Stand Fast (Poem)

 

Stand Fast

We look around at a world
That is changing day by day.
A little here, a little there,
Truth and Justice fade away.

We can't condone these changes.
The churches must shine a while more.
We must learn to love the sinners
While our hearts are torn by war.

A battle between God's Spirit
And the lawlessness of man.
While the Lord still extends His mercy,
The end must come as planned.

We must keep walking in the Spirit,
Holding forth the Word of Life,
And pray that they will hear it
Amidst the emptiness and strife.

Petitioning our Father
For the souls that come our way.
With our hearts in one accord,
Waiting for that coming Day.

As brethren in Christ Jesus,
We must firmly hold our ground.
Watching for our Lord's return,
Praying a faithful remnant will be found.

Pleading for the Righteous Judge
To establish Justice once again,
Waiting for the Prince of Peace
To begin His endless reign.

June 23rd, 1996
Jerry Bouey

2 Peter 3:9-13 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Psalm 85:9-12 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

For the sake of clarity and striving for the truth, I have removed the original second verse.

It is so easy to react,
To point our fingers and to judge,
But we must learn to forgive.
It only hurts us to hold a grudge.

In 1996, I meant something entirely different about not judging than the "Christian" world means today. We are not The Judge, but the Lord God has commanded all of us to judge all that we see around us, including teachings and actions, by the Word of God. This is how we learn to discern between truth and error, between the people of God and the lost, between true Bible preachers and teachers and false teachers and false brethren whose ultimate goal is to lead us astray from God and His Word.

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

My Heart's Desire (Poem)

 

My Heart's Desire

Lord, let my love go to Your people;
Let my heart break for the lost;
Let me give my life in service,
For the message of the cross.

Let me go to all the nations,
Or let me serve You here at home -
For wherever You will lead me,
Let me kneel before Your throne.

Let me see others as You see them;
Let me love them as You do;
Let my heart be burdened greatly,
To bring lost children home to You.

Let me pour my heart out to You;
Let me petition You each day;
Let Your love flow right through me,
Bowing before You as I pray.

Let me carry Your Word to others,
As You guide me by Your hand;
Let me boldly speak Your wonders -
Lord, open hearts to understand.

Give me wisdom, give me courage;
Let me be part of Your plan;
Let me always persevere
In this grace in which I stand.

Lord, as You go before me,
Let my feet so gladly follow.
Let me always share Your mercies
To a world lost and hollow.

Let me carry forth this Good News,
Lord, and set the captives free;
Let me serve You with my whole heart,
As I give myself to Thee.

November 4th, 1996
Jerry Bouey

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:16-17

Open Doors (Poem)

 

Open Doors

In every person’s life, we find so many doors opened or closed;
The True Light shines out amongst us, which the darkness has always opposed.
Jesus is the only Saviour - He is the Way to Heaven’s shore.
For all the lost and scattered sheep, Jesus says, “Behold, I Am the Door.”

All we like sheep have gone astray, but the price has been fully paid;
On the cross of Calvary, all our iniquities on Him were laid.
Today is the day of salvation; oh, sinner, what are you waiting for?
The Saviour still is pleading - behold, He is knocking at your heart’s door.

Open doors and open windows, filled with many blessings from above.
“See how I will pour you out a blessing so there will always be enough.
Test Me now, and try Me, my child, claim all of these promises so true.
As you walk through these doors of ministry, know I will always be with you.”

One day soon, there’ll be a voice like a trumpet, and in the twinkling of an eye,
We will hear, “Come up hither,” and see our Saviour coming in the clouds of the sky;
We will be caught up together with Him and rise through Heaven’s open door -
Hallelujah, what glorious rapture to be forever with the Lord.

Praise the Lord for open doors.

November 3rd, 2024
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to Faith Baptist Church,
for our 40th Church Anniversary)

Jesus Is The Door Of The Sheep

John 10:7, 9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep… I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The Open Door Of Faith

Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

The Open Door To Ministry

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

Revelation 3:7-8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The Open Door To Preaching

2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

Colossians 4:2-4 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

The Open Door To Heaven (The Rapture)

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The Open Door To Jesus’ Return

James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

Going Through The Door (Poem)

 

Going Through The Door

I'm dying now, he thought, there's no one here to hold my hand -
No one but my Saviour, though I know He understands.
Times have sure been lonely, and my friends have gone away,
I sit here in my easy chair, waiting for the end of day.

