Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

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Scripture for Today episodes

  • New Testament | 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 (with Bryan Zuetel)

    Opening Song:

    Thanks Be to God by Jon Foreman

    Lyrics:

    I want to do good but I can't stay right
    The wrong in me came out tonight
    Waging war against the law of my mind
    I'm a wretched man in a losing fight

    Thanks be to God who delivers me

    Thanks be to God who delivers me
    Christ Christ alone come and set me free
    Thanks be to God who delivers me

    I love the the truth I've seen the light

    But the shadow inside is still alive
    I am the battle field I am the fight
    Who will heal me from these wounds I hide

    Passage:

    Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

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

    2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Thanksgiving

    3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,[a] as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

    The Judgment at Christ's Coming

    5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from[b] the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Musical Reflection:

    Nothing But The Blood (PLAINFIELD) by Robert Lowry

    Reflection Notes:

    Lowry wrote several hymns for his congregation’s use in the late nineteenth century. This particular tune is pentatonic (only five notes used per octave) and falls within a small vocal range, which made it accessible for all parishioners to sing and enjoy.

    Prayer:

    May all of us who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be delivered from the present delights and the future afflictions of the evil one by participating in the reality of the blessings held in store and already revealed to us in Christ our Lord himself, who alone with the Father and the Holy Spirit is praised by all creation. Amen.
    -Maximus the Confessor

    12 min
  • Old Testament | Job 19:23-27 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    I Know That My Redeemer Lives by Samuel Medley, sung by The Welcome Wagon

    Lyrics:

    I know that my Redeemer lives
    What joy this past assurance gives
    He lives, He lives, who once was dead
    He lives, my ever-living Head

    He lives to bless me with His love

    He lives to plead for me above
    He lives my hungry soul to feed
    He lives to help in time of need

    He lives, my kind, wise, heav'nly Friend

    He lives and loves me to the end
    He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing
    He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King

    To see upon the Earth, your Friend

    To see upon the Earth, your Friend
    Upon the Earth

    He lives, all glory to His name

    He lives, my Jesus, still the same
    Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives
    I know that my Redeemer lives
    I know that my Redeemer lives
    I know that my Redeemer lives
    I know that my Redeemer lives

    Passage:

    Oh that my words were written!
    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
    24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
    25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.[a]
    26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in[b] my flesh I shall see God,
    27 whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!

    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:

    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
  • Monday Reflection | Ephesians 4:32

    Passage:

    32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

    Song:

    This is My Father’s World by Franklin Sheppard and Maltbie Babcock, sung here by Fernando Ortega

    Lyrics:

    This is my Father's world
    And to my list'ning ears
    All nature sings and 'round me rings
    Music of the spheres

    This is my Father's world

    I rest me in the thought
    Of rocks and trees of skies and seas
    His hand the wonders wrought

    This is my Father's world

    The birds their carols raise
    The morning light the lily white
    Declare their Maker's praise

    This is my Father's world

    He shines in all that's fair
    In the rust'ling grass I hear Him pass
    He speaks to me ev'rywhere

    This is my Father's world

    O let me ne'er forget
    And though the wrong seems oft so strong
    God is the Ruler yet
    And though the wrong seems oft so strong
    God is the Ruler yet

    This is my Father's world

    Why should my heart be sad
    The Lord is King let the heavens ring
    God reigns let the earth be glad
    The Lord is King let the heavens ring
    God reigns let the earth be glad

    The Lord is King let the heavens ring

    The Lord is King let the heavens ring (3X)
    God reigns
    God reigns
    God reigns
    God reigns

    Prayer:

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

    6 min
  • Gospel | Luke 19:1-10 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Gratitude by Benjamin Hastings, Brandon Lake, and Dante Bowe, sung by Hillside Recording

    Lyrics:

    All my words fall short
    I got nothing new
    How could I express
    All my gratitude

    I could sing these songs

    As I often do
    But every song must end
    And You never do

    So I throw up my hands

    And praise You again and again
    ‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah hallelujah
    And I know it’s not much
    But I’ve nothing else fit for a king
    Except for a heart singing hallelujah
    Hallelujah

