Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

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Scripture for Today episodes

  • Monday Reflection | Psalm 146

    Passage:

    1 Praise the Lord!
    Praise the Lord, O my soul!
    2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

    3 Put not your trust in princes,

    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
    4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
    on that very day his plans perish.

    5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
    6 who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them,
    who keeps faith forever;
    7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
    who gives food to the hungry.

    The Lord sets the prisoners free;

    8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
    The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
    the Lord loves the righteous.
    9 The Lord watches over the sojourners;
    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

    10 The Lord will reign forever,

    your God, O Zion, to all generations.
    Praise the Lord!

    Song:

    What Joy (Psalm 146) by Sarah Emerson

    Lyrics:

    You made the heavens and the earth
    The sea and all that is in them
    Your promises remain
    You give justice to the weak
    You care for the widow and orphan
    Forever Lord You reign

    What joy what joy

    For those whose hope is in the name of the Lord
    What peace what peace
    For those whose confidence is Him alone

    You make the blinded eyes to see

    And cherish those who seek Your face
    Your faithful love endures
    You came to let the slave go free
    You cause the sinner to sing praise
    In You we are secure

    Hallelujah hallelujah

    Hallelujah hallelujah

    Hallelujah forever we will sing

    Hallelujah praises to the King

    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 | Luke 14:25-33 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    I’ll Follow You by Jonathan Traylor

    Lyrics:

    I cannot see what tomorrow will bring
    But I know You are with me
    I do not know what the future will hold
    But You'll never forsake me

    All my days

    You never left my side
    Cloud by day
    Fire by night

    I'll follow You all of my life

    I'll follow You all of my life
    (I'll follow You all of my life)

    I cannot win this battle on my own

    I'm so glad You are for me
    I've been in the fire but You brought out
    No You'll never forsake me

    Every step I take You've already been there

    And every move I make You've seen it before
    So I won't turn back now for You are with me
    You have led me here so I will trust in the Lord

    Passage:

    Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

    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:

    O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    10 min
  • New Testament | Philemon 1-21 (with Jeff Sholar)

    Opening Song:

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

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

    The Scripture for today is Philemon 1:1-21.

    Let’s prepare our hearts to hear from God’s word as we listen to Grace and Peace by Fernando Ortega and John Andrew Schreiner. The simple words of this frequently used greeting in the epistles establish a gentle tone. The text of “the Lord Jesus Christ” is treated with special reverence and emphasis; each time the melodic line rises higher and with more embellishment.

    Lyrics:

    Grace and peace
    Grace and peace
    Grace and peace to you
    From God our Father
    And the Lord Jesus Christ

    Passage:

    1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

    To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

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

    Philemon's Love and Faith

    4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a] 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

    Paul's Plea for Onesimus

    8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,[b] whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

    17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

    21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

    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:

    O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    12 min
  • Monday Reflection | Psalm 2

    Passage:

    Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
    2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
    3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”
    4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
    5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
    6 “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”
    7 I will tell of the decree:
    The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
    8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
    9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
    10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
    11 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
    12 Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

    Song:

    Glory Honor Power by Jeff Pardo, Melody Noel, and Tiffany Hudson

    Lyrics:

    Most worthy worthy of praise
    Exalted above all things my God
    You are my God

    Your splendor and majesty

    Your wonder fills everything my God
    You are my God

    Holy is the Lord

    Holy is the Lord Almighty
    Seated on the throne
    Seated on the throne of Glory
    High and lifted up
    Your presence fills the temple when we worship You
    Oh we worship You

    Creation points to the King

    The heavens can't help but sing to You
    To You our God

    Hallelujah to the one who came and made a way

    Hallelujah to the one who died and rose again
    Hallelujah to the only name above all names
    Glory and honor and power forever

    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
  • Gospel | Luke 12:49-56 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Your Name is Power by Chris Llewellyn and Gareth Gilkeson

    Lyrics:

    You're the only answer to the darkness
    You're the only right among the wrong
    You're the only hope among the chaos
    You are the voice that calls me on

    Louder than ev'ry lie

    My sword in ev'ry fight
    The truth will chase away the night

    Your name is power over darkness

    Freedom for the captives
    Mercy for the broken and the hopeless
    Your name is faithful in the battle
    Glory in the struggle
    Mighty it won't let us down or fail us
    (Your name is power)
    (Your name is power)

    I know it is written hope is certain

    I know that the Word will never fail
    I know that in ev'ry situation
    You speak the power to prevail

    When You speak You scatter darkness

    Light arrives and heaven opens
    Holy Spirit let us hear it
    When You speak the church awakens
    We believe the change is coming
    Holy Spirit let us see it

    Your name is power over darkness

    Your name is power in the chaos
    Your name is power

    Passage:

    49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

    54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

    (Luke 12:49–56 ESV)

    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:

    Lord God, open my heart and illuminate it with the grace of your Holy Spirit. By this grace may I always seek to do what is pleasing to you; direct my thoughts and feelings so that I may at last come to the unending joys of heaven. Thus on earth may I keep your commandments, and so be worthy of your everlasting reward.
    -Bede

    10 min
  • Psalm | Psalm 125 (with Nick Locke)

    Opening Song:

    Trust in You by Antoine Bradford

    Lyrics:

    If perfect love cast out fear
    Then why should I ever be afraid
    When I know that you will always
    Be right next to me

    But still my vision's kinda blurry

    And sometimes I can't see your hand
    But even in the darkest night
    You'll always be there

