Songs In The Night

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 ...

So Amazed Basking in Your presence at the start of the day, I meditate in wonder and begin to pray. “So amazed,” is all my raptured soul can say. Who am I, Lord, that You would love me this way? Once burdened by sins that my mind couldn’t erase, Now, forgiven – in Your sight there’s not even a trace. So amazed and awed by Your amazing grace. Who am I, Lord, that You would die in my place? At the mountaintop, at last, I rest from my climb, Rejoicing in the soothing peace that I find. So amazed, in Christ I have victory this time. By staying focused on Him, steadfast in mind. So amazed, Lord, by Your amazing grace, So amazed, Jesus, that You died in my place, So amazed by all the wondrous things that You do, So amazed, my God, I’m so amazed in You! April 5th, 2002 Jerry Bouey And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? 1 Chronicles 17:16.

Am I A Soldier Of The Cross? Am I a soldier of the cross - A follower of the Lamb? And shall I fear to own His cause Or blush to speak His name? Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize And sailed through bloody seas? Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to God? Since I must fight if I would reign, Increase my courage, Lord! I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by Thy word. By Isaac Watts

Love Broke Through I left my shelter, wandered out into harm; My faith grew so weak in the path of the storm. A trial of my choosing; no one else to blame; But His love broke through when I called on His name. Chorus: Love broke through the clouds, Love scattered the rain; God’s love brought healing in the midst of my pain. When the wind and the waves were all I could view, Jesus calmed the storm, and His love broke through. The wind rose so sudden, the thunder now roared; I was all but sinking; my faith came unmoored. A trial to test me – how could I survive? Love broke through and showed me, “My Saviour’s alive!” When loved ones were drowning; all seemed nearly lost, I wanted to save them, whatever the cost; But my strength was useless – oh, what could I do? I called on the Saviour, and His love broke through. When the wind and the waves were all I could view, Jesus calmed my storm, and His love broke through. December 24th, 2010 Jerry Bouey Matthew 8:23-27 And when he (Jesus) was e...

Everything's Changed I once was blind, but now I see - Oh praise the Lord who died for me. He opened my eyes to see my sin; I opened my heart to let Him in. I once was deaf, but now I hear - Immanuel – my God – came near. I heard of how Jesus died for me – His blood – from my sin, has made me free. I once was dumb, mouth closed by sin - Wicked words and thoughts dwelt within; My own heart, the source of all this woe – There’s nowhere else but Jesus to go. I once was lame, but now I’m healed – My evil deeds have been revealed. My heart’s been cleansed from every stain; My footsteps turned to walk right again. I once was blind, deaf, dumb, and lame, Lost, alone, heart shattered by pain; Then I trusted in the Saviour’s name – Since I believed everything’s changed. I once was blind, deaf, dumb, and lame, But praise the Lord that Jesus came! December 21/2010 Jerry Bouey Isaiah 29:18   And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eye...

This is probably my most favourite Christmas hymn - at least the first stanza. I first remember hearing it as a young teenager (or possibly pre-teens) when an actor sang it on a popular TV show (Robert Guillaume sang it in a Christmas episode of Benson - at least I was told it was actually the actor singing it and not just putting on a performance). I in no way endorse that show, and honestly don't remember much of it anyway - but that song stuck with me. ( Click here to hear it on Youtube .) It was so emotional; perhaps part of the impact was the fact that here was a black man singing about the slave being our brother (ie. our fellow man - according to the Bible, all of mankind is of one blood and we are all related physically through Adam and Eve; though, we are only brothers and sisters spiritually through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ). After I trusted Christ for salvation, I later came across the lyrics of this song and memorized the first stanza, now knowing the mea...

Note: I am not for nativity scenes, as I am against pictures/images of Jesus Christ. I wrote this poem as a fairly young Christian - but the point still applies today: If we let the world remove all traces of the reason for the season (ie. the Lord Jesus Christ and the message of His free gift of salvation - whether in sermons or songs) at " Christ mas" (when we are professing to worship the Lord and celebrate His birth - which was essential in His coming and dying for our sins on the cross), then what do we have left? Christmas Without Christ If we take Christ out of Christmas What's there left to do? We have all the tinsel and the presents - But we don't have You-know-who. If we ban all the Christmas songs That, to some, may slightly offend, Then we'd have to remove the Nativity scene... Tell me - where would it end? If we couldn't worship Christ this Christmas, What's there left to celebrate? All we have left is Santa Claus. We've sold out - is it ...

