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

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Don't look back. Eliminate any possibility of retreat. That's the message of For King and Country's song, "Burn the Ships," and that is the message of Paul to the Philippians. The new life set out before you and the priceless prize at the end of this race will be SO worth the risk of reducing your past to ashes.

Let's explore what Paul has to say to the Philippians together.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Listen to an audio version of Scripture
  • Repetition
  • Listen to various translations
  • Consider the historical context
  • Refer to an outside resource
  • Follow the cross references
  • Slow down
• Where the phrase "Burn the Ships" comes from - biography.com
• The story behind the song - YouTube Video
• The brazen decision eliminating any possibility of retreat - Philippians 3:13-14
• Reading Philippians in context in preparation for more detailed study
• The command and warning found in chapter 3 - Philippians 3:1-4
• The big summary idea -- we are to put NO confidence in the flesh -- which is the OPPOSITE of the prevalent message of the world today
• Paul's list of "gain" - Philippians 3:4-6
• Slowing down and processing through Philippians 3:8-11
• Leading a "forgetting", "pressing", and "straining" kind of life - Philippians 3:12-14

• Lyrics - For King & Country Website
• Behind the song "Burn the Ships" by For King & Country - The Joy FM YouTube Video
• Take It or Die by Andy Andrews - YouTube Video

Read Paul's letter to the Philippians. Listen to it a few more times in various translations. Then sit down, slow down, and really process what you're reading. Maybe grab a friend and try to explain it to them. Ponder what you would put on your "gain" list. Ponder what you would put on your "everything else" list. Consider what you're grasping tightly to (on either list) that you could let go so your hands are free to strain toward what is ahead.

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Every somebody started out as a nobody. Inspired by Casting Crowns' song, "Nobody," I consider the early days of Samuel's life. Even though Samuel was the son of a barren woman who was dedicated to the Lord for a life of service, he still had to GROW from somewhere.

Join me as we zero in on Samuel's beginning to see what we can learn from this "nobody" who eventually had two books of the God's Holy Word bear his name.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Study a topic
  • Consider the opposite
  • Consult an outside resource
  • Share with a friend
• Reading Samuel's story with an eye toward the details of his life...everyone comes from somewhere - 1 Samuel 1-3
• Considering the opposite of a nobody
• Coming to the conclusion that it's out of a life of obedience that Samuel actualizes a life of significance
• Understanding where Samuel comes from by learning more about his birth and dedication (and ultimately his mother's commitment to God)
• The idea that Hannah probably passed on her devotion to God to her young son
• The first time God reveals Himself to Samuel in a personal way - 1 Samuel 3:1-10
• The context of Samuel's "world" at that time in history
• Examining some reasons as to why Samuel and Eli did not immediately recognize the voice of God
• Recognizing that we are NOT like the Israelites. The Word of the Lord is NOT rare in our time...it is revealed! All we have to do is read it!

• Lyrics and chords - Praise Charts
• Behind the song "Nobody" by Casting Crowns - FreeCCM

Read 1 Samuel 1-3. Spend some time really taking in the context of the world around Samuel's existence. Grab a friend and discuss the details together. Once you've read and re-read the text a few times, it's okay to peek down at your study Bible notes, or seek out a trusted commentary. And the next time you hear God speaking to you, be sure to obey. It may just be like it was for Samuel...more about your obedience and less about the message.

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Have you ever struggled to see the big picture of the Bible? How do the individual stories, songs, poems, prophecies, and more, fit together -- and what are we to make of it? Rend Collective's song, "Rescuer (Good News)," reminds me of God's grand rescue plan.

