Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

By Aliso Creek ChurchReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
Download on the App Store

Scripture for Today episodes

  • Monday Reflection | Philippians 4:1-9

    Sunday’s Sermon:

    Aliso Creek Church Podcast

    Passage:

    4 Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

    Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

    2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[b] help these women, who have labored[c] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

    4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

    Song:

    Rejoice by Ben Shive, Bryan Fowler, Keith Getty ,Kristyn Getty, and Skye Peterson

    Lyrics:

    Rejoice in the Lord now and always
    Sing it again we rejoice
    Delight in the love He has shown us
    Gratefully lift up your voice
    His gentleness among us
    Will join our hearts with praise
    We gather in His goodness
    A family of grace

    With each breath He’s given praise the Lord

    In these times we live in we will praise the Lord
    Throughout every season I am sure
    We have every reason to praise the Lord

    Rejoice and be anxious for nothing

    Praying for all that you need
    Come with a song of thanksgiving
    Lay your requests at His feet
    His peace will fall upon us
    To guard our hearts and minds
    In Christ who reigns eternal
    Shepherd of our lives

    Rejoice in the Lord now and always

    Tell of the good He has done
    Worship the Lord to remember
    All of the joy yet to come
    The hope that burns within us
    The dark cannot destroy
    With praise that’s never ending
    We say again rejoice

    We have every reason to praise the Lord

    Prayer:

    This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

    8 min
  • Gospel | Matthew 22:34-46 (with Bryan Zuetel)

    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:

    34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

    41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,

    44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord,

    “Sit at my right hand,
    until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

    45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

    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:

    Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

    10 min
  • New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Jesus, Strong and Kind by Colin Buchanan, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson

    Lyrics:

    Jesus said
    That if I thirst
    I should come to him
    No one else can satisfy
    I should come to him

    Jesus said

    If I am weak
    I should come to him
    No one else can be my strength
    I should come to him

    For the Lord is good and faithful

    He will keep us day and night
    We can always run to Jesus
    Jesus strong and kind

    Jesus said

    That if I fear
    I should come to him
    No one else can be my shield
    I should come to him

    Jesus said

    If I am lost
    He will come to me
    And he showed me on that cross
    He will come to me

    Passage:

    1 For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery,[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle[c] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

    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:

    Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

    11 min
  • Old Testament | Exodus 22:21-27 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    For the One by Jenn Johnson and Paul McClure

    Lyrics:

    Let me be filled
    With kindness and compassion for the one
    The one for whom You loved and gave Your Son
    For humanity increase my love

    Help me to love with open arms like You do

    A love that erases all the lines and sees the truth
    Oh that when they look in my eyes
    They would see You
    Even in just a smile
    They would feel the Father’s love

    Oh how You love us

    From the homeless to the famous and in-between
    You formed us You made us carefully
    ‘Cause in the end we’re all Your children

    So let all my life tell of who You are

    And the wonder of Your never-ending love
    Oh let all my life tell of who you are
    That You’re wonderful and such a good Father

    That You are wonderful and such a good Father

    Passage:

    21 “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

    25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

    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:

    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
  • Monday Reflection | Philippians 3:12-21

    Sunday’s Sermon:

    Aliso Creek Church Podcast

    Passage:

    12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

    17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

    Song:

    Hast Thou Heard Him, Seen Him, Known Him by Ora Rowan and Joel Littlepage

    Lyrics:

    1. Hast thou heard Him, seen Him, known Him?
      2. Is not thine a captured heart?
      Chief among ten thousand own Him,
      Joyful choose the better part.

      Chorus: Captivated by His beauty, Worthy tribute haste to bring.

      Let His peerless worth constrain thee, Crown Him now unrivaled King.

      1. What can strip the seeming beauty,

        2. From the idols of the earth?
        Not a sense of right or duty,
        But the sight of peerless worth.

      2. 'Tis that look that melted Peter,

        3. ’Tis that face that Stephen saw,
        'Tis that heart that wept with Mary,
        Can alone from idols draw.

        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.

        7 min
      3. Gospel | Matthew 22:15-22 (with Nick Locke)

        Opening Song:

        The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours) by Bryan Fowler, Jacob Sooter, and Matt Maher

        Lyrics:

        Father let your kingdom come (holy holy)
        Father let your will be done
        On Earth as in Heaven (let it be done)
        Right here in my heart

        Give us this day our daily bread

        Forgive us forgive us
        As we forgive the ones who sinned
        Against us forgive them
        And lead us not into temptation
        But deliver us from the evil one
        Let your kingdom come

        It's yours it's yours

        All yours all yours
        The kingdom the power
        The glory are yours
        It's yours it's yours
        All yours all yours
        Forever and ever
        The kingdom is yours

        On Earth as in Heaven

        Right here in my heart

        Passage:

        15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.[a] 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius.[b] 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

        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:

        Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

        12 min
      4. New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (with Tom Gastil)

        Opening Song:

        Do With It What You Will by Jon Guerra

        Lyrics:

        You have given all to me
        To You, O Lord, I return it
        Everything I have is Yours
        Do with it what You will

        You will gather all of me

        Every gift, every burden
        Every day and every hour
        Do with it what You will

        I lift it up

        I lay it down at Your table
        Multiply my sacrifice
        For You are able

        I will take my daily cross

        Every step of the journey
        I will bear it for Your sake
        Do with it what You will

        I lift it up

        I lay it down at Your table
        Multiply my sacrifice
        For You are able

        Take my laughter and my loss

        Make them tools of Your mercy
        Anything my hands can make
        Do with it what You will
        Do with it what You will
        Do with it what You will

        Passage:

        1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

        To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

        Grace to you and peace.

