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

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#117: "Sparrows" by Jason Gray May 16, 2016

Show notes

I 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 questions
Breaking down Matthew 10:11-15 by asking questions
Understanding our value to God
Random facts
- 540 million house sparrows in the world
- 7.4 billion people in the world
- 150,000 hairs on each of our heads (on average)
- 1.11 quadrillion hairs are numbered by God
Nothing you are going through escapes His notice

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Read all of Matthew 10 in context, of course! Ask questions while you are reading. Seek first to understand the Scripture before you seek to understand what it might mean for you. After you break it down with your questions, it will be easier to discover revelation and application for your life.

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#116: "Breathe" by Jonny Diaz May 09, 2016

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Our 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, "Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives" by Dr. Richard Swenson
Quote by J.I. Packer, "Contentment is essentially accepting from God's hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is good."
Investing in sitting at the feet of Jesus through time in His Word.

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Read Philippians all the way through - it is just 4 chapters. Follow this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercise and take chapter 4 in a translation you are not familiar with and write it out by hand. Slow down. Breathe. Sit at the feet of Jesus. It is the SECRET to learn to be content.

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#115: "Thy Will" by Hillary Scott May 02, 2016

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In 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 hurt
The story behind why Hillary Scott hasn't shared what the songis about for her - You Tube Video
Potential areas of Scripture that this song might lead -Matthew 6, Luke 11
The promise of God to Abram without the "how" or "when" detailswe all long for - Genesis 15:5-6
Introduction to Hagar, servant of Sarai in Genesis 16
How it ended up that Hagar was pulled into Abram and Sarai'sstory - Genesis 16:2
From conception to contempt - Genesis 16:3-4
How Sarai was hoppin' mad at the consequences of herown choices - Genesis 16:5-6
Some messages by Beth Moore that helped me understand thissection better - The God Who Sees
God's tendency to ask us questions to draw into dialogue withHim - Genesis 16:7-9
Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction ToolExercise this week is:
- Journal your dialogue withGod
God's call for submission along with a promise - Genesis16:10-12
The part where Hagar names God - Genesis 16:13

Additional Resources

Lyrics and thestory behind the song - Taste of Country

This Week's Challenge

Read Genesis 16 and try this week's Bible Interaction ToolExercises of journaling your dialogue with God based on thequestions posed to Hagar in verse 8. Then, if God gives youdirection, follow it...submit to His authority over your life. Youcan trust Him.

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#114: "Joy of the Lord" by Rend Collective Apr 25, 2016

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"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 entertainment
Don'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 context
- Discover and do
Story behind the song "Joy of the Lord" on New Song Cafe by Worship Together - YouTube Video
The place of despair and loss of identity by the exiles in Jerusalem
What the people did right after the wall was rebuilt - Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5
The praise that followed the reading of God's Word and the posture of the people - Nehemiah 8:6-8
Where the lyrics of our song come from (in context) - Nehemiah 8:9-10
How further study of God's Word showed the people something they had not been doing and what they did with that "discovery"
The lesson I "discovered" with my girls in Scripture this week - Colossians 3:13

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Read Nehemiah. To make this challenge even more enjoyable, I give you permission to skim through the lists of names found in several places throughout. If you discover something you have not been doing, by all means make arrangements to start following the direction of the Lord!

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#113: "My Story" by Big Daddy Weave Apr 18, 2016

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Have 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 work
The ministry of Rick and Mick Vigneulle - www.rickandmick.com
How the thoughtless words of others can set us on a trajectory of destruction
How there is no place too low for God to pull us up from
On 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 12:11
Solomon's beginning - 2 Samuel 12:24-25
Solomon's dysfunctional family
Where Solomon's story intersects with his siblings - 2 Samuel 13:28-29
Solomon's father's end-of-life words to him - 1 Kings 2:1-4
Taking a B.I.T.E. Out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are:
- Read and keep on reading - spend enough time to get caught up in the story
- Write out your story

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Read and keep on reading in 2 Samuel 12 through 1 Kings 11 to see the story of Solomon. Consider the similarities in Solomon's life to your own. Then write out your story. You will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Bonus points? Share your story with someone else. You never know how God can use it!

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#112: "Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle Apr 11, 2016

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Trust 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 circumstances
Taking a B.I.T.E. Out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is:
- Creating review cards by hand writing key Scriptures
- Most 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 37:1-8
Being sure we are not an "evildoer" as we read through Psalm 37
My "life verse" - Proverbs 3:5-6
Heeding God's warning to operate in our own wisdom - Proverbs 3:7-8
The verses from Psalm 37 that I chose to write out on review cards
- Psalm 37:3 - I love the idea of "befriending faithfulness"
- Psalm 37:4 - I talk about delighting ourselves in the Lord
- Psalm 37:5-6 - Trusting God to act on our behalf
- Psalm 37:12-13 - A wonderful look at God's perspective
- Psalm 37:23-24 - Even though our steps are "custom fit" by God when we delight in His ways, we may still fall
The verses I chose to represent the lyrics from the bridge of "Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle
- You are my strength and comfort - Psalm 27:1
- You are my steady hand - Psalm 37:23-24
- You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand - 1 Corinthians 3:11
- Your ways are always higher - Isaiah 55:9
- Your plans are always good - Jeremiah 29:11
- There's not a place where I'll go, you've not already stood - Psalm 139:5

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Use this song to inspire you to spend some time in Psalm 37 this week. Take a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture by following the Bible Interaction Tool Exercise of writing down key verses on note cards and review them regularly. Review them before you get in the car in the morning. Review them before you break for lunch in the afternoon. Have your spouse or children read them to you while you're driving. Call up a friend and read the verses to them. Allow God's Word to define the character of God and not your circumstances. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act.