Join me for a quick fly over that may help you make connections with God's grand story in the future.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Use outside resources (like the amazing Jesus Storybook Bible)
• Meta-narrative - the overarching story that gives context, meaning, and purpose to all of life
• "The Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what He has done." - The Jesus Storybook Bible
• How Genesis 1-3 could be the beginning and the end, but God whispers a promise to rescue
• Genesis 6-9 and Noah's experience with God placing his war bow in the sky pointing to heaven
• A reminder of how we try to reach up to heaven like in the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11
• The tagline of The Jesus Storybook Bible - Every story whispers His name
• God's creation of his own family through Abraham and Sarah (we get to join in later!)
• An example of trusting the Father in Genesis 22 with an eye on the Son who would climb a mountain like Isaac to be sacrificed
• Hopping and skipping through the rest of the Old Testament and New Testament revealing the grand story of God
• Ending with Revelation where it's not the end...it's the beginning of our forever life after being rescued

• Purchase the album or single on Amazon
• Lyrics and chords

While I don’t have a specific place to go in Scripture this week, wherever you choose to go, take a step back and seek how it relates and connects to the meta-narrative…the grand story of God’s Word. And don’t forget...this Word of God is not about you at all…it’s about Him and His rescue plan for all who will believe in Him.

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We are in dire straights. We're going down in a heap of confusion and our SOS call has been heard by a loving Father who sent His only Son to rescue us. Lauren Daigle's song "Rescue" reminds us that we are not beyond God's reach to deliver us from sin.

Paul has his own SOS call recorded in his letter to the Romans. Let's head over there together.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Slow down
  • Utilize outside resources
  • Compare and contrast
  • Listen to an audio version of Scripture
• The Jesus Storybook Bible and how it reminds us that the Bible is "The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them."
• Paul's SOS call in Romans 7:15-24
• Recognizing that Romans can be a little hard to put your mind around at times
• Utilizing outside resources (AFTER you study the text for yourself)
  • Your pastor or small group leader
  • Study Bible
  • Commentaries that you trust (usually recommended by your trusted pastor or spiritual mentor)
• Nancy Guthrie's book, "Even Better Than Eden" - Amazon link
• How sin came into the world through one man - Romans 5:12, Genesis 2:15-17
• How righteousness came into the world through one man - Romans 5:19
• A variety of areas to study in Romans 6 and 7
  • The symbolism of baptism
  • Slavery to sin and lawlessness vs. slavery to righteousness
  • The metaphor of marriage when discussing being released from the law
  • The ongoing discussion about the law and what it does and does not do
• Baptism as an outward physical symbol of the inward spiritual conversion of Christians
• Being united with Christ through death to sin
• Being united with Christ in resurrection - walking in newness of life
• Then tension between being rescued from sin and still needing to walk in newness of life

• Lyrics and chords - Praise Charts

Read Romans in context. Read the entire letter in one sitting if you can. Zero in on Romans 6 and 7 as it builds to Paul's SOS call for rescue. Consider the symbolism of baptism. Ponder the spiritual truth it reveals, but also consider ways in which you are not walking in newness of life. Allow your Rescuer to rescue you...allow Him to lead you by His Spirit.

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I want the truth about God to be the soundtrack of my life. What we listen to matters and it changes the way we think. That's why I am drawn to John Mark and Sarah McMillan's song, "King Of My Heart." It calls out the characteristics of our unfathomable God, allowing me to meditate on HIM instead of ME.

We will use some of the lyrics to take us on a journey through Scripture to confirm that the King of our heart is indeed GOOD.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Start with God
  • Explore a topic
  • Make a list
  • Meditate on God's Word
  • Word study
• Putting on a garment of praise as we studied in Episode 282
• My "Garment of Praise" Spotify playlist - Spotify
• Using our song to explore four descriptions of God in Scripture
  • mountain where I run - Psalm 31
  • fountain I drink from - Jeremiah 2
  • shadow where I hide - Psalm 91
  • ransom for my life - Matthew 20
  • and my song - Exodus 15
• Starting with God by making a list of His characteristics discovered in Psalm 31:1-5
• Focusing our attention upon God rather than our troubles (or the failures of others)
• Considering the shadow of the Almighty in Psalm 91:1-2 (see Episode 216)
• Completing a word study on the word RANSOM (see Matthew 20:28) - BibleHub.com
• How the Lord Himself is our song - Exodus 15:2
• That when we seek others to complete us, we make the opinions, approval, and acceptance of men an idol
• When we make the opinions, approval, and acceptance of others an idol, we replace the King of our Heart (the source of living water) with a broken cistern (designed only to hold water...not to be a source)

