Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

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Scripture for Today episodes

  • Old Testament | Micah 5:2-5a (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    O Little Town of Bethlehem by Lewis Henry Redner and Phillips Brooks, arranged by Ross Fishburn and Shane Barnard

    Lyrics:

    O little town of Bethlehem
    How still we see thee lie
    Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
    The silent stars go by

    Yet in thy dark streets shineth

    The everlasting light
    The hopes and fears of all the years
    Are met in thee tonight

    For Christ is born of Mary

    And gathered all above
    While mortals sleep
    The angels keep their watch
    Of wondering love

    O morning stars together

    Proclaim the holy birth
    And praises sing to God the King
    And peace to men on earth

    How silently how silently

    The wondrous gift is given
    So God imparts to human hearts
    The blessings of His Heaven

    No ear may hear His calling

    But in this world of sin
    Where meek souls will receive Him still
    The dear Christ enters in

    O holy Child of Bethlehem

    Descend to us we pray
    Cast out our sin and enter in
    Be born to us today

    We hear the Christmas angels

    The great glad tidings tell
    O come to us abide with us
    Our Lord Emmanuel

    Passage:

    2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
    from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
    whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
    3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
    then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
    4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
    in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
    And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
    5 And he shall be their peace.
    When the Assyrian comes into our land
    and treads in our palaces,
    then we will raise against him seven shepherds
    and eight princes of men;
    (Micah 5:2–5 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL) by Thomas Helmore

    Reflection Notes:

    The tune VENI IMMANUEL comes from a 15th century chant and originally served as part of a requiem mass. Thomas Helmore adapted it for congregational use as a hymn in the late 1800s, while still retaining the speech-like flow of the original chant. The text dates back to the 8th century and was translated from Latin to English by J. M. Neal.

    Prayer:

    Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

    11 min
  • Gospel | Luke 3:7-18 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Hark, original music and words by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Charles Wesley, additional words and music by Joth Hunt

    Lyrics:

    Hark the herald angels sing
    Glory to the newborn King
    Peace on earth and mercy mild
    God and sinners reconciled
    Joyful all ye nations rise
    Join the triumph of the skies
    With angelic hosts proclaim
    Christ is born in Bethlehem
    Hark the herald angels sing
    Glory to the newborn King

    Hark the herald angels sing

    Christ by highest heaven adored

    Christ the everlasting Lord
    Late in time behold Him come
    Offspring of the Virgin’s womb
    Hail the flesh the Godhead see
    Hail the incarnate Deity
    Pleased as man with man to dwell
    Jesus our Emmanuel
    Hark the herald angels sing
    Glory to the new born King

    Hark the herald angels sing

    Glory to the new born King
    Hark the herald angels sing
    Glory to the new born King

    Hail the Heaven-born Prince of Peace

    Hail the Son of righteousness
    Light and life to all He brings
    Risen with healing in His wings
    Mild He lays His glory by
    Born that man no more may die
    Born to raise the sons of earth
    Born to give them second birth
    Hark the herald angels sing
    Glory to the new born King

    Hark the herald angels sing

    Glory to the new born King

    Passage:

    7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
    10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
    15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
    18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
    (Luke 3:7–18 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA), French carol

    Reflection Notes:

    This joyful French carol describes the scene found in Luke 2:8-15. Angels surprise shepherds in the Bethlehem fields and share the good news of the Savior’s birth. The famous chorus of cascading “glorias” emulates the angels’ song from that special night.

