Music

Cleanse Me

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:23-24

I like to think I am fully aware when it comes to my heart and mind. But life has taught me otherwise. Only God can plumb the depths of the heart and mind. David understood this truth. He cried out to the only One Who knew him better than he knew himself.

In this world where it’s so easy to compromise, we, too, need to cry out as David did. “Search me. Know my heart. See if there be any wicked way in me. Teach me your way and lead me in a plain path. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight.”

In Psalm 27, “plain path” means a flat and smooth country. Not a rugged trail surrounded by rocks and steep precipices. Such a hazardous route would only prove beneficial to the enemy. It is crucial to stay on the right path.

The Author

I believe J. Edwin Orr knew this same truth. This man was a dynamo when it came to spreading the gospel to all the regions.

J. Edwin Orr MA ThD ED PhD was a husband, father, baker, ordained minister, evangelist, Air Force chaplain, professor, author, and hymnist. To read more, visit https://www.jedwinorr.com/about-j-edwin-orr/

The Song

Search me, O God, and know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts I pray; See if there be some wicked way in me: Cleanse me from ev’ry sin, and set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin: Fulfill Thy word, and make me pure within; Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame: Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine: Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine; Take all my will, my passion, self and pride; I now surrender: Lord, in me abide.

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee: Send a revival, start the work in me: Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply my need: For blessing now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

Cleanse Me – J. Edwin Orr – Maori Melody – Public Domain

I Have Found the Way

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).

When listening to certain songs, my imagination often strolls through the Bible, turning words into pictures. This song is one of them. It stirs me because it testifies of God’s saving grace.

Imagine the woman at the well running through town, sharing her conversation with the Lord. Or the leper returning home to a stunned family. Or perhaps the demoniac sitting in the town square testifying of his deliverance? How do they look? Are they walking? Leaping? What are their expressions?

Shouldn’t we have a smile on our faces when sharing our testimony?

“I Have Found the Way” tells the story of someone excited about Jesus. The words are a testimony to others and a reminder to the singer. We should read and sing with our hearts bursting with joy. We are children of light. We have been set free. We have found the way to heaven, and His name is Jesus! We need not fear the enemy of our souls.

Ready to hear this song? I am!

The Authors

I couldn’t find anything about the lyricist. One hymnal has him as Rev. L. A. Green, while the internet has him as Rev. L. E. Green. No matter. The lyrics tell the story.

On the other side of the page, we find Adger M. Pace’s name. Mr. Pace co-authored nearly 4000 songs and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1999. His song “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” has been recorded by many artists. And so has this one.

The Song

I have found the way

That leads to endless day,

Yonder in the glory land;

And the road is bright,

For Jesus is the light,

And I hold His guiding hand.

I have found the way,

I have found the way,

Glory hallelujah,

I have found the way.

I will never fear,

While Jesus is so near,

I will daily meet the foe;

Happy songs I’ll sing,

In honor to the King,

And to glory onward go.

To the journey’s end,

Led by a faithful Friend,

Nevermore in sin to roam

By the way called straight,

I’ll reach the golden gate

Of the soul’s eternal home.

Photos courtesy of Pixabay

“I Have Found the Way” Public Domain

Confidence

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (Proverbs 14:26)

Devotion

Uncertainty brings torment, taunting us with what-ifs as our imaginations run rampant. Of course, studies show that 90% of what we worry about doesn’t come true. Yet, we often worry anyway.

Although we can’t know what tomorrow holds, we can rest knowing that Jesus is with us. And when all is said and done, isn’t that all that matters?

Today, let us rest in the truth found in His Word. He is our confidence!

The Song

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of the Spirit, washed in His blood.

Nothing should still the joy of that declaration. We are His and He is ours.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (Romans 5:9-11).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:3-7).

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:12-14). 

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

When doubts arise, we must speak words of truth to our hearts and minds. The truth of His Word will banish the uncertainties and set us free!

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). 

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.

Angels descending bring from above,

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Crosby describes our relationship with the Lord. Perfect submission to the Lord brings perfect delight in the Lord. In His presence is joy!

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11).

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest.

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

In daily submission, we find rest. In His presence, we are happy and blessed. And when we love Him as we should, we will watch for Him as a lover waiting for a beloved.

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away (Song of Solomon 2:10).

Blessed Assurance Fannie J. Crosby Public Domain

If you want to read about this prolific poet, composer, and lyricist, click here.