Scripture for Today

By Aliso Creek ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Scripture for Today episodes

May 30, 2024 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Passage:
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. 2 Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth. 3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life in you.
(2 Corinthians 4:1-12 CSB)
Song:
God of Every Grace by Bryan Fowler, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Matt Boswell
Lyrics:
O let not this world of sorrows
Steal my only hope away
For the power of Your gospel
Shines within this jar of clay
In affliction You bring wisdom
That my comforts can displace
How my true and greatest treasure
Is in You the God of grace
Now to the God of every grace
Who counts my tears who holds my days
I sing through sorrows sing with faith
O praise the God of every grace
Weary with the weight I carry
Give me wings of faith to rise
For You know each grief that lingers
Through the watches of the night
Surely You have borne our sufferings
At the cross took up our pain
And You lead us on to glory
As we trust You the God of grace
There's a dawning hope before us
That I know is soon to break
As I wait upon Your mercy
Which will swallow every ache
Cries of joy and songs of victory
When we enter heaven's gates
All Your children home together
All with You the God of grace
O praise the God of every grace
Abbreviated Passage:
“5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.”
Prayer:
O God, the protector of all those who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy, that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
10 min
May 27, 2024 Matthew 11:28-30
Sunday’s Sermon:
Aliso Creek Church Podcast
Passage:
28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30 CSB)
Song:
Come to Me (Matthew 11:28-30), Isaac Wardell, Chris Carter, Paul Zach
Lyrics:
Are you tired, worn, and burned
Are you tired, worn out, and burned
Are you tired, worn down, and burned out?
Come to me
Come to me, come to me
I won't lay anything heavy on you
Come to me, stay with me
Learn to live lightly
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.
6 min
May 24, 2024 Pentecost | John 14:8-17 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
O Perfect Father by Steph Macleod
Lyrics:
O Perfect Father on Heaven’s throne
Who gave my orphan heart a home
Treasured and destined before all time
Forever claimed by Your love divine
What wondrous kindness shown to me
To know that I’m eternally
A chosen child of God above
The perfect Father with perfect love
You never fail me You never leave
You will provide my every need
Joyful or burdened I seek Your face
O Father You never turn away
Your presence is my perfect peace
No other place I long to be
A chosen child of God above
The perfect Father with perfect love
Whom shall I fear in the days to come
You are the great Almighty One
Formed in Your image I bear Your name
Yet in Your heart still my heart remains
My silent prayer You always hear
You cradle every secret tear
A chosen child of God above
The perfect Father with perfect love
Father my Father who reigns on High
Your sovereign name be glorified
Lead me through life with great words of truth
My passion Father to worship You
What joy to serve You all my days
I live to follow and obey
A chosen child of God above
The perfect Father with perfect love
What joy to follow all my days
I live to follow and obey
A chosen child of God above
The perfect Father with perfect love
Passage:
8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.
12 “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. -- John 14:8-17 (CSB)
Musical Reflection:
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (KINGSFOLD), English folk song from anthology by Lucy E. Broadwood and J. A. Fuller Maitland, harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Reflection Notes:
Famed English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams heard this tune from an English folk song anthology and harmonized it for the text by Horatius Bonar. The first and third sections of the song are primarily in e minor, while the middle section transitions to the relative major key.
Prayer:
12 min
May 23, 2024 Pentecost | Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
All Your Works are Good by Jill Gullahorn, Julie Lee, and Sandra McCracken
Lyrics:
The moon it marks the seasons
The sun knows when to go down
The ocean holds its creatures
The river knows its bounds
The birds the trees the cattle
And all things great and small
We find our place in creation
Your hand sustains us all
All Your works are good
All Your works are good
From everlasting to everlasting
All Your works are good
He makes the clouds His chariot
He wraps Himself in light
He stretches out the heavens
Like a tent across the sky
He knows our every burden
When darkness veils our eyes
He comes with spring returning
Bringing death to life
As we labor until evening
There’s a message on the wind
Be still and know your maker
Be satisfied in Him
Passage:
My soul, bless the Lord!
Lord my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with majesty and splendor.
2 He wraps himself in light as if it were a robe,
spreading out the sky like a canopy,
3 laying the beams of his palace
on the waters above,
making the clouds his chariot,
walking on the wings of the wind,
4 and making the winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.
5 He established the earth on its foundations;
it will never be shaken.
6 You covered it with the deep
as if it were a garment;
the water stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke the water fled;
at the sound of your thunder they hurried away —
8 mountains rose and valleys sank —
to the place you established for them.
9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;
they will never cover the earth again.
-- Psalms 104:1-9 (CSB)
24 How countless are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures. -- Psalms 104:24 (CSB)
35 May sinners vanish from the earth
and wicked people be no more.
My soul, bless the Lord!
Hallelujah! -- Psalms 104:35 (CSB)
Musical Reflection:
O Sacred Head Now Wounded by Hans Leo Hassler
Reflection Notes:
This tune by Hassler is most famously set with the text “O Sacred, Now Wounded;” the most common harmonization was popularized by J.S. Bach in his St. Matthew Passion. It conveys the pathos of Christ’s death with deep sincerity.
Prayer:
10 min
May 22, 2024 Pentecost | Acts 2:1-11 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Holy Spirit by Bryan and Katie Torwalt
Lyrics:
There's nothing worth more that will ever come close
No thing can compare You're our living hope
Your Presence
I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone
In Your Presence Lord
Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your Presence Lord
Your Presence Lord
Your Presence Lord
Your Presence
Oh God how we love Your Presence Lord
Let us become more aware of Your Presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Lord)
Passage:
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs — we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean? ” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.” -- Acts 2:1-13 (CSB)
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:
13 min
May 21, 2024 Pentecost | Genesis 11:1-9 (with Jeff Sholar)
Opening Song:
The Earth Shall Know by members of the Porter’s Gate
Lyrics:
Let us come of one accord
To lift up praises to our King
There is splendor and power all around Him
And we will gather all together
Every nation tribe creed and color
Let the Body come alive
And our Creator be glorified
And the earth shall know God's name
And the earth will sing God's praise
All of the earth shall sing
The praise of our God of our God
