God’s gift . . .
The Hour I First Believed
Songs about a personal commitment to Christ often result from a unique experience in the life of the author . . . The hymn Amazing Grace was written because of the transformation and conversion of John Newton . . . He was a captain on the infamous triangle, bringing Africans to America and taking raw materials to England and finished products to Africa . . . During one trip, a violent storm hit . . . Fearing the ship would sink, Newton prayed for deliverance and forgiveness . . . the beginning of his spiritual conversion as he cried out to God to save them from the storm . . . Moments after he left the deck, the crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard . . . Newton pleaded to God and the cargo somehow moved to cover a hole in the vessel’s side . . . Newton saw this as an answer from God and actually identified it as his conversion to believing in the Lord . . . He later commented that he realized his helplessness and concluded that only the grace of God could save him . . . Newton took the first—though small—step toward accepting God and God’s grace . . . In the words of his hymn, this incident marked "the hour
I first believed” . . . He counted March 10, 1748, as the day he first believed.
We see how lyrics . . . like “I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind but now I see” . . . carry a much deeper meaning than a sinner's mere gratitude . . . Close to death at various times and blind to reality at others, Newton probably would not have written "Amazing Grace" if it wasn’t for his turbulent past . . . And many of us would be without these meaningful words that so aptly describe our own relationship with Christ and our reliance on God's grace in our lives . . . “'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed” . . . The song provides each of us with a message of hope and redemption.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. God is our shelter.
When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. So don’t run and hide?
When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless.
When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless.
Even in heavy winds and huge waves, or as mountains shake, no fear,
with God as our shelter and strength.”
Psalm 46:1-3
We are encouraged to hope and trust in God . . . in His power and providence . . . and His gracious presence with each of us in the worst of times . . . God is the only One where we can find true security and salvation . . . Our world, with all its advancements in education, technology and science, is no safer today than it was thousands of years ago . . . Anything can happen, at any second . . . and there is no safety or guarantee unless we have placed ourselves in the hand of the One who holds eternity and who is in control of all things . . . We need to turn to God, and only when we seek God and believe in His overwhelming power, will we find rest for our soul.
INSIGHT . . .
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
No one is born a Christian . . . God doesn’t have any grandchildren, so you didn’t inherit your faith in Jesus through your DNA . . . At some point, at some hour, some moment, you first believed . . . In that “hour I first believed” your perception of God went from being an idea to a real person . . . from a vague, unstructured concept to a real entity that you can talk to, walk with . . . and who will listen and talk back . . . You went from seeing a religious figure to a real Father—a Father who loves you no matter what, and a Father worthy of respect (“fear”).
I believe the grace that “taught my heart to fear”
is the reality that there is a God.
(Regi Campbell)
Do you recall the hour you first believed? . . . Not everyone can remember a specific “hour”, but many can . . . For me, I remember believing in God since I was a child—He was always there . . . to talk to, to pray with, to help me feel I wasn’t alone . . . so, a specific “hour”—no . . . But, I do remember many times when I’ve felt a warming assurance in my heart that my beliefs are true and real and God is present with me always.
Others, like John Newton and many, many more, came to “the hour I first believed” out of desperation . . . maybe broken . . . guilt-ridden . . . lost . . . alone . . . with no idea where to turn nor who to turn to other than God . . . So, they called out to Him, asked His forgiveness, asked Him to take over their will and lives, and make them His own . . . Hearts and souls responding, “Okay God, it’s you and me from here on out—You and me . . . I surrendered.”
The second phrase, “and grace my fears relieved” allows each of us to stop worrying about what other people think . . . We can share God and our faith with the world with confidence . . . God’s love is overwhelming . . . we are now His, and He is our Lord.
Unfortunately, nowadays it’s often not “the hour I first believed” that makes the headlines or that people want to share . . . It is “the hour I last believed” and that is scary! . . . People are giving up on religion, church, Jesus, and God. . . . Scholars respond that millions of people have given up on God . . . Some people have backed away from church because community life with people is messy . . . others because people are not easy to know and love . . . Some people, even some believing people, are toxic, self-centered, and unhappy . . . Basically, many are falling back to a worldly view with self as priority . . . it’s a sad state of mind.
