Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

By Aliso Creek ChurchReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Scripture for Today episodes

  • Philippians 4:4-9

    Passage:

    4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

    8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable ​— ​if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy ​— ​dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

    -- Philippians 4:4-9 (CSB)

    Song:

    Angels We Have Heard on High by Edward Shippen Barnes, James Chadwick, Jonathan Smith, and Phil Wickham

    Lyrics:

    Angels we have heard on high
    Sweetly singing o'er the plains
    And the mountains in reply
    Echoing their joyous strains

    Gloria Gloria

    In excelsis Deo
    In excelsis Deo
    Gloria Gloria
    In excelsis Deo
    In excelsis Deo

    Shepherds why this jubilee

    Why your joyous strains prolong
    What the gladsome tidings be
    Which inspire your heavenly song

    Come to Bethlehem and see

    Him whose birth the angels sing
    Come adore on bended knee
    Christ the Lord the newborn King

    Abbreviated Passage:

    6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

    Prayer:

    Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    8 min
  • Psalm 85

    Passage:

    1 Lord, you showed favor to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
    2 You forgave your people’s guilt;
    you covered all their sin. Selah
    3 You withdrew all your fury;
    you turned from your burning anger.
    4 Return to us, God of our salvation,
    and abandon your displeasure with us.
    5 Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger for all generations?
    6 Will you not revive us again
    so that your people may rejoice in you?
    7 Show us your faithful love, Lord,
    and give us your salvation.
    8 I will listen to what God will say;
    surely the Lord will declare peace
    to his people, his faithful ones,
    and not let them go back to foolish ways.
    9 His salvation is very near those who fear him,
    so that glory may dwell in our land.
    10 Faithful love and truth will join together;
    righteousness and peace will embrace.
    11 Truth will spring up from the earth,
    and righteousness will look down from heaven.
    12 Also, the Lord will provide what is good,
    and our land will yield its crops.
    13 Righteousness will go before him
    to prepare the way for his steps. -- Psalms 85:1-13 (CSB)

    Song:

    Of the Father’s Love Begotten by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, sung by Ordinary Time

    Lyrics:

    Of the Father's love begotten
    Before the worlds began to be
    He is Alpha and Omega
    He the source the ending He
    He the source the ending He

    Of the things that are

    That have always been
    That future years shall see
    Alleluia God is with us
    Evermore and evermore
    Evermore and evermore

    O you heights of heav'n adore Him

    Angel hosts His praises sing
    Pow'rs dominions bow before Him
    Lord of lords and King of kings
    Lord of lords and King of kings

    Let no tongue on earth be left silent

    'Til ev'ry voice in concert rings
    Alleluia God is with us
    Evermore and evermore
    Evermore and evermore

    Jesus Christ with God the Father

    And the Spirit one in three
    Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
    And unwearied praises be
    Let unwearied praises be

    All the glory honor wisdom pow'r

    And eternal victory
    Be to God who now is with us
    Evermore and evermore
    Evermore and evermore
    Abbreviated Passage:
    9 His salvation is very near those who fear him,
    so that glory may dwell in our land.
    10 Faithful love and truth will join together;
    righteousness and peace will embrace.
    11 Truth will spring up from the earth,
    and righteousness will look down from heaven.

    Prayer:

    Let your mighty hand and outstretched arm, O Lord, still be our defense; your mercy and loving kindness in Jesus Christ your dear Son, our salvation; your true and holy Word, our instruction; your grace and Holy Spirit, our comfort and consolation unto the end, and in the end. Amen. 
    -John Bradford

    7 min
  • Zephaniah 3:14-20

    Passage:

    14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
    shout loudly, Israel!
    Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
    Daughter Jerusalem!
    15 The Lord has removed your punishment;
    he has turned back your enemy.
    The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
    you need no longer fear harm.
    16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
    “Do not fear;
    Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
    17 The Lord your God is among you,
    a warrior who saves.
    He will rejoice over you with gladness.
    He will be quiet in his love.
    He will delight in you with singing.”
    18 I will gather those who have been driven
    from the appointed festivals;
    they will be a tribute from you
    and a reproach on her.
    19 Yes, at that time
    I will deal with all who oppress you.
    I will save the lame and gather the outcasts;
    I will make those who were disgraced
    throughout the earth
    receive praise and fame.
    20 At that time I will bring you back,
    yes, at the time I will gather you.
    I will give you fame and praise
    among all the peoples of the earth,
    when I restore your fortunes before your eyes.
    The Lord has spoken. -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 (CSB)

