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

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#87: "You Will Never Run" by Rend Collective Oct 19, 2015

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Have you been abandoned? Rejected? Falsely accused? Let me encourage your heart...that's not God's style. In fact, His Word is filled with promises that He will never do any of those things...even if those closest to you do. Rend Collective's song, "You Will Never Run," reminds us of this promise and drove me to Psalm 27 this week to see how David responded in these same circumstances.

Interestingly enough, David responded like Rend Collective in praise and singing, leaving us with a bundle of verses/truths to meditate on.

In this episode, I discuss:

If God will never run away, then where is He? Consider Psalms 139:5, Psalms 103:19 and Psalms 34:18
When Jesus discusses how we are "forever" HIS - John 10:27-29
God is not into playing games
Even if those closest to you abandon you, the Lord will hold you close - Psalm 27:10
What I mean when I ask you to meditate on God's Word
Meditating on Psalm 27 - I unpack it verse by verse

Additional Resources

Lyrics
Behind the Song - New Release Today Article

This Week's Challenge

While you are waiting for the Lord, rest on His promises and meditate on His Word. Read Psalm 27 every day this week. Meditate on it. Consider the smallest parts. And LISTEN for the Lord to speak through His Word and in this meditation time.

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#86: "Glow in the Dark" by Jason Gray Oct 12, 2015

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Flashy sells. I get that. But consider a flash...it is a bright light that lasts for a moment. This week's song, "Glow in the Dark" by Jason Gray, sings about shining right where we are. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul gives us some practical ways to do that over time...not just in bursts.

Use this week's song to inspire you to read Philippians. I know this world is a dark place, but we're in this struggle together, and God's Word can change us from the inside out.

In this episode, I discuss:

My process to write each podcast, which is what keeps me in God's Word each week
The power of sharing what God is teaching you with others
The verse in Philippians that inspired some of the lyrics in "Glow in the Dark" by Jason Gray - Philippians 2:15
The value of vast amounts of resources that can assist us in our walk with Christ
The warning that comes with the vast amounts of resources designed to assist us in our walk with Christ that can actually lure us away from reading God's Word for ourselves
Matt Chandler's book "To Live is Christ to Die is Gain" as an additional resource in the study of Philippians
The power of interacting with God's Word vs. just reading God's Word
The idea that when you open the door to a dark room, darkness never floods the room filled with light
The story behind the song - NewReleaseToday.com article
The truth that we are in this struggle together - Philippians 1:29
Focusing on the things we can control not on the people and circumstances we can't
The conduct required of us as citizens of heaven - Philippians 1:27
The list of do's and don'ts in Philippians 2
How overwhelming this simple list is, but the promise God offers - Philippians 2:13
Holding firmly to the Word of Life vs. holding firmly to our own ideas or positions

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Read Philippians. Read in a version that is easy to read (I like the New Living Translation.) Interact with the Word. Make a list of do's and don'ts in this section of Scripture. There is power in writing down the words yourself. Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Word and change how you think and act. Ask Him to give you the desire AND the power to do what pleases Him. That is a prayer He will most definitely answer. And SHARE...share with someone else what you are learning. Sow the seed that has been sown in you.

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#85: "Grace Wins" by Matthew West Oct 05, 2015

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Right or wrong, I look at the world around me as if everyone sees it just as I do. I assume people know what I know. I expect people to react like I react...even God. This week's song, "Grace Wins," by Matthew West, directly touches on how we assign character to God that does not belong to Him. The song also points us back to Scripture, where we can see for ourselves the true characteristics of God.

I constantly need a reminder from God's Word of Who He really is, lest I paint pictures of my Father that distort His true character.

In this episode, I discuss:

Assigning character to God that is NOT His
Viewing God the way we respond vs. through the lens of the truth of Scripture
The enemy's purpose is to deceive and keep you from God's truth
The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15
- I look at this same story from a different angle in Episode 61
- Lost people are not a lost cause to God
The story of the woman at the well in John 4
- God is willing to meet us even as we are trying to hide from Him and others
The story of the blind beggar in Luke 18
- God engages us amid our circumstances and asks us what we want
The story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23
- God doesn't see a "point of no return" in our lives
Not only considering the characteristics of God but also examining the responses of the other humans in the stories

Additional Resources

Lyrics
The story behind the song on YouTube

This Week's Challenge

Read Luke 15 and write in your study journal all the characteristics of God you see in the parables there. On another day, read John 4 and discover the characteristics that our Savior displayed. Write those down, too! Read Luke 18 and consider the clarity of the blind beggar and Christ's response. Read Luke 23 and explore the profound truth of God revealed in Christ's reply. Make the most of the stories we explored this week!

