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

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#366: "Christ Be Magnified” by Cody Carnes Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

As a Christ-follower, it is my privilege to make much of God. My feelings, thoughts, and life should reflect Him and give evidence of His supreme greatness. That is, my life should magnify Christ, just like Cody Carnes sings about in his song "Christ Be Magnified."

Paul talks about magnifying Christ in his letter to the Philippians. Let's explore that a little deeper together.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Reading in context
- Listen to an audio version of the text
- Read the envelope
- Historical context
- Consulting an outside resource
- Follow the cross-reference
- Read in a variety of translations
- Define words
The 30-Day Music Challenge
The inspirational verse - Philippians 1:20
Reading Philippians like a letter (because that's what it is)
Reading the envelope to discover who the letter was written to, who it is from, and when and where it came from
Consulting a trusted outside resource for the historical background - "How to Read the Bible Book by Book" by Gordon and Fee
Gaining historical insight into the church at Philippi by reading Acts 15:35-Acts 17:1
The advancement of the gospel - Philippians 1:12
Ways the gospel advanced - Philippians 1:14-17
Paul's response - Philippians 1:18-19
The severity of Paul's situation and his emotional state
How Paul was subject to being formed by feelings and his "eager expectation"

Additional Resources

Lyrics, chords, song story, etc. - WorshipTogether.com
"Is Christ Be Magnified Biblical" - TheBereanTest.com

Weekly Challenge

Read all of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Focus on Philippians 1:12-30 (some of which we did not get to on the podcast) and discover what magnifying Christ in our body looks like to Paul. Use the BITEs we talked about on the podcast to interact with Scripture, including heading over to Acts to understand the foundation of the church at Philippi (the original audience of this letter). And may Paul's experience be yours as well -- may the prayers of your friends and the power of the Holy Spirit uphold you in your darkest times.

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#365: "Shattered" by Blanca Mar 01, 2021

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The other day, I dropped a glass casserole lid on my tile kitchen floor. It shattered into a host of small pieces. I'm still finding pieces of glass here and there. There's a difference between being broken and shattered. Shattered seems so irreparable. In Blanca's song "Shattered," she reminds us that the task of putting the shattered pieces back together is not too big for God.

Scripture offers many examples of shattered lives that God touches. We'll look at one example 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:
- Reading in context
- Make observations
- Ask questions
- Consult a map
- Remembering the people described in the Bible were real
- Consult section headings
- Read in a variety of translations
- Make a list
- Define words
The 30-Day Music Challenge
How we can comfort others because of our own experiences - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The daily practice of being washed in the Word as an act of worship - Ephesians 5:26-27
The story of the widow of Nain - Luke 7:11-17
Asking questions like, "Soon after what?" and "Where did he come from?"
Looking up the towns mentioned in God's Word on a map...or even Google Earth (after all, they are real places, and many still exist today)
Picturing the crowd with Jesus and the crowd with the widow
Defining a bier while considering the funeral customs of the day
Making a list of the people depicted in this short story
REALLY looking at the widow of Nain and considering the shattered pieces of her story
Coming face to face with how Jesus RESPONDED
- He saw her
- He had compassion for her
- He spoke to her
- He came up to the bier
- He touched the bier
- He spoke to the dead man
- He gave him to his mother
The Japanese art of Kintsugi - Lifegate Article

Additional Resources

The story behind the song "Shattered" by Blanca with Lyrics - Free CCM Article with video links
Behind the song "Shattered" by Blanca - New Release Today Article

Weekly Challenge

Read Luke 7 for yourself. You might even take the challenge of reading in context — reading chapters 6 through 8 for yourself. Take a close look at Jesus in these stories. Identify the characteristics of your Savior that you may have glossed over in the past. Interact with the Word! Make observations, write them in lists, look up words you don’t understand, and enjoy your time being washed with the water of the Word.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

#364: "Anyhow" by Tye Tribbett Feb 22, 2021

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What does it mean to live by faith? I'm not sure there's a simple answer to that question, but one practice may provide evidence. Tye Tribbett sings about it in his song "Anyhow" -- trusting and praising God no matter what comes our way.

Let's explore the life and times of a prophet whose complaint to God could have been written this morning and whose prayer we can mimic in our own lives.

