More Than A Song - Discovering The Truth Of Scripture Hidden In Today's Popular Christian Music

Send us a text God is unlimited in His resources. I know this in my head, but for some reason I believe the lie that He will limit His mercy to me. As if one day I will reach my limit and get cut off. Micah Tyler in his song "New Today" reminds us of the truth found in Scripture -- His mercies are new every morning.     Let's explore the steadfast love of the Lord in Lamentations this week. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Consider the historical context Read the introduction in a study Bible or other type resource Follow the cross references Meditate on what you're reading The 30 Day Music Challenge - SIGN UP HERE How I was inspired to head over to Lamentations by the lyrics of the song - Lamentations 3:22-23 Reading all of Lamentations in one sitting and feeling a little confused Discovering the literary style of the book is poetry and the chapter

Send us a textWe live in the now and the not yet. So many promises of God are available to us now, but will be completely fulfilled in the future promise of the new heavens and new earth. Elevation Worship sings of God's ultimate triumph in their song "See a Victory." It sent me to the prophecies of Isaiah where we learn much about God and His promises.     Followers of Christ can find themselves in this text. Let's dive in! On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Consider the historical context Consult outside resources Repetition Follow the cross references Ask questions The 30 Day Music Challenge - SIGN UP HERE Getting inspired by a song lyrics, a phrase, a sermon, or a devotion and letting it send you to sections of Scripture where you can stay and interact awhile My pattern of study this week Read Isaiah 52-55 daily Read in different translations Ask questions

Send us a text Have you ever heard something that sounded like it came from the Bible, but in fact, didn't? Casting Crowns song "Love Moved First" reminded me of a phrase I sometimes hear that is just flat out wrong. In this case, the truth is so much more amazing.     Join me on a quest for truth in the book of John. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Follow the cross references Complete a word study The 30 Day Music Challenge - SIGN UP HERE The error in the phrase "I found God" That salvation belongs to the Lord - John 6:44 "The reason we think people are seeking after God when they’re not is that they are desperately and earnestly seeking for those things that only God can give them..." - Thomas Aquinas, a theologian from the middle ages Reading the context of John 6:45 by reading John 5-7 Finding out "there is no one who seeks God

Send us a text Today has not caught God off-guard. No matter the circumstance you find yourself in, He's already there and He already knows what will happen next. JJ Heller's new song, "You Already Know," reminds us of God's omniscience -- the attribute of God that means He is all-knowing. Join me in exploring this attribute of God in Scripture this week. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Explore a topic Utilize outside resources Follow the cross-reference Consider the opposite Meditate on truth Pray Scripture God knows everything - 1 John 3:20 Trusting man (or our own hearts) is not a good idea - Jeremiah 17:5-10 God has never learned and cannot learn - Isaiah 40:13-14 God's knowledge is unfathomably deep - Romans 11:33-36 Meditating on the depth of the knowledge of God AW Tozer's book, "Knowledge of the Holy" God's deep and purposeful knowledg

Send us a text I'm on a mission to allow awe and wonder to be a part of my daily existence. I don't have to look far, I just have to let it in. I also have to reorient where I'm looking. Most of all, I need to lay myself down. In Matt Redman's song, "Let There Be Wonder," he calls us to worship the King in reverence and awe.     The lyrics of this week's song also brings us to the birthplace of the Christian church. The perfect segue post resurrection Sunday. On this week's 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 Meditate on Scripture Storying - retelling the story of Scripture in your own words Utilize outside resources Luke as the author of both Luke and Acts - Acts 1:1-3 Considering the end of Luke before diving into Acts - Luke 24:44-53 Following the cross reference to Luke 3:16 in anticipation of baptism of Holy Spirit Jes

Send us a text God is not a "because I said so" Father. He is patient with our shortcomings and proves Himself over and over. He explains, and displays, and explains again. Tauren Wells in his song, "Like You Love Me" reminds us that every moment given to worry is wasted time. Jesus makes the same argument...and several others to support His instruction not to be anxious. In these times of uncertainty, let's look to what Jesus teaches as arguments why we should NOT be anxious. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Ask questions Remember the people you're reading about were real Follow the cross reference Compare and contrast Reading the Sermon on the Mount in its entirety - Matthew 5-7 Asking the questions, "Who are Jesus' disciples?" and "What would their needs be as they are listening to this sermon?" Our focus text - Matthew 6:

Send us a text "Did you hear me?" When I don't receive a response from my husband or my children after I asked them to do something, I often ask, "Did you hear me?" How many times do we wonder if God hears us? Big Daddy Weave's song "I Know" recounts the goodness of God, but it's a lyric in the opening verse that caught my attention this week. Join me in exploring Solomon's prayer of dedication of the newly constructed temple. His prayer repeats a request that God would hear when we call to him. On this week's 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 Reference section headings to get your bearings Mark up the text Make a list Repetition Reading the Bible through in a year by reading for a set amount of time vs. a specific number of chapters Getting our bearings in 2 Chronicles using section headings to bring us to the prayer of

Send us a text God is worthy of our praise. If He did nothing else for us until the day we see Him face-to-face, we could spend the rest of our days praising Him because of Who He is and what He has already done. Matt Maher's song "Alive and Breathing" reminds us of this truth and then leads us in praise to The One Who is worthy. Follow me to the psalms as we interact with God's Word this week. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Consult outside resources Slow down Write out Scripture by hand Write out Scripture in your own words The current world pandemic and how if we're still alive and breathing we need to be praising the Lord How Matt Maher mentions Psalm 150 in an interview about the song - Psalm 150 The introduction to Psalm 150 in The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon A previous episode where I dove into Psalm 150 in depth - Episode 280 Everywhere, in every

Send us a text There are times in life with something Scripture teaches smacks you right in the face and causes you to sit up and pay attention. When I was growing up in church people would say the pastor was "stepping on their toes" in a sermon. The lyrics in the song "Smile" by Sidewalk Prophets are reflective of truth found in Scripture. Perhaps choosing joy during difficulty is easier to sing about than do. Come spend some time in a few verses in the book of James with me this week as learn more about choosing joy. On this week's 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 Read the envelope Review the introduction in your study Bible or online Consult a variety of translations Complete a word study A women's conference next month where I am the guest speaker - Event Information The coronavirus pandemic causing us all to sit up straig

Send us a text I want to increase my "wonder level" when it comes to how I view my God. TobyMac sings of a change of posture in his song "Edge of My Seat." Lean in to Scripture with me this week. Let's sit on the edge of our seat in anticipation and appreciation for all the Lord will do and has done. Explore Psalm 40 with me this week and see where it connects in the New Testament. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Restate the Scripture in your own words Write your prayers around the Scripture you are studying Follow the cross references Make a list The book I've been reading about awe - "Awe: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do" by Paul David Tripp The story behind the song "Edge of My Seat" by TobyMac - YouTube Video Viewing life from the edge of our seat is a posture of the heart My own "edge of my seat" experience, a

Send us a text In the 1970's and 1980's there was an ad that ran for a brokerage firm that said, "When E.F. Hutton talks...people listen." May the same be true for us as it relates to the God of the universe! He has spoken, may He find us listening. Chris McClarney and Hollyn sing of this in the song "I'm Listening." Let’s discuss the ways God speaks and be reminded of the importance of His written words in our lives. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Utilize an outside resource Read in context Using Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology to guide our discussion on the different forms of the Word of God That the Word of God is Jesus - John 1:1-14 That God's decrees are words of God that cause something to happen like "let there be light" in Genesis 1 How God would sometimes speak directly to people - Genesis 2, Exodus 20, Matthew 3 That God woul

Send us a text Have all the songs been sung? Is there anything of value high enough to raise another song? YES! Casting Crowns, in their song "One More Song for You," reminds us that our God is worthy of a lifetime of songs sung to glorify Him. Even though every Psalm is a song, let's explore Psalm 104 this week and let it lead us to awe and one more song for Creator God. Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Get up early to read your Bible Mark up the text Write in your Bible Make a list Studying a smaller chunk of Scripture like a Psalm Trying to find a time of day to dedicate energy to studying the Bible Marking up our focus text of Psalm 104 to find a list of God's attributes Studying the psalm, remembering the genre, and enjoying the artistry of the writing (instead of being frustrated by it) Allowing what the psalmist describes about Creator God to lead us to awe and worship - Psalm 104:1-4 Pondering creation and t

Send us a text God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He proves it over and over throughout Scripture. He will make a way for His purposes to be accomplished. He truly is a "Waymaker" as Leeland sings about in this week's song. Join me in 1 Samuel as we see David walking through some treacherous and emotional times where He really needed God to make a way. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read while listening to an epic soundtrack Remember the people you read about in Scripture were REAL Read and keep on reading Read in context Consider the grand story of Scripture to ground you Reading the Bible in chronological order (check out the Rapid Bible Read Through method here) Experiencing a different "feel" while reading epic stories in Scripture to epic music How God makes a way for HIS story to move forward to fulfill HIS purposes for HIS glory first Studying i

