I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
 No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies,
 But take the dimness of my soul away. 

Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
By: George Croly, 1780-1860

Listen as you read.  This is a nice string quartet version.

So our stanza this week takes through a list of things we at first might be inclined to seek, but instead offers us a better alternative when considering the work and presence of the the Holy Spirit.  There are some interesting images conjured through the list and we will consider each as we tune and think.  Won’t you come along as we continue to consider how we might welcome the work of the Heaven-Descended Dove?

No Dream

Look at the little one sleeping peacefully.  All snuggled up and ready for a night of rest.  Maybe there are visions of sugar plums dancing in her head…maybe not.  What’s wrong with asking for a dream?

This is an interesting stanza, left out of many occurrences of the hymn.  It is a litany of things we do not want which builds to a crescendo culminating in the thing we do truly need.  In lieu of what we really need, God give us no nightly visions, or prophetic thrills.  What makes it interesting is that dreams, visions and prophesies are actually promised by God when He pours out HIs Spirit in the last days.

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17 ESV

Though they are promised, we will not ask for them.  Why?  Because there is something better in the estimation of the writer.  What is that something?  Well, interestingly it is something that seems far less dramatic than all the things this stanza commits to NOT ask for.

And prophet ecstasies, those can be pretty dramatic.  Even though they should always line up with Scripture and point us to Christ and His cross, this faith we have has a prophetic side to it.  Take for instance the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2 when he mentions knowing a man who was taken up to the third heaven.  Say what?That sounds like a pretty incredible journey, yet we are invited to ask the Lord NOT to give us these kinds of ecstatic, prophetic experiences.  Why?  Because there is something even better we can ask for according to the writer.  What is that something?  Well, let’s keep going.

Veil of Clay

First, clay does not make a very good veil, unless of course you want to see nothing at all through it.  Second, that is exactly what the stanza is referencing, but obviously there is no actual clay involved in the imagery created.  We are the clay, or more specifically our flesh.

Our flesh is a great weakness.  It seems it would have helped if when sin was defeated, our flesh would have been eradicated, or at least torn to pieces, but God had other designs.  He chose to put something of inestimable value, the light of the Gospel, in these jars of clay that are our bodies, as in says in 2 Corinthians 4:7.  To that end, it seems like tearing the curtain of or flesh so that the Gospel can be put on full display would be a great idea.

And then there is the other perspective.  Not only does our flesh keep others from seeing the Gospel, it keeps us from seeing clearly the things of the Spirit.  It mars our perspective and limits our clarity.  Though it often keeps us from seeing him clearly, ask God to help you trust His better way and better time to address it the veil of clay that is your flesh. Do NOT ask Him to shred it so you can simply see more clearly, though you long for that day.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away…For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:9-10-12 ESV

Submit your life to the Potter’s Hands again today (Isaiah 64:8), and ask for something better.  What?  We will think about that on Thursday after we consider a couple more things NOT to ask for.

Happy Tuning!

 

Spirit of God, I choose to forego asking for dreams and visions, so I can simply know the power of Your presence.  I choose to trust you to work through this earthen vessel, though I would love to be free of its clouding weaknesses.  Teach me what to ask for today. Jesus name.  Amen.

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Video 6.2 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.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
 No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies,
 But take the dimness of my soul away. 

This is an interesting stanza, left out of many occurrences of the hymn.  It is a litany of things we do not want which builds to a crescendo culminating in the thing we do.  In lieu of what we really want, give us no nightly visions, or prophetic thrills.

Our flesh is a great weakness.  It seems it would have helped if when sin was defeated, the flesh would have been eradicated, or at least torn to pieces, but God had other designs.  Though it often keeps us from seeing him clearly, ask God to help you trust His better way to address it.  

Maybe if an angel visited us, or God would pull the heavenly curtain back so we could see His glory, that would solve our problem.  Still the hymn writer believes there is a better remedy. Will you wait for God to work His plan?

And finally here it is.  The problem is not external, but internal.  God reveals Himself in a myriad of ways. Our soul simply often fails to be aware enough to grasp it.  Ask the Holy Spirit to sharpen the aptitude of your soul.

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.

Image Attributions
No Dream – Image by stine moe engelsrud from Pixabay
No Prophet Ecstasies – Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
No Sudden Rending – https://gfycat.com/alertfirsticeblueredtopzebra

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
 Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
 And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
By: George Croly, 1780-1860

Listen as you read.  This is a nice string quartet version.

