Just A Closer Walk With You

  Be Strong And Of A Good Courage “Be strong and of a good courage,”  My child, “Fear not, nor be afraid,”  saith the Lord. May your life be filled to the brim with His promises, Overflowing with hope and wisdom gleaned from God’s Word. Jesus is your Shepherd who will lead and guide you; He will walk beside you every step of the way; He will lift you up and carry you there in His arms, Bring you back close beside Him whenever you stray. There is so much the Lord wants to do for you, So much your Heavenly Father has in store; Just when you think that you can’t be more blessed, God surprises your life with even more. In His Word, you have His promise to be with you, Through all the sunny days, and even the bad. He will work out all things together for your good; There are so many reasons to  “rejoice and be glad.” As a pilgrim and a stranger on this journey, May all of your days be filled with Heaven’s best. As you look back over your life in reflection, May you find t...

  Resting On The Promises One of my all-time favourite hymns is: Standing On The Promises (Hymn by R. Kelso Carter) Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Chorus: Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I cannot fall, Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call...

This is one of my favourite hymns. It because precious to me in the months leading up to my Mom going home to be with the Lord. I don't think I have been in that many church services where it was sung, but last night was one of them. It is such a comforting and faith-strengthening hymn. Day By Day (Words: Karolina W. Sandell-Berg; Music: Oskar Ahnfelt.) Day by day, and with each passing moment, Strength I find, to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear. He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best— Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest. Every day, the Lord Himself is near me With a special mercy for each hour; All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me, He Whose Name is Counselor and Power; The protection of His child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself He laid; “As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,” This the pledge to me He made. Hel...

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...

 Two worldviews contrasted - that of humanism/atheism (ie. the world's vain philosophies) versus that of true Christianity (ie. of faith). Which view is yours? Which one reflects the condition of your heart? Invictus Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. by William Ernest Henley The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God... Psalm 14:1 My Captain Out of the night that dazzles me, Bright as the sun from pole to pole, I thank the God I know to be For Christ the conqueror of my soul. Since His t...

Searching For Truth I’m searching for answers from a heart that’s distraught, Wondering at the truth of all I have been taught; Does it line up with God’s Word – is it right after all? So afraid of confusion and the danger I’ll fall. Praying for wisdom, for perfect peace in my mind; Tangled up by these threads, wanting them to unwind; Desiring to do Your will, determined in my heart – From Your Word, I can tell that’s the only place to start. In the fear of the Lord, I have examined my way; Vowing to seek Your wisdom at the start of each day; Faced with all these choices, knowing I am but a youth; I’m set apart for Your glory – I WILL buy the truth! Walking in Jesus’ footsteps, clinging wholly to Your Word; I want to be drawn ever closer to You, my Lord. Searching the Scriptures daily, taking what applies to me; Knowing that I have Your promise: the truth will make me free. From my heart, I lift this earnest prayer up to You, Lord: Grant me Your wisdom, that we may both be in one accor...

   When The Enemy Comes In Like A Flood When the enemy comes in like a flood, Deliver me by Your mighty hand; With Your armour girded around me tight, Lord, teach me this day how to stand. Let me lift up a standard against them - The banner of Your great love; Let my enemies flee before Your face; Let them see my help comes from above! The name of the Lord is my strong tower; He is my Rock, my fortress, my shield; The Lord Jesus Christ is my great Deliverer - He bares His holy arm, and my enemies yield. When I hear the sound of a trumpet blowing, In my heart, I know there is a call to fight - But the battle is not mine alone to wage; The Lord will give victory this night. Put our singers out in front of the rest, Praise the name of our Mighty God; Watch as He scatters all of our dreaded foes - Worship our Saviour, and be awed. Jesus, in You alone is my help found, For You have all glory, majesty, and power; With faith in Your Almighty strength, dear Lord, In You, I have victor...

Disappointment - His Appointment "Disappointment - His appointment," Change one letter, then I see That the thwarting of my purpose Is God's better choice for me. His appointment must be a blessing, Though it may come in disguise, For the end from the beginning Open to His wisdom lies. "Disappointment - His appointment," Whose? The Lord, who loves me best, Understands and knows me fully, Who my faith and love would test; For, like a loving earthly parent, He rejoices when He knows That His child accepts, unquestioned, All that from His wisdom flows. "Disappointment - His appointment," "No good thing will He withhold," From denials oft we gather Treasures of His love untold, Well He knows each broken purpose Leads to fuller, deeper trust, And the end of all His dealings Proves our God is wise and just. "Disappointment - His appointment," Lord, I take it, then, as such. Like the clay in hands of potter, Yielding wholly to Thy touch. A...

Yesterday, I was updating some links on a testimony I had put together after my Mom passed away in September 2005, called God’s Grace In Our Trials (Dealing with the loss of my Mom) , and found two really good and encouraging poems that ministered to me at that time. I would love to share them with you here. The testimony is super long, as it is all about how the Lord worked in mine and my sister's lives during the year our Mom went home to be with the Lord. It is worth reading if you are dealing with the loss of loved ones or wondering how you will ever get through The Valley of the Shadow of Death yourself (ie. in the sense of it looming over you as you see the health of a loved one decline over time, and see the shadow of death affecting your lives). Here are the two poems: Fear (Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson) Because You Passed My Way

  Just A Little Sparrow (Dedicated to all the little children) I’m just a little sparrow – Oh, please don’t forget me, Lord! I’m trusting in Your promises, Still believing in Your Word. I’m just a little sparrow – With these tears, it’s hard to see, But I know my Heavenly Father Is always watching over me. I’m just a little sparrow – So small and scared, I know; But Jesus died for all my sins, He washed me white as snow. I’m just a little sparrow – But one thing I know is true: Jesus loves all the little children, And I know He loves me too! I’m just a little sparrow – Sometimes it’s so hard not to cry, But my Saviour is in Heaven, He’s made a home for me when I die. I’m just a little child – I don’t know what life has in store, But in God’s eyes, I’m like a sparrow, And to Him I’m worth so much more! I’m just a little sparrow – So small and scared, that’s a fact, But God takes care of all His sparrows, And I thank You, Lord, for that! July 24th, 2003 Jerry Bouey Luke 12:6-7 Are no...

  When I Stop Praying When I stop praying – my whole life falls apart, No joy thrills my soul, no peace fills my heart, My compassion soon dies and my desires are not met, The future seems uncertain, and there’s no end of debt. When I stop praying – it is obvious, the Lord I have not sought, I have not seen Him work in my life and heart as I ought, The things that I loathe about myself are still there, And the plans that I am making are castles built on the air. When I stop praying – I have let reign fear and doubt, I have taken the reins of my life and left the Master out; To other Christians and the world, I have let it be known That I am prideful and think I can do it all on my own. When I stop praying – it’s obvious to the Lord that I fell From my own steadfastness while others are on their way to Hell, I am not standing in the gap, nor caring for the lost, I am not plucking brands from the fire, nor counting the cost. When I start praying again – the reverse is quite true, I h...

  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, wh...