Victorious And Free (Song)

 

Victorious And Free

All of my enemies
That rejoiced over me,
Thou hast caused them to flee,
And given me the victory.

Thou hast cast all my sins
Into the depths of the sea;
Thou hast drowned all my iniquities,
And hast made me free.

Oh why should I worry,
Or fret in misery;
Thou hast borne all my burdens
When I cast them on Thee.

All praise to Thee, Jesus -
Thou alone hast saved me;
Thou hast died on the cross
And given me life eternally.

November 9th, 2025
Jerry Bouey

Psalms 35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

Micah 7:8, 19 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me… He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

John 8:31-32, 36 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free… If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

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

Go Forward (Poem)

 

Go Forward

When you can’t change the past, go forward!
Though you are standing before the Red Sea at a loss;
Your old master is behind you, closing on your heels;
Go forward, my friend, forward to the cross!

Through your struggles, you can’t feel your Saviour near;
You have stumbled, you have faltered, heart filled now with fear;
But God’s grace is so real - it is available - He is waiting for your cry,
Press forward into His presence, receive the Lord’s mercy from on high.

Go forward - there is still hope though troubles darken your skies;
Go forward, claim His forgiveness, reach forward to the prize.
Don’t run from the Saviour, when your soul feels at wit’s end,
Go forward to the Shepherd, He will carry you, my friend.

Go forward into Jesus’ everlasting arms.
Go forward!

October 12th, 2025
Jerry Bouey

Exodus 14:15-17 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

2 Kings 4:22-24 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

Job 23:8-10 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Make Me Free (Song)

 Make Me Free

The darkness of sin enclosed me fast,
This prison I’m in had my soul downcast.
Who can break through and help me to see,
Shatter the darkness and make me free?

Looking above, I prayed for light,
A Friend to shine through the dark of night,
A Saviour to come and rescue me,
Release all my chains and make me free.

I opened the Gospels and began to read;
Asking for wisdom, I had to plead.
I saw there Jesus, who died for me;
He paid sin’s price to make me free.

He had to die on the cross that day,
So His shed blood could wash my sins away.
Suddenly, at last, my eyes could see;
Here was The Truth that could make me free.

Jesus had died, salvation was done;
He rose again, God’s precious Son.
I turned from the sin which imprisoned me,
And as I received Jesus, He made me free.

Now He’s my Saviour and my King;
He loves me so much, my soul has to sing.
In the chains of sin, He showed me the key;
I trusted in Jesus, and He made me free.

Now I’ve a mission from God above:
Go to all the world and tell of His love;
Tell of the Gospel, help others to see,
Tell of the Saviour who can make them free.

February 3rd, 2003
Jerry Bouey

(Song title changed from Set Me Free to Make Me Free)

Colossians 1:12-13 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.

This Greek word for “made free” is used 7 times in the New Testament (translated once as “delivered”):

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Nailed To The Cross (Song)

Nailed To The Cross

The accuser of the brethren does his job very well;
He wants to condemn us and remind us of Hell.
But I went humbly to Jesus, laid all my sins at His feet;
When my past comes to haunt me, I won’t give in to defeat.

(Chorus)
My sins are nailed to the cross,
My sins are nailed to the cross;
I have a new home in Heaven, because of the cross -
My sins are nailed to His cross.

Jesus Christ is the Way, He is the Truth, and the Life,
He shed His blood on Calvary to bring to us new life;
Though your sins may be as scarlet, and your past black as night,
He can wash them away, and make you clean in His sight.

(2nd Chorus)
Your sins are nailed to the cross,
Your sins are nailed to the cross;
You have a new lease on life, because of the cross -
Your sins are nailed to His cross.

Oh my friend, come now to Jesus, the Truth and the Way;
Leave your sins with the Saviour - He will take them away;
And though you may seek them, know that they are truly gone;
If they come back to your mind, you can still carry on.

(3rd Chorus)
Your sins are nailed to the cross,
Your sins are nailed to the cross;
Jesus paid the price, He bore the cost -
Your sins are nailed to His cross.

