There's A Lion In My Heart (Poem)

 

There’s A Lion In My Heart

There’s a lion in my heart,
Running freely through my veins;
I can’t hold back this power -
I give the Lord free reign.

This old world hates the Bible,
There’s no place left for God’s Word;
But still it cuts so deeply,
Through soul and spirit, like a sword.

Reading and studying daily,
Like Mary, at Jesus’ feet;
Searching for hidden treasures,
Gleaning wisdom and digging deep.

Mind filled and overflowing,
Mouth filled and opened wide;
I am weary with forbearing -
I cannot hold God’s Word inside.

Though at times I cannot speak,
And feel I am but a child,
There’s a lion in my soul,
Breaking free and running wild.

November 1st, 2022
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to all who believe in an inspired, inerrant Bible that we can hold in our hands today.)

“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.” - Charles Spurgeon

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

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.

Matthew 12:34-35 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

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.

Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Jeremiah 1:6-7 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

For a short devotional on this theme:
The Lion Of God's Word

Thou God Seest Me (Poem)

To hear this poem presented in church with an introduction and devotional challenge, please click on the title below:

Thou God Seest Me

Thou God seest me –
You are the very God who sees
The beginning and the end;
Through all the trials I face in life,
Jesus, You are my greatest Friend.

Thou God seest me –
You don’t just see all my situations,
You truly know what’s in my heart;
And despite all life’s complications,
In wisdom, You know just where to start:

Thou God seest me –
You know my needs before I ask them;
You strengthen me when I am weak;
In my deepest times of sorrow,
You provide the comfort that I seek.

Thou God seest me –
I need never fear for my future –
You are already preparing the way;
As a Shepherd, You are guiding,
And my path shines bright as day.

Thou God seest me –
You loved me before I knew You;
You died for my sins and took my shame;
You became my Lord and Saviour,
When, in faith, I called upon Your name.

In my brightest or darkest situations,
From the beginning to the end You see –
You understand all I am going through,
Because Thou God seest me!

April 22nd, 2022
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to Carly Fitzpatrick – Even now, He sees you, my friend!)

Genesis 16:13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Psalm 139:1-6 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh (Poem)

 I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh

I sleep, but my heart waketh - my Shepherd is near -
The voice of my Beloved is knocking;
I’ve grown so comfortable here in my room -
Outside, in the cold, I hear Him talking.

“Arise, and come away with Me, My love,”
He tenderly calls to me, but I waver.
Though due to my sin, He withdraws Himself;
Yet, in the night air, I still smell His savour.

Slowly, I rise, but can’t feel His presence:
The dark street seems so desolate and empty;
I cannot find where my Beloved has gone -
My own lukewarmness made Him depart from me.

The watchmen of the city wounded me sore,
They tore my veil away and left me senseless;
Stripped of my covering, there was nowhere to hide;
My own compromise had left me defenseless.

My heart leaped in anguish and I cried out in fear;
Repentant, I sought Him whom my soul loveth;
No longer desiring to be left on my own,
Quickened again, I called out for my Beloved.

“What is thy Beloved more than another beloved?”
The daughters of Jerusalem wondered,
“Where has He gone, that we may seek Him with you?”
And then, within my heart, the answer thundered:

“My Beloved is gone down into His garden,”
Feeding among His children, He meets with them there -
I am still my Beloved’s, and He is still mine!
Rejoicing, restored, I seek Him now in prayer.

May 9th, 2022
Jerry Bouey

In the Song of Solomon, Solomon, the Shepherd, is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and the woman in the song, the Shulamite, represents the believer. This poem is based mostly on Song of Solomon chapter five, with some references to other verses within that book. That chapter covers a time of backsliding in the believer’s life until she gets her focus back upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and is restored to her Shepherd and Saviour.

For a study based on this theme/chapter, please read: Is Your Armour On?

