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

Send us a text The 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 G

Send us a text Our world is full of "that may be true for you, but not for me" conversations. However, when it comes to God, His characteristics don't change based on my perception of them. In their new song, "Who You Are To Me," Chris Tomlin and Lady A aren't suggesting God can be one thing to you and something else to me. Rather, they are giving us lyrics to rehearse the goodness of a very personal God who longs to make His home in our hearts.     In fact, let's explore the topic of Jesus living inside of our hearts through Scripture. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Exploring a topic Marking up the text Making a list Meditating on Scripture The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE How almost every phrase of this song came up in conversation this week Enjoying declaring the names and characteristics of God through song How God's characteristics

Send us a text Have you ever been asked to define a word you're familiar with, but don't have the depth of knowledge and clarity to actually put it into words? This week's song "Promises" by Maverick City Music sings of some characteristics of God that inspired more scrutiny on my part.     Join me in exploring the God of covenant in Genesis and Romans 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 Consult an outside resource Get your bearings with section headings The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE The value of rehearsing the faithfulness of God using specifics from the Bible and our own lives Positioning yourself to be held accountable for staying in God's Word Getting bold and creative in whatever season you're in to commit to interacting with God's Word An overview of the life of Abram in Genesis up to God's covenant

Send us a text Tragedy can rock us to our very core. How will our view of God change when our circumstances change? Ryan Stevenson sings of this in his song, "Amadeo (Still My God)." It is a declaration that is echoed in Scripture as well.     Join me as we explore the Book of Job to see what we can learn about God and how we should respond. 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 Consult an outside resource Read Scripture out loud The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE My family's catastrophic loss due to Hurricane Laura Job's profound loss - Job 1:13-19 Job's anguish echoed in the lives of those affected by tragedy - Job 3:24-26 Despite misery, tragic circumstances, and unimaginable loss...Yahweh is STILL MY GOD Watching the Bible Project's Overview of Job video before reading the book of Job for yourself - YouTube Vi

Send us a text With all of the talk these days about what is and is not "essential," it's good to be reminded that God's presence IS essential. Natalie Grant goes so far to declare God's presence as our weapon against the darkness in her song, "My Weapon."     Let's discover how essential God's presence was to Moses in Exodus 33. 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 Use the section titles to get your bearings Write out Scripture in your own words The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE God's initial response to NOT go with His people - Exodus 33:1-4 Getting really good at discovering what the Word of God says before moving on to other steps Getting our bearings in large books of the Bible by using section headings Discovering when Moses went up the mountain - Exodus 24:9-14 Acknowledging WHY God was so angry with the people t

Send us a text Forrest Gump's mama said, "Life's like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're going to get!" And while that may be true, 2020 has turned into a big bite of cocoa powder. We had great hopes and expectations for this year, but in many ways, it has turned into a chalky, bitter disappointment. However, For King and Country's song "joy." reminds us that even in the midst of missed expectations, we can choose joy.     Let's consider what God's Word has to say on the matter on a journey from James to the Psalms to Romans. On this week's episode I discuss: Check out the official music video for this week's song below! Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Complete a word study Read in context Write out Scripture Make observations Write out Scripture in your own words Observe/Reflect/Respond The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE Here's a link t

Send us a text My daughter read "Animal Farm" in middle school. Luckily she had a teacher who could unpack the symbolism and interpret the text in such a way that she understood and enjoyed the Orwell classic. Sometimes it takes a little extra study to understand the things we read in Scripture, too. Shane & Shane's rendition of "Before the Throne of God Above" sends us from Hebrews to the Old Testament and back to learn more about Jesus as our Great High Priest.     Pack your bags with a few nuggets of information mined on this week's podcast before you journey into the book of Hebrews for yourself. 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 Listen to an audio version of the text Consult outside resources Start with God/Jesus Make a list Compare and contrast The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE Sneaking in a hymn because of the great truths repeated in every l