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#84: "To the Only God" by Aaron Shust Sep 28, 2015

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If you want a wonderful worship song full of Scripture and God's names, "To the Only God" by Aaron Shust is the song for you! If you want to learn three new ways to approach God's Word to inspire you to look at it in new ways, this podcast episode is for you!

The Book of Jude is rich in application to our lives today. I can't wait for you to jump in with both feet!

In this episode, I discuss the following:

The story behind the song as told by Aaron Shust himself in a YouTube Video
The meaning of the word "Doxology"
Christian music is not a substitute for reading God's Word for yourself
The macro approach to reading Scripture - taking in the whole picture
- Using section headlines as a tool
- Warning about section headlines
- Describing the book in the time it takes an elevator to change floors
The research approach - understanding the background to add richness
- Jude 1:5 - read Exodus as research
- Jude 1:6 - read Revelation as research
- Jude 1:7 - read Genesis 18-19 as research
- Jude 1:11
  - Research the story of Cain in Genesis 4
  - Research the story of Balaam in Numbers 22
  - Research Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16
The micro approach - focusing on small details
- Take this approach AFTER the macro approach
- Breaking down the words in a verse
- Using the English dictionary as a tool (just as Siri!)

Additional Resources

Lyrics and story behind the song on Aaron Shust's website

This Week's Challenge

Read Jude! Try taking the macro approach by writing an elevator summary and sharing it with a friend. Try the research approach by chasing down some of those stories from the Old Testament that Jude mentions. Try the macro approach by focusing on a verse or two to ponder, meditate on, unpack, study, and internalize.

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#83: "Even So Come" by Kristian Stanfill Sep 21, 2015

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There are many days when the moment my head hits my pillow, the prayer that rises is, "You can come back any time now, Lord." This is John's sentiment found in Revelation 22:20 and the song's message, "Even So Come" by Kristian Stanfill. This week, we will explore a small part of what God's Word says about Christ's return.

Although this is one of my favorite topics to explore, the most important question remains: Will you be ready? I have created a one-page "itinerary" to guide you through 1 Thessalonians, where Christ's return is mentioned in each chapter!

In this episode, I discuss:

The longing we should have to see Jesus face-to-face
What Jesus says of His return in Luke 17 - Luke 17:26-30
The writers of the New Testament were in the last days...we are in the last seconds
Life will be "business as usual" on the day Christ returns...and that will be the scoffers' strongest argument - 2 Peter 3:3-4
God's timetable - 2 Peter 3:8-9 & Psalms 90:4
Using cross-references as a Bible interaction tool with the warning that they can lead to distraction!
The meaning of the word "quickly" in the Greek when Jesus says, "Surely I come quickly" - Revelation 22:20
God has already planned the day Christ will return because he declares the end from the beginning - Isaiah 46:9-10
God has not kept Christ's return a secret from us - Amos 3:7
Although the day will come like a thief in the night, believers will not be surprised - 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2 & 1 Thessalonians 5:4
We won't know the day or the hour, but we can know the seasons and the signs
Every chapter in 1 Thessalonians mentions the return of Christ, so I created a free resource to guide you through that letter

Additional Resources

Lyrics
Inside the Music - KLOVE - Watch the YouTube Video here

This Week's Challenge

Download this week's free resource and explore 1 Thessalonians, where every chapter references the return of Christ. This simple one-page resource will guide you through this letter to the Thessalonians and challenge you to be prepared for your Savior's return.

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#82: "From the Day" by I Am They Sep 14, 2015

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There is an eternal hope that we can look forward to. Our salvation begins when we become followers of Christ, but it is a forever kind of salvation. "From the Day" by I Am They is a song that celebrates this salvation but also leads us to exciting descriptions of what our forever salvation will look like.