Send us a text There are so many words we use to describe our faith. Repentance. Redemption. Reconciliation. Just like the word "gospel" itself, it's important to really know, not only how to define these words, but to understand what they mean for us as believers in Christ. Hillsong Worship's song "King of Kings" takes us on a journey using these words. Let's discover what they mean in Scripture. Let's continue to use our song to inspire us to skip through Scripture to understand the good news of Christ. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Meditation Read and keep on reading Follow the cross-references Considering the big story (metanarrative) How Jesus took up the mantle of His forerunner to declare the kingdom coming - Mark 1:14 How Jesus revealed the kingdom of God through parables - Mark 4:10-12 The study challenge of finding and studying Christ's p

Send us a text If I asked you to share "the gospel" with me, could you do it? I think the word gospel is one of those words that Christians use often and the assumption is that if we use it enough, then people will automatically know what it means. Hillsong United's song, "King of Kings" shares the message of the gospel...the good news of Christ...in a beautiful and clear way. Let's discover the truth of Scripture behind the lyrics of this song together. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Reading in context Considering the big story (metanarrative) How your time in Scripture will "add up" until you can make the links on your own The darkness and emptiness of Genesis (Genesis 1:1-2) as an example of the spiritual darkness and emptiness of people without Christ How Zechariah's prophesy over his son John included a mention to the light and mercy mentioned

Send us a text If your pattern is to closely examine small chunks of Scripture -- and you never zoom out to see the Grand Story -- you may miss out on the staying pattern of our faithful God. Matthew West's song "The God Who Stays" inspired me to take a fly over approach we see the method of our Master. Buckle up, we're going to fly high over a lot of ground, but I think it will give us an amazing perspective wherever we land in Scripture next. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Reading in context Considering the big story (metanarrative) The reason why we are drawn to the "staying" characteristic of God - Psalm 94:14 Considering the whole of Scripture - all 66 books, over 40 authors, written over 1500 years The covenants of God and a useful tool from Bible Project to help you explore them - BibleProject.com Consider exploring further these areas of Scripture: Genesi

Send us a text When Paul speaks of "power" in the New Testament he is referring to the supernatural active power available from God. We often want God to assign us power to keep moving ahead rather than operating in the power available through abiding with Him. We Are Messengers sings about this active energy in their song "Power." We seek out what Scripture says in context. Join me on a journey through 2 Corinthians. On this week's 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 Repetition Read the introduction Complete a word study This week's song could have led us to the same area of Scripture as Episode 304...check it out HERE Getting inspired by the phrase in the lyrics " the new has come all the old is dead" which comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17 Not overthinking WHERE you spend time in Scripture...just pic

Send us a text So many times we lay our lists at the feet of the Father, asking for what we need (because He tells us to ask). Unfortunately, sometimes what we really need isn't obvious to us. We The Kingdom's song "Holy Water" celebrates the forgiveness of God. Let's join them. There's a story of faith, friends, forgiveness, and healing in the Gospel of Mark. But it doesn't play out like we would expect it. Let's explore it together this week. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Reading in context Use section headings Making observations Writing down your observations Sharing with a friend Our key Scripture area - Mark 2:1-12 Getting our bearings to understand what is going on by previewing the section headings leading up to our key Scripture area How Jesus was starting to get so famous He could not enter towns freely - Mark 1:45 Not overthinking WHERE in Sc

Send us a text There are several examples in Scripture where God literally fought for His people -- they just had to stand still and watch. What were the characteristics of the people God fought for? Riley Clemmons' song "Fighting For Me" inspired me to explore one story in search of characteristics of faithful followers. Join me in the wilderness of Tekoa as we watch this story unfold. On this week's 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 Make a list Remember the people you are reading about in the Bible were REAL Descriptive vs. prescriptive - GotQuestions.org Article The beginning of the story of the battle God handled on His own - 2 Chronicles 20:1-4 Backing up to the beginning of Jehoshaphat's dad's beginning - 2 Chronicles 14 A list of reasons why God was with Jehoshaphat - 2 Chronicles 17:3-6 Being deeply committed to the ways of the Lord Je

Send us a text There is so much new about a new year. We make new goals and resolutions, and this year we're even embarking on a new decade! While a new year brings a fresh slate of days to try new things, let's make sure we're making progress toward the true prize of our calling. Building 429's song "Press On" inspired me to consider the difference between starting over and pressing on. Join me in a letter from Paul to the Philippians to see what we can learn. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Reading in Context Use section headings to get your bearings Pondering the contrast between pressing on vs. starting over "Forgetting the past" doesn't mean we should keep starting over - Philippians 3:12-14 Getting in the habit of reading the entire letter (especially the shorter epistles) before focusing in on section Getting perspective as we gear up to press