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#111: "Live On Forever" by The Afters Apr 04, 2016

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Our 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 Afters
Description of the new heaven and new earth in our "forever" life - Revelation 21:1-7
Taking a B.I.T.E. Out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercise this week is:
- Creating a character profile
- I chose Enoch to go along with our song this week
Enoch walked with God and never died - Genesis 5:24
Enoch was a man of faith and one who was known as a person who pleased God - Hebrews 11:5
Enoch prophesied of the end times and was the 7th from Adam - Jude 1:14-15
A deeper look at Enoch's family heritage - Genesis 5:18-24
Walking with God - a continuous, conversational relationship
Enoch's walk included obedience - John 14:23
Living forever is not the goal -- intimacy with God and His presence forever is the goal
Enoch's walk included earnestly seeking God - Hebrews 11:5-6
Our memory verse for the week - 1 John 2:17
The promise of eternal life when God's Word remains in us - 1 John 2:24-25
Victory as described by Christ - Revelation 21:7
How our walk should reflect Enoch's in its continuous nature - 1 John 2:28

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Increase your intimacy with God by staying in His Word. We've touched on several areas of Scripture this week. Use these touch points to inspire you to explore all of 1 John, Hebrews 11 or Revelation 21. Remember, God's presence is the goal.

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#110: "Alive In Me" by JJ Weeks Band Mar 28, 2016

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When 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 4:8
Why we can overcome based on 2 Corinthians 4:7
How God's Word can be confusing at times
Taking 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 Word
How to use the lyrics in this week's song to find the Truths in Scripture
- "The Light that pierced the dark" - John 1:1-5 & 2 Corinthians 4:6
- "The Word that stilled the sea" - Matthew 8:23-27
- "The Spirit that tore the veil" - Matthew 27:51 & 2 Corinthians 3:13-16
- "The Power that healed our hearts" - Psalm 147:3
- "The Love that set us free" - 2 Corinthians 3:17
- "The Spirit that conquered death" - Romans 8:11

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Use the list in the show notes above and read the verses in context (meaning read Psalm 147 in it's entirety, read the whole story of the calming of the stormy sea, etc.) Or you might be inspired to read the first few chapters of 2 Corinthians and sit there for the week. Don't forget our BITE...zero in on what you can understand for now...don't miss out on the good stuff you do understand because of discouragement about the stuff you don't.

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#109: "God Is On The Move" by 7eventh Time Down Mar 21, 2016

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There 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 woman
Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week is:
- Discuss what you're learning with a friend
How God was on the move in the early church
A 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 2:41
How the new believers built community after that - Acts 2:42
- The apostle's teaching - 1 John 1:1-4
- Fellowship
- Breaking bread
- Prayer
The excitement generated when God is on the move
- Those who respond with wonder and amazement - Acts 3:10 ESV
- Those who will be utterly astounded - Acts 3:11 ESV
The opposition when God is on the move
- Those who will be greatly annoyed - Acts 4:1-2 ESV
- Those who will try to stop the move of God - Acts 4:16-18
  - I reference Episode 38 where I unpack how the apostles responded to the instruction to stop using the name of Jesus
Wise advice to prevent finding yourself opposing God - Acts 5:38-39
How we should respond when God is on the move
- Invest your life in community - Acts 2:42
- Give God the credit - Acts 3:12
- Pray for boldness - Acts 4:29
  - Honestly, just be willing to pray. I've been talking about prayer recently on Episode 105 and Episode 108.
Responding by standing on the Truth

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Pick up the Book of Acts and read chapters 1-4 for yourself to get comfortable with all of the details surrounding the highlights I've shared on this episode. Grab a friend and share your thoughts and conclusions with them. Better yet, have them read chapters 1-4 also and then discuss!

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#108: "Ever Be" by Aaron Shust Mar 14, 2016

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If 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 Bible
Using the free memory verse resources I create each week to hide God's Word in your heart - sign up here
The verse that led us to Psalm 22 today - Psalm 22:25
Lysa Teurkeurst's story about her Liberian son - read more about Lysa here
How our feelings cannot accurately describe the character of God...He IS Who He IS
The B.I.T.E - Bible Interaction Tool Exercise - for the week is using a Psalm as a pattern for prayer - use this tool to follow the pattern for yourself
Jesus' fulfillment of many aspects of this Psalm in Matthew 27

Additional Resources

Lyrics
A devotional by Aaron Shust - "Ever Be" - Read the devotion here

This Week's Challenge

Read Psalm 22 for yourself! Use the Psalm as a pattern for prayer this week and download this week's resource to walk you through it and write out your prayer to God. Then go read Matthew 27 and discover the fulfillment of many elements of this prophetic Psalm in the death of Jesus on the cross. Ponder, consider, meditate, write and pray. And may His praise "ever be" on your lips this week, but more than that, may HE be the THEME of your praise from now on.

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