Exhortation To Ephesus

Exhortation To Ephesus

This is taken from my study on Ephesus: The Backslidden (Loveless) Church - from the letters to the seven churches in Revelation.

Revelation 2:3-4 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

They had borne (#941 – endured), and had patience (#5281 – perseverance), and laboured (#2872 - to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard; toil) for Christ’s name's sake. And they had not fainted (#2577 – become weary).

A trace of the words “fainted” and “weary” throughout Scripture reveal some of the Lord’s intended ways for us to refresh our spirits. We are to continually:

- seek God in prayer (Luke 18:1)

- wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31)

- remember that it is He Himself who fights our battles and delivers us from our troubles and distresses (Deuteronomy 20:3-4; Psalm 107:5-6)

- hope and trust in His Word and the promises contained therein (Psalm 119:81)

- study His Word and look to the Scriptures for comfort (Isaiah 50:4-5; Amos 8:11-13

- look for Jesus Christ throughout the Scriptures (Isaiah 28:9-13, 16; also see Matthew 11:28 and Acts 3:19)

- rely on God’s mercy and grace (2 Corinthians 4:1, 16)

- take Christ’s yoke of service upon us (Matthew 11:29)

- persevere in well doing (Galatians 6:9)

- keep looking unto Jesus and remembering His example (Hebrews 12:1-3)

All these things the Ephesians no doubt did when their love for Jesus was fervent and fresh, but somewhere along the way they took their eyes off of Him.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

May 1st, 2001
Jerry Bouey

The Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3 (older version of these studies):

Revelation Chapter One - An Overview
Ephesus: The Backslidden (Loveless) Church
Smyrna: The (Persecuted) Suffering Church
Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church

Exhortation To Smyrna

Exhortation To Smyrna

Right now my work is in the middle of our busiest season, and now is the busiest of the busiest at the hotel where I work at, so I am really not able to put the time into studying and writing that I like to do. Though I remember that I have some excerpts from several longer studies that would be worth posting, as an exhortation and encouragement to my readers.

The following is taken from Smyrna: The (Persecuted) Suffering Church:

Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

The first and the last. The Lord Jesus Christ was the one who had the preeminent place in these believers' lives.

Colossians 1:15 and 18 say, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.

Preeminence means "first in rank or influence." The church in Smyrna was able to overcome because Jesus Christ had the first place in each of their lives. Does He have first place in yours? Does Jesus have first place in every area of your life, or just the parts that you've decided to give Him, the leftovers so to speak? The word firstborn is the Greek word prototokos. Protos means "foremost (in time, place, order, or importance)." These verses in Colossians teach us that Jesus is the most important person in all creation, greater than every creature He ever created. He is the most important person that ever rose from the dead. Is Jesus Christ the foremost person in your life? Does He have the priority when it comes to your schedule? Does He have first place in your day to day life? Does He come first before your family and friends, before your dreams and goals? Is Jesus the most important person in your life? If you are saved, He should be!

Matthew 6:33 says, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Do you give the Lord the first part of your day in prayer and Bible reading? Do you give Him the first day of your week by attending a solid, Bible-believing church? Do you give Him your firstfruits? This is an Old Testament word that referred to the tithe (10% of your gross income), which were the first fruits gathered when the harvest began to come in. (See Proverbs 3:9-10) He wants all these, but He especially wants the priority, the first place in your life. He wants to be your first love. (See Revelation 2:4) Is He?

"Let me shoot a quiver full of interrogatory arrows into your heart. Has Jesus the supreme place in your desires? Do you esteem all things but loss in comparison with the excellency of Jesus Christ, your Lord? Is He to you as a city of refuge to the manslayer? Is He to you as a spring of water in a dry place? Is He to you as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land? Is He to you, having had experience with Him, a refuge and fortress, a very present help in time of trouble? Is everything in Jesus desirable in your eyes? Do you desire to obey His commandments? Do you desire to have His spirit? Are His holiness and government, His cross and sufferings desirable to you? Are you longing at all times for Him? Have your eyes been opened to see His "want and worth?" Is His righteousness the righteousness you desire? Do you want to do His will - no matter what it may be? Are you willing for Him to dictate wholly your plans, actions, and speech? Is He really your Lord?" (James Crumpton, The Seven Sayings On The Cross)

Jesus was also the author and finisher of their faith. They endured the trials they were facing by keeping their focus on Christ and what He endured to save them. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The word author is from a Greek word (Strong's #747) meaning "chief leader; also rendered captain, prince." In other words, He was the leader of their salvation, the pioneer who blazed the trail they were to follow. (See also Hebrews 5:8-9, though the word here for author is #154, meaning "causer, ie. He that causes; the agent by which an effect is produced," in this case our salvation.) The word finisher (Strong's #5051) means "completer, consummater." Jesus not only was the focus of their salvation, He was the only person who could bring their faith to completion. He will do that for every one who believes in Him. 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. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Which was dead, and is alive. Here Jesus is identifying with the church in Smyrna, by stating that He has already gone through what they are about to face, in this case, death. (See Hebrews 2:9) The fact that He has risen again is proof that those who believe in Him need not fear death, because on some future day they too will also be resurrected. (See John 11:25) John 14:19 says, Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. 1 Corinthians 15:20 states, But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. While there were other believers that God had raised throughout the Old Testament and during Jesus' personal ministry, Jesus was the first person to ever be raised immortal, never more to die. This He did by His own power! Death could not hold Him in the grave because He was God Almighty manifested in the flesh! (See Acts 2:23-24) Just as the firstfruits of the crop indicated that there was a full harvest yet to come, even so Jesus was the firstfruits from the dead, indicating that all who truly believed on Him for salvation would one day rise from the dead as well! For the believer, death is referred to as a sleep, a brief transition that carries us into the presence of the Lord. (See Philippians 1:21-23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

Romans 5:10 states, 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. This is referring to Jesus’ resurrected life in Heaven. Yes, He died on the cross for our sins, was buried in the tomb for three days, but He arose triumphantly from the grave and is alive forevermore! Praise the Lord! Jesus is now glorified in Heaven with the glory He had before His incarnation. One day, when He returns in His glory, all true believers will be made like Him. We will then have immortal, glorified bodies for all eternity. (See Romans 8:29-30; 1 John 3:2; and Philippians 3:20-21)

He is our faithful High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses and afflictions because He has gone through anything we could or will ever have to face in this life.

