Monday, February 23, 2026

Farther Along

 

1
Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder,  
Why it should be thus all the day long;  
While there are others living about us,  
Never molested though in the wrong.  
2  
When death has come and taken our loved ones,  
It leaves our home so lonely and drear;  
Then do we wonder why others prosper,  
Living so wicked year after year.   
3  
Faithful till death said our loving Master,  
A few more days to labor and wait;  
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing,  
As we sweep through the beautiful gate.  
4  
When we see Jesus coming in glory,  
When He comes from His home in the sky;  
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,  
We'll understand it all by and by.    
Refrain:  
Farther along we’ll know all about it,  
Farther along we’ll understand why;  
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,  
We’ll understand it all by and by. 

Author: W. B. Stevens   

Here's a very sweet rendition of this old favorite by the adorable Peasall Sisters. (Grab a tissue, Becky.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1dVxCa77sI&list=RDk1dVxCa77sI&start_radio=1

 John 13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.    


Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.    

Psalm 37:37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. 15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. 18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. 21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. 33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.    

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.


Sunday, February 22, 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.



Saturday, February 21, 2026

Love Lifted Me

 Love Lifted Me

 1  

I was sinking deep in sin,   

Far from the peaceful shore,  

Very deeply stained within,   

Sinking to rise no more;  

But the Master of the sea   

Heard my despairing cry,  

From the waters lifted me –   

Now safe am I.  

2  

All my heart to Him I give,   

Ever to Him I'll cling,  

In His blessed presence live,   

Ever His praises sing.  

Love so mighty and so true   

Merits my soul's best songs;  

Faithful, loving service, too,   

To Him belongs.  

3  

Souls in danger, look above,   

Jesus completely saves;  

He will lift you by His love   

Out of the angry waves.  

He's the Master of the sea,   

Billows His will obey;  

He your Savior wants to be –   

Be saved today.     

Refrain:  

Love lifted me,  

Love lifted me,  

When nothing else could help,  

Love lifted me;  

Love lifted me, 

Love lifted me,  

When nothing else could help,  

Love lifted me. 

 

Author: James Rowe   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk5XNtNBhQY&list=RDLk5XNtNBhQY&start_radio=1


Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.


Peter cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him. ~Matthew 14:30


Friday, February 20, 2026

Won't It Be Wonderful There

Won't It Be Wonderful There?

When with the Savior we enter the glory-land,
Won't it be wonderful there?
Ended the troubles and cares of the story-land,
Won't it be wonderful there?
Refrain:
Won't it be wonderful there,
Having no burdens to bear?
Joyously singing with heart-bells all ringing,
O won't it be wonderful there?
Walking and talking with Christ, the supernal One,
Won't it be wonderful there?
Praising, adoring the matchless eternal One,
Won't it be wonderful there? [Refrain]
There where the tempest will never be sweeping us,
Won't it be wonderful there?
Sure that forever the Lord will be keeping us,
Won't it be wonderful there? [Refrain]

Author: James Rowe

Here's a rendition featuring the late great inimitable Vestal Goodman.


So... this is the song from which the title of this blog was taken. "Joyously singing with heart-bells all ringing" perfectly describes the way we all felt singing the good old gospel songs in church and with the family at home.


I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. ~Psalm 9:2

Revelation 5:8-13

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.


Revelation 7:9-17

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

We Shall See the King Some Day

 We Shall See the King Some Day

1
 Tho' the way we journey may be often drear,
We shall see the King some day;
On that blessèd morning clouds will disappear;
We shall see the King some day.
Chorus:
We shall see the King some day,
We will shout and sing some day;
Gathered ’round the throne,
When He shall call His own,
We shall see the King some day.
After pain and anguish, after toil and care,
We shall see the King some day;
Thro' the endless ages joy and blessing share,
We shall see the King some day. (Chorus)
After foes are conquered, after battles won,
We shall see the King some day;
After strife is over, after set of sun,
We shall see the King some day. (Chorus)
There with all the loved ones who have gone before,
We shall see the King some day;
Sorrow past forever, on that peaceful shore,
We shall see the King some day. (Chorus)

Author: Lewis E. Jones



Wednesday, February 18, 2026

The Gloryland Way

 The Gloryland 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.    



Tuesday, February 17, 2026

I Am Resolved

 I Am Resolved

 1  
I am resolved no longer to linger,  
Charmed by the world's delight;  
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,  
These have allured my sight.  
2  
I am resolved to go to the Savior,  
Leaving my sin and strife;  
He is the true one, He is the just one,  
He has the words of life. 
3  
I am resolved, and who will go with me?  
Come, friends, without delay;  
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,  
We'll walk the heavenly way. 
Refrain:  
I will hasten to Him,  
Hasten so glad and free;  
Jesus, greatest, highest,  
I will come to Thee.     

Author: Palmer Hartsough    


Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.    

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.    

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow  me."  

John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.    

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."    

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let him who hears say, “Come.” And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price.    

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!