Boasting In The Lord

Boasting In The Lord

So many will boast of their status and wealth -
For too many that is all that's worth living;
I'd rather boast in my spiritual health -
I'll rejoice that I am saved and forgiven!

So many will boast in who and what they know -
Their connections are the things they do treasure;
I would rather boast in the Lord Jesus Christ -
His Word is my only sure guide and measure!

So many will boast in the things they have made -
As if this life was the end of the story;
But I would rather boast in the world to come -
Heaven above is in what I will glory.

So many will boast that they have now arrived -
Trusting in themselves - a sad situation!
But I'd rather boast in what Jesus has done -
Singing aloud of His wondrous salvation!

So many will boast of things under the Sun -
Things that will one day be shaken and scattered;
I will boast in my Father's, "My child, well done" - 
In eternity, that's all that will matter!

January 9th, 2011
Jerry Bouey

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovindkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

1 Corinthians 1:29-31 That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Hebrews 12:26-28 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifying the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Matthew 25:21 His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

What will you be boasting about in 2011?

Love Broke Through

Love Broke Through

I left my shelter, wandered out into harm;
My faith grew so weak in the path of the storm.
A trial of my choosing; no one else to blame;
But His love broke through when I called on His name.

Chorus:
Love broke through the clouds, Love scattered the rain;
God’s love brought healing in the midst of my pain.
When the wind and the waves were all I could view,
Jesus calmed the storm, and His love broke through.

The wind rose so sudden, the thunder now roared;
I was all but sinking; my faith came unmoored.
A trial to test me – how could I survive?
Love broke through and showed me, “My Saviour’s alive!”

When loved ones were drowning; all seemed nearly lost,
I wanted to save them, whatever the cost;
But my strength was useless – oh, what could I do?
I called on the Saviour, and His love broke through.

When the wind and the waves were all I could view,
Jesus calmed my storm, and His love broke through.

December 24th, 2010
Jerry Bouey

Matthew 8:23-27 And when he (Jesus) was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

Matthew 14:24-33 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.

P.S. Poem edited slightly on January 2nd, 2011, due to the input of two friends. Thanks for helping me make this song even better! ;)

Thankful For The Love Of God

At the Gospel Mission, we finished a series on Ruth, and started a couple of weeks of messages on a Giving Thanks in preparation for our Canadian Thanksgiving (which is today, October 11th). I preached the main part of this study for the lunch devotional yesterday, and added more verses today to round out it out.

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/showed/demonstrated His love to us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins.

1 John 4:8-10 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

We learn love through the Lord Jesus Christ's example for us - He loved us first!

Consider each point of the description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, thinking about Christ’s/God’s love as an example for us, and how our love is to be towards others and towards the Lord in return.

The word translated as charity here is the Greek word agape. It means "love," and is often referred as the deep love of God, a self-sacrificial love that desires the best for others. Matthew Henry points out that the word charity was used by the translators to indicate when they believed love towards BOTH God and man was in view in that particular verse or passage.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, - Longsuffering, forbearing. Webster's 1828 Dictionary gives this as one of his definitions for forbearance: "The exercise of patience; long suffering; indulgence towards those who injure us; lenity; delay of resentment or punishment."

In Thy Hands

I am sorry I have not posted anything for a long time. My computer died at the beginning of summer, and it is hard to work on Blogger from just my Ipod touch. I am trying out this keyboard for the Ipad.

I thought the study posted by another member on what happens to babies that die was good, and thought that this might be a good time to also post this study of mine, as it may answer some more questions and give some comfort for those who may be grieving the loss of a loved one.

In Thy Hands

My times are in Thy hand:
deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Psalm 31:15

Note: Please understand that my purpose for writing this study is not to rebuke those with a wrong perspective on death, nor to make light of someone's struggle over the death of a loved one; but my purpose is to lessen their struggle and increase their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ by helping to give them the Biblical perspective of the issue. I believe that if we remember what the Lord has said in His Word, then we would not be sorrowful as those without hope. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13) If you are grieving over the loss of a loved one right now, and are looking for answers, please prayerfully read over this study. If you are not ready for answers at this point, please save this study on your computer, and down the road you will have it handy when you need it.

