From Alien To Citizen

From Alien To Citizen

 

Ephesians 2:19-22

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20. Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21. In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into the holy temple in the Lord. 22. In him you are also are being built together in to a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

 

As I was listening again to the message from Sunday, 8/8/2021 I am being reminded how before I knew Christ as my personal Savior, I was an alien in this world without hope, meaning I was a sinner that was not yet saved by God’s grace alone. Listening this morning I am reminded that for people that are not citizens of the United States, there is a process that one can go through to become a citizen of America. Now I don’t profess to know what that’s like because I am a natural born citizen, but I expect there are classes you would have to go through to learn history, language amongst other things to become a citizen of the United States.

 

Well, if you are without Jesus and therefore without hope you are an alien and stranger to the family of God. What I mean by this is you are a sinner and therefore belong to this world. Well unlike the process of having to go through to become a citizen of some nation, there are no classes that one would have to go through to become citizens of God. All’s one would have to do is believe in the all sufficient, all saving name and the power of Jesus Christ.

Romans 10: 9-10 says, 9. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

That’s right all you have to do is believe in Jesus. You can’t earn it or do anything to get it, just believe and confess as Romans 10:9 says. Jesus did all the work, there’s no more sacrifices to be made no more priests having to atone for the sins of the people, Jesus literally went to the cross, took on his back all our sin and shame, basically accepting the wrath of God for us, me and you, so that we can be citizens in the family of God. We are co-heirs with Jesus, what a way to live.

 

All my life, because of my upbringing,  felt as though I never belonged to anything. I tired football, baseball, rodeo, work, you name it I tried any and everything to belong. I even thought for a long time that I’ve sinned too much, done to much damage to ever be able to have the grace of God. What God spoke to my heart is only Jesus can save me and that I need to confess my brokenness to Christ and believe in him to be saved. Today Jesus is my Savior and Lord base on what Jesus did on the cross and only what Jesus did, as again what Roman’s 10:9-10 says.

 

If you are without hope, and an alien in this world, and would like to be a citizen in the family of God, you would like to belong to something more loving and powerful that anything in this world, put your trust in Jesus Christ, who is all sufficient and all powerful to save, and you then will gain an inheritance that no one or nothing in all creation, this world can take away from you. I love you and hope you trust Jesus today.

In His Service

Bart

 

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By The Power Of Jesus

By The Power Of Jesus

 

Every chain has been broken

By the power of Jesus

I hear the chains a fallin

By His power He frees us

 

When I was in prison

Chained to these walls

The prison of my mind

Where I fall and I fall

 

Every chain has been broken

By the power of Jesus

I hear the chains a fallin

It’s by His power He frees us

 

I was stuck in this prison

Where there was no getting out

I would hear the voices in my head

Where they would do nothing but shout

 

Every chain has been broken

By the power of Jesus

I see the chains a fallin

By His power He frees us

 

I heard a new voice

Whispering in my ear

Come to Me My child

Let Me draw you in near

 

I will open up your heart

Then come and live inside

You’ll want to live with me

You’ll never ever have to hide

 

Every chain has been broken

By the power of Jesus

I see the chains a fallin

It’s by His Power He frees us

 

 

Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2021

Thank You For Being My Friend

This Poem was written on June 18, 2021 and is the very first poem written to my wife. This poem is a tribute to the strength, peace and love that she exhibits thru her relationship with Christ. She has always been an example of doing the right thing even when I don’t want to. She has also been my rock in showing me what it means to trust and turn to Christ in the storms of life. Christ is finally my solid rock and Mary has shown me this. This is a tribute to my wife Mary.

