How Shall They Call? (Poem)

How Shall They Call?

In a world that is blinded by darkness,

Men’s souls that are shadowed by night,

We shine out among those around us -

To the lost and perishing, we are the light.

How shall they call unless they hear the truth.

How shall they respond unless they know;

How shall they ever hear the Gospel,

Unless someone here tells them so.

Jesus Christ paid the price that was needed

To redeem mankind back from their sin;

The Holy Spirit came to this world,

So that lost man could be born again.

But how shall they call unless they hear Him;

How shall they respond unless they know

How shall the lost world hear of Jesus,

Unless someone saved is willing to go?

We need to see the lost souls around us;

Hear their cries, let them touch our hearts;

We’ve been sent out by our Father -

Let us be faithful and each do our part.

How shall they call unless they hear Jesus;

How shall they respond unless they know;

How shall they ever believe the Gospel,

Unless someone here is willing to go?

November 12, 2023

Jerry Bouey

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

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

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

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

Choosing To Guard My Heart And Mind (Poem)

Choosing To Guard My Heart And Mind

I made a covenant with my eyes,
Upon virtuous things my mind is stayed;
When temptation comes a-calling,
The decision has already been made.

Like prisoners of war, I’ve taken captive
The thoughts that roam this land;
When an invading army comes to battle,
I know, I’ve already made my stand.

Though I am walking in the flesh,
I choose not to war that way;
Your Word is hidden in my heart,
Before the enemy comes to stay.

I give all my cares to my Captain,
And He gives me His peace within;
Guarding my heart in this warfare -
In Jesus, the victory I will win.

I will put on Your whole armour -
Claim each promise that I find;
With the helmet of salvation,
I know Your Word will guard my mind.

I will think upon things that are lovely,
That are just, and that are true;
And keep on following my Commander
In everything that I say and do.

November 9th, 2023
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to my nephew, Andrew, who wants to make choices that honour the Lord)

Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

I Serve A Risen Saviour (Hymn)

I Serve A Risen Savior

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today.
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him He's always near.

Chorus:
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair;
I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

(Hymn by Alfred Henry Ackley)

1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.

Romans 5:6-10  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. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

ABC's Of Heaven's Glory (Song)

 

ABC’s Of Heaven’s Glory

Adopted as God’s child,
Born from above,
Carried to Heaven on the wings of His love.

Destined for glory,
Eternity is in view,
For consider the
Great plans
He has for me and you -
In His wisdom He will follow them through.

Jehovah, Jesus,
King of Kings,
Lord of Lords;
Marvel at our Saviour, worship Him in one accord.

No name is greater -
Only Jesus will reign;
Ponder the promise He is coming again!

Quiet the inward struggles,
Rest in His gentle arms, be
Still your anxious thoughts - He will calm the raging storm.

Tarry in prayer a moment,
Until He answers you;
Verily God has promised -
Watch Him come through.

EXalt your great Leader, follow Him day by day -
You’re marching upward to
Zion, and He’s leading the way!

Always
Be
Careful, to watch and to pray.

November 7, 2023
Jerry Bouey

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.

Please visit this page for two of my other ABC poems, written when I was much younger:
ABC's Of Faith/Alphabet Poem

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

Confining Christianity? (Poem)

 

Confining Christianity?

To some unbelievers,
the Kingdom of Heaven
may seem like a prison....
Maybe it is...

One where you are closed in constantly
by strong arms of Righteousness,
and are always surrounded
by the Lord's unchanging Love.

Your only companions in this prison are
Rock-like fellow Christians
whose many myriad sins
Jesus Christ - God's own only begotten Son -
was painfully crucified for.

God's judgement is reigning down on us all:
"For those of you who believed, and trusted, and accepted
Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour -
You will get your just rewards...
You are sentenced to Life Eternal!"

This is the only prison
I don't think I can ever break out of...

But, you know, somehow I don't mind.

December 1992
Jerry Bouey

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

ABC's Of Faith/Alphabet Poem (Poems)

Here are two poems written at two very different points in my life - as a lost teenager (or perhaps when I was 20 - it was from a binder of poems that I found with things I had written up until 1990) and as a new Christian. While they may be a little cheesy, I like the attempts at making acrostic poems with every letter of the alphabet, and the contrast in worldviews presented in each. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ changed everything, including my outlook on life, my priorities, and my eternal destiny! Now I have a spiritual prize worth striving for that I know I can reach, not some airy phantom or dream that has no meaning.