    I’ve got one response

    I’ve got just one move
    With my arms stretched wide
    I will worship You

    Come on my soul

    Oh don’t you get shy on me
    Lift up your song
    ‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
    Get up and praise the Lord

    Passage:

    He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

    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:

    God grant that we may live our lives here without trouble and in security, and attain the joys of eternal life, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and his love for us, to whom be glory and might, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
    -Chrysostom

    12 min
  • Psalm | Psalm 32 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Then At Last (Psalm 32) by Wendell Kimbrough

    Lyrics:

    Blest is the soul that’s free from deceit
    No need to hide what he says from what he means
    Blest is the heart forgiven by love
    Whose every fault our good Lord covers up

    Long I disguised and buried my shame

    Ran through the night and I groaned through the day
    Shelter I sought where I thought I was safe
    But oh silent soul how you wasted away

    Then at last I told all my sins

    And with shouts of joy lovin’ arms drew me in
    To my one true safe place
    In the love of God and the family of grace

    So listen up if you truly want to live

    Do not hide alone in the dark like this one fool did
    Be not like the mule as he fights against the reins
    Come let your broken heart be bound by grace

    Passage:

    Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
    2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

    3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

    through my groaning all day long.
    4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up[b] as by the heat of summer. Selah

    5 I acknowledged my sin to you,

    and I did not cover my iniquity;
    I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

    6 Therefore let everyone who is godly

    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
    surely in the rush of great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
    7 You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

    8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
    9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.

    10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
    11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

    Musical Reflection:

    Harp Meditation No. 2 by Gretchen Kirby
    Reflection Notes:

    This modal meditation centers around an intervallic pattern in the right hand that is anchored by deep bass octaves in the left hand and occasional supportive harmonies. Though somewhat haunting, the melodic motif provokes reflection.

    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.

    11 min
  • New Testament | Hebrews 9:24-28 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Jesus Paid It All by Kings (MHM)

    Lyrics:

    And I hear the Savior say
    Thy strength indeed is small
    Child of weakness watch and pray
    Find in Me thine all in all

    'Cause Jesus paid it all

    All to Him I owe
    Sin had left a crimson stain
    He washed it white as snow

    Lord now indeed I find

    Thy pow'r and Thine alone
    Can change the leper's spots
    And melt the heart of stone

    And when before the throne

    I stand in Him complete
    Jesus died my soul to save
    My lips shall still repeat

    Sin had left a crimson stain

    He washed it white as snow
    He washed it white as snow
    He washed it white as snow

    Oh praise the One Who paid my debt

    And raised this life up from the dead

    Passage:

    24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
    (Hebrews 9:24–28 ESV)

    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 Spaffor 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:

    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.

    11 min
  • Monday Reflection | 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

    Passage:

    For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

    Song:

    Teach Us Your Ways by Isaac Wardell, Leslie Jordan, Orlando Palmer, and Paul Zach

    Lyrics:
    Teach us Your ways teach us Your ways
    As we learn from one another
    Learn to love each other
    Teach us Your ways

    Teach us to give teach us to give

    Give ourselves for one another
    Learn to love each other
    Teach us to give

    Teach us to weep teach us to weep

    Let us weep with one another
    Learn to love each other
    Teach us to weep

    Hallelujah hallelujah

    Let us learn from one another
    Learn to love each other
    Teach us Your ways

    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.

