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

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Trauma and tragedy can leave us feeling lonely and unseen. For King & Country's song "God Only Knows" reminds us that God holds a deep love and understanding of you and your circumstances (past or present). Many of the psalms of David poetically reflect our own heart's cry.

Let's take a deep look at one of those psalms this week.

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  
  • Context
  • Repetition
  • Write in your Bible
  • Consider the opposite
  • Make a list
• The line in the song that led me to the verse that led me to our focus Psalm this week - Psalm 25:16
• How Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm, meaning each verse starts with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet (which is why is may read more disjointed than other psalms)
• Using the BITE of repetition to let the psalm really sink in
• My desire to seek God's face before I seek His hand
• An article by Mortimer Adler on" How to Mark a Book" - Online Article
• Directing our attention to God first by marking every reference to God (by name or pronoun) with a triangle (or symbol or color of choice)
• Considering the opposite of steadfast - Psalm 25:7
• How God's way is not consistent with our way -Psalm 25:8, Isaiah 55:8-9
• Marking the verbs in this psalm
• Making a list/column of "God's verbs" vs. "My verbs"
• Recognizing that God takes on everything and our role is very limited 

• Lyrics - KLove.com
• Story behind the song "God Only Knows" by For King & Country - YouTube Video

Read Psalm 25 repeatedly this week. Then take the time to INTERACT with Psalm 25. Mark all of the references to God. Then make notes in a notebook or in the margins of what you learn about God through the words of this Psalm. Next, mark all of the verbs. Make a list of the “God verbs” in one column and a list of the “Me verbs” in another. Observe through this exercise all that God takes on Himself while our role is merely to trust, wait, fear, abide, take refuge, and keep His covenant.

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There's a level of devotion that I see in a young Moabite woman in the Old Testament that I want to emulate. Sarah Reeves' song "Just Want You" led me to the book of Ruth this week where I was moved by the characteristics of allegiance that I long to see in my own life toward my Savior.

You can't emulate what you don't understand, so let's dive in 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
  • Consult a map
  • Follow Cross References
• How God's providence plays the long game -- just consider the placement of Ruth in the genealogy of David - Ruth 4:18-22
• God's providence in the history of the United States on a tour through the Jenney Museum
• How our song lyrics remind me of the devotion of Ruth toward her mother-in-law - Ruth 1:16-18
• Asking myself
  • Do I have that kind of devotion to my Savior?
  • Am I willing to go wherever Jesus goes?
  • Am I willing to call God's people my people?
• Exploring the region of Moab through a map and encyclopedia entry - BibleHub.com
• Following the cross-references to the foundation of Moab - Genesis 19
• Discovering references to Moab in Judges since that is the era in which the story is placed - Judges 3:12-14 is an example
• Pausing again to consider the characteristics of Ruth - Ruth 2:11-12
• Considering the providence of God -- does anyone think it was a coincidence that Ruth ended up in Boaz' field? - Ruth 2:1-3
• How Boaz as the kinsman-redeemer is a foreshadowing of Christ as our ultimate kinsman-redeemer - GotQuestions.org

• Lyrics and music - Praise Charts
• Story behind the album where "Just Want You" is featured - YouTube Video

Read the book of Ruth in it's entirety -- read and keep on reading. Consult a map of the area to understand where Moab is in relation to Bethlehem. Follow the cross references to Genesis 19 to discover where Moab came from. Research where Moab is described in the book of Judges as this is the time when this story took place. Finally, as

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Mercy is one of those things that I want freely bestowed upon me, and yet I tend to be pretty stingy with mercy for others. God's Word has wrecked me over the past few weeks as it relates to mercy. The Porter's Gate Worship Project has a haunting ballad that has complimented my study as I worship with their song, "Have Mercy on Me."