• Lyrics and chords - Worship Together

I've given you several places to go this week. You could do a survey approach like we did on the podcast and consider the areas of Scripture where we see God as our refuge, our shadow, our ransom, our song, and our fountain. Or you could get so inspired in Psalm 31, Psalm 91, Matthew 10, Exodus 15, or Jeremiah 2, that you sit and explore in one of those sections of Scripture. In choosing either option, I don't think you'll ever sing this song the same again.

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Life's full of choices, isn't it? The funny thing is, even when we don't intentionally choose a response, we have still made a choice. Vertical Worship's song, "Yes I Will," reminds us that we can choose to bless the Lord at all times.

King David made that choice, and this week we explore one of the songs he wrote to remind himself of God's faithfulness.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Repetition
  • Consider the opposite
  • Make a list
  • Share with a friend
• Putting on a garment of praise as we studied last week in Episode 282
• My "Garment of Praise" Spotify playlist - Spotify
• Vertical Worship's teaching moment using this week's song - YouTube Video
• Avoiding the one-and-done mentality by reading Psalm 34 repetitively
• Evaluating our choices
  • What is the choice?
  • What are the options?
  • What are the consequences of choosing the different options?
  • How will my choice affect other people?
• Evaluating our choice to "bless the Lord at all times" - Psalm 34:1
• Breaking apart the results of your choices (once the dust has settled)
• How the ultimate level of maturity come when you make predetermined choices
• Examining Psalm 34 section by section

• Lyrics and chords - Essential Worship
• A Teaching Moment behind "Yes I Will" by Vertical Worship - YouTube Video

Take up residence in Psalm 34 this week. Ponder what you've learned about choices while learning much about the character of God in this psalm. Make lists and consider the repetitive phrases/ideas in this psalm (there are more than we discussed on the podcast). Talk to someone about what you've been studying (that's another BITE by the way). Finally, let it sink in that you're choosing...whether you're choosing to bless the Lord at all times, sometimes, or not at all...you're choosing. Will you choose to bless the Lord this week? Will you place HIS praise on your lips today?

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One of my favorite ways to understand Scripture is to consider the opposite. Whatever it IS becomes clearer for me when I think about what it's NOT. Michael Ketterer does that for us in the song, "Spirit Lead Me," when he reminds us that chasing feelings is the opposite of being led by the Spirit.

I want to be led by the Spirit, but I've learned in my studies that first I must "inquire of the Lord."

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Listen to an audio version of Scripture
  • Read/study to epic music playlist
• Putting on a garment of praise as we studied last week in Episode 282
• Not letting the music you listen to inform what you believe, rather letting what you believe inform the music you'll consume
• Rapid Bible Read Through - you can learn more about it over on my friend Keith Ferrin's blog
• How Saul did NOT inquire of the Lord and what happened - 1 Chronicles 10:13
• Taking on 1st and 2nd Samuel by reading for larger chunks of time
• David inquiring of the Lord - 1 Samuel 23:1-5, 1 Samuel 23:10-13, 1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Samuel 2:1-4, 2 Samuel 5:17-25 and more
• How and why WE are led by the Spirit - Romans 8:5-14

• Lyrics and chords - Influence Music
• The story behind "Spirit Lead Me" by Michael Ketterer - YouTube Video
• "Spirit Lead Me" Devo with Michael Ketterer - YouTube Video

Tackle the narrative told in 1st and 2nd Samuel this week. Read and keep on reading. Take as long as you need, but read in larger chunks of time. Don't get bogged down in the details, keep an eye on the big picture. Take note of when people "inquire of the Lord" and when they do not. What are the results and consequences? Make it a prayer of yours to be led by the Spirit and not by your flesh. And if you are hostile to the things of God, by all means surrender. He will fill you with Himself and you will be free.

