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

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It's time. It's time to get a little excited about how great God really is. Strike up the band (or at least Newsboys United's song "Greatness of Our God") and turn to Psalm 150, because it's time to acknowledge the greatness of our God.

Do you keep a record of the mighty works of God?

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
  • Make observations (and write them down)
  • Slow down
  • Follow the cross references
• Relishing songs that point us to God first (rather than self)
• Searching for "greatness" in Scripture using online tools - BibleHub.com
• Reading all of Psalm 150 and making observations
• Recognizing the categories detailed in Psalm 150
  • WHERE to praise God
  • WHAT to praise Him FOR
  • WHAT to praise Him WITH
  • WHO should praise God
• Psalm 150 in The Voice translation - BibleGateway.com
• A reminder of the wonderful study in Psalm 148 on Episode 244 - the perfect partner to this episode

• Lyrics
• The story behind "The Greatness of Our God" by Newsboys United - New Release Today Article

Spend some time in Psalm 150 this week. You may be tempted to read it once and move on, but I really want you to spend some time there. Write out your own list of mighty works of God. Focus on the greatness of our God. Consider the who, what, and where of praising God we find in this psalm. And by all means, spend some time praising the Lord this week.

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Helen Keller once said, "I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."  This quote has been next to my computer for over 15 years.  I am reminded of it and of what James has to say about our faith being evident through our actions every time I hear Matthew West's song, "Do Something."

I want a faith that is vibrant and alive.  Don't you?  We'll discuss this and more on this week's episode.

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 in various translations
  • Complete a word study
• Our memory verse in context - James 2:14-20
• Definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1
• How we are saved through faith by grace so that we can DO SOMETHING - Ephesians 2:8-10
• The story behind the song as told by Matthew West
• A word study on the word for "action" found in our memory verse
• Ideas on where we can start to "do something"

• Download "Do Something" from iTunes
• Lyrics
• James 2:17 in the Amplified Bible
• Story behind the song found in New Release Tuesday
• Ezekiel 18:5-9
• James 1:26-27
• CASA
• Hope for Opelousas
• Compassion International
• A21 Campaign

Read James 2 in context. To me that means read the chapter before through to the chapter after your focus chapter. And if you're going to do that...just read the whole book of James! Use BibleHub.com to click on the interlinear of James 2:17. Click on the Greek word for "action" and complete a word study for yourself. Ask God to make these truths come alive for you.

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Have you ever read about people who have been given a new lease on life? Perhaps it was a medical breakthrough or second chance, but their lives changed completely. These examples pale in comparison to what happens when we are made alive with Christ. Big Daddy Weave sings about it in their new song, "Alive."

Paul writes about it in his letter to the Ephesians. Let's explore it together!

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Read in context
  • Listen to an audio version of Scripture
  • Refer to an introduction/historical context
  • Write Scripture in your own words
• How our lyrics were inspired by Ephesians 2:1-10
• Being able to put something in your own words shows a higher level of comprehension
• Listing out some of the desires of the body and the mind that you carried out before you became a follower of Christ
• Considering who we follow -- because it's either Christ or the prince of the power of the air
• Our nature - Ephesians 2:3
• What we must do for the free gift of salvation - Ephesians 2:8-9
• Heather Holleman’s book "SEATED: Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison" - Amazon Link
• We are no longer dead. We are alive. We belong. We have a seat. Now we are free to carry out the things God has prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

• Chords and lyrics - "Alive" by Big Daddy Weave - Praise Charts

Read or listen to Ephesians…the whole letter. Then focus your study time on Ephesians 2:1-10. Try to write it out in your own words. Consider what it means to follow Christ versus following the course of this world. Ponder what it looks like to be seated with Christ instead of fighting for a seat.

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This week's episode is in tribute to my mentor's daughter. In life and in death she inspired others to lift their faces to the One Who could save them. That's why Lauren Daigle's song "Look Up Child" inspires us to explore Scripture today.

Let's dive in to some key Scriptures where God's people are called to look up and live.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Listen to an audio version of Scripture
  • Share with a friend
  • Make a list
  • Follow the cross-references
• Not getting discouraged when you encounter Scripture after Scripture you've never read before...don't be discouraged, be inspired!
• My mom's story of God's inspiration and provision - Joshua 1:8
• Doing God's work and building up the church - Ephesians 4:11-12
• Looking up to the Son of Man lifted up like the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness - John 3:9-12
• Following the cross-reference to Numbers 21 to see the story of the bronze serpent on a pole - Numbers 21:4-9
• Remembering the warning of idolizing God's provision and worshiping it rather than God - 2 Kings 18:3-4

• Story behind the album "Look Up Child" by Lauren Daigle - YouTube Video
• Chords and lyrics - "Look Up Child" by Lauren Daigle - PsalmNote.com

Use this episode as a catalyst to spend more thoughtful time in the Scriptures we briefly highlighted today. Study John 3 and Numbers 21, and don’t miss the danger zone we uncovered in 2 Kings 18. Let these references to “looking up” lead us to place our faith in Christ unto salvation, and continue to place our faith in His saving power for every situation we face until we meet Him face-to-face in eternity.