Alphabet Poem

A star in the sky

Beyond my reach.

Couldn't find a way to bring

Down that fabled treasure,

Even though I tried, seemingly

Forever.

God,

How can I ever grasp it, because

I don't know how.

Just tell me, let me

Know.

Let

Me touch that fiery prize.

Nothing will hold me back. If

Only I had a ladder long enough.

Perchance a

Quick

Rocket through

Space

To my final destination.

Unless I could capture that

Veritable pearl of brightness...

Would I if I could - perhaps if I was

Xerxes, aged king of Persia,

You'd let me obtain my

Zenith.

ABC’s Of Faith

A still small voice

Borne on the wind

Carries my doubts away,

Delivering me from

Every

Fear.

God’s purposes hold sway.

His plan is still in effect -

In my heart, Jesus is still on the throne;

Keeping watch over me, I know He will never ever

Leave me alone.

Mighty is the

Name of Jesus,

Omnipotent and

Precious to my soul;

Quite a difference He made when He

Restored me and made me whole.

Sometimes life can be bittersweet with

The terribly strong taste of defeat,

Until I call upon my Lord - He

Vanquishes my worries with just a

Word.

Xylophones are playing, taking away my fears;

You’re gently healing my heart - Your

Zephyr is here.

December 19, 1995

Jerry Bouey

John 3:6-8 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. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Philippians 3:13-14  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.

For a much more recent attempt at an alphabet/acrostic poem, written as a song, please visit this page:
ABC's Of Heaven's Glory

Called (Poem)

Called

You were washed in the blood of the precious Lamb.
You were sanctified by the great I Am.
You were justified in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
You were cleansed inside by His sacred Word.

You were purchased by the Holy Spirit in you.
You were called forth from the world - now you,
Whom Jesus Christ loved, died for, rescued and saved,
So in the Book of Life your name would be engraved -

Run in such a way as to earn the prize:
Play to win.
In the race for eternity, dear friend,
Let the games begin.

September 16th, 1993
Jerry Bouey

1 Corinthians 6:11, 20 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God... For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Also 1 Peter 1:2 and 1 Thessalonians 2:10-13

Lift Up Their Hands (Poem)

Lift Up Their Hands

Lift up the hands that have fallen down,
Oh, my brethren, strengthen the feeble knees…
But what if it’s your hands that have grown weaker,
What if it’s you that falters in times like these?

What if your hands are feeling too heavy for you,
What if the burdens you carry seem too much to bear,
What if your soul is overwhelmed by your own struggles,
Where are those dear friends to lift you up in prayer?

Lord Jesus, bring an Aaron alongside their path,
To walk beside them and lift up their hands.
They’re faltering and weary and feel so weak -
They need a comforter to help them to stand.

A friend who can stand in the gap for Your people,
To lift up their spirits when they wander from home,
A brother to bring them before the throne of God;
To help them remember where their true strength comes from.

Let me be that servant that will petition for them,
Who will hold up their hands through the long dark night,
Let me be the warrior that comes alongside,
To help them to win in these battles they fight.

Let me stand in the gap for my friends,
To lift up those hands that hang down.

Use me, Lord, to lift up their hands.

October 26, 2023
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to all my friends in the Lord.
Let me be an Aaron to lift up their hands in prayer when they struggle.)

Job 4:3-6 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?

Isaiah 35:3-4 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.

Hebrews 12:12-13 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Exodus 17:8-13 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Set My Soul Afire (Hymn)

 I had forgotten how challenging this hymn was until we sang it in church on Sunday.

Set My Soul Afire
(Hymn by Gene Bartlett)

Set my soul afire, Lord, for Thy holy Word,
Burn it deep within me, let your voice be heard;
Millions grope in darkness, in this day and hour,
I will be Your witness, fill me with Thy pow’r.

Chorus:
Set my soul afire, Lord, set my soul afire,
Make my life a witness of Thy saving pow’r.
Millions grope in darkness, waiting for Thy Word,
Set my soul afire, Lord, Set my soul afire.

Set my soul afire, Lord, for the lost in sin,
Give to me a passion as I seek to win;
Help me not to falter, never let me fail,
Fill me with Thy Spirit, let Thy will prevail.

Set my soul afire, Lord, in my daily life,
Far too long I’ve wondered in this day of strife;
Nothing else will matter but to live for Thee.
I will be Your witness as You live in me.