In this 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
- Repetition
- Consult an overview
- Follow the cross-reference
Our circumstances can cloud our view of God - "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby
An introduction to the prophet Habakkuk
Habakkuk's "hallelujah anyhow" conclusion - Habakkuk 3:17-19
How we "need to appreciate how {Habakkuk's conclusion} derives from a serious engagement with the issues of God's justice if {we} are to appreciate just how radical it is." - ESV Expository Commentary: Daniel–Malachi (Volume 7)
Getting our bearings with a brief introduction to the book of Habakkuk - BlueLetterBible.org
Gaining clarity through a deeper overview - TheBibleProject.com
Habakkuk's complaint that could have been written today - Habakkuk 1:2-4
God's astounding response - Habakkuk 1:5-11
Habakkuk's concern with how God's response seems opposed to His character - Habakkuk 1:12-13
God's introduction to the phrase "the righteous will live by faith" - Habakkuk 2:2-4
Following the cross-references
- Romans 1:16-17
- Galatians 3:2-3, 11
- Hebrews 10:32-39

Additional Resources

Lyrics
Story Behind the Songs - Tye Tribbett - YouTube Video (start at 28:30 to hear specifically about "Anyhow"

Weekly Challenge

Read the entire book of Habakkuk (all three chapters) several times. Then, watch an overview video or read the introduction in your study Bible. Identify the comparisons to our own time and carefully observe how God replies. Track down the cross-references we mentioned in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. Finally, spend some time internalizing Habakkuk’s conclusion — singing hallelujah anyhow.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

#363: "Look No Further" by Evvie McKinney Feb 15, 2021

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There are a lot of solutions offered in the world today. Unfortunately, most worldly solutions don't identify the root problem -- sin. In her song "Look No Further," Evvie McKinney reminds us that we don't have to look any further than Jesus for the salvation we seek. Her "look no further than Jesus" response feels like an answer to a question posed in Scripture.

Join me as we take a closer look at the life of John the Baptist and a key question he asks from prison.

In this episode, I discuss:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Remember, the people described in the Bible were real
- Ask questions of the text
- Explore the cross-references
- Read with friends
The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
Looking in all the wrong places to find hope
John's question to Jesus - Matthew 11:3
Understanding John's history by reading/studying Luke 1
Zechariah's prophecy over John - Luke 1:76-80
Learning even more about John the Baptist's ministry in Matthew 3
- John was set apart
- John was different
- John was bold
- John knew his purpose
The context of what was going on in the ministry of Jesus between being baptized by John and John's imprisonment
Pondering why John may have asked the question in Matthew 11:3
Reading the cross-references related to Jesus' response to John's question
- Isaiah 19:18-19
- Isaiah 35:5-6
- Isaiah 61:1
- Isaiah 8:11-15

Additional Resources

Article about the release of the new song - CCMMagazine.com
Lyrics - 95.1 Shine FM

Weekly Challenge

Read Matthew 11 and let it inspire you to explore all of the Scriptures related to John the Baptist in both the New and Old Testaments. Then, go back to John's question to ponder how such a man of God could end up in such a season of doubt. But don't ponder alone! Enlist a friend to study this with you to broaden your perspective.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

#362: "Patiently Praising (feat. Lowell Pye)" by Fred Jerkins Feb 08, 2021

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As our trust in the Lord grows, our patience grows. We can rest in His timing because we can point to God's faithfulness repeatedly in the accounts recorded in His Word. Not only that, but we have our own experiences we can point to in our own lives. Fred Jerkins' song "Patiently Praising" not only points us to promises we can cling to in Scripture but serves as a challenge in our own lives to praise while we await a resolution to painful parts of our lives.

I didn't have to look any further than specific references to Scripture right in the song to get inspired to dive into God's Word. Join me!

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
- Write out Scripture by hand
- Ask questions of the text
- Utilize outside resources
- Internalize Scripture (often known as memorization)
- Consult various translations
- Read with friends
The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
Spending a good deal of time discovering what the Bible actually says before jumping to meaning and application
The lyric in the song that led me to Psalm 34:19
Internalizing God's Word by committing it to memory
Keith Ferrin's quote, "The goal isn't to know the words. It's the know the Word." - "How To Enjoy Reading Your Bible" by Keith Ferrin
Studying Psalm 34 verse by verse
Reading the account in 1 Samuel 21:10-15 that the Psalm declares was the inspiration for David's words
Recognizing that the psalm was written as an acrostic, with each verse beginning with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Seeing the theme of affliction throughout the Psalm
Referring to our study of this Psalm in Episode 358
Discovering potential answers to our questions of the text through commentaries at BibleHub.com

Additional Resources

Article revealing the music project was around cancer awareness - Billboard.com
Lyrics
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers on Psalm 34 at BibleHub.com

Weekly Challenge

Work through Psalm 34 on your own. As we saw on today's podcast, this is an ideal psalm to commit to memory. If internalizing the entire psalm feels too intimidating, pick a few verses to read, reread, and repeat until you can write them out on your own, speak them out to others in common day conversation, and lift them back up in prayer to your heavenly Father. And here's a teaser...there's another direct Scripture reference in our song this week that could send you off to another section of Scripture in the New Testament to study.

