Poems And Promises
All My Springs Are In You
Like the children of Israel, all my springs are in You, O Lord;
You are the fount of living waters, my delight is in Your Word.
You are all that I ever needed, all my desires are in You alone;
You loved me from the beginning; Jesus – You are my eternal home.
My life was so vain without You, and brought such emptiness and fear;
From the whirlwind of confusion, in love and grace You drew me near:
You reached down to lift me up, as You regarded my low estate;
With the shield of Your salvation, Your gentleness hath made me great.
This I recall to my mind, all of Your mercies which are from old;
Perfect peace which flows like a river, and deep cleansing for my soul.
I won’t fear all these troubles, You deliver me from my distress;
Your lovingkindness is before mine eyes – great is Your faithfulness!
Like the church in Jerusalem, which continued in one accord,
The world knew they had been with Jesus – all their springs were in You, O Lord;
As their faces shone with Your glory, all their eyes were turned to You –
From the moment of my redemption, all my springs were found in You!
April 8th, 2022
Jerry Bouey
Psalms 87:5-7 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
A Reststop Along The Way
When the valleys of life seem so dreary,
And the way ahead seems so hard,
My soul aches and cries out for a reststop –
Somewhere safe I can let down my guard.
A place of calm within the tempest,
A hiding place from the wintery blast.
A place of refuge for my troubled heart –
Where Shiloh’s waters flow gently past.
A comfort in my time of trouble;
A haven of rest in my darkest day;
A sanctuary where my soul is safe,
A blessed shelter along the way.
When I am dry and my soul is thirsty,
You alone bring soothing to my pain;
You are the only shadow in this weary land –
The refreshing cloud that comes with the rain.
My soul is hid in the cleft of the Rock –
You’re my High Tower in the midst of my strife,
You hold me close in your everlasting arms,
And feed me with Your words of life.
All that I need I find in You, Jesus –
You are the Shepherd that leads me each day;
Your peace prevails in this heart of mine,
In You, I find the rest I need along life’s way.
You are my Reststop along life’s way.
April 11th, 2023
Jerry Bouey
A Silent Prayer
When I lose sight of the goal
And take my eyes off of the prize,
When all I can see are the mountains
That rise before my eyes,
When all I can feel are the waves
That come breaking over my soul,
Precious Jesus, I need Your touch
To heal me and make me whole.
I’ve fought the good fight, at times it seemed rough,
I’ve kept the faith, even when it was tough,
I wish I could finish my course with ease,
But sometimes I waver in times like these.
My heart is weighed down and burdened with care,
Lord, I lift up to you this silent prayer.
Don’t let me falter – let me be steadfast,
Give me a hope that will be sure to last –
A confident expectation that all will work out for good –
Even when it seems there’s no way that it possibly could.
When my own strength begins to fail,
Anchor my faith within the veil,
Where Jesus is.
October 17th, 2001
Jerry Bouey
Hebrews 6:18-20… That we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus…
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
Faith As A Grain Of Mustard Seed
I don’t know if I have the courage
To carry me through each day,
But with faith as a grain of mustard seed,
I know my Lord will make a way.
With Jesus watching over me,
I need not fear what lies ahead;
I just seek the Saviour first of all,
And He provides my daily bread.
With His Spirit dwelling within my heart,
I know I have all the help that I need;
With groanings which cannot be uttered,
He answers my heartfelt pleas.
With so many mountains in my life –
These dark cliffs of which I dread –
With faith as a grain of mustard seed,
I can move these mountains instead.
It’s not the size of my faith
That matters in the end;
It’s the greatness of my God
Upon which it all depends.
With faith as a grain of mustard seed,
There’s hope to face each day –
With a Bible full of promises,
My Lord will make a way!
September 23, 2021
Jerry Bouey
Faith To Face
Looking through a glass darkly,
I find many things hard to explain,
But as I steadfastly gaze within God’s Word,
The Lord makes all things plain.
Faith to faith is what I’m living.
Day by day, I learn to see,
In a life that’s so uncertain,
I know that Jesus still walks with me.
Faith means I learn to trust Him
And forget walking by sight.
As I’m filled with His peace and wisdom,
God’s Word lights up the night.
Faith to face, it’s a tiring journey,
Walking through this pilgrim land.
Though I cannot see around every corner,
I’m clinging tightly to my Saviour’s hand.