As we look intently into the mercy of God, may we better reflect it in our own lives.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  
  • Use an outside resource - I used this excerpt from a book by Herman Bavinck
  • Explore a topic
  • Write out Scripture
  • Slow down
  • Make a list
  • Complete a word study
• Being initially inspired by Psalm 18:25-27 that we first discussed on Episode #266
• How I need to see God's mercy and so I need to learn to be merciful
• Bavinck's definition, "The goodness of God, when shown to those in misery, is called mercy."
• A great confession of the Old Testament - Exodus 34:6
• The results of mercy as found in Deuteronomy 4:31
• God's great mercy despite our unfaithfulness - 2 Chronicles 30:9
• Contrasting God's mercy to the ways of men in Psalm 86:15
• Realizing God's mercy is what causes his wondrous works to be remembered as we see in Psalm 111:4 and as discussed on Episode #265
• Contrasting the attitude of men with the mercy of God in 2 Samuel 24:14 and Proverbs 12:10
• Completing a word study on three different words translated as mercy
  • Rachum
  • Channun
  • Checed
• Mercy triumphs over judgement - James 2:13

• Lyrics and music - Porter's Gate Worship Project
• Story Behind the Porter's Gate Worship Project - YouTube Video

Use the

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Did you know that you could actually hear the best news ever, and it is for you, and you could miss it? It happens all the time. MercyMe sings of the "Best News Ever" and inspired me to head into Scripture to see what we can do to make sure we don't miss out.

image credit: YouVersion

It's a simple call from the mouth of Jesus. Have you responded?

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 Scriptures
  • Complete a word study
• Our destination this week - Matthew 11:28-30
• The importance to Matthew that things happened to Jesus to specifically fulfill prophecy
• Sitting in the tension of Scripture when you're not really sure what it means
• Religious people of Jesus' day completely missed the fact that he was the Messiah - John 5:39-40
• My desire that my listeners would study Scripture, but that they wouldn't miss Jesus in the process
• Jesus' call to us..."come to me"
• Completing a word study on "yoke" - BibleHub.com
• The yoke of Christ is like any other - it unites us to Him to move and work together as one
• How Christ's commands are to be submitted to, it's just that they bring balance to our lives, not burden - 1 John 5:3

• Lyrics - KLove
• Story Behind the Song "Best News Ever" by MercyMe - YouTube Video

Read Matthew 10-12 to gain the context of your focus text. Sit in the tension of what Jesus is saying in Matthew 11:25-30. Meditate on verses 28-30 and in that moment choose to come to Christ with your burden. Exchange your way for His way. That this option is even on the table truly is the Best News Ever.

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God is our Defender. It is important to remember that the next time you feel the need to defend yourself. Psalm 18 says God's gift of salvation to us is our shield. So why do I think my words are my shield? Or my silence? Or any effort on my part? Francesca Battistelli's song "Defender" leads us to Scripture and to considering this and other characteristics of God.

I suppose the question is now, "What how will we respond in the future now that we know the truth?"

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  
  • Repetition
  • Read in context
  • One Word
  • Share with a friend
  • Make a list
• Our destination this week - Psalm 18
• Where you can find this Psalm in 2 Samuel - 2 Samuel 22
• Reading the story of David in context up to this song
• The historical perspective that this song was adapted from a personal song of David (in 2 Samuel 22) to a congregational Psalm
• Reading Psalm 18 together with a friend and following the pattern of choose one word that jumps out at you and discussing that
• Some of my daughter's "one word"s:
  • Rock - Psalm 18:1-3
  • Saved - Psalm 18:3-5
  • Heard - Psalm 18:6
  • Angry - Psalm 18:7-15
  • Drew me out - Psalm 18:16-19
• Making a list of the pattern of David's life that was right
• Characteristics of God we may miss and why
• HOW David was able to live a righteous life - Psalm 18:28-29
• My "one word" for the Psalm - shield - Psalm 18:30-36

• Lyrics and chords - WorshipChords.net

Read through Psalm 18. I suggest reading it with a friend and exchanging your “one words.” It’s just a great way to consider the amazing characteristics of the Lord and all that we should aspire to be...equipped by Him, of course.