Let us come of one accord
To see each other and our needs
When we gather there is power all around us
Power to live right power to be light
Over our cities and neighbors to speak life
Spirit give us eyes to see
Your perfect will for humanity
Heal the land meet the need
Set the captives free
Passage:
Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused[a] the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.
Musical Reflection:
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God,” tune by Robert Jackson
Reflection Notes:
TRENTHAM is a tune by Robert Jackson, an English composer during the nineteenth century. It fits perfectly with the text for “Breath On Me, Breath of God,” by Edwin Hatch; each phrase is allotted ample space for reflection.
Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer
10 min
May 17, 2024 Ascension Sunday | Acts 1:15-26 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Dwan Hill, Helen H. Lemmel, Lauren Daigle, and Paul Mabury
Lyrics:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There's light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Through death into life everlasting
He passed and we follow Him there
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are
His word shall not fail you He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
Oh turn your
Oh turn your
Oh turn your eyes upon Jesus
Passage:
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters — the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty — and said, 16 “Brothers and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18 Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst, his body burst open and his intestines spilled out. 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called 'Hakeldama' (that is, “Field of Blood”). 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
Let his dwelling become desolate;
let no one live in it; and
Let someone else take his position.
21 “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us — 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us — from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles. -- Acts 1:15-26 (CSB)
Musical Reflection:
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” by Robert Jackson
Reflection Notes:
TRENTHAM is a tune by Robert Jackson, an English composer during the nineteenth century. It fits perfectly with the text for “Breath On Me, Breath of God,” by Edwin Hatch; each phrase is allotted ample space for reflection.
Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer
13 min
May 16, 2024 Ascension Sunday | John 17:1-11 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
“Kingdom of God” by Jon Guerra
Lyrics:
Kingdom of God
Oh that I could see your face
How I'm longing for the day
Brighter sun of holy grace
Make my heart a holy place
Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go
For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs in the kingdom of God
Beauty shining from your face
Always longed to see this place
Is there somewhere I can stay?
Even just a couple days?
Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go
For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs in the kingdom of God
The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want
In valley or pasture, we shall not want
Our cup runneth over and over
For now and forever
For now and forever
Passage:
Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you,
2 since you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. 3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ. 4 I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.
6 “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, 8 because I have given them the words you gave me. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.
9 “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours. 10 Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. -- John 17:1-11 (CSB)
Musical Reflection:
I Need Thee Every Hour (NEED) by Robert Lowry
Reflection Notes:
Each stanza of this familiar hymn was written by Annie Hawks as part of a poem. When she showed the composition to her pastor, Robert Lowry, he added the refrain and set the text to music for their congregation to enjoy. The musical lines always tend upward before falling back down, an apt parallel to the textual pleas reaching up to God.
Prayer:
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
11 min
May 15, 2024 Ascension Sunday | 1 John 5:5-16 (with Tom Gastil)
Opening Song:
Come, Lord Jesus by Dustin Kensrue
Lyrics:
Come Lord Jesus come
Come Lord Jesus come
Come Lord Jesus come
Come Lord Jesus come
Come again to claim Your own
Come to reap what You have sown
All creation weeps and groans for You
It's to You that we belong
It's to You we lift our song
How our spirits look and long for You
Like a thief in dead of night
Come our everlasting light
Let Your brilliance shame the brightest day
With Your voice like endless seas
Wielding swords and stars and keys
Bring the nations to their knees we pray
For though fitful is our flame
You're from age to age the same
Jesus faithful is Your name and true
So until the sun does rise
Till Your trumpets rend the skies
Help us keep our restless eyes on You
Passage:
6 Jesus Christ — he is the one who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood — and these three are in agreement. 9 If we accept human testimony, God’s testimony is greater, because it is God’s testimony that he has given about his Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. The one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him. -- 1 John 5:6-15 (CSB)
Musical Reflection:
Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 by J.S. Bach
Reflection Notes:
Bach’s well-known prelude spins out a series of modulations, almost imperceptible at first. The new harmonies continually unfold in a way that intrigues but never shocks.
Prayer:
10 min
May 14, 2024 Ascension Sunday | Psalm 68:1-20 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Gratitude by Benjamin Hastings, Brandon Lake, and Dante Bowe, sung by Hillside Recording
Lyrics:
All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude
I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a king
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arms stretched wide
I will worship You
Come on my soul
Oh don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Passage:
God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God,[a] the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock[b] found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
11 The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snow fall on Zalmon.
15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked[c] mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.
19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
Musical Reflection:
Jesus Loves Me by William B. Bradbury
Reflection Notes:
This sweet and familiar song was written in 1861 for the composer’s church school and has become a favorite because of the warm reminders associated with its text: “Jesus loves me, this I know.”
Prayer:
Grant me, O most loving Lord, to rest in you above all creatures, above all health and beauty, above all glory and honor, above all power and dignity, above all knowledge and subtlety, above all riches and art, above all fame and praise, above all sweetness and comfort, above all hope and promise, above all gifts and favors that you can give and impart to us, above all jubilee that the mind of man can receive and feel; finally, above all angels and archangels, and above all heavenly host, above all things visible and invisible, and above all that you are not, O my God. Amen.
-Thomas à Kempis
14 min

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