    Song:

    Angels from the Realms of Glory (Emmanuel) by Brenton Brown, Henry Thomas Smart, James Montgomery, Michael Rossback, Paul Baloche

    Lyrics:

    Angels from the realms of glory
    Wing your flight o'er all the earth
    Ye who sang creation's story
    Now proclaim Messiah's birth
    Come and worship
    Come and worship
    Worship Christ the newborn King

    Shepherds in the field abiding

    Watching o'er your flocks by night
    God with man is now residing
    Yonder shines the infant light
    Come and worship
    Come and worship
    Worship Christ the newborn King

    Emmanuel Emmanuel

    You are the God who saves us
    Worthy of all our praises
    Emmanuel Emmanuel
    Come have Your way among us
    We welcome You here Lord Jesus
    Come have Your way among us
    We welcome You here Lord Jesus

    Come and worship

    Worship Christ the newborn King
    God is with us even now His love is here

    His love is here

    Emmanuel Emmanuel

    Emmanuel Emmanuel

    Prayer:

    O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    8 min
  • Ruth

    Sunday’s Sermon:

    Aliso Creek Church Podcast

    Passage:

    8 Naomi said to them, “Each of you go back to your mother’s home. May the LORD show kindness to you as you have shown to the dead and to me. 9 May the LORD grant each of you rest in the house of a new husband.” She kissed them, and they wept loudly.

    10 They said to her, “We insist on returning with you to your people.”

    11 But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, 13 would you be willing to wait for them to grow up? Would you restrain yourselves from remarrying? No, my daughters, my life is much too bitter for you to share, because the LORD’s hand has turned against me.” 14 Again they wept loudly, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Follow your sister-in-law.”

    16 But Ruth replied:

    Don’t plead with me to abandon you
    or to return and not follow you.
    For wherever you go, I will go,
    and wherever you live, I will live;
    your people will be my people,
    and your God will be my God.
    17 Where you die, I will die,
    and there I will be buried.
    May the LORD punish me,
    and do so severely,
    if anything but death separates you and me.

    13 Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. He slept with her, and the LORD granted conception to her, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel. 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became a mother to him. 17 The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

    (Ruth 1:8-17; 4:13-17 CSB)

    Song:

    What Child Is This? By William Chatterton Dix and Chris Tomlin

    Lyrics:

    What Child is this who laid to rest
    On Mary's lap is sleeping
    Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
    While shepherds watch are keeping

    This this is Christ the King

    Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
    Haste haste to bring Him laud
    The Babe the Son of Mary

    So bring Him incense gold and myrrh

    Come peasant king to own Him
    The King of kings salvation brings
    Let loving hearts enthrone Him

    Raise raise a song on high

    The virgin sings her lullaby
    Joy joy for Christ is born
    The Babe the Son of Mary (Mary)

    Nails spears shall pierce Him through

    The cross He bore for me for you
    Hail hail the Word made flesh
    The Babe the Son of Mary

    Prayer:

    This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

    8 min
  • Luke 3:1-6

    Passage:

    1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
    2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

    A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

    Prepare the way for the Lord;

    make his paths straight!

    5 Every valley will be filled,

    and every mountain and hill will be made low;

    the crooked will become straight,

    the rough ways smooth,

    6 and everyone will see the salvation of God. -- Luke 3:1-6 (CSB)

    Song:

    Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley, Rita West Gernon, Rowland Hugh Prichard

    Lyrics:

    Come Thou long expected Jesus
    Born to set thy people free
    From our fears and sins release us
    Let us find our rest in thee
    Israel's strength and consolation
    Hope of all the earth thou art
    Dear desire of every nation
    Joy of every longing heart

    Born thy people to deliver

    Born a child and yet a King
    Born to reign in us forever
    Now thy gracious kingdom bring
    By thine own eternal Spirit
    Rule in all our hearts alone
    By thine all sufficient merit
    Raise us to thy glorious throne

    You're our joy

    You're our hope

    Israel's strength and consolation

    Hope of all the earth thou art
    Dear desire of every nation
    Joy of every longing heart

    Prayer:

    The Lord’s Prayer
    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

    9 min
  • 1 Corinthians 4:8-21

    Passage:

    8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us ​— ​and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! 9 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.