All of us want to give up sometimes, but I encourage you to step back, remember, hold tight to, revisit the emotions you felt deep within when you first believed . . . God hasn’t changed . . . Christ’s love and sacrifice haven’t changed . . . The guidance and support of the Holy Spirit hasn’t changed . . . Don’t let the chaotic world around you pull you away from your Father who loves in ways the world never will . . . I pray you will always be able to remember, relive, and sing . . . “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
INVITATION—TO SPEND TIME & TALK WITH GOD . . .
“Be strong, do not fear: your God will come . . .
He will come to save you.
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened.”
Isaiah 35:4-6
God’s grace is filled with kindness, wisdom, understanding, and salvation . . . As you believe in His grace, God will provide refuge, sanctuary, and peace in your life.
Have you given God your fears?
Where has God helped you find your peace?
“We believe that we are all saved the same way,
by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 15:11
Start with ~ Surrendering to God
Recognize what person, incident, circumstance, addiction, pain, hurt, or anything else that you need to let go of and put in God's hands.
“Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live:
do not let my hopes be dashed.”
Psalm 119:116
~~~~~
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
Let go . . . Surrendering to God means to give yourself up to God . . . Allow God to be in charge, yield to Him or submit to Him . . . Trust God to be in control of all the things you cannot.
Close your eyes . . . and listen to what God places on your heart to let go of . . . place it into His hands.
Pour out . . . your pains, hurts, addictions, troubles, confusions, sadness, and other distractions that pull your heart away from God and the joy He provides.
Ask the Lord . . . to help you let Him be your companion on this journey of life . . . Remember God is bigger than all your problems—He can handle them, so let Him.
Imagine . . . placing a nail in your hand and clenching it tightly . . . Feel that nail in your palm and imagine that it represents all the frustrations, anger, pressures, and more that you would like to give up to God . . . Turn your clenched fist over, palm down, and imagine God’s hands there waiting to catch what you are letting go of . . . Slowly open your hand and let the nail fall into God’s hands . . . Leave it there with all your worries and let God take care of you.
Reflect . . . and think about what you have placed in God’s hands . . . Leave it there . . . Now, close your eyes and turn your hands upward with palms open . . . Ask God’s Spirit to fill you with His strength and love.
Take this image with you . . . When you struggle with things that you need God’s help with—that you need to give to Him—squeeze your hands over your worries . . . squeeze really tight . . . Now turn your palms down and drop everything into God’s hands . . . Then turn your open palms upward, ready to receive God’s blessings, and ask Him to be with you.
Going Deeper ~ Choosing God
Consider that true surrender is more than letting go of your external life but also surrendering your will—all that is internal and emotional—into God's hands, and trust that He will safely guide your journey through life.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
~~~~~
“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’
has made this light shine in our hearts.”
2 Corinthians 4:6a
~~~~~
“Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Confide in God . . . Tell Him about the armor you wear and hide behind . . . Is it anger armor, blame armor, fear or shame armor?
. . . What do you hold onto so tightly that won’t allow anyone to get near your heart or soul?
Open your eyes and heart . . . to the deeper emotions God is asking you to release to Him, so that you can become whole again
. . . Listen for His whispers of guidance.
Make a choice . . . Humble yourself before God . . . Fix your eyes upon God’s presence and His promises . . . Choose to follow Christ, knowing His love for you is strong and caring . . . Can you let God in?
Trust God . . . Tell Him your thoughts and struggles . . . Ask God to show you the next step forward . . . Write down what your heart is telling you.
Imagine . . . yourself frozen inside a huge block of ice . . . This is your armor that protects you from feeling, living, growing . . . It is an easy place to hide . . . You don’t need to feel anything real when you’re here . . . hiding and avoiding . . . You think nothing more can hurt you—but it is so cold and stiff . . . No one can hug you, share your feelings, help you, love you . . . Except God is here in the tiniest crack, here to love you no matter how angry, hurt, hidden, or self-destructive you are . . . Imagine that warm, Godly-love melting the ice around your mind, your heart, your soul . . . And as the ice melts, others can reach in, touch your heart, hold your hand as you step out of what is left of that icy armor . . . It is scary, but it is so much warmer in the light of the Son . . . Imagine God’s saving grace and love . . . He is here with you.
