Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

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Scripture for Today episodes

  • Lent 5 | Psalm 51 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Create in Me (Psalm 51) by Paul Zach

    Lyrics:

    Create in me
    A clean heart oh Lord
    Create in me
    A clean heart oh Lord

    Against you only I’ve sinned

    Done evil in your side
    But you’ve shown me what I’ve done
    With mercy in your eyes
    Then wash my shame and guilty way
    My wearies all renew
    From all my sin into your face
    Let me turn to you

    Create in me

    A clean heart oh Lord
    Create in me
    A clean heart oh Lord

    So I will give you what you asked

    A humble broken heart
    A spirit burning down to ash
    With a flame oh God
    Then ask will be your mercy Lord
    Transforming all of me
    To every act and every way
    Your love and glories speaks

    Create in me

    A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord)
    Create in me
    A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord)

    Have mercy on me

    According to your endless love
    Have mercy on me
    According to your endless love
    Oh have mercy on me
    According to your endless love
    Have mercy on me
    According to your endless love
    According to your endless love
    According to your endless love

    Passage:

    1 Be gracious to me, God,
    according to your faithful love;
    according to your abundant compassion,
    blot out my rebellion.
    2 Completely wash away my guilt
    and cleanse me from my sin.
    3 For I am conscious of my rebellion,
    and my sin is always before me.
    4 Against you ​— ​you alone ​— ​I have sinned
    and done this evil in your sight.
    So you are right when you pass sentence;
    you are blameless when you judge.
    5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;
    I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
    6 Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,
    and you teach me wisdom deep within.
    7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
    8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
    9 Turn your face away from my sins
    and blot out all my guilt.
    10 God, create a clean heart for me
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
    11 Do not banish me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
    12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
    and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
    13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
    14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God —
    God of my salvation —
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
    15 Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
    16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you are not pleased with a burnt offering.
    17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
    You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.
    18 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;
    build the walls of Jerusalem.
    19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,
    whole burnt offerings;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.
    -- Psalms 51:1-19(CSB)

    Musical Reflection:

    It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss

    Reflection Notes:

    A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God’s goodness. Spafford’s immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford’s children had died.

    Prayer:

    Hear, Lord, my prayer; let not my soul faint under your discipline, nor let me faint in confessing unto you all your mercies, whereby you have drawn me out of all my most evil ways, that you might become a delight to me above all the allurements that I once pursued; that I may most entirely love you, and clasp your hand with all my affections, and you may yet rescue me from every temptation, even unto the end.
    -Augustine

    12 min
  • Lent 5 | Jeremiah 31:31-34 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Promises by Aaron Moses, Dante Bowe, Joe L. Barnes, Keila Alvarado, Lemuel Marin, and Phillip Carrington Gaines, recorded here by the Worship Project

    Lyrics:

    God of Abraham You're the God of covenant
    Of faithful promises
    Time and time again You have proven
    You do just what You say

    Though the storms may come

    And the winds may blow
    I'll remain steadfast
    And let my heart learn when You speak a word
    It will come to pass

    Great is Your faithfulness to me

    Great is Your faithfulness to me
    From the rising sun to the setting same
    I will praise Your name
    Great is Your faithfulness to me

    Oh

    Seasons change
    You remain the same

    God from age to age

    Though the earth may pass away
    Your word remains the same yeah
    Your history can prove
    There's nothing You can't do
    You're faithful and true

    Oh Your faithfulness

    It never runs out
    It never runs out
    Oh Your faithfulness
    Oh it never runs out
    (Never runs out)
    It never runs out
    (Never runs out)

    I put my faith in Jesus

    My anchor to the ground
    My hope and firm foundation
    He'll never let me down

    From the rising sun to the setting same

    I will praise Your name

    I'll still bless You

    Passage:

    “Look, the days are coming” ​— ​this is the Lord’s declaration ​— ​“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt ​— ​my covenant that they broke even though I am their master” ​— ​the Lord’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” ​— ​the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them” ​— ​this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin. -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (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
  • Lent 4 | John 6:1-15 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    “Bread of Life” by Chardon Lewis

    Lyrics:

    How could it be that One so perfect
    Could give so much for me?
    And now I see what true grace is
    Displayed for all to see

    For You have loved me though I have failed You

    Over and over
    You have loved me though I have failed You
    Over and over

    Bread of life You have won me

    You have filled me Lord
    Bread of life You’re all consuming
    Your blood renews my life
    Bread of life

    Come nourish my soul

    I drink from You Lord
    You sustain me
    You fulfill me

    Bread of life You have won me

    You have filled me Lord

    Passage:

    After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).
    2 A huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing the sick. 3 Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with his disciples.

