{HSCRC13} Hymn #5, Cleanse Me

Hymn Challenge #5: Cleanse Me (also known as Search Me O God)
Words Written by: James Edwin Orr
b. January 15, 1912; d. April 22, 1987

James Edwin Orr was born in Belfast, Ireland. His father had both U.S. and British citizenship so Dr. Orr did also. He was an evangelist that has a very lengthy list of countries and places where he traveled to share Christ. During his life he was a U.S. Air Force chaplain, an evangelist, author, and received his doctorate in 1949. He was also an adviser of Billy Graham. He married is wife, Ivy Muriel Carol Carlson, on January 15, 1937 (his 25th birthday). They eventually had 4 children—2 girls and 2 boys. To see the lengthy story of J. Edwin Orr, please click here.

The latter part of this week has not been a good week for me. I have had things said to me that hurt me, and I have just ended up being very sad which is very unlike me. As I was sitting here at my laptop considering what song we might focus on, I thought that though I may not think there is truth to anything said to me, I also felt God might want me to examine myself too. He then whispered to me "Search Me O God." What a perfect hymn! Then Friday morning, I got up and headed to my BSF leader's meeting. The first hymn we began to sing at 5:15 a.m. was none other than "Cleanse Me." I actually started laughing, and the leader next to me asked me what I was chuckling at. I love when God speaks to me so clearly.

So, let's look at this hymn with the intention of looking at ourselves. This can be hard, and sometimes our toes get stepped on but if we are going to grow into the image of Christ and into what He wants us to be, then this is certainly a necessary task though not always pleasant.

Verse 1
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.

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Now this can be painful—ask God to show you where you might be sinning. When He points it out, repent and ask for His forgiveness. Then change your ways and move forward in that everlasting relationship with Him. This would make a very beautiful daily prayer.

Psalm 19:12 "But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults."

God completely forgives even the sins we commit unknowingly. Don't be eaten up by guilt. Jesus went to the cross to take away your sin and guilt.

Psalm 139:1 "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me."

God knows you more intimately than anyone on this earth—maybe even yourself. He knows all of your faults, and He still loves you completely!

Acts 1:24a "Lord, you know everyone’s heart."

As the disciples were choosing a replacement for Judas, they knew that God knows each person's heart. God knew who was right for the job. God knows your heart too. I don't know about you but that is a very powerful statement to me. He knows all of the good and bad hidden within me, and He loves me!

Verse 2
I praise You, Lord, for cleansing me from sin; 
Fulfill Your Word and make me pure within. 
Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame; 
Grant my desire to magnify Your name.

Romans 8:2 "because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

Are you relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to help you through each day? It is an amazing power that God has given to you. Will you rely on Him instead of self? And are you tolerating your own sinful behavior? Ask for His forgiveness. His death on the cross set you free!

Psalm 34:3 "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together."

Verse 3
Lord, take my life, for I would live for You;
Fill my poor heart with Your great love so true.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender; Lord, in me abide.

John 15:7-9 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.'"

Filling our minds with His Word and truths is key to abiding in Christ. The more time we spend with Him, His presence begins to take over our lives. His Word takes root and changes our lives, reveals sin, and gives us a passion to live to please Him and serve others.

John 2:25 "He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person."

Jesus knows each of us intimately. We have seen that from the verses already studied. Stand firm and follow your faith in Him even when you may be the only one that seems to believe. God knows your heart. We are to be all about Jesus Christ no matter what situation we are in!

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

As we confess our sin, it enables us to enjoy a right relationship with God. Will you do that today?

Verse 4
O Holy Spirit, revival comes from You; 
Send a revival, my own heart renew. 
Your Word declares You will supply our need; 
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

Our joy can only be fully restored when we confess our sins. It makes it impossible to come before our Holy God when we have unconfessed sin. Confess and feel His joy!

John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Jesus can break the power of any sin over your life. Remove the old sin, replace it with a Godly habit, or else that old sin will continue to creep back in. Will you give it to Him and ask Him to remove it completely?

Below you will find the sheet music to "Cleanse Me." Please note that in the indexes of three of my hymnals, I found this hymn both under the title "Cleanse Me" and "Search Me O God." You may see it both ways if you are searching. Also, be sure to check out the link I have below for you today.

To listen here to the first verse of this song, please click here.

For my 6x6 page today, I used this bright butterfly paper from Magenta called Dancing Butterfly. I thought the colors and the butterflies were such great reminders of being set free in Christ. I also used a Blue Fern Studios Blooming Flourish that I covered in Golden Glass Bead Gel with a little turquoise paint to give it some fun texture. I think I may need to try that technique again. :) The scripture I chose was the Psalm 139:23-24 verse used above.

Papers: Magenta Dancing Butterfly, Memory Box lagoon cs, Prima Lifetime Collection Familia
Stamp: Memory Box Index Card G1781
Stamp Ink: SU tempting torquoise
Embellishments: Blue Fern Studios blooming flourish (painted with Golden teal acrylic and Golden glass bead gel); Cheery Lynn French Pastry Tiny doily die; Zva Creative white flower; Prima Overature C flower, Zephyr Papillon, Corine flower, and resin frame; Divine Twine; leaves from Wild Orchid Crafts; sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword HSCRC13 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Blessings to each of you!