    Prayer:

    Come, true light.
    Come, life eternal.
    Come, hidden mystery.
    Come, light that knows no evening. Come, for your name fills our hearts with longing and is ever on our lips;
    yet who you are and what your nature is, we cannot say or know. Come, Alone to the alone. Come, for you are yourself the desire that is within me.
    Come, my breath and life. Come, the consolation of my humble soul.
    Come, my joy, my glory, my endless delight.
    -A prayer of Symeon of Chrysopolis (present-day Üsküdar, Turkey), adapted from The Oxford Book of Prayer

    13 min
  • New Testament | Philippians 4:4-7 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    O Come, All You Unfaithful by Bob Kauflin and Lisa Clow

    Lyrics:

    O come all you unfaithful
    Come weak and unstable
    Come know you are not alone

    O come barren and waiting ones

    Weary of praying
    Come see what your God has done

    Christ is born Christ is born

    Christ is born for you

    O come bitter and broken

    Come with fears unspoken
    Come taste of His perfect love

    O come guilty and hiding ones

    There is no need to run
    See what your God has done

    He's the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon

    His promise is peace for those who believe
    He's the Lamb who was given slain for our pardon
    His promise is peace for those who believe

    So come though you have nothing

    Come He is the offering
    Come see what your God has done

    Passage:

    4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness 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.
    (Philippians 4:4–7 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Of the Father’s Love Begotten (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)

    Reflection Notes:

    This meterless hymn flows freely, a clear indicator of its plainchant origins. The rich text by Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius was a response to the Council of Nicea in the early Church; it establishes belief in the Trinity and Christ’s nature as fully man and fully God.

    Prayer:

    Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    10 min
  • Old Testament 2 | Isaiah 12:2-6 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Light of the World by Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan, and Paul Mabury

    Lyrics:

    The world waits for a miracle
    The heart longs for a little bit of hope
    O come O come Emmanuel
    A child prays for peace on earth
    And she's calling out from a sea of hurt
    O come O come Emmanuel
    And can you hear the angels singing

    Glory to the Light of the world

    Glory the Light of the world is here

    The drought breaks with the tears of a mother

    A baby’s cry is the sound of love come down
    Come down Emmanuel woh
    He is the song for the suffering
    He is Messiah the Prince of peace has come
    He has come Emmanuel oh

    Glory to the light of the world

    Glory to the light of the world
    Glory to the light of the world
    Glory to the light of the world

    For all who wait for all who hunger

    For all who’ve prayed for all who wonder
    Behold your King behold Messiah
    Emmanuel Emmanuel

    Glory to the light of the world

    Glory to the light of the world
    Glory to the light of the world
    Behold your King behold Messiah
    Emmanuel Emmanuel

    The world waits for a miracle

    The heart longs for a little bit of hope
    O come O come Emmanuel

    Passage:

    2 “Behold, God is my salvation;
    I will trust, and will not be afraid;
    for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
    and he has become my salvation.”

    3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

    4 And you will say in that day:
    “Give thanks to the LORD,
    call upon his name,
    make known his deeds among the peoples,
    proclaim that his name is exalted.

    5 “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;

    let this be made known in all the earth.
    6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
    for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
    (Isaiah 12:2–6 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard

    Reflection Notes:

    This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century.

    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.

    11 min
  • New Testament | Philippians 1:3-11 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley, Rita West, and Rowland Hugh Prichard

    Lyrics:

    Come Thou long expected Jesus
    Born to set thy people free
    From our fears and sins release us
    Let us find our rest in thee
    Israel's strength and consolation
    Hope of all the earth thou art
    Dear desire of every nation
    Joy of every longing heart

    Born thy people to deliver

    Born a child and yet a King
    Born to reign in us forever
    Now thy gracious kingdom bring
    By thine own eternal Spirit
    Rule in all our hearts alone
    By thine all sufficient merit
    Raise us to thy glorious throne

    You're our joy

    You're our hope

    Israel's strength and consolation

    Hope of all the earth thou art
    Dear desire of every nation
    Joy of every longing heart

    Passage:

    3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
    (Philippians 1:3–11 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard

    Reflection Notes:

    This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century.