    4 Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. 5 So when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat? ” 6 He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.

    7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.”

    8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish ​— ​but what are they for so many? ”

    10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”

    There was plenty of grass in that place; so they sat down. The men numbered about five thousand. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks he distributed them to those who were seated ​— ​so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.

    12 When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they collected them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.

    14 When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

    15 Therefore, when Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. -- John 6:1-15 (CSB)

    Musical Reflection:

    Jesus, Remember Me by Jacques Berthier

    Reflection Notes:

    “Jesus, Remember Me” is a tune from the French Taizé tradition; these simple songs are meant to be repeated indefinitely with added instrumentation or voice parts. They are meant to be meditative and allow for prayer.

    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.

    11 min
  • Lent 4 | Ephesians 2:1-10 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Because of Christ by Andrew Holt, Chris Clayton, and Mitch Wong

    Lyrics:

    On a hill in Israel
    Mercy spoke for me
    Mercy spoke for me
    Mercy spoke for me
    It was on Golgotha’s tree
    His death brought liberty
    His death brought liberty
    His death brought liberty

    May I never boast in anything

    Except the cross of Jesus Christ
    May I not forget the blood He shed
    It is by His death I am alive
    Because of Christ I am alive

    What a humble sacrifice

    Love that washed me clean
    Love that washed me clean
    Love that washed me clean
    What a blessed mystery
    His punishment my peace
    His punishment my peace
    His punishment my peace

    Hallelujah hallelujah

    Praise the One who set me free
    Death has lost its grip on me
    Hallelujah hallelujah
    Jesus rose in victory
    He’s alive alive in me

    Passage:

    And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
    2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift ​— ​9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. -- Ephesians 2:1-10 (CSB)

    Musical Reflection:

    Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545: II. Andante by W. A. Mozart

    Reflection Notes:

    In true fashion for Mozart’s middle movements, this Andante blooms slowly with gentle and delicate notes; the melody ascends in joyful fashion at the most climactic points before settling back down with the satisfying left hand harmonies.

    Prayer:

    We give you thanks, yes, more than thanks, O Lord our God, for all your goodness at all times and in all places, because you have shielded, rescued, helped and led us all the days of our life, and brought us unto this hour. Amen
    -The Liturgy of St. Mark

    11 min
  • Lent 4 | Psalm 122 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Psalm 122 by Poor Bishop Hooper

    Lyrics:

    I was glad when they said to me
    Let us go to the house of the Lord
    Our feet have been standing within your gates
    O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem

    Built as a city should be, Jerusalem

    Bound together firmly, Jerusalem
    Where the tribes go up to praise
    There the thrones of judgment set
    The thrones of the house of David
    Jerusalem

    Peace, peace, peace be within your walls

    Pray for the peace, peace, peace of Jerusalem
    I will say peace, peace, peace be within your walls
    Pray for the peace, peace, peace of Jerusalem

    Passage:

    I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.”
    2 Our feet were standing
    within your gates, Jerusalem —
    3 Jerusalem, built as a city should be,
    solidly united,
    4 where the tribes, the Lord’s tribes, go up
    to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
    (This is an ordinance for Israel. )
    5 There, thrones for judgment are placed,
    thrones of the house of David.
    6 Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure;
    7 may there be peace within your walls,
    security within your fortresses.”
    8 Because of my brothers and friends,
    I will say, “May peace be in you.”
    9 Because of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will pursue your prosperity. -- Psalms 122:1-9 (CSB)

    Musical Reflection:

    All to Jesus I Surrender (SURRENDER) by Winfield S. Weeden

    Reflection Notes:

    This tune was originally intended to have two-part harmonies on the verse and four-part harmonies of the refrain; the additional harmonic fullness adds to the repeated emphasis of the words “I surrender all.”