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#361: "Truth Be Told" by Matthew West Feb 01, 2021

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There's a shortage of truth in the world today. Of course, the definition of truth seems to be up for grabs for some, but today, we're discussing sincerity in action without pretense. Matthew West sings about this in his song "Truth Be Told." Jesus teaches about it in the Gospel of Matthew.

Spend some time this week examining the words of Jesus with an open heart.

In this episode, I discuss:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Consider the historical background
- Follow the cross-references
- Utilize a trusted outside resource (like a commentary or Study Bible)
- Read in context
- Summarize the text in your own words
- Ask questions of the text
- Remember, the people in the Bible were real
The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
Matthew West's story behind the song - YouTube Video
The book Matthew West wrote that he mentioned in the video - "Hello My Name Is" by Matthew West
The verse in Isaiah Matthew West refers to in the video - Isaiah 29:13
How Jesus uses two metaphors to talk about what He thinks of being clean, put together, and FINE only on the outside - Matthew 23:27-28
The historical context of why touching tombs would have been a big deal to Christ's audience - Numbers 19:16
Why it was their practice to whitewash tombs - Douglas Sean O'Donnell "Preaching The Word" Commentary on Matthew
Really considering the root of what Jesus is teaching and how it may apply to our own "clean on the outside and a hot mess on the inside" moments
Zooming out all the way to Matthew 21 to see the context of our focus teaching
Summarizing Matthew 23:1-11 in our own words
Recognizing the seven "woe"s in Matthew 23
Checking out another "woe" from the Old Testament - Hosea 7:13
Hearing the "rolling thunder of Christ's wrath"

Additional Resources

Matthew West makes the case for honesty - KLove Blog
Lyrics - WGBL.org
"Truth Be Told" by Matthew West Story Behind the Song - YouTube
Article on the seven "woe"s in Matthew 23 - GotQuestions.org
Article on what "woe" means in Scripture - Patheos.com
Commentary on the book of Matthew - Amazon.com

Weekly Challenge

Read Matthew 21-25 to understand the complete context of Jesus' teaching. Focus on Matthew 23 and really study it (I've included resources I used, "Additional Resources" above). Identify and write down summaries of the seven woes. Hear the rolling thunder of Christ's wrath and take His rebuke seriously. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal any hypocrisy in your life.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

#360: Graves Into Gardens ft. Brandon Lake by Elevation Worship Jan 25, 2021

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We spend so much time trying to make things happen in our lives. This last year has shown us globally how little control we have. Elevation Worship's song "Graves Into Gardens" reminds us that God does transformational things and is the only One Who can.

Let's use this song to send us to the words of a prophet and a king to learn more about our transformational God.

In this episode, I discuss:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Consider the historical background
- Start with God
- Ask questions
- Make a list
The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
My prayer for my listeners is that God will give you an unreasonable desire for His Word that leads to an unsurpassable relationship with Him
God Himself is our goal, and our priority must be our Father and His kingdom
Spending time in Isaiah 61 in Episode 282
Our starting-point verse that uses the phrase "mourning to dancing" - Psalm 30:11
Gaining historical perspective by consulting my study Bible - ESV Study Bible
Observing concrete details in the life of David, empathizing with those details, and translating that into worshiping God from the same place
Starting with God by asking questions of the text that lead us to Him
A trusted resource to teach us how to ask questions of the text - "Asking the Right Questions" by Matthew Harmon
Making lists of God's character, conduct, and concerns revealed in Psalm 30
Discovering more transformations in Isaiah 61

Additional Resources

Lyrics - Elevation Worship.com

Weekly Challenge

Spend some time in Psalm 30 and Isaiah 61 this week. Try starting with God as you interact with the text. Seek where you can learn more about His character, conduct, and concerns. Identify some of the transformations we sing about in our song that are directly reflected in the text, but don't stop there! Pray and listen for what God wants you to learn from His Word.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

#359: "Jericho" by Andrew Ripp Jan 18, 2021

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It doesn't matter how thick the walls are to us; it only matters how thick the walls are to God. When Andrew Ripp sings of our fears coming down like Jericho walls in his song "Jericho," I was inspired to study the story leading up to that moment.

I learned a lot about Joshua and what God commanded him. {Spoiler alert: God speaks directly to his fear.} Join me on the journey this week!

