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

In Him I Stand Awed

I rely on my faith, to take off my mask

Where is your faith now, the devil would ask

I’m encouraged to stand firm, during this evil time

This mountain won’t move, I know i must climb

I have such little faith,I know I must trust God

He fills me with power, in Him I stand awed

As I live out my life, the struggles will come

I reach up for God’s hand, He knows the outcome

I struggle and struggle, i put on my mask

I started believing the lies, then fear set in to bask

Fear had it’s help, from the father of lies

My Lord opened His arms, as I sat and just cried

My Lord left His flock, to come search me out

He calmed all my fear, He settled my doubt

I was broken and shattered, I knew I was lost

He carried my burdens, all the way to the cross

So I dropped to my knees, where I weeped as I prayed

God answered my prayers, where my penalty’s been paid

He covered my sin, now I won’t be afraid

Forgiveness is a blessing, it’s sweet as pie

Jesus came to my to my aid, now I can stop believe the lie

He came as a ransom, He died on the Tree

He now lives in my heart, now I am set free

The struggle is real, and you that you’re lost

Come to the Savior, where He died on the Cross

Copyright All Rights Reserved Bart Hickey 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

Jesus Lives

Jesus Lives

 

He walked the earth 3 ½ years

With message to repent

Please open your ears

 

It was that cross

That cross that He died

He gave His message with love

For even those who had pride

 

He loved the world

Even tho they were lost

He hung on the tree

Even tho He counted the cost

 

He shared the gospel of love

In order to be saved

He broke all the chains

For all those in slaved

 

If you are lost

Or loaded with pride

Open your heart

Let Jesus inside

 

Now you know that He lives

He lives inside your heart

He will clean you up

To give you a new start

 

Now that you’ve tasted

The goodness of God

You can never go back

To a life that is flawed

 

 

The new life that you live

Is the message to serve

Accept our Lord’s gift

The one you’ll never deserve

 

Now that you’ve read this poem

I hope you know this

For those who believe

Jesus Lives

 

Copyright Bart Hickey 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

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

Your Redemption Plan

Your Redemption Plan

 

Your Love walked the earth as man

To share the message of Your redemption plan

 

You put Your Love upon the cross

Your intention is to save who’s lost

 

Your Love is who defeated the grave

Because Your Love I know I’m saved

 

He rose to life after three days

The penalty for sin has been paid

 

You went to hell to free the slaves

From the prison of their graves

 

Inside our heart is where You live

Service to You is what we give

 

Your Word is what transforms my heart

It calms my storm and is where newness starts

 

Now I’m free to live for you

To trust Your Word through and through

 

Your Spirit is now my guide

From Your Truth I can no longer hide

 

I’m thankful for Your Redemption plan

For Your Love that died for man

 

 

 

© Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2019

His Love Will Never, Ever End

His Love Will Never, Ever End

We are purchased by His love

Down the cross ran His blood

He purchased us from the curse

Sin and shame were His purse

On that cross He died for you

Oh, how His love runs true

He left the flock to seek just one

His hands stretched out, will you come

Out of darkness, you’ve been called

Into the light where you’re never stalled

In the light, darkness has to flee

Because He died on that tree

Guilt and shame will be no more

Once you pass thru Christ’ open door

Can you hear, hear Him knock

Don’t let time run out on your clock

Will you let Him come inside

Your heart is where He will reside

He will change you from the inside out

He will take away all your doubt

Forgiveness is itching to be your friend

His love will never, ever end

You’ll be an heir to His throne

Heaven will then become your home

© Copyright By Bart Hickey, All Rights Reserved 2018