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

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#67: "Good Fight" by Unspoken Jun 01, 2015

Show notes

Do you ever feel like you are leaving one battle for another day after day? "Good Fight" by Unspoken leads us to the New and Old Testaments to see what Scripture teaches us about "fighting the good fight."

I cover a lot of ground this week, and I hope you will take the time to dig into Scripture for yourself. We can all use tips to better "fight the good fight" of our faith.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Reading 1st and 2nd Timothy all at once to get the big picture
- If you are not familiar with these letters from Paul to Timothy, read them in an easy-to-read translation like New Living Translation or New International Version
- If you are familiar with many of the passages in these letters, read them in an unfamiliar version. I used The Voice translation online at www.BibleGateway.com
The background of the relationship between Paul and Timothy
Focusing in on the three verses that specifically mention the "good fight" - 1 Timothy 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:12 & 1 Timothy 4:7
Paul teaching Timothy to fight the good fight through prayer
To fight the good fight is to persevere
Paul teaching Timothy to fight the good fight by running from evil and pursuing righteousness
Nehemiah's good fight to rebuild the wall and one of his enemies, Sanballat
Description of the characteristics of Nehemiah's enemy
Lessons from Nehemiah in fighting a good fight

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Follow my journey this week by reading all of 1st and 2nd Timothy. Make some lists and ponder how Paul's instructions equipped Timothy to fight the good fight. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, draw some conclusions on what tactics God wants you to employ to fight your good fight. Then, head over to Nehemiah and read that story. Focus on how Nehemiah led his people to fight the good fight. I gave you four conclusions, but you may discover more.

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#66: "You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)" by Michael W. Smith May 25, 2015

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Sometimes, we need to stop the struggle and just worship. While this week's song might show up more in Sunday Morning Praise than on the weekly radio playlist, it is full of inspiration to jump into Scripture. Join me as I take "You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)" by Michael W. Smith and jump into God's Word this week.

I'll give you a "behind the scenes" look at how I develop each podcast episode!

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Being inspired by the kids at Christian Youth Theater
My secret weapon in finding Scripture...Google
In seeking to find Scripture about God being holy, I couldn't hide from His call that I be holy as well - 1 Peter 1:16
The power of the cross reference and how it led me to Leviticus 11:44
The interlinear tool in BibleHub.com and how it led to Strong's #6918
Following the same process for "mighty" and how it led to Zephaniah 3:17
Following the same process for "worthy" and how it led to Revelation 4:11
The A.C.T.S. structure for prayer
My daughter's podcast, "More Than a Name"

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Pick a name of God and follow the pattern I discussed in today's episode. Go to BibleHub.com and search for that name of God. Choose a verse to explore. Read it in the parallel verses screen, where you can read it in various translations. Read it in context...read the verses/chapters around it. Hunt down some cross-references, explore the interlinear function, and experience some "aha" moments for yourself.

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#65: "American Dream" by Casting Crowns May 18, 2015

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Even though we don't build idols out of wood in modern-day America, we still worship "things" made with our own two hands. This week's song, "American Dream" by Casting Crowns, weaves a tale all too familiar in our culture today. However, Jesus gives us a different path to take.

Join me on a journey through Scripture this week as we consider our idols and our response to the challenge given by Christ Himself.

In this episode, I discuss:

How we glamorize investing in "success"
How anything we build with our own two hands is an idol - Habakkuk 2:4-5, 18-19
Striving for wealth is treacherous and keeps us from rest
Building our life with our own two hands is like building a house on the sand - Matthew 7:24-27
The Bible interaction tool of using section headings in Scripture to build an outline
The danger of thinking you are safe whether you obey or not - Deuteronomy 29:18-19
The danger of viewing your circumstances as "proof" of anything - Jeremiah 44:16-18

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Read Matthew 5-7 all the way through several times. Then, take out your journal and write each section title in your journal with a synopsis of how you can obey the teaching of Christ in this section. You may feel like a saint in some sections, whereas in others, you may be quite convicted! Then, intentionally seek to obey...building your life on a solid foundation to withstand the storms of life.

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#64: "We Won't Be Shaken" by Building 429 May 11, 2015

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In Psalm 62, King David describes how his two-faced enemies view him as a broken down wall or a toppling fence. You can just picture him teetering on the verge of destruction, but he teaches us to run to God, our fortress, where we won't be shaken. This week's song, "We Won't Be Shaken" by Building 429, reiterates the same.

I pray you don't delay! Run to your rock and salvation! Place your trust in God, your fortress...in Him, we will not be moved!

