Nothing Else: Only Jesus预览

Day 1 – The Joy and Freedom of Repentance

The morning I wrote Nothing Else with two other friends was a defining, about-face moment for my life. 

The season leading up to that moment was full of frustration from unmet expectations and disappointments. And, as I was wrestling through that, I realized my heart’s posture had become completely focused on what I could get from God.

The truth is when we only focus on what we can get from God’s Hand instead of just being in relationship with Him and enjoying the blessings of His Presence, we miss out on so much. 

Yet here’s what’s so amazing about God; it’s not His anger that leads us to realize where we’re wrong. Scripture shows us it’s His kindness that leads us to repentance. And that’s exactly what happened to me.

I never felt a reprimand. I didn’t feel condemned. I felt a sweet conviction of the Holy Spirit as He said to me, “Aren’t you tired of getting caught up in what you’re getting and what you’re not? That’s not going to fulfill you, but you can be satisfied with Me and therefore thankful for all the blessings you already have.”

When He spoke that word to me and I received it, the posture of my heart completely shifted. I experienced the joy and freedom of repentance. I realized that repentance is sometimes wrongly considered in a negative context (at least it was for me), and I learned it’s one of the greatest gifts God gives us.

Put simply, repentance is making a 180-degree turn, and I love how Romans 2:4 (TPT) describes it in the context of our relationship with God…

“Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you in repentance?”

It’s my prayer that the song, Nothing Else, along with these devotionals, would encourage you and help you experience the joy and freedom repentance brings.

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” GOD’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you.” Jeremiah 29:13-14 MSG