In this episode, I discuss:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Context
- Read larger chunks of Scripture
- Consider the opposite
- Use section headings to get your bearings
- Read/watch an overview of the book you're studying
- Consider the historical context
- Meditate on God's Word
- Follow the cross-reference
The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
Not overcomplicating our time in God's Word
Taking in the whole story - Joshua 1-6
Considering that "courage" is the opposite of "fear"
An overview of the book of Joshua - BibleProject.com
Taking on Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy to gain historical context (look for Joshua in these texts as well)
God's four calls for Joshua to be strong and courageous - Joshua 1:1-9
One more call to courage from Joshua's fellow Israelites - Joshua 1:16-18
Trusting God and letting fear crumble to the ground because He's trustworthy
Following the cross-reference to see Moses sending out spies - Numbers 13:18-20
Reading on to Numbers 14:7-9 to hear Joshua's own words in the face of fear the first time they pulled up to the promised land

Additional Resources

Lyrics - mykits.com
Individual song - Amazon

Weekly Challenge

Read Joshua 1-6. Consider reading it multiple times in various versions. Note the repeated call to courage and meditate on the details surrounding each call. Follow the cross-reference to Numbers 13 and 14 and compare and contrast the sending of spies into the promised land.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

#358: "A Thousand Thank Yous" by Sarah Kroger Jan 11, 2021

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Words cannot describe how worthy God is of our adoration and thanksgiving. Sarah Kroger's song, "A Thousand Thank Yous," gives God all of the glory He deserves. It also inspired me to soak in some psalms of gratitude this week.

Incorporate more adoration and thanksgiving into your prayer life this week.

In this episode, I discuss:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Praying the Scripture
- Journal your interactions with Scripture and God
- Choose one word to meditate on
- Read the text aloud
- Slow down
The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
Utilizing the resources over at TheBereanTest.com - A Thousand Thank Yous Review
Choosing Psalms of Gratitude with the help of SheReadsTruth.com - Psalms of Gratitude
Using the prayer model of A.C.T.S. and focusing on adoration and thanksgiving
Logging our interactions with God's Word in a journal
Acknowledging the authority, validity, and claims of God in Psalm 100
Asking God to help me tame my tongue so that the words of my mouth are acceptable to Him - Psalm 19:14, James 3:10
Filling my heart with God's Word so that the meditations of my heart are acceptable
Looking to the Lord to visibly reflect radiant joy - Psalm 34:4-7
Recognizing that God's plans for and works in my life do not compare to HIM - Psalm 40:5
Renewing my sense of awe and wonder in Psalm 66

Additional Resources

Lyrics
Individual song - Amazon

Weekly Challenge

Grab your Bible, thank God for His Word, and dive into five Psalms of gratitude and praise this week -- Psalm 100, Psalm 19, Psalm 34, Psalm 40, and Psalm 66. If you find yourself distracted, read the text out loud. Look for one word that jumps out at you in each psalm. Ponder the word and the context of the verse it's found in. Incorporate your thoughts into your prayers. Discover what you can learn about who God is and what His great acts include. Log your findings in a journal or a notebook as prayers of adoration and thanksgiving. Use this week's song as a soundtrack for your prayerful efforts this week.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

#357: "All Glory Be To Christ" by Kings Kaleidoscope Jan 04, 2021

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Happy New Year! Each new year brings an opportunity to set new goals and consider your focus before life gets in the way. Kings Kaleidoscope has a song set to the tune of the traditional New Year’s song "Auld Lang Syne." Their song “All Glory Be To Christ” reminds us ultimately what each new year is about…Jesus.

The song leads us to Psalm 127, reminding us that we are nothing without the Lord.

In this episode, I discuss:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Context
- Ask questions
- Make observations
The 30-Day Music Challenge - ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE HERE
The Rapid Bible Read Through that I do every year with my friend, Keith Ferrin - information about year's read through can be found here RBRT2021
The Psalms of Ascent - Got Questions Article
Focusing more on the Architect than the house plans - Psalm 127:1
The role of a watchman - Psalm 127:1
Keeping in context the warning in verse 2 - Psalms 127:2
Not separating the "in vain" section from the "family" section of Psalm 127
Our duty to smooth and prepare our arrows (children) to be shot into the battle - Psalm 127:4
How I don't want to do anything this year in vain...with my family, ministry, or career

Additional Resources

Lyrics and chords
Individual song or full album - Amazon

Weekly Challenge

Read Psalm 127 for yourself. While you do, make sure you don't take each verse out of context…it is one song, after all. Ask questions, make observations, and fix your eyes on the Lord. Pray and ask Him to be the architect of your life this year. Determine in your heart to bring Him glory.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

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