We begin our journey to greater spiritual resonance with some new material again this week.  The first line mentions our hearts specifically and the last focuses in on loving so we will begin there with today’s Tuning. On Thursday we will use our minds  to think about what it means to ask the Spirit to wean us from the things of earth and empower us with His might.  But first, let’s tune our hearts.

Spirit Descend

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

The obvious place to begin our Tuning is the start of Jesus ministry, moment the Holy Spirit came down and settled on Him at His baptism. (Luke 3:21-22) It was a confirmation of the pleasure of the Father in His Son.  The Spirit descended on Christ as a sign, not to do the work for which we need Him.

And what is that work?  To teach us all things and to remind us of everything Jesus has said, as recorded in John.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  John 14:26 ESV

We are welcoming the Holy Spirit to come and do that work when we sing “descend upon my heart”.  We want Him to come and make His nest in our intellect, will and emotions.  We want Him to rest there.  

And this is not a once in a while kind of request.  We need to routinely, but not in a religious way going through the motions, sincerely invite Him to come.  To come down from on high.  To make His home in the center of all that we are.

So do you do that?  Do you ask Him every day, several times a day constantly throughout the day to descend on your heart?  He wants to teach you new things and remind you of things you already know.  Ask Him right now to come and do His work in you.  Ask Him to teach you things you do not know, and remind you of things you do.

Seriously, do that right now.  And determine to do it regularly.

Asking Him to come is extending the invitation to teach and remind, but it is so much more than that.

Make Me Love You

 And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

The last line is an interesting one.  It seems counterintuitive with regard to love.  How can God make us love Him?  Is it love if we are made to do it?  

There are at least two things to consider here.  First, is the possible use of the word make.  And second, how God actually does that.

The word make has many meanings.  Look it up here.  I think you will be surprised.  The definition that I think is in use here is the one which means compel, or to cause to act in a certain way.  It is different than being made to do something as in being forced, but implies some of the same sense of not truly being in control of how we respond.

The reason I think we are compelled to love God is simply the response to coming to receive and understand His love for us.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  Romans 5:5 ESV

What a beautiful image that is.  The Holy Spirit pouring God’s love into our hearts.  This makes our hope secure.

In other words, when the Spirit does His work of pouring God’s love into our hearts, our response is being compelled to love Him.  So what we are effectively asking the Holy Spirit to do is come and pour God’s love into us because when He does we will be compelled, or made, to love God.

And that is a very good thing because it is in loving God where we truly need His help, in this most important of endeavors, the pursuit of which influences all others.  Loving the Lord our God with all our hearts. Spirit help us.

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart.  Heavenly Dove, come down and make your nest in my heart.  Teach me what I do not know and remind me what Jesus has said.  Help me to love You by pouring the Father’s love into my heart.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

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Subscribers, please enjoy this video log!  Everyone else the transcript below!

Video 6.1 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.

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
 Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
 And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

The third Person of the Trinity, described as the Heavenly Dove like at the baptism of Jesus, is invoked here.  In that occurrence He was a confirmation of the pleasure of the Father in His Son. What we long for is His enabling us to evoke a similar pleasure in the Father through our living.  Welcome Him.

Oh, that the Holy Spirit would help our hearts to manage without some of the things of earth of which we have become increasingly fond.  Oh, that we would sense His presence moving through every pulse of our hearts. Ask Him for these things.

We are weak, but He is strong.  What perfect vessels to put His glory on full display, ones that can truly take no credit for the work He does in them!  Humble yourself, by admitting your weakness, and His strength.

And here is where we truly need His help, in this most important of endeavors, the pursuit of which influences all others.  We must love the Lord. How? With all our hearts. Spirit help us.

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.

Image Attributions
Spirit Descend Upon My Heart – http://eskipaper.com/love-white-dove.html#gal_post_28130_love-white-dove-1.jpg
Dove flying – http://eskipaper.com/love-white-dove.html#gal_post_28130_love-white-dove-1.jpg
Love Poured Out – https://breathedeeply.org/2014/02/27/love-poured-out-2/

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
 That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
 Demands my soul, my life, my all.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
By: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Listen as you read.  This is an orchestral version of the lessor known tune used for this text.

Having taken four weeks to inform our Alleluia’s following the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection at Easter, we turn back to this hymn which gives us an opportunity to tune our hearts to the wonder of His great love for us declared on the cross.  Because of that, and the nature of this very poetic stanza, I would like for us to expand our hearts in an attempt to engulf the profound scope of our response.  Will you join me?

