Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

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Scripture for Today episodes

  • Psalm 112

    Sunday's Sermon:

    Aliso Creek Church Sermons

    Passage:
    1 Hallelujah!
    Happy is the person who fears the Lord,
    taking great delight in his commands.
    2 His descendants will be powerful in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
    3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
    4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright.
    He is gracious, compassionate, and righteous.
    5 Good will come to the one who lends generously
    and conducts his business fairly.
    6 He will never be shaken.
    The righteous one will be remembered forever.
    7 He will not fear bad news;
    his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord.
    8 His heart is assured; he will not fear.
    In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
    9 He distributes freely to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.
    His horn will be exalted in honor.
    10 The wicked one will see it and be angry;
    he will gnash his teeth in despair.
    The desire of the wicked leads to ruin. -- Psalms 112:1-10 (CSB)

    Song:

    Those Who Fear the Lord (Psalm 112) by Wendell Kimbrough

    Lyrics:

    Those who fear the Lord love what God commands
    See their children grow mighty in the land
    They will be the light when the darkness falls
    They will be the help everyone else calls

    Storms will surely come enemies will rage

    Those who fear the Lord will not be afraid
    Look into the future far as you can see
    Those who fear the Lord will be flourishing

    Wicked men will grow angrier with hate

    Those who fear the Lord they will still give grace
    Steady in their hearts giving to the poor
    Merciful and just those who fear the Lord
    Abbreviated Passage:

    Prayer:

    Lord, I thank you that you give us the bread of life. All around me people are looking for meaning, satisfaction, freedom, connection. But these are all aspects of deep spiritual hunger, and only your grace and your face can satisfy that. Keep me from their cosmic wild goose chases. Let me taste and see that you are good. Amen.

    8 min
  • Psalm 15

    Passage:

    1 LORD, who can dwell in your tent?
    Who can live on your holy mountain?

    2 The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness,

    and acknowledges the truth in his heart—
    3 who does not slander with his tongue,
    who does not harm his friend
    or discredit his neighbor,
    4 who despises the one rejected by the LORD
    but honors those who fear the LORD,
    who keeps his word whatever the cost,
    5 who does not lend his silver at interest
    or take a bribe against the innocent—
    the one who does these things will never be shaken.
    (Psalm 15:1-5 CSB17)

    Song:

    Psalm 15 by Poor Bishop Hooper

    Lyrics:

    Who may worship in Your sanctuary?
    Who may find You on Your holy hill?
    Who may enter in Your presence?
    Who may see Your glory and still stand, still stand, still stand?
    Still stand, still stand, still stand
    Who may worship in Your sanctuary?
    Who may find You on Your holy hill?
    Who may enter in Your presence?
    Who may see Your glory and still stand, still stand, still stand?
    Still stand, still stand, still stand

    Make us those whose lives are blameless

    Make us those with sincere hearts
    Make us those who keep their promise
    Even when it hurts, and hurts, and hurts, and hurts
    Hurts, and hurts, and hurts

    Prayer:

    O Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow after us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
    -Book of Common Prayer

    6 min
  • Deuteronomy 4:1-9

    Passage:

    1 “Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed every one of you who followed Baal of Peor. 4 But you who have remained faithful to the LORD your God are all alive today. 5 Look, I have taught you statutes and ordinances as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to possess. 6 Carefully follow them, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call to him? 8 And what great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?

    9 “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.

    (Deuteronomy 4:1-9 CSB17)

    Song:

    Christ our Wisdom by Bob Kauflin, Jonathan Althoff, and Nathan Stiff

    Lyrics:

    Christ our wisdom we are humbled
    When You hide Your ways from us
    You have purposes unnumbered
    Each one good and glorious
    Help us trust when we grow weary
    Free us from our anxious thoughts
    Give us grace to see more clearly
    You are God and we are not

    Christ our wisdom be our gladness

    When we fail to understand
    You ordain all joy and sadness
    To fulfill Your perfect plan
    Help us know You rule with power
    Over every raging flood
    In our most uncertain hour
    You are God and we are loved

    Christ our wisdom we will follow

    Though the way ahead is veiled
    As we journey through the shadows
    Grant us faith where sight has failed
    Help us cling to Your commandments
    Strengthened by Your faithful Word
    We will never be abandoned
    You are God and we are Yours