He’s preparing me for service,
Enabling me to walk through open doors;
I fight the battles that Christ gives me,
Knowing that He’s already won the war.
Face to face, the day of His return is coming,
Until then, there are mountains to climb.
I will keep looking for that blessed hope –
Someday soon – It’s just a matter of time.
Faith to face, I look forward to seeing Jesus –
What a glorious day that will be.
It will no longer be by faith,
Because, face to face, my Lord I will see.
Faith to face.
November 23rd, 2002
Jerry Bouey
I Am Jesus
I Am the Good Shepherd;
I gave My life for My sheep.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life –
Your comfort when you weep.
I Am the Light of the World
That shines upon you each day –
In this perilous journey of life,
I Am the only Way.
I Am the True Vine –
There is no real living apart from Me.
I Am the Door of Salvation;
Eternal life is knowing Me.
I Am the Messiah, who died
From sin to set you free;
For everything you are searching for –
I that speak to you Am He.
I Am the Bread of Life
On which your soul can feed.
I Am That I Am –
I Am all you will ever need.
I Am the Great Jehovah;
The LORD of Heaven, the earth, and the sea.
I Am Jesus Christ, the Saviour;
The LORD which is, which was, and will be.
I Am Jesus.
April 21st, 2010
Jerry Bouey
In His Time
In His time, He makes all things beautiful –
With tear-dimmed eyes, we may not see how.
Keep on trusting in your Father’s wisdom,
Do not fear – you’re in His hands right now.
Jesus Christ, your Saviour and Redeemer,
Loves you so – of that you need not doubt.
He has a plan – thoughts of peace, for your good –
His plan, that He is working out.
In His time, He makes all things beautiful –
Working all according to His plan;
He has a purpose He set in motion –
Even though we may not understand.
Father, perfect that which concerneth me –
Help me, Lord, to lay these burdens down.
Grant me peace, to know I am in Your will;
Strengthen me, with joy surround.
In His time, He makes all things beautiful –
He heals the soul, binds up the broken heart.
He comforts with a grace beyond all measure –
Hope in Him, and let Him do His part.
He knows your needs before you even ask Him.
Give Him your cares – whether great or small.
Just trust the Lord – He knows the best time
To make all things beautiful!
August 24th, 2005
Jerry Bouey
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Romans 8:28 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.
It’s Only After
Roses are so beautiful that we forget that thorns cause pain,
We often forget that rainbows only come after the rain.
Sometimes the sun is hidden when storm clouds are in view,
It’s only after the rose is picked that it will bring great joy to you.
It’s only after the storm subsides that peace comes to calm the seas,
It’s only when the light turns on that the shadow suddenly flees.
Sometimes we only learn, to appreciate the light,
After walking through the darkness, in what seems like blackest night.
It’s often only when you miss someone that their worth is realized,
For iron sharpening iron, is a blessing in disguise.
You may lose your dearest friend, yet there will always be another;
Still, Jesus is the best of friends that sticks closer than a brother.
It’s only when you see you’re lost, that you truly can be found,
It’s when you admit your poverty that Christ’s riches can abound.
It’s only in losing yourself that you find life’s joy at last,
And sometime in the future, the Lord will heal the past.
It’s only after you pray in faith, that the peace of God transcends,
And only after your faith is proved, does the trial come to an end.
It’s only in surrender to the Lord that brings end to inward strife,
It’s only after dying that we rise to endless life.
It’s only after travailing that comes the joy of a child’s birth,
Only after the tribulation comes the new heaven and new earth.
Only after a seemingly endless night, comes the dawning of the day,
It’s only in eternity that the former things are passed away.
It’s only after the sorrow ceases that comes the soothing of the pain,
And just before the darkness passes that the Morning Star shines again.
After the tests and trials are done, the Father wipes all our tears away,
And we’ll live with Christ, our Saviour, in eternity’s endless day.
August 29th, 2000
Jerry Bouey and Angela Trenholm
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
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
My Elijah Friends
God bless all my Elijah friends,
And give them comfort, Lord, tonight –
Those faithful few who will not compromise,
Who cling to You with all their might.
God bless those precious servants, Lord,
Who are so dear to Your own heart.
They walk alone in this world at times
When friend and foes alike do part.
Taking refuge there on Higher Ground,
In that cave, sheltered from the storm;
Listening to Your still small voice
That will soothe all fear and alarm.