Hebrews 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The words succour and help from the above passages are from two Greek words (Strong's #s 996 and 997) meaning literally "to run to the cry." Whatever trials or afflictions you are going through in life, call out to Jesus in faith for help, and the Bible teaches He will run to your cry. That's comforting! I don't have to face any trial alone. Jesus can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. This phrase is from the word sumpatheo, where we get the word sympathy from. He will have compassion on us, so let us run to Him in all our afflictions.

August 31st/04
Jerry Bouey

The Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3 (older version of these studies):

Revelation Chapter One - An Overview
Ephesus: The Backslidden (Loveless) Church (This study)
Smyrna: The (Persecuted) Suffering Church
Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church

At The Feet Of Jesus

At The Feet Of Jesus

One of my favourite Bible characters is Mary of Bethany, Lazarus' sister. Every time we see her, she is at the feet of Jesus. The circumstances of each situation are different, and we can glean some principles from them.

1) Sitting Submissively

Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Here we see Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His Word and learning from her Lord. Jesus commended her for this.

Are you daily reading and studying the Word of God, seeking Jesus in the Scriptures, learning from Him?

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 11:29-30 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.

2) Seeking Solace

John 11:19, 28-33 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

Here we see Mary grieving over the loss of her brother, Lazarus. At the first opportunity she quickly went to Jesus to seek comfort and to lay her burdens at His feet.

Are you coming daily to Jesus Christ, laying your burdens at His feet, giving every care to Him in faith, knowing that He alone has the ability to answer them?

John 11:43-44 And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Mary was indeed comforted, and she received way more than she was expecting from her Lord. Jesus will meet all your needs if you seek Him and His righteousness first in your life.

3) Serving Her Saviour

John 12:2-3, 7 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of My burying hath she kept this.

Here we see Mary offering an act of service that was dear to her. This alabaster box of ointment cost more than a year's wages, but she was willing to give it all in love and gratitude to her Saviour, who had forgiven all her sins.

Are you faithfully serving the Lord in gratitude for all that He has done for you? It is only reasonable that you do!

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Alabaster Box
(Mark 14:1-9)

She did it; she broke it, there was no turning back.
It was all or nothing; now the box was forever cracked.

The ointment was poured forth, diffused throughout the room.
Jesus' body had been anointed, prepared for burial in the tomb.

It was an offering of love and devotion to her Lord,
But He remembered it forever, recorded in His Word.

It wasn't broken for show, only Jesus knew her heart.
But as the spikenard flowed out, the aroma filled every part.

The good work has been done, but there's a lesson to learn:
In all of life's opportunities, now it's my turn.

The alabaster box of my heart was broken one day.
On the altar of service, there the precious ointment lay.

Dedicated to my Lord - fervent and sincere.
I gave it all to Him, and the cost was dear.

The sacrifice was offered, well-pleasing to God.
I presented it with tears, and a soul that was awed.

Thank You, Lord, for Your plan that includes even me.
And in reasonable service, my life is broken for Thee.

Poem written July 23rd, 2002
Devotion written August 11th, 2004
Jerry Bouey

A One-Time Dedication Or Dying Daily? (Romans 12:1-2)

A One-Time Dedication Or Dying Daily?

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I remember as a younger believer being exhorted to obey Romans 12:1 - and it was taught as a one-time act of dedication. You know, first you get saved, and then somewhere down the road you give yourself wholly to the Lord. These are the two main decisions that you need to make spiritually. (Obviously salvation is THE most important decision.)

But I was just thinking about that mentality - it almost brings a dangerous complacency. "Yeah, I gave my all on the altar 10 years ago (though I've since taken back some areas...)."

Rather, I think rather the exhortation is to give ourselves daily, to daily present our bodies? Not just a one-time act of dedication, but continual acts of dedication? We know other passages deal with dying daily - but what did the apostle Paul have in mind here?

The Lord certainly works through me more when I present myself to Him daily, when I seek to daily lay aside my will - rather than rely on one decision I made in the past. I do believe that the first time we do give ourselves wholly to Him is a major decision - but I do not believe it is intended to be a one-time act, but ongoing.

Like someone has so eloquently stated: "The bad thing about a living sacrifice is that it keeps getting up off the altar!"

Some other verses along this theme:

Luke 9:23-25 And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Philippians 3:10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;

When I was meditating on this last verse this summer, I was really impressed with the fact that it uses a different form of the same word as Romans 12:2 - comformable. Being conformed to Christ's death, dying to sin and self daily, and having His resurrection power for daily living and service.

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

The above verses deals with our positional stand in Christ - but one that we need to reckon and carry out in our daily lives!

Romans 6:11-13 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:16-18 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Jesus was the perfect example of seeking to do God the Father's will everyday:

Matthew 26:39 And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God.

Just like Jesus, we need to die to ourselves daily, and daily seek the Father's will. An often overlooked part of the Lord's prayer that He was teaching His disciples:

Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

It is dealing with our daily bread and daily petitions, and includes seeking to do God's will daily. How many times have we prayed this prayer - or merely meditated on it - without focussing on that phrase I bolded above? We often petition the Lord for our daily needs and forgiveness, even for Him to lead us away from temptation (prevent us from wandering into it) - BUT do we really pray not only for the Lord to do His will in our lives, but plead for His grace and wisdom so that we may DO His will?

While the context of the following verse is dealing with doing right while suffering, rather than specifically seeking the Father's will or dying daily, we can glean the principle of following Jesus' example even in these areas of our lives:

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps:

Wow, what a rich subject in the Scriptures!

