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

Latest Episodes:

#470: "First Things First" by Consumed By Fire Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Putting first things first is a habit of highly effective people. But what are the "first things" for a follower of Christ? How does God rank the things you should be prioritizing above others?

Let's allow Scripture to mold how we interpret the world.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Read in context
- Meditate on Scripture
- Define words
- Read/study various translations
- Compare and contrast
Episode Guide Download
Reading the entire Sermon on the Mount
Recognizing that there's value in continuing to read and keep on reading and a time to stop and explore when interacting with Scripture
Our focus area of Scripture in the "do not" section of the sermon - Matthew 6:19-34
How our inspiration song restates what Jesus is teaching
Three areas we can rank higher than God wants us to
- Stuff
- What we watch (look at)
- Money
Considering the original audience and still applying the principles Jesus is teaching to our current time
How the world may teach that "first things first" is doing the things you have to do before you do the things you want to do, but as believers, we want God to change our priorities, not just the order of our actions
Thinking about what "first" means, especially in light of Jesus, our preeminent One - Colossians 1:18
How God wants a worldview change, but just obeying a commandment taught by men - Isaiah 29:13
Further teaching on how "first" plays out in God's kingdom - Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 20:20-28, Philippians 2:6-7

What you value will show up in how you live — where you spend your time, talents, and treasure.

Additional Resources

Lyrics to "First Things First" by Consumed By Fire -

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#469: "Hallelujah Anyway" by Rend Collective Jul 10, 2023

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Do you praise God amid deep distress? When your circumstances don't change, when the pain doesn't let up, when you feel like you're underwater and can't catch your breath, can you muster a song of praise to God? Rend Collective challenges us to do that in their song "Hallelujah Anyway."

A man in Scripture found himself in deep distress and tragic loss and gave a hallelujah anyway. Let's spend some time exploring Job's story this week.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Listen to an audio version of the text
- Read in context
- Read for a set period of time
- Read and keep on reading
- Remember that the people in the Bible were real
Episode Guide Download
Don't get stuck in one way of interacting with God's Word - Job 33:14
Stay curious as you interact with God's Word
The story behind the song "Hallelujah Anyway" by Rend Collective - New Release Today Article
Why this week's song inspired me to read Job
- Job 1:21
- Job 2:10
- Job 13:15
Some exercises to help you read this long story in context
The power of biblical historical fiction to put flesh on the people described in Scripture
"This book is all about calling into question the reader's views of God and the world" - The Bible Project Podcast
While Job wants to know why he's being afflicted, God just gives him more of Himself - Job 38:1-7
"Love Amid the Ashes: A Novel" by Mesu Andrews - Amazon Paid Link
Job talking about what his life was like before his affliction - Job 29
Words really do hurt - Job 19:2
Job's friends did not characterize God properly - Job 42:8
Keeping your antenna up for "light" and "darkness" language as we talked about in Episode 467

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#468: "For The Love Of God" by Andrew Ripp Jun 26, 2023

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The effects of sin are ravaging our world. Like the devastating locusts stripping the land bare in the book of Joel, we are stripped of meaningful worship owed to Father God. Let Andrew Ripp's song "For The Love Of God" remind you of God's love and his call to action displayed in this minor prophet book.

And let the text lead us to action in our own devastated land.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Share with a friend
- Read the text out loud
- Read in context
- Consult section headings
- Make observations
- Make a list
- Consult an overview
- Pray
The Episode Guide for continued self-study
Overcoming the obstacle of feeling inadequate when it comes to discussing Scripture
- Read the text together
- Get your bearings of the context using section headings
- Make some observations
- Write down any questions
- Pray and ask God to reveal what He wants you to see
- Learn from trusted outside resources
Taking advantage of the "now"
The Bible Project Overview of Joel - YouTube Video
The importance of using even devastating circumstances as launching pads to share with our children - Joel 1:3
How tragedy impacted worship - Joel 1:9
- The symbol of drink offerings - Holman New Testament Commentary - Amazon Paid Link
- The symbol of grain offerings - GotQuestions.org Article
How Joel paralleled the joy of the people drying up like the land drying up - Joel 1:12
The action words God uses toward His people found in Joel 1
Rescue coming through repentance
The references to the "day of the Lord" in Joel
- Joel 1:15

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#467: "Was The Word" by Anna Miriam Brown Jun 12, 2023

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In the beginning. These are the first words of two chapters of the Bible—one in the Old Testament and one in the New. These are also the opening lyrics to Anna Miriam Brown's song "Was The Word" from her musical His Story The Musical.