1 Timothy 2:3-6  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1 Peter 4:7-8  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Jude 20-23  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 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.

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

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

In The Presence Of The Lord (Poem)

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

In The Presence Of The Lord

In the presence of the Lord
Is where I long to be.
Living each moment in His tender care,
My God communing with me.

Teaching me wonders from His law,
Filling my life with His love,
Finding delight in serving Him,
Jehovah who reigns above.

Living each day before Christ,
Fearfully aware of each move that I make.
Did I glorify God, were my motives pure,
Is upholding His Truth the risk that I take?

Is my life a living and holy sacrifice,
Or has my focus faded again?
I won’t be conformed to this world,
I pray my Father restores me to Him.

I want to obey when I hear my Lord speak,
As His Spirit and His Word command me.
But sometimes, inside, I feel so weak,
Still Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

Sometimes this life can seem so hard,
It’s only with eyes of faith that I can see.
I know it’s in the presence of the Lord,
That I, His beloved child, long to be.

August 25th, 1994
Jerry Bouey

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

John 14:21-23 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jeremiah 23:18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

The word secret in the above verse means, “close, intimate counsel,” like you would share with a true friend.

1 Corinthians 2:9-14 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Audio Of Poems Presented In Church in 2022

 Poems Presented In Church

In 2021 to 2022, for about 10 months in the two main Sunday services, I presented poems in church as a ministry. Usually I shared an introduction to the poem (perhaps the story behind it if it was one of mine or if I knew of the events surrounding it), then I presented the verses behind it and a Biblical exhortation to draw closer to the Lord. 

While we were recording the sermons preached each service, we did not think to actually record the poem presentations until about the last four months. The poems were a blessing to share and God's hand was definitely upon that ministry, as the poems and challenges I read often went with the theme of the sermons preached, the songs chosen, and many times both - yet the hymns chosen each day and the Pastor's themes or passages were not announced to me in advance. It was a ministry wholly dependent upon the Lord's guiding, and His hand was very evident for all those months.

For various reasons, the Lord guided me to stop this particular ministry the end of last Spring. In several of the poem presentations you can actually sense that there was spiritual warfare going on, and the introductions did not come across as smoothly or as coherently as other poems I had recorded. I have still decided to post the audio of those couple of poems too - as the stories are still a blessing to hear and the poems themselves came across clearly, even if the introduction seems rough. If you choose to listen to them, please do not judge the whole ministry in light of the few that did not go as well as the others.

The poems that were actually recorded are listed below in the order they were presented. Feel free to leave comments here or on their individual pages if there were any that really touched your heart, strengthened you spiritually or simply blessed you in some way.

Poems Presented in March 2022:

Two Roads Or Three? - Morning of March 6

In The Presence Of The Lord - Evening of March 6

Poems Presented in April 2022:

The Touch Of The Master’s Hand – by Myra Brooks Welch - Morning of April 3

All My Springs Are In You - Morning of April 10

Immanuel – by Charles Spurgeon - Evening of April 10

The Day My Saviour Died - Morning of April 17

Take A Second Look At Calvary - Evening of April 17

Thou God Seest Me - Morning of April 24

"God Meant It Unto Good" - by Freda Hanbury Allen - Evening of April 24
(Rough presentation, but good story and poem read clearly)

Poems Presented in May 2022:

Thirsting In This Wilderness - Morning of May 1

Under Construction - Evening of May 1

Mother’s Day In Heaven - Morning of May 8

God’s Love Through The Storm – Author Unknown - Evening of May 8

Quietness And Confidence – by E.J. Carr - Morning of May 15

I Sleep, But My Heart Waketh - Evening of May 15

Waiting For A Change - Author Unknown - Morning of May 22

“No Accidents” - by Felicia Doss - Morning of May 22
(Bit of technical difficulties accessing book on my ipad - story and poem presentation are very good)

When This Lion Begins To Roar - Morning of May 29

God Is – Author Unknown - Evening of May 29

Poems Presented in June 2022:

Wrestling Until The Break of Day - Morning of June 5

Be Thou Clean - Evening of June 5

Death Meets His Match - by Elwood McQuaid - Evening of June 12
(Good presentation of poem, but no introduction)

The Father Of The Fatherless - Morning of June 19

Slow Down, Daddy - Evening of June 19
(no introduction, but good poem presentation)

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.

