By Lisa Wilmore
Hello All!
My friends, this message is from a place in my heart, which yields the offerings of thanksgiving to God for the many things He has done for me. “Lord, thank You for Your ‘AMAZING GRACE!’”
On many occasions, I try to listen with my heart and with my ear tuned into the Holy Spirit before writing or sharing a message through this publication or even during my private writing time with God. As of Sunday night, I did not have a clear direction in what thoughts would be presented in this week’s message. Of course, there were moments where I read awesome scriptures and heard remarkable quotes. However, none brought the words that needed to be presented in this message, today. Nevertheless, when I awakened on Monday morning, I heard Yolanda Adams singing, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, blind but now I see.” Immediately, my heart jumped with joy and the Lord put a message in my heart.
The above noted title for this message is widely sang on Sunday mornings before sermons and sometimes during church services. Lately, in the African American churches, we do not hear the sound of the song, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound-saved a wretch (rascal) like me…” This is not meant to criticize the African American churches; however, it is just an observation. I guess when you have grown up from listening to this popular song, which encompasses so much meaning for the once wretched soul; you may crave to hear it during some Sunday morning services. God’s amazing Grace goes far beyond what our finite minds can understand.
Interestingly, there is a group of millennials and younger generation of children who are not familiar with the once sang song in the African American churches. Sadly, to say, that tradition is now being lost.
Nevertheless, the Word of God is still providing His explanation of His Grace. Particularly, God extends His “Amazing Grace” to all who would accept and trust in Jesus as their Savior. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church of Ephesus, he records, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).
Even though the song “Amazing Grace” is phasing out of the African American churches, we must not fail to teach and preach about God’s “Amazing Grace”, how sweet the sound- that can save wretched-rascals like me.
Share Jesus!
