An Empty Mansion

 

1 

Here I labor and toil as I look for a home,

Just a humble abode among men,

While in Heaven a mansion is waiting for me

And a gentle voice pleading "come in".

2 

Ever thankful am I that my Savior and Lord

Promised unto the weary sweet rest;

Nothing more could I ask than a mansion above,

There to live with the saved and the blest.

3 

When my labor and toiling have ended below

And my hands shall lie folded in rest,

I'll exchange this old home for a mansion up there

And invite the arch angel as guest.

REFRAIN:

There's a mansion now empty, just waiting for me

At the end of life's troublesome way.

Many friends and dear loved ones will welcome me there

Near the door of that mansion some day.

Author: Mrs. J. B. Karnes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ-gHXaiBcA&list=RDUQ-gHXaiBcA&start_radio=1

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 14:1-3

For Me He Careth

  1 

Yes, for me, for me he careth

With loving tender care;

Yes, with me, with me he shareth

Each burden, and each fear.

Yes, o'er me, o'er me he watcheth,

Ceaseless watcheth, night and day;

Yes, e'en me, e'en me he snatcheth

From the perils of the way.

2 

Yes, for me, he standeth pleading

At mercy's seat above;

Ever for me interceding,

In love, untiring love.

Yes, in me abroad he sheddeth

Joys unearthly, love and light;

And to cover me he spreadeth

His loving wings of might.

3

Yes, in me, in me he dwelleth!

In me and I in him.

And my soul with hope he filleth,

Tho' future plans are dim.

Thus I wait for his returning,

Singing all the way to heav'n;

Such the joyful song of morning,

Such tranquil song of ev'n.

Author: Horatius Bonar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od0dGxNkXlQ&list=RDod0dGxNkXlQ&start_radio=1

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

~I Peter 5:7

Blessed Assurance

 1  

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;  

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!  

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,  

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.  

2  

Perfect submission, perfect delight,  

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;  

Angels descending, bring from above  

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.  

3  

Perfect submission, all is at rest,  

I in my Savior am happy and blest;  

Watching and waiting, looking above,  

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.  

Refrain:  

This is my story, this is my song,  

Praising my Savior all the day long.  

This is my story, this is my song,  

Praising my Savior all the day long.   

 

Lyrics: Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915)

   

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men. ~Acts 17:31

"Heir of salvation"  

Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.   

"Purchase of God"  

I Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

"Blessed assurance"

Hebrews 6:11

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

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.

Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men.

Colossians 2:2

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Just Over in the Gloryland

1

I’ve a home prepared where the saints abide,

Just over in the gloryland;

And I long to be by my Savior’s side,

Just over in the gloryland.

2 

I am on my way to those mansions fair,

Just over in the gloryland;

There to sing God’s praise, and His glory share,

Just over in the gloryland.

3 

What a joyful thought that my Lord I’ll see,

Just over in the gloryland;

And with kindred saved, there forever be,

Just over in the gloryland.

4 

With the bloodwashed throng I will shout and sing,

Just over in the gloryland;

Glad hosannas to Christ, the Lord and King,

Just over in the gloryland.

Refrain:

Just over in the gloryland,

I’ll join the happy angel band,

Just over in the gloryland;

Just over in the gloryland,

There with the mighty host I’ll stand,

Just over in the gloryland.

Author: James W. Acuff (1906)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dyhtcnyWcA&list=RD1dyhtcnyWcA&start_radio=1

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ~Romans 8:18

Revelation 7:13-14

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 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.

Revelation 5:11-13

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; 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. 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.

John 12:12-13

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hark! The Gentle Voice

1 

Hark, the gentle voice of Jesus falleth

Tenderly upon your ear;

Sweet his cry of love and pity calleth;

Turn and listen, stay and hear.

2 

Take his yoke, for he is meek and lowly,

Bear his burden, to him turn;

He who calleth is the Master holy,

He will teach if you will learn.

3 

Then, his loving, tender voice obeying,

Bear his yoke, his burden take;

Find the yoke his hand is on you laying,

Light and easy for His sake.

Chorus:

Ye that labor and are heavy laden,

Lean upon your dear Lord’s breast;

Ye that labor and are heavy laden,

Come, and I will give you rest.