Join me on the podcast as we explore what "beginning" we're talking about, Who was there, and what happened. It's exactly what you think, yet so much more.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Slow down
- Read the text out loud
- Write out Scripture
- Use your imagination
- Meditate on Scripture
- Compare and contrast
- Journal your thoughts
The Episode Guide for continued self-study
Anna Miriam Brown's musical "His Story The Musical," now being performed live in Texas - His Story The Musical Website
My Friday With Friends episode with Anna - Special Edition: Anna Miriam Brown on Friday With Friends
A previous episode of More Than a Song featuring a song from the musical - Episode #303
Starting in Genesis 1, taking it slow, and meditating on the account of creation - Genesis 1-Genesis 2:3
Heading over to John 1, taking it slow, and meditating on the life and light of men - John 1:1-18
Seeing that Jesus is the Word who was with God in the beginning - John 1:14
A commentary on the true light - John 1:9-18
Jesus commentary on darkness - John 3:16-21
Comparing and contrasting Genesis 1 and John 1
Learning more about The Word - Colossians 1:13-20
The Creator of all things has keeping power

You will never arrive, my friend. There is always MORE of God than you previously understood or experienced.

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Special Edition: Anna Miriam Brown on Friday With Friends Jun 09, 2023

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Welcome to Friday With Friends! I have the distinct privilege of meeting incredible followers of Christ who have amazing ministries, fascinating careers, and incredible hobbies and pet projects that flow out of their identity in Christ.

While my podcast is a solo show, I still want a venue to introduce you to these friends as examples of the multifaceted ways God works in and through His people.

In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting Anna Miriam Brown to talk about her musical "His Story: The Musical," the opening song "Was The Word," her favorite Bible Interaction Tool Exercises, and why she loves God's Word.

Now 23, Anna started writing His Story: The Musical at the age of 16 while on a mission to Africa. A dyslexic, unable to read or write before 9 years old, homeschooled Anna focused instead on the arts before writing her first songs at 15. As a social-media-savvy Gen Z, she sees a chance to reach her generation with the timeless story of light and hope. Anna is an author and illustrator of over a dozen educational books, some bestsellers, for children, especially kids with Dyslexia and teens with their passions and career goals. Anna currently lives in Dallas and travels often doing research for writing projects, which include several new musicals.

Connect With Anna

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#466: "The Lord's Prayer (It's Yours)" by Matt Maher May 29, 2023

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I love singing God's Words back to Him. That's why Matt Maher's song "The Lord's Prayer (It's Yours)" is on my playlist! But the real joy for me was diving into Scripture inspired by this song. There's a lot we can learn from Jesus' teaching on how to pray; let's use this song to remind us of all we've learned.

Follow me to Matthew 6 as we explore the context and the words of the Lord's Prayer more fully.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Read in context
- Use your imagination
- Consult various translations
- Consult an outside resource
- Start with God
- Consider the opposite
The Episode Guide for this week's podcast
The two places in Scripture the Lord's Prayer is recorded - Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4
Approaching God's Word with an open heart to what it actually says, laying aside previous teaching or tradition
Studying the Lord's Prayer in the context of the entire Sermon on the Mount and in the immediate context of Jesus' teaching on prayer
Imagining yourself at the feet of Jesus as He is sharing these truths
Two categories of people who prayed in a manner not consistent with how they should pray - Matthew 6:5-8
Reading Matthew 6:9 in various translations to understand Christ's instruction to "pray like this," not necessarily "pray these words"
A book on prayer that leads us through Scripture's teaching on how to pray - "Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days" by Kay Arthur - Amazon Paid Link
The topics this model prayer leads us through:
- Worship
- Allegiance
- Submission
- Petition and provision
- Confession and forgiveness
- Watchfulness and deliverance
- Back to worship

Put yourself on that mountain at the feet of Jesus. Recognize that you come to His teaching with the influence of teachers, or priests, or pastors, or “insert the name

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#465: "That's The Thing About Praise" by Benjamin William Hastings and Blessing Offor May 15, 2023

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I believe in the promises of God. I've seen God move in miraculous ways in Scripture and in my own life. But I also know from experience that sometimes things don't turn out how I prayed for or in the timing I had hoped for. Benjamin William Hastings and Blessing Offor actually address this in their song, "That's The Thing About Praise."