The Bible teaches quite clearly that the Almighty God is in control of our lives and deaths. He is the one who has decreed our physical boundaries, our physical characteristics, our personality. (See Acts 17:26; Ecclesiastes 3:2; Psalm 139:13-16) He is also the one who has determined when and where we would be born, and when and where we would die. Death is not an accident; it is an appointment. Hebrews 9:27 says And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Death comes to all. It is a result of sin; in fact, it is the punishment for it. (See Romans 6:23) Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. Everyone living will someday die (except for those Christians who are living when Jesus Christ returns, at the rapture). Death should not come as a surprise. The tragedy is not so much in dying, but in being unprepared for death and the judgement that comes after.

The way we can be prepared to face death is by placing personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His death for our sins on Calvary. We were all guilty of death, but the Bible teaches that Jesus tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). He died in our place as our substitute. He took the punishment that was due us for our sins, and by placing personal faith in His death, burial and resurrection, we can spend eternity in Heaven, instead of Hell. Because I have personally trusted Jesus Christ as my Saviour, I need not fear death - it is only the doorway to Heaven for me. When I die, I go to be with Jesus and all my saved loved ones. 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Ps 68:20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. This verse teaches that it is the Lord alone who can issue a pardon and deliver us from death. There are two main applications to this truth:

1) Death means separation. The first death is physical - the separation of the spirit from the body. (See James 2:26) The second death is spiritual - the separation of the spirit from God. (See 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9) This is called the second death in Scripture, and is otherwise known as Hell. (See Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8) Only Jesus Christ can deliver us from the punishment due our sins (eternity in Hell). He took our punishment upon Him when He shed His blood for us upon the cross. The price of our redemption was paid. We do not need to pay it ourselves - we just need to believe in and receive the Saviour who has paid our debt. This is our issue from the second death.

2) The second application is the deliverance from physical death. When we are faced with a life-threatening illness or enemies that seek to kill us, it is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can issue us the pardon and deliver us from death. He is the only person with this authority. We need to petition Him for deliverance when we (or our loved ones) are faced with physical death, but we also need to submit to (accept) His will in the matter. It may not be the Lord's will to deliver someone at a specific time; we must leave the decision in His hands, the hands that were graven for us! Isaiah 49:15-16 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me.

So many people are afraid to face death and live in bondage to their fear. (See Hebrews 2:14-15) If we are children of God (through faith in Christ), we need not be afraid of dying. We can live in faith, knowing that our times are in His hands, that He is in total control of when we live and die, and we can trust Him that in His perfect wisdom He knows the best time to take us home. When an infant (or young child) dies and when a believer dies, the Bible teaches that they go immediately to Heaven, to a much better place, to dwell in the presence of God forever. It may bring Him more glory and result in more souls being saved if He took His ailing child home. It may be greater mercy on the Lord's part to take the sick Christian to Heaven, where they will be perfectly healed and made whole and will not suffer any more. When a believer dies, they have gone to a infinitely better place with no sickness, no pain, no sorrow, only unending joy.

The Bible teaches that the Lord takes the righteous home to give them relief from the evil to come, and that their deaths are precious in His sight. (See Isaiah 57:1-2; Psalm 116:15) The righteous enter into peace when they die; they enter into the eternal hope that they've been waiting for. (Proverbs 14:32)

I know Christians love that part. They don't have a problem with that; however, they have a problem with the deaths of their unsaved loved ones, those that die without receiving Jesus Christ as their Saviour. I know from the Word of God that when an unbeliever dies, they have already made their eternal choice - whether we agree with it or not. The Lord took them when He knew it was best, according to His infinite wisdom. I believe that an all-knowing God would not take an unbeliever while they were searching, looking for truth, if He knew that person would come to place personal faith in Jesus a little further down the road. He has promised that those who seek Him will find Him.

Two verses that have really eased my mind on this point are:

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Our Heavenly Father is in control of when we die. When we do, it will be according to His perfect will, not an accident or oversight. We can trust Him with our lives and our deaths.

