Amazed

In this week's episode, Dennis Jernigan shares the story behind his song,  “Amazed” from the recording, Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1." That mp3 is available at https://www.dennisjernigan.com/store/product.php?c=24&p=2353 The lyrics can be found below.

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You will find the show notes and lyrics below:

Hello and welcome to another episode of The Dennis Jernigan Podcast. I’m your host, Dennis Jernigan, and I am so grateful you have joined me for this week’s podcast. I’ll try to get right to the heart of the matter today. The story behind this song is amazing to me. You’ll find out why shortly. 

We live in a day and age when amazing things are taking place on a daily basis. Everyday citizens, if they have the time and money, can literally fly into outer space. A person’s identity, their image, and their voice and mannerisms can be manipulated in such a way as to make them appear to say and do things they would never do. Even though it gives me chills, this ability of AI, called deep fake, is kind of amazing. And speaking of AI, entire books are being written using artificial intelligence and new uses for AI are seemingly popping up every single day. And I think it is amazing that we live in a world where everyone is connected via the internet and smartphones to such a degree that we can talk with and see anyone we would like to communicate with instantly. The world is indeed amazing.

The word ‘amazing’ literally means ‘causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing; startlingly impressive.’ That is a good thing to experience, yet even good things can be viewed through the filter of the lies of the enemy. Here’s an example of what I mean taken from my now life experiences:

For far too many years I allowed the lies of the enemy to define me and dictate to me what was amazing. I could see the way others treated me as amazing in a very perverted way. What I mean by that is this: I thought that someone mocking me or physically harming me meant that at least someone was acknowledging me, even if they were insulting me and belittling me. I longed to be known and to know others and that expectation of being put down by others at least made me feel acknowledged. That, my friends, is the depth of depravity my mind had fallen to which is, well, astonishingly sad. That all changed the day I was overwhelmed with the Truth that Jesus Christ had died for me. I was instantly set free from my past but had to walk out the wonderful but difficult journey toward wholeness. In fact, I’m still on that journey. I invite you to join me for today’s brief leg of that adventure as I share the story behind my song, “Amazed”.

Way back in 2010, I embarked on an adventure that lasted 40 days but continues to affect my life to this day. From May 3 through June 11 I went on a 40 day fast. I needed to reboot my system because I had just gone through a series of traumatic events that left me gutted. The Lord called me to a fast and led me to meditate daily on Psalm 40 and Isaiah 40. He spoke to my heart and told me He would give me a song each day of the fast and that I was to record it that same day. Since then, I put together 4 ten song volumes where you can find all 40 songs. The first ten songs are on the collection called Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1.

This week’s episode is the story behind the song “Amazed” which came to me on May 8, 2010 which was day 5 of that fast. When the Lord sent me on this fasting journey, He led me to focus and meditate on Psalm 40 and Isaiah 40 each day. He led me to write a song each day and then record it that very same day. What you are hearing is the original version of each song on the day I actually wrote it.

On day 5, He led me to meditate specifically on Psalm 40:3a which says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…”

As I began to ponder on what this part of the verse meant to me, I felt led to begin just simply praising God for Who He is. It became very apparent that I was meant to live every area of my life as a conduit of praise to Him. In that moment, I was instantly filled with a sense of wonder and a  very keen awareness that the God of the universe, my Creator, was in the room with me in a very tangible way…and that was amazing!

As I began to praise God, I truly was astonished at his presence with me. In that same moment, although I didn't literally see him, I felt the weight of his presence upon my soul. What I was experiencing was the very glory of God in my heart and mind. And that was truly amazing.

As I set my mind free to focus on the presence of God there with me, I felt completely surprised at the depth of love He has for me. I stood back in wonder as I thought about the depth of my depravity as opposed to His depth of mercy toward me. I deserved death and hell, but He had mercy on me as demonstrated in Romans 5:8 in the NIV which says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I a so amazed at the mercy of God. I just am…

Even more astonishingly impressive and astonishing was the way He led me to repentance - and continues to do so. He did not belittle me or mock me or reject me as I had experienced as a boy and as a young man. It was His great kindness that led me to repent of my stinkin’ thinkin’…and most impressive and astonishing of all? The realization that He has been lovingly pursing me my entire life; That I was the joy set before Him that drove Him to willingly lay down His life on the cross; That His love could reach as far as I could fall, yet that same love would not leave me in the rock bottom depravity my mind had gotten to.

If I let my mind go to think about the nature and character of God, I think about things he has created; the beauty of nature; the precision of the universe; the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and it's effect on my life; the fact that when I think about Jesus and fix my eyes on him that I find myself completely transfixed with a childlike wonder at just how amazing our God is…and I cannot help but praise Him.

SONG

In Luke 9:37-43 in the NIV, we find Jesus coming down from the mountain after His transfiguration. Here’s what is says:

 37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not." 41 "You unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." 42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

The recording of this podcast took place some 15 years after that initial 40 day fast and I still continue to find God's grace…His restorative grace…Completely and utterly amazing as I did all those in years ago. And it is my belief that we are living in a very amazing time in history, but that this amazing time in history is far overshadowed by the astonishing, incredible, massive and amazing love of Jesus Christ surrounding us at all times, through any circumstances. Let's live our lives like we believe that. We really do have an amazing God!

Thank you for tuning in to The Dennis Jernigan Podcast! For more about my journey, music, and updates, visit dennisjernigan.com. Stay connected by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and enjoy my music on various streaming platforms. If you'd like to support the podcast's creation, consider joining my team at www.patreon.com/dennisjernigan.

If you're looking for the mp3 of the song “Amazed" from the album "Forty Days and Forty Nights - Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy Vol. 1," head over to the store at dennisjernigan.com or find it on your favorite streaming service.

Remember this from today's episode: the constant, unwavering, massive love of God is where we must choose to abide and wait on Him. He is a sure Foundation. He is Solid Ground in a shaken and fallen world. Just keep your eyes fixed on Him and keep your feet firmly planted on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. Now, go forth and embrace the truth of who your heavenly Father says you are.
Dennis Jernigan

Forty Days and Forty Nights
Songs of Contemplation and Intimacy V1

Vol. I – Song Five – Day Five
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…
Psalm 40:3a NASB
 
Amazed
Words & Music by Dennis Jernigan
Received on May 8, 2010
Psalm 40:3
©2010 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan
 
Verse One
I will praise You in all my ways
I will praise You. I stand amazed
Amazed at Your presence. Amazed at Your glory
Amazed at the power of all the love You have for me
Amazed at Your mercy. Amazed at Your kindness
Amazed at the length you went to rescue to find us
 
Chorus
And I stand amazed. I give You praise and glory
And I stand amazed, can’t take my gaze off You
And I stand amazed and let Your grace restore me
And I stand amazed as I praise you
 
Verse Two
I will praise You in all my ways
I will praise You. I stand amazed
Amazed at Your presence. Amazed at Your glory
Amazed at the power of all the love You have for me
Amazed at Your mercy. Amazed at Your kindness
Amazed at the length you went to rescue to find us

Chorus
And I stand amazed. I give You praise and glory
And I stand amazed, can’t take my gaze off You
And I stand amazed and let Your grace restore me
And I stand amazed as I praise you

Chorus
And I stand amazed. I give You praise and glory
And I stand amazed, can’t take my gaze off You
And I stand amazed and let Your grace restore me
And I stand amazed as I praise you

 
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