Less people must read and study the Song of Solomon than I previously thought. Instead of digging in deeply to this poetic allegory that presents an awesome picture of our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, they neglect this book completely or quickly read through it without attempting to understand it - which is sad and frankly discouraging. If we can study and trace out the symbolism of the book of Revelation through the rest of the Bible, surely we can do the same with this book. It is a blessing to understand the picture and how it fits our walk with the Lord, our struggles, and our victories, ending with the longing for our Beloved Bridegroom to take us home to be with Himself - just as the final book of the Bible ends with (Revelation 22:20).

I challenge you to compare what is said in this poem with chapter five of the Song of Solomon. Do not be afraid to dig in deeper or make others (like me) seem to be out to lunch because you personally haven’t bothered to take the time to see what this book of the Bible says for itself and have only the wacky words or comments of some carnal or unsaved preacher to go by who tries to make this book about sex. The believer in the book is not even married to the Shepherd yet (see Song of Solomon 3:11 and Matthew 1:18). The whole Bible warns against fornication and adultery (and the New Testament word for fornication is porneia - which we are commanded to flee from in 1 Corinthians 6:18), and we are commanded to be pure and holy in our walks with the Lord; therefore God is not going to write a pornographic sexual song for His people. If you have that viewpoint and this book makes you uncomfortable because you are bringing sin and your carnal thoughts into it, then the problem is with you - not with this devotional or the Song of Songs, which many sound believers of the past have referred to as the Holy of Holies of the books of the Bible.

I know I am standing on good ground in my interpretation of this book because I have taken the effort to trace out much of its symbolism through the rest of the Bible (as I do with any symbol or type found in its pages - which I might add is always consistent through the whole Bible), and I have studied out some of the great preachers of the past on this book - Charles Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, Hudson Taylor, and some others - and have found them standing in the exact same place as I am - or to put it better, I have found I am standing in the exact same place as they are. Don’t take my word for it, check out their writings, their commentaries and books that touch upon this poetic book, and see for yourself. Don’t neglect this wonderful book because you don’t understand it yet. All Scripture is holy, pure, and written for the benefit and blessing of all God’s children, from the youngest believer to the oldest saint (therefore God would never allow or put anything impure or unholy in it), and it all teaches about our Saviour (see 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 3:14-16; Luke 24:25-27; Psalm 40:7 and Revelation 19:10).

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

To hear my presentation of this poem in church, please visit this page:
I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh

Wrestling Until The Break Of Day (Poem)

Wrestling Until The Break Of Day

Alone with God - salvation’s story,
Wrestling until the break of day.
This is worth the greatest glory,
To cling to Jesus come what may.

Wrestling, praying, holding on so tight,
Like a prince, I won’t let Him go.
Transformed by grace throughout the night -
Oh how much He must love me so!

Running from fear, and troubling trials,
Faltering, afraid, stopped in my tracks;
From worry, to peace - yet, all the while,
Knowing inside there’s no turning back.

Wrestling until the darkness shatters,
A part of me won’t give up this fight;
But it’s not my hold on God that matters:
He is wrestling with my soul tonight.

Struggling, pleading, in desperation,
Until my strength is taken away,
Wondering at my situation -
Believing He’s the victor this day.

Within my own heart, there is a peace:
He will not leave His work undone;
Transforming my life piece by piece,
Until the rising of the sun.

Wrestling in faith, like Jacob of old,
Until his life was rearranged -
Now touched by God, lo and behold,
I find myself forever changed.

When trouble comes to darken our trail,
Though it seems we can’t find our way,
Our Saviour’s love will never fail -
Wrestling until the break of day.

June 1st/2022
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to my nephew, Andrew. It's wonderful to see you grow in your faith day by day.)

Jacob was in distress and worried about his brother, Esau, and his 400 armed men coming his way. Left alone with the Lord, his only option was to cling to God until the day break. This is much like us, wrestling with ourselves and our Saviour, until the day break and the shadows flee away - not letting the Lord go until He blesses us by changing our situations or ourselves.

