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

Send us a text Does the idea of trembling before the Lord inspire you or make you feel uncomfortable? Lauren Daigle's song "Tremble" inspired me to explore where people are described as trembling before the Lord. Spoiler alert: It should inspire you. Join me as we examine a couple of places in Scripture where we see why and how we should tremble before the Lord. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Explore a topic Read in context Read and keep on reading Repetition Follow the cross-reference Compare and contrast Make a list Examine the text in various translations Complete a word study The 30 Day Music Challenge Getting a Scripture starting point by typing in a keyword into BibleHub.com Understanding what the text actually says before moving to what it means before moving to what it means for me Finding the instruction to "serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling" - Psalm

Send us a text I know sometimes it's easy to think the division of our day has never happened before. As Ecclesiastes teaches us, "There is nothing new under the sun." Mike Donehey sings about being "All Together" in his new song. I want to explore what we can learn from a church family who DIDN'T have it all together and what they were taught to overcome the division of their day. Let's explore the first letter to the church at Corinth together. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Consider the opposite Historical context Read the envelope Follow the cross-references Read and keep on reading Repetition Make a list The 30 Day Music Challenge Exploring the division revealed in the early church at Corinth Discovering the historical context of the city of Corinth as a cosmopolitan city made up of people from all over the empire brining their worldviews and practices with them

Send us a text When an obscure passage is brought to light in the lyrics of a song, it gives us an excellent reason to engage in areas of Scripture we may have overlooked for a while. Elevation Worship's song "RATTLE!" refers to the bones of a prophet whose life is worth exploring. Join me in looking into the life and miracles of the prophet Elisha inspired by our song this week. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Explore a topic Read in context Read and keep on reading Meditate Remember the people described in the Bible were REAL Prayer The 30 Day Music Challenge The obscure story about a man coming to life after being tossed onto Elisha's bones - 2 Kings 13:20-21 Yearning for what is unseen, not what is unspoken, as we wrestle with the holy text of Scripture Struggling with the question, "What am I supposed to do with this?" Reading about the beginning of Elisha's pers

Send us a text Our God is a God who celebrates milestones. This week is a significant milestone for the podcast, and the song "In Christ Alone" celebrates an anniversary, too! Let's celebrate by digging into God's Word! When was the last time you let your curiosity lead you down a path that led to greater insight? Let's explore Scripture together. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Explore a topic Consult an outside resource Follow the cross-references Define words The 30 Day Music Challenge 400 episodes - we've gone from 1 in 86,000 podcast in 2014 to 1 in 2,000,000 in 2021 A little controversy around this song - Al Mohler's The Briefing - Part Three Considering the theology behind God's wrath being satisfied Being discerning in what we take into our lives as truth The various perspectives Scripture speaks about the cross of Christ Wrestling through

Send us a text God calls us into His story through Christ. But before we place ourselves in the middle of His story, we need to remember the Bible is God's grand story of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Olivia Lane's new song "Woman At The Well" inspires us to explore a story in John 4 afresh. Join me as we study this story in context and learn more about Jesus. In 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 Remember the people described in Scripture were real Repetition Start with God Compare and contrast Consult an outside resource The 30 Day Music Challenge Exploring Scripture in the "right" order Reading the accounts leading up to our feature account and after - John 3-5 Recognizing that all Scripture is beneficial for our application - 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Recognizing that FIRST Scripture is about Jesus - John 5:37-40 The timing of Christ -

Send us a text I miss the wonders of God all the time. I tend to be so self-involved that I fail to look up and behold the majesty of the One who loves me so much He redeemed me. "I Stand In Awe" by Christ Tomlin and Nicole Serrano inspires me to consider God in all his glory and discover more about Him in Scripture. We're back in Psalm 33 this week to examine our response to the character and conduct of God. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Start with God Define words Consider the opposite Repetition Observe interesting phrases/words Study in various translations The 30 Day Music Challenge Today's partner episode - listen to Episode 397 first Our inspiration verse for this week - Psalm 33:8 What it is to fear the Lord G.K. Chesterton's quote, "The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder." - "Tremendous Trifles" by G.K. Chestert

Send us a text Trust is not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes we wrongly assign character to someone because of the actions of another. It would be a shame to assign character to God based on our interactions with people. In their song, "I Will Trust My Saviour Jesus," City Alight reminds us of many reasons we can and should trust Him. The psalms teach us much about the trustworthy nature of our God as well. Join me as we explore Psalm 33 together. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Explore a topic Consult an outside resource Make a list The 30 Day Music Challenge The live conversation I had with Joel Arcieri and Vince Wright - YouTube Recording Exploring a new topic in an area of Scripture you have been sitting in How Scripture is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12) AND we are constantly growing in maturity and perspective Being willing to dig for insight like treasure - Proverbs 2:3-4 Psalm 33 b