October 15th/05
Jerry Bouey

See also: Be Ye Transformed

John 3:16 - The Gospel In A Nutshell

John 3:16 - The Gospel In A Nutshell

For God (the greatest Giver)
so loved (the greatest motive)
the world (the greatest need),
that He gave (the greatest act)
His only begotten Son (the greatest gift),
that whosoever (the greatest invitation)
believeth (the greatest decision)
in Him (the greatest Person)
*believeth in Him (the greatest opportunity)
should not perish (the greatest deliverance),
but (the greatest difference)
have (the greatest certainty)
everlasting life (the greatest possession).

~ Adapted from several sources ~
*Alternative point given.

I used the above outline of John 3:16 as the outline for my message today at the Gospel Mission. It went very well. I would like to share it with you too. Please keep a man from the Mission in prayer. I do not know his name (but the Lord knows who he is!) - but he was obviously fascinated by the message. He is a big muscular man, covered with tattoos - rough looking, but the Lord can save him too - and today he heard the Gospel and was listening attentively. Let's pray that this seed sown would bear fruit in his heart.

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.

1) For God (the greatest Giver)

The Bible starts with God. The very first verse in Genesis says, "In the beginning God..." God doesn't spend anytime defending His existence - He just declares it as a fact! He declares that He has put the knowledge of Himself in every person that He has made, therefore we are without excuse.

The evidence of creation proves there is a Creator:

Romans 1:19-20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

The evidence of our conscience proves there's a Lawgiver who made us:

Romans 2:13-15 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

2) so loved (the greatest motive)

Love is part of God's nature, one of His attributes. Twice in the book of 1 John, it is declared that "God is love" (4:8, 16).

Yes, God is holy and righteous, therefore He must punish sin - but He is also merciful, gracious, longsuffering, so He has provided a way for mankind to be saved and pardoned from their sin. He planned man's salvation out before He even created man, knowing that one day we would all rebel, go our own way, and sin against Him.

3) the world (the greatest need),

The world, the greatest number of individuals. God does not look at us as one big mass of humanity, but as individuals - individuals whom He wants to know personally, whom He wants to give the opportunity to be saved.

The world includes me - and it includes you.

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

4) that He gave (the greatest act)

God the Father sent His own Son to die for fallen man - what love!

Not only did God the Father give His Son for us, we see the Son also gave Himself:

Galatians 1:3-4 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

The Father and the Son both gave the Son to die for our sins upon the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ was our ransom to die in our place - as our Substitute bearing the penalty and curse we deserved - and to buy us back from the slavemarket of sin. The price was His precious, sinless blood - and His payment was entirely sufficient to cover all the sins of mankind - past, present, and future.

Romans 1:3-4 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Jesus' physical resurrection from the dead on the third day was proof positive of who He was, and proof that God the Father has accepted His payment - otherwise He would never have risen from the grave. Now He is alive forevermore, and ascended into Heaven at the right hand of the throne of the Father, able to save to the uttermost all that come unto Him for salvation.

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.

5) His only begotten Son (the greatest gift),

The sending of Christ to die for our sins and to provide salvation for us was a gift. As a gift, salvation is not something we could ever earn or purchase. There is nothing we can do but to receive it, which we can through repentance and faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

6) that whosoever (the greatest invitation)

Whosoever means me, whosoever means you - anybody and everybody - the Gospel invitation is open to all. God gives everyone the opportunity to be saved and receive His gift of salvation.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

If anyone is trying to work their way to Heaven, there is a burden upon them that no man can ever lift - it is an impossibility for sinful man to ever be good enough to earn Heaven by his own merits - but praise the Lord Jesus Christ! He lived a completely righteous life and He went to the cross in our place; He paid the penalty that we could never pay and offers to give us spiritual rest in Him.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Salvation in Scripture is often pictured as living water - Jesus Himself is that Living Water, that Bread of Life - only Jesus can ever fill that aching hunger and thirst in your soul!

7) believeth (the greatest decision)

To place your faith in Christ or to reject Him is your own choice.

Matthew 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Pilate was given this choice and he gave the same choice to the nation of Israel - yet they chose to reject Jesus Christ. However, that is the most important decision each and every one of us will make in this lifetime. In our 50 or 100 or however many years down here, we are given a choice of what we will do with Jesus Christ - and that choice will forever affect where we will spend eternity when we die. What are you doing with Jesus?

8) in Him (the greatest Person)

Salvation is in a Person, not a program; in a personal relationship with Jesus, not in a religion. It is interesting to note that God's gift of salvation is the gift of His Son - they are one and the same - to receive salvation is to receive the Lord Jesus Christ!

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

9) believeth in Him (the greatest opportunity)

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

The opportunity to be saved, to have a relationship with your Creator, to have your sins forgiven and a home in Heaven - that is the greatest opportunity you will ever receive!

10) should not perish (the greatest deliverance),

In the Bible, when referring to salvation, perish means to spend eternity in Hell. God is not willing that any of us perish, He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked (ie. those who die without Jesus Christ as their Saviour), because those wicked people will spend eternity separated from Him in Hell.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Today God gives you a choice.

11) but (the greatest difference)

In the Scriptures, salvation is always in the present tense. It is not something that will happen in the future, but something that happens the moment you receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. You are saved, you are redeemed, you are forgiven and washed from your sins, you are sanctified, you are justified in His sight. You are one or the other - if you are saved you have passed from darkness to light, from being a goat to being a sheep, from being lost to being found:

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

12) have (the greatest certainty)

Right here, right now, you can HAVE eternal life. It is not something you MAY get in the future, but something you can HAVE right now - and know you have it!

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

13) everlasting life (the greatest possession).

Salvation is a gift which can be yours today. The Bible defines eternal life as knowing God.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

You can have that relationship and that gift by receiving that Saviour today - it all depends upon what you do with Jesus.

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 3:16 - The Gospel in a nutshell!

Outline of John 3:16 compiled from several sources
Study written and preached August 4th/06
Jerry Bouey

My Strength

My Strength

Where does your strength come from?

