Amazing Grace

Lanny Cook -June 2019

I grew up enjoying a wide variety of musical genres, from Country to Rock and Roll, and from Classic Instrumental to Jazz. I guess you could say I have a rather eclectic taste for music. As a baby boomer I grew up with some of the greatest music ever composed and better yet, some of the most legendary performers the world has ever known.  Of course, everybody loved the music of Glenn Miller, Mitch Miller and Lawrence Welk back in the big band era. These amazing bands served as the precursor to my arrival into this world in the mid 1950’s. I still remember sitting around with the folks and the grandparents watching Mitch’s bouncing ball or Lawrence Welk’s champagne music show on a Saturday evening.

There were extremely talented singers back in the 50’s and 60’s who knew how to sing and who also had the talent to put their heart and soul into every song they performed - Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Jim Nabors, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tom Jones, and even Elvis. I was raised on legends like Eddie Arnold, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Slim Whitman, Hank Williams, Audie Murphy, Glen Campbell, Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers.

My love for music didn’t stop there as the show tunes from Broadway Musicals also provided hours of enjoyment throughout the years. I love many of the songs from a multitude of Broadway hits, and each song has a special place in my heart – Joseph and His Technicolor Dream Coat, Cats, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, Frozen, My Fair Lady and Jesus Christ Superstar. The point of all this is that music of all sorts has always been a big part of my life. I can’t imagine trying to live without great music to inspire, relax or soothe the savage heart.

As I look back on the wide variety of musical styles that have touched my heart, I have to say it is the gospel music that I grew up with and continue to listen to on a regular basis which has had the biggest and most consistent impact on my life. I remember so many Sunday evenings at the small community church where I grew up, sitting around singing the old gospel hymns with a piano accompaniment. That ole time gospel music somehow manages to go deeper than any other music. It doesn’t just inspire, or encourage, or even just touch my heart and mind, it speaks directly to my soul. It reaches down and touches the very essence of my being. Gospel music doesn’t just add to life! Through an encounter with Jesus you are given life. Gospel music is all about the gift of Life! It’s all about the Way!  It’s all about life transformed and forever changed!

Gospel music was born thru personal encounters with Jesus - like the woman with the issue of blood who reached out in faith to touch the hem of His garment, or the blind man who cried out to Jesus and his vision was restored; the woman at the well, the lepers who were healed from their affliction, or the dead who were raised from the grave. It was a personal encounter with Jesus that turned John Newton’s life around, causing him to pen the lyrics to one of the greatest hymns of all-time, “Amazing Grace.” Then of course there is Horatio Spafford, credited with penning the lyrics to “It is Well with My Soul” after the tragic loss of four daughters who drowned at sea. Gospel music is born in the valleys and through the tragedies of life.

At the darkest moments in life, when a soul cries out in desparation for a Savior, a melody of grace will fill the heart, mind and soul of the one in anguish. God’s grace resonates through anyone humble enough to admit they are too hurting or sick, too weak or broken; too sinful or lost to make it on their own. When anyone cries out to Jesus, miracles happen – when they do that excitement can’t be contained, it has to be shared; that’s what gospel music is all about – Jesus’ response to our cries.

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In Paul's letter to the Church in Galatia he shares the truth about the requirements for salvation as he confronts the legalistic practices of the Judaizers. Sadly, there are many in the church today who continue to blur the line between the Old Testament Laws and the grace of the Gospel. There is only one way to find salvation in this world, and it's not by your works. The forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life in heaven can only be secured through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no other way. You can't buy your way, pray your way, or work your way into heaven. Only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is that possible. 

Yet, the reality of being a Christian is you might believe Jesus died for your sins, then rose from the grave and is the Son of God Almighty, but it doesn't mean that you're a true follower of Jesus. There are many believers out there today who turn the free gift of salvation through grace, into something legalistic,. They fall into the trap of being religious, rather than being transformed by God's amazing grace. It's been happening in people's lives and even within the church for nearly 2,000 years. 

The second chapter of Galatians is often referred to as the Magna Carta of Christian Liberty.  In this chapter the Apostle Paul defines the truth about grace and puts legalistic practices  into perspective. Listen to this lesson as Lanny shares on a topic that every Christian battles throughout their daily walk with Jesus. 

In August of 2015 I shared a message at a new church plant where I was serving as an associate pastor. The message was entitled “The Trust Factor!” Little did I know at the time, this message was a word of prophesy God was revealing for my own life in the not-so-distant future. In this message, I shared the reality of numerous experiences which had impacted my ability to trust people, as well as, my ability to trust the local “Church.” Two and a half years later everything that I shared in this message came back to visit in a profound way.

Fast forward to early 2018. The “Trust Factor” came into my life with a vengeance. Within a six-month time period, I lost my father, my wife, my job, my ministry and my church family, along with my furry-little companion of eleven years. Imagine the emotional damage of being told by your wife, your pastor, your boss, and your church that you were no longer valued. My spirit had been severely crushed as my life had been completely turned upside down. In addition, many of the relationships I had invested years of time, energy and effort had thrown me out like a piece of useless garbage. My “Trust Factor” had taken a devastating hit once again. I seriously struggled for months. But God's hand never left me and I felt His peace and healing touch throughout the entire experience. As time went on I was engulfed in His grace and wrapped in His healing love. Nearly a year after this whole ordeal began, I came across this message from August, 2015. The irony of God's timing is astounding!

Out of my own mouth from an earlier date, God delivered a message speaking directly about what I needed to do to realize the final piece of His merciful healing. In that message I stated, “I will not be defined by my reality in life. But rather, my reality is defined by my relationship with Christ!” I realized that my emotional healing was completely intertwined within my spiritual well-being. I was reminded once again that God will never let a hurt go to waste! I had a boat load of hurts God was preparing to use for His purpose and glory! Only through Christ can you find victory over the challenges of life. That is where all Hope lives!

If you’re dealing with any “Trust” or “Forgiveness” issues this is a message you need to hear because it gives God the glory and praise He so richly deserves. This message is less than thirty minutes in length, and I believe it is well worth the investment of your time. I’m amazed at God’s divine mercy, grace and timing. As well as, His divine sense of humor as He sent a message, through my own mouth, as to how I need to respond to the betrayal, rejection, devastation and malice I experienced at the hands of people whom I had trusted. God is good! All the time! I pray you enjoy these thoughts regarding “The Trust Factor!”