I can't wait to share with you what I found in Scripture this week!

In this episode, I discuss:

The story behind the song as told in an article by Kevin Davis on NewReleaseToday.com
One of the key verses the band infused into the song - Isaiah 51:11
When we accept the salvation our Redeemer Jesus Christ offers, we will enter the holy city crowned with everlasting joy
Comparing Isaiah 51:6 to Revelation 21:1-4 and Isaiah 65:17-19 to see aspects of the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem
Comparing our current state where death, sorrow, mourning, and sadness prevail with our eternal promise of joy, happiness, and delight and the ABSENCE of the former
The promise of restoration like Eden of old in Isaiah 51:3 and the description of an Eden-like environment in Revelation 22:1-5
God's justice as a light to the nations in Isaiah 51:4 and God's presence as the new source of light in Revelation 21:22-23
How we can enjoy hanging out with God in His Word even if we never have any wonderful "aha" moments of application

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Read Isaiah 51 and Revelation 21 several times in several translations. Slip into Revelation 22 and explore the promised Eden-like environment, and maybe even head over to the beginning of Genesis to compare and contrast. Get really clear on what is coming for those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life...perhaps it will help your current circumstances fade into the background in light of the brilliance of our forever with the Eternal.

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#81: "Cast My Cares" by Finding Favour Sep 07, 2015

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With all the distractions around us, it is important to get really clear on what God wants to be the center of our attention. Like a fancy camera lens, let's focus clearly and allow the troubles of this world to blur in the background. "Cast My Cares" by Finding Favour leads us straight to 1 Peter and what God's Word teaches us about accomplishing this clarity.

Are you truly willing to trade the troubles of this world for God's peace?

In this episode, I discuss:

The lyrics of the song that point to our memory verse this week - 1 Peter 5:7
The Bible interaction tool of reading the entire text - watch the whole movie!
The Bible interaction tool of listening to the text while on the go - YouVersion App
The Bible interaction tool of prayer to ask God for His power to stay focused and understand
The Bible interaction tool of reading out loud to remove distractions
How Peter begins with the end in mind in his letter - 1 Peter 1:3-5
What our center of interest should be...what should we be focusing on anyway?
How do we get focused?
- Gird up the loins of our mind - 1 Peter 1:13
- Be sober - 1 Peter 1:13
- Rest our hope on the coming grace - 1 Peter 1:13
- Don't conform - 1 Peter 1:14
- Be holy - 1 Peter 1:16
- Be purified by obedience 1 Peter 1:22
Some of the distractions Peter discusses in the letter
The context of our memory verse
A prayer of blessing over you - 1 Peter 5:10

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Read all of 1 Peter. Try the tools I used this week. Listen to the audio version of 1 Peter, read it out loud, pray before reading, and try reading in a new version...or better yet, read it several times in several versions. I just scratched the surface of this powerful letter of instruction from someone who had suffered, made some pretty embarrassing choices, and matured in the Lord.

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#80: "Beyond Me" by tobyMac Aug 31, 2015

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"I have it all under control." That's where I like to be...or at least feel. But my Father wants me to trust HIM; He wants me to trust that HE has it all under control. That is why He allows so much of my life to be "beyond me." TobyMac's song, "Beyond Me," leads us to Jeremiah 33 this week, where we explore a group of people in desperate circumstances "beyond" their ability even to imagine a way out.

Let's see what we can learn about God as we dig into God's Word.

In this episode, I discuss:

The thrill of knowing that God has plans for me that are "beyond me" - Isaiah 55:8
The comfort of knowing that even though my circumstances may be "beyond me," they are not beyond HIM
The overwhelm I feel when I don't have everything under control
Jeremiah's situation in Jeremiah 33 and the predicament of the people of God - Jeremiah 33 VOICE
I consider how far "beyond me" God really is, as found in Jeremiah 33:2
How the people of God were taking pieces of their previous glory and way of life to build defenses to protect themselves - similar to a discussion we had in Episode 72 when we discussed Nichole Nordeman's "The Unmaking"
The word "nevertheless" and what comes after it puts God's nature on display as compared to our difficulties
Being inspired to seek out a word that resonates and use it to jump into God's Word...for yourself!
An article on the story behind tobyMac's song, "Beyond Me," and how it lead me to Jeremiah 33 - New Release Today Article
How we must call on God as He commands in Jeremiah 33:3, ask Him and listen to what He has in store
Reading in a different translation as a Bible Interaction Tool
How we sometimes approach God's Word for answers and what we get is God's response..."I AM the answer!"