Without Strength

Romans 5:6, 8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

No one in all of creation has the power or strength to keep all the Law of God; therefore all of mankind is guilty and condemned in the sight of God for breaking His laws. Yet Christ came to do what sinful man could not - fulfill the righteousness of the Law, so that all who trust in Him to save them will be credited with His righteousness.

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

When we had no righteousness of our own (see Isaiah 64:6), Jesus came to give us His; when we were without strength to obey and to overcome sin in our lives, Jesus came to save us (see Galatians 3:11, 23-26). Have you received His free gift of salvation? If not, please read this Gospel tract: God's Simple Plan Of Salvation.

Renewed Strength

Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Strength For The Heart

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Strength In Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Strength For The Day

Deuteronomy 33:25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

God will not give you tomorrow's strength until tomorrow comes - but He has promised strength for today. Are you waiting on the Lord and leaning on Him today for the strength you need?

Where does your strength come from? Or better yet, Who is your strength?

Psalms 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Psalms 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

2 Samuel 22:33-34 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

Psalms 18:1-2 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

January 11th/06
Jerry Bouey

Winning The Battle Over Depression

Winning The Battle Over Depression

This testimony is a follow up to My Victory Over Depression

Update on My Victory:

Many times during this season - especially around Christmas - I find myself depressed or discouraged. Sometimes it is due to the weather or sickness, and other times it is mostly due to being by myself the closer I get to the holidays. Four years ago was the last time I dealt with severe depression. I realized it was a choice to either focus on myself and my own problems (whether big or small, real or imagined), or put my focus solidly back on the Lord and give the struggle to Him in prayer.

Each year, the battle gets easier and the victory is easier to maintain. Though there is still the temptation to be discouraged, I am no longer tempted to be depressed, and I praise the Lord for that! In each of these times of struggles, the Holy Spirit brings Bible promises and passages to my mind or else shows me new ones in His Word that I can claim by faith.

I wanted to share the following promises that the Lord has given me this year, or brought back to my mind. (If Jesus can give me the victory through faith, He can give you victory in Him as well!)

On the theme of I Am With Thee:

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

The context of the following passage is referring specifically to Israel, but God's presence and promises are for all His children.

Isaiah 43:1-5 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (This was the favourite verse of a friend of mine - so I memorized it by making a melody for it.)

The context of the following promise is dealing with those who are seeking to please the Lord and do His will.

Isaiah 58:9a Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am.

On the theme of The Tender Love Of God:

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Isaiah 49:13-16 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. 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.

Isaiah 40:1, 11 Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.

Paul's example to the Thessalonians is an example of Christ's love to the church.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

Though here we see Christ's love refused by most of the nation of Israel, I believe His love for all true believers remains the same.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Hosea 11:4a I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.

December 28th, 2004
Jerry Bouey

This study by Dennis Costella on Psalm 77 may also be of benefit to you:

Are You At Your Wits End?

My Victory Over Depression

My Victory Over Depression

Please read my whole testimony even if you disagree with some of my opening statements. Some of the conclusions I have reached only after going through my battles with depression.

First of all, my family has a history of depression, so I am speaking somewhat from experience. My dad has dealt with depression his whole life – unsuccessfully I might add, as he is unsaved and clearly rejects Christ. My brother struggles with it a lot, and for the most part, lets it overcome his life. He made a profession of faith in November 2000, and when he spends serious time in the Word of God and prayer, the sun breaks through the clouds of gloom, even if it is only temporarily in his case. I also deal with it; and though I don’t let it overcome me that often, there are seasons when the battle is fierce.

Secondly, I have learned through studying the Bible that the Lord doesn’t allow for a Christian to stay in depression and discouragement. There are examples of God’s children that struggled with this, but the Lord didn’t let them stay there. He always provides a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Yes, Jesus has tremendous compassion on those going through discouraging trials, but He wants us to be victorious, not overcome by them.

Thirdly, while there may be many factors that influence someone to be depressed or discouraged, Biblically, there is only one root cause: our own sinful nature. I know it is not politically-correct to state this fact, but either modern society is right and it is not our fault if we let ourselves get overcome by discouragement, or the Word of God is right about it when it says in James 1:13-16, Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. (Why does it say, do not err? Because we tend to deceive ourselves about this very thing. If we say that we are not responsible, and that there is nothing we can do about it, then we make God the author of our sin. James says this is a grievous error!)

While we cannot control our situations, we can control our attitude, responses, and focus. Depression comes when we take our eyes off of Jesus Christ and place them onto our situation. Our vision gets out of focus and our problems seem distorted, somehow seeming larger than the Lord in our lives. Our focus needs to be single – focused back on Christ. (See Matthew 6:21-23; Colossians 3:1-2, 22) No matter what may influence you towards being depressed and discouraged, the Bible offers many promises and passages of comfort that will help you overcome and be victorious today. Jesus will give you the grace to stand if you stay focused on Him and His Word. You can have the victory each day this trial comes your way; but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a struggle or warfare.

And fourthly, there is no way you can be victorious in the Christian life until you are in fact a Christian. If you have never turned to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, believing that He paid the complete penalty for your sins when He died on the cross, was buried, and physically resurrected on the third day, then you will never be victorious in this battle until you come to the Saviour, and let Him save you. If you don’t remember a time or place that you trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, I would encourage you to do so today. Today is the day of salvation, to quote the Apostle Paul. Once you become a child of God, you will find the grace and strength you need to overcome all of life’s battles in the Word of God, in prayer, and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “Giveth” is present tense, and means that He continually gives us the victory through Jesus Christ.

My worst battle with depression began the winter of 2000. I had no family nearby. My sister was living in Arizona, and my brother had just moved out of Kelowna. Christmas was coming up, and I let myself get discouraged, thinking about how I would be spending it all by myself that year. I started to get very lonely and focused on my situation. Over the next few months, my attendance at church was irregular, and I started avoiding the other Christians in my life even the few that were reaching out to me. (One thing to never do when you are depressed is to isolate yourself.)

