More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music

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A critical question is posed by an imposing angel in the throne room of God described in the book of Revelation, "Who is worthy to open the scroll?" Meredith Andrew's song "Who Could" reminds us of this question, and the apostle John transports us through vivid imagery.

Visit the throne room of God with me this week on the podcast.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Listen to epic music while reading epic scenes in Scripture
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Meditation
  • Ask questions
  • Mark up the text
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Complete a word study
  • Consult an outside resource
• The 30-Day Music Challenge
• My interview with Vince Wright and his resources at TheBereanTest.com - YouTube Video
• Listening to epic music while reading epic scenes, I used a track from unminus.com under a portion of Scripture this week
• Tips for reading Revelation from an outside resource - "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
• Tips for reading apocalyptic literature in the Bible - Blog with Video
• Marking up the text using the Illustrated Scripture Journal - Amazon Link
• Getting answers to some of my questions - GotQuestions.org
• Picturing the scene in the throne room of heaven - Revelation 4:1-11
• The 24 elders casting their crowns before the throne - Revelation 4:10 
  • Imperishable crown - 1 Corinthians 9:25
  • Spiritual children - Philippians 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 2:19
  • Crown of life - James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10
  • Crown of righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:8
  • Crown of glory - 1 Peter 5:4
• Lord (Kurios) as a master and person exercising absolute ownership rights - BibleHub.com
• God (Theos) as the supreme Creator who owns and sustains all things - BibleHub.com
• Allowing Scripture to roll around in your mind a bit (also known as meditating on Scripture)
• Pondering the extreme emotional response of John in Revelation 5:4

Additional Resources

• Lyrics and chords - EssentialWorship.com
• Behind The Song "Who Could" by Meredith Andrews - New Release Today Article by Kevin Davis
• "5 Tips for Reading Apocalyptic Literature in the Bible" - Zondervan Academic Blog and Video

Weekly Challenge

 Read the book of Revelation for yourself. Consider the literary context as you read so that you don't fall into the trap of misreading the text. Sit awestruck at the sight of the whole before inspecting the parts. Immerse yourself in the throne room scene and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal just how worthy the Lion and Lamb is of our praise. 

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Sometimes, we need a good reminder that this world is not our home. As Jordan Feliz sings about, there is a day coming when "Jesus Is Coming Back!" Knowing this should lead to eager anticipation in our lives and give us hope.

Join me this week as we explore God's Word to learn all about the return of Christ.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Exploring a topic
  • Utilizing outside resources
  • Read in context
  • Share with a friend
  • Compare and contrast
• The 30-Day Music Challenge
• Exploring a topic in God's Word
• Defining systematic theology - RC Sproul Video
• A C.S. Lewis quote about theology - "If you do not listen to theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones -- bad, muddled, out-of-date ideas."
• Transitioning from an "I think" approach to a "the Bible says" approach
• Utilizing a systematic theology resource to gather Scriptures on the topic of the return of Christ - "Systematic Theology" by Wayne Grudem
• The multi-verse retrieval resource at BlueLetterBible.org
• That there will be a sudden, visible, personal, bodily return of Christ 
  • Copy and paste the list of verses below into the multi-verse retrieval box at BlueLetterBible.org
  • Matthew 24:44; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess 4:16; Heb 9:28; James 5:8; 2 Pet 3:10; 1 John 3:2; Rev 22:20; Rev 1:7
• That we should eagerly long for Christ's return 
  • Titus 2:12-13; Phil 3:20; 1 Cor 16:22; Matt 24:44
• We do not know when Christ will return 
  • Matt 24:44; Matt 25:13; Mark 13:32-33
• That Christ could come at any time 
  • Matt 24:42-44; Matt 24:36-39; Matt 24:50; Matt 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; Luke 12:40; 1 Cor 16:22; Phil 3:30; 1 Thess 5:2; Titus 2:12-13; Hebrews 10:25; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 4:7; Rev 1:3; Rev 22:7; Rev 22:12; Rev 22:20
• The A.W. Tozer quote regarding over and underemphasizing Scripture - "Lack of balance in the Christian life is often the direct consequence of overemphasis on certain favorite texts, with a corresponding underemphasis on other related ones."
• Studying these truths with a friend - Hebrews 10:25
• Being on the lookout for direction in Scripture regarding how we respond to the truth that Jesus is coming back!