Revelation 1:18 I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Jesus Christ has the keys of Hell and death. That means that no one dies without His say, no unbeliever goes to Hell until He says so. Even the devil has to get permission to kill a believer. (See Job 1:12; 2:6) Our job, as believers, is to ensure that we have done all we can to reach the lost around us, especially our loved ones. If we are doing so, then when an unbeliever we love has died, we don't have to be tormented in mind about what ifs. They made their choice, and the Lord has allowed them the free-will to do so.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, He submitted His will to the will of His Heavenly Father, and trusted His Father with His spirit in death. Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost. Jesus is our example to follow. If we are saved, we can trust our Heavenly Father in this area as well. To die in faith will not be a problem, if we live in faith. If we trust the Lord with our spirit (and soul) during our lives, it will be an easy matter to trust Him with our spirit in death. Psalm 31:5 Into Thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. 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.

When a believer dies, it is like taking a walk through a valley. Ps 23:4 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. It is only the shadow of death. Jesus Christ has taken away the sting and bite of it. (See 1 Corinthians 15:55, 57) For the believer, there is nothing to fear – only endless glory to look forward to.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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.

I especially like the next verse (verse 18): Wherefore comfort one another with these words. There’s a reason these promises are in the Bible. They were put in there by the Lord to encourage and strengthen us, to comfort us, and to exhort us to to keep our eyes on the future hope of seeing all our saved loved ones again someday. That someday won’t be too far away. Oh come, Lord Jesus.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
“Even so” – it is well with my soul.
(From the hymn It Is Well With My Soul by H.G. Spafford.)

I've Gone Home

I've gone home to see my Father,
I've gone home, so don't you cry
I'll be waiting for you in Heaven,
In my mansion prepared on high.

No more sickness, no more sorrow,
No more pain, and no more grief.
I've gone home to be with Jesus
Though my sojourn here was brief.

I've gone home to live in Heaven
With all the blessed saints of old,
Here with Abraham and David
To stroll through streets of gold.

I've gone home to be in Heaven
Where there's no sadness, and no night.
There is joy and peace unending,
In this blissful land of light.

But there's something else more beautiful,
So precious, beyond this crystal sea,
As I wander through realms of glory
I find my Saviour walks with me.

I've gone home to be in Heaven,
Though you miss me, and tears abound,
Just keep believing in God's promises,
And listening for that trumpet sound.

Because one day in God's timing
When the Lord calls out your name
Look to the skies in awe and wonder -
We'll see each other again.

Poem written August 1st, 2002
Study written June 5th, 2002
By Jerry Bouey

Slow Down, Daddy!

"Slow down, Daddy, I just can't run that fast!"
The little voice calls out to you, as you walk on past.
"Wait for me, Daddy, I'm trying hard to follow you..."
Walking closely in your footsteps - where are you leading to?

"Hey Daddy, hey Daddy, come take a look at me!"
The call goes on unheeded; too caught up in your thoughts to see.
"Come over here, Daddy, can you stop a minute and play?"
The little voice laughs aloud, but you are distracted by your day.

"Oh Daddy, guess what we learned in class today.
Jesus loves me, this I know. And then we knelt to pray...
Tell me Bible stories about Jesus - I really love those parts...
I got saved today, Daddy, Jesus now lives in my heart!"

"I love you, Daddy, I thought of you all day long...
We had so much fun - but I miss you when you're gone.
Good night, Daddy, it's been a long, long, day.
I'm so sleepy, Daddy, but I love it when you pray."

"Come play with me, Daddy," the words echo in your ear,
As you gaze upon your sleeping child, the one you love so dear.
"It's been so long, Daddy, I was waiting for you to come home to me."
And you vow to be there tomorrow, to be the Daddy you need to be.

For Father's Day
May 30th/06
Jerry Bouey

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:
but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day,
shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7

The Father Of The Fatherless

The verses listed below show the passages where some of the phrases and names of God came from. I believe these Scriptural reminders of how God is our Heavenly Father would be a tremendous comfort to you, as they were to me.

The Father Of The Fatherless

In the Bible, God’s many names are there to be found:
He’s the God of all grace, and His grace abounds;
He’s the Father of mercies – I found mercy there;
He’s the Father of spirits - I rest in His care.