August 24th, 2025
Jerry Bouey

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

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:

Colossians 1:19-22 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Colossians 2:9-15 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

My Wilderness Wanderings (Poem)

My Wilderness Wanderings

Wandering in this wilderness,
Alas the desert, my home for years;
Barren, thirsty, empty inside -
No water in sight but my tears…

You know all of my wilderness wanderings;
Every fallen tear is written in Your book.
When I feel so lost in my own desert,
So dry inside, I can’t even find a brook,

You make note of all of my inward struggles;
Your mercy is there waiting for me each day;
Only needing to return to where I left Your side,
You call me back to the place I wandered away.

Lord, it seems like I’ve fallen so many times,
Faltering, stumbling, reaching for Your hand -
So weak, only able to lean upon my Beloved;
And there I find once again I’m able to stand.

Forgiveness flowing like a stream in my desert,
Quenching all of my thirst in the heat of the day;
My heart leaps for joy and my tongue sings aloud,
My restored soul wandering no longer astray.

March 22nd, 2025
Jerry Bouey
(First verse written June 23rd, 2019, after the Lord restored me from my backslidings.)

Psalms 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Psalms 63:1 A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN HE WAS IN THE WILDERNESS OF JUDAH. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

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

Isaiah 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Isaiah 41:17-18 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Lamentations 3:21-23 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.

Song of Songs 8:5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.

Isaiah 35:3-7 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

The Road - A Story In Four Parts (Poem)

Here is one of my earlier Christian poems told in the form of a story or allegory. Perhaps it will cause someone else to think about what road they are on in life: the Broad Way or the Narrow Way. If you are not sure you what road you are on, please make sure you are on the Narrow Road by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

The Road - Part One
The Rearview Mirror

There's a little Narrow Road that leads to life.
You drive on past and say, "This is nice.
This wide eight-laned Highway is just great!"
Shifting gears, you speed on past the Narrow Gate.

You head off into the distance,
Down this winding Highway;
On the roadside a sign is posted -
What does it say?

"Destruction Ahead."
Boy, you think, someone can't spell.
This road is paved much too smoothly
To lead anyone to Hell.

You glance quickly into your rearview mirror,
But the Narrow Road can no longer be seen.
With your foot on the gas pedal,
You pour on the power to this pleasure machine.

This is so perfect - this life, you think,
Giving no thought to Him,
So many roadside attractions
Catering to your every whim...

The Road - Part Two
The Crash

So many drug-filled days
And pleasure-filled nights,
You're so blinded by the darkness,
You can't even see the Light.

You've been on this Highway so long,
But the days are all the same,
You sample more perverse pursuits
To try to deaden the pain.

Suddenly, on the side of the road
You see an awful flash.
One of those pleasure mobiles
Has started to crash.

A terrible ball of fire,
An intense wave of heat,
Then a bright vehicle pulls over -
So shiny and sleek.

A heavenly being slowly steps out;
He seems to be glowing from within.
He pulls open the door of the wreckage,
And takes the shaking driver with him.

For a second, you glimpse the driver's face,
But you can't understand the awful look of fright.
The heavenly being was so beautiful -
Who could ever be afraid of an Angel of Light?

You hear a hoarse scream
As they drive out of sight,
Disappearing forever
Into the darkest night.

The Road - Part Three
The Stranger

Somehow, this life doesn't fill you -
It leaves you hungry and cold;
Thirsting for something more,
Yet feeling empty and old.

You've tried everything life has to offer,
But nothing really satisfies;
Vanity of vanities,
This whole world is filled with lies!

Without hope, you drive slower...
It's hard to steer with these tears in your eyes.

Ahead, you see a Man standing by the roadside,
Shouting, "Come, buy and eat. Living Water for sale."
Your mind screams to drive on by,
But the aching hunger prevails.

When you approach The Stranger, He says,
"What I offer is free." In His hand is a glass.
But before you can sip the cool liquid,
He has something to ask.

"Are you willing to come to Me,
And from evil refrain?
If you drink this cup that I give you,
You need never thirst again."

"For this Water of Life
Someone had to die.
It was bought with a price -
That price was I."