Send us a text The names of God teach us about His character. When we get to know His names, we get to know Him. Using "He Is Yahweh," as sung by Blake Reynolds to inspire us to explore Scripture, we uncover wonderful truths. Join me as we explore the first mention of Yahweh in Scripture and much more. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Consult an outside resource Complete a word study Start with God Mark up the text Consider the opposite The 30 Day Music Challenge "The Names of God: His Character Revealed" by Melissa Spoelstra - Amazon Link The first mention of the name Yahweh - Genesis 2:4 The difference between the names Elohim and Yahweh Discovering our God is a personal God How Yahweh is God and there is no other - Deuteronomy 4:32-35 Yahweh is God's eternal name - Exodus 3:13-15 Noticing that the serpent only uses one name for God when the text uses two - Genesis 3:1-19 How Yah

Send us a text It is a good habit to keep your "thankful antenna" up. Who are you thankful for? What are you grateful for? Chris Tomlin's song "Thank You Lord" reminds us to be thankful for the simple things and the special people in our lives. Many of Paul's letters begin with a heart of gratitude for his readers. Let's explore them together. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Explore a topic Mark up the text Start with God Make a list Complete a word study Compare and contrast The 30 Day Music Challenge New Testament letters that have a "thankful" introduction Romans 1:8-15 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 Philippians 1:3-11 Colossians 1:3-14 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 2 Timothy 1:3-18 Philemon verses 4-7 An example of my highlights, lists, and notes - PDF Example Starting with God Recognizing that Paul's concerns should be ours as well Making a li

Send us a text There is an account in the Bible of Jesus speaking to the wind and waves and calming them down. This idea often makes its way into our prayers and songs -- not unlike Jeremy Camp's song, "When You Speak." I think it deserves a deep look from us to see what we can learn from ALL of the words Jesus speaks in this scene. Join me in the Gospel of Mark, in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Meditating on Scripture Completing a word study Defining words Reading Scripture out loud Imagining the scene Reading in context The 30 Day Music Challenge The Father initiates the plan of salvation, the Son accomplishes the plan of redemption, and the Spirit applies what has been initiated and accomplished Seeking the face of God before we seek His hand Studying the actual Word of God to more easily identify its counterfeit - James 1:25, Joshua 1:7-9 Completing a word

Send us a text What kinds of choices do you make in the face of fear? Building 429's song "Fear No More" is an anthem born out of a personal time when fear led the songwriters to seek God. There's a king in Scripture who faced fear more than once. His story gives us two separate examples of choices and two distinct responses from God. Let's explore the life and choices of King Asa this week. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Pray Read in context Using section titles to get your bearings Remember that the people described in the Bible were REAL Meditating on Scripture The 30 Day Music Challenge Praying for God to give the desire to read Scripture Praying for God to help you understand what you're reading Praying for God to reveal truth to you as you read Reading the end of King Asa's story in 2 Chronicles 16 Seeing that "the end justified the means" in the mind of

Send us a text Did you know God has a tone of voice? When He speaks to us, He comforts, encourages, or convicts with kindness. He offers the perfect balance of truth and grace. So if the voice inside your head has an accusing tone, then it's not from your heavenly Father. This is what Tasha Layton sings about in her song "Look What You've Done," and it's what we discover in Scripture as well. Let's compare and contrast the voice of evil and righteousness together this week. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Compare and contrast Make a list The 30 Day Music Challenge Accusations and agreements The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast - Episode 42: Accusation & Episode 43: Agreements How satan is an accuser and a deceiver - Revelation 12:9-10 How satan is the "father of lies" - John 8:43-44 How satan seeks to devour us - 1 Peter 5:8 How satan as a strategy and sets traps

Send us a textThroughout the ages, people have scoffed at God and His ways. Some claim He isn't powerful enough, or close enough, or real enough. These scoffers think they have it all figured out and don't believe that Jesus is relevant, much less coming back. TobyMac's song "Help Is On The Way" inspired me to sit in a letter from Peter. I think you'll see a lot of similarities between scoffers in Peter's day and our own. Join me as we explore Scripture to gain perspective and marching orders as we continue to await God's perfect plan for the future. In 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 repetitively Listen to an audio version of the text Follow the cross-references The 30 Day Music Challenge The Lord is not late and he stands by what He claims - 2 Peter 3:8 Using BITEs to create habits of consistency in your Bible time - download a free resource as a guid

Send us a textThere is a magical and terrifying place described in Scripture. It is the throne room of heaven where fantastical creatures proclaim the holiness of God, and crowned elders fall at His feet in worship. Influence Music's song "Glory, Honor, Power" brings us through the door of heaven with Jesus and John. May we leave changed. Let's take an unforgettable trip to the throne room of God in Revelation 4. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Listen to epic music while reading/studying Scripture Meditate on Scripture Slow down Use your imagination Consult an outside resource Consider the opposite The 30 Day Music Challenge Another episode where we discuss Revelation 4 - Episode 369 Imagining each detail of the throne room What jasper and carnelian look like as mentioned in Revelation 4:3 A quick reference to the 5 heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament - GotQuestions.org Article Wha