My chest is hurting more now and the pain seems awful strong,
But there's a peace within me and on my lips a whispered song.
I try to reach for the phone now, but it seems too far away.
I want to call out to my wife but all I can do is pray.

There are no words coming forth, but my thoughts are racing fast;
In sweet silent meditation, I look back over my past.
Short of breath, I stop to wonder, "Was my life worth it all?"
Then I think of Jesus, and His loving Gospel call:

How He came to me and saved me, changed my heart from within,
How He purchased my full redemption and took away my sin.
Through many years of service, no, I've no regrets,
Because I have a home in Heaven that still awaits me yet.

A sudden sharp pain pricks me, and I slump down to the floor -
Now I can see all my loved ones that I knew had gone on before.
Look there is my beloved daughter, whom the fever took years ago,
And my precious little brother, who had that awful accident in the snow.

Oh, they look so bright and cheerful, how can this vision be true?
Then I remember that Jesus, my Saviour, was their Saviour too.
I reach out for my daughter and she stretches forth her hand,
And says, "Daddy, let's go see Jesus, and walk through Heaven's land."

I look all around me, but this old world seems mighty dim,
And then I see my Jesus, and my soul is awed by Him.
As I stand up to receive Him, into His arms I flee,
And the pain is gone forever, as my strength returns to me.

Dressed in robes of purest white, through pearly gates I walk along
Into the land of forever, with a joyous heart-felt song,
And see multitudes around me, praising and calling out His name,
With love in their hearts flowing, and their souls kindled flames.

I think about my darling wife now, and I know she will be home soon,
When she has finished running her course, for the Lord has prepared her room.
Face to face at last with Jesus, what a beauty our eyes can see,
And I am overwhelmed anew by the love my Saviour has for me.

December 13th, 2002
Jerry Bouey

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

(This poem is dedicated to my Dad. I miss you and know we will see each other again in glory.)

This is one of the few fictional poems I have written as a believer. Most are written to share Bible promises, to exhort others to trust the Lord in their trials, to express what I am going through, to put in emotional words what I am learning from God's Word - but this is one of the few that was just written as a "what if?" type of poem, sharing ideas I had read about that some other believers were going through at the end of their lives.

In April 2006, my relatives adapted this poem to be read at my Dad's memorial. They removed the fictional family references, but basically kept the rest. My Dad got saved about a year or two before he passed away. Part of this poem fits him - he passed away in another room by himself, stopped breathing, one second he was here, the next he was in glory. I am sure Jesus took him through the door to Heaven.

Full Assurance (Song)

 

Full Assurance

(To the tune of So Little Time)

Full assurance - we pray - of understanding
Is yours in Christ - you are complete in Him.
Riches above, are stored in Heaven waiting.
Rejoice, my friend, you're a child of the King.

Chorus:
Today we serve, with fullness of understanding,
Assurance of hope, through eyes of faith;
So let us love our dear Lord supremely.
Let us be faithful, as we run this race.

Full assurance, stand fast in this your hope now.
Be diligent, be faithful to the end.
A crown of life, rewards for those who serve Christ -
Jesus remembers all that's done for Him.

Full assurance - steadfast is the eye of faith.
Approach God's throne, with boldness, plead for souls.
Let us draw near, give all our cares to Jesus;
Behold the prize - press on towards the goal.

2nd Chorus:
Today we serve, with fullness of understanding,
Assurance of hope, through eyes of faith;
So let us love our Saviour supremely.
Brethren, be faithful, as you run this race.

January 22nd, 2004
Jerry Bouey

That their hearts might be comforted,
being knit together in love,
and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding,
to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God,
and of the Father, and of Christ;
Colossians 2:2

And we desire that every one of you
do shew the same diligence to
the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Hebrews 6:11

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,
and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22

Martha And Mary (Poem)

Martha And Mary

Martha and Mary, two sisters together one day.
Each sought to follow Jesus in their own unique way;
Martha was so busy still, but Mary would not be dismayed:
She wanted to spend time with her Master - with Jesus, come what may.

Nothing wrong with serving, but what is the end goal of your life?
Do you desire the Saviour more than the bustle and the strife?
Would you rather be so focussed, with everything placed so neat -
Or does your spirit and soul crave to worship at His feet?

In all of our opportunities, with each day that we face,
What’s the outcome, what’s the priority, when everything finds its place?
Did we seek to spend more time with Jesus, love Him more than all these things;
Did we fill our hearts with activities or with worshipping our King?