The Whole Realm of Nature

As I bring my heart to this text, I must admit that first line causes me to think of the physical world, and particularly the beauty and grandeur of the planet on which we live.  That is a good beginning point, but we must enlarge our gaze from there and realize Watts is more likely considering everything in the created world.  The adjacent image and the one above help us lift our gaze beyond the majesty of this globe on which we spin around our solar system, and even beyond this system to countless others.  Galaxy upon galaxy created by our God.  We must bring into focus the magnitude and splendor of what our eyes behold, but it can not stop there.

You see, the Scripture clearly declares that God made all things, visible and invisible.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.   Colossians 1:16 ESV

Things seen and unseen.  Wind.  Gravity.  Space. Powers.  Kingdoms. ___________.

Wow!  Even if we limited nature to that which we can see, or less to the creatures that call earth home, or even only one of said creatures, the wonder of each is so breath-taking.  Think of how every single person is created in the image of God, and then begin to multiply that reality for each of us over all time and the value is impossible to comprehend.

Every individual is an expression of the whole realm of nature, a unique action of the total universe.  Alan Watts

Though our perspective is they are unique actions of their Creator, the worth is staggering, and that does not account for all the other animals, the landscapes, the hidden gems and metals, etc.  Amazing!  Yet not nearly as amazing as what the third line calls to mind.  But first our second line.

A Present Far Too Small

If all the realm, or kingdom, of nature were mine, he says, that would be a present, or offering, far too small.  Unfortunately, the whole realm of nature is not mine, but alas even if it were, it would not be an equal response to what has been presented to us.

A present.  Something offered as a gift.  A present is not earned, or it would be compensation.  A present is not paid, or it would be a return a favor done.  A present is merely given, as a valid token of affection without the expectation of compensation, for a number of other reasons.

Reasons for Giving a Gift

1. An expression of love
2. To honor a loved one’s birthday
3. Make your loved one feel special
4. Let you loved one know you pay attention to their needs
5. As a token of appreciation for your loved one
6. Help you keep in touch with your loved one
   

   These ideas borrowed from here.

Did you notice what word all those reasons had in common?  Love.  Love is what motivates gift-giving.

As we are surveying the cross, we quickly realize what an extravagant gift of love it is.  It is a gift.  We could do nothing to earn it.  We can never repay it.  And yet, we feel compelled to respond.

Watts helps us to realize in these first two lines that no response can possibly be adequate, a true recompense for what we have received.  God already knows that to be true.  Instead of considering what we can not offer or do in response, Watts finishes this stanza by helping us consider what we can offer to God for the love He has first shown to us.  More on that Thursday.  Hint: It all comes down to love, His and ours.

Until then, please enter into the experience of the video below which will help you contemplate your response.

Father, thank You for Your extravagant gift of love.  Jesus, thank You for obeying the Father so Your sacrifice could become the greatest expression of love that ever was.  Holy Spirit, thank You for opening my eyes to not only see the cross, but also the wonder it displays.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

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Below is content normally available only to Subscribers.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, please enjoy this video log the transcript below!

Video 4.4 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.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
 That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
 Demands my soul, my life, my all.

In conclusion the songwriter considers the appropriate response to the redemption afforded by Jesus sacrifice on the cross.  There is no one we could ever repay the debt of love we owe to Jesus. Thank Him that you do not have to.

The text concludes by declaring that even if I had all creation to offer as a response to Jesus, it would simply not be enough.  But thankfully you do not need to repay it, for it was a gift. Take a moment and receive that gift of grace again today.

And yet there is the reality that even though we are not trying to repay Jesus for His grace, we are compelled to offer some response for His amazing, divine love.  A love only God could offer. Thank Him for His love expressed on the cross.

My soul, my life, my all.  Still not enough to repay Jesus, but since it is all I have I will offer it to Him willingly.  He does not demand it, but the sheer extravagance of His grace compels us to do so. Ask Him to show you what your “all” looks like today.

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.

Image Attributions
The Kingdom of the Created – Pixabay
Whole Realm of Nature – Pixabay
Present Far Too Small – Pixabay

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
 Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
 Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read.  This is a nice instrumental ambient version.

Make certain you check out the video log below!

The  first and last lines give us the opportunity to consider an interesting tension between the standing and experience of every believer.  It is this simultaneous nature of the now and not yet that exist in our relationship with God, at least from our perspective.  Take a few minutes and enter into the reality of this tension today.

