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

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While our feelings are not reliable, solid evidence of God, the evidence of God in our lives has the power to impact our feelings. That's what Caleb & John are singing about in their song "Hallelujah Feeling." The Holy Spirit can fill us with joy and peace based on our right relationship with God.

Let's explore Scripture together to see what it teaches us about being "born again."

In this episode, I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Make observations
  • Slow down
  • Consider the opposite
• Episode Guide Download
• The story behind the song "Hallelujah Feeling" by Caleb & John - YouTube Video - Romans 15:13
• Seeing the phrase "born again" in our Scripture focus in Episode #482 and the lyrics of this week's song - 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:23
• Exploring the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus where Christ introduces the phrase "born again" - John 3:1-21
• Diving into the Old Testament Scripture that Nicodemus should have understood better - Ezekiel 36-37
• Making observations while studying the text like Nicodemus saying, "We know you come from God," but other Scriptures declaring that opinion wasn't shared across the board - Mark 3:22, John 1:11
• How Jesus flipped Nicodemus's theology upside down. Nicodemus thought entering God's kingdom had everything to do with physical birth...Jesus says the opposite - "Exalting Jesus in John (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary)" - Amazon Paid Link
• The theme of death to rebirth woven throughout Old and New Testaments
• The references in 1 John about being born of God 
  • 1 John 3:9
  • 1 John 4:7
  • 1 John 5:1
  • 1 John 5:18
• Considering what being born again is NOT
• Identifying characteristics of being born again
• Confirming the necessity of being born again (hint: because Jesus said so)
• Establishing how being born again is effected 
  • The agent of change is the Holy Spirit - Ezekiel 37:9, John 3:8
  • The instrument of change is the Word of God - 1 Peter 1:23
  • The condition of change is faith - 1 John 5:1, John 3:14-16

Additional Resources

• Lyrics for "Hallelujah Feeling" by Caleb & John - NewReleaseToday.com
• Caleb and John on their Hit Song "Hallelujah Feeling" by WayFM - YouTube Video
• "Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students" - Logos Bible Software Link
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Study for yourself what the Scripture says about being born again. Start in John 3 and make your own observations from the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Then head over to Ezekiel 36-37, where God includes the language Nicodemus should have recognized. In his first letter, note what Peter said about being born again. Then, examine what John says about being “born of God” in his first epistle. After all that stu

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A Chinese friend complained to me about how difficult learning English can be. For example, he lamented that the English word for "trunk" could reference the back of a car, a box, a part of an elephant, or men's swim shorts. Same word. Different meanings. I thought of this when listening to Brooke Ligertwood's song, "Fear Of God." In Scripture, the word for "fear" may mean something completely different depending on the context.

Let's explore what it means to fear God, the results of fearing God, and how the fear of God can be expressed in our own lives.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Read in context
  • Consult an overview
  • Complete a word study
  • Make a list
• Episode Guide Download
• The story behind the song by Kevin Davis - New Release Today Article
• Inspired by the lyrics to meditate on 1 Peter
• Scripture overview of 1 Peter - BibleProject.com Video
• How the real enemy is the devil - 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:12
• Word study for "sober-minded" - BibleHub.com
• Verses that talk about fear as bad - 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:18
• Where Moses uses fear in two ways in one verse - Exodus 20:20
• The fear of God can keep us - Proverbs 16:6
• To fear God is to be in awe and reverence of Him (as opposed to afraid of Him) 
  • Psalm 33:8 (see Episode 398)
  • Malachi 2:5
• The fear of God is also closely related to trusting Him 
  • Psalm 40:3
  • Psalm 115:11
  • See Episode 397
• The fear of God means hating and avoiding evil 
  • Proverbs 8:13
  • Proverbs 16:6
• Attributes of the Fear of God 
  • Can be taught - Psalm 34:11
  • Can be chosen - Proverbs 1:29
  • Is reflected in obedience - Ecclesiastes 12:13
  • Equated with hating evil - Proverbs 8:13
  • Leads to trusting God - Psalm 40:3
  • Leads to friendship with God - Psalm 25:14
  • Offers deliverance and other benefits - Psalm 33:18, Psalm 34:7, Psalm 145:19, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 22:4
  • Leads to life and rest - Proverbs 19:23
• A summary verse of what it looks like to fear God - Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Additional Resources

• Lyrics for "Fear of God" by Brooke Ligertwood - NewReleaseToday.com
• The story behind the song "Fear Of God" by Brooke Ligertwood - New Release Today Article
• My favorite written resource for overviews - "How to Read the Bible Book by Book" by Fee and Stuart - Amazon Paid Link
• My favorite resource for video overviews - BibleProject.com
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read Peter's first letter to the believers scattered throughout the region of Asia Minor. Consider the context of suffering and persecution as you identify who the enemy is (for them and you). Meditate on what it is to fear the Lord, the results of fearing God, and how you should change your behavior to "prove" that you fear God. May the fear of God keep you

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It's Christmas! This is a season for giving, and I'm sure you have given gifts to those you love and maybe even some you don't even know. You have given the gift of your time, you have purchased gifts, and maybe even shared your talent. But were you GENEROUS? Naomie Raine sings of the generosity of God in her Christmas song, "Generous God (Gloria)."

