Scripture for Today

By Aliso Creek ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Scripture for Today episodes

November 20, 2023 Psalm | 84 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Psalm 84 (I’m Home) by Shane & Shane
Lyrics:
How lovely are Your dwelling places
Your Holy Spirit here in us
Oh how I love to sing Your praises
One day with You would be enough
When I bow down before You
I am richer than all kings
When I stand in Your presence
I am free
When I sit at Your table
I am right where I belong
In the doorway of my Father's house
I'm home
If all this world was for the taking
And every treasure known was mine
Not one of them would ever sway me
I'd choose my Savior every time
When I bow down before You
I am richer than all kings
When I stand in Your presence
I am free
When I sit at Your table
I am right where I belong
In the doorway of my Father's house
I'm home
Passage:
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!
(Psalm 84:1–12 ESV)
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:
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
11 min
November 17, 2023 Gospel | Luke 20:27-38 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Jesus My King by Ben Fielding, Brandon Lake, Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram, and Jenn Johnson
Lyrics:
Son of God
Carried the cross of redemption
Crown of thorns
Placed on the head of perfection
Jesus gloria
Jesus my King
Nail-pierced hands
Scars that remind me of mercy
Arms out wide
Welcoming all who are guilty
Into the light of Your glory
(And) how great the heart of the Father
How great the mercy of God
How great the price that He paid for love
Oh the price that He paid for love
Passage:
There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man[a] must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”
34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons[b] of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”
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 daily life.
Prayer:
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
9 min
November 16, 2023 New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (with Tom Gastil)
Opening Song:
Rise by Ashley Dean Coppola.
Lyrics:
Out of love for you
Once was veiled by darkness came to light
For your sake I your God
Became the man whom you betrayed
See my face
See my side
Hold my hands pierced by you
And let me lead
On the cross
Love brought forth
And the pain in my side
Healed the pain in yours
Earth is still fast asleep
Flesh has died and love draws near
In the dark bound by chains
All who slumber now awake
Take my hand
Rise from sleep
Let it go
Give me everything
You are found
You are free
I live in you
And you in me
Take my hand
Rise from sleep
Let it go
Give me everything
Passage:
13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
Children of the Heavenly Father (TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA), trad. Swedish folk song
Reflection Notes:
Lina Sandell-Berg purportedly wrote the lyrics for this hymn after witnessing her father’s untimely death in a boating accident. Her text focuses on our heavenly Father, who will never leave us or forsake us, in life or in death. The tune originates from a 19th-century Swedish folk song, its sweet fluidity well-suited for the words of comfort.
Prayer:
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
14 min
November 15, 2023 Psalm | Psalm 70 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Psalm 70 (O God, Make Haste) by Brian Sauvé
Lyrics:
Make haste, O God
Deliver me
O Lord, make haste
To succor me
Confound them all
And put to shame
The ones who, reckless,
Seek my soul
Let them be turned
Back in disgrace
Who revel in my suffering
Let them be turned
Back in their shame
Who laugh and taunt me in my pain
O God, may those
Who seek be glad
Rejoicing and well pleased in Thee
May they who Thy salvation love
Say evermore, O God, be praised
O God, be praised
God be praised
Quick hasten unto me, O God
Thou art my help, O Lord, my God
Deliverer, do not delay
Do not delay
Passage:
For the choir director. Of David. To bring remembrance.
1 God, hurry to rescue me. LORD, hurry to help me!
2 Let those who seek to kill me be disgraced and confounded; let those who wish me harm be turned back and humiliated.
3 Let those who say, “Aha, aha!” retreat because of their shame.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation continually say, “God is great!”
5 I am oppressed and needy; hurry to me, God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.
(Psalm 70:1-5 CSB17)
Musical Reflection:
O Lord, Hear My Prayer by Jacques Berthier
Reflection Notes:
Another song from the Taizé community, this one 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
12 min
November 14, 2023 Old Testament | Amos 5:18-24 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Roll Like a River by Joshua Miller, Mark Alan Schoolmeesters, and Tina Colón Williams
Lyrics:
I thought by now things would be different
I thought by now things would be further along
It’s been too long we’re singing
Change is gonna come
We need a change right now
You’ve known oppression and injustice
You’ve know the heartache of unanswered prayer
You begged Your Father take this cup from me
This is our prayer right now
This is our prayer right now
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
Let Your justice roll like a river
Every king and crown
Let them be cast down
Till Your justice rolls like a river
Let Your justice roll like a river
You said our faith could move a mountain
You said that we could bind the powers of hell
You said Your Spirit causes darkness to flee
Spirit You’re moving now
Spirit You’re moving now
I see a change gon' come
I see Your justice roll like a river
I see Your kingdom come
I see Your justice roll like a river
Passage:
18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! What will the day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light.
19 It will be like a man who flees from a lion only to have a bear confront him. He goes home and rests his hand against the wall only to have a snake bite him.
20 Won’t the day of the LORD be darkness rather than light, even gloom without any brightness in it?
21 I hate, I despise, your feasts! I can’t stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.
22 Even if you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will have no regard for your fellowship offerings of fattened cattle.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream.
(Amos 5:18-24 CSB17)
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:
O Lord, our Savior, who has warned us that you will require much of those to whom much is given; grant that we whose lot is cast in so goodly a heritage may strive together more abundantly by prayer, by almsgiving, by fasting, and by every other appointed means, to extend to others what we so richly enjoy; and as we have entered into the labors of other men, so to labor that in their turn other men may enter into ours, to the fulfillment of your holy will, and our own everlasting salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Augustine
11 min
November 13, 2023 Monday Reflection | Philippians 4:10-23
Sunday’s Sermon:
Aliso Creek Church Podcast
Passage:
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.
15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
(Philippians 4:10-23 CSB17)
Song:
My God Is All I Need by Fiona Aghajanian, Harrison Druery, Jaywan Maxwell, Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Ruth Harms Calkin, and Tiarne Tranter
Lyrics:
Dark, dark is the valley
Faint the light at my feet
But whatever may face me
My God is all I need
Bright bright are the treasures
Life may offer to me
But whatever the pleasure
My God is all I need
He is my strength when I cannot go on
Peace when all my power is gone
Hope although the night is long and deep
He is my song for He has rescued me
Joy now He has set me free
Praise praise to my Father be
My God is all I need
Brief brief are my days here
Soon my journey complete
But I look to my Saviour
Where God has met my need
Yes He has met my need
My God is so big so strong and so mighty
There’s nothing my God cannot do
My God is so big so strong and so mighty
There’s nothing my God cannot do
The mountains are His the valleys are His
The stars are His handiwork too
My God is so big so strong and so mighty
There’s nothing my God cannot do
There’s nothing my God cannot do
Praise praise to my Father be
My God is all I need
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
November 10, 2023 Psalm | Psalm 43 (with Tom Gastil)
Opening Song:
Send Out Your Light (Psalm 43) by Sandra McCracken
Lyrics:
Vindicate me O God and defend my cause
Against the deceitful man O deliver us
For you are the God in whom I take refuge
Why have you rejected me
I walk around confused
Send out your light and your truth
Let them lead me
Bring me to your holy hill
To your dwelling
Then I will go to the alter of God
To God my exceeding joy
Then I will praise him with my guitar
Oh my joy my joy
Oh my joy my joy
Why are you cast down low O my soul
Why are you cast down low and in turmoil
Hope in God for I shall again praise him
Hope in God for he is my salvation
Passage:
43 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
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:
Merciful God, good Lord, I wish that you would unite me to that fountain, that there I may drink of the living spring of the water of life with those others who thirst after you. There in that heavenly region may I ever dwell, delighted with abundant sweetness, and say, “How sweet is the fountain of living water which never fails, the water welling up to eternal life.” O God, you are yourself that fountain ever and again to be desired ever and ever and again to be consumed. Lord Christ, always give us this water to be for us the “source of the living water which wells up to eternal life.”
-Columbanus
13 min
November 09, 2023 Gospel | Matthew 23:1-12 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
Take My Life and Let It Be by Frances Ridley Havergal, Henri Abraham Cesar Malan, and Paul Zach
Lyrics:
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Ev'ry pow'r as thou shalt choose
Ev'ry pow'r as thou shalt choose
Take my will and make it thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is thine own
It shall be thy royal throne
It shall be thy royal throne
Take my love my Lord I pour
At thy feet its treasure-store
Take my self and I will be
Ever only all for thee
Ever only all for thee
Passage:
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 You are not to be called instructors either, because you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
(Matthew 23:1-12 CSB17)
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:
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
10 min
November 08, 2023 New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 2:9-20 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
I Sought the Lord by Advent Birmingham
Lyrics:
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek him, seeking me;
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
It was not I, no, I was found of thee.
Not I, but Christ;
Not I, but Christ.
Thou art the seeker,
And I the found.
Thou didst reach forth thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the stormy sea;
’Twas not so much that I on thee took hold;
As thou, dear Lord, had taken hold of me. (Chorus)
What but such grace can woo my heart to love—
To worship thee and seek my neighbor’s best?
When in the end I reach the heav’ns above,
All was of grace that lifted me to rest. (Chorus)
Glory to God,
And to the Son,
And to the Spirit,
For I am found.
To God the glory,
For I am found.
Passage:
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
(1 Thessalonians 2:9-20 ESV)
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:
O Lord our God, teach us, we ask you, to ask you aright for the right blessings. Steer the vessel of our life toward yourself, you tranquil haven of all storm-tossed souls. Show us the course wherein we should go. Renew a willing spirit within us. Let your Spirit curb our wayward senses and guide and enable us unto that which is our true good, to keep your laws, and in all our works evermore to rejoice in your glorious and gladdening presence. For yours is the glory and praise from all your saints, for ever and ever. Amen.
-Basil the Great
12 min
November 07, 2023 Old Testament | Micah 3:5-12 (with Nick Locke)
Opening Song:
If the Morning Never Comes by Paul Zach and Page CXVI
Lyrics:
And if the morning never comes
I’ll be here for whatever does
I’ll be here with you, all my love,
Even if the morning never comes
And if we never see the light
I’ll be with you, oh my dear child
I’ll be here through the endless night
Through the endless night
I’ll be waiting through the endless night
And if the night, it hides the sun,
I’ll watch with you, whatever comes
My love, I’ll stay with you and wait
Until the dawn that never fades
I’ll be waiting until the dawn that never fades
Passage:
5 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets
who lead my people astray,
who cry “Peace”
when they have something to eat,
but declare war against him
who puts nothing into their mouths.
6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision,
and darkness to you, without divination.
The sun shall go down on the prophets,
and the day shall be black over them;
7 the seers shall be disgraced,
and the diviners put to shame;
they shall all cover their lips,
for there is no answer from God.
8 But as for me, I am filled with power,
with the Spirit of the Lord,
and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression
and to Israel his sin.
9 Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob
and rulers of the house of Israel,
who detest justice
and make crooked all that is straight,
10 who build Zion with blood
and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 Its heads give judgment for a bribe;
its priests teach for a price;
its prophets practice divination for money;
yet they lean on the Lord and say,
“Is not the Lord in the midst of us?
No disaster shall come upon us.”
12 Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
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:
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

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