Soar

First, let’s deal with this whole idea of soaring…

And when (Jesus)  had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 ESV

It is very difficult for me to imagine what that moment must have been like for those disciples as they stood on that hill and witnesses Christ’s Ascension into heaven.  I try to place myself in that moment.  Those final words of instruction and inspiration.  The goodbyes.  The emotions.  The tears.

But another moment is like it, both in the wonder of it and my inability to imagine it. One day we will soar with Christ!  And not just in a poetic sense, but at the very least in an other-worldly, hard to imagine what it will really be like, enjoying the Kingdom of God in all it’s fulness kind of way.  It will be so unlike our current existence that I am certain I do not have the capacity to conceive of it, yet I fully believe it will be true.

Why?  Because I believe the chronology of the last line is equally true.

Cross, Grave, Skies

Second, let’s consider our path…

Jesus commands us to take up our cross daily in Luke 9:23.  While this invitation certainly is declaring His path of self-denial, we vicariously experience each of this things through Christ’s obedience to the Father.  In the next few verses Jesus talks about losing our lives for His sake, and goes on to allude to the opportunity to share in the glory of the Father if we embrace His teaching and way of life.  Cross, death, glory looks a lot like cross, grave, skies.

And while our path will not be exactly like that of Jesus because we do not have to actually be crucified for the sins of the world because He already did that, our journey will have similar elements to it.  Embracing the Father’s will and dying to ourselves that we might enjoy the benefits of those decisions.

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Time and Eternity

If we are going to follow Jesus, we are inspired to go all the way so we may share in all that Paul alludes to when he says this in Ephesians 2:6-7.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

What Christ accomplished in His crucifixion, death and resurrection is so certain that though it happened in the past, it is as if it has already happened in the future as far as God is concerned.  Not only is this true because God’s will is such a definite thing, but there is another way that I like to think about it.

We are bound by time so what has not yet happened is impossible for us to experience.  The same can not be said of God.  Because He is eternal there is a sense in which everything is happening all at once for Him: creation, redemption and the re-creation, everything.  It other words, for God everything is now.  I like to refer to Him as the “Great Eternal NOW”!

For Him there is no such thing as not yet, because it is all now.  For us there is a sense of not yet, because we are not soaring and neither the skies, or the grave for that matter, are ours yet. So, there is a sense in which our soaring is both now and not yet because for God it is now, and for us it is not yet.

What I hope is the result of imagining this is a deeper longing for the eternal perspective of things because I believe that shapes how we choose to live today, since eternity for us has already begun, even though we wrestle to grasp it.

Happy Tuning!

Jesus, thank You for accomplishing something in time that has changed eternity for me.  Thank You that not only are the cross and the grave mine, but so shall the skies be.  I believe I will soar.  Help me live today like that is true, since it is.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Like what you 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.

Below is content normally only available to Subscribers and Free Members.  Want to learn more about accessing all the additional material in the Subscriber Content Library, click here, or the Free Member Content Library with some examples of the Subscribers content, click here.

Everyone, please enjoy this video log usually only available to Subscribers and sometimes to Free Members,  as well as the transcript below.

Video 5.4 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.

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
 Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
 Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

After appearing many times to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus’ final appearance culminated with a grand exit.  He ascended into the clouds, and in so doing led the way for us. Thank Him that one day you will follow Him, and soar to realms on high.  

We are the Church, and Christ is our Leader, or Head.  Where He goes, we will follow. That will never be more true than when He calls us home, either from our final resting place or our daily living.  Are you ready to hear your name called? If so, praise Him! If not, why not?

Jesus rose in Resurrection glory.  Whether we rise from a grave like Him or simply leave earth behind, we will be made like Him.  Though our flesh is destined to decay, we will be raised incorruptible. Let that overwhelm your heart even now.

He taught us to take up our cross, and we struggle to learn to deny ourselves daily.  If He does not come back first, some of us may face the reality of the grave. Even still, all of us will follow Him into the clouds, the culmination of following His example. Ask Him to help you be ready.

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.

Image Attribution
Soar We Now – https://gfycat.com/speedyweakchrysalis
Beautiful Clouds – https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1014231293-beautiful-clouds-soar-across-sky
Cross Grave Skies – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/457256168391714578/?lp=true
Time Versus Infinity – https://www.pinkcatshop.com/decor343-infinite-spiral-wall-clock.html

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
 Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
 Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today
By: Charles Wesley, 1707-1778

Listen as you read.  This is a neat orchestral karaoke version.