Fear (Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson)

FEAR

My friend went on ahead

And left me here

To walk my last, long mile

Alone; and Fear

Stepped to his vacant place

And said that he

Would walk with me, and my

Companion be.

And so he dogged my steps

In this dark vale

Where death's wings shadow me.

My face grew pale,

My spirit quailed. I called

One precious Name

In my distress, and lo,

That loved One came!

He closely holds my hand,

This tender Friend,

Nor will He let me go

Until the end.

And as He walks with me,

Daily more dear,

I find that trust and love

Have cast out Fear.

Martha Snell Nicholson

(From A Daily Visit To Ivory Palaces)

Romans 5:1-5  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:17-19  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.

On The Death Of An Aged Minister (Poem)

On the Death Of An Aged Minister

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By James Montgomery

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

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

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

Take Another Look At Jesus (Poem)

Take Another Look At Jesus

Take another look at Jesus,

And see Him clearly once again;

Observe how the Mighty God

Dearly loves the children of men.

See Him in the Passover Lamb,

Yearly offered for our sin;

For those whose view is clouded,

Take another look at Him.

Take a clearer look at Jesus,

Even when the view seems dim;

See Him often in types and shadows -

All of Scripture speaks of Him.

See Him anguished in the Garden,

See Him suffering upon that tree;

Now risen at the right hand of our Father,

Pleading fervently for you and me.

Take a look at all creation -

Marvel greatly at what you see;

Then take a greater look at Jesus,

For He’s the Creator of you and me.

February 16th, 1999

Jerry Bouey

Isaiah 45:22  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

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.

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

All My Blogs

I wanted to try something new, so I created two new blogs.

One new blog, called The Substance Of Things Hoped For (Faith-based Stories and Illustration), was created for a place for me to be able to quickly repost all the stories and illustrations that Angela Trenholm (my webpartner) had on her family site (Trenholms Of Kelowna). EarnestlyContending.com (our domain and the central hub for all our personal sites) got repeatedly hacked a little over two years ago and we lost all the content and had to rebuild from scratch. It is a lot of work trying to repost articles, stories, songs, etc. that were posted from approximately 21 years ago onwards, but I am making a valiant effort. Doing it in a blog format also gives me the opportunity to easily add new content.

The second blog is for posting Daily Devotionals once again - devotionals and poems. I had done that for several years back in 2004 onwards, but eventually it became too much work to keep doing that project and work full time, developing new messages to preach at the Kelowna Gospel Mission. I had turned many of those outlines into full length studies and stored the rest in various boxes to hopefully develop more fully someday. That time did not come till now (of course, now I need to sort through all those boxes!!). This new devotional blog is called Just A Closer Walk With You (Daily Devotionals And Poems).

For those who may be new to Buy The Truth or my blogs in general, or perhaps had not visited for quite a while, I also wanted to list all the other blogs here for you as well, so you can easily check them out and bookmark them if you so desire.

• Buy The Truth (KJB IFB Bible Studies)
• Faithful Men Of God (Solid Christian Articles)

• A Shadow Of Things To Come (Outlines and Short Devotionals)

• Songs In The Night (Christian Poetry and Songs)
• The Psalms Of David In Metre (By Isaac Watts And The Church Of Scotland)

My original websites (before I started any blogs) are:

• Eagle's Wings Ministries (My Bible Study Site)

• Bookmark this page: EWM Table Of Contents

• Home Of The Real McCoy (My Christian Poetry Site)

• Bookmark this page: HOTRM Table Of Contents

Most of the content on Home of the Real McCoy are my own poems, plus some poems that I have included in several books of poetry I have put together; whereas Songs In The Night contain both my poems and any poems, songs or hymns by others I wanted to pass on to others. I have added pages for various poems that I presented in church in 2021 or 2022 (as I cannot seem to add the audio files to my blogs). Just look for those poems within Songs In The Night or Home Of The Real McCoy Table Of Contents. I do have them marked on there. Still a few more to put up with the audio files, but I will indicate those ones too when they are made. I have also decided to duplicate my personal poems on Home of the Real McCoy and Songs In The Night, in case we are ever hacked again. Building all those pages from scratch was more work than I ever expected.

I hope all these blogs and pages are a blessing to you.

In Jesus' precious name,

Jerry Bouey

Under Construction (Poem)

 

Under Construction

Under construction by the Lord,
Pieced together in perfect accord,
Bit by bit, each part joined carefully,
Fitted and arranged with wisdom, tenderly.

