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

Send us a textMy favorite musical of all time is "My Fair Lady." Sometimes I feel like Eliza when she sings, "Words, words, words, I'm so sick of words!" You may find that strange considering the number of words I speak and write each week. We are inundated with SO MANY WORDS every moment of every day, and God patiently stands in line waiting for us to listen to HIS WORDS. Third Day sings about God's Word in the song "Your Words," and we will use this song to inspire us to read God's Word for ourselves. God's Words have a purpose and they will accomplish what God desires. It's probably a good idea, then, to know God's Words and their purpose. Let's dive in! On this episode I discuss: A beautiful Scripture that my youngest used to read daily - Isaiah 55:10-11 We can't speak words we don't know, and we can't KNOW them by reading them once (or never at all) Introduction to the Book of Isaiah - Bible.org God's Word nourishes bet

Send us a textI have always loved the word abide. So many times English words don't give enough umph as compared to their Greek or Hebrew counterparts, but abide is a good one. I wish it was as easy to accomplish as it is to understand the definition. "Abide With Me" by Matt Maher leads us to a conversation Jesus had with his disciples in a vineyard. It is with this metaphor that we learn some significant lessons about abiding. It is here we also learn what kind of impact it could have on our lives if we can get it right. On this episode I discuss: The book I used extensively to prepare for this podcast - "Secrets of the Vine" by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson Singing this song as a prayer to God, always remembering it is also a request from our Savior Searching for terms online like "abide with me in Scripture" to find John 15 Considering the context before and after the conversation Jesus had with His disciples in John 15 (jumping up to John 12 all the way through John 18) Our focus

Send us a textOver and over in Scripture God instructs His people to remember. He tells them set up markers so they remember. He institutes festivals so they remember. He gave us symbols and ceremonies even going so far as to say, "This do in remembrance of Me." On this episode I take some time to recount where this whole podcast even began and to rejoice in impacted lives. Join me in following the pattern that God has set out for His people. Join me in remembering. On this episode I discuss: God's instructions to be careful not to forget the Lord - Deuteronomy 6:10-12 Using Deuteronomy 6:10-12 I consider: Large and prosperous cities I did not built - God's story in me Houses stocked with goods that I did not produce - the songs I highlight on this podcast written and sung by others Drawing from cisterns I did not dig - the knowledge I gain from the wisdom and revelation of others Eating from vineyards and trees I did not plant - YOU! (my listeners) The Scripture that inspired it all -

Send us a textChances are that even today you have had an experience with relationships that fills you or drains you. We can be filled up by people we've never met in person in a private Facebook group and drained with merely a look by those closest to us. Because of the unpredictability of others, we often build up walls that keep us from truth and freedom that God has for us through others. Francesca Battistelli's song "If We're Honest" opens up that discussion for us as we seek truths in Scripture that will help us experience relationships like we never have before. God's Word holds truths and principles that we can follow to unlock a beauty in relationships that may still be hidden from view. On this episode I discuss: The genesis of this song as told by Francesca Battistelli - YouTube Video Confessing our sins and struggles to each other - James 5:16 The enemy's plan to keep us isolated, not in fellowship Being a trustworthy friend Two special roommates - wisdom and pr

Send us a textThe Bible is full of songs of praise. When we consider the words of these songs, we see deep, rich, pattern-altering examples of how to appropriately respond to our great God. The lyrics of "Great Is Our God" by Plumb are reflected in a song written by David and given to us as Psalm 145. Sometimes we blow past these meaningful songs without letting them sink in and transform the way we think. This week we will slow down. On this episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are: Read in context Repetition Read the text aloud Reading through this Psalm and not remembering what I read the next day - Psalm 145 Noticing how my character traits do not match the traits of my heavenly Father How praying for others and sharing the verses you are reading can help you retain A "hidden" promise in this Psalm that God will satisfy our hunger for Him - Psalm 145:16 How I understand the struggle to keep daily time in God's W

Send us a text"Thanks for reading this, I am thrilled to introduce you to the God I know," says the apostle John (basically) as he opens his letter to believers in 1 John. The duo, Love & The Outcome, seems equally as thrilled to introduce us to God through the lyrics of their song, "The God I Know." As we continue to read 1 John, however, we are drawn into a deeper understanding of where this "knowing" might lead. It's pretty exciting. We get introduced to a pretty powerful word. Ready to jump in? On this episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are: Pray before diving into God's Word Complete a word study Praying using the acronym P.R.A.Y. Power Revelation Application Yielding John testifies to the God he knows in 1 John - 1 John 1:1-3 One word is repeated four times in 1 John 1 - fellowship - koinónia Word study for koinónia in BibleHub.com spiritual partnership join participation contributory

