Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

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Scripture for Today episodes

  • Psalm 14

    Sunday’s Sermon:

    Aliso Creek Church Podcast

    Passage:
    The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.”
    They are corrupt; they do vile deeds.
    There is no one who does good.
    2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the human race
    to see if there is one who is wise,
    one who seeks God.
    3 All have turned away;
    all alike have become corrupt.
    There is no one who does good,
    not even one.
    4 Will evildoers never understand?
    They consume my people as they consume bread;
    they do not call on the Lord.
    5 Then they will be filled with dread,
    for God is with those who are righteous.
    6 You sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
    but the Lord is his refuge.
    7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion!
    When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. -- Psalms 14:1-7 (CSB)

    Song:

    Pensive, Doubting, Fearful Heart by John Newton and Justin Smith

    Lyrics:

    Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
    Hear what Christ the Savior says.
    Every word should joy impart,
    Change thy mourning into praise.
    Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
    May he help thee to believe!
    Then thou presently wilt see,
    Thou hast little cause to grieve.

    "Fear thou not, nor be ashamed,

    All thy sorrows soon shall end.
    I who heaven and earth have framed,
    Am thy husband and thy friend.
    I the High and Holy One,
    Israel's GOD by all adored,
    As thy Savior will be known,
    Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.”

    “For a moment I withdrew,

    And thy heart was filled with pain,
    But my mercies I'll renew,
    Thou shalt soon rejoice again.
    Though I scorn to hide my face,
    Very soon my wrath shall cease.
    ‘Tis but for a moment's space,
    Ending in eternal peace.”

    “When my peaceful bow appears,

    Painted on the watery cloud,
    'Tis to dissipate thy fears,
    Lest the earth should be overflowed.
    'Tis an emblem too of grace,
    Of my cov'nant love a sign.
    Though the mountains leave their place,
    Thou shalt be forever mine.

    Though afflicted, tempest-tossed,

    Comfortless awhile thou art,
    Do not think thou canst be lost,
    Thou art graven on my heart.
    All thy walls I will repair,
    Thou shalt be rebuilt anew,
    And in thee it shall appear,
    What a God of love can do.

    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.
    -Book of Common Prayer

    9 min
  • Ephesians 5:3-14

    Passage:

    3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

    6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ​— ​9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth ​— ​10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:

    Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead,

    and Christ will shine on you.

    -- Ephesians 5:3-14 (CSB)

    Song:

    I Could Sing of Your Love Forever by Martin Smith

    Lyrics:

    Over the mountains and the sea
    Your river runs with love for me
    And I will open up my heart
    And let the Healer set me free
    I'm happy to be in the truth
    And I will daily lift my hands
    For I will always sing
    Of when Your love came down yeah

    I could sing of Your love forever

    I could sing of Your love forever
    I could sing of Your love forever
    I could sing of Your love forever

    Oh I feel like dancing

    It's foolishness I know
    But when the world has seen the light
    They will dance with joy like we're dancing now

    Prayer:

    Keep your Church, O Lord, by your perpetual mercy; and because without you the frailty of our nature causes us to fall, keep us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable for our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    9 min
  • Proverbs 9:1-6

    Passage:

    1 Wisdom has built her house;
    she has carved out her seven pillars.
    2 She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine;
    she has also set her table.
    3 She has sent out her female servants;
    she calls out from the highest points of the city:
    4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here! ”
    To the one who lacks sense, she says,
    5 “Come, eat my bread,
    and drink the wine I have mixed.
    6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
    pursue the way of understanding. -- Proverbs 9:1-6 (CSB)

    Song:

    Wisdom and Grace by Sandra McCracken

    Lyrics:

    Teach us to number our days
    That we may apply our hearts to Your ways
    O! Teach us to number our days
    with wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace.
    Wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace

    You've been our home and our dwelling

    our place in all generations.
    Before the earth or the mountains were formed,
    Lord, You were God.

    Teach us to number our days

    That we may apply our hearts to Your ways
    O! Teach us to number our days
    with wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace.
    Wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace

    Now the span of our lives,

    It is made of sorrow and labor
    As the days pass away like the grass
    How soon we are gone.

