#316: “Alive and Breathing” by Matt Maher feat. Elle Limebear
More Than a Song - Discovering the Truth of Scripture Hidden in Today's Popular Christian Music
Release Date: 03/23/2020
#478: "Strong" by Anne Wilson
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 Worship
More 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 + COUNTRY
More 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 Tyler
More 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 Nichole
More 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 Morley
More 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 Kingdom
More 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 Me
More 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 Fire
More 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 Collective
More 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_outlineGod is worthy of our praise. If He did nothing else for us until the day we see Him face-to-face, we could spend the rest of our days praising Him because of Who He is and what He has already done. Matt Maher's song "Alive and Breathing" reminds us of this truth and then leads us in praise to The One Who is worthy.
Follow me to the psalms as we interact with God's Word this week.
On this week's episode I discuss:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Consult outside resources
- Slow down
- Write out Scripture by hand
- Write out Scripture in your own words
- The current world pandemic and how if we're still alive and breathing we need to be praising the Lord
- How Matt Maher mentions Psalm 150 in an interview about the song - Psalm 150
- The introduction to Psalm 150 in The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon
- A previous episode where I dove into Psalm 150 in depth - Episode 280
- Everywhere, in every way, for who He is AND what He does…if we have breath in our lungs we are to PRAISE. THE. LORD.
- Writing out Scripture by hand and then writing it out in our own words
- How the lyric "joy still comes in the morning" sent me over to Psalm 30
- Joy coming in the morning and Jesus being our bright and morning start - Revelation 22:16
- God's Word and current revelation is a lamp, but Jesus' return is the day dawning - 1 Peter 1:16-21
- A new resource I tried - Ask Ligonier
- Taking off our funeral clothes and putting on a garment of gladness and praise
Additional Resources
- Lyrics, chords, and song session - Essential Worship
- The Story Behind the Song "Alive and Breathing" by Matt Maher - Radio Station Article
This Week's Challenge
I hope that you can take some really intentional time this week to sing your praises and not be silent. If you are still alive and breathing, PRAISE THE LORD knowing that joy comes in the morning. Write out Psalm 150 — then write it out in your own words. Study Psalm 30 and meditate on the glory of our bright and morning star, Jesus Christ.