Are you more like Martha, or is Mary’s desire more your size -
Are you looking at the world, or keeping your eyes upon the prize?
Here is your dilemma - I don’t want to be contrary -
But whose example will you follow: Is it Martha or is it Mary?

January 30, 2024
Jerry Bouey

Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Taken from Spurgeon’s Morning And Evening Devotional for the Evening of May 9:

"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field... let us see if the vine flourish." Song of Solomon 7:11,12

The church was about to engage in earnest labour, and desired her Lord's company in it. She does not say, "I will go," but "let us go." It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of God's people to be trimmers of God's vines. Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the Lord for usefulness; let us therefore go forth into the field. Observe that the church, when she is in her right mind, in all her many labours desires to enjoy communion with Christ. Some imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively, and yet have fellowship with Him: they are mistaken. Doubtless it is very easy to fritter away our inward life in outward exercises, and come to complain with the spouse, "They made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept:" but there is no reason why this should be the case except our own folly and neglect. Certain is it that a professor may do nothing, and yet grow quite as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are most busy. Mary was not praised for sitting still; but for her sitting at Jesus' feet. Even so, Christians are not to be praised for neglecting duties under the pretence of having secret fellowship with Jesus: it is not sitting, but sitting at Jesus' feet which is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself an evil: it is a great blessing, and a means of grace to us. Paul called it a grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every form of Christian service may become a personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those who have most fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who have much time to spare, but indefatigable labourers who are toiling for Jesus, and who, in their toil, have Him side by side with them, so that they are workers together with God. Let us remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, that we can do it, and should do it in close communion with Him.

The Alabaster Box (Poem)

 

The Alabaster Box

(Mark 14:1-9)

She did it; she broke it, there was no turning back.
It was all or nothing; now the box was forever cracked.

The ointment was poured forth, diffused throughout the room.
Jesus' body had been anointed, prepared for burial in the tomb.

It was an offering of love and devotion to her Lord,
But He remembered it forever, recorded in His Word.

It wasn't broken for show, only Jesus knew her heart.
But as the spikenard flowed out, the aroma filled every part.

The good work has been done, but there's a lesson to learn:
In all of life's opportunities, now it's my turn.

The alabaster box of my heart was broken one day.
On the altar of service, there the precious ointment lay.

Dedicated to my Lord - fervent and sincere.
I gave it all to Him, and the cost was dear.

The sacrifice was offered, well-pleasing to God.
I presented it with tears, and a soul that was awed.

Thank You, Lord, for Your plan that includes even me.
And in reasonable service, my life is broken for Thee.

July 23rd, 2002
Jerry Bouey

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

Mark 14:1-9 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Dedicated to Bob Garner and Chris Gallegos, whose two messages preached at People's Baptist Church (June 9/2002 and June 26/2002 respectively) were influential in me submitting to the Lord's call of preaching on my life.

"Mark 14:1-9

Yes, she has done what she could.

The alabaster box was broken, the ointment poured forth, in service and honour of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Saviour.

I give myself to You, to do what I can for Your glory and the sake of Your kingdom, The box of my life has been broken. I pour forth my heart and will at your feet, in service to You, my Lord.

I surrender all to You, Jesus.

June 26/2002"

Message written in the front of my Bible.

The Seasons Of Your Pilgrimage (Poem)

 

The Seasons Of Your Pilgrimage

In the springtime of your pilgrimage,
There's a new beginning, a fresh view.
There's a quickening of the spirit,
As you find the Saviour walks with you.

In the fervency of your First Love,
There's a freedom and peace to be found.
The burden of sin has been lifted
And the joy of salvation abounds.

In the summer of your pilgrimage,
The burning sun waxes fierce and strong.
Yet amidst all the trials and sorrows,
Jesus still fills your heart with a song.

Jagged mountains block the horizons
But above them your spirit has soared.
You receive more strength to be a victor,
As you patiently wait on the Lord.

In the Autumn of your pilgrimage,
Wisdom tempers your walk with the Lord.
With earthly treasures all left behind,
You find He is worth all these and more!

You're learning to be a conqueror,
Fighting the good fight with help from above.
You're serving Him faithfully with joy,
So amazed and awed at His love!

In the wintertime of your pilgrimage
Your physical strength is fading fast,
But the joys of Heaven seem so near
And you long for your Home that will last.

Now after a lifetime in His service,
Rejoicing, you lift up your heart to sing.
As you step through His door to open arms,
With tears of gladness, you behold your King!