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There's an impossible situation. You know the one. You lay it at the feet of Jesus only to pick it right back up again. Why do we do that? Perhaps we lack the faith to recognize God's "got this." Love and Outcome gives an encouraging message to remind us that God has it all in hand.

God proves Himself over and over again in Scripture. Let's peek into a couple of true accounts.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Context
  • Consider the opposite
• Considering the opposite of God's sovereignty
• The context of Saul's persecution of the early church - Acts 8:1-3, Philippians 3:4-6, Galatians 1:13-14
• The road to Damascus did not go Saul's way because it wasn't supposed to - Acts 9:1-31
• What seemed like an impossible barrier to the cause of Christ ended up being the catalyst to spreading the gospel around the world
• Peter's story of discovering the path he was on was not the path of God - Acts 10
• Criticism of Peter and his experience recapped - Acts 11:1-18

• Lyrics for "You Got This" by Love and the Outcome - AZ Lyrics

I skimmed over quite a bit of the text today — catch up by reading Acts 6-11. As you read, keep God’s sovereignty in the forefront of your mind. How would these accounts look different if the main characters were sovereign over the outcomes? What were some of the "grand-scheme-of-things” outcomes in reality? Where in your life are you questioning God’s sovereignty? How can these accounts lead you to trust and submit to His will and His ways.

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God specializes in bringing dead things back to life. From the first pages of Genesis when man walked into death through mistrust and disobedience God mapped out the plan to defeat death forever. Elevation Worship's song "Resurrecting" celebrates the resurrecting power of our resurrected Savior.

Let's explore what Scripture has to say about what it looks like to come back from the dead.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Context
  • Ask Questions
  • Make Observations
  • Study with a Friend
  • Repetition
• Reading your Bible is non-negotiable. There. You've been told.
• You can do this. BITEs can help.
• There will always be those we can learn from, but starting with the base of what Scripture says is our job first
• Making some observations in Colossians 2:13
• Zooming out to read the context of Colossians 2
• Two metaphors -- buried with Christ and spiritual circumcision - Colossians 2:11 and Colossians 2:12
• The now and the not yet - the spiritual life (our real life) and the physical life and when those will sync up

• Lyrics and chords for "Resurrecting" by Elevation Worship - Essential Worship
• Mark's Story - "Resurrecting" by Elevation Worship - YouTube Video

Read all of Paul’s letter to the Colossians (it’s only 4 chapters). Make some observations, read it with a friend, compile a couple of lists. Take note of life and death…it’s interwoven throughout this letter. Then every time you listen to this week’s song you can be reminded of your time in God’s Word.

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Challenges in our lives will never stop coming. Like waves that ebb and flow in strength and number, our trials and suffering come in and go out, but they never stop coming. The solution is to fix our eyes on God and the hope revealed in His Word. Ellie Holcomb's song "Find You Here" reminds us that He is in the midst of each ordeal...even the darkest ones.

Peter knew he needed to prepare believers for fiery trials, too. Let's let our song lead us there this week.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read and keep on reading
  • Explore a topic
  • Follow the cross references
• The problem with contemporary western thought in regard to suffering
• "Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering" by Timothy Keller
• Episode 171 and my reference to Jen Wilkin's book "None Like Him"
• Ellie Holcomb's blog post about the story behind the song - www.ellieholcomb.com
• The pattern in 1 Peter - We suffered. Christ suffered. We suffered. Christ suffered - Hebrews 4:15
• Jesus made perfect through suffering - Hebrews 2:10
• God is pleased with us when we endure suffering patiently - 1 Peter 2:20
• The example Christ leaves for suffering - 1 Peter 2:22-25
• The cross reference to Isaiah 53:2-12

• Lyrics and chords for "Find You Here" by Ellie Holcomb - Ultimate Guitar
• Story behind the song "Find You Here" by Ellie Holcomb - New Release Today Article

Read 1 Peter all the way through. It may benefit you to read it through several times in several translations. Once you have a good grasp of the letter as a whole, focus in on what the letter says specifically about suffering. You may find it easiest to go through and make a list of every reference to suffering, trials, etc. If you want to follow the example of this podcast, study the example of Christ Peter gives in chapter 2. Follow the cross-reference to Isaiah 53 it will really give you perspective. Do all of this with the corrected worldview that suffering is not to be avoided at all cost (and I think we know that practically it can’t be), but that we can endu

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We live in a world where we want the results, but are often unwilling to put in the work. I agree with The Afters when they sing about wanting to hear the words "well done" in the end. Jesus makes it clear in his parables the characteristics of those inheriting the kingdom of God.

