#308: "The God Who Stays" by Matthew West
More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Release Date: 01/27/2020
More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Don't forget to download the Episode Guide for THIS episode . I don't particularly appreciate feeling limited and weak. I'm not too fond of it when what is required of me exceeds my qualifications. I prefer feeling capable and in control. Unfortunately, this preference of mine runs directly opposed to Christ's power resting on me. I learned this and more in my study of Scripture inspired by Anne Wilson's song "Strong." Together, we'll look closely at keywords in a letter from Paul, uncover truths, and then see them played out in an Old Testament narrative. In this episode, I discuss the...
info_outline #477: "Trust In God” by Elevation WorshipMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Don't forget to download the for THIS episode. Download it for free to interact with Scripture for yourself. Have you ever loved a song and found that learning its story made it even more meaningful? That happened to me this week. I was inspired to study Psalm 34 after listening to "Trust In God" by Elevation Worship. Only the story behind the song that I studied isn't the story behind "Trust in God." It's the story behind David's song in Psalm 34. Join me as we read and meditate on Psalm 34 and watch it come to life while studying the "story behind the song." In this episode, I discuss the...
info_outline #476: "What Are We Waiting For" by for KING + COUNTRYMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Don't forget the for THIS episode! Download it for free to interact with Scripture for yourself. Something is keeping us from being a light in our world. A question asked in for KING+COUNTRY's song "What Are We Waiting For?" inspired me to explore what the Bible says about light and our identity as Christ followers to be light. Join me on a journey through the Old and New Testaments to glimpse what we're up against as children of light and how to overcome the darkness. What are you waiting for? In this episode, I discuss the following: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture –...
info_outline #475: "Praise The Lord" by Micah TylerMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Don't forget the for THIS episode! Download it to interact with Scripture for yourself. I see a lot of conversation in the media about positive self-talk. And I get it. Talking negatively about yourself to yourself is not helpful. Inspired by Micah Tyler's song "Praise The Lord," I meditated on King David's self-talk in the Psalms. He pumps himself up by telling his soul to praise the Lord. Biblical self-talk is WAY better than anything you'll read about anywhere else. Let's learn about it together in Psalm 103 this week. In this episode, I discuss the following: Taking a B.I.T.E....
info_outline #474: "Hold On” by Katy NicholeMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
CLICK HERE to download the free episode guide for THIS episode! "Hold on just a little bit longer" is the appeal Katy Nichole says God gives us in her song "Hold On." Does God entreat us to hold on in Scripture? And if so, what are we to hold on to? And what does it look like when we let go? Believe it or not, I got answers to all of these questions and more in my study of God's Word inspired by this song. Join me as we settle into Paul's first letter to Timothy to discover what we should and should not hold on to. In this episode, I discuss the following: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of...
info_outline #473: "Preference" by Rachel MorleyMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
to download the free episode guide for THIS episode! What happens when our preference doesn't line up with God's preference? How can we even know God's desires? I've asked these questions since I was introduced to Rachel Morley's song "Preference." Join me as we explore a time when God's servants did something they 100% thought was right but did not line up with God's preference. 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 Read and keep on reading Ask questions Follow the...
info_outline #472: "Jesus Does" by We The KingdomMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Do you have a favorite singer? Can you recognize their voice even if you're not familiar with the song? I have a friend who is a photographer. I can spot her work right away on social media. Her photos have something about them that acts as a type of signature on her work. When we examine the works of Jesus and get to know them really well, it will be easier to spot Him in places like the Old Testament Scriptures or even daily life. We The Kingdom's song "Jesus Does" inspired me to study the works of Jesus. Join me as we study what Jesus did, does, and will do in the book of...
info_outline #471: "To Not Worship You" by Mercy MeMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Grab your free Episode Guide that complements this podcast episode. Have you ever experienced a heartwarming moment that evokes an irresistible response? Like how can you resist petting a puppy sitting at your feet gazing at you with big round eyes? MercyMe's moving anthem, "To Not Worship You," reminds us of an irresistible response as we contemplate and rehearse God's greatness. Join me as we study Psalm 89 to shift our perspectives and transform the way we think and worship our almighty God. In this episode, I discuss the following: Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this...
info_outline #470: "First Things First" by Consumed By FireMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
GET YOUR 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 Reading the entire Sermon on the Mount Recognizing that there's value in...
info_outline #469: "Hallelujah Anyway" by Rend CollectiveMore Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
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...
info_outlineIf your pattern is to closely examine small chunks of Scripture -- and you never zoom out to see the Grand Story -- you may miss out on the staying pattern of our faithful God. Matthew West's song "The God Who Stays" inspired me to take a fly over approach we see the method of our Master.
Buckle up, we're going to fly high over a lot of ground, but I think it will give us an amazing perspective wherever we land in Scripture next.
On this week's episode I discuss:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Reading in context
- Considering the big story (metanarrative)
- The reason why we are drawn to the "staying" characteristic of God - Psalm 94:14
- Considering the whole of Scripture - all 66 books, over 40 authors, written over 1500 years
- The covenants of God and a useful tool from Bible Project to help you explore them - BibleProject.com
- Consider exploring further these areas of Scripture:
- Genesis 1-3 - creation and fall
- Genesis 6+ - the flood and the Noahic Covenant
- Genesis 11 - the Tower of Babel and the scattering
- Genesis 12 - the Abrahamic Covenant
- Exodus 14 - God's deliverance of His people by the blood of the lamb and by water with the crossing of the Red Sea
- Exodus 19-24 - the Mosaic Covenant
- Joshua and Judges - displaying the pattern of deliverance by God, rebellion by the people, crying out, rinse, and repeat
- 2 Samuel - the Davidic Covenant
- Kings and Chronicles - each king showing that they were not sufficient to bring the people in right relationship with God
- The New Testament as the Light of the World dawns breaking 400 years of silence and bringing all the nations (all who would respond) into the New Covenant
- Entering the New Covenant is made possible only by faith in Christ, who shed His blood to take away the sins of the world - Hebrews 8:6
Additional Resources
- Lyrics and Chords (and guitar tutorial) - EssentialWorship.com
- Bible Project - The Covenants in the Bible
This Week's Challenge
We covered a lot of ground today. If you would like to explore the big idea of covenant further, I highly recommend a resource on covenants by The Bible Project. If there is a story I highlighted that you’ve never read for yourself before, by all means, read it this week! If you just want to meditate on a chunk of Scripture as is our normal weekly pattern, I recommend Psalm 94.