Genesis 32:24-31 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 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. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Jacob’s encounter with the Lord God changed his life forever!

Song of Songs 2:17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Bether means “division,” ie. what separates us from our Saviour. Jesus will come leaping over the divisions and difficulties in my life.

Song of Songs 4:6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

From the time the Song of Solomon was written until the time of His return again, the Lord Jesus Christ would go to the mountain of myrrh (ie. myrrh meaning death, to face death on Calvary), and the hill of frankincense (ie. incense represents prayer, and He would go as our High Priest to pray to the Father for His brethren).

Song of Songs 8:14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

This song ends with the Shulamite looking forward to her Beloved Bridegroom’s return, much like true believers are awaiting Jesus’ return to take His bride home to be with Him forever.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The last book of the Bible ends on the same note. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

For a devotional study on this theme, please read: Wrestling Until The Day Break

If you are interested, please click on the link below to hear this poem presented in church:

Wrestling Until The Break Of Day

To Him That Overcometh (Poem)

To Him That Overcometh

There are wondrous rewards that the Bible has promised,
There are precious crowns that are waiting to be won -
But all the blessings that the Lord has offered,
Are for those who are trusting by faith in God's Son.

There's a world system that is risen up against us,
Controlled by that wicked spirit, Satan, that hates our Lord;
There's a spiritual battle for our souls that is raging -
But to give in to defeat or compromise we can't afford.

To be an overcomer means you trust the Saviour that has died;
Upon your account of sin, His precious blood has been applied;
When you place your faith in Jesus Christ and His death on Calvary,
His Spirit dwells within your heart, and you've been given life eternally.

To him that overcometh this world, Jesus will give to eat of the tree of Life;
He will also give him the hidden manna, and peace in the midst of strife;
There are crowns for the faithful - rewards for those who love His return,
And His Word and His Holy Spirit will give you wisdom to discern.

There will be a pillar made for each of you within the very temple of your Lord;
A new city, and new names, with a Heavenly inheritance reserved in store;
Dwelling in the presence of the Morning Star, worshipping, your soul awed;
Clothed in white raiment, the overcomers will rule and reign with the Son of God.

So resist the evil of this world, stand fast even to your dying breath;
According to God's promises, you will not be hurt by the second death;
He will never remove your name from the dear Lamb's Book of Life -
Claim your victory by faith in Him, and live for the Lord Jesus Christ.

February 18th, 2022
Jerry Bouey

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 John 2:12-14 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 4:3-4 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. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:26-28 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

All My Springs Are In You (Poem)

 

All My Springs Are In You

Like the children of Israel, all my springs are in You, O Lord;
You are the fount of living waters, my delight is in Your Word.
You are all that I ever needed, all my desires are in You alone;
You loved me from the beginning; Jesus - You are my eternal home.

My life was so vain without You, and brought such emptiness and fear;
From the whirlwind of confusion, in love and grace You drew me near:
You reached down to lift me up, as You regarded my low estate;
With the shield of Your salvation, Your gentleness hath made me great.

This I recall to my mind, all of Your mercies which are from old;
Perfect peace which flows like a river, and deep cleansing for my soul.
I won’t fear all these troubles, You deliver me from my distress;
Your lovingkindness is before mine eyes - great is Your faithfulness!

Like the church in Jerusalem, which continued in one accord,
The world knew they had been with Jesus - all their springs were in You, O Lord;
As their faces shone with Your glory, all their eyes were turned to You -
From the moment of my redemption, all my springs were found in You!

April 8th, 2022
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to my friend, Greg, who taught me the value of memorizing and meditating regularly upon God's Word.)

Psalms 87:5-7 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

Psalms 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Psalms 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Lamentations 3:20-26 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 26:3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

If you are interested, please visit the link below to hear this poem presented in church:
(The audio recording is at the top of the page)

All My Springs Are In You