In this episode, I discuss the following:

How my friend thought of this song after spending time in Scripture
Where Jesus tells Peter that He prayed for his faith to withstand the "violent shaking" the enemy was seeking to inflict on him - Luke 22:31-32
The cross reference that led to Psalm 62:2
We can take shelter in God so that we will not be shaken
Bible interaction tools
- Study Bible commentary
- Cross references
- Prayer
- Reading in various translations
Trusting in God and pouring your heart out to Him
Our response to two-faced bullies who want to give us a good shove and topple us over like a leaning wall or fence - Psalm 62:3-8
Using Psalm 62 to lead us to pray a powerful prayer

Additional Resources

The story behind the song - CBN.com
Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Read Psalm 62 in various versions and try one of the other Bible interaction tools we discussed in this episode. Chase down a few cross-references, pick up your study Bible, and read the commentary. Finally, spend time in prayer adoring, confessing, thanking, requesting, and using Scripture to help you "build" a powerful prayer. However, when you are in prayer this week, don't forget to wait quietly before the Lord and listen, too!

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#63: "First" by Lauren Daigle May 04, 2015

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Why is it that as soon as I decide I am going to commit to a new discipline, that commitment is immediately tested? I don't think that it's a coincidence that as soon as I chose Lauren Daigle's song, "First," as this week's jumping-off point, I immediately began struggling with seeking God FIRST!

I have a feeling we all share in this struggle. I can't wait to dive into God's Word with you this week!
In this episode, I discuss:

Teaching my kids to "put first things first"
Putting my list first, but not putting God at the top of my list
The importance of "first" to God in Scripture
Cain as an example of "some" and Abel as example of "first" - Genesis 4:3-7
Jesus' detailed teaching to His disciples - Matthew 5-7
What happens when we place our questions, worries and concerns first
I want to be more concerned with who God is than what He can do for me
I want to seek God's face before I seek His hand
A new Bible study resource I am using - Unpack Your Heart by Melissa D'Aunoy
Sitting at the feet of Jesus FIRST

Additional Resources

Story behind the song and lyrics by New Release Tuesday

This Week's Challenge

Read Matthew 5-7 because that is the complete teaching from which we took this week's Scripture focus. Our focus verses may be pretty familiar to you, so read them in various translations this week. You can do this for free using BibleHub.com or BibleGateway.com. Finally, try something new. Put on a Pandora station (or online radio equivalent) like "relaxation radio" that plays calming music, and find a quiet place and sit in God's presence. Let Him minister to your soul...He wants to meet you there.

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#62: "The Maker" by Chris August Apr 27, 2015

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God is creative. He never tires of finding new ways of speaking to you. This is made so clear through Chris August's song, "The Maker." As we use this song to step into God's Word, may we simultaneously step outside. May we stop, look and listen to the Creator revealing His eternal power and divine nature through His creation.

We can develop a deeper understanding of the Maker by developing our ability to appreciate the masterpiece of creation that the Maker has blessed us with.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

We can see God's invisible qualities through everything God has made - Romans 1:20
The Maker LOVES YOU!
Seeing the familiar in a fresh light
Learning to appreciate the Artist through His masterpieces
Being open to new ways that God wants to speak to you
The Maker has given all of heaven and earth to us to enjoy its beauty - Psalm 115
Rejecting God and trading God's truth for a lie leads to worshiping created things rather than the Creator - Romans 1:18-25
No aspect of creation will ever compare to the expression of love God gave us through the gift of His Son
Story behind the song - an interview with Chris August by Kevin Davis with NewReleaseTuesday.com
The first step of stepping out in faith should be to the Word of God

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Stop, look and listen to God's creation -- He gave it to us to enjoy its beauty, but wants our response to be worship and trust...not in what has been made, but in the Maker. Read Psalm 115 and then read Romans chapter 1 and then read them again. Ask God to speak to you through His Word this week. Then go outside and take a picture of where you see your Maker this week. I don't care when you're listening to this podcast. Join me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Post pictures of where you saw your Maker today and tag them with #themaker and #morethanasong so we can all come together as a body across this earth that God has blessed us with and experience His voice through His creation!

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#61: "Come As You Are" by Crowder Apr 20, 2015

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As a culture we are not good at reality. We are good at hiding it, faking it, denying and escaping it, but good ole' reality...we're not so good at. This week's song, "Come As You Are" by Crowder, forced me to evaluate my own reality and reminded me of a lesson I learned recently.

Of course, it also sent me searching through Scripture where we meet a hopeless fellow often referred to as "The Prodigal Son".

In this episode, I discuss the following:

A story about an artist and a beggar
It's okay NOT to be okay
"Necessary Endings" by Dr. Henry Cloud
Awareness of hopelessness is what finally causes people to wake up, realize that an ending must occur and finally feel energized to do it
The Lost Son and how he had to get to the place of hopelessness in order to make a change and return to his father - Luke 15:11-32

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Spend some time in Luke 15 and 16 this week. At the beginning of the section Scripture I read on this week's podcast is the phrase, "To illustrate the point further." Your next question should be, "What point?" We focused on the hopelessness of the Lost Son in this passage, but the purpose of the story is to talk about why He chose to eat with "notorious sinners!" He even told several parables to make His point and threw in a couple more to make some fresh point to key members of His audience -- the Pharisees...the religious elite. Read the parable we read on this week's podcast in context of all these others and it will really come to life for you.