    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.

    13 min
  • Old Testament | Ezekiel 33:1-11 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Upon Him by Andi Rozier, Jon Guerra, and Matt Redman

    Lyrics:

    Upon a hill a perfect Saviour
    Upon that day the greatest love
    The punishment that should have fallen on us
    Upon Him upon Him

    Upon His head a crown of thorns

    Upon His heart a broken world
    The wage of sin the weight of our transgressions
    Upon Him upon Him

    Christ has died

    We are forgiven
    And Christ alive
    We are the risen
    And He shall come again
    Praise the King
    Praise the King

    Upon our hearts His name is written

    The King of Kings and Lord of Lords
    We're pouring out a song of praise together
    Upon Him upon Him

    One name upon our lips

    Jesus
    No greater name than this
    Jesus
    And ev'ry knee will bow
    Ev'ry heart confess
    Jesus Jesus

    Passage:

    33 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.

    7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

    Why Will You Die, Israel?

    10 “And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ 11 Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

    Musical Reflection:

    “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” tune by William Bradbury

    Reflection Notes:

    The tune BRADBURY is named for its composer, a New Englander from the first half of the nineteenth century. The sweet melody for the verses repeats, then is followed by a strong refrain.

    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

    11 min
  • Lent 3 | John 2:13-22 (with Jeff Sholar)

    Opening Song:

    Resurrender by Brooke Ligertwood and Chris Davenport

    Lyrics:

    You’re turning over tables
    And calling for return
    To our lives upon the altar
    The things we did at first
    You’re clearing out the temple
    You’re cleaning out the dirt
    For we are Your territory
    Lord we are Your Church
    We are Your people
    You are our God
    We are Your temple
    Make us holy like You are

    You see a holy nation

    A flock to consecrate
    A chosen generation
    A people called to pray
    So help us God to please You
    Where only You can see
    For every moment matters in eternity

    We are Your people

    You are our God
    We are Your temple
    Make us holy like You are
    We are Your children
    You’ve set us apart
    God for Your glory
    Make us holy like You are

    Mark Your people with Your presence

    Make us a place where You delight to dwell
    May we heed Your hand’s correction
    Oh Lord our Shepherd
    You do all things well
    Your love as firm as it is tender
    Your law is perfect
    And Your judgments true
    As we run to resurrender
    You will restore what we return to You
    You are restoring as we yield anew

    If You’re calling

    We’re coming
    We’re not walking
    We’re running
    God we need resurrender
    So we resurrender

    So we resurrender

    Passage:

    13 The Jewish Passover was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords, he drove everyone out of the temple with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves,“Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace! ”

    17 And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.

    18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things? ”

    19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.”

    20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days? ”

    21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.

    -- John 2:13-22 (CSB)

    Musical Reflection:

    Harp Meditation No. 3 by Gretchen Kirby

    Reflection Notes:

    This harp reflection features rich, full chords with a strong melody. The tension between major and minor chords reflects the challenges and triumphs of life.

    Prayer:

    Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy 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 Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

    15 min
  • Lent 3 | Romans 7:12-25 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    This Is How We Know What Love Is by Antoine Bradford, Jasmine Mullen, Lucy Grimble, Mitch Wong, and Stefan Cashwell

    Lyrics:

    This is how we know what love is
    Jesus Christ laid down His life for us
    (REPEAT)
    Father help us love like Jesus

    So if we see (so if we see)

    Someone in need (someone in need)
    Let our hearts have mercy
    We have so much (we have so much)
    More than enough (more than enough)
    Let us share it freely

    Father help us love each other

    (Father help us love each other)
    Every sister every brother
    (Every sister every brother)
    In the way we treat each other
    Love like Jesus

    Passage:

    12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. 13 Therefore, did what is good become death to me? Absolutely not! But, sin, in order to be recognized as sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment, sin might become sinful beyond measure.