As the Holy Spirit smoothes the edges,
And transforms His vessel into honour,
These changes, blessed by God's own touch,
Are wrought by His glorious power.

When God's final product is presented,
It will have been tested and proved.
Fired in the kiln of life's afflictions,
Refined and the impurities removed.

Though I can't imagine the end result as yet,
This work of art will someday be done.
Molded by the Potter with His very hands,
Lovingly crafted into the image of His Son.

August 22nd, 1995
Jerry Bouey

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Being confident of this very thing,
that He which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:
thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever:
forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Psalm 138:8

For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

The word for "workmanship" in this passage is the Greek word "poiema",
where we get our English word "poem".

If you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour,
you are God's poem, and He is still working on you!

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)

Under Construction

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

Still (Poem)

 

Still

If the stars should fall down from their place,
If the tears fell slowly down my face,
Lord, still would I trust You,
And give You my praise.

If the world should be overcome by evil,
Still would I thank You for the good that remains;
If I am overcome by evil,
Lord, I ask You to remove the stains.

If life ever becomes too much to bear,
Remind me of how much You deeply care.
If all Your blessings suddenly ceased to pour,
Still I want it to be You that I adore.

Yea, though You slay me, Lord,
Still would I trust You.
Though my path may seem dark,
Still would I follow You.

Still would I wait for You,
Until Christ is standing at the door,
But no matter how much I love You, Lord,
Still I know that You love me more.

April 30th, 1995
Jerry Bouey

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender,
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass,
know that it (Christ's return) is nigh, even at the doors.
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mark 13:28-30

Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him:
He shall also be my salvation.
Job 13:15a, 16a

His Voice Cries Out (Poem)

 

His Voice Cries Out

When this world loudly screams at you,
And steals away your song,
God's gentle voice whispers deep within,
"To Me, My child, you belong."

When you're overwhelmed by the things you've done,
And are haunted by your past,
A tender voice cries out and shelters you,
"Mine is a love that will last."

When it seems your heart is hardening,
And you sense that there's a blindness,
Remember the Lord Himself has called you,
And drawn you with lovingkindness.

When the hurting is so very real,
And the pain seems to touch your soul,
Jesus is beckoning so softly,
"Come to Me. I will make you whole."

When the aching inside overwhelms you,
And you need a friend who's near,
The voice of Heaven keeps on calling out,
"Oh My child, I am here."

When you feel that you're left all alone,
And through these tears you can't even see,
God's voice still cries out to comfort you,
"My dear child, you are precious to Me."

October 5th, 1996
Jerry Bouey

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer;
thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am…
Isaiah 58:9

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me,
saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

For A Season (Poem)

 

For A Season

For a season, there will be troubles,
For the needed time, then they will go.
God has a purpose for every trial;
They are only for a season, you know.

Overwhelmed with sudden loss and anguish,
With a heavy heart, broken in despair.
Look up to Jesus for His comfort -
Even for this season, He will be there.

For a season, sufferings are our portion,
But, then, in a moment, they will pass away.
And after the season of our sorrows,
Heaven's glory will shine bright as day.

February 24th, 2002
Jerry Bouey

(Dedicated to the Lockharts)

Romans 8:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season,
if need be, ye are in heaviness
through manifold temptations.
1 Peter 1:6

The Bible teaches that we will have manifold (many kinds of) trials. That we are to rejoice in them. That there is a need for us to go through them, that the Lord has a purpose for every trial He allows in our lives.

There is also a bright ray of hope shining through that verse, which at first, in the darkest moments, we may overlook. It is just five simple words:

Though - though it may not seem joyful when we are going through them. Our hearts may be heavy and weighed down.

Now - right here, right now, you are going through a trial, but the trial isn't all there is on the horizon. All is not bleak or gloomy, though it may seem like it now.

And finally, for a season - There is an appointed time for every trial, there is a season of struggle that we go through, but like the seasons of the year, they will end in time, and a new period will begin in our lives. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, God says "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Let the Lord fulfill His will in your lives, cling to Him through the trials, let Him teach you what He wants you to learn from this season, and cling to the Biblical hope that "...we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

The Lord Jesus Christ knows what He is doing! Just trust Him, and if the road is rough, let Him be your refuge and let Him carry you safely in His everlasting arms. (See Deuteronomy 33:27)

Written February 24th, 2002

Jerry Bouey