Send us a textDo we have an intellectual devotion to God or a heart-wrenching allegiance to Him? Follow me to the Book of Ruth this week as we explore big themes using "I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin as inspiration. Ruth's total devotion and life of submission have challenged me this week. I hope her story impacts you as well. On this episode I discuss: My daughter, Meredith's, memory verse - Ruth 1:16-17 Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are: Reading in context Repetition Listen to the Scripture Read (or listen) in a variety of translations Concentrate on big themes The deep love and devotion Ruth had for Naomi - Ruth 1 Putting our feet on a path to deep, abiding love for our Father rather than just cultural and intellectual devotion The theme of submission to authority Following God's instructions for our lives without "customization" (also known as disobedience) How God doesn't make mistakes - sometimes His will I

Send us a textI don't think we fully comprehend how valuable we are to God. He tells us in many different ways and contexts and this week's song, "Sparrows" by Jason Gray, leads us to one of those sections of Scripture where Jesus makes it very clear how valuable we are to our Father. The reason it is so important that we understand our value to God may surprise you, however. On this episode I discuss: You can't add a single day by worrying - Matthew 6:27 Don't worry your life away, don't let the trouble win - Matthew 6:34 Not a field or flower escapes His  notice - Matthew 6:26, Matthew 6:28-30 I chose Matthew 10 because Matthew 10:29 mentions sparrows and so does our song How amazing it must have felt to the disciples to be bestowed the authority to do amazing things like Jesus Relying on God's provision instead of financial buffers - Matthew 10:5-10 Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are: Reading in context Asking q

Send us a textOur society celebrates a lack of margin with hashtags and t-shirts while sacrificing health and relationships along the way. This week's song, "Breathe" by Jonny Diaz reminds us that we need to stop and sit at the feet of Jesus and just be. This, however, will take a purposed effort on your part. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gives us a secret to contentedness. I can't wait to discover it with you. On this episode I discuss: Our pride in our own self-sufficiency Our tendency to #hustle and then celebrate our perpetual state of discontentment with addiction An example of characters in the Bible who could have "Breathe" by Jonny Diaz as their theme song, too - Mary and Martha in Luke 10 Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is: Write out Scripture by hand Slowing down and writing out Philippians 4 in the Amplified Version Uncovering Paul's secret to being content Contentment is not complacency The book, &

Send us a textIn difficult seasons of life we often seek to know "why," oreven blame someone or something as if it makes it all better. Thisweek's song "Thy Will" by Hillary Scott is a moving ballad ofsurrender to the will of a God we can trust. I use this song tointroduce us to Hagar, who had to do a little submitting to God'swill herself.I find it so interesting that Hagar gets to name God in thissection of God's Word.On this episode I discuss:Being in a situation where you thought God led you, but now youare just broken and hurtThe story behind why Hillary Scott hasn't shared what the songis about for her - You Tube VideoPotential areas of Scripture that this song might lead -Matthew 6, Luke 11The promise of God to Abram without the "how" or "when" detailswe all long for - Genesis 15:5-6Introduction to Hagar, servant of Sarai in Genesis 16How it ended up that Hagar was pulled into Abram and Sarai'sstory - Genesis 16:2From conception to contem

Send us a text"I don't want to have bumper sticker theology." This term a friend used recently has seared into my brain this week. I don't either! So, how do we fight the temptation to boil down all of our deeply held beliefs based on the truths of Scripture into catch phrases, platitudes or misused verses? We fight "bumper sticker theology" by understanding the full context of these truths in Scripture. "Joy of the Lord" by Rend Collective brings out an oft-used phrase that we will keep out of the zone of "bumper sticker theology" by studying the context of when it was first spoken.Meet me in Nehemiah where the Hebrew people were a hot mess. I think you may be surprised why.On this episode I discuss:Education without action is entertainmentDon't just decide to read and interact with God's Word this week...jump in!Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are:Read in contextDiscover and doStory behind the son

Send us a textHave you ever told a part of your story that you have been keeping inside? There is a freedom that comes in the telling. Big Daddy Weave capture the power of testimony in their song, "My Story."I've been greatly impacted by the testimony of others recently. It sent me to explore the story of Solomon.On this episode I discuss:Spiritual Emphasis Week at the Christian School where I workThe ministry of Rick and Mick Vigneulle - www.rickandmick.comHow the thoughtless words of others can set us on a trajectory of destructionHow there is no place too low for God to pull us up fromOn a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, what are your chances of making it to heaven?Why there is such power in testimony - Revelation 12:11Solomon's beginning - 2 Samuel 12:24-25Solomon's dysfunctional familyWhere Solomon's story intersects with his siblings - 2 Samuel 13:28-29Solomon's father's end-of-life words to him - 1 Kings 2:1-4Taking a B.I.T.E. Out of Scripture - our Bib

Send us a textTrust 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 circumstancesTaking a B.I.T.E. Out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is:Creating review cards by hand writing key ScripturesMost 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 37:1-8Being sure we are not an "evildoer" as we read through Psalm 37My "life verse

Send us a textOur existence here on earth is temporary. God's ultimate plan for our lives is for us to live on forever with Him. He calls it eternal life and that is the topic of this week's song by The Afters. "Live On Forever" inspired me to read about the life of Enoch.I can't wait to explore this interesting and stirring story about a man who walked with God.On this episode I discuss:The story behind the song "Live On Forever" by The Afters - YouTube Video by The AftersDescription of the new heaven and new earth in our "forever" life - Revelation 21:1-7Taking a B.I.T.E. Out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is:Creating a character profileI chose Enoch to go along with our song this weekEnoch walked with God and never died - Genesis 5:24Enoch was a man of faith and one who was known as a person who pleased God - Hebrews 11:5Enoch prophesied of the end times and was the 7th from Adam - Jude 1:14-15A deeper look at Enoch's family he