In the springtime of Heaven's glory,
Awed by all the wonders that you can see,
You're filled with His love, as you behold Jesus -
In Heaven, it's springtime eternally.

November 25th, 2002
Jerry Bouey

Jacob's (Israel's) Testimony Of His Pilgrimage With The Lord:

Genesis 28:15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Genesis 28:20-21 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

Genesis 48:15-16a And he (Israel) blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads.

Psalms 119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

The Pilgrim Wrestling With The Lord

Genesis 32:25 And when He saw that He prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with Him.

Our greatest victories are wrought out through pain, and purchased at the cost of the humbling of the flesh. Jacob learned that the secret of prevailing with God and man was not in the strength, but in the weakness and suffering of the flesh. It must ever be so. The victor Lamb bears still the scars of Calvary, and appears as one who had been slain.

Had Laban met Jacob that morning, he would have pointed to that limp as an indication of God's wrath and displeasure; but if he had looked into his face, he would have seen all its hardness and cunning gone, and would have been arrested by the unwonted tenderness in his voice.

The shrunken sinew counteracts pride. - So high a spiritual achievement as to prevail with God might have tempted Jacob to arrogance and self-esteem. But God anticipated the possible temptation by this physical infirmity, which was constantly present to Jacob's consciousness.

The shrunken sinew was the secret of victory. - Had it not been shrivelled by the angel's touch, Jacob would have continued to resist in the pride of his strength, and would never have clung convulsively to the angel, crying, "I will not let Thee go." (Genesis 32:26) It was only in that act that he became Israel, the Prince.

The shrunken sinew makes us think little of this world and much of the next. - From this moment Jacob takes up more of the pilgrim attitude. He finds that for him, at least, the pace will have to be slower; but it is well, for he relaxes his hold on the seen to entwine more tenaciously about the unseen. "The days of the years of my pilgrimage" (Genesis 47:9) - such is his epitome of his life.

(Taken from Our Daily Homily by F.B. Meyer)

Go Forward On Your Knees (Poem)

The quotes are actual statements by missionaries or preachers of the past.

Go Forward On Your Knees

How brave and sure were those missionaries of old,

Those faithful prayer warriors - they were so bold;

Courageously saying, “Give me souls or I die!”

“Go forward on your knees” was their fervent battle cry.

“God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.”

Go forward boldly, following your Saviour from on high;

Though “You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God” -

“Go forward on your knees” - follow the footsteps Jesus has trod.

By faith we know, “Prayer moves the arm that moves the world!”

Under the banner of the cross, let your flag be unfurled.

Victory is promised, but it will not be on beds of ease -

A life of dedicated service - “Go forward on your knees”!

Whether you serve your Father here, or serve the Lord abroad,

“Expect great things from” Him, and “Attempt great things for God.”

Wherever you may go, around the corner or across the seas -

Be faithful to the Lord in prayer - “Go forward on your knees!”

November 14, 2023

Jerry Bouey

Before reaching Honan, Goforth had received a cordial letter from Hudson Taylor, telling him of the tremendous obstacles ahead and reminding him of his need of super-natural assistance. "Brother, if you would enter that province," Taylor wrote, "you must go forward on your knees." Goforth did just that. Not a day passed but that circumstances and events caused him to recall his life text and to rely on its promise, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). (Quoted from Giants Of The Missionary Trail by Eugene Myers Harrison)

“Give me souls or I die!” - Praying Hyde

“God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.” - Hudson Taylor

“You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.” - Hudson Taylor

“Prayer moves the arm that moves the world.” - Charles Spurgeon

“Expect great things from God; Attempt great things for God.” - William Carey

Several other great missionary quotes:

“All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.” - Hudson Taylor

“Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell, I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” - CT Studd

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” - CT Studd

How Shall They Call? (Poem)

How Shall They Call?

In a world that is blinded by darkness,

Men’s souls that are shadowed by night,

We shine out among those around us -

To the lost and perishing, we are the light.

How shall they call unless they hear the truth.

How shall they respond unless they know;

How shall they ever hear the Gospel,

Unless someone here tells them so.

Jesus Christ paid the price that was needed

To redeem mankind back from their sin;

The Holy Spirit came to this world,

So that lost man could be born again.

But how shall they call unless they hear Him;

How shall they respond unless they know

How shall the lost world hear of Jesus,

Unless someone saved is willing to go?

We need to see the lost souls around us;

Hear their cries, let them touch our hearts;

We’ve been sent out by our Father -

Let us be faithful and each do our part.