        2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

        Musical Reflection:

        “Air on the G String” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major by J.S. Bach

        Reflection Notes:

        The slow, descending bass line creates musical “steps” in an elegant fashion while a suspended melody several octaves above creates a satisfying combination of sound registers.

        Prayer:

        O GOD Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us, we pray thee, to be grounded and settled in the truth, by the coming down of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. That which we know not, . . . reveal; that which is wanting in us, . . . fill up; that which we know, . . . confirm, and keep us blameless in thy service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
        -Clement

        11 min
      5. Old Testament | Malachi 3:6-12 (with Nick Locke)

        Opening Song:

        Until These Tears Are Gone by Eric J. Marshall

        Lyrics:

        Flood this heart with assurance of Your mercy
        Fill this mind with knowledge of Your love
        Hold me fast through the deep and steady current
        How long how long till these tears are gone

        Every hour awake me to Your presence

        Shine Your light brighter than the dawn
        Send Your joy illuminate the darkness
        How long how long till these tears are gone
        How long how long till these tears are gone

        I'll fix my eyes on eternity above

        Where every lie is uncovered by Your love
        I'll fix my eyes on eternity above
        Where every lie every shadow
        Is uncovered by Your love

        Lord You hear the pleading of the faithful

        I search for You hide not Your face
        Here I drift a shell among the ruins
        How long how long till these tears are gone
        How long how long till these tears are gone

        How long how long till these tears are gone

        How long how long till these tears are gone

        Passage:

        6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer[a] for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

        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:

        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
      6. Psalm | Psalm 96 (with Nick Locke)

        Opening Song:

        Let the Earth Be Glad by Wendell Kimbrough (Psalm 96)

        Lyrics:

        Let the earth be glad let the stars rejoice
        Let the forest sing let the ocean roar
        Come and join their song come and lift your voice
        The Lord our God is King

        People of the earth lay your glory down

        Come to Him alone who can wear the crown
        Come and find your place come and learn to sing
        The Lord our God is King

        Glory glory glory to the King

        Glory glory all creation sings

        Every nation sing every language shout

        Bring your gifts with joy to the Savior’s house
        No more us and them no one gets left out
        The Lord our God is King

        All the earth at rest every creature blessed

        For he comes with justice and righteousness
        In the darkness light every wrong made right
        The Lord our God is King

        Passage:

        Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
        sing to the Lord, all the earth!
        2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
        tell of his salvation from day to day.
        3 Declare his glory among the nations,
        his marvelous works among all the peoples!
        4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
        he is to be feared above all gods.
        5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
        but the Lord made the heavens.
        6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
        strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

        7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

        ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
        8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
        bring an offering, and come into his courts!
        9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;[a]
        tremble before him, all the earth!

        10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

        Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
        he will judge the peoples with equity.”

        11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

        let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
        12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
        Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
        13 before the Lord, for he comes,
        for he comes to judge the earth.
        He will judge the world in righteousness,
        and the peoples in his faithfulness.

        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:

        O Lord God, Father of mercies, the fountain of comfort and blessing, of life and peace, of plenty and pardon, who fills heaven with your glory, and earth with your goodness—I give you the most earnest, the most humble, and most enlarged returns of my glad and thankful heart, for you have refreshed me with your comforts, and enlarged me with your blessing. You have made my flesh and my bones to rejoice, for, besides the blessings of all mankind, the blessings of nature, and the blessings of grace, the support of every minute, and the comforts of every day, you have opened your bosom, and at this time have poured out an excellent expression of your loving kindness. Amen. 
        -Jeremy Taylor

        10 min
      7. Monday Reflection | Philippians 3:1-11

        Sunday’s Sermon:

        Aliso Creek Church Podcast

        Passage:

        Finally, my brothers,[a] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

        2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God[b] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law,[c] blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

        Song:

        When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts and Lowell Mason, with additional lyrics and arrangement by the Norton Hall Band

        Lyrics:

        When I survey the wondrous cross
        On which the Prince of glory died
        My richest gain I count but loss
        And pour contempt on all my pride

        Forbid it Lord that I should boast

        Save in the death of Christ my God
        All the vain things that charm me most
        I sacrifice them to His blood

        See from His head His hands His feet

        Sorrow and love flow mingled down
        Did ever such love and sorrow meet
        Or thorns compose so rich a crown

        His dying crimson like a robe

        Spreads o'er His body on the tree
        Then I am dead to all the globe
        And all the globe is dead to me

        Were the whole realm of nature mine

        That were a present (an offering) far too small
        Love so amazing so divine
        Demands my soul my life my 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.

        8 min

      About Scripture for Today

      From the publisher's feed

      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…