Blazing A Trail God’s Way (Poem)

 

Blazing A Trail God’s Way

Way back in olden times, in the pioneer days,
“Go West, Young man,” was an often heard phrase.
Go make your own mark, go blaze your own trail -
In the eyes of the world you will never fail.

But the way to make a difference in the eyes of the Lord
Is to base your whole life upon the truths found in God’s Word.
Jesus is the Author of your faith - He’s already blazed the way;
Follow closely in His footsteps, cling to Him every day.

“I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” you’ll never walk alone;
He has a plan and a purpose that you can call your very own;
He will provide all things that will need to serve Him faithfully;
Stir up the gifts He’s given you; keep your eyes on eternity.

He’s the Finisher of your faith - that means He has a plan;
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
Remember the Good Shepherd, who came to seek and to save;
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not” - be Brave!

The path of the just shines more and more unto the perfect day -
Go forth, Young man, and blaze your new trails in God’s perfect way.

November 17, 2023
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to young preachers setting out in the ministry, and especially my friend, Ahikiriza Brave)

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

2 Timothy 1:6-7 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Dream Or Reality? (Poem)

 

Dream Or Reality?

Is it just a distant dream, this vision that I see
To know my Heavenly Father as a warm reality?
To sense the blessed comfort within His precious Word
To know His deep compassion behind each word I've heard.

To understand the heart that knows the real me
To believe that I'm protected, that He's my security
To know that He is near, His Spirit is inside me
To believe that He will never leave as a strong certainty.

To experience the presence of God that evil cannot harm
To give all my cares to Him and rest within His arms
To feel His joy and fellowship, His love without an end
To know God as my Father and as my trusted friend.

To believe I can depend on Him to provide my greatest needs
To know that He sees into my heart and hears my silent pleas
To believe He is there for me and holds my hand when I'm alone
As a parent stands beside their child and loves their very own.

To know that He created me and I will never be forsaken
To understand He is my fortress and He will not be shaken
To believe He is grieving with me as I suffer through my pain
To know that He will strengthen me and hold me once again.

To be confident that everything in my life is in His control
To believe that my Father is watching me and guarding my soul
To sense His love so real, to experience Him in my heart
What comfort and peace to know we will never, ever part.

Yes - that is my deepest prayer, my dream that I want to see
And I thank you, Father, that this dream can be a present reality.

May 9th, 1995
Jerry Bouey

 And because ye are sons,
God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:6

Because You Passed My Way (Poem)

Because You Passed My Way

My load's a little lighter now,
Because you passed my way -
The sun's a little brighter
And the clouds have passed away.

I've found my Saviour nearer,
And each day He grows still dearer
And I'm on my way to Glory,
Because you passed my way.

I was lost and no one seemed to care
Until you passed my way,
You saw me, and led me to Christ
Oh, what a happy day,

Now I'm living all for Jesus,
And with Him I'll be some day,
For I found a new beginning,
Because you passed my way.

And when in realms of glory,
I see His precious face,
And hear the angel voices
Within that heavenly place,

I'll remember that sinner,
Who once had gone astray,
Might not be there in Glory,
Had you not passed my way.

- Eleanor Taylor Rhodes, in Gospel Herald

2 Corinthians 5:14-21  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Jude 22-23  And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Take A Second Look At Calvary (Poem)

 

Take A Second Look At Calvary

When I went through times of loneliness, I thought, “Lord, where were You?
Don’t You know, Lord, can’t You see all this pain I’m going through?”
Then in the midst of my devotions, I was thunderstruck one day
When I realized: in my Saviour’s darkest hours all His friends had turned away.

When I struggled through depression, I cried, “Lord, where were You?
Can’t You take these doubts and fears away; help me somehow make it through?”
But I knelt in sweet submission, surrendered all and my heart was still,
As I remembered my blessed Saviour praying, “Not Mine, but Your will.”

When my heart ached in bitter anguish, grief-struck and broken too,
I cried through tears of agony, “Oh my Lord, where were You?
I can’t fight this battle anymore, I can’t overcome this gloom.”
Then in my self-pity, I recalled, that Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb.

When I think that I’m forsaken, bitter, anguished and alone,
I remember that my Saviour made all my pain His own.
He tasted death, He suffered much, He was tempted, tried, beset,
And in all His trials and afflictions, Jesus loved me yet.

A man of sorrows - He knew our grief, He bore our sin and shame,
He was forsaken by God above that we may never be again.
He was wounded for our transgressions - as the Bible has revealed -
But most of all, Jesus shed His blood and by His stripes we are healed.

So when you are feeling lonely, depressed, and are haunted by your grief,
Here’s a solution that, through eyes of faith, will surely bring relief:
When you are wondering if the Lord cares and if He is watching from above
Take a second look at Calvary – and there behold God’s wondrous love!

March 12th, 2001
Jerry Bouey

But God commendeth His love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

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)

Take A Second Look At Calvary

Facing Your Goliath (Poem)

Facing Your Goliath

You followed the Lord out of Egypt,
Buried your old master in the Red Sea,
Wandered around in the wilderness,
Knowing your Redeemer has made you free.

Crossed over the flooded Jordan,
A new beginning, a brand new start;
From death into life everlasting,
God’s Spirit has given you a new heart.

