Saturday, August 1, 2026

The Glory Land Way

 1  
I’m in the way, the bright and shining way,  
I’m in the glory-land way;  
Telling the world that Jesus saves today,  
Yes, I’m in the glory-land way.  
2  
List to the call, the gospel call today,  
Get in the glory-land way;  
Wand’rers, come home, oh, hasten to obey,  
For I'm in the glory-land way.  
3  
Onward I go, rejoicing in His love  
I’m in the glory-land way;  
Soon I shall see Him in that home above,  
Oh I’m in the glory-land way.  
Refrain:  
I’m in the glory-land way;  
I’m in the glory-land way;  
Heaven is nearer,  and the way groweth clearer,  
For I’m in the glory-land way.
    
Author: J. S. Torbett    


Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.    Hebrews 3:12-15 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.    

Mark 14:61-63 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.    

Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.    


Friday, July 31, 2026

God Is Calling the Prodigal

 1  
God is calling the prodigal  come without delay  
Hear o hear him calling  calling now for thee  
Tho you've wandered so far from his  presence, come today  
Hear his loving voice calling still  
2  
Patient, loving and tenderly  still the Father pleads,  
Hear, O hear Him calling,  calling now for thee;  
Oh! return while the Spirit in  mercy intercedes,  
Hear His loving voice calling still.  
3  
Come, there’s bread in the house of the  Father, and to spare,  
Hear, O hear Him calling,  calling now for thee;  
Lo! the table is spread and the  feast is waiting there,  
Hear His loving voice calling still.  
REFRAIN  
Calling now for thee,  
O weary prodigal, come;  
Calling now for thee,  
O weary prodigal, come.
    

 Author: Charles Hutchinson Gabriel 1889

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lQRMrQcGqE&list=RD6lQRMrQcGqE&start_radio=1

    

Luke 15:11 A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.  17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.  25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Thursday, July 30, 2026

O Why Not Tonight?


 1  

O do not let the word depart,  

And close thine eyes against the light;  

Poor sinner, harden not your heart;  

Be saved, O tonight.   

2  

Tomorrow’s sun may never rise  

To bless thy long deluded sight;  

This is the time, O then be wise,  

Be saved, O tonight. 

3  

Our Lord in pity lingers still,  

And wilt thou thus His love requite?  

Renounce at once thy stubborn will,  

Be saved, O tonight.  

4  

Our blessed Lord refuses none  

Who would to Him their souls unite;  

Believe, obey, the work is done;  

Be saved, O tonight.  

Refrain:  

O why not tonight?  

O why not tonight?  

Wilt thou be saved?  

Then why not tonight? 


 Author: Eliza Holmes Reed  

The song O Why Not Tonight, because it says specifically "tonight", evokes images of old fashioned tent revivals, in which services were generally held in the evenings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYGoFmXFHbQ&list=RDpYGoFmXFHbQ&start_radio=1

Hebrews 3:15

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.    

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

This is one of our family photos (I added the text for this post). On this occasion my great grandparents, Ulys and Annie Hicks, and Ulys' brother Felix and his wife Ida, were baptized. This was around 1910.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Almost Persuaded


1  

“Almost persuaded” now to believe;  

“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;  

Seems now some soul to say,  

“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,  

Some more convenient day  

On Thee I’ll call.”  

2  

“Almost persuaded,” come, come today;  

“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;  

Jesus invites you here,  

Angels are ling’ring near,  

Prayers rise from hearts so dear;  

O wand’rer, come!  

3  

  “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!  

“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last;  

“Almost” cannot avail;  

“Almost” is but to fail!  

Sad, sad that bitter wail—  

“Almost—but lost!”  


Author: Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876) 

This song was usually used as the "invitation" after the sermon -- an opportunity for anyone in the assembly to come forward to make a confession of sin and/or be baptized. In some other denominations this is sometimes known as an "altar call". This first video does not include the last verse, which is pertinent to the invitation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9oVppVnS6g&list=RDg9oVppVnS6g&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNgKNNdRru0&list=RDQNgKNNdRru0&start_radio=1

Acts 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.    

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Prepare to Meet Thy God

 1  
Careless soul, why will you linger,  
Wand’ring from the fold of God?  
Hear you not the invitation?  
Oh, prepare to meet thy God.  
2  
Why so thoughtless are you standing,  
While the fleeting years go by,  
And your life is spent in folly?  
Oh, prepare to meet thy God. 
3  
Hear you not the earnest pleadings  
Of your friends that wish you well?  
And perhaps before tomorrow  
You’ll be called to meet your God. 
4  
If you spurn the invitation  
Till the Spirit shall depart,  
Then you’ll see your sad condition,  
Unprepared to meet thy God. 
Refrain:  
Careless soul, oh, heed the warning,  
For your life will soon be gone;  
Oh, how sad to face the judgment,  
Unprepared to meet thy God.      

Author: James H. Stanley    


2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.    

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.    

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:    

This song, along with many others, is often used as an "invitation" song at the end of the sermon in many Christian churches, especially those of the baptist/pentecostal varieties. Sometimes known as the "altar call," this is an opportunity for congregants to come forward and make a confession of sin and ask for prayers, or request to become a member of the church, or to rededicate themselves to their original commitment to Christ. The invitation song is a sort of pregnant pause, an anticipatory moment in evangelical churches, with their focus on "winning souls for Christ." It is often fraught with emotion, particularly in special worship services such as "revival" meetings

* * *

Background information --

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

In the New Testament book of Acts, in chapter 16, is an account of the apostles Paul and Silas, having been arrested and put into prison:    25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.  

This passage of scripture is frequently used in the Church of Christ as indicative of "the plan of salvation." I don't know if any other churches have this particular terminology or theology, but in the Church of Christ it is basic dogma. The Plan of Salvation consists of five steps:    

 PLAN OF SALVATION   

 1. HEAR the Gospel  Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  

 2. BELIEVE the Gospel   Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.    

 3. REPENT of past sins   Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:    

 4. CONFESS faith in Jesus Christ   Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.    

 5. BE BAPTIZED   Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

There's Power in the Blood

1  
Would you be free from the burden of sin?  
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  
Would you o'er evil a victory win?  
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.  
2  
Would you be free from your passion and pride?  
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  
Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide–  
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. 
3  
Would you be whiter, yes brighter than snow?  
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  
Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow–  
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. 
4  
Would you do service for Jesus, your King?  
There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  
Would you live daily His praises to sing?  
There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.   
Refrain:  
There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r  
In the blood of the Lamb;  
There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r  
In the precious blood of the Lamb.   

 

Hymn lyrics: Lewis E. Jones (1899)    

Why "pow'r" and not "power"? This is a Southern Gospel song, and if you are from the South, "power" is a one-syllable word that sounds very much like "par"...  

Here's a fun performance of this great old gospel song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNzJf8_ZGTM&list=RDcNzJf8_ZGTM&start_radio=1

Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.    Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

1  
What can wash away my sin?  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  
What can make me whole again?  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.   
2  
For my pardon this I see:  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  
For my cleansing this my plea:  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
3  
Nothing can for sin atone:  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  
Naught of good that I have done:  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
4  
This is all my hope and peace:  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  
This is all my righteousness:  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
Refrain:  
O precious is the flow  
That makes me white as snow;  
No other fount I know;  
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 

Author: Robert Lowry (1876)    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvgOuj-AA0&list=RDUIvgOuj-AA0&start_radio=1

We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. ~Colossians 1:14


Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.