New Songs, Same Humanity | Week 4 of 4

Jul 29

Key Bible Verses

Song of Solomon 2:7
Genesis 2:18; 29:35
Ephesians 5:25-27
Joshua 9:14-16
Proverbs 11:14; 15:22
Luke 14:28, 31, 33
Matthew 10:16; 18:21-22

Digging Deeper

In this world, we often experience brokenness and pain in our relationships, bodies, and hearts. Unfortunately, things that seem perfect and whole can eventually reveal their brokenness. As humans, we feel the pain and sorrow that comes with damaged and shattered situations and things. We know God sees the hurt and loss and knows the weight of our burdens as we try to piece together the broken parts of our lives. God teaches us that only He can mend and heal us as we follow Jesus and live life His way.

Often, too, we come to God with a heavy heart that aches for what once was or what could have been. We are burdened by lost dreams and unfulfilled desires that haunt our thoughts, making our souls feel unfilled and restless. Hopes and dreams that we desire seem out of reach, and weariness sets in from chasing after them.

Amid shattered and broken dreams and hopes, we confidently turn to God, who promises to heal, restore, and redeem. God provides us peace and the courage to accept the things we cannot change. As we trust in God, we can let go of our worries and struggles and surrender our hearts and dreams to God. Knowing that His plans are greater than our own, we are nurtured as we find hope and purpose in living a life that trusts and glorifies God no matter our circumstances.

What Not To Miss

This week, we are looking at a medley of Taylor Swift's songs over the years rather than one song by an artist.

Taylor Swift:

She is extremely talented—she can switch music genres.
She is wickedly creative—with words and through story-telling.
She has loyal fans.
She engages those fans with authenticity and vulnerability.
She has not been afraid to air her dirty laundry in the public sphere.

Taylor Swift’s awards and achievements:

Swift’s most recent studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, became her 14th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.
The Fearless Tour in 2009 grossed over $63 million.
Time Magazine reported, “By the end of 2023–less than halfway through the tour’s scheduled 152-show run–the Eras Tour had earned over $1 billion to become the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.”
Of the 1,248 award nominations she has received, Swift has won 785 awards.

I shouldn’t have to, but let me be clear: I don’t approve of all her music.

Artist and their music express:

What they believe.
What questions they have about life.
What their hurts, habits, and hang-ups are.
What they value.
What they love.
What they worship.

It seems Swift has been tortured in life by:

Love relationships that have gone south.
Business deals gone sour.
Probably unresolved and unreleased unforgiveness.

Instead of being a Condemning Christian, I want to be a Christian Counselor.

I believe what Swift feels and sings about resonates with millions of fans and people worldwide.

The question:
How do we have a life that is nurtured rather than tortured?

The answer:
Following Jesus and His way of life rather than our desires and our own way of life leads to a life of nurture rather than torture.

Jesus and His Word give us a framework for:

How to engage in relationships.
How to engage in business deals, projects, and big decisions.
How to respond to the hurt that has been done to us.

A Biblical Framework for a Love Relationship

Priority of a Love Relationship

Principle: Awaken love when you find the “one.”
Principle: Don’t look for “one” who will complete you.

Prototype of a Love Relationship

Principle: Find the “one” who will love you like Jesus.

Process of a Love Relationship

Principle: Relationships do not come in a “one”-size fits all.
- COURT while you SORT. (Friendship)
- DATE when you’re ready to find a MATE. (Serious)
- ENGAGE to prep the STAGE. (Promise)
- MARRY for MISSION. (Covenantal Partnership)

A Biblical Framework for Big Decisions and Business Deals

Listen to the Lord.
Ask Advisors.
Count the Cost/Clarify the Calling.
Discern the Danger.
All of the above is done by walking by faith and being filled with the Spirit of God.

A Biblical Framework for Forgiveness
What forgiveness does:

Forgiveness prevents the vigilante valve from pressurizing.

What forgiveness is not:

Forgiveness is not forgetting.
Forgiveness is not freeing the offender from consequences.

What forgiveness is:

Forgiveness is freeing the offender from the prison you want to put them in.
Forgiveness is freeing you (the offended) from the prison the offense puts you in.
Forgiveness is freeing God to be Sovereign over the offender and the offended.

How you can biblically forgive:

Know God has forgiven you in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
When you’ve received Jesus’ forgiveness and have been reconciled to Him, He becomes your King, His ways become your ways, and His life becomes the standard and measurement by which you live yours.

When Jesus is your Savior and King

You will have a framework for your love relationship.
You will have a framework for your decision-making.
You will have a framework for forgiveness.

The result:
When you embrace Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, your life will be less tortured and more nurtured.

Life Application

During this week, reflect on the good things in your life and consider broken, difficult, and painful circumstances that you are going through or have gone through in the past. Let God’s peace and comfort surround you. Consider how you can trust God’s perfect timing when things are difficult or not easy to understand, knowing He is working all things for your good. “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Small Group Discussion Questions

Describe something that you are looking forward to in the future.
How do we biblically deal with love relationships that have gone sour?
How do we biblically deal with big decisions and business deals?
How do we biblically deal with forgiveness?
What practical ways can we be nurtured rather than tortured as we embrace Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life?

Daily Devotional Bible Passages

Day 1: Love-1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Colossians 3:14
Day 2: Decision Making-James 1:5-6; Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 11:14
Day 3: Forgiveness-Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14; Colossians 3;13
Day 4: Confidence-Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 7:7-8; Philippians 4:6-7
Day 5: Salvation-John 3:16; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9

Prayer

Lord, I am thankful I can come to you when my life is filled with great love, joy, and happiness or in dark times and challenging circumstances when my heart and spirit are tortured and broken. You are my constant source of strength, comfort, and guidance. Your love and grace nurture me, filling me with hope and peace that comes only from You. I am never alone because You are my strength and refuge, always with me, never forsaking me. Give me the courage to face any struggles, peace of mind in the midst of chaos, hope in the midst of despair, willingness to forgive others, and faith to trust in your plan for my life. May I live my life positively and confidently, knowing that You, my Lord and Savior, are beside me every step of the way.