This week, I used it as inspiration to explore the generosity of God displayed in the birth story of Jesus. May we learn how to be more generous by looking deeply at our generous God.

 In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Explore a theme
  • Start with God
  • Follow the cross-reference
  • Define words
  • Read in context
  • Read the text aloud
  • Make a list
  • Consider the opposite
  • Study in various translations
• Episode Guide Download
• Opening lyrics quoting John 3:16
• Darkness meeting the light John 1:4-5
• Exploring the theme of God's generosity
• Defining "generous"
• Examples in Scripture "proving" that God is generous 
  • John 3:16
  • 1 John 3:1
  • Matthew 20 (Matthew 20:15)
  • Ephesians 3:20-21
• Exploring the birth story of Jesus and looking for God's generosity
• God's generosity in His willingness to make and keep covenants with His chosen people - Genesis 17:1-7
• God's generosity in His willingness to take on flesh to be "God with us" - Hebrews 2:17
• Considering our response to God's generosity 
  • Praise
  • Seeking to be more generous

Additional Resources

• Lyrics for "Generous God" by Naomi Raine - New Release Today
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. Consider reading the text aloud and in various translations. Read with a pen in your hand, making a list of how God displays His generosity in these passages of Scripture. Pray and ask God to reveal how you can better reflect His generous nature in your life.

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Read the prophecy in Isaiah 9 and then read the birth account of Christ in Luke 1 and 2. Meditate on the name Wonderful Counselor. Consider the compassion of Christ. Seek the wisdom hidden in the robes of your Prince of Peace. Allow His words to be your counselors. Allow them to probe, confront, clarify, and guide you in paths of righteousness.

We'll discover the first time the name Wonderful Counselor is prophesied and its fulfillment in the child born in a manger.

 In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Historical context
  • Consult an outside resource
  • Follow the cross-references
  • Consider the opposite
• Episode Guide Download
• Nine years of featuring Christmas songs in December on More Than a Song!
• Isaiah's prophecy that shares the name Wonderful Counselor (among other names) for the coming Messiah - Isaiah 9:1-7
• Historical context of this Messianic prophecy in Isaian 9 - Jon Courson's Application Commentary: Volume 2, Old Testament (Psalms - Malachi) - Amazon Paid Link
• Linking this prophecy to Christ as the fulfillment - Luke 1:78-79, Matthew 4:14-16
• Definitions of "wonderful" and "counselor" - GotQuestions.org Article
• The type of counsel we can expect from our Wonderful Counselor 
  • Isaiah 28:29
  • Colossians 2:3
  • Psalm 119:24
  • Proverbs 2
• Considering the opposite of Wonderful Counselor by examining the type of counsel Job's friends gave - Exalting Jesus in Job (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) - Amazon Paid Link
• Recognizing Jesus' compassion as a key component of His counsel
• Considering our Wonderful Counselor's techniques 
  • Probing questions - Mark 10:18
  • Gentle confrontation - John 4:16-18
  • Seeking agreement on the purpose or goal of the encounter - Mark 10:51, John 5:6
  • Answering questions with questions to clarify the intent of the questioner - Luke 10:25-37

Additional Resources

• Lyrics for "Wonderful" by CAIN - New Release Today
• Exalting Jesus in Job (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) - Amazon Paid Link
• "What does it mean that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)?" - GotQuestion.org Article
• Jon Courson's Application Commentary: Volume 2, Old Testament (Psalms - Malachi) - Amazon Paid Link
• "Deity Distilled - His Name Shall Be" - Discover the Book Ministries Article
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read the prophecy in Isaiah 9 and then read the birth account of Christ in Luke 1 and 2. Meditate on the name Wonderful Counselor. Consider the compassion of Christ. Seek the wisdom hidden in the robes of your Prince of Peace. Allow His words to be your counselors. Allow them to probe, confront, 

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Did you ever get separated from your parents as a child? It's a terrifying experience as a mother to turn and realize your child has slipped away and is nowhere in sight. I've read stories where the child was so frightened they would hide in clothes racks until they heard their mother's call. Patrick Mayberry sings about our Good Shepherd in his song "Lead On Good Shepherd." Our Good Shepherd calls out for us like a mother for her lost child. He searches for us, listening for our response to His call. Then, he gathers our trembling bodies and carries us back to safety.