My Father is with me; He will never depart.
His names offer comfort - they reveal His heart.
One name can give me hope in my loneliness:
My Father is “the Father of the fatherless.”

Every good and perfect gift comes down from above;
In my grief and sorrow, I’m surrounded by Your love.
I know I’m not an orphan – I’m precious in Your sight,
Held securely in Your tender arms, Father of lights.

From everlasting to everlasting,
My Heavenly Father’s love stays the same;
Comforting me within His very presence,
Abba Father – Daddy - is more than a name.

You bind up my wounds and bring healing when the tears start.
You give me peace within that restores my broken heart.
You're the soothing comfort I need in my distress;
My Father, “the Father of the fatherless.”

June 8th/08
Jerry Bouey

Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Psalms 68:5-6 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Hosea 14:3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Ephesians 1:15-19 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

A Well Of Living Waters

A Well Of Living Waters

Song of Solomon 4:15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

In the verse just quoted, Solomon (picturing Jesus) stated that the believer is like a fountain... like streams... like a well of living waters. What exactly does this mean? If we go to the New Testament book of John, we will see two passages that reveal the meaning of this and other similar Old Testament references:

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Salvation through faith in Christ, everlasting life - a well of water springing up from the believer's soul. When we place our complete confidence in Christ, our faith in Him alone for salvation, He quenches that thirst deep inside us that only He could ever fill. This thirst to know the True and Living God will be quenched when we come to the Saviour and receive Him through repentance and faith. According to John 4:14, the true believer will NEVER thirst again in the way they did before coming to Jesus Christ. The word used in the Greek for never is a double emphatic, and means "No Never!" "The Lord Jesus Christ is saying that when we come to Him for salvation, He will completely fill that void inside us and we will never, ever thirst again!" He is THE Fountain of Living Waters.

But the phrase is also used in reference to the well of water flowing up within the believer himself - ie. spiritual water flowing within and out of the believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in fellowship with his Lord:

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The Lord Jesus Christ promised here that the Holy Spirit - who would indwell all believers after Christ resurrected from the dead and ascended into Heaven - would give power to the life that is submitted to Him. He would create a spiritual fountain within each child of God that not only would quench their own thirst but would be able to flow out to others - a source of life and refreshment.

Barnes makes the following comment on rivers in verse 38: "This word is used to express abundance, or a full supply. It means here that those who are Christians shall diffuse large, and liberal, and constant blessings on their fellow-men; or, as Jesus immediately explains it, that they shall be the instruments by which the Holy Spirit shall be poured down on the world."

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown say this about rivers of living water: "It refers primarily to the copiousness, but indirectly also to the diffusiveness, of this living water to the good of others." Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines copious as: "Abundant; plentiful; in great quantities; full; ample; furnishing full supplies"; and diffuse as: "To spread; to send out or extend in all directions; to disperse."

Living water is flowing water. If you look at the Hebrew words underlying the phrase "running water" (in Leviticus 14:5-6; 50-52; 15:13 and Numbers 19:17), you will notice that it means "living water"; ie. water that is always flowing, running freely, springing or gushing up, not stopped up or stagnant. Consider the Dead Sea - water is continually flowing into that Sea, but nothing ever flows out, and there is no life in that Sea!

The Lord wants the water of His Holy Spirit to be flowing through us daily as we serve Him! To be filled with His Spirit means to be controlled or influenced by Him, to be guided by His Word and led by His Spirit in our lives. When we are not quick to obey His prompting, we grieve or quench His work in us and through us and we become like a garden inclosed... a spring shut up, a fountain sealed (see Song of Solomon 4:12 - Is Your Armour On?), where the water is not flowing forth, but is drying up.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

I find it interesting that Jesus referred to the Old Testament Scriptures as testifying to what He was proclaiming on that great feast day. What may seem a little confusing is the fact that Jesus is not quoting one specific passage, but making a general summation. When we start to dig into the Old Testament a little further, we will find that this theme of living water (and other related terms) runs throughout various books.

As we have seen from the opening verse in this study, the Song of Solomon refers to a well of living waters. There are also various references throughout other OT books, but especially the book of Isaiah.