I found it increasingly difficult to overcome the loneliness, and started being so depressed that it showed outwardly to others. Unfortunately, one of my coworkers encouraged me to go to a nearby bar and hang around with some of the crowd there, play some pool, and have the occasional drink. I ignored his advice for a few weeks, but the closer it came to Christmas, the more I thought about it. I started going to the bar after work, met a few “friends”, and started playing pool. I was so nervous about being around this crowd that I started drinking to relax. Over the next few months, I got very involved in the pool playing and used it as an excuse to be around this crowd, even if I didn’t drink every night.

Several things I learned right away were: you can go through a lot of money quickly, alcohol doesn’t help depression – it strengthens it! – and it was all empty and vain. The drinking and ungodly company (not to mention the music and atmosphere) did not fulfill, but made me empty inside. The more I pursued this course, the more I was convicted about it. So now I not only had my depression bringing me down, I had the Holy Spirit convicting me of my sin (which made me more depressed because I did not repent of it at that point in time), and I had the accuser of the brethren knocking me down because of my compromise and ruined testimony. To quote a line from one of my poems, The Prodigal Has Come Home, “The swine husks could never truly satisfy, And oh how soon the wine became tasteless foam.”

By the time I got sick of the drinking, and wanted to clean up my life, I realized that some of my sins during that time had caught up with me. I made some associations that were not easy to break away from, including a “friend” that turned out to be very bad news and would not let me back away from the bar-scene. In desperation on how to deal with this person, I pleaded with God to help me separate from him. He died of cancer very shortly thereafter. This shows me that it is a serious thing to cause a child of God to stumble. That was a very sobering and scary fact to realize!

I found that it wasn’t as easy as I thought to get out of the pit I had dug for myself. I realized that some of the crowd at the bar were very immoral and perverted, and I can only praise God that He prevented me from walking into sexual immorality. I find that the fear of man brings a snare, and that I have the hardest time trying to witness to anyone that I knew from the bar, or that knew I had gone there. I had shot myself in the foot, regarding my testimony with these people.

The first step was to completely break away from those “friends”, and the bar itself. That done, it took me awhile to get back on my feet spiritually as I was still struggling with loneliness and self-pity. The woe-is-me syndrome. Somehow I had convinced myself that the battle I was going through was unique to me, despite what the Word of God teaches: He fashioneth their hearts alike. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man. …Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (Psalm 33:15; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 5:9)

I was having a hard time getting back into the Word of God until I came across the account of Christ’s betrayal. Then it hit me: Christ went through loneliness, betrayal, discouragement, suffering. He went through worse than you or I will ever go through; and He did that because of His love for us. This was the clincher for me. Jesus could relate to my depression, and He overcame. So could I! He kept His focus on His Heavenly Father, and continually submitted His will to His Father’s will. He prayed so fervently there in the garden, when Satan tried to overwhelm Him with sorrow and heaviness of heart, that He sweat drops of blood. This showed the tremendous stress He was under, but He was victorious!

After I was restored to the Lord and strengthened in my walk, I wrote a poem called Take A Second Look At Calvary, which was my way to remind myself that the battle could be won by focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ and not on myself.

Take A Second Look At Calvary

When I went through times of loneliness, I thought, “Lord, where were You?
Don’t You know, Lord, can’t You see all this pain I’m going through?”
Then in the midst of my devotions, I was thunderstruck one day
When I realized: in my Saviour’s darkest hours all His friends had turned away.

When I struggled through depression, I cried, “Lord, where were You?
Can’t You take these doubts and fears away; help me somehow make it through?”
But I knelt in sweet submission, surrendered all and my heart was still,
As I remembered my blessed Saviour praying, “Not Mine, but Your will.”

When my heart ached in bitter anguish, grief-struck and broken too,
I cried through tears of agony, “Oh my Lord, where were You?
I can’t fight this battle anymore, I can’t overcome this gloom.”
Then in my self-pity, I recalled, that Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb.

When I think that I’m forsaken, bitter, anguished and alone,
I remember that my Saviour made all my pain His own.
He tasted death, He suffered much, He was tempted, tried, beset,
And in all His trials and afflictions, Jesus loved me yet.

A man of sorrows - He knew our grief, He bore our sin and shame,
He was forsaken by God above that we may never be again.
He was wounded for our transgressions – as the Bible has revealed -
But most of all, Jesus shed His blood and by His stripes we are healed.

So when you are feeling lonely, depressed, and are haunted by your grief,
Here’s a solution that, through eyes of faith, will surely bring relief:
When you are wondering if the Lord cares and if He is watching from above,
Take a second look at Calvary – and there behold God’s wondrous love!

March 12th, 2001

Those meditations won the victory for me. I took my eyes off of myself and put them back on the Lord, where they belonged. I acknowledged that I had wandered, confessed my sins to God, and started walking with Him again.

Last fall (2001), our church started a Sunday School bus ministry, which I got involved in from the start. I didn’t think I would enjoy working with the kids but it has been a blessing, and it keeps me out of trouble on my days off. I am more active in witnessing, and developing my website. I was busy “waiting upon (serving) the Lord.”

When depression struck again this past winter, I chose not to get side-tracked and fall into sin. I started to get discouraged the closer it came to Christmas, and I pleaded with God for more grace. Everytime I felt overwhelmed - and sometimes it was fierce! – I cried out to the Lord, praying fervently for peace and Scripture passages to remind me where my focus should be. The bus ministry helped. I was not left alone, nor was I isolating myself. Because I chose to seek the Lord first, and not my own self-will, He honoured that and provided for me in so many ways this winter. Financially, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. My landlord’s family (who are members in my church) started inviting me over for lunches or suppers, and this helped me more than I realized. The Lord has set this solitary person into a family. (See Psalm 68:6) Their house has literally become my second home. Angela, my landlord, made me up a frame with my poem inside (the one quoted above) to remind me of where I continually needed to be looking – at the Lord. So many times I’ve read and reread the words of that poem, and stopped my self-pity trip before it could gain ground.