Hidden in the cleft of the Rock –
Outside the tempest is fierce this hour.
Give them peace within their souls;
Keep them close and safe by Your power.
Under the shadow of Your wings,
Precious Jesus, there’s no other place –
Held so close beside Your heart,
Where all else dims in light of Your face.
God bless all my Elijah friends,
There’s not too many left, Lord, I know.
Grant them bright rainbows in their darkest nights;
Light the darkness in this world below.
January 10th, 2005
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
Soaring Aloft On Eagle’s Wings
Tossed to and fro in the path of the storm,
Gray clouds lowering and blocking my view;
Growing so weary in this turbulent wind,
How do I rise upwards in faith to You?
My strength needn’t falter or flag in the air,
All I need is to trust and wait on the Lord;
When I look up to You in heartfelt prayer,
In victory, I find my spirit has soared.
Finding courage to face this storm head on;
Claiming Your promises and rising above;
These clouds won’t hold me back from serving my Lord,
I’m soaring aloft on Your wings of love.
I’m flying so high up on eagle’s wings,
Far above the dreary world below;
High over all my worries and my cares –
All those fears that once troubled me so.
I’m soaring above in the clear blue sky,
Higher than those clouds that darkened my day;
Rising towards the Sun of Righteousness,
His Word, like a beacon, illumines my way.
There’s a gentle calmness within my heart,
Held aloft by Jesus’ everlasting arms,
There’s peace within, no foes to alarm me;
Safe in the stillness in the eye of the storm.
You calm the winds and still all their waves,
You control the course of the water ways;
You lift me up above all the noise of strife,
Unfettered, my soul soars to You in praise.
Flying aloft on these eagle’s wings,
No earthly troubles to hinder my view;
Heaven’s expanse opened before my eyes,
Content and at home, soaring straight towards You.
October 18th, 2021
Jerry Bouey
Psalms 93 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
Psalms 84:1-3 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.
1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
Interesting that the word Strength in the verse above has this meaning:
“from 5329; properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towards… usually (adverbially), continually (i.e. to the most distant point of view).” 24 times this word is translated as “ever”, usually in the phrase “for ever” – which makes me think of a distant point that you are continuing towards on and on, ongoing, not quite reaching the end in this life, but striving towards it nonetheless.
Strong’s # 5329 has this definition:
“properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent… to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.”
The picture that comes to my mind is that of travelling towards a city and seeing the bright lights off in the distance, knowing that those lights bring you closer and closer to your destination, your home. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Strength of Israel – He’s the bright object in the distance, dwelling with Him forever in Heaven is the goal we are travelling towards. Our eternal home is in Him.
Hebrews 11:10, 13-16 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God… These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
The End Of The Fight
This world is getting darker;
The saints are in disarray;
The trials seem almost endless,
And we long for the break of day –
A time of no more struggles,
No more warring with this world,
No more wrestling with the darkness –
Into Hell, Satan will be hurled.
Chorus:
Oh, Jesus is coming again
To judge the children of men;
Then our Saviour will reign –
The King of kings from Jerusalem.
There’ll be no more reason to fight;
No more need to lead to higher ground.
That’s the end of the night;
The final division of lost and found.
Faith will be turned into sight,
And we can lay our armour down;
All the wrongs will be made right,
When God’s people dwell safe and sound.
One day we will see that lightning flash,
Shining from the east to the west;
The trumpet will sound at last,
And weary Christians will be at rest;
We’ll be caught up to meet our Lord
At that time – whether night or noon.
Keep looking up to the skies –
Our Redeemer is coming soon!
Chorus
Evil will be no longer;
All tears will be wiped away;
God will dwell among His people
On that bright and glorious day;
Eternity is approaching
Fast on the wings of the wind;
Jesus Christ is returning –
Are you ready to meet with Him?
There’ll be no more reason to fight;
No more need to lead to higher ground.
That’s the end of the night,
The final division of lost and found;
Faith will be turned into sight,
And we can lay our armour down;
All the wrongs will be made right,
When God’s people dwell safe and sound.
September 21st, 2008
Jerry Bouey
The Valley Of Faith
(Based on Psalm 23)
The Lord is my Shepherd.
He’s proven faithful throughout the years.
Though I walk through death’s dark valley,
His grace calmly soothes all my fears.
As I closely follow His leading,
He provides for my every need.
