Songs can lead us back to scripture and encourage us to go deeper. I created these devotionals to go along with the songs and bring deeper meaning to them.
Light of Glory
This devotional was written by Sarah Nicole Butler, my co-writer on this song. It’s a Christmas song, but there’s so much meaning to it.
I’ve often wondered how it may have been the night that Jesus was born. How much awe and wonder surrounded this young child who carried so much weight and destiny. The salvation of humanity was resting on His shoulders… but He was only a baby. Only a baby, whose purpose would change the trajectory of the world.
The question is famously asked of Mary in a well-known Christmas song, “Mary Did You Know?”. In “Light of Glory” the question is asked of Jesus, “How could You know what tomorrow brings?”. And I think that question could be asked of you too.
There is a weight and destiny that’s on all of us to fulfill something we have been placed on the earth to do. How could you know what tomorrow brings? If someone was reading your story 50, 100, 500 years from now, how much awe and wonder will they have because of your impact?
It’s easy to see only here, where we are right now, and forget that God has placed something on the inside of us that is meant to impact the trajectory of the world for Him. Things may seem so small right now, infantile, and insignificant. But how could you know what tomorrow brings?
We’ve had one Savior. He’s come, done everything He needed to bring us all back to relationship with Him, and He’s coming again. Now, all of creation is watching and waiting for the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:22). I know what’s it like to ache for something without knowing what I’m aching for. And I think every single person experiences it, because we were made to both know the Light, and then be the light. People are aching for the unfolding of you. For Light - for Him - to be revealed through your life.
All of creation is watching the Savior of the world, through you. As you go through what may seem mundane, may He begin and continue to fulfill the promises He’s made to others, through you… And may you come to see His promises for you fulfilled too.
February 10, 2023
Breathe You In
James 4:8a-Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
Have you ever been in the presence of someone who makes you feel at peace? It’s almost like, you can be having a really hard day, and being with that person just makes everything better. That’s how it is being in God’s presence. The great thing is that all we have to do is take a step towards Him, and we can be in the peaceful rest of His presence.
I have learned that God provides so much in His presence. I find healing for my heart in His presence. I find freedom and joy in His presence. He is so near, and I sometimes feel like He is physically holding me, especially when I’m struggling.
I want to always be in such an intimate relationship with God that I can truly say “You’re so close I can feel You breathe; Your heart beats next to me, in Your presence”. My heart’s desire and delight are to know Him more and to be closer to Him with each new day. I don’t always get it right, but I know He’s always there, waiting for me to take that step towards Him and get into His presence.
I chose this picture, because I love the water. I love being at the water and just being still, talking to God and listening to what He wants to say. There’s just something about being in His creation that draws me closer to Him.
What about you? Have you taken a step towards Him today and spent some time just being in His presence?
January 16, 2023
Delight Myself in You
Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.
I truly believe that when we allow God to be our everything and to truly be the most important One in our lives, He gives us the desires that will be pleasing to Him. He will have no problem giving us the desires of our hearts, because they will line up with what HIS desires are.
Psalm 37:5 talks about committing everything to God and trusting Him. Sometimes, trusting can be a difficult thing to do. It can be a challenge to commit to seeking God for everything, even the small decisions of our lives. However, there have been many times in my own life when I knew I needed to seek God, even for the small things. I am always better for it when I talk to Him about my decisions and things that are happening in my life. He is such a good Father, and He truly does care about every aspect of our lives. He created us to be in communion and relationship with Him. In human relationships, sometimes we have to trust someone and allow them to help us. It’s the same with God. If we try to do this life on our own, we miss out on the amazing gift of His presence and His help.
Verse 2 of this song says, “Your Holy Spirit guides my every step, as I trust in You, Oh Lord; Your faithfulness and Your promises remain; Oh, Lord, You never fail”. As we commit everything to God and allow Holy Spirit to guide us, He will do it. He is a keeper of promises, and He promises never to leave us or forsake us. He is so much bigger than anything we can ever go through, and He knows how to help us. He also promises that we can come to Him when we are weary, and we will find rest in Him. His peace is unlike anything this world can offer.