    14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. 15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

    18 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? -- 1 Corinthians 4:8-21 (CSB)

    Song:

    He Comes by Kate Bluett, Paul Zach

    Lyrics:

    He comes the Lord's anointed One
    And we shall see His face
    As clear as if the rising run
    Poured out the light of grace
    He comes and we shall hear His voice
    Not as some distant sound
    But tones that make the heart rejoice
    When love long lost is found

    He comes not to the wise and great

    But to the bound and poor
    So low Himself that potentates
    Must kneel to pass His door
    He comes with favor in His hands
    Our empty souls to fill
    To make a highway through the sands
    And bid the storms be still

    He comes and we shall go to Him

    Set free from ancient chains
    Adorned in mercy's diadem
    To glory in His reign
    He comes the Lord as one of us
    He comes to judge the earth
    How wonderful how glorious
    His long-awaited birth

    Prayer:

    Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
    -The Book of Common Prayer

    9 min
  • Psalm 126

    Passage:

    1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
    2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then,
    and our tongues with shouts of joy.
    Then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
    3 The Lord had done great things for us;
    we were joyful.
    4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like watercourses in the Negev.
    5 Those who sow in tears
    will reap with shouts of joy.
    6 Though one goes along weeping,
    carrying the bag of seed,
    he will surely come back with shouts of joy,
    carrying his sheaves. -- Psalms 126:1-6 (CSB)

    Song:

    Psalm 126 by Paul Zach, Isaac Wardell, Orlando Palmer, Liz Vice

    Lyrics:

    Our mouths they were filled, filled with laughter
    Our tongues they were loosed, loosed with joy
    Restore us, O Lord
    Restore us, O Lord

    Although we are weeping

    Lord, help us keep sowing
    The seeds of Your Kingdom
    For the day You will reap them
    Your sheaves we will carry

    Lord, please do not tarry

    All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy
    The nations will say, "He has done great things!"
    The nations will sing songs of joy
    Restore us, O Lord
    Restore us, O Lord

    Although we are weeping

    Lord, help us keep sowing
    The seeds of Your Kingdom
    For the day You will reap them
    Your sheaves we will carry
    Lord, please do not tarry

    All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy

    All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy
    All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy
    All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy

    Prayer:

    O Almighty God, give to your servant a meek and gentle spirit, that I may be slow to anger, and easy to mercy and forgiveness. Give me a wise and constant heart, that I may never be moved to an intemperate anger for any injury that is done or offered. . . . Let no sickness or cross accident, no employment or weariness, make me angry or ungentle and discontented, or unthankful, or uneasy to them that minister to me; but in all things make me like unto the holy Jesus. Amen. 
    -Jeremy Taylor

    8 min
  • Malachi 3:1-5

    Passage:

    1 “See, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the Messenger of the covenant you delight in ​— ​see, he is coming,” says the Lord of Armies.
    2 But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach. 3 He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 And the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord as in days of old and years gone by.

    5 “I will come to you in judgment, and I will be ready to witness against sorcerers and adulterers; against those who swear falsely; against those who oppress the hired worker, the widow, and the fatherless; and against those who deny justice to the resident alien. They do not fear me,” says the Lord of Armies. -- Malachi 3:1-5 (CSB)

    Song:

    O Come, O Come, Emmanuel by Jason Ingram, John Mason Neale, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury, Thomas Helmore

    Lyrics:

    O Come O Come Emmanuel

    O come O come Emmanuel

    And ransom captive Israel
    That mourns in lonely exile here
    Until the Son of God appear

    O Come Thou Dayspring come and cheer

    Our spirits by Thine advent here
    Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
    And death's dark shadows put to flight

    Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel

    Shall come to thee O Israel

    O come Desire of nations bind

    All peoples in one heart and mind
    Bid envy strife and quarrels cease
    Fill the whole world with Heaven's peace

    Shall come to you O Israel

    Prayer:

    Almighty God, enter our hearts, and so fill us with your love, that, forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace you, our only good. Show unto us, for your mercies’ sake, O Lord our God, what you are unto us. Say unto our souls, “I am your salvation.” So speak that we may hear. Our hearts are before you; open our ears; let us hasten after your voice and take hold of you. Amen. 
    -Augustine

    9 min
  • Joshua 2:1-22

    Sunday’s Sermon:

    Aliso Creek Church Podcast

    Passage:

    1 Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men as spies from the Acacia Grove, saying, “Go and scout the land, especially Jericho.” So they left, and they came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab, and stayed there.

    2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelite men have come here tonight to investigate the land.” 3 Then the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they came to investigate the entire land.”

    4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, “Yes, the men did come to me, but I didn’t know where they were from. 5 At nightfall, when the city gate was about to close, the men went out, and I don’t know where they were going. Chase after them quickly, and you can catch up with them! ” 6 But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had arranged on the roof. 7 The men pursued them along the road to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as they left to pursue them, the city gate was shut.

    8 Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. 11 When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. 12 Now please swear to me by the Lord that you will also show kindness to my father’s family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.”

    14 The men answered her, “We will give our lives for yours. If you don’t report our mission, we will show kindness and faithfulness to you when the Lord gives us the land.”

    15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, since she lived in a house that was built into the wall of the city. 16 “Go to the hill country so that the men pursuing you won’t find you,” she said to them. “Hide there for three days until they return; afterward, go on your way.”

    17 The men said to her, “We will be free from this oath you made us swear, 18 unless, when we enter the land, you tie this scarlet cord to the window through which you let us down. Bring your father, mother, brothers, and all your father’s family into your house. 19 If anyone goes out the doors of your house, his death will be his own fault, and we will be innocent. But if anyone with you in the house should be harmed, his death will be our fault. 20 And if you report our mission, we are free from the oath you made us swear.”

    21 “Let it be as you say,” she replied, and she sent them away. After they had gone, she tied the scarlet cord to the window.

    22 So the two men went into the hill country and stayed there three days until the pursuers had returned. They searched all along the way, but did not find them. -- Joshua 2:1-22 (CSB)

    Song:

    O Come All You Unfaithful by Bob Kauflin, Lisa Clow

    Lyrics:

    O come all you unfaithful
    Come weak and unstable
    Come know you are not alone

    O come barren and waiting ones

    Weary of praying
    Come see what your God has done
    Chorus
    Christ is born Christ is born
    Christ is born for you

    O come bitter and broken

    Come with fears unspoken
    Come taste of His perfect love

    O come guilty and hiding ones

    There is no need to run
    See what your God has done

    He's the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon

    His promise is peace for those who believe
    He's the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon
    His promise is peace for those who believe

    So come though you have nothing

    Come He is the offering
    Come see what your God has done

    Prayer:

    This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

    10 min
  • Luke 21:25-33

    Passage:

    25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is near.”

    29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

    -- Luke 21:25-1 (CSB)

    Song:

    Make a Way by Isaac Wardell, Kate Bluett, Paul Zach

    Lyrics:

    Come Son of God and make us new
    Light of the world our hearts renew
    Hope in our inner darkness lies
    Oh healing sun of justice rise

    Come promised since our Eden's end

    Child of the woman come defend
    Long have we felt the serpent's sting
    Come strike his head and mercy bring

    O make a way open wide the gates

    O make a way through the sorrow and the pain
    O make a way though the road is dark and winding
    O come come

    Come Son of Man to show the way

    O through the tears may we see the day
    So long did we in darkness dwell
    Come down to break the chains of hell

    Prayer:

    Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
    darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
    this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
    us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
    again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
    dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
    and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
    for ever. Amen.
    -The Book of Common Prayer

    8 min

About Scripture for Today

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Start or close your day with Scripture for Today! The word of God is always applicable and guides us through the hopes and challenges of our daily lives. Explore the episodes found below of our…