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

God's Word challenges and convicts, reveals and comforts. It is an amazing privilege to have access to the words God has preserved for us. Jeremy Camp's song, "Word of Life," sings of effects God's Word can have on our lives. Our efforts this week can bring that impact to life. Join me as we follow a repeatable pattern to interact with God's Word.

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. This is not merely a cliche -- it is played out in every epic story in history. NEEDTOBREATHE's song "Hard Love" reminds us that the difficult obstacles just may be a part of God's design in making us stronger. We discover a valiant warrior in 2 Samuel 23. The real challenge is when we consider what he had to go through to become a valiant warrior.

The Bible has a lot to say about functioning in vibrant relationships. While the song by Casting Crowns, "Broken Together" speaks of a couple dealing with brokenness in marriage, we will use it to uncover some gems that will help us in ALL of our relationships. Great relationships (especially great marriages) don't "just happen." Allowing Scripture to define how we should treat one another is definitely the way to go! 

Sometimes we try to dress up sin to make it acceptable, or even worse, don't address it at all. "Poison Tree" by Ghost Ship doesn't play that game. The song describes the poisonous and ugly nature of sin while contrasting it to the new life Christ offers. If we never inspect sin closely, we'll keep excusing it and miss out on the fruit our lives could bear instead. We'll stay in Galatians this week to explore the dirty rotten truths about the works of the flesh.

Tragedy changes the way we see things. Most often in the midst of tragedy, what is MOST important rises to the surface. Unfortunately, that clarity is often temporary when the "new normal" takes over. Meredith Andrew's song, "Spirit of the Living God," calls on the Holy Spirit to change "what we see and what we seek." My prayer is that it will be a permanent correction. We see glimpses of truths related to the Holy Spirit in Galatians. We'll sit there this week.

Old Testament Scripture is full of models and examples of the things to come -- things that are ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Hebrews even says they are "a shadow" not the "realities." Elevation Worship's song "O Come To The Altar" sent me on a journey to discover the significance of two altars found in the tabernacle of old. Come with me as we peek into the old covenant to better understand the new. I have a feeling it will affect the way you "come to the altar" in the future.

There is a cultural gap between people grounded in the Christian faith and those who are discovering it for the first time, and the language we use contributes greatly to that gap. The lyrics of Selah's song "I Got Saved" may bring joy to the heart of some and confusion to the minds of others. Saved from what? Paul brings clarity to that question in the book of Romans. There is so much to take in this week, join me as we take a bite out of the first part of Paul's letter to the Romans.

Praying Against the Invaders in Psalm 79 inspired by For King and Country's song "O God Forgive Us".

I love it when God weaves memories, music, and Truth together to reveal a beautiful tapestry. I often step back and think to myself, "You've had this picture planned all along." Shane & Shane's rendition of "Psalm 91 (On Eagle's Wings)" takes me back in time. Only this time, God has something new to say through His Word in this season of my life.

Have you ever said a word and all of a sudden begin to question if you are using it properly, or if it's really a word at all? Maybe that's just me, but sometimes I wonder if we really understand the gospel. This week's song, "The Gospel" by Ryan Stevenson, drew me to Scripture to explore and confirm what the good news really is. Come with me on a journey from a dusty prophet's desk, to a crowded synagogue, to a compelling apostle's letter as we consider the gospel.

#180: "Hills and Valleys" by Tauren Wells

#179: "There Is Power" by Lincoln Brewster

#178: "Forgiven" by Crowder

#177: "Shoulders" by For King & Country

#176: "Whole Heart" by Brandon Heath