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It's important to stop and remember the Lord. I don't do that nearly enough. I'm always on to the next thing. The people of God needed to do this as well. Instructions in this matter were even left for us to benefit from as well.

Join me in Deuteronomy as we take a moment to pause to remember what the Lord has taught us.

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
  • Journal your conversation with God
• Moses' encouragement to God's people to obey and to remember:
  • Deuteronomy 4:1-2
  • Deuteronomy 4:9
  • Deuteronomy 4:40
  • Deuteronomy 5:1
  • Deuteronomy 5:32
  • Deuteronomy 6:3
  • Deuteronomy 6:10-12
• A night to remember
• Reading in Deuteronomy and considering:
  • why Moses would emphasize obedience and remembrance so much
  • what area(s) of your life you are pushing back on obeying God and in what ways it might not be going so well for you
  • scheduling a time for you to journal and celebrate some milestones in your own life
• Remembering how my perspective changed about "refining" in Episode #126
• Remembering what I learned from Thomas in Episode #58
• Remembering to lead with joy in Episode #224

Read Deuteronomy 1-6 for yourself. If you're so inclined...keep reading! Make note of each time Moses emphasizes obedience and remembrance. Consider what area of your life you are pushing back on obeying God and in what ways it might not be going so well for you. Journal your conversation with God and write down some milestones from your own life.

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"Nobody loves me like you" is a simple phrase, but hold profound truth when we consider the love God has for us. We can never plumb the depths of God's love, but it's worth considering the details we can uncover in Scripture. Inspired by Chris Tomlin's song, "Nobody Loves Me Like You," we explore the example of love God has set for us.

Let's head over to 1 John to learn more.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  
  • Reading in a variety of translations
  • Read in context
• The Voice translation as found on BibleGateway.com
• Our focus area of Scripture - 1 John 4:7-12
• God's love as an attribute as described by Wayne Grudem in "Systematic Theology"
• Dynamic equivalent translations - GotQuestions.org
• Comparing our focus verse in a variety of translations
• Being willing to do the "heavy lifting" when we stumble upon areas of Scripture we don't understand
• The definition of love - 1 John 4:10
• God loved us first - 1 John 4:10, Ephesians 1:4
• God's love is sacrificial - 1 John 4:11, John 3:16, John 15:13
• God's love is accomplishing - 1 John 4:12
• God's love is displayed as an example and we're supposed to repeat it - 1 John 4:11
• The Holy Spirit enables us to love - 1 John 4:13

• Lyrics and chords - Worship Together
• Story behind the song "Nobody Loves Me Like You" by Chris Tomlin - New Song Cafe by Worship Together - You Tube Video
• Story behind the song "Nobody Loves Me Like You" by Chris Tomlin - New Release Today Article

Read all of 1 John in a translation you are not familiar with. Focus in on the unique love God has for us and meditate on what that means for our lives. How would your life look different if you devoted yourself to displaying the kind of love God has modeled for us?

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Jesus turned the world upside down with his wisdom and teaching. He also rubbed a lot of people the wrong way -- especially religious people -- because He did things differently. "New Wine" by Hillsong Worship inspired me to explore a time when Jesus used new wine in a metaphor.

Let's explore the gospels together to learn more.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include
  • Repetition
  • Meditation
  • Compare and contrast
  • Consult a commentary
  • Using section headings to get your bearings
  • Read in context
• Defining "synoptic gospels"
• The historical audiences of the gospels
• Reading the gospels in parallel as taught by “How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
• Diving into the metaphor of new wine inspired by our song - Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39
• How and why John's disciples and Pharisees were fasting - Matthew‬ ‭6:16-18‬
• Exploring the old and the new in our metaphors and what they represent
• Jesus as the bridegroom - Isaiah 62:1-5
• Becoming a new vessel for new wine - Ephesians 4:17-24

• Lyrics and chords - Worship Together
• Story behind the song "New Wine" by Hillsong Worship - New Song Cafe by Worship Together - You Tube Video

Read Matthew chapter 9, Mark chapter 2, and Luke chapter 5. Focus in on Jesus’ discussion with John’s disciples about fasting and consider what elements were “old" in this metaphor and what elements are “new.” If you have never accepted the free gift of salvation in Christ, please don’t delay. Once you are made new, however, the journey is not over. Continue to "put off your old self…and be renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:17-24) through your continued dedication to reading and studying the Word of God for yourself.