Send us a textWhen a song like "Alive In Me" by JJ Weeks Band can so clearly list out truths found in God's Word, I can't help but be inspired to jump right in. When you take the time to dwell in the same places the songwriters did, the meaning gets deeper, the lyrics seem richer and the Truth invades your memory.Join me as I use this week's song to "prove" the truth of the lyrics through Scripture. And this truth is supremely powerful...the Spirit of God is alive in those who follow Christ as their Savior.On this episode I discuss:How the opening lyric leads me to 2 Corinthians 4:8Why we can overcome based on 2 Corinthians 4:7How God's Word can be confusing at timesTaking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are:Skip over what you don't understand and zero in on the parts you do (for now)Get inspired by something (a devotion, a song, a sermon, etc.) and use it to dig into God's WordHow to use the lyrics in this week&apo

Send us a textThere are many sorrows in the world today that we can point to, but even in the midst of the sin trouble we see around us, it is evident that God is still on the move! That is why the message of this week's song by 7eventh Time Down, "God Is On The Move," is so powerful.Even though the Bible is FULL of examples of God being "on the move," one of the most epic periods in my mind is the early church.On this episode I discuss:How much I love the Book of Acts and my Papa's challenge to me as a young womanTaking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week is:Discuss what you're learning with a friendHow God was on the move in the early churchA quick recap of the events that led to Peter's first Spirit-filled sermon that led to 3,000 new souls saved for Christ - Acts 2:41How the new believers built community after that - Acts 2:42The apostle's teaching - 1 John 1:1-4FellowshipBreaking breadPrayerThe excitement generated when

Send us a textIf we want God's praise to "ever be" on our lips, then we need to develop patterns to help make it happen. This week's song, "Ever Be" by Aaron Shust led me to Psalm 22 where I uncovered a powerful pattern for prayer. The Psalm itself details how we can be fooled into defining the character of God through the lens of our circumstances.Don't make the mistake of thinking the theme of your praise is derived from your circumstances. The theme of your praise should be derived from God alone.On this episode I discuss:Using the power of Christian music to rehearse the greatness of God**Random note: I don't really discuss this on the episode, but I use the phrase, "Woe is me and oh lament" several times and it comes from a Christmas song by Roger Whittaker about Darcy the Dragon. For those of you who care...here's a link the song! YouTube Audio Link**The Psalms contain many songs in the BibleUsing the free memory verse resources I create each week t

Send us a textOn the other side of our confidence that God will never leave or forsake us is often the desperate cry, "Lord, don't leave me alone." This cry is found in the lyrics of our feature song this week, "Alone" by Hollyn featuring TRU. It was the call of a very famous character in the Bible, too. Moses' appeal to the Father was even deeper. It was not only a plea that God would not leave Him alone, but a reciprocal petition asking God not to ask them to go anywhere without Him.There is much to be learned from Moses in all of this.On this episode I discuss:The story behind the song "Alone" by Hollyn - New Release Today articleTaking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are:Read and keep on readingListen to the audio version (The YouVersion App is the one I use for this)A quick "fly over" of the Book of Exodus leading up to our focus chapterHow God describes His people as "stiff-necked and rebellious"...H

Send us a textThe topic of identity is blazing across headlines daily these days. It's always been an issue. How do we define who we are? Do we identify with this group or that group? Are we defined by what we do or how much we make? As Christians we need to get a grip on this very important topic. Blanca's song, "Who I Am" brings us to our senses and reminds us that we need to have our identity in the One Who made us. It matters more Whose we are than who we are. This week we examine a potential identity crisis in the life of David.We do well to learn as much as we can from the very human, very flawed people of God as revealed in Scripture.On this episode I discuss:"When I know Whose I am, I know who I am." - Blanca in a Behind the Music "Who I Am" Air1 Radio YouTube VideoTaking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is considering that the characters we are reading about in the Bible are REAL, picturing them in their environments a

Send us a textOur natural tendency is to hold tightly to our lives. We grip our hopes and dreams so tightly often little life remains in them. We cling to our way of thinking, our eyes squeezed tightly shut. All the while, our Savior reaches out to us with grace, mercy, joy and hope on the other side of our obedience to HIS way.  This week's song, "Touch the Sky" by Hillsong United paints a beautiful picture of surrender which led me to consider a most wonderful practice of surrender -- prayer.Choose to explore Ephesians 6 this week, but most of all, determine in your heart to pray.On this episode I discuss:The definition of surrender - to agree to stop fighting, hiding and resistingTaking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is praying before reading God's Word and asking for His wisdom, understanding and directionUsing the memory verse from Episode 86 to ask God for the desire and power to understand His WordHow Christ died so that we should no long