I remember going through a "dry period" last fall, after I came back from my Mom's memorial, I felt so drained spiritually, so dry inside - but I made a choice to keep my focus on the Lord and I can remember crying out to Him and pleading with Him to quench that thirst inside, that dryness that situations in my life had just made almost unbearable. Then I picked up my Bible and started reading the very next chapter from where I was currently reading, and came across these verses in answer to my prayer:

Isaiah 41:17-18 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

It was not a coincidence that the Holy Spirit led me to keep reading! As I meditated on what was presented in that passage, the thirst was quenched when I realized that the Lord was with me and still fulfilling His promises in His Word. He quenched that thirst by reminding me that my complete fulfillment and satisfaction in life was found only in Him. In our time of sweet fellowship, my Heavenly Father made my wilderness into a pool of water - He made a fountain in the midst of the valley of Baca (weeping) I was going through. Praise Him for His gentleness and compassion on this poor and needy soul - praise Him for providing that spiritual water when my soul was seeking it! Though I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me! (See Psalm 40:17)

The Fountain Of Living Waters

The Fountain Of Living Waters

Jeremiah 2:5-9 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit. Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.

The Lord God led Israel out of Egypt, provided for them in the barren wilderness, and led them to the Promised Land - a land where He would provide all their needs for them and give them the victory, if they would only trust Him. Unfortunately, they walked after vanity; they turned to false Gods instead of the true and living God; they ran after the things of the world, instead of the things of God - the pleasures of sin for a season - things that could never truly satisfy their souls.

Jeremiah 2:11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:17-19 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way? And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

It is sad, when they had a refreshing, ever-flowing, never-ceasing fountain of living waters right in front of them, they turned to broken cisterns (stagnant, stale, limited water) - but not only that - their cisterns were broken. Even the waters that the world offered failed, were not flowing, ran dry! The cisterns of this world could never bring peace, contentment, joy, satisfaction - it was all vanity of vanities - empty, worthless, of no profit. One day, the temporary pleasures of the world will prove to be only empty cisterns that leave you dry, barren, lifeless, and without hope.

Jeremiah 2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

It is sad when even God's people turn from the fountain of living waters to the broken cisterns of the world - oh, the deceitfulness of sin! Too often we forget the Lord in our daily lives, and strive to find pleasure and fulfillment in anything other than in Jesus Christ. And the stagnant water these broken cisterns contain will always run dry and leave you unfulfilled. Contentment is found only in Jesus.

Jeremiah 17:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Israel had forsaken their hope - their confident expectation for their future was not in the Lord. Too often Christians do the same - we let the world sidetrack us, and turn from the way. We live for the things of the world, rather than the things of God; we lay up our treasures here rather than in Heaven; we set our affections on the things of earth rather than the things above. It is no wonder that there is no water flowing in our deserts - we are barren, dry, languishing.

It is interesting that in Jeremiah 17:13, it says they that depart from me shall be written in the earth. Instead of being written in Heaven, too often the people of this world settle for living for only what they can see down here - they are written in the earth and they perish with it. But Jesus offers something better - He offers abundant life, life that can satisfy, and a name written in Heaven (in the Lamb's Book of Life).

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The Devil's plan for your life is to ruin it - but the Lord's plan for your life is to make it more abundant - in Him!

I Am

Lately, I have been preaching on the I Ams of Jesus from the Gospel of John.

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

John 4:25-26 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

I Am

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

Who I Am

Who I Am

This study builds a little on the themes covered in these two studies: The Giver, Or The Gifts? and Blessed Contrasts In Scripture Please read these two studies for more Scripture references on some of these points below.

Many before the time of Christ were waiting for the Messianic kingdom to right the wrongs in this world (grievances, violence, wrong judgment, sin - Hab 1:3-4, 13; 2:2-3). They were looking for a time (ie. an event) when a King would rule over the earth and restore order (in fulfillment of the “vision”, ie. of the Old Testament prophecies) – Jesus directs us to Himself. Hebrews 10:38.

Many of the Jews in the time of Christ were looking for a political and social Messiah. Many rejected Christ because when He came the first time, He was not here to right all the political or social wrongs, but to deal with our sins. He did not come as “King” (though He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and will come back one day to reign), but as Saviour.