    Christ our wisdom we adore You

    For the beauty of the cross
    Once in foolishness we scorned You
    But Your blood has ransomed us
    Help us sing the endless mercies
    Of Your humble heart to save
    Christ our wisdom Christ our glory
    You are God forever praised

    Help us sing the endless mercies

    Of Your humble heart to save
    Christ our wisdom Christ our glory
    You are God forever praised

    Prayer:

    Sunrise marks the hour for toil to begin, but in our souls, Lord, prepare a dwelling for the day that will never end.
    -Ephrem the Syrian

    8 min
  • Mark 7:1-23

    Passage:

    1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him. 2 They observed that some of his disciples were eating bread with unclean—that is, unwashed—hands. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, keeping the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they have washed. And there are many other customs they have received and keep, like the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and dining couches.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating bread with ceremonially unclean hands?”

    6 He answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written:

    This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me.
    7 They worship me in vain,
    teaching as doctrines human commands.

    8 Abandoning the command of God, you hold on to human tradition.” 9 He also said to them, “You have a fine way of invalidating God’s command in order to set up your tradition! 10 For Moses said: Honor your father and your mother; and Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death. 11 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or mother: Whatever benefit you might have received from me is corban’” (that is, an offering devoted to God), 12 “you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. 13 You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other similar things.”

    14 Summoning the crowd again, he told them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

    17 When he went into the house away from the crowd, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don’t you realize that nothing going into a person from the outside can defile him? 19 For it doesn’t go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated” (thus he declared all foods clean). 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

    (Mark 7:1-23 CSB)

    Song:

    Purify by Elevation Rhythm and Elizabeth Rosa

    Lyrics:

    Wash me in Your blood, in the water of Your love
    Only You can baptize me, hmmm
    Bring me back to life, Holy Spirit Fire
    Only You can baptize me, hmmm

    You're enough for me, You're all I need

    Purify me, only You can purify
    You're enough for me, You're all I need
    Purify me, only You can purify

    Wash me in Your blood (In the water)

    The water of Your love (Oh)
    Only You can baptize me, hey
    So bring me back
    Bring me back to life (Holy Spirit Fire)
    Holy Spirit Fire
    Only You can baptize me, oh

    You're enough for me, You're all I need

    Purify me, only You can purify
    You'rе enough for me, You're all I need

    Glory, glory

    There’s a party in Heaven, we're invited in, oh-woah
    Chains are breakin'
    Saints are praisin'
    There’s a party in Heaven, we're invited in, (Ayy, woah-oh)
    Hallelujah
    Glory, glory
    There’s a party in Heaven, we're invited in (Chains are breakin')
    Chains are breakin' (Saints are praisin')
    Saints are praisin' (Woo)
    There’s a party in Heaven and we're joinin' in, Hallelujah
    Hallelujah
    Glory, glory
    There’s a party in Heaven, we're invited in

    Prayer:

    I beg you, most loving Savior, to reveal yourself to us, that knowing you we may desire you, that desiring you we may love you, that loving you we may ever hold you in our thoughts.
    -Columbanus

    12 min
  • Ephesians 6:10-20

    Passage:

    10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.
    (Ephesians 6:10-20 CSB17)

    Reflection:

    Song: Battle Belongs by Brian Johnson and Phil Wickham
    Lyrics:

    When all I see is the battle

    You see my victory
    When all I see is a mountain
    You see a mountain moved
    And as I walk through the shadow
    Your love surrounds me
    There's nothing to fear now
    For I am safe with You

    So when I fight I'll fight on my knees

    With my hands lifted high
    O God the battle belongs to You
    And every fear I lay at Your feet
    I'll sing through the night
    O God the battle belongs to You

    And if You are for me

    Who can be against me
    For Jesus there's nothing
    Impossible for You
    When all I see are the ashes
    You see the beauty
    When all I see is a cross
    God You see the empty tomb

    (An) Almighty Fortress You go before us

    Nothing can stand against
    The power of our God
    You shine in the shadows
    You win every battle
    Nothing can stand against
    The power of our God

    O God the battle belongs to You

    9 min
  • Psalm 32:1-11

    Sunday’s Sermon:

    Aliso Creek Church Podcast

    Passage:
    1 Do not be agitated by evildoers;
    do not envy those who do wrong.
    2 For they wither quickly like grass
    and wilt like tender green plants.