What Child Is This? (William C. Dix) What Child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? (Chorus) This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud - The Babe, the Son of Mary. Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear - for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh - Come, rich and poor, to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings - Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

God's Gift Come now all you troubled people, I've got a message for you to hear: God is giving out His grace this Christmas - Free for all who dare to draw near. In a world filled with gloomy night, Here's a Gift that is full of Light. A Gift of forgiveness, mercy too, A Gift of hope from Christ to you. A reason for living wrapped up in Love, An Ever-Present Saviour who came from above. The Gift is truly priceless, And inside, you will be made new, But you must accept His Gift For it to belong to you. If you stop to think about the miracle of the birth of Christ this year, Remember His precious Gift of Life - He offers peace to all who will draw near. December 14th, 1994 Jerry Bouey God so loved... that He gave... John 3:16 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: John 1:12

O Save Us Now Before God made the world, redemption was planned; In the fullness of time, God became a man. From Heaven, God's Son came; was in a manger laid; The Christ had arrived - soon our sin debt would be paid. Simeon in the Temple, and Anna nearby, The shepherds in the field, knew the Saviour was nigh. The wise men saw the star as it shone from the sky; They followed it far to the King from on High. To a world darkened by sin The light of hope is shining in, The Promised Son has appeared, The Saviour is now here - O save us now! Years have passed by; this child has grown into a man; Now it was time to fulfill God's wondrous plan. On the cross, for our sins, His precious blood was shed, Three days later, our Saviour arose from the dead. To those searching for truth, the time has come at last; Salvation has been purchased; sin's darkness has passed. The morning has dawned, the night is now gone; To souls filled with sin, the Redeemer has come. The Messiah was foretold,...

While the theology of this poem is off somewhat on the events of the Lord's second coming/return, it makes an excellent point: Are you ready for the Lord's return? ‘Twas The Night Before Jesus Came ‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there.  The children were dressing to crawl into bed. Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter. I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!  The light of His face made me cover my head It wa...

Christmas Without Jesus? Christmas without Jesus, And all that the Saviour has wrought; Can you begin to comprehend, why I just cannot bear the thought? Christmas without Jesus, means more than an empty manger, Or a wasted trip for wise men, on a road of untold danger. Christmas without Jesus, means more than a tree with no gifts; More than no holiday fixings, or no extra-overtime shifts. Christmas without Jesus - What does it all really mean? What impact does it have for me, my life, my hopes and my dreams? Christmas without Jesus, means my sin debt, by me, still is borne. It still has never been paid for, for His body had never been torn. Christmas without Jesus, means Heaven cannot be attained; We've all sinned; there's no remedy. Our good works are useless and vain. Christmas without Jesus, means an eternity of pain; No hope for all mankind was brought. without Christ's loss, we have no gain. Christmas without Jesus! Oh no! It simply cannot be! But praise the Lord! I kn...

Christmas Without Jesus? Christmas without Jesus, How can this really be? And yet for many years it was this way for me. I hung the lights and wrapped the many, many toys For all my little ones, my precious girls and boys. I gave them all that I possessed of worldly gifts and things, But I did not have the greatest gift that only Jesus brings. Though I gave them all I had right from the very start, I could not give them Jesus for He wasn't in my heart. Then, Praise the precious Lamb of God, one day He came, He spoke to my empty heart and called me by my name. Now I have more to give my children than gifts on earth. I give them Jesus, God’s Firstborn Son, whose lowly birth Prepared the way for all mankind to look to Him and see, Christmas without Jesus, this really cannot be. December 9th, 2002 Theresa Wood (Used With Permission)

Born To Die I heard about the Saviour, Heard about His lowly birth. How He laid aside His glory, And came down to live on earth. Still I could never fathom why, He left Heaven – born to die. There’s a reason for the season - Sin had slithered into Paradise. There was only one solution - Someone sinless had to pay the price. Jesus was born in a manger one day, Born to give His life away. Born in a manger, born in poverty, Born from a virgin, sinless was He. God sent His Son from Heaven above, Jesus left His throne to prove His love. The Lamb of God, the Saviour came, Born to die – Oh, praise His name! The Bible says He died for me, Was crucified on Calvary, Shed His blood to pay for my sin; I opened my heart and let Him in. He arose from the grave in victory, Oh, praise God, He was born to die for me! Something else – still amazing, yet so true, He was also born to die for you. His sinless blood can wash your sins away, Come to the Saviour, receive Him today. This Good News is the Truth...