Author: M. B. C. Slade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faeQ1RBwphU&list=RDfaeQ1RBwphU&start_radio=1

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I Must Tell Jesus

 

1 

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;

I cannot bear these burdens alone;

In my distress He kindly will help me;

He ever loves and cares for His own.

2 

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;

He is a kind, compassionate friend;

If I but ask Him, He will deliver,

Make of my troubles quickly an end. 

3 

O how the world to evil allures me!

O how my heart is tempted to sin!

I must tell Jesus, and He will help me

Over the world the vict'ry to win.

REFRAIN:

I must tell Jesus!

I must tell Jesus!

I cannot bear my burdens alone;

I must tell Jesus!

I must tell Jesus!

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Author: E. A. Hoffman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uy7xCO5e90&list=RD-Uy7xCO5e90&start_radio=1

(Full disclosure -- I just love the sound of steel guitar.)

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. ~Matthew 21:22

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again

1

How sweet and happy seem

those days of which I dream,

When memory recalls them now and then!

And with what rapture sweet

my weary heart would beat,

If I could hear my mother pray again.

2

She used to pray that I

on Jesus would rely,

And always walk the shining gospel way;

So trusting still His love

I seek that home above,

Where I shall meet my mother some glad day.

3

Within the old home place

her patient smiling face

Was always spreading comfort, hope and cheer;

And when she used to sing

to her eternal King,

It was the songs the angels loved to hear.

4

Her work on earth is done,

the life crown has been won,

And she will be at rest with Him above;

And some glad morning she

I know will welcome me

To that eternal home of peace and love.

CHORUS

If I could only hear my mother pray again,

If I could hear her tender voice as then!

So happy I should be,

'twould mean so much to me,

If I could hear my mother pray again.

J. W. Vaughan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wc6NOScZLE

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. ~Romans 1:9

Standing On the Promises

 1  

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,  

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,  

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,  

Standing on the promises of God.  

2  

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,  

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,  

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,  

Standing on the promises of God.  

3  

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,  

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,  

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,  

Standing on the promises of God.  

4  

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,  

List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.  

Resting in my Savior as my All in All,  

Standing on the promises of God. 

REFRAIN  

Standing, standing,  

Standing on the promises of God my Savior;  

Standing, standing,  

I’m standing on the promises of God.   

  

 Lyrics: Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928)    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpUJD_47VCQ&list=RDhpUJD_47VCQ&start_radio=1

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. ~Matthew 28:20

 "By the living word of God I shall prevail"   Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.    

 "Overcoming daily by the Spirit's sword"   Ephesians 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:     

"List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call"   John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.   

* * * 

 What are the promises of God? According to one source I found in a Google search, there are 7000 promises of God in the Bible. (It was a video, and I didn't watch it -- I was looking for a printed source.) Of course, the Bible is full of God's promises from cover to cover, far too many to include here. So I am going to pick and choose just a few of them.    

 Isaiah 41:10 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.    

James 1:5 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.    

John 3:16 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.    

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.    

Psalm 50:15 

Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.    

Matthew 6:31–33 

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.    

Mark 11:24 

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  

* * *

 [Here's a little dilemma that I struggle with -- and maybe I'm not the only one: We know that our prayers are NOT always answered. Not in the way we want them to be, anyway. Why is that? There are two verses that I can think of that give us some answers:]    

Isaiah 55:8-9 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.    

Romans 8:28 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  

 [Like a good parent, God works all things together for our good -- which is not always the same thing as what we would like to have happen. When bad things happen to us, and we don't understand why, we have to remember that God promised to be with us at all times.]    

Isaiah 43:2 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

I Need Thee Every Hour

1

I need Thee every hour,

  Most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine

  Can peace afford.

2

I need Thee every hour,

  Stay Thou near by;

Temptations lose their power

  When Thou art nigh.

3

I need Thee every hour,

  In joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide,

  Or life is vain.

4

I need Thee every hour,

  Teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises

  In me fulfill.

5

I need Thee every hour,

  Most Holy One;

Oh, make me Thine indeed,

  Thou blessed Son.