Some of the Scriptures that the Holy Spirit has brought to my mind this past winter were:

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (My heart has definitely been strengthened over and over.)

Isaiah 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. (Oh, precious, precious promises! He was there for me whenever I needed Him. Though I fail Him, He has never failed me!)

Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (Perfect means complete. If I keep my part of the promise by staying steadfastly focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, He will keep His promise to give me His perfect peace. See also Philippians 4:6-7)

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Mount up means to rise, to ascend. I can soar above my problems, and not be weighed down with them!)

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Yes, He gives the measure of grace I need when I abide in Jesus Christ!)

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (The Lord Jesus Christ is my refuge! Believe me, if you are searching the Scriptures, this theme is repeated over and over in the Word of God!)

I dealt with an ongoing battle with discouragement within the last two months. This one had to do with my brother. He got depressed again, and was trying to place the blame on everyone but himself. He wanted the Lord to magically take away his depression, but he didn’t want to maintain his walk with Him. He called me on March 11th, and twisted some things I said while I was trying to exhort him to get right with the Lord. I tried to clear up what he was saying to no avail. He hung up. Then he called me back an hour later, telling me that he almost committed suicide and it was all my fault. Boom! The bomb dropped, and I was devastated! I had to take an hour off of work to go to a nearby coffee shop to just pray and read my Bible. I was determined to keep my eyes on the Lord, and pleaded with God to give me peace and comfort. Then I searched the Scriptures. Passages about peace of mind, and about God being our refuge came to mind, and I devoured all I could find. Some of these became the Scripture references I quoted in one of my poetry books (The Seasons Of Your Pilgrimage). Several verses out of Psalms 18 and 91 comforted me greatly at this time, and were major sources of strength.

On March 12th, I was reflecting on the fact that I felt so much closer to the Lord as a result of that trial, that I counted the trial joy because of that. My poem Count It All Joy was written that day. If you read it in light of the particular trial that I went through, and my victory in Jesus, then you will realize I am not just spouting words without meaning and just quoting Scripture verses, but am relating what I have personally experienced.

Count It All Joy

Count it all joy, my brethren, for the trials in this race.
Count it all joy, my brethren, as you seek the Saviour’s face.
Jesus is with you through every trial.
He will stand by you all the while.
Count it all joy.

Count it all joy, my brethren, for the trials that you’ve seen.
Count it all joy, my brethren, for nothing can come between,
And separate you from the Lord.
Just cling to Jesus and His Word.
Count it all joy.

Count it all joy, my brethren, this trial is but for a season.
Count it all joy, my brethren, the Lord has planned it for a reason.
He is working out all things for your good,
As only our Heavenly Father could.
Count it all joy.

Count it all joy, my brethren, for the trials that you go through.
Count it all joy, my brethren, for the fires that purify you.
As He molds this vessel to perfection,
Someday Jesus will behold His reflection.
Count it all joy.

March 12th, 2002

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

That wasn’t to be the end of that particular trial. My brother tried to overdose on his medications and was hospitalized for several days at the end of March. Again, I fled to Jesus for refuge, and there I stayed. And it wasn’t a rollercoaster ride for once, but a mountaintop experience, even though I was going through a valley. Seems almost a contradiction, but it isn’t. Jesus is still giving me the victory! I am more than a conqueror through Him. I CAN do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me! My mind is staying steadfast on the Lord and I have His peace, even when my world is turbulent.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…

Psalm 18:32-33 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

Truly, He has set me upon my high places and given me the victory!

April 24th, 2002
Jerry Bouey

For a follow up to this testimony:
Winning The Battle Over Depression

Romans 5:3-5

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! 

 Taken from the study, Is God Limited By Our Past?

Study written May 20th, 2002
By Jerry Bouey

Be Ye Transformed (Romans 12:2)

Be Ye Transformed (Romans 12:2)

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Conformed - the word is Strong's #4964 and means "to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern". This is referring to the external condition or outward appearance of something. We are not to be fashioned together according to the likeness of this world, according to the course or philosophy of this present age.

1 Peter 1:14-15 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Fashions and philosophies change, but God's Word never does! Let's not imitate the things of the world (the fads, the fashions, the lost's way of thinking, the lost's outward appearance). The world does not have the power to change you for the better, but only to corrupt you. God does not want us to live like or look like the lost, but to be holy and separated in the way we live. Let's not put on an outward show, but be transformed internally by the renewing of our minds.

Transformed - the word is Strong's #3339 (metamorphoo) and means "to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose")" This is referring to an inward condition, a change of our nature. Like a caterpillar is metamorphosed into a butterfly, so too we are transformed into new creatures in Christ when we come to Jesus Christ for salvation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). We are also to be changed, transformed, into the likeness of Christ in our day to day walk with Him.

This same Greek word is also translated as transfigured in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2. Jesus was completely transformed and glorified before His disciples.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

We are not to be like the world on the outside, but are to be transformed and renewed on the inside - to become more like Jesus Christ. How does that happen? By the renewing of our mind through the Word of God. When we see ourselves through the mirror (glass) of God's Word and apply the principles that we find therein, we are made more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. (See also James 1:22-25 and 1 Corinthians 13:12)

When the child of God
Looks into the Word of God
And sees the Son of God
He is changed by the Spirit of God
Into the image of God
For the glory of God.
Author Unknown

Renewing - This word means to renovate. We are to let God's Word tear down the false philosophies, attitudes, and actions that we have in our lives, and build us back up according to the truth.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Colossians 3:9-10 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:

Ephesians 4:21-24 If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Are you being conformed... Or transformed?

Be ye transformed...

Written August 29th/04
Jerry Bouey

See also: A One-Time Dedication Or Dying Daily?

For A Season

For A Season

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. 1 Peter 1:6

The Bible teaches that we will have manifold (many kinds of) trials. That we are to rejoice in them. That there is a need for us to go through them, that the Lord has a purpose for every trial He allows in our lives.