Send us a text The invitation is out there. It's been sent. Will you open it, read it, and toss it aside? Perhaps you'll open it and put it on the fridge intending to respond "one day." We The Kingdom sings the invitation to "come" in their song "God So Loved."     Come, let us explore the call to follow and where it might lead. On this episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are: Complete a word study Study a theme of Scripture Read in context The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE Completing a word study on the word "come" found in Matthew 11:28 - BibleHub.com Using the word "come" as my study theme for the week 12 instances of the Greek word deute - "come and follow" Matthew 4:19 Matthew 11:28 Matthew 21:38 Matthew 22:4 Matthew 25:34 Matthew 28:6 Mark 1:17 Mark 6:31 Mark 12:7 John 4:29 John 21:12 Revelation 19:17 Coming to and followin

Send us a text When we declare our praises to God it impacts our own heart AND acts as a testimony to the world around us. Phil Wickham's song "Great Things" echoes another song in the Bible. It's a song that is part of a longer "playlist."     Let's discover one of the psalms on the "Song of Ascents" playlist together! On this episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are: Meditate on Scripture Repetition Read in a variety of translations Listen to an audio version of the text Consult an outside resource The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE What the Songs of Ascent were - GotQuestions.org The great things of God sung about in Psalm 126 - Psalm 126:3 What Zion is - then and now Rejoicing in the great things of God in such a way that it draws the attention of others How the singers of this psalm were actually singing God's Word - Jeremiah 33:7-9 Referencing Th

Send us a text We can hide from God about as well as a toddler hiding under the dining room table in plain sight with eyes tightly shut. Just as He doesn't abandon us when we are trying to hide from Him, God doesn't abandon us when we stray from Him either. Jordan Feliz' song "Never Too Far Gone" leads us to consider the "before Christ" and "after Christ" impact on Paul.     Join me in two sections of Scripture this week as we reflect on the life of someone who seemed "too far gone." On this episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are: Complete a character study Remember that Paul was a real person Read or study to epic music playing in the background The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE Christian songs solve the riddles of life with inspiration from music - Psalms 49:3-4 You can't hide from God...and He doesn't want you to - Psalm 139:7-12 Communio

Send us a text There is a poem that was popular in Christian circles when I was growing up about the journey of life. The poet questioned why God seemed missing in the most difficult seasons of life only to discover that He truly was there all the while. That is the same sentiment Zach Williams and Dolly Parton sing about in "There Was Jesus."     Similarly, we often don't realize Christ was present in the Old Testament, but this week's study shows He was there all the while. 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 Follow the cross references Complete a word study The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE The story behind the song - YouTube Recognizing Jesus throughout Scripture - Luke 24:25 Reading the narrative of the exodus...starting at the beginning Finding ourselves wondering if the Lord is among us or not - Exodus 17:1-7 Discover

Send us a text I recently read, "One danger of the internet is the temptation to constantly be everywhere except where we are." How do we stay in the moment? Jeremy Camp sings of this in his song "Keep Me in the Moment." My preferred method is to immerse myself in Scripture.     Join me in soaking in the benefits of God as found in Psalm 103. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Consider the opposite Start with God Make a list Pray Scripture Meditate on Scripture Read in context Considering the opposite The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE Recognizing that our lives are fleeting - Psalm 103:15-16 Staying in the moment by refocusing on God Studying the benefits we have in the Lord in Psalm 103 How blessing the Lord rightly places us on our knees before a holy God and reorients us from our relentless focus on self to ardent devotion to God Turning the benefits

Send us a text When my daughter was in driver's education, I experienced something first hand...you steer where you stare. As you become a more seasoned driver you may be able to take your eyes off of the road and not immediately swerve, but you cannot stay straight without fixing your eyes on the path ahead. Scripture confirms this, and King's Kaleidoscope's song "Fix Your Eyes" helps up meditate on this truth.     Let's fix our eyes this week on what Scripture has to teach us about our faith and more. On this week's episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Meditate Complete a word study Read in context Use different translations The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE How I originally wanted to put word-for-word Scripture to song and how others do it better - Music and resources at seedsfamilyworship.com God’s Word is Truth. Don’t let Christian music be a substitute

Send us a text I love songs that sing Scripture word-for-word. Elevation Worship does just that with their song "The Blessing." It takes us straight to Numbers 6 where we have an opportunity to really soak in God's Word.     Let's meditate on Scripture this week as we hide God's Word in our hearts through song. On this week’s episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Meditate on Scripture Complete a word study Start with God Consider the opposite The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE The call in Scripture to meditate on God's precepts - Psalm 119:15 If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate The blessing given by God in Numbers 6:22-27 Focusing on God first as we ponder this blessing The origin of this blessing was from the desire of the LORD to bless His people  The benefits of the blessing are dependent upon the characteristics and actions of the LORD Not