Oh, the waters are so peaceful,
And the pastures are rich indeed!
When I get weary and heavy laden,
When the labour of love takes its toll,
I go to the Shepherd for refreshing,
And He gently restores my soul.
As I lean upon the Shepherd,
He guides me in the path that’s right.
When the shadows seem so gloomy,
The Lord is my Lamp and my Light.
The Shepherd’s name is so precious;
Like ointment poured forth to me.
Jesus’ name means He’s the “Saviour”,
And He gives life abundantly.
Yea, though I walk through this valley,
No sudden fears will bar my way.
His rod and staff are there to guide me,
And bring me back whenever I stray.
Though my enemies may surround me,
My Lord, omnipotent, still provides,
And though evil forces may assail me,
Within, God’s perfect peace still abides.
Anointed with God’s Spirit,
And overflowing with His love,
My cup indeed is running over
With showers of blessing from above.
Amazed with His goodness and mercy,
By His grace, in this pasture, I roam.
How I rejoice to see that day
When the Good Shepherd leads me home.
October 12th, 2001
Jerry Bouey
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
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?
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Through This Valley
There’s a shadow looming over me, and the pain is often near;
There’s a storm cloud on the horizon, and the thunder causes fear;
But in the midst of this uncertainty, MY LORD IS ALWAYS HERE!
Through this Valley, with these tears, walking onward I go,
Not running in a hurry, nor lagging behind too slow;
For there’s a peace within my heart – MY LORD IS HERE – I KNOW!
The journey can’t be much longer – oh, this body aches and moans;
Though just around another corner, ahead is my eternal home;
And I know within THIS Valley, I AM NOT WALKING ALONE!
There’s a hand that I am holding,
though the path is rough and steep;
There’s a promise that I can cling to,
that I know my Lord will keep –
FOR THE LORD IS STILL MY SHEPHERD,
AND I AM STILL HIS SHEEP!
Oh, what is that on the horizon? A glimpse of golden streets…
My heart’s so filled with wonder – as face to face we meet –
Now with joy I can see Jesus – and I worship at His feet;
THROUGH THIS VALLEY, TO THE SAVIOUR, and my journey is complete.
September 19th, 2005
Jerry Bouey
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23:6
Undertake For Me
Jesus, I feel so overwhelmed –
Won’t you undertake for me?
Exchange these burdens of my heart
For the sweetness of Your peace.
I cast these cares upon You, Lord –
I cannot hold them anymore;
They are like the waves upon the sea,
Relentless against the shore.
I roll these troubles unto You,
I cannot bear them though I’ve tried;
I let them fall down around Your feet,
With all these tears that I’ve cried.
Exchange all these troubles, Lord,
For the joy that is Yours alone,
I place them all into Your arms,
As I worship around Your throne.
I will take Your yoke upon me, Jesus –
Oh, it makes for such a lighter load!
With Your joy and strength within my heart,
We journey together down this road.
September 28, 2021
Jerry Bouey
This poem (below) was written based on a friend’s Facebook post today about being overwhelmed. These passages (or should I say, promises!) came to mind (some word definitions under the verses):
Isaiah 38:14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
Undertake: Technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange); To have fellowship with, share; To take upon oneself; To take upon or assume any business or province.
Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Cast: to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively).
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Casting: to throw upon, place upon.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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 victory this very hour.
October 1st, 2021
Jerry Bouey
Psalms 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
When the enemy comes in like a flood:
Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Lift high the standard (spiritual/military banner) of Jesus and His love.
Song of Songs 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Yes, the enemy may temporarily cause us dismay and alarm, but…
Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Nehemiah 4:20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:21-22 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
Their valley of distress and alarm turned into the Valley of Blessing (which is what Berachah means):
2 Chronicles 20:26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
Psalms 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Why Trouble The Master?
Jairus’ daughter lay dying, but Jesus was near;
He sought the Saviour for his loved one so dear.
Before the journey ended, his daughter had died;
The crowd now grew restless and someone soon cried,
“Why trouble the Master? Your daughter is gone.
There is no more hope here, for she has passed on.”
Why trouble the Master, the Saviour of men?
When it seems all is lost, marred and scarred by sin,
He offers new beginnings, forgiveness, and grace;
Jesus loves you so much, He died in your place.
A fountain for cleansing, power from on high,
A reason for living – hear the Master’s cry.
Why trouble the Master, the Healer of men?