 

Thank You For Being My Friend

 

Thank You for being a friend

In my mind we will never come to an end

We walk thru the valley together

With You there will always be a forever

 

Thank You for being a friend

Your love never comes to an end

You would give your life in place of mine

You walk thru pain and never whine

 

Thank You for being a friend

You stuck by me thru thick and thin

Your smile is as addictive as wine

Nothing ever dulls your shine

 

Thank You for being a friend

You’re a great example of not following the trend

You give and give but never seem to take

You’re a servant of Christ who is never ever fake

 

Thank You for being a friend

You’re an example of hope and that doesn’t end

I see the Spirit that lives in you

Your spirit is love and that shines thru

 

Thank You for being a friend

I know your love has no end

Your encouragement come from your heart

Your personality is as beautiful as art

 

Thank you for being a friend

You speak your mind and never pretend

You’re as strong as an ox that’s not beat by the plow

Thru a lot of pain you stuck with me somehow

 

Thank You for being a friend

You will die for your beliefs till the bitter end

I watched you grow and get closer to Christ

I also watched satan try to take you for a heist

 

Thank You for being a friend

You’ve been an example of being a friend

With that being said and all this being penned

From the bottom of my heart

Thank You For Being My Friend

 

 

Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2021

Oh Lord, I Come To You Today

Oh Lord, I Come To You Today

 

Oh Lord I come to You today

On my knees I humbly pray

It’s my sin that wants to act out today

Oh Lord, help me find another way

Lead down the narrow path that’s straight

I want to enter into Your Pearly gates

From my sin You died to set me free

I draw close to You so the devil has to flee

You came and conquered death

That gave me my first new breath

Oh Lord, as I struggle now

Help me put my feet to the plow

I was in chains and you set me free

Now in Your presence I want to be

I want to walk with You in the cool of night

Oh Lord, forever show Your Light

As an example You washed my feet

So I can share Your hope down on the street

The gospel helped me respond in such a way

That I never want to stumble and stray

Oh Lord, be my guiding light

Help me to stand firm in this fight

As I bring my burdens to the cross

Thank God, I’ll never again be lost

You gave Christ to be my solid rock

I’ll forever be in Your flock

 

 

CopyrightBy Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2021

Christ Breaks Every Chain

Christ Breaks Every Chain

 

You died on the Tree to break every chain

Even the sin of addiction that causes all my pain

 

The freedom from sin that opens up my heart

You died on that cross to give me a new start

 

I once was lost in the world and going to the grave

I heard Your message and knew You came to save

 

It was me that dropped to my knees

You called my name then pulled me from the weeds

 

I confessed all my sin it is You that forgives

You gave me life now forever with You I will live

 

Heavens my home I’m temporarily in this shell

You came to this earth to save me from hell

 

Now when I look in the mirror it’s You I want to see

I’m reminded that it’s You that set me free

 

You washed my feet then sent me out to serve

I read Your Word to help me not to swerve

 

You put me on a mission that helps build my faith

I share Your Gospel it tells how you came to save

 

So if you are lost and broken all’s you do is want to hide

Drop to your knees confess your sin then Jesus lives inside

 

Your heart is where Christ wants to live

A new life is what he wants to give

 

So if you’re asking why Christ had to die

To free us from God’s wrath so we won’t have to die

 

He sent me out to share how He came to give hope

I share God’s message of how He saved me from all the dope

 

I’ve been set from all the guilt and shame

Christ died on the tree so that we can believe His Name

 

So if your lost and all you want to do is die

Believe in Jesus’ Name so you won’t have to believe satans lies

 

 

Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2021

 

 

Jesus Take THE Wheel

Jesus Take The Wheel

 

This is my life and the struggle is real

It seems as tho I’ve lost my zeal

I battle and battle as tho there’s no end

I feel as tho, I’ve lost my dear friend

 

I’m in a place where I have to trust God

But the devil keeps on bringing up my flaws

I know I’m broken, but I can’t see straight

Away from me satan, you can’t tell me my fate

 

I’m stuck in a hospital for  very long time

It seems like a jail, where I committed a crime

I know that’s not real, it’s all in my head

I feel as tho, I want to stay in my bed

 

This is a spiritual battle, where I’m to stand firm

The devil pushes and pushes, where he wants me to squirm

I put on my Armor, as God commands me to do

The Shield of Faith, I put on, then I buckle my Shoes

 

I hold fast to God’s Word, where His promises are true

I put my faith in my Lord, so I’ll no longer feel blue

I’m now in a rehab, where I’m trying to heal

I hand over the reins, where God takes the wheel

 