Send us a textI love to talk about Jesus. There's a lot to say about Him. If we spent our entire lives plumbing the depths of Scripture, we would never come to an end. This is why I love Anne Wilson's new song, "My Jesus." She gives me a reason to talk about Him a little more. Join me this week as we explore Christ's deity and humanity. In this episode, I discuss:   Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read larger chunks of Scripture Consult outside resources Meditation Make a list Look up definitions Read in various translations Read in context The 30 Day Music Challenge How the study of Christ is known as Christology How we can't cover everything about Jesus in 20 minutes - John 21:25 How the creeds were ways to affirm core beliefs The Apostles Creed The Nicene Creed Learning to understand that Jesus is fully God and fully man A chunk of Scripture in Colossians all about Jesus - Colossians 1:15-20 Making a list o

Send us a textWhile we may not be able to choose happiness, we can choose joy. We can choose joy because it's not rooted in our circumstances or feelings but rather the truth of Who God is and who we are in Him. "Joyful" by Dante Bowe is a fun, upbeat song that can remind us of that foundation of truth. Let's explore a psalm together that reminds us that this is the day the Lord has made. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Repetition Read in a variety of translations Meditate on Scripture Follow the cross-references Consult outside resources The 30 Day Music Challenge A quote from Dante Bowe - JubileeCast.com Article Getting inspired to study Psalm 118 by a Scriptural lyric in our song - Psalm 118:24 How the psalmist bookends the song with the same phrase - Psalm 118:1, Psalm 118:29 Meditating on phrases/verses that "pop out" at us Psalm 118:6 - what can man do to me? Ps

Send us a textHow does God do "new" things? What does it mean that He makes all things new? These are the questions I asked myself inspired by Big Daddy Weave's song, "All Things New." Join me on a discovery tour from Old to New Testaments inspired by this song. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Utilize section headings Consult an overview The 30 Day Music Challenge Rehearsing phrases in songs and not really knowing what Scripture says about them Reading Isaiah 42-44 to take in context Isaiah 43:19 where God was doing a new thing Spending time in these same chapters in Episodes 384 and 385 Consulting an overview I use the ESV Study Bible - Amazon Link I also refer to Bible Project videos - YouTube Video How the original audience of Isaiah 44:14-21 were defeated people under worldly domination The new thing God may be doing could be now, but He always has His eyes set o

Send us a textWhat does Scripture say about the house of the Lord? That's what I set out to discover with Phil Wickham's new song, "House of the Lord," playing in the background. The answer weaves through the Old and New Testaments. We only scratch the surface, but let's see how much we can explore. In this episode, I discuss:   Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read in context Explore a topic Make observations Slow down Share with a friend Follow the cross-references The 30 Day Music Challenge Phil Wickham's thoughts in the story behind the song - YouTube Video David's own joy at the thought of going to the house of the Lord - Psalm 122:1 Expressing curiosity at the thought that David implies going to the temple, but it wasn't built in his lifetime The story of David's desire to build a house for the Lord and God's response - 2 Samuel 7:1-7 A wonderful resource to explore the tabernacle and wha

Send us a textI had a student director in college who was a master at asking questions to get you to think. He said he learned it from Jesus in Scripture. I guess Jesus learned it from His Father. Natalie Grant asks a question in her song "Who Else" that God rhetorically asks of Himself. Let's explore our incomparable God together in the book of Isaiah. In 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 Use your imagination Consult an outside resource The 30 Day Music Challenge How even God asks "who is like me?" - Isaiah 40:25 How God doesn't compare Himself to other "gods" when defining Himself - Exodus 3:14 How God wants the whole world to know there is no one like Him - Exodus 8:10 David's view of himself when faced with God's greatness - 2 Samuel 7:19-21 David's praise response to God's covenant with him voicing again that there

Send us a textWhat if you could have that ONE relationship where, no matter how bad you mess things up, the other One won't let go? Our Heavenly Father offers us that stability and consistency we desperately want. When Lauren Daigle sings "Hold On To Me," I think of the many times in Scripture where God promises to do just that. Let's learn more about our Father, who holds us close. In this episode, I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Consult an overview Read in context Start with God Compare and contrast Make a list Meditate on Scripture The 30 Day Music Challenge A trusted overview of Isaiah - BibleProject.com How God not only holds us, but carries us - Isaiah 40:11 How God holds us, has the power to keep us, and has our good at heart - Isaiah 41:10 Staying faithful to study God's Word no matter the stage of experience you are in Starting with God when you approach Scripture Using questions to spur on additio