Just A Closer Walk With You

  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 th

  I Am Poor And Needy Do you feel poor and needy this morning? Psalms 41:1  Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalms 40:17  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. The interesting thing about these two verses (that are right next to each other in the Bible) is that the Lord God considers Himself blessed when He thinks about us! Also, your Heavenly Father IS thinking about you. There’s no reason to stay discouraged or worry when He is right there to talk with and give all your burdens and cares. Psalms 27:8  When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Song of Songs 2:14  O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Our Heavenly Father is saying, I was thinking about you a

  I AM DEBTOR When this passing world is done, When has sunk yon glaring sun, When we stand with Christ in glory, Looking o'er life's finished story, Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe. When I hear the wicked call On the rocks and hills to fall, When I see them start and shrink On the fiery deluge brink, - Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe. When I stand before the throne, Dressed in beauty not my own, When I see thee as thou art, Love thee with unsinning heart, Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe. When the praise of heav'n I hear, Loud as thunder to the ear, Loud as many water's noise, Sweet as harp's melodious voice, Then, Lord, shall I fully know - Not till then - how much I owe. Even on earth, as through a glass Darkly, let Thy glory pass, Make forgiveness feel so sweet, Make Thy Spirit's help so meet, Even on earth, Lord, make me know Something of how much I owe. Chosen no

  The Father’s Heart The Father’s heart is beating, pleading for the souls of men, Yearning for His children to go and bring the lost ones in, Crying out against the sin that plagues this darkened land, The Father’s heart is beating still – oh, can’t you understand? Chorus: The Father’s heart is beating for someone here to go, To tell the prodigal child that He dearly loves them so; The Father’s heart is beating, yearning for the lost, My child, are you willing to go and count the cost? The Father’s heart is beating, God is calling out your name; If you listen to His pleading, you will never be the same; Jesus Christ has paid the price, atonement has been made, But the Father needs someone to tell them sin’s debt has been paid. The Father’s heart is beating, pleading for the souls of men; Hell is real, it is forever – go and plead with them! The Father’s heart is beating, His message rings loud and clear – The sands of time are moving, there is no time for fear. The Father’s heart is b

  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

  Thy Gentleness Hath Made Me Great Was just reading some poetry by king David, and came across one of my favourite verses again. Focus on the last part of this verse: Psalms 18:35  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. In the world’s eyes, we may not be much or accomplish much, but in God’s eyes, we are great - because of Him. Who we are in Christ never changes from day to day, so we can always be confident as we walk with our Saviour and serve Him. Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Did you know the word for  “workmanship”  is the Greek word  poiema , where we get our word “poem” from. True believers are God’s poem - and He will continue His work in us until He takes us home to glory. Like the Potter with the clay, even though our vessels were marred and scarred by sin, He keeps moldin

  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

My nephew and I read this chapter together in our Bible reading this morning. 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

No One Can Pluck You Out Of God's Hand! 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. The Greek word used twice for  "to pluck"  in John 10:28-29 is Strong's # 726. Same word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ( shall be caught up ): 1 Thessalonians 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain  shall be caught up  together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Strong’s # 726 according to  The Complete Word Study Bible  means: A verb meaning to seize upon, spoil, snatch away. 2) Spoken of what is snatched suddenly away (Matthew 13:19; Jude 23); in the sense of to rob, plunder (John 10:28-29). No one - no man, woman, or child - can pluck you out

I posted these on Facebook yesterday, but was not at home to post them on this blog. Sorry about that. The first is a worthwhile read posted by Revivalist Paul Mershon on Facebook about the wonder of the Scriptures - our approach to the Word of God. The link for his post is: The Wonder Of It All The Hymn for today is based upon one of the compound names of the Lord in the Old Testament. The Lord Our Righteousness I once was a stranger to grace and to God, I knew not my danger, and felt not my load; Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree, JEHOVAH TSIDKENU was nothing to me. I oft read with pleasure, to soothe or engage, Isaiah's wild measure and John's simple page; But e'en when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree, JEHOVAH TSIDKENU seemed nothing to me. Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll, I wept when the waters went over His soul; Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree, JEHOVAH TSIDKENU -- 'twas nothing to me. When free grace a

This is a neat quote by Matthew Henry about God answering prayer: Psalms 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: In what method God hears prayer. He first prepares the heart of his people and then gives them an answer of peace; nor may we expect his gracious answer, but in this way; so that Godʾs working upon us is the best earnest of his working for us. He prepares the heart for prayer by kindling holy desires, and strengthening our most holy faith, fixing the thoughts and raising the affections, and then he graciously accepts the prayer; he prepares the heart for the mercy itself that is wanting and prayed for, makes us fit to receive it and use it well, and then gives it in to us. The preparation of the heart is from the Lord, and we must seek unto him for it (Prov. 16:1) and take that as a leading favour. Here is another encouraging quote by Matthew Henry about God’s covenant with His people: Hosea 2:19

 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.   Set My Soul Afire

 The following is taken from a larger study, entitled:  Numbers In The Bible Series:  Day 51 - Forgiven I was prompted to do a search for the word  forgiven  yesterday, and was blessed by the results. There are seven main passages I came across in the New Testament that deal with being forgiven - the first two showing Jesus offering forgiveness to repentant sinners who trust Him by faith, and the remaining five are wonderful promises of assurance. (There are more passages in the NT with this term, but they dealt with either not being forgiven, warnings about the need for forgiveness, or requirements for it.) 1) Matthew 9:2  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be  forgiven  thee. This story of Jesus' miracle of healing and the forgiveness of the paralytic is told in the first three Gospels. We see that both the crippled man and his friends that brought

Sunday is a fairly busy day for most Christians, including me, so I will not post a devotional today. Here is an interesting poem though. "Rock Of Ages" "Rock of Ages, cleft for me," Thoughtlessly the maiden sung; Fell the words unconsciously From her girlish, gleeful tongue. Sung as little children sing, Sung as sing the birds in June; Fell the words like bright leaves down On the current of the tune: "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee!" "Let me hide myself in thee," Felt her soul no need to hide- Sweet the song as song could be, And she had no thought beside. All the words unheedingly Fell from lips untouched by care; Dreaming not that each might be On some other lips a prayer. "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee!" "Rock of Ages, cleft for me-" 'Twas a woman sung them now Pleadingly and prayerfully; Every word her heart did know. Rose the song as storm-tossed bird Beats with weary

He’s Still Got The Whole World In His Hands I was worried and discouraged - Life had me quite upset. I was ready to give in and break down, But a still small voice whispered, "Not yet." I was reminded of God's love for me; A gentle assurance brought me hope. The Lord is not limited by my situations, And that reminder helped me cope. His Spirit lives within me, And I know I have been born again. Whatever happens to this old world I know it is still held in His hands. Yes, He's still got the whole world in His hands, Though sometimes I may not see; But Jesus reminds me from His Words of Life That with those same gentle hands He still holds me. I need not fear for my tomorrows, And my past is all but gone, But when I look toward my future, His bright promises shine on! July 29th, 2002 Jerry Bouey John 10:28-30  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 al

Thankful For The Love Of God Love is not an emotion (though it may effect them) - love is a choice. Love is an action verb. Always seeking the best for others. John 3:16   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 15:13   Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 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. When we were at our worst, God gave His best! He proved/sho