Some followed Jesus for the wrong reason – because He did a miracle that provided for their needs. John 6:24-26.

They sought to make Jesus king – by force, seizing Him by violence! John 6:14-15.

When He was betrayed by Judas and surrounded by the armed guards in the Garden of Gethsemane, He refused to fight back, but gave Himself up to them. John 18:3-9, 12.

When speaking to Pilate, He stated His kingdom was not yet of this world; therefore His followers would not fight back with physical weapons. John 18:33-36.

40 days after Jesus arose, just before He ascended to Heaven, His disciples asked Him a question about His coming kingdom: Acts 1:6-7. Jesus changed their focus, then the angels pointed to His return, not just to His kingdom – ie. pointed to Him. Verses 9-11.

The Samaritan woman was waiting for the Messiah to reveal all things. Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah.” John 4:25-26.

Martha was waiting for a coming day, an event (ie. the future day of resurrection) - Jesus redirected her to a person, Himself. I Am the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:23-26.

The end of all arguments – whatever is going on in the world or in the lives of His people, God declares:
I am the LORD (or the Lord GOD - 164 times)
I am God (9 times)
I Am, and there is no other god (or saviour) beside Me (Deut 4:35, 39; 1 Sam 2:2; 2 Sam 7:22; 1 Kings 8:60; 1 Chron 17:20; Is 43:10-12; 44:6-8; 45:5-6, 18, 21-22; 46:9; Hosea 13:4; Joel 2:27)

Many in the world are running around looking for each of these things – even God’s people – but what we need more than provision, more than something to happen – what we need is Jesus Himself!

When we need (spiritual) light - He is our Light. He is Light. Psalm 27:1; 1 John 1:5.
When in need of strength - He is our strength. Psalm 28:7.
When we need wisdom - He is our wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:30.
When we need understanding - He is understanding. Proverbs 8:14.
When we need mercy and grace - He is merciful and gracious; that is His name (in the Bible, a name represents who someone is, their character). Exodus 33:19; 34:5-7.
When we need peace with God, peace of mind, peace with man - He is our peace. Ephesians 2:14.
When we are hopeless - He is our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1.
When we have no purpose or reason for living - He is our life. Colossians 3:4.
When we are scrambling, seeking the truth - the truth is in Jesus. He is the Truth. Ephesians 4:21; John 14:6.
When we are desperately seeking for someone to love us, He not only provides love - He is Love. 1 John 4:8, 16.
When we are looking for safety, security, shelter from the storms of life – He is our shield. Genesis 17:1.
When we are looking for something lasting in life, something to carry on from generation to generation – He is our inheritance. Numbers 18:20.
When we are looking for a way to be right with God, not only does the Lord provide righteousness - He is our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6.
When looking for salvation, Jesus not only provides salvation – He is our salvation. Psalm 35:3.
Not only does Jesus save – He is our Saviour, and it is to be Him we are looking for – not just some future day or some kingdom, some future event – Jesus Himself! Titus 2:13; 2 Timothy 4:8.

What is our focus? Even as believers, are we seeking the Lord Jesus Christ for what He can do for us (and yes, we should be seeking Him for every need we have) – OR for who He is? Seeking for something we need, for something to happen - OR for Jesus Himself?

May 9th/2010
Jerry Bouey

P.S. This is part of the series I have been preaching at the Gospel Mission on the I Ams of Jesus, and some of the thoughts that came out of it. I think the message was received pretty well today. It certainly gave some food for thought, and was a blessing to study out and preach. I hope it is also a blessing to you.

Hidden Treasures From Proverbs 2

Hidden Treasures From Proverbs 2

My best friend since I got saved is a man named James Strong. I met him about two or three years after I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. He really helped me find verses in the Bible - to find those passages where I could just remember some of the words but not the references, gave me oodles and oodles of verses to look up on any subject I could think of. Then later, he even taught me how to find the definitions for each word in my King James Bible. That was such a help! In fact, to this day, he has been my most consulted Bible resource - not the man himself, but a book he put together: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Not only can you use it to look up any word in the Bible, find out EVERY place that word is used, but you can also find the basic definitions for every word in the underlying Hebrew and Greek text and the range of meaning when translated into English. To this day, I can honestly say his concordance (whether in book format or as part of a Bible program) has been THE most helpful resource I have ever come across for studying God's Word.