Reflect . . . and consider what armor you are currently wearing.
Are you willing to make some changes to live in the Light,
or do you want to just exist under the weight of the darkness?
Are you willing to take a risk and grow, or will you slowly wither away?
Ask God to help you exchange your old, heavy armor for His life-giving Light.
Take this image with you . . . When you try to hide under your icy armor again, think about an ice cube . . . Ask yourself if that is what you want to be to the world . . . cold, hard, unmoving? . . . . or do you want to be warmly living? . . . Raise your hands high and reach for the Son . . . Feel the warmth of God’s unconditional love and bask in His life-giving light . . . Let Him warm your heart with His grace, love, and mercy.
ILLUMINATION . . .
Pause for a moment and think about the biggest “storm” you’re facing in your life right now, or maybe several little storms that are “piling up” . . . Have you talked to God about it? . . . Have you asked for His help, protection, guidance?
“Don’t tell God how big your storm is, tell your storm how big your God is.”
No one willingly seeks a storm . . . Problems arise instantly . . . The world changes so quickly . . . Crisis comes . . . Tension arises . . . The storm descends without warning . . . No matter how young or old you are, there will be storms.
At the beginning of Luke 8:22-25 the disciples are worried about being in the middle of a storm . . . Jesus got into a boat with His disciples, a storm came up, the disciples woke Him, and Jesus calmed the storm . . . There is more meaning beyond the literal story that applies to us daily . . . The Lake is the sea of life . . . The storm represents problems of any kind . . . The boat is our helplessness in the midst of the storm . . . and Jesus is still the Lord who is more amazing than we ever seem to fully grasp.
Following God is not just a good idea—it is necessary for us to find any kind of peace and calm in our lives . . . It is believing and trusting God in daily life, relying on Him to bring peace in all the storms of our lives. . . . Tell your storm (no, yell at your storm) about the amazing and all-powerful Lord Jesus Christ who brings peace to the storm and is bigger than anything the storm can throw at you . . . Tell your storm how big your God is!
INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .
A prayer offered up in surrender, the beauty of rest and relief,
gone was the fear, everything was so clear the hour I first believed
(PromiseLand Quartet)
I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.
♪♬♪ Current . . . (Lord Take Me Back) To the Hour I First Believed [Derrick Loudermilk Band]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZdij5rKN0k&list=RDOZdij5rKN0k&start_radio=1
♪♬♪ Praise & Worship . . . The Hour I First Believed [PromisedLand Quartet]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c86x4gVEfHg
♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Amazing Grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n145-J8ejg&list=RD7n145-J8ejg&start_radio=1
INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .
As human beings on earth we are lost, blinded in sin, and need saving . . . Jesus did that for you and for me . . . Newton writes that it was grace that taught his heart to fear the punishment of his sin, but it was also through grace that those fears were relieved . . . This precious grace appeared when he was standing in that fierce storm, in the moment he first believed . . . Through the trials and storms of life, it is grace that brings us through, and it is grace that will lead us to heaven . . . Because of God's
all-encompassing amazing grace, we can have forgiveness for our past, joy in the present, and hope for a future with Him.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and
the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Psalm 46:1-3
Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus . . . Far too often, we attempt to place God in a man-made box, believing we can manipulate His actions according to our personal will . . . What we fail to realize is the more we lean upon our own understanding rather than Him, the more we squeeze God out from speaking truth into our hearts and minds . . . Let me repeat that . . . When we depend only upon ourselves, the more we squeeze God out from speaking truth into our hearts and minds
. . . We cut off communication and relationship . . . There is one sure foundation that we can depend upon, that will never be moved—it’s found in God Himself and the amazing grace He gives us every moment of every day . . . as long as we believe.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Heavenly Father, please help us remember “the hour we first believed.”
Help each of us hold tight to your amazing grace in our hearts and souls.
And give us the courage to share our story with the world,
while there is still time for others to learn the amazing grace in believing in You .
In Jesus' name—AMEN
“A Journey Through Amazing Grace” © 2020 by Debra L. Parcel
“Amazing Grace” is a Public Domain Christian hymn published in 1779, with words
written in 1772 by English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807)
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