How shall they call unless they hear Jesus;

How shall they respond unless they know;

How shall they ever believe the Gospel,

Unless someone here is willing to go?

November 12, 2023

Jerry Bouey

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Philippians 2:15-16 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

On The Death Of An Aged Minister (Poem)

On the Death Of An Aged Minister

Servant of God, well done!
Rest from thy loved employ!
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy.

The voice at midnight came,
He started up to hear;
A mortal arrow pierced his frame,
He fell, -- but felt no fear.

Tranquil amidst alarms,
It found him on the field,
A veteran slumbering on his arms,
Beneath his red-cross shield.

His sword was in his hand,
Still warm with recent fight,
Ready that moment, at command,
Through rock and steel to smite.

It was a two-edged blade
Of heavenly temper, keen;
And double were the wounds it made,
Where'er it glanced between.

'Twas death to sin, -- 'twas life
To all who mourn'd for sin;
It kindled and it silenced strife,
Made war and peace within.

Oft with its fiery force
His arm had quell'd the foe,
And laid, resistless in his course,
The alien armies low.

Bent on such glorious toils,
The world to him was loss,
Yet all his trophies, all his spoils,
He hung upon the Cross.

At midnight came the cry,
"To meet thy God prepare!"
He woke, -- and caught his Captain's eye;
Then, strong in faith and prayer, --

His spirit, with a bound,
Left its encumbering clay;
His tent, at sunrise, on the ground,
A darken'd ruin lay.

The pains of death are past,
Labour and sorrow cease;
And life's long warfare closed at last,
His soul is found in peace.

Soldier of Christ, well done!
Praise be thy new employ;
And while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy Saviour's joy.

By James Montgomery

2 Corinthians 5:6-9  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

2 Timothy 4:6-8  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Vessels Unto Honour (Song)

Vessels Unto Honour

In a great house, there are vessels
Some of wood and some of clay
There are great ones and small ones
You can choose the ones you may.
Some for service, some for beauty,
Others bear refreshing wine.
Lord I care not how You use me,
Please just hear this prayer of mine.

Chorus:
Make me a vessel unto honour
The fame of this world, I refuse
Sanctify me, cleanse me and fill me
Meet for the Master’s own use.

Lord, my vessel is empty
It is purged from dross and sin
By your precious blood on Calvary,
It has cleansed me now within.
Tho’ unworthy for Your service,
Yet Your grace is mine today.
So I offer You my vessel
For your use and this I pray.

Chorus:
Make me a vessel unto honour
The fame of this world, I refuse
Sanctify me, cleanse me and fill me
Yes I’ll be meet, for the Master’s own use.

Words and Music by Julia Montoro

2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

The Vessel (Poem)

The Vessel

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose?
"Take me," cried the gold one, "I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!"

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
"I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You."

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide-mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view."
"Look at me," called the goblet of crystal so clear,
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide."

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
"You may use me, dear Master," the wooden bowl said,
"But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!"

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

"Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might."

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. "There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

~Beulah V. Cornwall~

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2nd Corinthians 4:7

The Lampstand (Poem)

"Shine as lights in the world."

The Lampstand

Shine forth, O light of God indwelling.
May the flame burn clear and bright
Fed by that pure and endless oil,
The Spirit filling me. Let not
This flesh, this mortal lamp, obscure
The brightly burning flame. O God,
Let not the lampstand intervene
Or claim the glory for itself.
May it be clean, and plain, and yielded
To the holding of that precious
Oil, flaming, burning brightly
That the world may see Christ.

- Joan. H. Lyon

Hm, it is funny how when you see something worded a little different that you see a Scriptural truth in a whole new light.

I always took the references to us being the light of the world as indicating it was our job to shine out among the lost, shining out with the truth of the Word of God.

Yet this poem presents it in a way that indicates we are to be the vessel holding the light (and oil) that shines out from us. Now the picture seems a little clearer for me - it is more like a combination of both concepts.

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We are the light of the world, shining forth the light of Christ to the world.

Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Now this definitely makes me want to study out even more how the priests in the OT tabernacle were to take care of the candlesticks:

Always filled with oil (the Holy Spirit)

Never go out (always shining the pure light)

Wick trimmed neatly (having our vessels clean, useful for service)

I always looked at how the candlestick pictured Christ (and the Holy Spirit), but had not looked much at how it pictured the believer. Looks like it might be an interesting study!