Just me, my Bible, and my Strong's - a friendship that has lasted for years and promises to endure for as long as I am sojourning down here. Here are some neat word studies from Proverbs chapter 2.

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

The word hide here is Strong's #6845, which means: to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk.

Solomon's advice to all believers is to hide God's Word in our hearts - to hoard it and protect it. God's Word is a valuable treasure!

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

Incline means: to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken. Are you paying attention when you hear or read God's Word? Are your ears pricked up, ready to glean the wisdom God has for you? It is not enough to know knowledge and information; wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Basically, it would be knowing how a particular truth or Biblical principle applies to a specific situation. When the Lord gives you understanding of His Word, do you heed it, do you apply it to your life?

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

Criest has the idea of accosting a person met; to call out to. When you pass someone in the street and you recognize them, you turn to call out after them and seek to get their attention, lifting up your voice so you could be heard over the crowd. Voice means: to call aloud. You don't keep silent - you call out until they hear you. Is that your attitude towards knowledge and understanding from God's Word? Do you call out to the Lord until He answers you by giving you the understanding of what you are reading?

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

Seekest: to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after. Do you prayerfully read the Word of God, worshipping the Author as you hear Him speak to you? Do you strive after His Word and value it as you would silver? Hid treasures: a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried). Did you get that? Hidden treasures! The Bible is chock full of hidden treasures waiting to be found, precious stones waiting to be mined out and stored in your heart. (Hm, that reminds me of Matthew 13:52 and my comments on it last week: Gleanings From God's Word.) Do you "search the Scriptures" for this hidden treasure?

5-6 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

If you value the Word of God and search it diligently to learn what the Lord would teach you through His Spirit, THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord (reverence and awe toward Him), THEN you will find the knowledge of God, THEN the Word of God will open up to you and His wisdom and knowledge will be yours to glean and apply.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

Layeth up - Strong's #6845 again. The Lord has stored up sound wisdom for you in His Word, waiting for you to seek and search for it. This wisdom is for the righteous - those who are saved, who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Also notice how the word layeth is in the present tense ("eth" ending); that means that He continually lays up sound wisdom for you! It is ALWAYS there for the taking (all you need to do is ask! See James 1:5). God is a buckler - a shield - to them that walk uprightly. Not only do you need to be saved, but you need to be walking according to His Word and in right fellowship with Him in order to glean this wisdom and have the Lord Himself as your shield.

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

Keepeth: Strong's #5341, to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.). Paths: Strong's #734, a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively). Preserveth: Strong's #8104, properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc. Way: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action. When you walk in the fear of the Lord (see 1:7), He continually guards your paths, He continually protects you as you travel the well-trodden road He has called you on. The Lord continually has His hedge of protection around the child of God (saint) that is seeking the Word of God and doing the will of God. Let's stay on His paths! (See Isaiah 35:8)

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Path: #4570, a track (literally or figuratively). When you walk in the light of God's Word and in the fear of the Lord, you will find out the good paths He would have you take. (See also Romans 12:1-2, that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.)

10-11 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

When wisdom abides in your heart, and knowledge is pleasant (acceptable and sweet) to your soul, not only will God Himself keep and preserve you (verse 8), but His Word hidden in your heart will also preserve (#8104) and keep (#5341) you.

What will God's Word keep you from? There are two things specifically mentioned in this chapter - notice how each of the following sections begin the same way:

12-15 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths (#734) of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths (#4570):

Deliver: to snatch away. God and His Word will snatch you away from the way (#1870) of the evil man. This is the same word as used in verse 8. God will keep the way of His saints - those whose course of life or mode of action is to do righteousness, and protect you from the way of evil men - those whose course of life or mode of action is perverseness and wickedness. When you are determined to stay on God's paths, He will keep you from the path of the wicked, who walk in darkness.

Darkness: the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness. Proverbs 4:18-19 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. What a contrast!