The  first and last lines of this weeks stanza allude to a couple of Jesus’ last words from the cross.  He speaks a promise to a thief, and then quietly declares His work is done before taking his last breath.  Both of these “words” or phrases evoke a response in our hearts if we will let them.  Will you let them?

Finished

Jesus…said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  John 19:30

Finished means complete or perfect in all details, as in a product.  The work the Father had for Jesus to do, “Love’s redeeming work”, was done.  Several times earlier in the book of John Jesus had referred to finishing the work the Father had for Him, using this same word translated finished.  He completed that cycle when He declared “It is finished”.

His sacrificial death satisfied the wrath of God.  As we considered a few entries ago, sin has a consequence.  Death.  Jesus paid in full the debt we owed to a Holy God.  Sin had to be atoned, and Jesus did just that.  He redeemed us, purchasing our forgiveness at a great price when He said, “It is finished.”

I wonder if the devil might have been confused thinking Jesus had misspoke.  Notice He did not say, “I am finished”.

I wonder how often we find ourselves confused thinking there is still something we need to do to finish our salvation.  There is nothing more we need to do.

Let me be clear.  Jesus still had to leave the tomb empty to demonstrate His victory over sin, death and the grave.  The unleashing of His resurrection power for all who believe had not yet occurred, but Love’s redeeming work was done.  He opened paradise, but before we consider the effect of His sacrifice, allow you heart to revel in the juxtaposition of these two extremes: death and life, suffering and paradise.

His going to Golgatha, while it purchased our access to paradise, was the antithesis of it.  This is the connection between these two.  So, once again, Jesus brings together two very disparate things.  Take a few moments and let the wonder of that sink deeply into your heart.   He took what we deserved to give us what we could not earn.

Paradise

(Jesus) said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:43

What do think the thief on the cross felt when Jesus spoke those words to him?  I wonder what paradise would have meant to him?  Anything would be better than the anguish he was experiencing on the cross, but paradise?  I have a feeling he took Jesus at His word.  Was is that sometimes so hard for us to do?

How does the word paradise make you feel?  What words would describe those feelings?

• Joy
• Peace
• Hope
• Light
• Relief
• Security
• Safety
• Beauty

Our answers would probably be about as different as you could imagine because we would likely each define paradise very differently.  When you try to imagine paradise what comes to mind? Does it have some of the elements of this beautiful image?

This is actually a Thomas Kinkade work titled “Stairway to Paradise”.  I like some of the elements here.

• the light
• nature
• the warmth
• the mist

The most obvious thing it is missing is people.  I suppose you can imagine they are just out of view, but the idea of paradise without others to enjoy it makes it something less, even for introverts like me.  This is especially true for the Christian, which I suppose would describe the thief as well, since the very presence of Christ is the essential figure that makes any place a paradise.  After all, Jesus told the thief he would be with Him in paradise.

We should find great comfort in that we can not only face death knowing it has no dominion over Jesus, but that when we die we will be with Him, like the thief.  We can say with Paul,

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 5:8

Alleluia!

Happy Tuning!

Jesus, thank You for completing the work the Father gave you to do.  Thank You for opening paradise for all who believe in You.  Help my hear to believe that Your work is finished and paradise is mine, today.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

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Video 5.3 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.

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
 Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
 Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Before He breathed His last Jesus said, “It is finished.”  He came to seek and save the lost, and with His death He completed that work.  You are redeemed because you are loved. Marvel at His gift of love today.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, as in anguish He sweat drops of blood, Jesus asked His Father “Let this cup pass from me. Yet not my will but Yours be done.”  In His surrender, He was victorious. How can you follow His lead today?

What a shock Death must have had on that Resurrection morning when Jesus rose to life.  Death tried, but could not hold Him down. Accordingly, Death will be equally unsuccessful with you.  Give Jesus praise for completing His Father’s assignment so powerfully.

One of the those who hung with Him on Calvary acknowledged who Jesus was and asked to be remembered when Christ would come into His kingdom.  Jesus rewarded his belief by responding, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” That promise echoes in every heart of faith. Listen, can you hear it?

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.

Image Attribution
1 Love’s Redeeming Work – https://www.josephprince.org/blog/articles/the-passion-of-the-christwhy
2 It is Finished – https://thisissalvation.com/the-story
3 Christ and the Thief on the Cross – https://thereforegodexists.com/5-truths-we-can-learn-from-the-thief-on-the-cross/
4 Stairway to Paradise – https://thomaskinkade.com/shop/limited-edition-art/stairway-to-paradise-limited-edition-art/