Life can throw us curve balls that threaten to derail us. In fact, if we aren’t rooted in Christ, we may even fall into despair. Katy Nichole and Naomi Raine sing about everything our God can do, even when we cannot. Their song “Our God Can” gives us a distinct area of Scripture to explore. Once we get there, you may discover even more than you imagined.
When I settled into Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I gained wisdom I can’t wait to share with you.
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
- Historical context
- Consult a map
- Repetition
- Remember, the people in the Bible were real
- Follow the cross-references
- Listen to an audio version of the text
- Episode Guide
- Exploring the historical background of the Philippian church
- Reading about the founding of the Philippian church in Acts 16
- How Paul directly addresses some of the cultural influences of nationalism – Philippians 3:20
- Reading the text for what it actually says but backing up to see the bigger themes
- Reading fast, reading slow, and then picking apart every word (like Fanny in Jane Austen’s “Mansfield Park”)
- Paul’s circumstance did not match his desire – Philippians 1:3-8
- Paul’s circumstance did not stop God from using him – Philippians 1:12-13
- Sometimes people are just plain mean – Philippians 1:14-18
- Paul lived in the tension of his complete devotion to Christ and his complete devotion to those Christ gave him to nurture – Philippians 1:19-26
- The actual context of a verse often taken OUT of context in Philippians 4
God’s Word is set in a particular time, but stands the test of time.
Enjoy the official lyric video below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics – NewReleaseToday.com
- The story behind the song “My God Can” by Katy Nichole – New Release Today Article by Kevin Davis
- My favorite Bible Study Software – Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week’s Challenge
Read and re-read Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This time, when you read it, consider Paul and his circumstances. Get your bearings as to the history of the church here by reading Acts 16. The more you read about Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts and his other letters, the more you understand his passions and how his current circumstances might affect him. Ask yourself, how can I apply Paul’s spiritual maturity to my own circumstances? Unlock the secret to your contentment in all circumstances by fixing your eyes on Jesus, as displayed in Philippians 2.