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We can learn so much through the study of the names of God. Hillsong Worship's song, "What a Beautiful Name," puts the name of Jesus front and center in a moving song of worship. How much more powerful will this song be when you invest some time in discovering and contemplating a few names revealed in God's Word?

Let's go to the beginning with Jesus, shall we?

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include
  • Consult a commentary - I used Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology this week
  • Follow the cross references
  • Make a list
  • Journal
• How John calls Jesus "The Word" - John 1:1-3
• The doctrine of the trinity - God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God
• Wayne Grudem's audio presentation on the trinity - Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4
• The name for Jesus in John 1:1 - Logos
• Jesus was in the beginning - John 1:1
• Jesus is God - John 1:1
• Jesus was WITH God - John 1:2
• God created everything through Jesus - John 1:3
• We see each person of God in the beginning - Elohim - Genesis 1:1-3
• Just because God is plural doesn't mean there is more than one God - Deuteronomy 6:4
• A powerful passage that brings it all together - Colossians 1:15-17
• "Let us" - Genesis 1:26
• The Name above all names - Philippians 2:1-11
• Making a list of our response to these amazing truths
• Trusting in the Name of Jesus - Proverbs 18:10

• Lyrics
• Inside the Music "What a Beautiful Name" by Hillsong Worship - KLove YouTube Video

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Trust is a key foundation to our relationship with God the Father, Son AND Holy Spirit. When we allow our circumstances to define the character of God rather than His Word, we can easily be led to fear and doubt instead of trust. "Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle is a profound proclamation in song of our trust in God despite our circumstances.

We will once again use the gift of a song to lead us to an even deeper impact on our souls, and that is hiding the truth of Scripture deep inside.

On this episode I discuss:

• Deciding today to allow God's Word to define God's character and not our circumstances
• Taking a B.I.T.E. Out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is:
  • Creating review cards by hand writing key Scriptures
  • Most useful when you actually review them!
• How trusting in God is mentioned twice and "fret not" is mentioned 3 times in 8 short verses - Psalm 37:1-8
• Being sure we are not an "evildoer" as we read through Psalm 37
• My "life verse" - Proverbs 3:5-6
• Heeding God's warning to operate in our own wisdom - Proverbs 3:7-8
• The verses from Psalm 37 that I chose to write out on review cards
  • Psalm 37:3 - I love the idea of "befriending faithfulness"
  • Psalm 37:4 - I talk about delighting ourselves in the Lord
  • Psalm 37:5-6 - Trusting God to act on our behalf
  • Psalm 37:12-13 - A wonderful look at God's perspective
  • Psalm 37:23-24 - Even though our steps are "custom fit" by God when we delight in His ways, we may still fall
• The verses I chose to represent the lyrics from the bridge of "Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle
  • You are my strength and comfort - Psalm 27:1
  • You are my steady hand - Psalm 37:23-24
  • You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand - 1 Corinthians 3:11
  • Your ways are always higher - Isaiah 55:9
  • Your plans are always good - Jeremiah 29:11
  • There's not a place where I'll go, you've not already stood - Psalm 139:5

• Lyrics
• The story behind the song "Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle - New Release Today Article

Use this song to inspire you to spend some time in Psalm 37 this week. Take a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture by following the Bible Interaction Tool Exercise of writing down key verses on note cards and review them regularly. Review them before you get in the car in the morning. Review them before you break for lunch in the afternoon. Have your spouse or children read them to you while you're

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