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - NewReleaseToday.com
• Devotional article using "Jesus Is Coming Back" as inspiration - New Release Today Article
• "What Is Theology" by RC Sproul - Ligonier Ministries Video
• "The Second Coming of Christ" | Billy Graham Classic {Note: Don't watch this until AFTER you study Scripture for yourself! It will mean so much more!} - YouTube Video

Weekly Challenge

 Grab the verses in the show notes above and use them as a launching point to read them in context, learning all you can about what the Bible says about the return of Jesus Christ our Lord. While you're in these larger sections of Scripture, be on the lookout for how we respond to this truth that Jesus is coming soon. 

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There was a national crisis, and the king didn't know what to do. At that moment, the king had choices. He could turn to his own wisdom, to the advisors of those around him, or any number of places for advice. In the Scripture inspired by Phil Wickham's song "Battle Belongs," the king chose to seek the Lord. May we follow his example...well, mostly.

Let's read the whole account of King Jehoshaphat's crisis in 2 Chronicles 20 and then read past it to see "the rest of the story."

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Reading in context
  • Storying
  • Sharing with a friend
  • Compare and contrast
  • Remembering the people described in the Bible were REAL
  • Prayer
  • Praying Scripture
• The 30-Day Music Challenge
• Heading over to 2 Chronicles 20 for the week
• How I've used this area of Scripture in previous episodes - Episode 151 and Episode 305
• Watching Phil Wickham take the BITE of "storying" this video - YouTube Video
• Not letting the "tweetable" verses in 2 Chronicles 20 distract from internalizing this Scripture
• Watching the king and his people go from a crisis to fear, to trust, to worship, to victory, to rest
• The difference between descriptive and prescriptive texts in Scripture - GotQuestions.org Article
• Using Scripture to shape the wording of our prayers
• How reading the "rest of the story" reminds us to finish well 
  • 2 Chronicles 20:33
  • Matthew 24:13
  • Colossians 1:21-23

Additional Resources

• Lyrics and chords - Essential Worship
• The Story Behind the Writing of the Song "The Battle Belongs" - YouTube Video
• The Biblical Story Behind the Song "The Battle Belongs" - YouTube Video
• A critical thinking review of the lyrics testing for Biblical accuracy - TheBereanTest.com
• A discussion about the difference between prescriptive and descriptive Scripture - GotQuestions.org Article

Weekly Challenge

 Become so familiar with the account in 2 Chronicles 20 that you can retell the story to others. The best way to practice this is with a friend. It will take some time and repetition, but it will be worth it! To get the full context of King Jehoshaphat's reign, you might even back up in 2 Chronicles to the beginning of his story -- or even go further back and take in his father's story. We all know how our heritage can shape us. Learn from Jehoshaphat and remember that the battle for your soul belongs to the Lord -- He has already won the victory! 

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As a Christ-follower, it is my privilege to make much of God. My feelings, thoughts, and life should reflect Him and give evidence of His supreme greatness. That is, my life should magnify Christ, just like Cody Carnes sings about in his song "Christ Be Magnified."

Paul talks about magnifying Christ in his letter to the Philippians. Let's explore that a little deeper together.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Reading in context
  • Listen to an audio version of the text
  • Read the envelope
  • Historical context
  • Consulting an outside resource
  • Follow the cross-reference
  • Read in a variety of translations
  • Define words
• The 30-Day Music Challenge
• The inspirational verse - Philippians 1:20
• Reading Philippians like a letter (because that's what it is)
• Reading the envelope to discover who the letter was written to, who it is from, and when and where it came from
• Consulting a trusted outside resource for the historical background - "How to Read the Bible Book by Book" by Gordon and Fee
• Gaining historical insight into the church at Philippi by reading Acts 15:35-Acts 17:1
• The advancement of the gospel - Philippians 1:12
• Ways the gospel advanced - Philippians 1:14-17
• Paul's response - Philippians 1:18-19
• The severity of Paul's situation and his emotional state
• How Paul was subject to being formed by feelings and his "eager expectation"