He alone can heal and bring to life again.
Just reach out in faith, and Jesus can make you whole,
The Master will quench that aching thirst in your soul.
He can mend broken hearts, restore broken homes.
With Jesus nearby, you are never alone.
Why trouble the Master, the Creator of all?
Because He loves you – oh, listen to His call.
He knows all things and He is still in control;
He is always at work, guarding your soul.
He sets captives free, removes darkness and strife,
Jesus can calm storms and bring peace in your life.
Why trouble the Master? The Lord alone heals!
He brings comfort and purpose, strength and new zeal.
He offers wisdom, hope, by His unfailing love,
Transformation within, and peace from above.
Watching and waiting, the whole world stops and stares:
Why trouble the Master? Because Jesus cares!
March 20th, 2009
Jerry Bouey
Wrestling Until The Break Of Day
Alone with God – salvation’s story,
Wrestling until the break of day.
This is worth the greatest glory,
To cling to Jesus come what may.
Wrestling, praying, holding on so tight,
Like a prince, I won’t let Him go.
Transformed by grace throughout the night –
Oh how much He must love me so!
Running from fear, and troubling trials,
Faltering, afraid, stopped in my tracks;
From worry, to peace – yet, all the while,
Knowing inside there’s no turning back.
Wrestling until the darkness shatters,
A part of me won’t give up this fight;
But it’s not my hold on God that matters:
He is wrestling with my soul tonight.
Struggling, pleading, in desperation,
Until my strength is taken away,
Wondering at my situation –
Believing He’s the victor this day.
Within my own heart, there is a peace:
He will not leave His work undone;
Transforming my life piece by piece,
Until the rising of the sun.
Wrestling in faith, like Jacob of old,
Until his life was rearranged –
Now touched by God, lo and behold,
I find myself forever changed.
When trouble comes to darken our trail,
Though it seems we can’t find our way,
Our Saviour’s love will never fail –
Wrestling until the break of day.
June 1st, 2022
Jerry Bouey
The nine compound names and their translations into English are as follows:
1) Jehovah-Jireh, The LORD my Provider. (Genesis 22:8, 13-14)
2) Jehovah-Rapha, The LORD my Healer. (Exodus 15:26)
3) Jehovah-Nissi, The LORD my Banner. (Exodus 17:15)
4) Jehovah-Qadash, The LORD thy Sanctifier. (Exodus 31:13)
5) Jehovah-Shalom, The LORD our Peace. (Judges 6:23-24)
6) Jehovah-Raah, The LORD my Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)
7) Jehovah-Sabaoth, The LORD of Hosts. (Isaiah 6:3)
8) Jehovah-Tsidkenu, The LORD our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16)
9) Jehovah-Shammah, The LORD Is There (ie. Present). (Ezekiel 48:35)
The name "Jesus" means "the LORD our Salvation," a further revelation of the magnitude of the LORD. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21.
Jesus’ seven I Am statements are:
1) I Am the Bread of Life. (John 6:35, 48, 51)
ROMANS 5:3-5
One passage that is very appropriate to consider on the subject of remembering the Lord’s past mercies and provisions (and reminding yourself that He is capable of meeting all your present and future needs) is:
Romans 5:3-5 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.
The above verses state that tribulations (pressures, troubles, afflictions) work patience. (Worketh is present tense, which means continually works.) The word patience in the KJV means “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy; to stay under, remain, to bear trials, have fortitude, persevere.” As we go through trials, we learn to endure them and persevere through them.
Why? Because patience works experience. Experience here means “trial, proof, test; by implication, trustiness.” The more trials we experience, the more we learn to prove God, to put Him to the test and see Him work in our lives.
And lastly, experience works hope. Hope in the Bible does not mean “maybe it might happen, or I wish it would.” Hope, according to the Bible, is “to anticipate (usually with pleasure); expectation or confidence.” Basically, “confident expectation.” Because we have seen the Lord work through our previous trials, because we have seen Him fulfill His promises and provide our needs, because we have received His perfect peace and all the grace that we needed in the past (if we stayed focussed on Jesus), we can endure through the current trials, and confidently expect that He is providently working all things out in our lives, for our good and for His glory!
Is God limited? Only by our unbelief!