    Teach us to number our days

    That we may apply our hearts to Your ways
    O! Teach us to number our days
    with wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace.
    Wisdom and grace

    Let the work of our hands bring you praise,

    set Your favor upon us.
    O establish the work of our hands,
    May Your kingdom come!

    Teach us to number our days

    That we may apply our hearts to Your ways
    O! Teach us to number our days
    with wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace.
    Wisdom and grace, wisdom and grace

    Prayer:

    Almighty God, and most merciful Father, we humbly submit ourselves, and fall down before your Majesty, asking you from the bottom of our hearts, that this seed of your Word now sown among us, may take such deep root, that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to wither, nor the thorny cares of this life choke it. But that, as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold, as your heavenly wisdom has appointed. Amen. 
    -Middelburg Liturgy

    7 min
  • Psalm 147

    Passage:

    1 Hallelujah!
    How good it is to sing to our God,
    for praise is pleasant and lovely.
    2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;
    he gathers Israel’s exiled people.
    3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.
    4 He counts the number of the stars;
    he gives names to all of them.
    5 Our Lord is great, vast in power;
    his understanding is infinite.
    6 The Lord helps the oppressed
    but brings the wicked to the ground.
    7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
    play the lyre to our God,
    8 who covers the sky with clouds,
    prepares rain for the earth,
    and causes grass to grow on the hills.
    9 He provides the animals with their food,
    and the young ravens what they cry for.
    10 He is not impressed by the strength of a horse;
    he does not value the power of a warrior.
    11 The Lord values those who fear him,
    those who put their hope in his faithful love.
    12 Exalt the Lord, Jerusalem;
    praise your God, Zion!
    13 For he strengthens the bars of your city gates
    and blesses your children within you.
    14 He endows your territory with prosperity;
    he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
    15 He sends his command throughout the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
    16 He spreads snow like wool;
    he scatters frost like ashes;
    17 he throws his hailstones like crumbs.
    Who can withstand his cold?
    18 He sends his word and melts them;
    he unleashes his winds, and the water flows.
    19 He declares his word to Jacob,
    his statutes and judgments to Israel.
    20 He has not done this for every nation;
    they do not know his judgments.
    Hallelujah!

    -- Psalms 147 (CSB)

    Song:

    How Good It Is to Sing (Psalm 147) by Brenton Brown, Keith Getty, and Stuart Townend

    Lyrics:

    How good it is to sing
    To bring our praise to Him
    Whose love and mercy knows no end
    He brings the sun and rain
    He calls each star by name
    The universe resounds with praise

    O shout for joy to God and sing a new song

    Extol the Lord of life for His provision
    And He delights in those who love and fear Him
    All those who put their hope in God

    He gathers families

    Orphans and refugees
    And binds the wounds of those who mourn
    The humble lifted high
    The proud He casts aside
    His justice faithful as the dawn

    What friend or foe can last

    Before His icy blast
    The winds and waves obey His voice
    Yet mercy will prevail
    His love will reconcile
    The nations of the earth to Him

    All those who put their hope in God

    All those who put their hope in God

    Prayer:

    We bless you for your preservation of us during the past night; and we desire to acknowledge again our dependence upon you, and our unfeigned obligations toward you. We thank you for having poured down upon us so many blessings of this life; we thank you for our health and strength; for our food and dress; and for all the comforts and conveniences which we enjoy. For these, and for all your various and great mercies, we would render unto you a grateful heart; and we would endeavor to show our gratitude, not with our lips only, but with our lives; by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you, in holiness and righteousness, all our days on earth. Amen. 
    -Henry Thornton

    10 min
  • John 6:56-69

    Opening Prayer:

    John 6 by Jess Ray and Taylor Leonhardt

    Lyrics:

    It doesn't matter if the whole world turns away
    I will stay with You my God, I will stay with You

    For where can I go? Where can I go? Where can I go?

    When only You hold the words of life
    Only You hold the words of life

    It doesn't matter where we're going if You will go with me

    I will stay with You my God, I will stay with You

    For where can I go? Where can I go? Where can I go?

