Episode Transcript
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Welcome to the Soul Journey Podcast.
I'm your host, Sherry Lynn. I'm thrilled that you've joined
me. This podcast will follow my
personal journey from chaos and hopelessness to a life filled
with faith and love. Each episode will feature
Christian music, Bible verses, prayers, and personal antidotes
to guide you on this spiritual journey.
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My hope is that this podcast will inspire, encourage, and
most importantly, direct you towards the ultimate source of
help and guidance. I truly believe that you were
meant to be here. Hello and welcome to Soul
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Journey Podcast where we explorethe depths of spirituality,
faith, and personal growth. This is episode 28 and I.
I'm your host, Sherry Lynn. Before we get into the episode,
let us just begin by centering ourselves.
Get ready to hear this message today.
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First thing I want you to do is go ahead and just let your
shoulders drop. Unclench your jaw.
Release the tension between youreyebrows.
Relax your fists. Take a deep breath into your
belly and exhale. Go ahead and slowly move your
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neck side to side. It feels good.
Go ahead and turn up the cornersof your mouth.
Give yourself a nice smile. If you have any essential oils,
this is a great time to rub themon your palms and rub them
together. And then inhale.
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Essential oils are a great way to enhance our prayer time.
Today I'm using the Young Livingoil called Abundance.
OK, so now that we have centeredourselves, let's do a prayer
from the beautiful book Breathless Prayer.
And you can find the link to this book in the show notes.
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So on our inhale. We're going to say teach me your
way. On the exhale, help me walk in
your truth, as suggested. We're going to do that four
times. Inhale.
Teach me your way. Exhale.
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Help me walk in your truth. Inhale.
Teach me your way. Exhale.
Help me walk in your truth. Inhale.
Teach me your way, Exhale. Help me to walk in your truth.
Good job. Now breathe deep and know it is
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never too late to start walking.In truth, the passage that I
chose for this episode is Galatians 51.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stay infirm then. And do not let yourselves be
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burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
So let's start this episode 28. We're going to dive in to the
big biblical significance of the4th of July.
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Happy 4th of July, people. Yay.
As we celebrate Independence Day, it's important to reflect
on the true source of our ultimate freedom, which comes
from Jesus Christ. We will also explore how the
principles of loving and following God influence the
formation of the United States Constitution and the
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consequences we face when we stray from this path.
Hang in there with me. I promise I won't get political.
I know that I can do that sometimes, but I don't do that
on this podcast. And I really am trying to
understand this biblical truth and finding my hope, my
leadership in Jesus. And I hope this episode gives
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you that too. So let's start this episode with
a classic song that embodies thespirit of patriotism and faith.
God Bless America that was written by Irvin Berlin in 1918
and then it was revised in 1938.This song has become an iconic
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expression of American unity andgratitude of God.
Its lyrics remind us of the divine blessings bestowed upon
our nation now when I was in elementary school. 1000 years
ago we had to learn. Like every month we had
different patriotic songs that we had to learn.
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And I still remember every one of them.
Don't ask me how, but I do and Ijust think it's great like to
have all that. All those songs that brought our
country together and it's so much fun to think about them and
think back when we used to sing them as kids.
But this song, God Bless Americais, is a real good classic one.
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Let me know on my Instagram. Go ahead.
Underneath this post of the podcast, let me know what your
favorite patriotic song is. I know that there's lots of them
that come out and some are. Relevant to the times.
And some are just classic. But God Bless America.
Land that I love. There's some of the lyrics right
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I love this country. Stand beside her and guide her
through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans.
White with foam. God Bless America, my home sweet
home. The lyrics of God Bless America
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highlight the deep connection between faith and patriotism.
The acknowledgement that we needdivine guidance and protection
reflects the biblical truth thatour true freedom comes from God.
In the Scriptures, we find passages that remind us of the
profound freedom we receive through Jesus Christ.
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One such passage is found in Galatians 5, verse One.
