Scripture for Today

Scripture for Today

By Aliso Creek ChurchReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
Download on the App Store

Scripture for Today episodes

  • Luke 1

    Passage:

    1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

    26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

    ( Luke 1:1-4, 26-33 ESV )

    Song:

    Mary's Song (Our King Of Peace) by Wendell Kimbrough

    Lyrics:

    My soul magnifies the Lord
    My spirit rejoices in God
    My Savior has seen his servant in need
    And behold the great things He has done

    He scatters the proud and rich

    He lifts up the humble and weak
    The kings of the earth He casts from their thrones
    And the hungry He welcomes to feast

    Oh behold my Savior has come

    And my soul will tell of His praise
    For He Who is strong has come to the weak
    And at last He will reign as our King of Peace

    From now to the end of time

    The nations will know me as blest
    For God has made new His promise of love
    And mercy through Abraham’s seed

    Prayer:

    Listen to the prayers of your children! When sheep see the wolves, they flee to the shepherd for shelter under his staff. Your flock has seen the wolves, and they cry out in terror! Let your cross be a staff to drive away whatever would swallow them up. Angels came down and proclaimed peace to the baby born in a cattle stall. I pray for the same peace, for my people—the peace that we could never find on our own. It took a baby, the son of Mary. Have mercy, Lord who was once a child, on these children. Hear the cry of your little ones. Save them by your grace. They cry out from the midst of this flock of sheep to the shepherd of all. Deliver us! Amen.
    —Ephraim the Syrian

    9 min
  • Genesis 46

    Passage:

    2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” 3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. 4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

    26 All the persons belonging to Jacob who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. 27 And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.

    (Genesis 46:2-4, 26-27 ESV)

    Song:

    Give Us Clean Hands by Charlie Hall

    Lyrics:

    We bow our hearts we bend our knees
    Oh Spirit come make us humble
    We turn our eyes from evil things
    Oh Lord we cast down our idols

    Give us clean hands give us pure hearts

    Let us not lift our souls to another
    Give us clean hands give us pure hearts
    Let us not lift our souls to another
    And oh God let us be a generation that seeks
    That seeks Your face oh God of Jacob
    And oh God let us be a generation that seeks
    That seeks Your face oh God of Jacob

    Prayer:

    O Lord, we acknowledge that no creature is able to comprehend the length or breadth, the depth or the height of your most excellent love—which moved you to show mercy where none was deserved. You gave life where death had gotten the victory. You recovered us into your grace plan when we did nothing but rebel against your justice. Lord, the blind dullness of our corrupt nature does not allow us to experience your ample benefits. Even so, at the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, we present ourselves… By him alone you acknowledge us as your children and heirs. By him alone we have access to the throne of your grace. By him alone we are members of this spiritual kingdom… All these blessings are beyond our comprehension. We acknowledge and confess that we have received them only by your free mercy and grace, by the only beloved Son Jesus Christ. And as your congregation, moved by the Holy Spirit, we give you all thanks, praise, and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
    —John Knox

    9 min
  • Mark 15

    Passage:

    12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.”

    17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.

    29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.” 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”

    39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

    (Mark 15:12-14, 17-19, 29-32, 39 ESV)

    Song:

    All Sufficient Merit by Bethany Barnard, Bryan Fowler, and Shane Barnard

    Lyrics:

    All sufficient merit shining like the sun
    A fortune I inherit by no work I have done
    My righteousness I forfeit at my Savior’s cross
    Where all sufficient merit did what I could not

    In love He condescended eternal now in time

    A life without a blemish the Maker made to die
    The law could never save us our lawlessness had won
    Until the pure and spotless Lamb had finally come

    It is done it is finished

    No more debt I owe
    Paid in full all sufficient
    Merit now my own

    I lay down my garments any empty boast

    Good works now all corrupted by the sinful host
    I'm dressed in my Lord Jesus
    A crimson robe made white
    No more fear of judgment His righteousness is mine