    When only You hold the words of life
    Only You hold the words of life
    Where can I go? Where can I go? Where can I go?
    When only You hold the words of life
    Only You hold the words of life

    No other well's gonna satisfy

    No other word's gonna be my light
    No other love that I'm turning to
    Jesus, You're my breakthrough

    Passage:

    56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

    60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

    66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

    (John 6:56–69 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Nothing But The Blood (PLAINFIELD) by Robert Lowry

    Reflection Notes:

    Lowry wrote several hymns for his congregation’s use in the late nineteenth century. This particular tune is pentatonic (only five notes used per octave) and falls within a small vocal range, which made it accessible for all parishioners to sing and enjoy.

    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 forever. Amen.

    13 min
  • Psalm 1

    Opening Song:

    Like a Tree (Psalm 1) by Caroline Cobb Smith

    Lyrics:

    Blessed is the one who loves Your word
    Your ways are his delight
    Knows that he needs it eat sleeps and breathes it
    Thinkin’ on it day and night

    But sad for the one who walks away

    Sits down with all the scoffers
    Building his kingdom calling it freedom
    Chasing after what the world offers

    I want to be like a tree by the river

    (Tree by the river)
    Oh plant me down by the deep deep water
    (Deep deep water)
    When the sun gets hot my leaves won’t wither
    (Leaves won't wither)
    Oh plant me down like a tree by the river
    Oh plant me down by Your deep deep water

    I want to be like a mighty oak

    Roots growing strong and deep
    When the wind blows the roots gonna hold
    ‘Cause You’re holding on to me
    Yeah You’re holding on to me yeah

    Plant me plant me plant me by the river

    Wash me wash me wash me with Your water

    I want to be like a tree by the river

    (Tree by the river)
    Oh plant me down by the deep deep water
    When the sun gets hot my leaves won’t wither
    (Leaves won't wither)
    Oh plant me down like a tree by the river
    Oh plant me down by Your deep deep water

    Let’s go to the river

    Let’s go to the water

    Passage:

    Blessed is the man[a]
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
    nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
    2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

    3 He is like a tree

    planted by streams of water
    that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
    In all that he does, he prospers.
    4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

    5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
    6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

    Musical Reflection:

    “Be Thou My Vision,” old Irish folk tune

    Reflection Notes:

    The hymn commonly known as “Be Thou My Vision” is set to the tune SLANE, which is an old Irish folk tune. It samples both major and minor tonalities, with a perfect balance between the two.

    Prayer:

    We beseech you, O Lord, to purify our consciences by your daily visitation; that when your Son our Lord comes, he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
    -The Gelasian Sacramentary

    10 min
  • John 6:37-51

    Passage:

    37 Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me but should raise them up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

    41 Therefore the Jews started grumbling about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They were saying, “Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say,‘I have come down from heaven’ ? ”

    43 Jesus answered them, “Stop grumbling among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to me ​— ​46 not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God. He has seen the Father.

    47 “Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” -- John 6:37-51 (CSB)

    Song:

    Jesus, You Come by Jon Guerra and Tenielle Neda

    Lyrics:

    Jesus you come Emmanuel
    Jesus you come Lord of the World
    In obedience sent to the earth
    To live to walk to die to rise
    To bring the Spirit’s birth

    God Most High

    Holy One
    The humble King is here with us
    Son of Man
    Messiah
    Emmanuel Emmanuel Emmanuel
    Our God is here with us

    Jesus you come Emmanuel

    God incarnate divine miracle
    Came down to us born of great love
    That we might be daughters sons
    Of the Living One

    God Most High

    Holy One
    The humble King is here with us
    Son of David
    Yeshua
    Emmanuel Emmanuel Emmanuel
    Our God is here with us

    Jesus you come Emmanuel

    Given a son light of the world
    Perfect prince of peace lamb without blemish
    You lived you walked you died you rose
    To reconcile the lost

    God Most High

    Holy One
    The humble King is here with us
    Son of God
    Our Saviour
    Emmanuel Emmanuel Emmanuel
    Emmanuel Emmanuel
    Our God is here with us

    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.