    3 Trust in the LORD and do what is good;

    dwell in the land and live securely.
    4 Take delight in the LORD,
    and he will give you your heart’s desires.

    5 Commit your way to the LORD;

    trust in him, and he will act,
    6 making your righteousness shine like the dawn,
    your justice like the noonday.

    7 Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for him;

    do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
    by the person who carries out evil plans.

    8 Refrain from anger and give up your rage;

    do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.
    9 For evildoers will be destroyed,
    but those who put their hope in the LORD
    will inherit the land.

    10 A little while, and the wicked person will be no more;

    though you look for him, he will not be there.
    11 But the humble will inherit the land
    and will enjoy abundant prosperity.
    (Psalm 37:1-11 CSB)

    Song:

    The Day of the Lord (Psalm 37) by Wendell Kimbrough

    Lyrics:

    It’s not long ’til the boastful
    Are silenced and shamed
    It’s not long ’til the wealth
    Of the wicked’s reclaimed
    And the ones who have waited
    With eyes on the Lord
    Will shine like the sun forevermore
    It’s not long ’til the Day of the Lord

    Just be still and be faithful

    And dwell in the land
    Put your trust in the Savior
    And cling to his hand
    When your heart burns with anger
    For all that is wrong
    Do not let the dark steal your song
    It’s not long ’til the Day of the Lord

    It’s not long till the Day of the Lord

    It’s not long till the Day of the Lord
    Everything that is broken will soon be restored
    It’s not long till the Day of the Lord

    Do not fear for the wicked

    With weapons of war
    For the Lord is the shelter
    And strength of the poor
    And our God comes with laughter
    Let him be your joy
    The power of the sword he’ll destroy
    It’s not long till the Day of the Lord

    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.

    9 min
  • Ephesians 5:15-33

    Passage:

    15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk ​— ​not as unwise people but as wise ​— ​16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

    22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. 27 He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless. 28 In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 since we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband. -- Ephesians 5:15-33 (CSB)

    Song:

    Covenant by Bethany Barnard

    Lyrics:

    Oh the Covenant, that we are living in
    It's more than rings on hands
    It's a yes to the unknown
    And in seasons of drought
    Or when famine comes around
    We go to the storehouse
    To the one who is always faithful

    We are holding on, holding on

    Yes we are holding on to Him
    As He is holding on, holding on
    To our Covenant

    Oh we can feel the ache, a sovereign

    Hand turns the page
    What was easy to say
    Is now staring us down
    Is it till death do us part
    Or till a change of heart
    Feelings go so far, but
    Where are we when they're gonе

    We are holding on, holding on

    Yes wе are holding on to Him
    As He is holding on, holding on
    To our Covenant
    Oooooooh

    We reflect the greater story

    Of our King and His bride
    We're not hidden, but shine brightly
    Bearing with us in the night
    Ooooh

    We are holding on, holding on

    Holding on to Him

    Prayer:

    Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
    -Book of Common Prayer

    10 min
  • John 6:60-69

    Passage:

    60 Therefore, when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard. Who can accept it? ”

    61 Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, asked them,“Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 But there are some among you who don’t believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him.) 65 He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father.”

    66 From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you? ”

    68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” -- John 6:60-69 (CSB)

    Song:

    Show Us Christ by Bob Kauflin and Doug Plank

    Lyrics:

    Prepare our hearts O God
    Help us to receive
    Break the hard and stony ground
    Help our unbelief
    Plant Your Word down deep in us
    'Cause it to bear fruit
    Open up our ears to hear
    Lead us in Your truth

    Show us Christ show us Christ

    O God reveal Your glory
    Through the preaching of Your Word
    Until every heart confesses Christ is Lord

    Your Word is living light

    Upon our darkened eyes
    Guards us through temptations
    Makes the simple wise
    Your Word is food for famished ones
    Freedom for the slave
    Riches for the needy soul
    Come speak to us today

    Where else can we go Lord

    Where else can we go
    You have the words of eternal life

    Prayer:

    Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
    -Book of Common Prayer

    10 min
  • Joshua 24:1-2, 14-25

    Passage:

    1 Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and summoned Israel’s elders, leaders, judges, and officers, and they presented themselves before God.
    2 Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.

