Heartbreak Writes the Songs—with Cory Asbury | Redeeming Missions Ep. 5

Tanner sits down with singer/songwriter Cory Asbury for an honest conversation on this episode of Redeeming Missions. Cory opens up about his early days as a teenage worship leader, the struggles with his father as a young man, and the profound moments when God became real to him. He vulnerably shares about Christ’s nearness in the pain of his personal life that has inspired his award-winning music. You’ll find comfort in Cory’s encouragement to carry Christ in the simplicity of everyday kindness.



Cory Asbury is a singer/songwriter whose album Reckless Love landed at the top of the Billboard Christian Albums chart, won two Dove Awards, and was nominated for a 2019 Grammy. Be sure to check out Cory’s latest album, Pioneer.



Show Notes



“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us…” —A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

[anettepierce-kl]

What I love about Cory is he is always quoting scripture to reflect on the situation. Thank you

[SidneyNash-Turner]

Cory,
What a beautiful story. Your transparency is refreshing and a beautiful example of what I have encountered in my own recent journey with God.
Love what you said about making missioning a daily practice in each of our own small life's.
Blessings to you and your family.
🫀

[johnnystewart]

Thank you for this interview. I love the raw honesty of the both of you because our walk with the Lord is not is like a walk in the park. We have our struggles yet God is with us. As Cory said this is where we grow. Peace to the both you and God's speed. Shalom.

[PatriciaEvans-vx]

Cory, thank you for being open & making yourself vulnerable, to share your experiences, so others can be helped. May God bless your marriage, family & ministry.

[zondilidovho]

I experienced Cory in a song called Reson to praise in Bethel music.

The other version in a language I do not understand brought to my knees for many hours of worship in my private space.

I experienced Jesus in South Africa through your singing. 🇿🇦

[cjmarcelino]

great podcast. God bless everyone! I never thought Cory went to Philippines. Im from Philippines.

[Abagale]

Thank you for your honesty Cory. Particularly about western Christianity and how things are not as they were intended to be. Keep strong in the Lord. You are His mouth piece. Our family is praying for you and men like you to lead those around you in humility and Christ’s truth. Continue to consecrate, pray and fast and Look Up! For our redemption draweth neigh!

[OllyJC]

19:40 I was just baptized a few weeks ago. I love several of Cory's songs.

Testimony I read before being baptized:
In the 20 years since I confessed faith, I've battled overwhelming guilt, shame, and condemnation. Never having any confidence that I was a son of God; constantly questioning if I truly believed. I've just been trying to not do "bad things", and I've not been very good at it.

Lust, anger, covetousness, drinking soda, wasting hours on TV. Along with a hundred other rules I made for myself. I tried to do "good" things too, but thinking I'm better for doing good things would be self-righteous. And that'd be bad.

When I didn't put up a fight, I shamed myself for not trying. And when I tried but failed, I shamed myself for not trying harder. I just needed to be "better".

The Bible says repeatedly if you repent, believe, have faith, you will be saved. So, if I just believe I'll be forgiven? But if I believe, I need to put to death all of these bad things I do, right? And believe in what exactly? How much do I repent? How strong of faith? And if I really believe, I'll actually stop those bad things because I really believe... so if I keep doing those things, then I must not really believe, which means I'm not really saved. I knew I would never get to a point that I thought I was good enough to be forgiven, but I couldn't stop trying.

I started going to Christian counseling last year, again, and he was insistent on getting one thing through to me.

‭Romans 5:6, 8, 10 says:
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."
"...God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

Are you weak? Ungodly? A sinner? An enemy of God? Congratulations. You meet the minimum requirements for being reconciled to God through the death of His son if you will just believe.

I will never be strong, except in Christ.
I will never be good, except in Christ.
I will never be righteous, except in Christ.

The thing I've been working so hard to earn can't be earned. Shame kept me from seeing that the pride of self-righteousness was what I needed saving from the most. I thought all of the things I did were so bad, but it was my need to be good on my own terms that was going to kill me.

When I take hold of faith in Christ, I hear, "You don't deserve to be free from guilt."
And that devil is right. I don't deserve it. have not earned that. But Christ did. HE paid that debt. It's already done. Satan can't change it. Christ paid the debt long before you and I were born.

The more I look to Christ for my confidence, the easier it's been to love people and DO those "good things". The easier I've found it to love others because I'm not so concerned with myself. But it is hard to not look at my shortcomings when I mess up. It's hard to believe someone could love me as sinful as I am. And if I stay focused on that, I won't believe it. What matters most is not the strength of my faith but the infinite strength of the One my faith is in.

I instead focus on the blood soaked cross, the torn flesh of the Messiah. The life he lived that has been credited to me. The death he died in my place. The thousands of years of patience He had towards His people, and the promises He fulfilled by His own hand for us. He really does love us.

[laurenpassarini]

I love how with God all the things we thought were weaknesses become our strength with him.

[LuAnnWatson]

I sure LOVE Sunday mornings with Radiant Church!!

[robertkendall]

Love much of Richard's writings, I've learned plenty from him

[mikeputnam]

Sweetest thing EVER. What an amazing father you are. Much healing comes from raising children, doesn't it? Both of you are so blessed. Thanks for your your ministry.

[theresadaley]

Thank you for carrying the heart of Jesus💝 Such a beautiful message, lyric, harmony we need to hear, feel and live by🙏🎶💖

[annabanzon]

New fan here. Love the authenticity in this interview. And missions? Wow I'm glad missions is front and center again because I feel like American churches have lost sight of this in the last decade or so.

[laurens]

Was the thorn sickness though since we are taught Jesus is healer. But maybe it's a process