The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
Psalm 19:7-9
With joyous wonder, I have embarked on a journey within my soul. Through my daily devotional time, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to draw nearer to our Lord. That, oh so gentle, nudging that receives confirmations in what you are reading... what others might say... what you hear from your church. Have you ever considered what true and purified freedom feels like? Has your heart ever been touched so profoundly that you feel as if it will break? What about those times when you sit quietly and you just are... no thoughts of anything in particular... just quietly sitting and listening to the sounds of life?
When I hunger for those moments of deep, satisfying, peace and joy... I find myself experiencing a heaviness that brings forth shadows from the past. Oh, it could be just a whispering or it might crush my chest with a type of heavy sorrow. Our soul is separate from our spirit. God's word promises that once we ask Jesus to save us, His eternal mercy and grace seals our spirit unto Him. Yet our soul can keep deep secrets hidden even from us. Within our souls toxic thoughts, weaknesses of doubt, hurts, faults, and choices linger. I once read that your soul harbors resentments and when you come before our Lord with a repentant heart, asking Him to cleanse and free you from your thoughts, actions, and choices... you can feel the difference by placing your hands upon your stomach as you are in prayer (you can!).
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Psalm 19:12-13
My journey is about asking our Lord to "repair" my soul, my heart, my mind, and my will. Cleansing, renewing, refreshing, and setting me free to live within His will... joyous of His diligent watch... blessed by His tender pruning... and filled to overflowing with His life-giving waters.
Thank you for walking with me,
May we continue our walk together,
Blessings as we journey on...
His words will provide my sustenance as I ponder His goodness in cleansing me:
From Kellie Copeland Swisher and Gloria Copeland (August 10-21), I received a beautiful prayer:
"Jesus, I ask you for living water and I believe in your gift for me.
I believe that I receive your love and grace.
Lord fill me with living water from you.
Make me a well for others to drink from your goodness,
your presence,
your grace and love."
From my Sunday missal:
"Dear Jesus, I love you with my whole heart,
my whole soul, and with all my strength.
May the love of your own Sacred Heart fill my soul and purify it
so that I may die to the world for love of you,
as you died on the Cross for love of me.
My God, you are all mine;
grant that I may be all yours in time and in eternity."
One of my favorite songs to ponder is "In The Garden" by C. Austin Miles:
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