Now you are facing a fearsome foe,
That causes swords and shields to rattle,
Though weakened by the prolonged fight,
You rush determined into battle.

Like David versus Goliath,
In the Valley of Strength that day,
You face an enemy like no other -
But the Lord has prepared the way.

As you gather each smooth stone by faith,
And grip your sling firmly in your hand,
You are ready to claim God’s promises,
And take each step as He has planned.

Fully equipped in God’s armour,
You fight for the Promised Land;
Steadfast with the eyes of faith,
Victorious, in Christ Jesus you stand.

August 21st, 2023
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to John Nevokshonoff, who is facing his own Goliath of cancer right now.)

Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

1 Samuel 17:40-42, 45-48 And [David] took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance… Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

Undertake For Me (Poem)

Undertake For Me

Jesus, I feel so overwhelmed -
Won’t you undertake for me?
Exchange these burdens of my heart
For the sweetness of Your peace.

I cast these cares upon You, Lord -
I cannot hold them anymore;
They are like the waves upon the sea,
Relentless against the shore.

I roll these troubles unto You,
I cannot bear them though I’ve tried;
I let them fall down around Your feet,
With all these tears that I’ve cried.

Exchange all these troubles, Lord,
For the joy that is Yours alone,
I place them all into Your arms,
As I worship around Your throne.

I will take Your yoke upon me, Jesus -
Oh, it makes for such a lighter load!
With Your joy and strength within my heart,
We journey together down this road.

September 28, 2021
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to Emberley's friends and family)

This poem (below) was written based on a friend’s Facebook post today about being overwhelmed. These passages (or should I say, promises!) came to mind (some word definitions under the verses):

Isaiah 38:14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Undertake: Technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange); To have fellowship with, share; To take upon oneself; To take upon or assume any business or province.

Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Cast: to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively).

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Casting: to throw upon, place upon.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Touch Of The Master's Hand (Hymn)

To hear the audio of this poem read in church, please click on the title below:

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
      Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
      But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
    "Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
      Two dollars, and who'll make it three?"

"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
      Going for three…" But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
      Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
      And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
      As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
      With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
      And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
      Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
    And going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
    "We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
    "The touch of the Master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
      And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
      Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
    A game — and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
    He's "going" and almost "gone."
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
    Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
    By the touch of the Master's hand.

Myra Brooks Welch (1921)

Genesis 2:5-7  And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

John 9:1-7  And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Isaiah 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Jeremiah 18:1-6  The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Psalm 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

The following is taken from the study Earthen Vessels, based on John 9:

First the Potter healed the blind man physically, then He healed him spiritually. First Jesus healed this man's physical blindness, then He healed his spiritual blindness. When the man who was born blind, but who now saw, when he realized who it was who had healed him, he placed his faith in the Son of God.

The Potter, the Creator who made every one of us, has the power to remake us for His glory. Jesus has the power to take every blind man and give him sight - take every hellbound sinner and open their eyes to understand the truth of the Gospel. He can take every marred vessel and use it for His glory - He can take a vessel of dishonour and make it into a vessel of honour, through faith in Him and His finished work on the cross of Calvary. Then the Lord is glorified by the lives of those earthen vessels that were once marred but now are miraculously recreated; He is magnified by the testimonies of those He has healed; and He is worshipped by those whose lives He touches and transforms!

Are you an earthen vessel that Jesus has touched and changed? If not, you can be. The Potter who created you also has the power to recreate you - He can change your sinful, sin-filled vessel of wrath into a vessel of mercy that will honour and glorify Him (see Romans 9:22-23). Will you turn to Him and let Him remake you according to His perfect plan?

If you will turn from your sin and receive the Heavenly Potter, the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Saviour, then He can transform you into a vessel unto honour and use you for His glory. Though you are an only earthen vessel, a weak vessel made of clay, you can be sanctified (set apart for the Lord), and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work, as the power of God works in your life and through you.

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

June 6th, 2006
Jerry Bouey

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)

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

The Race (Poem)

I have shared this for a devotion at the Gospel Mission, with the perspective of considering the father in the poem as your Heavenly Father. This is basically what I preached that day (with more references added this morning): Running The Race Of The Christian Life.

The Race

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
was running in the lead and thought, “My dad will be so proud.”

But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.

As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win it now.
Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”

He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”
But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face
with a steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race!”

So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
“If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to run real fast!”
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten...
but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye.
“There’s no sense running anymore! Three strikes I’m out! Why try?
I’ve lost, so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.

“Get up,” an echo sounded low, “you haven’t lost at all,
for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place!
You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!”

So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.

Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace.

But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.

And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”
And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.

For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”

~by DH (Dee) Groberg~

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Proverbs 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Psalm 37:23-24  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Call Back (Poem)

Call Back

If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back­;
'Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perchance, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
Call back, and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn;
That when the heavens thundered and the earthquake shook the hill,
He bore you up and held you where the very air was still.

O friend, call back and tell me, for I cannot see your face;
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet bound in the race;
But there are mists between us, and my spirit eyes are dim,
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky,­
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back,­
'Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.

- Selected
(Quoted in Streams In The Desert devotional)