    14 “Therefore, fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship the Lord. 15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship ​— ​the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

    16 The people replied, “We will certainly not abandon the Lord to worship other gods! 17 For the Lord our God brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery, and performed these great signs before our eyes. He also protected us all along the way we went and among all the peoples whose lands we traveled through. 18 The Lord drove out before us all the peoples, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will worship the Lord, because he is our God.”

    19 But Joshua told the people, “You will not be able to worship the Lord, because he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions and sins. 20 If you abandon the Lord and worship foreign gods, he will turn against you, harm you, and completely destroy you, after he has been good to you.”

    21 “No! ” the people answered Joshua. “We will worship the Lord.”

    22 Joshua then told the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you yourselves have chosen to worship the Lord.”

    “We are witnesses,” they said.

    23 “Then get rid of the foreign gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

    24 So the people said to Joshua, “We will worship the Lord our God and obey him.”

    25 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people at Shechem and established a statute and ordinance for them.

    -- Joshua 24:1-2,14-25 (CSB)

    Song:

    Holy Forever by Brian Johnson, Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Phil Wickham, sung by Chris Tomlin and the band CAIN

    Lyrics:

    A thousand generations falling down in worship
    To sing the song of ages to the Lamb
    And all who've gone before us
    And all who will believe
    Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

    (Jesus) Your name is the highest

    Your name is the greatest
    Your name stands above them all
    All thrones and dominions
    All powers and positions
    Your name stands above them all

    And the angels cry Holy

    All creation cries Holy
    You are lifted high Holy
    Holy forever

    If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed

    Sing the song forever to the Lamb
    If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name
    Sing the song forever to the Lamb
    We'll sing the song forever and amen

    Hear Your people sing Holy

    To the King of Kings Holy
    You will always be Holy
    Holy forever

    You will always be Holy

    Holy forever

    Prayer:

    Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and grant us your peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    -The Gregorian Sacramentary

    11 min
  • Psalm 16

    Passage:

    Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.
    2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    I have nothing good besides you.”
    3 As for the holy people who are in the land,
    they are the noble ones.
    All my delight is in them.
    4 The sorrows of those who take another god
    for themselves will multiply;
    I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
    and I will not speak their names with my lips.
    5 Lord, you are my portion
    and my cup of blessing;
    you hold my future.
    6 The boundary lines have fallen for me
    in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
    7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me —
    even at night when my thoughts trouble me.
    8 I always let the Lord guide me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
    9 Therefore my heart is glad
    and my whole being rejoices;
    my body also rests securely.
    10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol;
    you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
    11 You reveal the path of life to me;
    in your presence is abundant joy;
    at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
    -- Psalms 16:1-11 (CSB)

    Song:

    Fullness of Joy (Psalm 16) by Caroline Cobb and Shane Barnard

    Lyrics:

    O God, You are my refuge
    I know without You
    I have no good thing
    O God, You are my portion
    My chosen portion
    You are what I need
    No other god beside You
    You hold my lot and fill my cup
    Oh beautiful inheritance
    You are enough

    In Your presence, there is fullness

    There is fullness of joy
    At Your right hand, there is goodness
    Boundless goodness
    Forevermore
    I choose You, Lord

    O God, You go before me

    You're right beside me
    In my darkest night
    My God, You hold my future
    My hope it rests secure
    In the finished work of Christ
    My heart is glad, my soul rejoices
    You hold me fast, You won't let go
    Your ways are good, and good for me
    I'm Yours and Yours alone

    In Your presence, there is fullness

    There is fullness of joy
    At Your right hand, there is goodness
    Boundless goodness
    Forevermore
    I choose You, Lord
    I choose You, Lord

    Your Holy One has risen up

    He's overcome the grave
    The path of life is opened wide
    For He has made a way
    Your Holy One has risen up
    He's overcome the grave
    The path of life is opened wide
    For He has made a way

    In Your presence, there is fullness

    There is fullness of joy
    At Your right hand, there is goodness
    Boundless goodness
    Forevermore
    I choose You, Lord

    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.
    -Book of Common Prayer

    11 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…