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Sometimes you’re in a battle, and sometimes you just feel like a weight is bearing down on you, immobilizing you. The King James Version of the Bible calls this a “spirit of heaviness.” The English Standard Version calls it a “faint spirit.” No matter the description that fits you best, our Savior has given us a great exchange. Michael W. Smith sings about it in his song, “Surrounded (Fight My Battles).”

Explore Isaiah 61 with me as put on the garment of praise in exchange for the spirit of heaviness.

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Meditate
  • Pray Scripture
  • Write out Scripture
  • Speak Scripture aloud
  • Journal
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Make a list

• Michael W. Smith’s reference to Isaiah 61 in the opening of his song
• The terrible exchange of a spring of living water for a broken cistern in Jeremiah 2
• The glorious exchanges listed in Isaiah 61:1-3
• The proven battle plan of leading out in praise - 2 Chronicles 20
• Putting on the garment of praise through singing, speaking, journaling, praying and remembering
• Following the cross reference in Isaiah 61 to Luke 4:16-21
• Considering the giver of the garment of praise in Isaiah 61:3
• The expected result of this great exchange - Isaiah 61:3
• Considering being rooted in Colossians 2 and planted in Psalm 1
• How God’s greatest glory IS my greatest good
• Making a list of who “they” are that these gift are for
• Making a list of the expected accomplishments of the transformed “they”
• Another great exchange in Isaiah 61:7
• Our praise response in Isaiah 61:10-11

• Lyrics and chords - Upperroom
• The story behind the song “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by Michael W. Smith - New Release Today article

Perhaps you are suffering from a faint spirit. Remember that Christ was anointed to bring you the good news and a gift...a garment of praise in exchange for your faint spirit. Read Isaiah 61 this week and explore all of the details it offers us while using the Episode 282 to give you the tools to do so. Put on the garment of praise this week. Ponder through singing, write out Scripture, speak out Scripture, incorporate Scripture into your prayers, and call out to God all that He has done for you.

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When we were new parents we logged every aspect of our new baby's life. Some family members mocked us, but for my husband and me it gave us a feeling of control -- as if by writing it down we could influence the outcome. In his song, "I'm Gonna Let It Go," Jason Gray sings of our desire to "control" things while God is patiently waiting for us to surrender to Him.

Through a quick look at the interchange between a prophet and a king, we can make some pretty profound conclusions.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Remember that the people described in the Bible were REAL
  • Explore a topic
  • Consider the historical context
  • Utilize section headings
• If I don’t surrender to God’s way, I’ll surrender to the consequences of not surrendering to God’s way
• What leads to holding on to our own way over God's way
• Historical context of the conversation between Jeremiah and Zedekiah in Jeremiah 38
• Getting big-picture perspective by exploring the timeline in 2 Chronicles 36
• Our choice is not merely to obey or not obey, but ultimately we choose the consequence
• Examining our "it shall be well with you" options vs. our "death and terror for those you love" options
• The necessity of listening to Godly counsel
• Pushing the situation until "there is no remedy"

• Lyrics and chords - Praise Charts
• The story behind "I'm Gonna Let It Go" by Jason Gray - CCM Magazine

Read Jeremiah 36-39. As you are reading, remember that the men described here really lived. They had real personalities and tendencies. They had real choices and they suffered real consequences. To understand at least a limited timeline and historical context of King Zedekiah, read 2 Chronicles 36. Finally, remember if we don’t surrender to God’s way, we’ll be forced to surrender to the consequences of not surrendering to God’s way.

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no episode this week due to complications caused by Hurricane Barry!

see you next week!

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