Additional Resources

• Lyrics, chords, song story, etc. - WorshipTogether.com
• "Is Christ Be Magnified Biblical" - TheBereanTest.com

Weekly Challenge

Read all of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Focus on Philippians 1:12-30 (some of which we did not get to on the podcast) and discover what magnifying Christ in our body looks like to Paul. Use the BITEs we talked about on the podcast to interact with Scripture, including heading over to Acts to understand the foundation of the church at Philippi (the original audience of this letter). And may Paul's experience be yours as well -- may the prayers of your friends and the power of the Holy Spirit uphold you in your darkest times.

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The other day, I dropped a glass casserole lid on my tile kitchen floor. It shattered into a host of small pieces. I'm still finding pieces of glass here and there. There's a difference between being broken and shattered. Shattered seems so irreparable. In Blanca's song "Shattered," she reminds us that the task of putting the shattered pieces back together is not too big for God.

Scripture offers many examples of shattered lives that God touches. We'll look at one example together this week.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Reading in context
  • Make observations
  • Ask questions
  • Consult a map
  • Remembering the people described in the Bible were real
  • Consult section headings
  • Read in a variety of translations
  • Make a list
  • Define words
• The 30-Day Music Challenge
• How we can comfort others because of our own experiences - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• The daily practice of being washed in the Word as an act of worship - Ephesians 5:26-27
• The story of the widow of Nain - Luke 7:11-17
• Asking questions like, "Soon after what?" and "Where did he come from?"
• Looking up the towns mentioned in God's Word on a map...or even Google Earth (after all, they are real places, and many still exist today)
• Picturing the crowd with Jesus and the crowd with the widow
• Defining a bier while considering the funeral customs of the day
• Making a list of the people depicted in this short story
• REALLY looking at the widow of Nain and considering the shattered pieces of her story
• Coming face to face with how Jesus RESPONDED 
  • He saw her
  • He had compassion for her
  • He spoke to her
  • He came up to the bier
  • He touched the bier
  • He spoke to the dead man
  • He gave him to his mother
• The Japanese art of Kintsugi - Lifegate Article

Additional Resources

• The story behind the song "Shattered" by Blanca with Lyrics - Free CCM Article with video links
• Behind the song "Shattered" by Blanca - New Release Today Article

Weekly Challenge

Read Luke 7 for yourself. You might even take the challenge of reading in context — reading chapters 6 through 8 for yourself. Take a close look at Jesus in these stories. Identify the characteristics of your Savior that you may have glossed over in the past. Interact with the Word! Make observations, write them in lists, look up words you don’t understand, and enjoy your time being washed with the water of the Word.

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What does it mean to live by faith? I'm not sure there's a simple answer to that question, but one practice may provide evidence. Tye Tribbett sings about it in his song "Anyhow" -- trusting and praising God no matter what comes our way.

Let's explore the life and times of a prophet whose complaint to God could have been written this morning and whose prayer we can mimic in our own lives.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Reading in context
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Repetition
  • Consult an overview
  • Follow the cross-reference
• Our circumstances can cloud our view of God - "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby
• An introduction to the prophet Habakkuk
• Habakkuk's "hallelujah anyhow" conclusion - Habakkuk 3:17-19
• How we "need to appreciate how {Habakkuk's conclusion} derives from a serious engagement with the issues of God's justice if {we} are to appreciate just how radical it is." - ESV Expository Commentary: Daniel–Malachi (Volume 7)
• Getting our bearings with a brief introduction to the book of Habakkuk -  BlueLetterBible.org
• Gaining clarity through a deeper overview - TheBibleProject.com
• Habakkuk's complaint that could have been written today - Habakkuk 1:2-4
• God's astounding response - Habakkuk 1:5-11
• Habakkuk's concern with how God's response seems opposed to His character - Habakkuk 1:12-13
• God's introduction to the phrase "the righteous will live by faith" - Habakkuk 2:2-4
• Following the cross-references 
  • Romans 1:16-17
  • Galatians 3:2-3, 11
  • Hebrews 10:32-39