"If you take My yoke upon you,
You'll find that My burden is light.
You must depart from your sinful ways,
And turn away from the night."

In your mind's eye you can see
Three crosses standing on a hill;
And hear the middle Man shouting,
"It is finished!" and then all is still.

Three dark days later,
In the early morning gloom,
You see that the stone is rolled away
From Jesus' empty tomb.

"He is not here... He is risen,"
A voice suddenly cries;
You then turn to meet The Stranger
With a startled look of surprise.

The Road - Part Four
The Narrow Gate

You accept The Stranger's offer,
Trusting in His sacrifice by faith;
Believing He alone is the Saviour,
And that He died in your place.

His blood has cleansed you forever,
And wiped all your sin away;
Out of gratitude and love,
You start down the Narrow Way.

You leave the Broad Highway -
Now it no longer beckons to you.
As you walk through the Narrow Gate,
You see a wonderful view:

Not a Road strewn with roses;
Instead, it's filled with trials and pain,
But there's hope in the midst of it all,
Peace and joy again.

You look for the Lord Jesus,
And see He is walking there beside you.
You grasp His nail-scarred hands,
And whisper, "Thank you."

August 31, 1995
Jerry Bouey

Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Isaiah 55:1-3 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

Freely Forgiven (Poem)

 

Freely Forgiven

Freely forgiven - Jesus counted the cost.
He loves you so much, even though you are lost.
Freely forgiven - Jesus paid the price,
Suffered in your place, He is your sacrifice.

Freely forgiven - But the price was so high.
Freely forgiven - The Son of God came to die.
Freely forgiven - Forgiveness won't cost you a thing.
Freely forgiven - Because, for you, Jesus gave everything.

Freely forgiven - Jesus gave His life for you.
He suffered for your sins - What will you do?
Freely forgiven - But it cost Jesus all.
He died to redeem you - Will you answer His call?

August 18th, 2002
Jerry Bouey

Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. 

Awestruck And Relief (Poem)

 

Awestruck

I can reach out to the very throne of God
Fall on my knees and worship You with awe
I can lift up my voice and worship the King
I can give You my heart, give You everything
I can bow before You in humble adoration
I can sing to sing You with gladness and exaltation
I can give You my life, give You my all
As I glimpse Your glory - upon my knees I fall
I want to praise You, Lord, and lift You higher
Oh my soul is amazed, You are my desire.

October 19th, 1995
Jerry Bouey

Having therefore, brethren, boldness
to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having an high priest over the house of God;
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 10:19-21

Relief

A stone has been rolled away from my heart,
Peace floods in and the joy of worship starts,
My soul lifts up to Abba Father,
On faith's silvery wings,
Soaring among the Heavenlies,
My heart feels free to sing,
My sins are cast into the depths of the sea,
My burdens are cast upon You,
The only place that I long to be,
Is bowing humbly before You,
I want to adore You, my loving Father,
But sometimes I am unsure of the way -
How do I send these thoughts up to You?
With heartfelt prayer, and these words I say,
I want to worship You, Lord,
As my soul lifts in praise to You,
I want to glorify You in my life,
Like I know You want me to.

October 15th, 1995
Jerry Bouey

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

He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth,
so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:10-12

Behold, for peace I had great bitterness:
but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption:
for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back.
Isaiah 38:17

He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us;
He will subdue our iniquities;
and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19

My Faltering Heart (Poem)

 

My Faltering Heart

There are times when it seems my courage is so frail and small.
I look within my own life and I see how I fail and fall.
I know in myself I falter and I am nothing at all.
But how do I follow You, Lord Jesus, when I hear Your loving call?

Sometimes my emotions deceive me and my heart isn't fully Yours.
So many things distract me and I find I am led off course.
And I realize again, somehow, my love has grown dim.
Yet how do I repent and now have my heart stayed on Him?

I lose my devotion so easily, yet nothing stands in my way.
What is it within my own heart that pulls me further away?
How did my joy dry up? Why doesn't it ever stay?
How does my desire wane? Restore me, Oh Lord, I pray!

I see within myself that I have nothing to offer you.
My vision seems so faded - Lord, grant me another view.
I don't know why my heart wanders or why it so often roams.
Why can't I follow You fully, and seek Your face alone?