And that's the one that I read earlier.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not letyourselves be burdened again by
a yoke of slavery. This first emphasizes that the
freedom offered by Jesus is not merely political or external,
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but extends to the depths of oursouls.
We are liberated from the chainsof sin and granted.
Eternal freedom through our faith in Him.
Now let's shift our focus to thefoundation of the United States
and how biblical principles played a crucial role in shaping
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our nation. The Founding Fathers were
inspired by their faith and sought to establish a country
rooted in the love and reverenceof God.
One of the key principles they embraced is found in Psalms 33,
verse 12. Blessed is the nation whose God
is the Lord, the people he chosefor his inheritance.
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This verse underscores the importance of a nation that
acknowledges and follows God. the United States was built upon
a recognition of divine Providence and commitment to
upholding the values and morals derived from biblical teachings.
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However, as with any nation, there is a warning about the
consequences of straying from this path.
In the Bible, the Israelites served as a poignant example.
When they turned away from God and embraced ideology, they
faced dire consequences. The book of Proverbs chapter 14
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verses 34 states righteousness exalts the nation, but sin
condemns any people. These words remind us that if we
abandoned the principles of righteousness and godliness that
shaped our country, we face the risk of losing the blessings and
favor that God bestowed upon us now.
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You know, with every episode, I love to include a contemporary
Christian song and I chose this song that I feel beautifully
encapsulates, encapsulates the concept of freedom in Christ and
it's called Freedom Hymn by Austin French.
It's a powerful anthem that celebrates the transformative
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freedom found in Jesus. I was really lucky to get to
meet Austin in a radio station when I lived in Fredericksburg,
VA. He sang this song to a small
group of us. He is just the most darling
young man. And this song is really, really
good. And here are some of the lyrics.
I push, I pull, go back and forth, finding myself pounding
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on a locked door. I try to make it out alone
without your help, but I know I'll never win this war.
These lyrics powerfully capture the struggle we face when we
attempt to find freedom on our own.
We discover that true freedom cannot be achieved through our
own efforts. We need to help.
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We need the help and grace of Jesus Christ, who alone can
break the chains that bind us, the lyrics continue.
I can never be never be free without you.
This is the sound of chains breaking.
This is the beat of a heart changing.
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This is the song of a soul forgiven.
This is my freedom. Him.
Wow. These powerful lyrics remind us
that it is through Jesus that wefind liberation.
He breaks the chains of sin and offers us forgiveness,
transforming our hearts and setting us free.
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Our freedom hymn is a song of gratitude and praise for the
freedom we have in him. Continuing with the lyrics, it
says I breathe the air of freedom, knowing my life is
better off in your hands. The past is gone.
What's done is done. Now I'm alive and I'm never
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going to look back. In Jesus, we find true freedom
that releases us from the burdens of our past.
We can confidently entrust our lives to Him, knowing that he
has redeemed us and given us newbeginning.
Our freedom in Christ empowers us to live in the present and
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move forward with hope and purpose.
As the song says, who the sun sets free is free.
Indeed, the lyrics echo the words of Jesus himself, found in
John 836. So if the sun sets you free, you
will be free. Indeed, it is through our faith
in Jesus that we experience truefreedom, freedom from guilt,
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shame and bondage. In him we find liberation and a
life that is truly free. As we celebrate Independence
Day, let us not only reflect on the historical significance,
which I truly love. And after teaching 4th grade for
many years we focused our socialstudies on Virginia history,
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which, you know, it's kind of like American history because
it's kind of started all there. I loved teaching 4th grade
Virginia studies. I learned so much each year and
I love teaching it to the students.
I got so excited about it. But let us also remember the
biblical principles that guided the formation of our nation.
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Let us strive to preserve and uphold the values, to honor God
and promote righteousness. Our country is really in need of
Jesus right now. Thank you for joining me on this
episode of the Soul Journey Podcast.
May we always remember that our ultimate freedom is found in
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Jesus Christ. And that we may live our lives
in a way that honors and glorifies him.
I hope that you get to celebratethe 4th of July this year,
whether it's with lots of familyor no family, or just maybe
watching the fireworks on the TV.