Additional Resources

• Lyrics
• Story Behind the Songs - Tye Tribbett - YouTube Video (start at 28:30 to hear specifically about "Anyhow"

Weekly Challenge

Read the entire book of Habakkuk (all three chapters) several times. Then, watch an overview video or read the introduction in your study Bible. Identify the comparisons to our own time and carefully observe how God replies. Track down the cross-references we mentioned in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. Finally, spend some time internalizing Habakkuk’s conclusion — singing hallelujah anyhow.

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There are a lot of solutions offered in the world today. Unfortunately, most worldly solutions don't identify the root problem -- sin. In her song "Look No Further," Evvie McKinney reminds us that we don't have to look any further than Jesus for the salvation we seek. Her "look no further than Jesus" response feels like an answer to a question posed in Scripture.

Join me as we take a closer look at the life of John the Baptist and a key question he asks from prison.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Remember, the people described in the Bible were real
  • Ask questions of the text
  • Explore the cross-references
  • Read with friends
• The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
• Looking in all the wrong places to find hope
• John's question to Jesus - Matthew 11:3
• Understanding John's history by reading/studying Luke 1
• Zechariah's prophecy over John - Luke 1:76-80
• Learning even more about John the Baptist's ministry in Matthew 3 
  • John was set apart
  • John was different
  • John was bold
  • John knew his purpose
• The context of what was going on in the ministry of Jesus between being baptized by John and John's imprisonment
• Pondering why John may have asked the question in Matthew 11:3
• Reading the cross-references related to Jesus' response to John's question 
  • Isaiah 19:18-19
  • Isaiah 35:5-6
  • Isaiah 61:1
  • Isaiah 8:11-15

Additional Resources

• Article about the release of the new song - CCMMagazine.com
• Lyrics - 95.1 Shine FM

Weekly Challenge

Read Matthew 11 and let it inspire you to explore all of the Scriptures related to John the Baptist in both the New and Old Testaments. Then, go back to John's question to ponder how such a man of God could end up in such a season of doubt. But don't ponder alone! Enlist a friend to study this with you to broaden your perspective.

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As our trust in the Lord grows, our patience grows. We can rest in His timing because we can point to God's faithfulness repeatedly in the accounts recorded in His Word. Not only that, but we have our own experiences we can point to in our own lives. Fred Jerkins' song "Patiently Praising" not only points us to promises we can cling to in Scripture but serves as a challenge in our own lives to praise while we await a resolution to painful parts of our lives.

I didn't have to look any further than specific references to Scripture right in the song to get inspired to dive into God's Word. Join me!

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Repetition
  • Write out Scripture by hand
  • Ask questions of the text
  • Utilize outside resources
  • Internalize Scripture (often known as memorization)
  • Consult various translations
  • Read with friends
• The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
• Spending a good deal of time discovering what the Bible actually says before jumping to meaning and application
• The lyric in the song that led me to Psalm 34:19
• Internalizing God's Word by committing it to memory
• Keith Ferrin's quote, "The goal isn't to know the words. It's the know the Word." - "How To Enjoy Reading Your Bible" by Keith Ferrin
• Studying Psalm 34 verse by verse
• Reading the account in 1 Samuel 21:10-15 that the Psalm declares was the inspiration for David's words
• Recognizing that the psalm was written as an acrostic, with each verse beginning with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet
• Seeing the theme of affliction throughout the Psalm
• Referring to our study of this Psalm in Episode 358
• Discovering potential answers to our questions of the text through commentaries at BibleHub.com

Additional Resources

• Article revealing the music project was around cancer awareness - Billboard.com
• Lyrics
• Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers on Psalm 34 at BibleHub.com

Weekly Challenge

Work through Psalm 34 on your own. As we saw on today's podcast, this is an ideal psalm to commit to memory. If internalizing the entire psalm feels too intimidating, pick a few verses to read, reread, and repeat until you can write them out on your own, speak them out to others in common day conversation, and lift them back up in prayer to your heavenly Father. And here's a teaser...there's another direct Scripture reference in our song this week that could send you off to another section of Scripture in the New Testament to study.