Take my fragile heart - I offer it to You again.
Do Your will in my life, Lord, and help me to say, Amen!
Change my heart, transform my mind, and help me return to You.
Be my everything, dear Lord. Restore, remake, renew!

January 26th, 1997
Jerry Bouey

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

A Call To Remembrance (Poem)

A Call To Remembrance

I’ll never forget all the things You’ve done for me;
How You died on the cruel cross of Calvary;
You redeemed me from my sin and set me free;
Now Lord Jesus, I am Yours eternally.

I was a black sheep that had wandered astray;
As a Good Shepherd, You sought me that day;
You rescued me from all that kept me away;
Changed forevermore, I’m Yours, come what may.

Any good in my life is because of You;
Every breath I breathe, I owe it all to You;
You’ve taken my heart and made it brand new -
I’m transformed by Your love, by all that You do.

Looking back on my life, and all my past sin,
I praise You for Your grace that cleanses within;
I recall to my mind how faithful You have been;
And rejoice in the hope that You’re coming again.

February 27, 2024
Jerry Bouey

Ephesians 2:11-13 Wherefore remember… That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Lamentations 3:21-23 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.

A Brand New Start (Poem)

 

A Brand New Start

I can feel my God moving
in my heart and in my soul.
It's a beauty beyond description
when I let Him take control.

I know without a doubt
I can't live this life alone.
The burden was so heavy,
but He rolled away the stone.

In my time of searching,
Jesus came and rescued me.
He completely turned my life around;
His Spirit set me free.

I believe my Saviour died and rose;
I've made a brand new start.
He didn't change my world,
He just purified my heart.

Inside, His grace is overflowing,
My Lord - He reigns supreme.
Of all the motives I could choose,
I want real love to be the theme.

I know I'm still imperfect, Father,
of that I'm very much aware,
But I thank You, Lord, for Your forgiveness,
for Your mercy and Your care.

August 26th, 1994
Jerry Bouey

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.
2nd Corinthians 5:17

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

The Prodigal Has Come Home (Poem)

 

The Prodigal Has Come Home

For years he has wandered in the far country
Far away from the Father's house to roam,
But something happened there that left him destitute -
Now at wits end, the prodigal has come home...

He has squandered all his living in Vanity Fair -
Soon he was left with nothing - so hungry and alone;
But somehow a precious promise stirred his soul -
Oh wonder of wonders, the prodigal has come home...

The swine husks could never truly satisfy,
And oh how soon the wine became tasteless foam;
Coming to his senses, as if waking from a dream,
With purpose of heart, the prodigal has come home...

Realizing that he had sinned sorely against Heaven,
He turned in faith to the Saviour on His throne,
Repented and asked the Lord for forgiveness -
With tears of joy, the prodigal has come home...

Our Heavenly Father is pleading with compassion and love:
The Lamb has been slain, His blood shed, and our sins now atoned;
The invitation is given, the mansion prepared, Jesus awaits your response -
Oh prodigal, prodigal... won't you come home?

Are you a prodigal? Jesus is calling... Come Home!

December 27th, 2000
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to Alex - my brother)

Luke 15:11-24 And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Just As I Was (Song)

I really do love the hymn, Just As I Am, that tells about salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing we need to bring to Him to save us - just repentance of our sins (ie. a change of mind about our sins that we see them as wicked in His sight and we no longer desire them the way we did before - we want the Saviour instead) and faith in His shed blood and finished work upon the cross of Calvary. Unfortunately, to many in the religious world, Just As I Am becomes a creed to justify staying as we are - no change, no repentance, nothing different - but somehow still saved and Heaven bound! When we sang this song as our closing hymn in church yesterday, I was thinking about the difference true salvation does make - and that difference is eternal. The Lord God changes us, cleanses us, adopts us as His children, gives us eternal life, regenerates us and makes us new creatures in Him, and so much more. I came to the Lord just as I was - but praise the Lord, I did not stay that way!

(My friend, Angela, really helped me iron this poem out and turn it into a song.)