    Prayer:

    Ever-present God, you taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. Grant that we may ever be found watching for the coming of your Son. Save us from undue love
    of the world, that we may wait with patient hope for the day of the Lord, and so abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may not be ashamed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    A prayer from the Church of Scotland

    11 min
  • Gospel 2 | Luke 3:1-6 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Prepare Him Room by Rita Baloche

    Lyrics:

    Who is man that You would care for us
    You clothed Yourself in flesh to draw us near
    In sinful men You've made our hearts Your home
    To make Your glory known Your redemption clear

    Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room

    For nothing else compares with You
    Restore the joy of our salvation Lord
    Prepare our hearts for more of You

    No greater love has anyone than this

    To sacrifice the gift of Your only Son
    So we lay aside all the earthly things
    And all that comes between this great divide

    Passage:

    1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
    4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
    “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
    5 Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
    and the crooked shall become straight,
    and the rough places shall become level ways,
    6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
    (Luke 3:1–6 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (PICARDY)

    Reflection Notes:

    Adapted from a medieval French folk tune, PICARDY was later arranged by esteemed English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams as a congregational hymn. The minor tonalities and scalar phrasing are very reminiscent of chant and serve to create a hushed environment in which to reflect on the rich text.

    Prayer:

    O Lord Jesus Christ, at your first coming you humbled yourself because of our sins. At your second coming our sins will be done away with by your mercy, and we will be numbered with your saints in glory everlasting; through your merits, O blessed Savior, with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
    A prayer from the ancient Mozarabic church (ca. 400–600 CE). The Mozarabs were Christians who lived in Hispania (modern-day southern Spain).

    11 min
  • Gospel 1 | Luke 1:68-79 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming by Michael Praetorius and Blake Flattley

    Lyrics:

    Lo how a rose e’er blooming
    From tender stem hath sprung
    Of Jesse’s lineage coming
    As prophets long have sung
    It came a flow’ret bright
    Amid the cold of winter
    When half spent was the night

    Isaiah ‘twas foretold it

    The rose I have in mind
    With Mary we behold it
    The virgin mother kind
    To show God’s love aright
    She bore to us a Savior
    When half spent was the night

    O Savior child of Mary

    Who felt our human woe
    O Savior King of glory
    Who dost our weakness know
    Bring us at length we pray
    To the bright courts of heaven
    And to the endless day

    Passage:

    68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
    69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
    70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
    71 that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
    72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
    73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
    74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
    might serve him without fear,
    75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
    76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
    77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
    78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
    79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
    (Luke 1:68–79 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming (ES IST EIN ROS) by Michael Praetorius

    Reflection Notes:

    Praetorius composed this tune in the early seventeenth century while working at various court and church appointments in Germany. The somewhat melancholy nature of the melody reflects the theological tension of the text: the rose of Christ is born to die, but will rise again in resurrection glory.

    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.

    12 min
  • Old Testament | Malachi 3:1-4 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Jason Ingram, John Mason Neale, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury, Thomas Helmore

    Lyrics:

    O come O come Emmanuel
    And ransom captive Israel
    That mourns in lonely exile here
    Until the Son of God appear

    O Come Thou Dayspring come and cheer

    Our spirits by Thine advent here
    Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
    And death's dark shadows put to flight

    Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel

    Shall come to thee O Israel

    O come Desire of nations bind

    All peoples in one heart and mind
    Bid envy strife and quarrels cease
    Fill the whole world with Heaven's peace

    Shall come to you O Israel

    Passage:

    1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.
    (Malachi 3:1–4 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL) by Thomas Helmore

    Reflection Notes:

    The tune VENI IMMANUEL comes from a 15th century chant and originally served as part of a requiem mass. Thomas Helmore adapted it for congregational use as a hymn in the late 1800s, while still retaining the speech-like flow of the original chant. The text dates back to the 8th century and was translated from Latin to English by J. M. Neal.

    Prayer:

    Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
    preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
    Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
    that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
    Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
    Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    10 min

About Scripture for Today

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Start or close your day with Scripture for Today! The word of God is always applicable and guides us through the hopes and challenges of our daily lives. Explore the episodes found below of our…