What are your heart’s desires? Are you willing to trust God and allow Him to help you, no matter how big or small the situation is?
January 13, 2023
In Your Presence
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
”In Your presence, there’s fullness of joy. In Your presence, we are restored. There’s nowhere else that we’d rather be than standing here with You. You’re the One who sets the captives free, and You’re making us new.” -verse one of “In Your Presence”
The presence of God is such an amazing place to be. It’s the place where He speaks to my heart and provides everything I truly need. He brings life and peace in His presence.
I love how the scripture says in His presence is fullness of joy. He doesn’t just give us a little bit of joy; He gives it in His fullness! His fullness is so much more than we could ever ask or imagine. He shows us the way to walk that will bring life to us. God is such a good God and a good Father. When we come to Him and spend time in His presence, He gives us what we need to live a life of abundance and fullness.
This picture was taken on a recent trip to Oregon with some friends. We had these chairs in our room, and it was a great place to sit and talk and just enjoy the ocean view. It reminds me of being in God’s presence and sitting and talking with Him as I take in His creation. It’s amazing that we can have a close, intimate relationship with the God who made all of these incredible things, including us!
Have you taken the time to be in His presence today?
October 4, 2022
Remind My Soul
1 Chronicles 16:10-11: 10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
I was at the ocean with some friends recently, and I knew this album was going to be released soon. I have been in a season of transition and some challenging times lately, and I really needed God to speak to my heart on this trip. He impressed on me to sing through this song, “Remind My Soul” as I walked along the ocean alone one morning. Sometimes we have to remind our souls-our mind, will, and emotions-that God IS more than enough and that He truly IS the only One who can satisfy the longing of our hearts. As I sang through the lyrics of this beautiful song God has given me, the words spoke directly to my heart.
Part of verse 2 says “My heart searches for You, Lord. Lord, my highest reward is to be here in Your presence”. The verses 1 Chronicles 16:10-11 fit these lyrics well. My heart can rejoice and be secure in God when I seek Him and when I find my rest in Him. Being in His presence truly is the best place to be. He gives us strength as we seek Him.
The bridge of the song says, “Even when I don’t have much to bring, Lord I give this offering, a sacrifice of praise”. It reminds me of when Mary Magdalene poured out her perfume on Jesus’ feet. That may be all she had to give, but she gave it willingly as a sacrifice for Him. We may not always feel like praising Him, but He is still worthy of it. He walks with us and assures us that He is with us every step of the way. I can give Him my sacrifice of praise, and I know He will bless it. That’s the beautiful thing about God: when we give Him what we have, He takes it and makes it even more beautiful! He holds us and walks with us, no matter what we go through or what we are facing.
How is your soul doing? Do you need to remind your soul that God is more than enough? He will never leave you dry or empty when you choose to place your life in His capable hands.
September 20, 2022-Release Day for “Breath of Life” the EP
Breath of Life
Genesis 1:1-3 (NLT)- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
God’s breath is powerful! He used His very breath to speak life into the world. His words set the whole world into motion, perfectly and completely. The world had to be made exactly as it was in order for it to function properly. He is a God of details, and not one was missed. Before creation existed, God was there.
God is awe-inspiring. He is majestic, all-powerful, the warrior King. He is our Father and completely worthy of our worship and praise. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to allow us to be in relationship with Him. When we truly understand who He is, we cannot help but worship Him. Life has new meaning when we are His. The chaos around us gives way to peace within us when we allow Him to be the King of our lives. Just as Jesus calmed the sea in the natural sense (Mark 4:35-41), God calms the storms inside our hearts and gives us perfect peace.
God is truly everything we need.He is the very breath of life to us-body, soul, and spirit.We cannot effectively live without Him!Will you choose to allow Him to be your everything?
April 2022