Additional Resources

Lyrics
tobyMac himself on the story behind the song - YouTube Video

This Week's Challenge

Read Jeremiah 33 for yourself! Pray before you start and ask God to reveal anything in this text that may be "beyond" you. Practice active reading. Read slowly for understanding, revelation, and application. Pull out your study journal and jot down questions, applications, and all-around interesting things you read. The last half of Jeremiah 33, which I did NOT discuss in today's episode, is thrilling! I can't wait for you to read it for yourself!

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#79: "Exhale" by Plumb Aug 24, 2015

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What does your life breathe out? What is your exhale? Plumb's song, "Exhale," inspires me to breathe in as much truth, love, and grace as I can hold so that truth, love, and grace are what I breathe out. This week, we explore the story of Rahab and discover what her life's "exhale" was.

Rahab's confession was a declaration of her faith in God. What is your confession? Use this week's free resource to guide you!

In this episode, I discuss:

The opportunity we have to respond to the revelation of God and to learn from the experiences of others
Rahab's story, as told in Joshua 2
Rahab's confession to the spies - Joshua 2:9-11
Rahab's choice to see God's works as a revelation of Who He is and Who He could be to her rather than something to fight against
The free resource I developed to go along with this episode to help you dig deeper
The story behind the song - New Release Today Article
What Rahab's life "exhaled" or sent forth
- Salvation - for herself and her family - Joshua 2:12-14, Joshua 6:22-23
- Adoption - into the community of God - Joshua 6:25
- Legacy - Rahab was grafted into the lineage of Christ as Boaz's mother - Matthew 1:5
  - I mention Boaz in Episode 13 and Episode 72 as well
- Example - of faith in action
By faith Rahab was not destroyed - Hebrews 11:31
Rahab's confession in Joshua 2 reveals God's revelation to her but ultimately leads her to action
Rahab's actions are proof of her faith - James 2:25
The Greek word dikaioó- cleared of all charges
What will our life "exhale?"

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Download this week's free resource and dive into this story. Using this simple one-page resource will guide you to Joshua, where the primary story is told, and then to Exodus and Numbers to see for yourself what Rahab and her people had heard about. Finally, it will help you examine Rahab's confession and guide you to make your own confession. I'm really excited about this resource for you, so don't miss out!

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#78: "Brother" by NeedToBreathe Aug 17, 2015

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Relationships. Can't live with them, can't live without them. This week's song, "Brother" by NeedToBreathe, leads us to discover some of the brother relationships in the Bible. Just like in the band, these relationships are not always smooth sailing. There is, however, a wonderful example of two "spiritual brothers" that is worth looking into.

I can't wait to discover new things as we look at the friendship between Jonathan and David.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

The story behind the song "Brother" by NeedToBreathe - Tennessean Article
The free resource I created to help you explore the topic of "brothers"
The five elements of adventure and how I relate them to interacting with God's Word - Source: MattWalker.com
Meet Jonathon, son of King Saul - 1 Samuel 14
Meet David, son of Jesse - 1 Samuel 16
How alike David and Jonathan are
The significance of the items Jonathan gave David in their covenant relationship - 1 Samuel 18:3-4
What Jesus taught about spiritual brothers vs. biological brothers

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

You are welcome to explore David and Jonathan's relationship further by reading 1 Samuel, but I have created a free resource to assist you in exploring Scripture by using the topic of "brothers." I've entitled it "Oh Brother, Exploring a Topic in Scripture," and it is a simple one-page tool to help you get started. You will need to choose one or all of the examples I list of brother relationships...Cain & Abel in Genesis 4, Jacob & Esau in Genesis 25-33, Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37-45, and the prodigal son in Luke 15. Follow the free resource; it will guide you through the process step by step...I even include an example. Ready to take on this week's adventure?

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