    All sufficient merit firm in life and death

    The joy of my salvation shall be my final breath
    When I stand accepted before the throne of God
    I’ll gaze upon my Jesus and thank Him for the cross
    Yes I’ll thank Him for the cross

    Oh Your merit now my own

    Oh Your merit now my own

    Prayer:

    Lord, I believe and confess that you suffered under Pontius Pilate, and that you were crucified, dead and buried. It was all because of my sins. You redeemed and ransomed me from an eternal cross, from the pain, suffering, and death. And you did it by your own cross, suffering, anguish, pain, and bitter death—as well as by the pouring out of your blood. In this we poor humans recognize your greatest and highest love to us. For you have changed for us your heavy cross into a light yoke. You have turned your bitter sufferings into perpetual joys. And you have turned your death in the midst of anger … into eternal life. So I will praise and thank you, my gracious Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen.
    —Balthasar Hubmaier

    11 min
  • Genesis 44

    Passage:

    30 “Now therefore, as soon as I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy’s life, 31 as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. 32 For your servant became a pledge of safety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”

    (Genesis 44:30-34 ESV)

    Song:

    Love Will Never Fail by Aaron Keyes, Isaac Wardell, Leslie Jordan, Orlando Palmer, and Paul Zach

    Lyrics:

    Love is patient love is kind
    It has no arrogance or pride
    It seeks the good of others first
    It keeps no record of wrong or hurt
    It finds no joy in wickedness
    But rejoices in the truth
    Through it all it will endure
    Love will never fail

    Love will never never fail

    Love will never never fail
    Love will never never fail
    Love will never fail

    Though all prophecy will cease

    Though all knowledge it will fade
    Oh an end will come to speech
    Even death will pass away
    We will see You face to face
    And Your mercy will prevail
    Faith and hope they will remain
    Love will never fail

    Love love will never fail

    Love love will never fail

    Prayer:

    Begin in me a new and godly life, Lord, devoted to your praise forever. Help me to put off the self and be made a new creature, putting on righteousness, holiness, innocence, and eternal life… For the sake of your love, which made you willing to be taken and bound, loose me from the bonds of all sins, and instead secure me in the loving strings of your will. Grant, dear Lord, that I may be always ready to suffer gladly all kind of taunts, injuries, contempt, and slander for your name’s sake. By your grace, divert my affections, my words, and my deeds to your glory forever. Amen.
    -John Bradford

    8 min
  • Mark 13

    Passage:

    1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

    5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

    31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

    (Mark 13:1-2, 5-8, 31 ESV)

    Song:

    Bet All I Have on You by Jessica Ray Langdon and Natalie Taylor Leonhardt, The Solid Rock by Edward Mote and William Batchelder Bradbury

    Lyrics:

    There's so much that I don't see
    But I see You but I see You
    And there's so much that I don't know
    But I know You but I know You
    And there's so much that I don't understand
    But I have seen Your goodness
    And it's just enough that I'll

    Bet all I have on You

    I bet all I have on You
    I bet all I have on You
    I bet all I have on You
    'Cause only a fool would find real love
    And just give it up
    I bet all I have on You
    I bet all I have on You

    I don't have the answers yet

    But I have You but I have You
    When I don't know who I can trust
    I can trust You I can trust You
    'Cause I've heard a song that I can't ignore
    Like a current pulling me toward You
    It's enough and I'll

    Jesus You're worth it I bet all I have on You

    I bet all I have on You I bet all I have on You
    I bet all I have on You I bet all I have on You

    My hope is built on nothing less

    Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
    I dare not trust the sweetest frame
    But wholly lean on Jesus' name

    On Christ the solid Rock I stand

    All other ground is sinking sand
    All other ground is sinking sand

    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.
    -The Book of Common Prayer

    10 min
  • Genesis 40

    Passage:

    8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”

    9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”

    23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

    (Genesis 40:8-15, 23 ESV)

    Song:

    I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130)

    Lyrics:

    Out of the depths I cry to You
    In darkest places I will call
    Incline Your ear to me anew
    And hear my cry for mercy Lord