I wait and I wait, when I want to go home

I’m asked to stay, then I feel I’m alone

Opposition keeps coming, from the master of lies

I run and I run, seeking Jesus, I try

 

I pray and I pray, but when I think there’s no use

God speaks to my heart, then I know I won’ loose

This is a spiritual war, where I’m told to stand firm

I dig into the Word, where I learn and I learn

 

I put in a call, to one of my dear friends

He encourages with Truth, so my time will not end

He asked me one thing, who do I trust

I put my faith in my Lord, where He is not unjust

 

I am reminded again, that Christ died on that Tree

He saved my pour soul, now I am set Free

He broke all my chains, so I don’t get lost in my mind

He opened my eyes, so I am no longer blind

 

Thru God’s eyes I can see, the evil world that’s at hand

Christ came to redeem, now that was Gods plan

So if you are lost, or don’t know what to do

Surrender to God, He wants to save you

 

 

Copyright by Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2021

In The Mirror

When I look in the mirror

Who do I see

Someone in a broken glass

Trying to be me

When I put on a front

I put on a mask

Who am I hiding from

Behind this broken glass

Masks are made

But should never be worn

I hide behind masks

So my heart is not torn

Then came You

Breaking my chains

You started with my heart

Then cleaned all my stains

I got rid of that ole mask

I have nothing to hide

Your Word’s in my heart

It’s in what I abide

Now when I look in a mirror

Who do I see

An image of Christ

Is what I’m trying to be

© Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2019

His Love

His Love

Jesus’ love protected me

From dying on that cursed tree

It is His love that guides my faith

Thru trying times that can’t be waived

His love is what gives me peace

When I carry my burdens to the tree

It is His love that made a way

To be called and then He sealed my fate

His love is faithful, kind and true

It fell on me like morning dew

It is His love that changed my heart

I now have light and not always dark

His love is what brings salvation

His message must go to the nations

It’s His love that’s why I serve

His Word I never have to swerve

His love is what I love the most

I Love you child says the Lord of Host

© Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2019

Walking By Faith

2 Corinthians 5:6-7

So we are alwaysof good courage. We know thatwhile we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight.

Walking By Faith

 

We walk by faith not by sight

We are called out of darkness, into His light

We have not a clue, God sees who we are

He knows that we’re evil, without a pure heart

To pray is the answer, asking for Salvation to come

Christ died on the cross, for all, not just some

He sent us His Spirit, to be our true guide

He will never leave us, He’s always by our side

To walk with Jesus is a blessing for sure

To believe in Jesus is sin’s only cure

Jesus is the answer to walking by faith

He is the answer, our penalty’s been waved

So to walk by faith, not by sight

Perseverance is the answer 

To standing firm in this fight

 

© Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2019

Brokenness

Brokenness

 

As I stare at this broken mirror

The brokenness that stares back is clearer

It’s brokenness that I need to know

Tells me what I want to show

Brokenness is not for the weak in heart

Nor is it for the one who’s smart

Brokenness has a many of scars

They come from battles and wars

Brokenness can tell a story

Some details can even get gory

Brokenness has character

Find out as the pot gets a stir

Most brokenness gets pushed around

It even gets dropped to the ground

Look up look down look all around

Can you see brokenness on this frown

Brokenness has a side you’ll want to know

This is a side that can steal the show

Here’s a side I want you to see

It has strength and shows bravery

Oh yes, strength is a must

To last any time there has to be trust

Brokenness didn’t happen just like that

It was initiated by a cause that’s a fact

Brokenness doesn’t mean I’m weak

No, there’s not even a mean streak

Brokenness says; Hey I am strong

Look don’t get me wrong

I ain’t no push over that’s for sure

Brokenness has to have a cure

His Name is Jesus

Brokenness is not how He sees us

He saw my brokenness and touched my heart

He’s healing my brokenness, now that’s a start

Way back when I said strength is a must

It’s my Jesus who I trust

It’s because Jesus that I lasted this long

To carry brokenness, to say I’m strong

It’s because of Jesus I stood the test

Then made it thru such a mess

In all my weakness, He is my strength

As long as I don’t keep him at arms length

 

 

 

© Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2019