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There's a shortage of truth in the world today. Of course, the definition of truth seems to be up for grabs for some, but today, we're discussing sincerity in action without pretense. Matthew West sings about this in his song "Truth Be Told." Jesus teaches about it in the Gospel of Matthew.

Spend some time this week examining the words of Jesus with an open heart.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Consider the historical background
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Utilize a trusted outside resource (like a commentary or Study Bible)
  • Read in context
  • Summarize the text in your own words
  • Ask questions of the text
  • Remember, the people in the Bible were real
• The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
• Matthew West's story behind the song - YouTube Video
• The book Matthew West wrote that he mentioned in the video - "Hello My Name Is" by Matthew West
• The verse in Isaiah Matthew West refers to in the video - Isaiah 29:13
• How Jesus uses two metaphors to talk about what He thinks of being clean, put together, and FINE only on the outside - Matthew 23:27-28
• The historical context of why touching tombs would have been a big deal to Christ's audience - Numbers 19:16
• Why it was their practice to whitewash tombs - Douglas Sean O'Donnell "Preaching The Word" Commentary on Matthew
• Really considering the root of what Jesus is teaching and how it may apply to our own "clean on the outside and a hot mess on the inside" moments
• Zooming out all the way to Matthew 21 to see the context of our focus teaching
• Summarizing Matthew 23:1-11 in our own words
• Recognizing the seven "woe"s in Matthew 23
• Checking out another "woe" from the Old Testament - Hosea 7:13
• Hearing the "rolling thunder of Christ's wrath" 

Additional Resources

• Matthew West makes the case for honesty - KLove Blog
• Lyrics - WGBL.org
• "Truth Be Told" by Matthew West Story Behind the Song - YouTube
• Article on the seven "woe"s in Matthew 23 - GotQuestions.org
• Article on what "woe" means in Scripture - Patheos.com
• Commentary on the book of Matthew - Amazon.com

Weekly Challenge

Read Matthew 21-25 to understand the complete context of Jesus' teaching. Focus on Matthew 23 and really study it (I've included resources I used, "Additional Resources" above). Identify and write down summaries of the seven woes. Hear the rolling thunder of Christ's wrath and take His rebuke seriously. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal any hypocrisy in your life.

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We spend so much time trying to make things happen in our lives. This last year has shown us globally how little control we have. Elevation Worship's song "Graves Into Gardens" reminds us that God does transformational things and is the only One Who can.

Let's use this song to send us to the words of a prophet and a king to learn more about our transformational God.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Consider the historical background
  • Start with God
  • Ask questions
  • Make a list
• The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
• My prayer for my listeners is that God will give you an unreasonable desire for His Word that leads to an unsurpassable relationship with Him
• God Himself is our goal, and our priority must be our Father and His kingdom
• Spending time in Isaiah 61 in  Episode 282
• Our starting-point verse that uses the phrase "mourning to dancing" - Psalm 30:11
• Gaining historical perspective by consulting my study Bible - ESV Study Bible
• Observing concrete details in the life of David, empathizing with those details, and translating that into worshiping God from the same place
• Starting with God by asking questions of the text that lead us to Him
• A trusted resource to teach us how to ask questions of the text - "Asking the Right Questions" by Matthew Harmon
• Making lists of God's character, conduct, and concerns revealed in Psalm 30
• Discovering more transformations in Isaiah 61

Additional Resources

• Lyrics - Elevation Worship.com

Weekly Challenge

Spend some time in Psalm 30 and Isaiah 61 this week. Try starting with God as you interact with the text. Seek where you can learn more about His character, conduct, and concerns. Identify some of the transformations we sing about in our song that are directly reflected in the text, but don't stop there! Pray and listen for what God wants you to learn from His Word.

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