A New Name
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Knoweth is ginosko - personal experience, personally knowing something. I don't know how in eternity we can have a name only we know, but if Jesus gives us a name based on our walks with Him or our victories in Him, then it is something only we can personally know. I can tell you Jesus gave me a name that meant such and such - but only I would personally know the true significance of it, only I would have personally experienced its meaning in my own life.
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Good thing the Lord will seek out the good in my walk with Him - even if I have to give account of other choices or things I do that I should not have done.
Think of people's names that God Himself changed - Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah, Jacob to Israel, Solomon to Jedidiah. There were other people that had nicknames - Simon to Peter, James and John to Sons of Thunder, Saul to Paul (though it does not say who changed the name - whether God or Paul himself).
The animals in the Garden of Eden Adam named by observing them and noticing something about each of them. The Lord has a name for every single star He created.
Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Psalm 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
The Lord knows everything about each one of us - what makes us tick, what matters to us, our personalities and the way we think, our spiritual ups and downs, our victories and defeats. Whatever our new names will be, it will mean something significant to Him and to us.
February 24, 2023
Jerry Bouey
Does Jesus Care?
Please read Exodus 14 for the context.
Exodus 14:23-25 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
I was reading this chapter a couple of days ago and was curious what the definition of “looked” in verse 24 was.
Strong’s defines it as: to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle).
The idea is the Lord leaned over and looked down to earth to see how the nation of Israel and the Egyptians were doing. The verse gives the picture of the Lord leaning through the pillar of fire and pillar of cloud to watch over His people and to deal with their enemies. Now we know the Lord is not physically leaning over in heaven and peering down at us (He is omnipresent, after all), but the word the Holy Spirit used here shows His care in a comforting, picturesque way. The word is used 22 times in the Old Testament, and multiple times it is used of God in relation to His chosen people.
Consider these passages:
Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Psalms 102:18-22 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
Lamentations 3:48-50 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission, Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.
The Lord Jesus Christ cares about whatever trials and troubles you are going through. He is not sitting afar off, disinterested in what is happening to you, but is leaning over in Heaven, watching over you, and reaching down with His almighty arm and helping His people and troubling or hindering their enemies.
The next time you peer out a window to look at the people passing by, consider that the Lord is doing the same to you - He always has you in His sight.
Does Jesus care? Yes, He cares!
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)
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 and would be delighted if you would fellowship with Me now.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Do you feel the same way about your Saviour? Are you delighting yourself in His Word, longing to hear from Him?
Song of Songs 8:13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
November 27, 2021
Jerry Bouey
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:
No one - no man, woman, or child - can pluck you out of Christ's hand, nor His Father's hand (stated twice to doubly emphasize it).** You're part of mankind too. Implication being you couldn't pluck yourself out of our God's hand even if you wanted to - you put yourself, your soul, your eternal wellbeing into the Saviour's hand, and there is no thought or idea anywhere that our Lord would willingly relinquish or give up for any reason what He is holding.
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Romans 8:35, 38-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... 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.
** Stated twice/doubly for emphasis is a Biblical principle:
Genesis 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
May 10, 2021
Jerry Bouey
Saved To The Uttermost!
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
The Greek word for uttermost is panteles. The root word pan means “all, every.” Teles and the word Jesus used in John 19:30 for “It is finished” come from the same root word meaning “(to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state).”
Just as everything needed to save us was done at Calvary (ie. by our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, shedding His blood, bearing our sins and suffering God’s wrath in our place) - It is finished! - even so, will all be done in and through us (the process of calling us, justifying us, sanctifying us, glorifying us - in fact, every single thing that our Lord promises to do for us in regards to our salvation) will be done by Jesus. Just as He finished the work of dying for our sins on Calvary, even so will He do all things needed to make us fit to dwell eternally with Him - from the guttermost to the uttermost, as they say.
July 31, 2021
Jerry Bouey
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 master (sin and Satan) and going to the heavenly Zion.
Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
September 18, 2022
Jerry Bouey
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 molding and transforming our lives until He gets the finished product He desires.
Psalms 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
The picture is of a broken or cracked piece of pottery that was remade into something glorious.
Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
There are various passages that remind us that the Lord Jesus Christ will complete or perfect (ie. finish) the work that He is doing in our lives and even within us.
Psalms 68:28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
Often we think of some future day, perhaps when He finally takes us home - but here is a promise and a prayer that He would strengthen that work in our lives now. What a wonderful Saviour!
May 30, 2021
Jerry Bouey
What A Wonderful Picture
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