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I Found Jesus in All the Wrong Places | Powerful Christian Country Song of Redemption | Lyric Video

Inspiration Behind I Found Jesus in All the Wrong Places:

I found Jesus in All the Wrong Places was written by Katy Nichole. The lyrics combine biblical themes with a real-life testimony to tell the story of finding faith in the most unexpected places. Like a modern-day prodigal parable, I Found Jesus in All the Wrong Places addresses specific encounters in life that result in personal redemption. Don’t be surprised by when God appears and who the Lord speaks to in life.

Biblical Application:

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. ¹² I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ ¹³ For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. ¹⁷ I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. ¹⁸ Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas^[b] and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. ²¹ Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. ²² I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they praised God because of me, Galatians 1:11-24.

Exegesis of I Found Jesus in All the Wrong Places:

I can’t say how and I don’t know why
But God has saved me ’bout a million times
From ruining me, myself, and I
Told me the truth when all I knew was lies
Everybody wants to find their peace
And I found mine down on my knees
Praying and laying at Jesus’ feet
Bringing me strength when I was weak

The mystery of how God works in life. Saved time after time from self-destruction. Even when you are faithless and undeserving, peace is found by crying out in prayer, providing strength in times of weakness.

Every time I thought my world had reached an end
He picked me up and we started all over again
Second chances turned into hundreds
‘Cause He never gave up on me
I thought that I would never be worth the fight
But He showed up and loved me time after time
I thought that I didn’t want to be alive
But I found my reason to breathe
When I found Jesus

When you think your life is over, God picks you up to help you begin again. These second chances are too numerous to remember, but God never gave up on me. Despite being worthless, God’s love is extended time after time. When I was about to quit on life, Jesus gave me a reason to breathe.

I found joy in the midst of pain
A rainbow shinin’ through a sky of rain
I see color instead of gray

I found healin’ in my heartbreak

Finding joy in the middle of turmoil like a rainbow after a storm. My perspective is no longer gray, able to see colors. This mindset brought healing to my broken heart.

Every time I thought my world had reached an end
He picked me up and we started all over again
Second chances turned into hundreds
‘Cause He never gave up on me
I thought that I would never be worth the fight
But He showed up and loved me time after time
I thought that I didn’t want to be alive
But I found my reason to breathe
When I found Jesus
When I found Jesus

The chorus is repeated with a different ending. Encountering a God of second chances. On the verge of giving up on life, Jesus gave Katy a reason to live.

After all the hurt that I’ve been through
And everything I’ve lost
I am grateful for it all somehow
‘Cause it led me to the cross

Through the pain and suffering, God provided a spirit of thanksgiving. These life experiences led to being introduced to a Savior who laid down his life, Romans 5:7-8.

I can’t say how and I don’t know why
But God has saved me ’bout a million times
Buried the past and let my old ways die
Opened the grave and brought me back to life

Everyone else would have given up on me, but God helped me find Jesus in the least likely place. The final 2 lines seem to highlight Colossians 3:1-4.

Every time I thought my world had reached an end
He picked me up and we started all over again
Second chances turned into hundreds
‘Cause He never gave up on me
I thought that I would never be worth the fight
But He showed up and loved me time after time
I thought that I didn’t want to be alive
But I found my reason to breathe
When I found Jesus
When I found Jesus

This final stanza provides a glimpse of God’s agape love. From a human standpoint, this doesn’t make sense. Yet God showed up when everyone else gave up on me. This is when Katy found Jesus.

Final Thoughts:

This song highlights the saying “God works in mysterious ways.” Like a runaway train destined for destruction, God stepped in at the last second to save me when I gave up on life early in high school. A classmate’s suicide provided a spiritual wakeup call which made me open to the supernatural. I began searching for answers to life on earth like “why are we here?” I few months after this search began, I found Jesus at an event in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Since this moment, I’ve ridden the roller coaster of life. When I was thinking about quitting once again, I found Jesus in the least likely places like Katy.

by Jay Mankus

Larry Fleet – Where I Find God (Official Music Video)

Inspiration Behind Where I Find God:

Larry Fleet began a social media series entitled Gospel Song Sunday. Larry’s personal posts touched Nashville songwriter Connie Harrington. After setting up a meeting, this initial conversation conceived Where I Find God. The lyrics refer to various places in life where people have encounters with God. Some individuals search all over the world until realizing that God is omnipresent, waiting for an invitation.

Biblical Application:

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” Revelation 3:19-22.

Exegesis of Where I Find God:

The night I hit rock bottom, sittin’ on an old bar stool
He paid my tab and put me in a cab, he didn’t have to
But he could see I was hurtin’, oh I wish I’d got his name
‘Cause I didn’t feel worth savin’, but he saved me just the same

Larry was drowning his sorrows, numbing his pain with alcohol one evening. A good Samaritan saw that Larry needed help, making sure that he got home that evening alive.

That day out on the water when the fish just wouldn’t bite
I put my pole down, floated around, it was just so quiet
And I could hear my old man sayin’, “Son, just be still
‘Cause you can’t find peace like this in a bottle or a pill”

During an unsuccessful fishing trip, Larry stopped for a moment, listening to nature. This time of reflection triggered a memory of advice given to him by his dad.

From a bar stool to that Evinrude
Sunday mornin’ in a church pew
In a deer stand or a hay field
An interstate back to Nashville
In a Chevrolet with the windows down
Me and Him just ridin’ around
Sometimes, whether I’m lookin’ for Him or not
That’s where I find God

Connie and Larry create a list of where God speaks to them in a still small voice.

Sometimes late at night, I lie there and listen
To the sound of her heart beatin’ and that song the crickets are singin’
And I don’t know what they’re sayin’

Larry is either referring to his wife or daughter. Being outside on a summer night, listening to the sounds of nature.

But it sounds like a hymn to me
No, I ain’t too good at prayin’
But thanks for everything

Another time of reflection reminded Larry of an old church hymn. While he may not be religious, he sure is thankful.

From a bar stool to that Evinrude
Sunday mornin’ in a church pew
In a deer stand or a hay field
An interstate back to Nashville
In a Chevrolet with the windows down
Me and Him just ridin’ around
Sometimes, whether I’m lookin’ for Him or not
That’s where I find God

The chorus repeats with places where you may have an encounter with God.

From a bar stool to that Evinrude
Sunday mornin’ in a church pew
In a deer stand or a hay field
An interstate back to Nashville
In a Chevrolet with the windows down
Me and Him just ridin’ around talkin’

Places where you may find God.

Well, I do that a lot
Well, I do that a lot
That’s where I find God

Larry enjoys riding around, talking to God with his eyes open.

Final Thoughts:

Most of the retreats that I have attended have either been in the mountains, on a lake or river and in a tranquil setting. During a late-night walk-in Johnson City, Tennessee with two friends, each of us revealed a dark secret from our past. This hour-long conversation set the tone for an amazing mission trip. When you become vulnerable like Larry, God has a way of moving others to pour out their hearts and souls as well. This is where I find God.

by Jay Mankus