There is also a bright ray of hope shining through that verse, 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 being 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 "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." 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)

For A Season

For a season, there will be troubles,
For the needed time, then they will go.
God has a purpose for every trial;
They are only for a season, you know.

Overwhelmed with sudden loss and anguish,
With a heavy heart, broken in despair.
Look up to Jesus for His comfort –
Even for this season, He will be there.

For a season, sufferings are our portion,
But – then, in a moment, they will pass away.
And after the season of our sorrows
Heaven’s glory will shine bright as day.

Poem and devotional written February 24th/02
Jerry Bouey

The Twelves Apostles - Thomas The Doubter

The Twelve Apostles #3 - Thomas The Doubter

In the four Gospels, we actually only have the accounts of the salvation of six of the twelve apostles: Andrew and John, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, and Matthew. The situations surrounding the other six and how they came to Jesus is not covered therein - however, they were more than likely with Jesus almost since the beginning of His public ministry, after His baptism by John the Baptist and His temptation in the wilderness. (See Acts 1:21-22 and John chapter 1)

Thomas was also known as Didymus - both names mean "The Twin" (Didymus being the Greek equivalent of Thomas). While we know nothing about his twin, whether he ever got saved or not, or how close they might have been in appearance or in their relationship as siblings, this was obviously something that characterized Thomas in some way. Other than the three lists of the twelve apostles given in the Gospels, there are five other times where Thomas is mentioned specifically by name - the Gospel of John giving us the most information, and Acts chapter one giving us the last view of this man.

1) We see Thomas on his way to Lazarus' tomb. (See John 11:1-16)

When Jesus and His disciples heard about the sickness of Lazarus (a close friend of Jesus'), their Master chose to linger where He was for two more days - until Lazarus died. Then He called His disciples to go with Him back into Judea. At once arose thoughts of distress at the potential danger they faced there:

John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

But Jesus had a purpose for going back, He had a reason - and that reason involved a miracle (raising Lazarus from the dead) that would prove His claims of being the Messiah, that would strengthen their faith in Him, and bring glory to God (see verses 4 and 15). The disciples were slow to catch on to what He was saying to them though:

John 11:11-15 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Next we have the first recorded statement of Thomas, a statement that seems to give a gloomy outlook on their situation.

John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Was Thomas being pessimistic? At first I thought he was (and this is how I preached it two weeks ago, but today I was meditating more on this chapter as I was writing this out) - but then when you re-examine the context, you realize that Thomas did have more boldness than the other disciples - while they were fearfully finding reasons not to go to Judea, Thomas was expressing his desire to go, even if it meant their deaths! I can imagine Thomas thinking, "They want to kill my Master, Lazarus is already dead - well, let's follow our Master to Judea and into the teeth of death itself! I won't let my fear hold me back from following Jesus!"

How about you? Are you bold in your service for the Lord, willing to go wherever the will of God leads you? Do you love your Saviour enough to lay down your life for Him and His cause? Thomas did!

2) On the way to the Father's House, to Heaven. (John 14:1-9)

In this passage we see Jesus seeking to encourage His brethren by reminding them of where He was soon going to and how to get there:

John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

He stated that He was going to the Father's house, to Heaven, where He would be preparing a place for them, preparing mansions for believers to dwell in for eternity. Then Thomas asks a question to clarify exactly what Jesus meant:

John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Earlier Thomas was willing to risk all to follow his Lord and to be with Him wherever He went. Now he is brought face to face with another place where Jesus was going - and he did not want to be left behind. Lord, where are you going?

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I am the way to the Father's house; I am the source of eternal life; salvation is only through Me; it is only through Me and My (soon to be) finished work on the cross that you can be saved and follow Me where I will be going after I arise from the dead.

This is an important theme in Scripture. There is only one Saviour, only one Mediator between God and man; only one way of salvation; only one door to eternal life:

John 10:7-9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Only one name by which we can be saved:

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The name Jesus means "Saviour", and Jesus came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21), from the just condemnation due us because of our sins against God.

There is only one way to be saved - and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ - through repentance of our sins and faith in His finished work of redemption; faith in His death, burial, and resurrection in fulfillment of the Scriptures. By faith in the Saviour, we can KNOW we have eternal life - we can KNOW we are going to the Father's house when we die:

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Thomas had that assurance that he had eternal life, because he trusted in Jesus to save him. Do you have that assurance - do you know that you have eternal life? You can know, if you receive Jesus Christ through faith.

3) In the closed room. (John 20:19-29)

After Jesus arose from the dead, He appeared to 10 of the twelve apostles, and proved to them that He was literally, physically resurrected - He was alive again! After reproving them for their unbelief and hardness of heart (see Mark 16:14), He showed them His hands and side, and even ate with them to prove He was not a spirit or a ghost (Luke 24:36-43). After comforting and assuring His apostles (and other disciples), He left them temporarily. Thomas was not with them, and when he heard the account of Jesus appearing to them, he was hesitant to receive it. He wanted proof first!

John 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Thomas is what I like to call an honest doubter. He wasn't a skeptic - someone who was unwilling to believe, but was an honest doubter - someone willing to believe but wanting more proof. He was willing to consider the evidence, but first he needed to see it!

Just like Jesus took the time out to specifically restore Peter into the ministry, here we see Him taking Thomas aside to reassure him personally as well.

John 20:26-27 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Now you see the evidence before you, Thomas. Now you can actually see the wounds, feel the marks of the cross, touch the hole in My side where the spear pierced. I have resurrected just as I said I would, in fulfillment of all the Scriptures. Now will you believe Me, Thomas?

What was Thomas' response?

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Jesus was alive again - that meant He was exactly who He said He was: God manifest in the flesh! The Messiah, the Son of God, the Saviour. With all the evidence in front of him, all of Thomas' doubts flew away. There was no place left for them!