Just As I Was

Just as I was, I came to You;
You took my heart and made it new;
Transformed by Your grace - Lord, I love You.
Oh Jesus, my Saviour, I’m Yours, I’m Yours.

Not as I was - my sins are all gone;
I’m now adopted as Your son;
For on the cross, it all was done.
Oh Heavenly Father, I’m saved, I’m saved.

Not as I was - in darkest night;
You opened my eyes and gave me sight;
Washed by Your blood, and changed by Your might.
Oh Lamb of God, I’m cleansed, I’m cleansed.

Now as I am - You’ve shown me Your way;
For when I bowed my head to pray,
You gave me new life that very day.
Lord, by Your Spirit, I’m changed, I’m changed.

November 19, 2023
Jerry Bouey and Angela Trenholm

Jeremiah 31:33-34 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Jeremiah 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

John 3:3-7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Forgiveness (Poem)

Forgiveness

Forgiveness – it’s a blessing;
When a heart that once was stone,
Stops exalting its own self,
And lets Christ reign from His throne.

Forgiveness – it’s a blessing;
When all bitterness departs,
When the water of the Word
Purifies a broken heart.

Forgiveness – it’s a blessing;
Though sometimes walking by sight,
Now reaching for God’s promises,
By faith, grasping them tight.

Forgiveness – it’s a blessing;
Though blackest sins barred the way,
With rivers of mercy flowing,
Christ can wash them all away.

Forgiveness – it’s a blessing;
Eternal life by God’s grace,
With joy, looking to Heaven,
And beholding our Saviour’s face.

November 2nd, 1999
Jerry Bouey

Isaiah 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Hebrews 8:10-12 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

There Were None Like These (Poem)

There Were None Like These

In the time of the kings of Israel,
Way back in the olden days,
There were kings who made a difference,
With their righteous or wicked ways.
There are lessons we can glean from,
Oh, listen to me now, if you please -
In a Book filled with true examples,
Good or bad - there were none like these.

From the northern tribes, we had king Ahab,
From the southern, king Manasseh,
These two kings tore apart their kingdoms,
Filled them with their unrighteous ways.
With all the evil that they pursued, 
And all their abominable idolatries,
For utter destruction to their kingdoms -
No remedy was left - there were none like these!

With his kingdom in utter turmoil,
When faced with the Assyrian horde,
Hezekiah was a king like no other,
Despite all obstacles, trusting in the Lord.
He clung to the Lord with his whole heart,
Even in the midst of his greatest weakness;
Believing that God alone could heal -
For moving mountains - there was none like this!

We see Solomon with all his wisdom,
And David, a man after God’s own heart,
Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his might;
Good or bad, each king played their part.
But all of them needed a Redeemer,
All were bound by their iniquities -
No, a Saviour couldn’t come
from sinful men such as these!

From Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden,
To the last soul born on this earth,
All mankind has fallen short of God’s glory,
All are in need of a second birth.
From the best and worse among us,
All are filled with our iniquities;
Is there any who can deliver?
No, not from among ones such as these!

Till one day a righteous King was born,
Who was both God and Man in one -
The prophesied Messiah sent from Heaven,
Who was God’s only Begotten Son.
Only Jesus Christ alone was worthy,
The Lion of the tribe of Judah, can’t you see?
For none other had fulfilled God’s Law -
From our sins, none other could set us free!

Is there any other person who has paid all of mankind’s debt -
Who has borne all of our sins, and wherein mercy and truth have met?
There is only one Redeemer wherein righteousness and peace have kissed;
Jesus Christ is the Saviour with no equal - oh, there is none like this!

October 9, 2023
Jerry Bouey

1) King Ahab - 1 Kings 21:25-26 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

2) King Manasseh - 2 Chronicles 33:9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

3) King David - Acts 13:22-23 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

4) King Solomon - 1 Kings 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

5) King Hezekiah - 2 Kings 18:5-7a He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth.

6) King Josiah - 2 Kings 23:25 And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

7) King Jesus - Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Psalm 85:10  Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

For the study that prompted this poem, please read Kingly Lessons - None Like These

The Good News (Poem)

The Good News

When you compromise and give in to your gravest sin,
and you realize that it’s not what you thought it would be,
When you look within your heart and abhor the blackest parts,
and wonder who can cleanse and make you free.