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However you want to celebrate, Ihope you find freedom and know
that the freedom in Jesus is there for you.
Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast to stay updated on
when a new episode releases and follow me on Instagram.
It's the Soul Journey podcast onInstagram for additional episode
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extras and join my community. I'll include weekly journal
prompts that go along with the episode, weekly thoughts to
practice, and so much more. I appreciate your support and
look forward to connecting with you.
Let's conclude this episode as always with a prayer.
Father God, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude
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for the freedom we have in Christ.
Thank you for the precious gift of the salvation that sets us
free from the bondage of sin andgrants us eternal life.
Today, as we celebrate the 4th of July and reflect on the
biblical significance of this day, we are reminded of the
ultimate freedom that comes fromfollowing you.
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Lord, we pray for our listeners that they may experience the
true liberation that can only befound in Jesus Christ.
May they understand the depths of your love and sacrifice you
made on the cross to secure their freedom.
Help them to stand firm in this freedom and not be burdened
again by the yoke of slavery. As we navigate through the world
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filled with distractions and temptations, Lord, guide us and
keep our hearts focused on you. Help us to honor you and all
that we do and to embrace the principles of righteousness and
godliness that shaped our nation.
Give us the strength to stay true to your word, even in the
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face of adversity. We pray for our nation that it
may continue to be a place whereyour name is honored and your
truth is upheld. Let us never forget the
importance of acknowledging yourDivine Providence and seeking
your guidance in all matters. Grant our leaders wisdom and
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discernment to make decisions that align with your will.
Lord, as we celebrate our earthly freedom, let us always
remember that our ultimate freedom is found in you.
May our lives be a testament to your grace and love.
Equip us with the light in the world, sharing the message of
salvation and the true freedom that comes from knowing you.
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In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Until next time, friends, know that you are seen.
You are known, you are chosen, and you are enough.
I wish you blessings and guidance on your soul journey.
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Friends, God has put this on my heart.
If you're listening today to this episode and you have not
yet received Jesus into your heart, then let me guide you to
welcome Him into your life. I need you to say these words.
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Say them out loud and believe them with all your heart.
Remember, this is between you and our Lord.
Let's start by saying this. Dear Heavenly Father, I come
before you in humility, recognizing my need for a
Savior. I pray and ask Jesus to come
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into my heart and be Lord over my life, according to Romans
10/9 through 10 If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt besaved.
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I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in
my heart that you raised Him from the dead.
I acknowledge Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and I surrender my
life to Him. Amen.
Friends, I have these words typed out on the show notes.
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If you need to read them as you say them.
Now stay with me for another minute.
For a few more thoughts and verses to go deeper into your
salvation, Romans 323. For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God. I acknowledge I am a Sinner and
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that I need your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ,
your son, died on the cross for my sins as stated in Romans 5/8.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this while we are
still sinners, Christ died for us.
I believe that Jesus's sacrificewas enough to pay the penalty
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for my sins In Ephesians 28 through nine It is written for
it is by grace. You have been saved through
faith, and this is not from yourselves.
It is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
I understand that my salvation is a gift from you.
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Not something I can earn or achieve on my own.
Friends, you can also pray. Lord, I ask for your forgiveness
and invite Jesus to come into mylife and be the center of my
being. I want to follow him and live
according to His will. Please fill me with your Holy
Spirit as promised in Acts 238. Repent and be baptized every one
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of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins. And you will receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit. I talked about the Holy Spirit
in episode 24. If you need to go back and
listen to that France, you can thank our Heavenly Father for
the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
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Commit your life to Him and trust that he will guide you and
transform you from the inside out.
Remember that. The prayer itself is not what
saves a person, but rather the faith in Jesus Christ and the
work He accomplished on the cross.
It is the beginning of a personal relationship with God
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and it is important to continue seeking Him, studying His work
and growing in faith. If you said this prayer for the
first time, I would love for youto reach out so that I can guide
you with some more resources. Have a blessed day, friends.
I'm the one.