Join me on the podcast as we look closely at a church family who didn't get the rescue they probably wanted but remained faithful. I can imagine the only way through it for them was a hallelujah.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Make a list
- Read the whole letter
- Pray Scripture
The Episode Guide for this week's podcast
Considering the limitations of sermons that don't prepare you to endure affliction
Recognizing that when we sing "the only way through it is a hallelujah," it means we are removing the focus from our situation to worship God
Areas of Scripture you might study as inspired by the bridge of the song
- Matthew 6 - seek first
- Matthew 17 - faith moves mountains
- 2 Chronicles 20 - the battle was one through praise
- Joshua 6 - the walls fell down
The Thessalonians received the gospel in suffering and held true to the gospel in suffering - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7
Making a list of the characteristics of the Thessalonian church
The culture-changing effect of the gospel on the Thessalonian church - 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10
An especially brutal kind of affliction -- the personal kind - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
What Paul didn't say to encourage the Thessalonian church - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5
Praise tucked into Paul's prayer for the Thessalonian church - 1 Thessalonians 3:9-12
Using Psalm 27 to pray Scripture during times of affliction

He deserves our hallelujah, and everything else fades away because we are giving our praise to Yahweh. We are extolling the greatness--the excellence--of our great God. When we look at the greatness of God, it puts everything else into perspective.

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#464: "I Believe It (The Life of Jesus)" by Jon Reddick May 01, 2023

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Sometimes we know what we believe but aren't studied enough to defend it. The chorus of Jon Reddick's song "I Believe It (The Life of Jesus)" inspired me to search for Scriptural evidence supporting what I believe about the life of Jesus.

Join me as we use this week's song as inspiration to search the Scriptures for why we believe what we believe.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Reader larger chunks of Scripture
- Consider big themes
The Episode Guide for this week's podcast
Making a case for creeds
The Nicene Creed
Combatting bad ideas with truth
The life of Jesus is not just a story - GotQuestions.org Article
- He shows up in extra-biblical texts
- His followers cataloged his life as eye-witnesses - 1 John 1:1-4
- We are blessed in our belief - John 20:29
Jesus holds the keys to death and hell - Revelation 1:17-18
The importance of Christ's resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:14-26
Jesus is coming back again - Acts 1:9-11
- Episode 368
- Philippians 3:20-21
- Titus 2:12-13
- Matt 24:44
The Holy Spirit is with us and in us
- 1 John 4:13
- 1 Thess 4:7-8
- 2 Timothy 1:13-14
- Galatians 4:6
The Holy Spirit gives us power
- Acts 1:8
- Romans 8:11
- Ephesians 3:16
- Romans 15:13
Pulling it all together - Romans 1:1-6

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Special Edition: Dr. Matthew Harmon on Friday With Friends Apr 21, 2023

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While my podcast is a solo show, I still want a venue to introduce you to these friends as examples of the multifaceted ways God works in and through His people.

In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting Matt Harmon to talk about his book "Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible," the book that inspired my BITE, Start With God.

Dr. Harmon, author and Professor of New Testament Studies at Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary, shares his faith, wisdom, and habits that keep his time in God's Word fresh.

Get your own copy of Dr. Harmon's book, "Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible" - Amazon Paid Link. Matt also mentioned "What is Biblical Theology?" by James Hamilton as a good resource to begin exploring this topic - Amazon Paid Link.

Download a complimentary copy of the bookmark with all of the questions from the book HERE!

Connect With Dr. Harmon

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#463: "Desert Road" by Casting Crowns Apr 17, 2023

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How can you step out in obedience regardless of limited understanding, especially when the road ahead looks barren and dry? That's what Casting Crowns sings about in their song "Desert Road" and also what Philip the Evangelist had to do in the book of Acts.

Join me in this thrilling story of the early church as followers show us what it's like to fulfill Christ's calling on their lives and all God does to bring glory to Himself as a result.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Read in context
- Complete a word study
- Define a word
- Meditate on Scripture
- Make observations
- Consult an outside resource
The free one-page PDF Episode Guide to guide your study - Episode 463 Download
The story behind the song "Desert Road" by Casting Crowns - Klove blog article
The featured verse that ties our song to the account in Acts 8 - Acts 8:26
Starting at the beginning of Acts to understand why Philip was in Samaria in the first place and then why he was called to the desert road
The word study on the Greek word martys inspired by Jesus' words, "You will be my witnesses"
Meditating on the idea that to be a witness for Christ includes testifying to what we know to be true but carries with it dying for that belief
Jesus' warning to His disciples in John 15:20-16:4
Making observations in Acts 1-8 specifically around how followers witnesses and where they witnessed
The revival in Acts 8:4-8 and the desert road in Acts 8:26-39
Observations revealed in "Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Acts" by Tony Merida - Amazon Paid Link

The Ethiopian eunuch's soul, forever be in the Kingdom of God, benefited from Philip’s willingness to leave a joy-filled revival to follow the Spirit’s lead down a desert road.