CHORUS

  I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

  Every hour I need Thee;

Oh, bless me now, my Savior!

    I come to Thee.

Lyrics:Annie Sherwood Hawks (1836-1918)

Chorus by Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSQ-3TD7g_g&list=RDgSQ-3TD7g_g&start_radio=1

Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. ~Psalm 86:1

Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

 

 1  

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,  

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!  

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,  

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!  

2  

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,  

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!  

O how bright the path grows from day to day,  

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!  

3  

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,  

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!  

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,  

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!    

REFRAIN:  

Leaning (on Jesus), leaning (on Jesus),  

Safe and secure from all alarms;  

Leaning (on Jesus), leaning (on Jesus),  

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.  

 

Lyrics: Elisha Albright Hoffman (1839-1929)    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC59x-oVCNk&list=RDeC59x-oVCNk&start_radio=1

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. ~Deuteronomy 33:27

Where We'll Never Grow Old

1 

I have heard of a land

On the faraway strand,

’Tis a beautiful home of the soul;

Built by Jesus on high,

There we never shall die,

’Tis a land where we never grow old.

2 

In that beautiful home

Where we’ll nevermore roam,

We shall be in the sweet by and by;

Happy praise to the King

Through eternity sing,

’Tis a land where we never shall die.

3 

When our work here is done

And the life crown is won,

And our troubles and trials are o’er,

All our sorrows will end,

And our voices will blend

With the loved ones who’ve gone on before.

Refrain:

Never grow old,

Where we'll never grow old,

In a land where we’ll never grow old;

Never grow old,

Where we'll never grow old,

In a land where we’ll never grow old.

 

Author: James C. Moore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhxolymJ11Q

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. and he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. ~Revelation 21:4

* * *

The Bible gives a fascinating metaphoric description of the physical deterioration of old age...

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim; and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly. Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street. Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 

~Ecclesiastes 12.1-7

light...darkened (eyesight)

clouds... (cataracts)

watchmen tremble...(tremor)

stoop... (kyphosis)

grinding ones stand idle because they are few ... (teeth)

sound of the grinding mill is low... (hearing)

arise at the sound of the bird... (insomnia)

daughters of song sing softly... (hearing)

afraid of high place and terrors on the road... (anxiety)

almond tree blossoms... (white hair)

grasshopper drags about... (shuffling walk)

I think the concept of the "silver cord" which attaches the soul to the body is kind of fascinating. I'm not familiar with the other metaphors - the golden bowl, pitcher by the well, wheel at the cistern crushed. Of course, we've all heard "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" at funerals.

The spirit will return to God. (What a beautiful thought.)

You Never Mentioned Him to Me

1

When in the better land

Before the bar we stand,

How deeply grieved our souls may be;

If any lost one there

Should cry in deep despair,

"You never mentioned Him to me."

2

O let us spread the word

Where'er it may be heard,

Help groping souls the light to see,

That yonder none may say,

"You showed me not the way,

You never mentioned Him to me."

3

A few sweet words may guide

A lost one to His side,

Or turn sad eyes on Calvary;

So work as days go by,

That yonder none may cry,

"You never mentioned Him to me."

REFRAIN

"You never mentioned Him to me,

You helped me not the light to see;

You met me day by day

And knew I was astray,

Yet never mentioned Him to me."

James Rowe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxRh3aGyf1I&list=RDVxRh3aGyf1I&start_radio=1

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace! ~Romans 10:15

Romans 10:14-15

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

O I Want to See Him

O I WANT TO SEE HIM

1

As I journey thru the land 

Singing as I go,

Pointing souls to Calvary -- 

To the crimson flow,

Many arrows pierce my soul 

From without, within;

But my Lord leads me on, 

Thru Him I must win.

2

When in service for my Lord

Dark may be the night,

But I'll cling more close to Him,

He will give me light;

Satan's snares may vex the soul,

Turn my thoughts aside;

But my Lord Goes ahead,

Leads whate'er betide.

3

When in valleys low I look

Toward the mountain height,

And behold my Savior there,

Leading in the fight,

With a tender hand outstretched,

Toward the valley low,

Guiding me, I can see,

As I onward go.