    10 min
  • Ephesians 4:17-5:2

    Passage:

    17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.

    20 But that is not how you came to know Christ, 21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

    25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity. 28 Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30 And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

    CHAPTER 5

    Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children,
    2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. -- Ephesians 4:17-5:2 (CSB)

    Song:

    Let This Heart Not Wander by Eric J. Marshall

    Lyrics:

    Let my eyes see nothing
    Let my eyes see nothing but Your glory my Lord
    Let my eyes see nothing
    Let my eyes see nothing but Your glory my Lord

    Let this heart not wander

    Let this heart not wander from Your mercy my Lord
    Let this heart not wander
    Let this heart not wander from Your mercy my Lord

    May I always linger

    May I always linger in Your presence my Lord
    May I always linger
    May I always linger in Your presence my Lord

    I will ever praise You

    I will ever praise You You are worthy my Lord
    I will ever praise You
    I will ever praise You You are worthy my Lord

    Prayer:

    Almighty God, give us the increase of faith, hope, and love; and, that we may obtain what you have promised, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    9 min
  • Psalm 34:8-15

    Passage:

    8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
    9 You who are his holy ones, fear the Lord,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.
    10 Young lions lack food and go hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord
    will not lack any good thing.
    11 Come, children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
    12 Who is someone who desires life,
    loving a long life to enjoy what is good?
    13 Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from deceitful speech.
    14 Turn away from evil and do what is good;
    seek peace and pursue it.
    15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their cry for help. -- Psalms 34:8-15 (CSB)

    Song:

    Psalm 34 (Taste and See) by Joseph James Rigney and Shane Barnard

    Lyrics:

    I sought the Lord and He answered me
    And delivered me from every fear
    Those who look on Him are radiant
    They'll never be ashamed
    They'll never be ashamed

    This poor man cried and the Lord heard me

    And saved me from my enemies
    The Son of God surrounds His saints
    He will deliver them
    He will deliver them

    Magnify the Lord with me

    Come exalt His name together
    Glorify the Lord with me
    Come exalt His name forever

    O taste and see that the Lord is good

    O blessed is he who hides in Him
    O fear the Lord O all you saints
    He'll give you everything
    He'll give you everything

    Let us bless the Lord

    Every day and night
    Never ending praise
    May our incense rise

    Prayer:

    Lord, my anxieties, shame, and discouragement come when I try to make my boast in other things than your goodness and unfailing love toward me. Teach me how to look to you and seek you until I know the radiance of your joy. Amen.

    11 min
  • Deuteronomy 8:1-10

    Passage:

    1 “Carefully follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase, and may enter and take possession of the land the Lord swore to your ancestors.
    2 Remember that the Lord your God led you on the entire journey these forty years in the wilderness, so that he might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out, and your feet did not swell these forty years. 5 Keep in mind that the Lord your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. 6 So keep the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams, springs, and deep water sources, flowing in both valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat, barley, vines, figs, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without shortage, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and from whose hills you will mine copper. 10 When you eat and are full, you will bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. -- Deuteronomy 8:1-10 (CSB)

    Song:

    The Lord Will Provide by Brett Younker, Chris Davenport, and Jess Cates

    Lyrics:

    Look at the flowers
    In all of their beauty
    I don't have to wonder
    You know what You're doing
    So why would I worry at all
    You're faithful to supply

    Everything I need

    Everything I need
    My Father has it
    My Father has it
    Every single time
    The Lord will provide
    My Father has it
    (My Father has it)

    Look at the sparrow

    Lacking for nothing
    No fear of tomorrow
    And what it will bring
    If I have You I have enough
    'Cause Your love will satisfy

    Seek first the kingdom and its treasures

    Everything else it will be added
    All that I'm needing
    I know the Lord will provide
    I know my God's not empty handed
    He gives us blessings upon blessings
    I'm still believing
    I know the Lord will provide

    Prayer:

    Accept, we beseech you, our . . . thanksgiving, O you fountain of all good, who has led us in safety through the length of the day; who daily blesses us with so many temporal mercies and has given us the hope of resurrection to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    -From an Ancient Collect

    10 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…