Tag Archives: B.I.T.E. – Follow the cross references

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Podcast #282: “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by Michael W. Smith

Sometimes you’re in a battle, and sometimes you just feel like a weight is bearing down on you, immobilizing you. The King James Version of the Bible calls this a “spirit of heaviness.” The English Standard Version calls it a “faint spirit.” No matter the description that fits you best, our Savior has given us a great exchange. Michael W. Smith sings about it in his song, “Surrounded (Fight My Battles).”

Explore Isaiah 61 with me as put on the garment of praise in exchange for the spirit of heaviness.

  • Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
    • Meditate
    • Pray Scripture
    • Write out Scripture
    • Speak Scripture aloud
    • Journal
    • Follow the cross-references
    • Make a list
  • Michael W. Smith’s reference to Isaiah 61 in the opening of his song
  • The terrible exchange of a spring of living water for a broken cistern in Jeremiah 2
  • The glorious exchanges listed in Isaiah 61:1-3
  • The proven battle plan of leading out in praise – 2 Chronicles 20
  • Putting on the garment of praise through singing, speaking, journaling, praying and remembering
  • My “Garment of Praise” playlist on Spotify – Spotify link
  • Following the cross reference in Isaiah 61 to Luke 4:16-21
  • Considering the giver of the garment of praise in Isaiah 61:3
  • The expected result of this great exchange – Isaiah 61:3
  • Considering being rooted in Colossians 2 and planted in Psalm 1
  • How God’s greatest glory IS my greatest good
  • Making a list of who “they” are that these gift are for
  • Making a list of the expected accomplishments of the transformed “they”
  • Another great exchange in Isaiah 61:7
  • Our praise response in Isaiah 61:10-11

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Additional Resources

This Week’s Challenge

Perhaps you are suffering from a faint spirit. Remember that Christ was anointed to bring you the good news and a gift…a garment of praise in exchange for your faint spirit. Read Isaiah 61 this week and explore all of the details it offers us while using the Episode 282 to give you the tools to do so. Put on the garment of praise this week. Ponder through singing, write out Scripture, speak out Scripture, incorporate Scripture into your prayers, and call out to God all that He has done for you.

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Podcast #280: “Greatness of Our God” by Newsboys United

It’s time. It’s time to get a little excited about how great God really is. Strike up the band (or at least Newsboys United’s song “Greatness of Our God”) and turn to Psalm 150, because it’s time to acknowledge the greatness of our God.

Do you keep a record of the mighty works of God?

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #277: “Look Up Child” by Lauren Daigle

This week’s episode is in tribute to my mentor’s daughter. In life and in death she inspired others to lift their faces to the One Who could save them. That’s why Lauren Daigle’s song “Look Up Child” inspires us to explore Scripture today.

Let’s dive in to some key Scriptures where God’s people are called to look up and live.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #274: “Find You Here” by Ellie Holcomb

Challenges in our lives will never stop coming. Like waves that ebb and flow in strength and number, our trials and suffering come in and go out, but they never stop coming. The solution is to fix our eyes on God and the hope revealed in His Word. Ellie Holcomb’s song “Find You Here” reminds us that He is in the midst of each ordeal…even the darkest ones.

Peter knew he needed to prepare believers for fiery trials, too. Let’s let our song lead us there this week.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #272: “Scars” by I Am They

It’s the hardest experiences that often shape us the most. While they may be excruciating in the moment, when we persevere, these trials lead to greater character and hope. “Scars” by I Am They sings of this very phenomenon. May we be strengthened by our scars, not broken by them.

There is a man deeply scarred that you may have missed in the Old Testament. Let’s read about him together!

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #269: “Just Want You” by Sarah Reeves

There’s a level of devotion that I see in a young Moabite woman in the Old Testament that I want to emulate. Sarah Reeves’ song “Just Want You” led me to the book of Ruth this week where I was moved by the characteristics of allegiance that I long to see in my own life toward my Savior.

You can’t emulate what you don’t understand, so let’s dive in together.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #262: “What a Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship

We can learn so much through the study of the names of God. Hillsong Worship’s song, “What a Beautiful Name,” puts the name of Jesus front and center in a moving song of worship. How much more powerful will this song be when you invest some time in discovering and contemplating a few names revealed in God’s Word?

Let’s go to the beginning with Jesus, shall we?

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #258: “Maybe It’s Ok” by We Are Messengers

Your emotions and feelings are real, but they are not reliable. This week we will use “Maybe It’s Ok” by We Are Messengers to explore the truth about God so that we can truly say, “It’s okay that I’m not okay.”

We can trust God to hold it all together even when we feel like it’s all falling apart. Let’s discover this together in Scripture.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #251: “These Christmas Lights” by Matt Redman

Opening Our Hearts to the Light of the World

Lights are a major part of modern-day Christmas decorating traditions. It’s what completes the tree, or lights up small-town streets. The lights of Christmas and Matt Redman’s Christmas song “These Christmas Lights” are our inspiration to explore Scripture all about the Light of the World.

Use the lights of Christmas to remind you that Jesus is the true light.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #239: “Even Then” by Micah Tyler

Praising Like Habakkuk Even When Your World is Falling Apart

There’s no free pass from suffering for Christians. I wish there were. I have dear friends who are wrestling with God during sickness, conflict, strife, and injustice. Habakkuk wrestled, too. In fact, his name means embrace like a wrestler. May we embrace God’s character through faith while wrestling through our circumstances. Perhaps Micah Tyler’s song “Even Then” can be a part of the soundtrack.

You will be refreshed at Habakkuk’s honesty as we study the entire three chapters of this prophet’s contribution to God’s Word.

On this week’s episode I discuss:

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