The picture of a Good Shepherd is a thread woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. Let's pull on this thread together in this week's episode.

 In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Meditating on Scripture
  • Repetition
  • Consult an outside resource
• Episode Guide Download
• Savoring God's words -- especially those most familiar to us 
  • Here is the YouTube video of the Tootsie Pop commercial I mentioned - YouTube Video Link
• "The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament" by Kenneth Bailey - Amazon Paid Link
• Images of the Good Shepherd in the earliest catacombs - article link
• Comparing the texts of Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and Luke 15
• Uncovering a better translation for Psalm 23:3 -- rather than "he restores my soul," it's better translated as "he brings me back" -- a common thread in Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and Luke 15
• Responding to the Shepherd's call and accepting being found

Additional Resources

• Lyrics for "Lead On Good Shepherd" by Patrick Mayberry - New Release Today
• The story behind the song "Lead On Good Shepherd" by Patrick Mayberry - KLove.com Article
• "The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament" by Kenneth Bailey - Amazon Paid Link
• Images of the Good Shepherd in the earliest catacombs - article link
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and Luke 15 this week. I’ve thrown out a pile of threads for you to examine in light of the whole. Take one thread, untangle it from the rest, and view it under the microscope of each of these texts. Look for the role of the Good Shepherd and follow wherever He leads you.

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I don't particularly appreciate feeling limited and weak. I'm not too fond of it when what is required of me exceeds my qualifications. I prefer feeling capable and in control. Unfortunately, this preference of mine runs directly opposed to Christ's power resting on me. I learned this and more in my study of Scripture inspired by Anne Wilson's song "Strong."

Together, we'll look closely at keywords in a letter from Paul, uncover truths, and then see them played out in an Old Testament narrative.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Review section titles
  • Consult an overview
  • Complete a word study
  • Study with a friend
• Episode Guide Download
• The story behind the song "Strong" by Anne Wilson - New Release Today Article
• Inspired to explore Paul's thoughts about strength and weakness in 2 Corinthians 12
• Recognizing 2 Corinthians may be hard to follow as you read in context. "Reading 2 Corinthians is something like turning on the television in the middle of a very complicated play. People are talking, and things are happening, but we’re not at all sure who some of the characters are or what the plot is.” - "How to Read the Bible Book by Book" by Fee and Stuart - Amazon Paid Link
• Watching the Bible Project Overview Video - BibleProject.com
• Taking in the context of all of Paul's weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. - 2 Corinthians 12:10
• From 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, completing a word study on:
  • power
  • perfect
  • weakness
  • weak

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Have you ever loved a song and found that learning its story made it even more meaningful? That happened to me this week. I was inspired to study Psalm 34 after listening to "Trust In God" by Elevation Worship. Only the story behind the song that I studied isn't the story behind "Trust in God." It's the story behind David's song in Psalm 34.

Join me as we read and meditate on Psalm 34 and watch it come to life while studying the "story behind the song."

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Read in context
  • Repetition
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Read the text aloud
  • Listen to an audio version
  • Study/listen in various translations
  • Start with God
  • Make a list
  • Follow cross-references
• Episode Guide Download
• Trust in God because He's trustworthy, not because He gives you what you want
• Sit and soak in Psalm 34 before interacting with the text
• Recognize that when you seek the Lord, He will answer, but not always in the way you are seeking
• Marking up the text on my tablet - I love the Notability app
• Starting with God before highlighting what we learn about people in Psalm 34
• Using the bookmark Dr. Matthew Harmon shared on the special Friday With Friends edition of More Than a Song
• Remembering that while the Bible was written for you, it wasn't originally written to you
• Exploring the "story behind the song" by reading 1 Samuel 20-22
• Looking closer at the original audience of this song - 1 Samuel 22:1-2
• Rereading Psalm 34 now that you have the historical background
• Trust in our Redeemer and take refuge in Him, and you will not be condemned 
  • Psalm 34:22
  • John 3:17
  • Romans 8:1

Additional Resources

• "Trust In God" by Elevation Worship - NewReleaseToday.com
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read Psalm 34 until you have a solid foundation of what the words say. Then, mark up the text as you look for God's character, conduct, and concerns before considering what we learn about people and how we respond to God. Read the story behind the song starting in 1 Samuel 20 and read through chapter 22. Meditate on what this song may have meant to the first audience

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Something is keeping us from being a light in our world. A question asked in for KING+COUNTRY's song "What Are We Waiting For?" inspired me to explore what the Bible says about light and our identity as Christ followers to be light.