4

When before me billows rise

From the mighty deep,

Then my Lord directs my bark;

He doth safely keep,

And He leads me gently on

Through this world below;

He's a rea Friend to me,

O I love Him so.

CHORUS

O I want to see Him,

Look upon His face,

There to sing forever

Of His saving grace;

On the streets of glory

Let me lift my voice;

Cares all past, home at last,

Ever to rejoice.

R.H. Cornelius

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5iqaiqeHeI&list=RDg5iqaiqeHeI&start_radio=1

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. ~I Corinthians 13.12

One Step At a Time

 

1 

One step at a time, dear Savior:

I cannot take any more;

The flesh is so weak and hopeless:

I know not what is before.

2 

One step at a time, dear Savior:

I am not walking by sight;

Keep step with my soul, dear Savior:

I walk by faith in Thy might.

3 

One step at a time, dear Savior:

O guard my faltering feet!

Keep hold of my hand, dear Savior,

Till I my journey complete.

4 

One step at a time, dear Savior:

Thou knowest all of my fear;

One word from Thy heart, dear Savior,

And Heaven’s mansions appear.

Chorus:

One step at a time, dear Savior,

Till faith grows stronger in Thee;

One step at a time, dear Savior,

Till hope grows stronger in me.

Author: T. J. Shelton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65zdFLYVgmo&list=RD65zdFLYVgmo&start_radio=1

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

~II Corinthians 5:7

Precious Memories

 

1 

Precious mem'ries, unseen angels,

Sent from somewhere to my soul;

How they linger, ever near me,

And the sacred past unfold.

Chorus:

Precious mem'ries, how they linger,

How they ever flood my soul;

In the stillness of the midnight,

Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

2 

Precious father, loving mother,

Fly across the lonely years;

And old home scenes of my childhood,

In fond memory appear. [Chorus]

3 

As I travel on life's pathway,

Know not what the years may hold;

As I ponder, hope grows fonder,

Precious mem'ries flood my soul. [Chorus]

John Braselton Fillmore Wright

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q36bBZukTJ0&list=RDq36bBZukTJ0&start_radio=1

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.

WILL WE BE REUNITED WITH OUR LOVED ONES WHEN WE DIE?

Genesis 25:8

Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

Victory in Jesus

 

1

I heard an old, old story,

How a Savior came from glory,

How He gave His life on Calvary

To save a wretch like me;

I heard about His groaning,

Of His precious blood's atoning

Then I repented of my sins 

and won the victory.

2

I heard about His healing, 

Of His cleansing pow'r revealing,

How He made the lame to walk again

And caused the blind to see;

And then I cried "dear Jesus,

Come and heal my broken spirit,"

I then obeyed His blest commands 

and gained the victory.

3

I heard about a mansion

He has built for me in glory,

And I heard about the streets of gold

Beyond the crystal sea;

About the angels singing,

And the old redemption story,

And some sweet day I'll sing up there

The song of victory.

CHORUS

O victory in Jesus,

My Savior forever,

He sought me and bo't me

With His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him,

And all my love is due Him,

He plunged me to victory,

Beneath the cleansing flood.

E.M. Bartlett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEmkUrsloaU&list=RDNEmkUrsloaU&start_radio=1

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~I Corinthians 15.57

Angry Words

1

Angry words! O let them never

From the tongue unbridled slip;

May the heart's best impulse ever

Check them ere they soil the lip.

2

Love is much too pure and holy,

Friendship is too sacred far,

For a moment's reckless folly

Thus to desolate and mar.

3

Angry words are lightly spoken,

Bitt'rest tho'ts are rashly stirred,

Brightest links of life are broken,

By a single angry word.

CHORUS

"Love one another"

Thus saith the Savior;

Children, obey the Father's blest command;

"Love one another"

Thus saith the Savior;

Children, obey His blest command.

Horatio Richmond Palmer 1867

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DugrPG5Q2DE&list=RDDugrPG5Q2DE&start_radio=1

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

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   

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

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. ~Hebrews 3:15

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.

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:    

 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.

(In the Church of Christ, baptism must be by immersion in water.)

The song O Why Not Tonight, because it says specifically "tonight", evokes images of old fashioned tent revivals.

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.