    14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. 15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. 19 For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. 22 For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, 23 but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin. -- Romans 7:12-25 (CSB)

    Musical Reflection:

    Bless the Lord, My Soul by Jacques Berthier

    Reflection Notes:

    A contribution to the Taizé tradition, this tune by Berthier provides a reverent foundation for the text: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.”

    Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you: Look with compassion upon the heartfelt desires of your servants, and purify our disordered affections, that we may behold your eternal glory in the face of Christ Jesus; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    12 min
  • Lent 3 | Psalm 19:7-14 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    O Lord, open our lips and our mouths will declare Your praise.

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
    As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end,
    Amen.

    The Scripture for today is Ps 19:7-14.

    Let’s prepare our hearts to hear from God’s word as we listen to Psalm 19 by Jess Ray. This quiet arrangement relies solely on the guitar’s accompaniment patterns and the soloist’s phrasing to carry the song’s message. The simplicity allows us to focus on the text and presents a musical depiction of the words “purify my heart.”

    Lyrics:

    Purify my heart!

    May every word, every thought!
    Every motive, every intention!
    Be pleasing in your sight, O God!

    For Your voice refreshes my soul!

    Brings joy to my heart!
    And light to my eyes!
    Your words more precious than gold!

    Sweeter than honey!

    Better than life!
    Purify my heart!
    May every word, every thought!

    Every motive, and every intention!

    Be pleasing in your sight, O God!
    For Your voice refreshes my soul!
    Brings joy to my heart!
    And light to my eyes!
    Your words more precious than gold!
    Sweeter than honey!
    Better than life!

    Purify my heart!

    May every word, every thought!
    Every motive, every intention!
    Be pleasing in your sight, O God!
    Be pleasing in your sight, O God!

    Passage:

    7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,

    renewing one’s life;
    the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
    making the inexperienced wise.
    8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    making the heart glad;
    the command of the Lord is radiant,
    making the eyes light up.
    9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever;
    the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
    and altogether righteous.
    10 They are more desirable than gold —
    than an abundance of pure gold;
    and sweeter than honey
    dripping from a honeycomb.
    11 In addition, your servant is warned by them,
    and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.
    12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
    Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
    13 Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;
    do not let them rule me.
    Then I will be blameless
    and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
    14 May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
    -- Psalms 19:7-20:14 (CSB)
    Musical Reflection:

    Jesus Loves Me by Anna Bartlett Warner and William Bradbury

    Reflection Notes:

    The text for this simple, beloved children’s song was originally published in Anna Bartlett Warner’s 1860 novel Say and Seal. In the book’s context, a church Sunday school teacher sings the words to a dying little boy. The tune was written shortly after by Bradbury and became popular with missionaries in the nineteenth century as an evangelistic tool due to its simplicity.

    Prayer:
    Almighty God, bestow on us the meaning of words, the light of understanding, nobility of diction and faith in the truth. And grant that what we believe we may also speak. Amen.
    -Hilary of Poitiers

    8 min
  • Lent 3 | Exodus 20:1-21 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    The Greatest Commandment by Paul Zach

    Lyrics:

    Love the Lord your God
    With all your heart and soul and mind
    And love your neighbor as yourself

    Let us be known let us be known

    By the way we love

    Love love love the greatest commandment is

    Love love love the greatest commandment is
    Love love love the greatest commandment is (love)

    Passage:

    Then God spoke all these words:
    2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
    3 Do not have other gods besides me.
    4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
    7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.
    8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: 9 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. You must not do any work ​— ​you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates. 11 For the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy.
    12 Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
    13 Do not murder.
    14 Do not commit adultery.
    15 Do not steal.
    16 Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.
    17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

    18 All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”

    20 Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not sin.” 21 And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the total darkness where God was. -- Exodus 20:1-21 (CSB)

    Musical Reflection:

    O Lord, Hear My Prayer by Jacques Berthier

    Reflection Notes:

    This song from the Taizé community contains a series of pleas: “O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; when I call, answer me.” The repeated notes emphasize the insistence of the sung prayer, while the descending lines indicate a deep, almost despairing desire to connect.

    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

    9 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…