Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Can He Depend On You?

1

Jesus the savior came down from above,

Came to bring mercy and love;

"Crucify him" the mob scornfully cried,

So he on Calvary died.

While on the cross he prayed: Father, forgive,

For they know not what they do."

For us he died that for him we might live.

Can he depend on you?

2

He from the grave on the third day arose,

Missions of man to disclose;

Go preach the gospel, all who will may hear,

Through him be free from all fear;

Bid them believe, to repent and obey,

Walk in the newness of life;

Keep the light glowing to show them the way

Leading from sin and strife.

3

He is preparing in heaven a home,

For all his faithful and own;

Are you preparing to stand by his side,

Or in that day be denied?

Have you told others the story of love,

Showing them what they should do?

These are the precepts that come from above,

Can he depend on you?

Refrain:

Can he depend on you,

His blessed will to do?

Will you be crowned with the faithful and true,

Can he depend on you?


Wilkin Bacon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImanxwHoFPA&list=RDImanxwHoFPA&start_radio=1

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 


Mark 15:12-14

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him! Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him!


Luke 23:32-34

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.


2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.


1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.


Luke 24:45-47

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.


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.


Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.


John 14:1-3

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.


John 8:28

Then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.


Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Sweet By and By

 

There's a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar,
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blest;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more-
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
To our bountiful Father above
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.
Chorus:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.


Sanford Fillmore Bennett



Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

John 14:2-3
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.

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Sunday, April 5, 2026

I've Just Seen Jesus


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaE8Gdh_TnQ


We knew he was dead

It is finished, he said

We had watched as his life ebbed away

Then we all stood around

Till the guards took him down

Joseph begged for his body that day

It was late afternoon

When we got to the tomb

Wrapped his body and sealed up the grave

So I know how you feel

His death was so real

But please listen and hear what I say

I've just seen Jesus

I tell you he's alive

I've just seen Jesus

Our precious Lord alive

And I knew, he really saw me too

As if till now, I'd never lived

All that I'd done before

Won't matter anymore

I've just seen Jesus

And I'll never be the same again

It was his voice she first heard

Those kind gentle words

Asking what was her reason for tears

And I sobbed in despair

My Lord is not there

He said, child! it is I, I am here!

I've just seen Jesus

I tell you he's alive

I've just seen Jesus

Our precious lord alive

And I knew, he really saw me too

As if till now, I'd never lived

All that I'd done before

Won't matter anymore

I've just seen Jesus

I've just seen Jesus

I've just seen Jesus

All that I'd done before

Won't matter anymore

I've just seen Jesus

And I'll never be the same again

I've just seen Jesus!


Songwriters: Danny Daniels / Gloria Gaither / William J. Gaither


Saturday, April 4, 2026

I Shall Not Be Moved

This is a versatile spiritual song that has been used in a variety of settings, including social/political protest movements. It's one of those "folk" gospel songs that lends itself to spontaneous lyrics.  This is the version that appears in the songbooks we used in the Watervliet (Michigan) Church of Christ when I was growing up. (Note that it is this arrangement that is under copyright, not the song itself.)

Refrain:

I shall not be, I shall not be moved,

I shall not be, I shall not be moved,

Just like a tree that's planted by the waters,

I shall not be moved.

1

Glory hallelujah, I shall not be moved;

Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved...

2

In his love abiding, I shall not be moved;

And in him confiding, I shall not be moved...

3

Though all hell assail me, I shall not be moved;

Jesus will not fail me, I shall not be moved...

4

Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved;

On the Rock of Ages, I shall not be moved...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRKi2V9h7LY&list=RDeRKi2V9h7LY&start_radio=1

Here are some other verses from other hymnals I have in my collection --

Jesus is my savior... In his love and favor...

In my Christ abiding... In his love I'm hiding...

If I trust him ever... He will fail me never...

On his word I'm feeding... He's the one that's leading...

When my cross is heavy... when my cross is heavy...

The church of God is marching... the church of God is marching...

Jesus is our captain... Jesus is our captain...

Fighting sin and Satan... fighting sin and Satan...


There are many more -- the improvisational possibilities are endless.

The two key phrases in the refrain are related to the following scriptures --




* * *
There is another version of this song, which I posted last year. See the following link --

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Heavenly Sunlight

1

Walking in sunlight, all of my journey,

over the mountains, through the deep vale;

Jesus has said, "I’ll never forsake thee,"

promise divine that never can fail.

2

Shadows around me, shadows above me,

never conceal my Savior and Guide;

He is the light, in Him is no darkness;

ever I’m walking close to His side.

3

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,

pressing my way to mansions above;

singing His praises gladly I’m walking,

walking in sunlight, sunlight of love. 

Chorus:

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,

flooding my soul with glory divine:

hallelujah, I am rejoicing,

singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

 

Author: Henry J. Zelley (1899)



John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.


1 Thessalonians 5:5

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

1 John 1:5

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

When He Comes in Glory By and By

 

1   

O how sweet ’twill be to meet the Lord,  

When He comes in glory, by and by;  

What a song of praise will be outpoured,  

When He comes in glory, by and by.  

2   

We will have our robes all white as snow,  

When He comes in glory, by and by;  

O be ready with the Lord to go,  

When He comes in glory, by and by.  

3   

I am longing for that happy day,  

When He comes in glory, by and by;  

For with Him I hope to soar away,  

When He comes in glory, by and by.    

Refrain:  

How sweet 'twill be! How sweet 'twill be!  

When He comes again in the love-lit sky!  

What joy 'twill be! What joy 'twill be!  

When He comes in glory, by and by. 


 Author: Arthur A. Westbrook 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZbd7bfp_Lc&list=RDKZbd7bfp_Lc&start_radio=1 


 Matthew 24:30 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

 Matthew 24:30 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.    

Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.    

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.    

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


Tuesday, March 31, 2026

I Surrender All

 



All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.


All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.


All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Chorus:

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.



Author: Judson W. Van DeVenter



Philippians 3:8 
I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.