But then Jesus makes an interesting statement:

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Thomas, I appeared to you personally to strengthen your faith in Me. But now that My Word is written I am not appearing to anyone else today (1 Peter 1:8) - you can only be saved by faith and you must walk by faith and not by sight. Blessed are all those who believe in Me because of receiving the testimony of the Scriptures!

4) In the fishing boat with Peter. (John 21)

John 21:2-3 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

In the previous study on Bold And Rash Peter, I mentioned that Peter, out of discouragement, went back to his old fishing career. It is interesting that six of the other apostles also went with him. While we do not know their motivations, perhaps they did not want to break up their years of fellowship and serving together.

Thomas, who would not leave his Master, now chooses not to leave his brethren in Christ. Though uncertain of the future, he knew who he wanted to be around: the men of God he had come to know and trust. What about you? In times of uncertainty, do you still associate with your brethren in the Lord? Do you still faithfully attend the services of your local church? Is your presence still there when it is most needed? Peter was discouraged - and though we don't know all that might have been on their minds and hearts - his brethren stood by him! Sometimes our presence, and sometimes our words, can go a long way towards strengthening a struggling brother or sister (see Proverbs 12:25).

5) In the upper room. (Acts 1)

Acts 1:13-14 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

The last place we see Thomas mentioned is in the upper room, where the disciples were gathered together in prayer, awaiting the power of the Holy Ghost to come upon them in their service and witnessing. He was still with his brethren, still persevering in the things of God, still standing by the stuff.

Though we often look at one incident in the life of the apostle Thomas - one moment of doubt - we tend to overlook that in actual fact he was a man of faith! In the long run, that is what counts - not our moments of failure or doubt, but the overall course of our walks with the Lord.

Just as the Lord had compassion and took the opportunity to strengthen the faith of doubting Gideon (see Judges chapters 6 and 7), spent time personally to remove the doubts of "Doubting Thomas", He also with strengthen your faith in Him as you abide in His Word (Romans 10:17) and let the Holy Spirit guide you day by day (Galatians 5:22-23): one of the fruit of the Spirit is faith, after all.

Yes, Thomas had his moment of doubt - but he was an honest doubter. He was willing to deal with his doubts, look at the evidence, and put away those doubts from that point in time on. How about you? Are you an honest doubter? When the devil comes whispering his lies and suggestions in your mind, will you believe his doubts, or will you run to the Word of God, where you have the evidence of faith before you, where you have the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of Satan?

In some ways, Thomas (the twin) is also our twin - he is a man of like passions, who can succumb to doubts or resist them by faith. We have the same choice today in our walks with the Lord.

Will you be a Doubting Thomas?

Or will you be full of faith?

Preached on July 21st/06
Written July 31st/06
Jerry Bouey

For more studies in this series on The Apostles:

The Apostles #1 - Simon the Zealot
The Apostles #2 - Bold And Rash Peter
The Apostles #4 - Jesus Loved Them To The End

Justifying Ourselves Or Accepting Responsibility?

Justifying Ourselves Or Accepting Responsibility?

There was a situation that was bothering me and I let myself get somewhat bitter about it. I would try to tell myself it didn't really matter and I was right in my reactions, but my spirit was uneasy whenever I thought about this person or the situation. Then I would try to make myself feel better by telling myself I have the right to be annoyed because of the way this other person had reacted. Tonight I was under conviction and wanting to make it right - the Holy Spirit wouldn't let me go until I had been reconciled with this person. I wrote an apology, and in it I stated I was sorry for my reactions - but then I had justified myself, in a way stating that I did this because you did that. Then hit Send. Then my heart smote me. That isn't an apology, that is not taking responsibility for my actions, words, etc. That is still placing the blame on others. How many times have we all (especially me) been guilty of that?

Thank the Lord that this reply was sent through a message board that allowed me to edit or delete this private message up until the time the person read it. They had not yet done so. I corrected it and accepted complete blame for my actions. While I was thinking about this, I realized there were some Biblical principles I had been overlooking. I want to share those with you - as a reminder to myself, and as an exhortation to you not to fall into the same trap I had fallen into.

1) If I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I am responsible for ALL my personal moral decisions. No one else can make me sin. Being bitter and responding sinfully in my anger is wrong, no matter how you look at it - even if my original anger may have been justified. (I emphasize "may", because too often it is not.)

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Psalms 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

I have a choice whether to be bitter or not, regardless of the situation that tempted me (not forced me - no one or nothing can force you to sin) to be so. I can choose not to get annoyed at others, especially at my brethren in Christ. No one else can make me stumble - and if I do get offended (ie. stumble at the actions of others), then it shows I don't love God's Word as I should and that I am not leaning upon the Lord as much as I ought to do.

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

2) An apology is accepting personal blame for our conduct (whether words or actions). When we justify ourselves for doing evil, we are not really accepting the whole blame. If the Lord God expects us to acknowledge our personal responsibility before Him, how can we think we are doing right when we do not do this with our fellow man?

Accepting responsibility first starts with being truthful with ourselves and with God.

Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Then it means realizing who we have sinned against primarily.

Psalms 51:3-4 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Then it means making amends with our brethren, whom we have wronged. At times it may mean seeking to be reconciled even when we don't believe we are at fault. If we know a brother or sister has something against us, God still tells us to do what we can to reconcile the situation.

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

3) Repentance means changing our minds about the situation - about our sin, about our conduct. When I was justifying myself, I was not looking at the situation correctly. When I repented, I changed my mind about my conduct and acknowledged that I was wholly at fault. True repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of conduct. Now that I had changed my mind about my actions, I was in a position to change my future conduct as well. The Holy Spirit showed me that my conduct was not pleasing to Him, and that I needed to make it right with Him and with the person offended.

Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It is sad that too often our attempts to correct our sins is mixed with sin itself! Praise the Lord for His Word and His indwelling Holy Spirit that can reveal the sin that we are so often blinded too!

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Now that the Lord has opened my eyes to the corruption in my own heart, I can confess and forsake the sin - and receive His mercy. Praise the Lord for His forgiveness and cleansing!

July 19th/06
Jerry Bouey