Join me on a journey through the Old and New Testaments to glimpse what we're up against as children of light and how to overcome the darkness. What are you waiting for?  

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Study a topic
  • Review section titles
• Episode Guide Download
• Looking at "light" from a biblical worldview
• God made a distinction between light and darkness in creation - Genesis 1:2-5
• God made a spiritual distinction between light and darkness - Isaiah 60:1-3
• Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness - John 1:4-5, John 1:12
• The darkness doesn't want to be overcome - John 3:19-20
• Before Christ, not only did we love darkness, we WERE darkness - Ephesians 5:8-9
• We have an enemy that stands against the light - 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
• In Christ, we are delivered from the domain of darkness - Colossians 1:13
• How should we respond?
  • Shine - Luke 8:16
  • Walk as children of light - Ephesians 5:8-9
  • Confess our sin - 1 John 1:5-10
• Other episodes that study 1 John
  • Episode 447
  • Episode 455
  • Episode 457
  • Episode 464

Our transformation cannot happen apart from Christ. You cannot will yourself to become light without the life and light of Christ.

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I see a lot of conversation in the media about positive self-talk. And I get it. Talking negatively about yourself to yourself is not helpful. Inspired by Micah Tyler's song "Praise The Lord," I meditated on King David's self-talk in the Psalms. He pumps himself up by telling his soul to praise the Lord.

Biblical self-talk is WAY better than anything you'll read about anywhere else. Let's learn about it together in Psalm 103 this week.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Read in context
  • Repetition
  • Consider the opposite
  • Mark up the text
  • Meditate on Scripture
  • Complete a word study
• Episode Guide Download
• Theology leads to doxology
• As you learn and grow and then approach Scripture again, you will see new things because YOU are new
• Studying Psalm 103 in previous episodes - Episode 103 and Episode 332
• Psalm 103 is the first in a series of praise psalms (Psalms 103-107)
• David's self-talk about praising the Lord as bookends of Psalm 103
• "If we aren't praising God truly, we aren't thinking about God rightly and deeply." - Exalting Jesus in Psalms 101-150 - Amazon Paid Link
• Biblical self-talk focuses our words on God and not on ourselves
• Considering the opposite of "praise" - wordhippo.com
• Turning truths learned in Scripture into phrases of praise that your soul declares back to God
• Following the cross-reference regarding God's treatment of our sin
  • Isaiah 38:17-19
  • Isaiah 43:24
  • Micah 7:19
  • Romans 4:7
  • Ephesians 2:5
• Completing a word study on the word translated "soul"

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"Hold on just a little bit longer" is the appeal Katy Nichole says God gives us in her song "Hold On." Does God entreat us to hold on in Scripture? And if so, what are we to hold on to? And what does it look like when we let go? Believe it or not, I got answers to all of these questions and more in my study of God's Word inspired by this song. 

Join me as we delve into Paul's first letter to Timothy to discover what we should and should not hold onto. 

In this episode, I discuss the following:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: 
  • Consider the opposite
  • Mark up the text
  • Read in context
  • Repetition
  • Compare and contrast
  • Make a list
• Episode Guide Download
• Various places in Scripture where we are instructed to "hold on" 
  • Proverbs 4:13 (NIV)
  • 2 Timothy 1:13 (NLT)
  • Revelation 3:11 (NIV)
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 (NIV)
  • Hebrews 3:6 (CSB)
  • 1 Timothy 1:19 (ESV)
• Making a list of what we are to hold on to
• Considering the opposite by taking our list and turning it into "let go" statements
• An example from Jesus where the Pharisees let go of God's ways to hold on to human tradition - Mark 7:8-13
• Choosing 1 Timothy to spend more interaction time
• The history of illuminated manuscripts - 1-minute video from the Museum of the Bible
• The Illuminated Scripture Journal as a resource for Bible interaction - Amazon Paid Link
• Marking repeated words or phrases 
  • faith and conscience - 1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:18-20
• The doctrine Paul wants Timothy (and us) to hold on to 
  • 1 Timothy 6:2-4
  • Galatians 1:6-7
  • 1 Timothy 1:6-7
• Making a list of things contrary to sound doctrine - 1 Timothy 1:8-10
• Remembering that when you don't hold on to truth, it is not a neutral decision - you will cling to something else - 1 Timothy 4:1-3

Additional Resources

• The story behind the song "Hold On" by Katy Nichole plus lyrics - 95thefish.com
• The Illuminated Scripture Journal as a resource for Bible interaction - Amazon Paid Link
• My favorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

 Read and reread Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Use this episode as a springboard to interact with the text for yourself. There’s so much more to explore. Mark up the text, make lists, and compare and contrast. 

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