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#60: "Marvelous Light" by Ellie Holcomb Apr 13, 2015

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Isn't it funny how a lyric tucked into a song can jump out at you? That's what happened to me this week when I was listening to "Marvelous Light" by Ellie Holcomb. Of course, we'll talk about stepping out of darkness into God's marvelous light, but we'll also tackle the struggle between wanting to be known and afraid of being known.

We never do any of it without plunging into Scripture!

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Deep down in all of us is a desire to be known
Deep down in all of us is a fear of being known
We were designed by God to display God's identity
Ellie's perspective of not knowing that it was okay to NOT be okay
The pattern
- God designed it one way - Genesis 1:26-27
- We choose another way - Genesis 3:6
- We hear Him calling out to us
- We hide in shame (or denial) - Genesis 3:7-8
- All He wants is relationship - Hosea 2:8, 19-20; Hosea 6:6-7
- Deep down we want relationship, too, but are in the bondage of fear in the darkness...afraid to walk into the light
We cannot hide from God - Psalms 139:1, 11-12
Jesus is the Light - Isaiah 9:2
He brings freedom - Romans 8:1-2
Our identity is with God in Christ - 1 Peter 2:10, Hosea 2:23
All of this is that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into his MARVELOUS LIGHT - 1 Peter 2:9

Additional Resources

This Week's Challenge

Spend some time reading in Hosea this week. The prophets in the Old Testament were often asked by God to do some fairly painful and humiliating things in order to display God's message to His people. Don't get bogged down in the parts you can't understand. I think you will be able to get the big picture even if you don't understand the details of what is happening in the history of the nation of Israel. Be sure to read an introduction to Hosea in a study Bible or online to give you some historical context (see links under Additional Resources). It is only 14 chapters so you should be able to read it in one or two sittings. Be sure to underline key verses and journal your thoughts as you read. As always, pray before you read God's Word. Ask God for wisdom and revelation. Remember, if you don't get to know God better, you have missed the point of reading His Word. Right here, in Hosea, God tells us of His desire for His people to KNOW Him. We are His people

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#59: "Jesus Messiah" by Chris Tomlin Apr 06, 2015

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CLICK HERE for the free episode resource.
I uncovered a special assignment given by God this week just by reading the context of a verse quoted in this week's song by Chris Tomlin. "Jesus Messiah" is full of Scripture and leads us straight to God's Word and to the heart of His task for us. Then the song leads us back to a heart of worship.

It's going to be an adventure this week!

In this episode, I discuss the following:

The first lyric of the song comes straight from Scripture! - 2 Corinthians 5:21
Rhythm and rhyme tuck Scripture deep into the recesses of your mind
How we get distracted from the tasks at hand
God's task for us found in 2 Corinthians 5:15, 18-21
The Greek word for reconciliation
We are God's ambassadors
Article discussing the meaning of the statement "He BECAME sin" found in our song and verses this week
Resource I created to assist in studying the Scriptures referenced by this week's song (Click Here)
Messiah means Anointed One

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Use the resource I created to meditate on the Scriptures that relate to each lyric in this week's song. It will really make the song come alive, and in turn, the Scripture will come alive to you as you pair the two. Bonus points will be awarded if while you're meditating on a verse it inspires you to read it in context! (Click Here for the resource)

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#58: "Drops In The Ocean" by Hawk Nelson Mar 30, 2015

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Do you have a list of reasons why you think God is not FOR you? Well, God has his own list of reasons to prove He IS for you, which can be found in Romans chapter 8. That is right where Hawk Nelson's song, "Drops In The Ocean," leads us this week. Along with a sneak peek at one of the disciples of Christ.

God's Word is an adventure! Accept the challenge of the quest for understanding!

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Why my daughter, Emily, picked this song for the podcast
The story behind the song video
Where in the Word it tells us that God is FOR us (like the lyrics say) - Romans 8:31
Using our curiosity to send us to explore the context (verses before and after) around a verse you are studying
Thinking critically about what we are reading and giving ourselves mental margin to process what we are learning
The "wonderful things" Paul is talking about as his justification of his statement that God is for us - Romans 8:18-30
Who can be against us? NO ONE! - Romans 8:31-34
A sneak peek at the Apostle Thomas and a new insight as to why he asked to see Jesus' hands and side - John 20:19-23
Christ's response to Thomas and us - John 20:26-29

Additional Resources

Lyrics

This Week's Challenge

Read Romans 8 this week. Read it several times in several versions. Slow down and absorb what God has said here for yourself! With so many rich truths, you will surely reap the reward of your investment.

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