Let's make some discoveries and ACT on what we find.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Compare and contrast
  • Read in context
  • Make observations
• My guest appearance on Reverentia's podcast RE - iTunes Episode Link
• Thinking Scripturally about the phrase, "Well done my good and faithful servant."
• The parable where the phrase "well done" is found - Matthew 25:14-30
• Reading the Parable of the Talents in context - Matthew 24 and Matthew 25
• Discussing what is worth more than a talent of gold - Psalm 19:7-11
• Comparing and contrasting the servants in the Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30
• Comparing and contrasting in the other parables and examples in Matthew 25
• Considering what God is concerned about that will lead to his approval in the end

• Lyrics and Chords - Praise Charts
• Story Behind the Song "Well Done" by The Afters - YouTube Video

Read the Parable of the Talents in context by reading Matthew 24 and 25. Make observations and compare and contrast because that is what Jesus is doing throughout this teaching. Make note of which "character" in each parable or story you want to be. Discern what actions or beliefs are displayed and what those behaviors lead to. Acknowledge the consequences of the "other" choice in each parable. And then don't just wait to hear "well done" -- act!

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It's the hardest experiences that often shape us the most. While they may be excruciating in the moment, when we persevere, these trials lead to greater character and hope. "Scars" by I Am They sings of this very phenomenon. May we be strengthened by our scars, not broken by them.

There is a man deeply scarred that you may have missed in the Old Testament. Let's read about him together!

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  
  • Read the section headings to get your bearings
  • Compare and contrast
  • Read in context
  • Listen to an audio version of the Bible
  • Remember that the people described in the Bible were REAL
  • Follow cross references
• How even (or especially) the painful parts of our lives often shape who we are today
• When you're challenged in Scripture don't let it get you down, let it remind you that there is always more (and there is life and exciting revelation in the more)
• Consulting a chart of kings in your study Bible or elsewhere to get your bearings (here's a good one I found online)
• A quick overview of how we got to the divided kingdom
• Considering the life of Hezekiah like a good Cajun girl asking the question, "Who is your mom and dad?" (yes, I know bad grammar, but a good Cajun question all the same)
• Comparing and contrasting Hezekiah with his father, Ahaz - 2 Kings 18:1-4, 2 Kings 16:1-4
• Describing what it means for parents to pass their children through the fire - John Kitto
• Reading Hezekiah's story remembering that he was a REAL man with deep wounds and scars
• How God uses our scars to benefit others - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

• Lyrics and Chords - Essential Worship
• Story Behind the Song "Scars" by I Am They - YouTube Video

Read Hezekiah's story in context -- start in chapter 16 of 2 Kings and read all the way through chapter 20. If you really get into the story, you could use the BITE of following the cross references (there's a prophet in this story who has his very own book!). As you consider Hezekiah's scars and how it may have shaped him, brin

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We're building a life. With every choice we make, every word we say, every thought, and every act we are building a life. That leads to the question, "What foundation are we building our lives on?" Pat Barrett's song "Build My Life" is a declaration of building a life on a firm foundation. That foundation is revealed in Scripture.

Join me as we see what Jesus has to say about our building practices in Matthew 7.

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  
  • Context
  • Observations
  • Compare and contrast
  • Mark in your Bible
• The story behind the song "Build My Life" by Pat Barrett - YouTube Video
• Our focus area of Scripture inspired by the bridge of our song - Matthew 7:24-27
• Reading and studying the entire Sermon on the Mount in context - Matthew 5-7
• Jesus' teaching methods - "The Method and Message of Jesus' Teaching" by Robert Stein
• Comparing and contrasting the wise man and the foolish man
• How the rains fall, the torrents rage, and the winds blow and beat against the house of BOTH men
• Observing the results after the storm
• Seeking to understand what makes a man wise vs. foolish
• Marking the verb statements instructing us specifically in this sermon of Jesus
• Taking a hard look at whether or not we are DOING what the Word of God says to DO

• Lyrics and Chords - WorshipTogether.com

Read the entire Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7. Take some time pondering and observing what you read in Matthew 7:24-27. Break it down and really HEAR what it is saying. Compare and contrast the wise man and foolish man. Then mark the verb statements in your Bible in this sermon of Jesus. What is it that He wants us to do? Truly take stock as to whether or not you are building your life on a firm foundation of obedience to God’s Word.

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