Just A Closer Walk With You

Taken From The Evil To Come One thing I love about the Word of God is that so many of its principles and promises are actually illustrated or portrayed in the lives of Bible characters themselves. For example, I was discussing this passage a few days ago with a friend: Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come . He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. It is a mercy when a time of trouble or evil is coming upon a city or a nation, and the Lord mercifully takes some of His people home before that time. This is clearly stated and portrayed in the lives of several of Israel's kings, such as (note, these examples are presented in the order they appear in the Old Testament, not in any order of importance): Ahab - declared to be the most wicked of the kings of the northern kingdom, yet when God threaten...

 ABC’s Of Heaven’s Glory A dopted as God’s child, B orn from above, C arried to Heaven on the wings of His love. D estined for glory, E ternity is in view, F or consider the G reat plans H e has for me and you - I n His wisdom He will follow them through. J ehovah, Jesus, K ing of Kings, L ord of Lords; M arvel at our Saviour, worship Him in one accord. N o name is greater - O nly Jesus will reign; P onder the promise He is coming again! Q uiet the inward struggles, R est in His gentle arms, be S till your anxious thoughts - He will calm the raging storm. T arry in prayer a moment, U ntil He answers you; V erily God has promised - W atch Him come through. E X alt your great Leader, follow Him day by day - Y ou’re marching upward to Z ion, and He’s leading the way! A lways B e C areful, 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 dot...

  Claiming God’s Promises When I am tempted to doubt, Lord, And unsettling fears bar my way, I seek You first and Your kingdom, And You provide for me each day. As I read Your Word this morning, You say, prove Me, test Me today; Claiming Your promises by faith, Gives me bright hope to light my way. Father, You promise to provide, Even when the going gets rough - If I keep my eyes on You, Lord, I find there is always enough. You’ve provided for all my needs, In many ways I cannot forget; You’ve come through for me in the past - Oh, why should I worry or fret? When the doubts come - there’s a promise, Your Word stands the test of my faith; I’m sustained and held by Your love, And strengthened each day by Your grace. You’ve provided my greatest need - On the cross, Your Son paid the price; You wiped out my sins forever - Reconciled by His sacrifice. Now I have new life in Jesus, And have Your promises each hour; Why should I be stressed and worried - When I’m upheld by Your power! Thi...

The Lord Sees Our Potential As a much younger believer I remember reading a book or commentary where the author points this passage out: Judges 6:12, 14   And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him,  The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour ... And the LORD looked upon him, and said,  Go in this thy might , and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? Then he mentioned that the Lord God saw Gideon's potential as a warrior BEFORE Gideon ever fought his first battle. The Lord opened the doors needed for Gideon to step into that role and equipped him fully for it - long before he ever fought that first battle. God already stated that Gideon had the might, the strength or power, that was needed to fight the upcoming battles God had planned for Gideon to set free the oppressed Israelites of his day. Our Heavenly Father is sovereign. He knows the end from the beginning. He knows everything about us, has a pla...

The Song Of The Redeemed I like it when something in a passage gets explained and it opens up. I’m sure I knew some of this before (though this old brain gets forgetful), but it struck me more today. Rahab , when used as a symbol through the Old Testament, refers to Egypt. Now read this: Isaiah 51:9-10  Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? God defeated Egypt and made it so His people - the redeemed - could pass over the Red Sea to go to the Promised Land/Jerusalem (well, what would one day be called Jerusalem/Mount Zion). Now read the next verse which most of us probably know as a song. Literally, it refers to the nation of Israel; spiritually it applies to all God's people being delivered from their old mast...

  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...

  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 sc...

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, o...

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...

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...

This is an illustration I read years ago. It shows how the Lord values each one of us. When you are feeling worthless or of little value, remember to Him you are like this fifth sparrow! The Fifth Sparrow Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. I ran across a short story that illustrates well the truth of these verses. It’s about a poor Spanish boy who became a devoted Christian. A man asked how he had become converted, and the boy replied, “It was all because of the odd sparrow.” When the man asked what he meant, the boy explained, “A gentleman gave me a New Testament. I read in one Gospel that two sparrows are sold for a farthing. I read in another Gospel that five sparrows are sold for ...

If you are a child of God, there are no doubt times that you struggle and even wander away from your Saviour from time to time. What does the Lord do to bring His wayward child back to Him? What promises are there that the true Christian can claim when he or she is struggling? Here is an interesting look at what the Lord will do to Israel to bring them back to Him - and it includes many spiritual promises for the New Testament believer too. Hosea chapters 2 and 14 are wonderful passages that offer the backslider hope. God loves you too much to leave you in your backslidden state. This is the last chapter of a really good commentary on the book of Hosea: Hosea: The People That Forgot God  by Frank Logsdon Chapter 16 in this book - The Remedy And Ultimate Recovery (Hosea 14)

  SINKING IN THE MIRE Jeremiah 38:6a  Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. The prophet Jeremiah’s enemies gathered together against him, seeking to put him to death. As a result, he was cast into the dungeon, where he began to sink in the mire. Jeremiah 38:6b  And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. Adversities and afflictions will often seem to rise against us, much like Jeremiah’s enemies rose against him. Left with no firm footing, you may find yourself sinking in the mire of despair, overwhelmed and oppressed. In the midst of discouragement, your eyes fail you of tears, your voice chokes up and your cry to the gates of Heaven seems to come to no avail, and it becomes harder to look up to the Lord in hope. Psalms 69:1-3  Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, wh...