God Gives Power For New Life; Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Helen Lemmel was already a noted
Christian singer on a day in 1918
when a missionary friend handed
her a tract called “Focused”. It said:
“Turn your eyes upon Him,
look full into His face & you will
find that the things of earth will
acquire a strange new dimness.”
Suddenly, she said later, I was
singing in my soul the chorus,
putting word to word to make
rhyme and note to note to make
melody. Later that year, the hymn,
which was also inspired by Col 3,
was published in London and
became a favourite at Keswick
Convention around the world.
Yes, Turn our eyes upon Jesus,
for He will empower our lives!
Lord, we’ll Seek Things Above:
Since you have been raised
to new life with Christ, set your
sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits in the place
of honour at God’s right hand.
Think about the things of heaven,
not the things of earth. For you
died to this life and your real life is
hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3)
Put on the new man who is renewed.
Put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and
forgiving one another… But above
all these things, put on love (v10-14)
Let the message about Christ in all
its richness, fill your lives. Counsel
each other with all the wisdom
He gives. Sing spiritual songs
to God with thankful hearts (v16).
Father, help me seek things which
are above and not things on earth.
Help me trust in the realities of Your
kingdom and see with eyes of faith.
Lord Jesus, fill my mind with eternal
thoughts and help me live effectively
as an influencer in Your kingdom.
And Holy Spirit, make me new for
only You can empower the life I am
meant to live. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Lord, grant me the grace to put
to death vices like anger & critical
language and put on Your virtues.
Help me Lord to be tender hearted,
merciful & forbearing towards others
Help me to love and be forgiving
just as You have loved & forgive me.
Help me to recognise and discern
what is worthy of confrontation
and correction; and what I should
just graciously let it go. Amen.
Lord, we want to be filled with truth
of Christ & to live purposeful lives.
We can be confused as the world
is full of lies and unholy agendas.
Help us Lord to know You more
as we fill our hearts and minds
with Your words & spiritual songs.
And may our hearts and spirits
be more sensitive to Your Voice
and Your Will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
O soul, are you weary & troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory & grace…
His word shall not fail He promised
Believe Him, and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell. Amen.