Tag Archives: B.I.T.E. – Read the text aloud

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Podcast #236: “Better For It” by Riley Clemmons

Exploring the Suffering of Joseph in Genesis 37-50

My eyes are different now that I’m older. When something is too close to my face it gets all blurry and I can’t see it clearly. That’s how suffering is. When we’re too close to it we sometimes can’t see clearly how God might be able to use it to develop our character or impact His Kingdom. Riley Clemmon’s song “Better For It” reminds us that our good is on the other side of it all.

Joseph had some growing up to do and his suffering not only made him “better for it,” but changed the course of history.

On this week’s episode I discuss:

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Podcast #199: “I Will Find a Way” by Jason Gray

Discovering God's Way to Our Heart in Isaiah 43

What if Jesus had come to earth in another way? He is God after all. He didn’t HAVE to plan to come as a baby. Have you ever considered why? Jason Gray’s song grapples with this idea in his song “I Will Find a Way” based on a short story, “An Advent Monologue,” by Walter Wangerin Jr.

Join me on a journey to Isaiah 43 where we hear the loving voice of our Father.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #198: “When Hope Came Down” by Kari Jobe

Hearing the Words of the One Who Came Down From Heaven in John 6

There is such a sense of expectancy in the Christmas season. We hope our gifts for others are “just right,” we hope everyone gets along at our various gatherings, we hope to make lasting and meaningful memories, and sometimes we hope for that perfect gift. Before Jesus came the first time, all of creation hoped for God to send the One that would rescue the world. Kari Jobe’s song, “When Hope Came Down,” calls us to examine Christ who “came down” to do the will of the Father.

You and I are included in Father God’s plan. This week we see the express purpose of Hope coming down.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #187: “Poison Tree” by Ghost Ship

Calling Out the Works of the Flesh in Galatians 5

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.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #177: “Shoulders” by For King & Country

Looking Up to the Mountains in Psalm 121

When such a short Psalm reveals so many inspiring characteristics of God, it’s worth our time to spend some time in it. This week’s song, “Shoulders” by For King & Country, leads us right to Psalm 121. In fact, the song begins by quoting the opening verses of Psalm 121!

**This is a repost of Episode #70. I am on vacation in Alaska this week with my family, and I couldn’t resist pulling this one out of the archives because of it’s reference to “the mountains”.**

We’re going to try something new this week to keep your Bible reading engaging! Let’s dive in!

On this episode I discuss:

  • Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
    • Reading Scripture out loud
    • Using background music to keep it interesting
    • Ask questions…out loud! (And then write them down in your journal)
  • Psalm 121
  • The significance of the mountains to the Psalmist
  • Comparing and contrasting the characteristics of home with the characteristics of God
  • Reading individual verses in the parallel setting using BibleHub.com
  • This picture…Evernote Camera Roll 20150620 144904you’ll have to listen to understand!
  • The difference between the Hebrew word for sleep and slumber in Psalm 121:4
  • Making sense of the idea that the Lord keeps us from all harm
  • If our enemy is relentless, God’s mercy is more so

 

 

 

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If you have never heard this song before, you can watch the official music video on YouTube below.

Additional Resources

Download the single or the entire album by clicking the links below

This Week’s Challenge

Pull out Psalm 121 and read it every day. Try reading it in different translations and read it out loud…maybe with some epic background music. Come on! Try it! God isn’t stale…your interaction with His Word shouldn’t be either! I didn’t mention it in the body of the podcast today, but journal your journey! You will be amazed at what will come out when you take time to do that. The Psalmist asked a question…if nothing else, follow the Psalmist’s example and ask a few questions.

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Podcast #166: “Still” by Hillary Scott

Discovering Stillness in the Midst of Chaos in Psalm 46

For some reason I was operating in the assumption that when God instructs us to “be still and know that I am God,” He meant it was supposed to be quiet. However, a closer look at Psalm 46 reveals total chaos, not quiet. Hillary Scott in her song titled “Still” reminds us that God is indeed asking us to be still in the midst of our chaos.

Grab a friend and head over to Psalm 46 with me this week.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #161: “More Than Conquerors” by Steven Curtis Chapman

Rolling Through Romans 8

Has life ever sent you reeling such that it causes you to question your faith in God? Paul has this beautiful list in Romans 8 that if you’re in the middle of any of the scenarios he presents, you may feel that God’s love has “left the building.” However, Paul goes on to teach us something that Steven Curtis Chapman’s song reminds us of — not only can these scenarios never separate us from God’s love, but we are more than conquerors over them.

Join me as I consider Paul’s conclusion in light of the context of Romans 8.

On this episode I discuss:

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Podcast #120: “Great Is Our God” by Plumb

Slowing Down in Psalm 145

The Bible is full of songs of praise. When we consider the words of these songs, we see deep, rich, pattern-altering examples of how to appropriately respond to our great God. The lyrics of “Great Is Our God” by Plumb are reflected in a song written by David and given to us as Psalm 145.

Psalm-145-3-square

Sometimes we blow past these meaningful songs without letting them sink in and transform the way we think. This week we will slow down.

On this episode I discuss:

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