"Jesus Has Lifted Me"

This story falls into the category of "amusingly ironic." Haldor Lillenas was a Nazarene pastor and prolific hymn writer. He wrote the tune for a song by Alfred Barrett, "Let It Be You and I."

The tune made its way to Arthur McKee, an evangelist and editor at the Tabernacle Publishing Company. McKee didn't care for the lyrics, and asked Avis Christiansen to try her hand at writing new words. Some of her hymns are:

It Is Glory Just To Walk With Him...Only Glory By and By...Only One Life...Precious Hiding Place...Victory In Jesus

She wrote new lyrics and the song was published in 1916 in Tabernacle Praises (edited by McKee).

Lillenas was not happy about the change in lyrics, but eventually accepted them when the song became popular. It is the resounding hymn of praise..."Jesus Has Lifted Me."

- J. D. Sherrow
Used by permission
~~~~~
Out of the depths to the glory above,
I have been lifted in wonderful love.
From every fetter my spirit is free -
For Jesus has lifted me!

Refrain
Jesus has lifted me!
Jesus has lifted me!
Out of the night into glorious light,
Yes, Jesus has lifted me!

Out of the world into heavenly rest,
Into the land of the ransomed and blest,
There in the glory with Him I shall be -
For Jesus has lifted me!

Out of myself into Him I adore,
There to hide in His love evermore.
Through endless ages His glory to see -
My Jesus has lifted me!

- Avis M. Christiansen, 1916

Copyright 1918. Renewal 1946 by H. Lillenas. Used by permission.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"I Would Be Like Jesus"

Earthly pleasures vainly call me;
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldy shall enthrall me;
I would be like Jesus.

Refrain
Be like Jesus this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.

He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus.

All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling o’er and o’er the story,
I would be like Jesus.

That in heaven He may meet me,
I would be like Jesus;
That His words, “Well done,” may greet me,
I would be like Jesus.

- James Rowe, 1865-1933

Copyright 1912 by E. O. Excell. © Renewed 1940 by The Rodeheaver Co. Used by permission.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company
~~~~~
“Like our Lord, we have been called to have the spirit of a servant, spending and being spent, meeting the needs of others. But we cannot develop a Christ-like life merely on the basis of religious activity or even an accumulation of biblical knowledge, as important as knowledge and sound doctrine are to Christian living. Rather, spiritual maturity - Christ-like living - is the result of an implicit obedience to God’s will for our lives, even as our Lord was always obedient to the will of His Father.”

Copied from “Amazing Grace - 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions” by Kenneth W. Osbeck © 1990 by Kregel Publications
~~~~~

"Blessed Be the Fountain"

Blessed be the fountain of Blood,
To a world of sinners revealed.
Blessed be the dear Son of God -
Only by His stripes we are healed.
Tho’ I’ve wandered far from His fold,
Bringing to my heart pain and woe,
Wash me in the blood of the Lamb,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain
Whiter than the snow,
Whiter than the snow; -
Wash me in the blood of the Lamb,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Thorny was the crown that He wore,
And the Cross His body o’ercame;
Grievous were the sorrows He bore,
But He suffered thus not in vain.
May I to that fountain be led,
Made to cleanse my sins here below;
Wash me in the blood that He shed,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Father, I have wandered from Thee;
Often has my heart gone astray.
Crimson do my sins seem to me -
Water cannot wash them away.
Jesus, to the fountain of Thine,
Leaning on Thy promise, I go;
Cleanse me by Thy washing divine,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

- Eden R. Latta, 19th Century

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"

I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.

Refrain
I know, I know that Jesus liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know, I know, that life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.

I know His promise never faileth,
The word He speaks, it cannot die.
Though cruel death my flesh assaileth,
Yet I shall see Him by and by.

I know my mansion He prepareth,
That where He is there I may be.
O wondrous thought, for me He careth,
And He at last will come for me!

- Jessie Brown Pounds, 1861 - 1921

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"I Need Jesus"

I need Jesus; my need I now confess.
No friend like Him in times of deep distress!
I need Jesus; the need I gladly own.
Though some may bear their load alone,
Yet I need Jesus.

Refrain
I need Jesus; I need Jesus.
I need Jesus every day.
Need Him in the sunshine hour,
need Him when the storm clouds low'r;
Every day along my way,
Yes, I need Jesus.

I need Jesus, I need a Friend like Him,
A Friend to guide when paths of life are dim.
I need Jesus when foes my soul assail.
Alone I know I can but fail,
So I need Jesus.

I need Jesus; I need Him to the end.
No one like Him - He is the sinner's Friend.
I need Jesus; no other friend will do.
So constant, kind, so strong and true -
Yes, I need Jesus.

- George O. Webster, 1866 - 1942

Copyright 1924 by Homer A. Rodeheaver. © Renewed 1952, The Rodeheaver Company.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"A Heart Like Thine"

Give me a love that knows no ill;
Give me the grace to do thy will.
Pardon and cleanse this soul of mine;
Give me a heart like Thine.

Refrain
Come to my soul, blessed Jesus.
Hear me, O Saviour divine!
Open the fountain and cleanse me;
Give me a heart like Thine.

Only a joy, a few brief years;
Only a dream, a vale of tears;
Vain is this world I now resign.
Give me a heart like Thine

Pillow my head upon Thy breast;
Shelter my soul and give me rest;
Fill me with love as I recline.
Give me a heart like Thine.

- Judson W. VanDeventer, 1855-1939

Copyright 1920 by Homer A. Rodeheaver. © Renewed 1948. Used by permission.

Copied from "€œWorship In Song"€ Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"Wonderful Words of Life"

Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life!
Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life!
Words of life and beauty Teach me faith and duty.

Refrain
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life!
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life!

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all Wonderful words of life!
Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life!
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echo the gospel call, Wonderful words of life!
Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life!
Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify us forever.

- Philip P. Bliss, 1874

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company