Lindsay was a friend to many at the Gospel Mission where I work. She trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation about two years ago, and was making many wise choices to separate from harmful influences in her life and from friends that would only drag her down spiritually and by tempting her back into her addictions. Unfortunately, her house became an unsafe place for her, and Lindsay was truly seeking to find new housing where she would not be exposed to those addictions. She cleaned up, she spent many hours volunteering at the mission, and was such a help and a blessing. She met regularly with the chaplain at the Mission to work on overcoming those addictions and learn more from God's Word. We only know part of what happened on November 28th. Tragically, she overdosed through the influence of one of those bad "friends." Even though we are saddened by her sudden loss - her story ends in glory. Her hope this Christmas was the Saviour that came to give her life - that ...

Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven; To His feet thy tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Evermore His praises sing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King. Praise Him for His grace and favor To our fathers in distress. Praise Him still the same as ever, Slow to chide, and swift to bless. Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorious is His faithfulness. Fatherlike He tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame He knows. In His hands He gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows. Frail as summer’s flower we flourish, Blows the wind and it is gone; But while mortals rise and perish Our God lives unchanging on, Praise Him, Praise Him, Hallelujah Praise the High Eternal One! Angels, help us to adore Him; Ye behold Him face to face; **Sun and moon, bow down before Him, Dwellers all in time and space. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace. **Alternate lines: Saints triumphant, bow bef...

I have loved this hymn for a long time, but I had only ever heard three stanzas of it. On Net Hymnal they have the full version of the hymn. In our hymnbooks, stanzas two (the second half) and three (the first half) are combined and the fifth stanza is absent. I think the other verses add to the whole. How about you? Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (Lyrics: Robert Robinson) Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of Thy redeeming love. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit, Till released from flesh and sin, Yet from what I do inherit, Here Thy praises I’ll begin; Here I raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His p...

He Still Moves Stones Both Death and Darkness ruled the day Around the tomb where Laz’rus lay. Cried Jesus in authority, “Remove the stone and set him free!” Have stony trials progressively Extinguished hopes of victory? Embrace His word triumphantly: He’ll move those stones and set you free.   Have stones of fear, confusion, doubt Destroyed your faith and burned you out? Then look to Him expectantly: He’ll move those stones and set you free.   Are your dreams blocked or gone astray By stones of hindrance in the way? His Spirit will bring clarity: He’ll move those stones and set you free.   (Refrain) He still moves stones, so give Him glory! He still moves stones to change your story! What e’er your trial or loss or need If there’s a stone, He wants you freed. Copyright 2009 James McAlister Used by permission

Exhortation To Prayer by William Cowper What various hindrances we meet In coming to a mercy seat! Yet who that knows the worth of prayer, But wishes to be often there? Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw, Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw, Gives exercise to faith and love, Brings every blessing from above. Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees. While Moses stood with arms spread wide, Success was found on Israel's side; But when through weariness they fail'd, That moment Amalek prevail'd. Have you no words? Ah, think again, Words flow apace when you complain, And fill your fellow-creature's ear With the sad tale of all your care. Were half the breath thus vainly spent To heaven in supplication sent, Your cheerful song would oftener be, "Hear what the Lord has done for me." Romans 12:10-13 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brother...

These past two weeks at the Gospel Mission we started doing something new: having all the staff on the same page as far as Devotionals go. So our Chaplain decided to do a series on James, where each meal devotion covered the next few verses. Thinking about these different messages from the book of James (such as trials and their purposes, how our enticements to sin comes from inside us, friendship with the world being enmity with God, the tongue and how hard it is to tame our tongue and ourselves, how it is when we humble ourselves before the Lord that He lifts us up, and this last one of when we repent and return to the Lord, He removes the sickness/trial that He was using to chastise us), here is a James-inspired song that I wrote. When I think of depression and my past struggles with it, and not wanting to fall back into it, I often picture a chasm that I am standing on the brink of, looking down dizzily into it, and so scared of falling back into the pit I came out of - this song i...