    5 min
  • Old Testament | Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Behold Him by Mitch Wong and Paul Baloche, sung by Mission House

    Lyrics:

    He who was before there was light
    Walked across the pages of time
    He who made every living thing
    Behold Him
    He who heard humanity's cry
    Left His throne to wake as a child
    He became like the least of us
    Behold Him
    Jesus Son of God Messiah
    The Lamb the roaring Lion
    Oh be still and behold Him

    He who dined with sinners and saints

    Healed the blind the lost and the lame
    Even now He is in our midst
    Behold Him
    He who chose a criminal's end
    Paid with blood to settle our debt
    Buried death as He rose to life
    Behold Him

    Jesus Son of God Messiah

    The Lamb the roaring Lion
    Oh be still and behold Him
    Jesus Alpha and Omega
    Our God the risen Savior
    Oh be still and behold Him

    Holy holy holy

    Is the Lord God Almighty
    Worthy worthy worthy
    To receive all praise

    Passage:

    “Though our iniquities testify against us,
    act, O Lord, for your name's sake;
    for our backslidings are many;
    we have sinned against you.
    8 O you hope of Israel,
    its savior in time of trouble,
    why should you be like a stranger in the land,
    like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
    9 Why should you be like a man confused,
    like a mighty warrior who cannot save?
    Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,
    and we are called by your name;
    do not leave us.”

    10 Thus says the Lord concerning this people:

    “They have loved to wander thus;
    they have not restrained their feet;
    therefore the Lord does not accept them;
    now he will remember their iniquity
    and punish their sins.”

    Have you utterly rejected Judah?

    Does your soul loathe Zion?
    Why have you struck us down
    so that there is no healing for us?
    We looked for peace, but no good came;
    for a time of healing, but behold, terror.
    20 We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord,
    and the iniquity of our fathers,
    for we have sinned against you.
    21 Do not spurn us, for your name's sake;
    do not dishonor your glorious throne;
    remember and do not break your covenant with us.
    22 Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain?
    Or can the heavens give showers?
    Are you not he, O Lord our God?
    We set our hope on you,
    for you do all these things.

    Musical Reflection:

    “Be Thou My Vision,” old Irish folk tune

    Reflection Notes:

    The hymn commonly known as “Be Thou My Vision” is set to the tune SLANE, which is an old Irish folk tune. It samples both major and minor tonalities, with a perfect balance between the two.

    Prayer:

    Lord, teach us to seek you, and reveal yourself to us when we seek you. For we cannot seek you unless you first teach us or find you except you reveal yourself to us. Let us seek you in longing and long for you in seeking; let us find you in love and love you in finding, O Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    Ambrose

    12 min
  • Gospel | Luke 18:9-14 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Not in Me by David L. Ward and Eric Schumacher

    Lyrics:

    No list of sins I have not done
    No list of virtues I pursue
    No list of those I am not like
    Can earn myself a place with You
    O God be merciful to me
    I am a sinner through and through
    My only hope of righteousness
    Is not in me but only You

    No humble dress no fervent prayer

    No lifted hands no tearful song
    No recitation of the truth
    Can justify a single wrong
    My righteousness is Jesus' life
    My debt was paid by Jesus' death
    My weary load was borne by Him
    And He alone can give me rest

    No separation from the world

    No work I do no gift I give
    Can cleanse my conscience cleanse my hands
    I cannot cause my soul to live
    But Jesus died and rose again
    The pow'r of death is overthrown
    My God is merciful to me
    And merciful in Christ alone

    Passage:

    He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

    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:

    Set us free, loving Father, from the bondage of our sins, and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    10 min
  • Monday Reflection | Romans 3:21-26

    Passage:

    21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

    Song:

    Only a Holy God by Dustin Smith, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson, sung by Shane and Shane

    Lyrics:

    Who else commands all the hosts of heaven?
    Who else could make every king bow down?
    Who else can whisper and darkness trembles?
    Only a Holy God

    What other beauty demands such praises?

    What other splendour outshines the sun?
    What other majesty rules with justice?
    Only a Holy God

    Come and behold Him

    The One and the Only
    Cry out, sing holy
    Forever a Holy God
    Come and worship the Holy God

    What other glory consumes like fire?

    What other power can raise the dead?
    What other name remains undefeated?
    Only a Holy God

    Come and behold Him

    The One and the Only
    Cry out, sing holy
    Forever a Holy God
    Come and worship the Holy God

    Who else could rescue me from my failing?

    Who else would offer His only Son?
    Who else invites me to call Him Father?
    Only a Holy God
    Only my Holy God

    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

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…