians, evidenced by the fact that so many churches have an empty cross situated prominently in most of their worship spaces.

But what does that symbol mean to you? What do you see when you look at it? Consider the treasure of being able to see it clearly and what the Scripture says about what it means to us.

While Calvary’s cross appears

And you…God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13a-14 ESV

The cross makes a way for all the wrong things to be made right, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us. We are ashamed that we are hopeless without Him, but it can lead us to the place of putting all our hope in the cross and Christ’s finished work there. Embrace the glory of the cross.

It is the cross that causes us to blush. The cross was needful because we had no way back to God without it. When we understand this we are for the first time able to truly see the cross. Give thanks to God if you have seen the cross as your only path to redemption.

Father, thank You for helping me see the cross clearly.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments to simply look at a cross, either the one above or any other. Ask the Spirit to help you see it clearly, for all that it represents to you. Then repeat that exercise every time you see it. It will help you cultivate gratitude more than embarrassment.

Jesus, thank You for the cross and Your finished work there. Teach me how to marvel at it, after I have wrestled with the feelings of embarrassment and shame it evokes. Then help me to be at peace with it, and because of it. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Humbled 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 26.4 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.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary’s cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears

When we see the cross and realize how needful it was because of our sin the reasonable response is to become red in the face with embarrassment or shame. But we need not hide our blushing face for it is a mark of the Spirit’s work in us helping us embrace our shame.

Spirit, help me embrace my shame.

It is the cross that causes us to blush. The cross was needful because we had no way back to God without it. When we understand this we are for the first time able to truly see the cross. Give thanks to God if you have seen the cross as your only path to redemption.

Father, thank You for helping me see the cross clearly.

From shame to thankfulness, such is the journey of the honest soul as it acknowledges all the emotions the cross evokes. What a beautiful prayer to have our hearts dissolved in thankfulness. Are you willing to have your heart dissolved? If so, ask Jesus to do it.

Jesus, dissolve my heart in thankfulness.

From thankfulness to tears, maybe ones of godly repentance as much as it may still be needed, and maybe ones of utter joy at the incredible, undeserved gift of salvation. Have your eyes ever melted into tears at the thought of the cross? If not, ask the Spirit to do that today.

Spirit, melt my eyes to tears.

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 Lift Your Eyes to See the Cross appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Thus Might I Hide My Blushing Face – https://pixabay.com/photos/burnout-man-face-head-portrait-268906/
While Calvary’s Cross Appears – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-christ-god-gospel-bible-3279880/