When you tremble at the thought of all the pain and grief you’ve wrought,
and you shudder down to your very soul,
With horror at your shame, you realize that you’re to blame,
and you long to be forgiven and made whole.

When you think that it’s the end, think again my friend,
Jesus died upon the cross for you and me.
He was our sacrifice for sin. He died and rose again,
so that we could have peace with God eternally.

Our sins deserve the wrath of God entire in the eternal lake of fire,
but there is yet a better way.
Jesus Christ offered Himself in our place, and by repentance and faith,
we can be reconciled to God this very day.

If you need another reason; remember sin’s pleasures only last a season,
but the joys of Heaven last forevermore.
If you forsake your life of sin, and you want to enter in,
Jesus, the Son of God, is the only door.

The Bible still proclaims today: Jesus Christ is the only way –
you can’t get to Heaven any old way you choose.
Your good works won’t earn you a place, it’s a gift solely by God’s grace –
freely offered to all, now that’s Good News!

I urge you: hear the Gospel and believe, and Jesus Christ receive.
Become a child of God this very hour.
Commit yourself to the Lord. Let Him transform you by His Word,
and behold God’s life-changing power.

January 23rd, 2000
Jerry Bouey

For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

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.
Revelation 3:20

But We See Jesus by Annie Johnson Flint (Poem)

But We See Jesus

"I don't look back, God knows the fruitless efforts,
The wasted hours, the sinning, the regrets,
I leave them all with Him who blots the record,
And mercifully forgives, and then forgets.

I don't look forward, God sees all the future,
The road that, short or long, will lead me home,
And He will face with me its every trial,
And bear for me the burdens that may come.

But I look up - into the face of Jesus,
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled,
And there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,
And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled."

~Annie Johnson Flint~

Boasting In The Lord (Poem)

Boasting In The Lord

So many will boast of their status and wealth -
For too many that is all that's worth living;
I'd rather boast in my spiritual health -
I'll rejoice that I am saved and forgiven!

So many will boast in who and what they know -
Their connections are the things they do treasure;
I would rather boast in the Lord Jesus Christ -
His Word is my only sure guide and measure!

So many will boast in the things they have made -
As if this life was the end of the story;
But I would rather boast in the world to come -
Heaven above is in what I will glory.

So many will boast that they have now arrived -
Trusting in themselves - a sad situation!
But I'd rather boast in what Jesus has done -
Singing aloud of His wondrous salvation!

So many will boast of things under the Sun -
Things that will one day be shaken and scattered;
I will boast in my Father's, "My child, well done" - 
In eternity, that's all that will matter!

January 9th, 2011
Jerry Bouey

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovindkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

1 Corinthians 1:29-31 That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Hebrews 12:26-28 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifying the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Matthew 25:21 His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

What will you be boasting about this year?

Grace Greater than Our Sin (Hymn)

Grace Greater than Our Sin

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

~Julia H. Johnston~

The Prodigal's Return (Song)

The Prodigal's Return

The Far Country could never satisfy,
Oh what a foolish soul I have been.
I've come to myself, and I wonder now,
Will my Heavenly Father take me in?

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned -
I have wandered astray for many days;
Now broken inside, I'm coming home again -
I'm so tired of my wayward ways.

My thoughts run faster than my feet can go -
What kind of reception awaits me there?
No, I won't falter, I have to know,
"Will He receive me?" my only prayer.

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.
No more wandering about in a daze -
Cleanse my heart, make me whole again,
Restore the joys of yesterdays.

What is that on the horizon?
Is that my Father waiting there?
A thousand thoughts hedge my ways...

But with arms opened wide,
He receives me to Himself;
My heart's so filled with love and praise.

Like the Prodigal, I've come home again,
So tired of my wayward ways -
Now a peace within and a song of joy;
My heart's so filled with endless praise.

My heart's so filled with endless praise...

May 12th/06
Jerry Bouey

Luke 15:17-20 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.