    'Cause when I trust in you

    I do the thing I that was made to do
    To live a life that fully rests in you
    And all your promises for me
    Oh, when I, when I trust in you
    When I trust in you
    When I trust in you
    When I trust in you

    Jesus, I know you're the good shepherd

    That never, ever lost a sheep
    So I lay down all my worries
    Lay 'em down at your keep

    'Cause when I trust in you

    I do the thing that I was made to do
    To live a life that fully rests in you
    And all your promises for me
    Oh, when I, when I trust in you
    When I trust in you
    When I trust in you
    When I trust in you

    Passage:

    1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
    2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the LORD surrounds his people,
    from this time forth and forevermore.
    3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
    on the land allotted to the righteous,
    lest the righteous stretch out
    their hands to do wrong.
    4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
    and to those who are upright in their hearts!
    5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
    the LORD will lead away with evildoers!
    Peace be upon Israel!

    (Psalm 125:1–5 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 Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God’s goodness. Spafford’s immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford’s children had died.

    Prayer:

    O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    11 min
  • Old Testament | Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Instrument of Peace by Isaac Wardell, Jessica Fox, Liz Vice, Orlando Palmer, and Paul Zach

    Lyrics:

    Lord make me
    An instrument of peace
    An instrument of peace

    Where is there hatred let me sow love

    Where there is darkness let me sow light
    For in the giving we shall receive
    And in the dying we’re given life

    Lord make me

    An instrument of peace
    An instrument of peace

    Where there is sorrow let me sow hope

    Where there is doubt let me sow faith
    Where is injury your pardon give
    Your consolation to those in pain

    Lord make me

    An instrument of peace
    An instrument of peace

    Passage:

    1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
    and favor is better than silver or gold.
    2 The rich and the poor meet together;
    the LORD is the Maker of them all.
    8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
    and the rod of his fury will fail.
    9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
    for he shares his bread with the poor.

    22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,

    or crush the afflicted at the gate,
    23 for the LORD will plead their cause
    and rob of life those who rob them.

    (Proverbs 22:1–2, 8–9, 22–23 ESV)

    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:

    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
  • Monday Reflection | Psalm 8

    Passage:

    1 O LORD, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
    You have set your glory above the heavens.
    2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
    you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.

    3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
    4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

    5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

    and crowned him with glory and honor.
    6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
    7 all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
    8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

    9 O LORD, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
    (Psalm 8:1–9 ESV)

    Song:

    How Majestic by Brian Eichelberger

    Lyrics:

    Mothers, come adore His name
    Sisters, raise your hands in praise
    Lift your heads
    Taste and see all He's done
    Heaven to earth has come

    Fathers, shout the victor's cry

    Brothers, feast upon His life
    Joy has dawned
    Death has been overthrown
    Mercy is on its throne

    Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is

    Your name in all the earth
    Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is
    Your name in all the earth

    Sinners, come behold your King

    Sufferers, rise with hope and sing
    All is well
    Mercies are new this day
    Burdens all met with grace

    All helpless, all secure

    All hopeful and all broken
    All thankless and all poor
    All peaceful and all violent
    All fearless, all afraid
    All angry, all rejoicing
    All doubting, all assured
    All joyful and all mourning
    Come gaze upon His glory
    Come receive His love and mercy
    His grace declares His glory
    You are loved forever wholly

    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
  • Gospel | Mark 7:24-37 (with Tom Gastil)

    Opening Song:

    Even the Impossible by Mack Brock

    Lyrics:

    I think this Stone's getting ready to roll
    I feel a faith that is starting to rise
    And I see a world on the edge of revival
    I think it's only a matter of time

    So, do what only you can do

    Move what only you can move
    Even the impossible is possible for you

    I see a grave that is hollow of power

    I see a battle that's already won
    And I see a church on the verge of revival
    I see your kingdom has already come

    So, do what only you can do

    Move what only you can move
    Even the impossible is possible for you

    You can make the chains come loose

    You can tell the mountains move
    Even the impossible is possible for you
    Even the impossible is possible for you

    You said it, I see it

    You still do miracles
    There's power in Jesus name
    All darkness defeated
    There's nothing stopping you, my God
    There's nothing stopping you

    Passage:

    24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

    31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

    (Mark 7:24–37 ESV)

    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:

    Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as
    you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength,
    so you never forsake those who make their boast of your
    mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
    with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
    Amen.

    12 min
  • New Testament | Hebrews 12:1-14 (with Jeff Sholar)

    Opening Song:

    You Won’t Let Me Go by Christopher D. Williams and Matt Nainby

    Lyrics:

    You're my hope and my soul's anchor
    Through the change You are the same
    I will wait for Your promise
    Until the end

    In the fire through the waters

    I will not lose hope
    You have called us sons and daughters
    You won't let me go

    I will run with endurance

    Fix my eyes on Jesus
    That I may not grow weary
    Or lose heart

    My trust is in You Lord

    I know that You hear me
    I know that You care
    My faith is in You God
    Through trials and heartache
    I won't let the world shake (my trust)

    Passage:

    1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
    3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
    5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
    “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
    6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

    7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

    12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
    (Hebrews 12:1–14 ESV)

    Musical Reflection:

    Air from Suite No. 3 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:

    Keep your Church, O Lord, by your perpetual mercy; and because without you the frailty of our nature causes us to fall, keep us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable for our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    15 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…