Send us a text Loneliness may be a time when we long to huddle close to to the love of God. We Are Messengers sings a message from God to the lonely in their song "Love." The apostle John issues a challenge to believers when it comes to the love of God. The song and Scripture come together on this week's podcast.     Let's dive into 1 John and see what we can learn 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: Read in context Read and keep on reading Read an overview/introduction to the book Repetition Read in a variety of translations Complete a word study Consider the opposite The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE The story behind the song - YouTube Knowing and believing the love the God has for us - 1 John 4:16 Learning about how the apostle John centers his message on "the application of basic tests in one's life to confirm that salvation has t

Send us a text The Bible says God is not a God of fear. The Bible says that God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. It is the peace of God we need, but it is the Prince of Peace who must rule in our hearts and minds to defeat fear. God brings healing through His Word and that is what we will be exploring using Hope Darst's song "Peace Be Still" as a point of inspiration.     We see God calming the waves in Psalm 107. Let's explore it 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: Following the cross reference Reading in context Read repetitively Start with God Compare and contrast The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE The story behind the song - YouTube How God's peace isn't a promised feeling or state of mind, but a Person -- and we meet the person of Jesus Christ in the revealed Word of God Getting inspiration from our lyrics that lead to Mark

Send us a text What constitutes a miracle to you? How about raising a dead man to life? Of course! Did you know that miracle is available to us as well? That's what Lauren Daigle sings about in her song, "Still Rolling Stones." We learn straight from the words of Jesus on this episode.     Explore a familiar story with me in John 11. On this week’s episode I discuss: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Repetition Read in a variety of translations Write in your Bible The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE Reading the account of Christ's resurrection in all four gospels Choosing the stone rolling incident in John 11 - John 11:39 Why I use the English Standard Version to study - Bonus article by Wayne Grudem Letting things "rise to the surface" by reading repetitively Doing the work of interacting with God's Word to get results Focusing on what we DO understand before getting thr

Send us a text One way to gain perspective in a dark and confusing time is to consider eternity. Let an old hymn guide your thoughts like "Absent From Flesh" written by Isaac Watts, but brought back to life by Sojourn and Jamie Barnes. Our suffering here is temporary, but God has a permanent home all planned out for His children.     Let's explore this together by diving in to Scripture in Paul's second letter to the 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 in context Read and keep on reading Read the introduction Consult an outside resource Ask questions The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE Isaac Watts, the original author of this hymn Our inspiration verse in the King James Version uses the word "absent" - 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 Reading in context by starting at the beginning of 2 Corinthians 5 Discovering the confusing nature of 2 Cor

Send us a textTo know if something is “better” than something else, you need to understand both sides completely. Elevation Worship’s song “Better Word” sends us to the Old Testament and the New to see why the blood of Christ speaks the better word. I can’t wait to journey from Genesis to Hebrews with you 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: Compare and contrast Follow the cross reference Read in context Make a list The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE The inspiration verse that speaks of the “better word” - Hebrews 12:24 Following the cross reference to read the story of Abel - Genesis 4:1-12 How Scripture uses personification to help us understand the comparison and contrast between the blood of Christ and the blood of Abel How Abel's blood cries out for vengeance while Christ's blood cries out for forgiveness for the children of God Reading Hebrews 12 in context while con

Send us a text Does it matter the position of our body if our heart is sincere in worship? I believe we can acknowledge things about God through our physical posture. Chris Tomlin's song "I Lift My Hands" leads us to consider one position mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. In fact, David often speaks of body position in the Psalms.     Join me in Psalm 28 to see what we can discover about posture, worship, prayer, and God. 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 a topic Make observations Refer to an outside resource (this week...a sermon) The 30 Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE The "rest of the story" behind the song - A sermon by Louie Giglio, "I Lift My Hands" The progression of engaging God's Word Skip over the parts you don't understand Dig a little deeper into the meaning/definitions/stories -