    Were You to count my sinful ways

    How could I come before Your throne
    Yet full forgiveness meets my gaze
    I stand redeemed by grace alone

    I will wait for You I will wait for You

    On Your word I will rely
    I will wait for You surely wait for You
    Till my soul is satisfied

    So put Your hope in God alone

    Take courage in His power to save
    Completely and forever won
    By Christ emerging from the grave

    His steadfast love has made a way

    And God Himself has paid the price
    That all who trust in Him today
    Find healing in His sacrifice

    I will wait for You I will wait for You

    Through the storm and through the night
    I will wait for You surely wait for You
    For Your love is my delight

    Prayer:

    Almighty God, heavenly Father, because we are so weak in ourselves that we cannot stand even for a moment, and moreover, our sworn enemies—the devil, the world, and our own flesh—do not cease to attack us; will you, therefore, keep and strengthen us by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that we may firmly resist them and not go down to defeat in this spiritual war, but remain persistent until we finally obtain the complete victory and reign together with your Son, our Lord and Protector Jesus Christ, in your kingdom forevermore. Amen. 
    -Zacharias Ursinus

    12 min
  • Genesis 39

    Passage:

    2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.

    6 Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

    19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

    (Genesis 39:2-9, 19-23 ESV)

    Song:

    There is a Peace by Charlie Richardson

    Lyrics:

    Come weary and tired worn out from life
    Step out of the shadows and walk into light
    Come sinner or saint slave man or free
    Bring blessings and offerings
    Then you shall see
    Bring blessings and offerings
    Then you shall see

    There is a peace to settle your soul

    There is a peace that is calling you home

    You've been tempted and shaken tested and failed

    You've been so far from Jesus and too close to hell
    Your vision's been clouded by this world's delight
    But I tell you you're not of this world
    So stand up and fight
    You're not of this world so stand up and fight

    Prayer:

    Preserve your work, Lord. Guard the gift you have given even to those who pulled back. For I knew I was not worthy to be called your servant, but by your grace I am what I am. And grant that I may know how with genuine affection to mourn with those who sin. Grant that as often as I learn of the sin of anyone who has fallen, I may suffer with them, and not scold them in my pride, but mourn and weep with them, so that in weeping over another I may also mourn for myself. Amen.
    —Ambrose of Milan

    9 min
  • Mark 8

    Passage:

    31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

    34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

    (Mark 8:31-38 ESV)

    Song:

    Take My Life and Let It Be by Frances Ridley Havergal, Henri Abraham Cesar Malan, Paul Zach
    Lyrics:

    Take my life and let it be

    Consecrated Lord to thee
    Take my moments and my days
    Let them flow in ceaseless praise
    Let them flow in ceaseless praise

    Take my silver and my gold

    Not a mite would I withhold
    Take my intellect and use
    Ev'ry pow'r as thou shalt choose
    Ev'ry pow'r as thou shalt choose

    Take my will and make it thine

    It shall be no longer mine
    Take my heart it is thine own
    It shall be thy royal throne
    It shall be thy royal throne

    Take my love my Lord I pour

    At thy feet its treasure-store
    Take myself and I will be
    Ever only all for thee
    Ever only all for thee

    Prayer:

    You, Lord, have become my hope, my comfort, my strength, my all! In you does my soul rejoice. The darkness vanished from before my eyes, and I beheld you, the sun of righteousness. When I loved darkness, I knew you not, but wandered on from night to night. But you led me out of that blindness; you took me by the hand and called me to yourself, and now I can thank you, and your mighty voice which has penetrated to my inmost heart. Amen.
    -Augustine

    9 min
  • Mark 7

    Passage:

    6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
    “‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;
    7 in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

    8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

    9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)—12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

    (Mark 7:6-13 ESV)

    Song:

    Getaway by Jon Guerra, Lindsey Sweat, Taya Gaukrodger
    Lyrics:

    Are you burnt out

    On religious things
    Are you worn down
    Lacking inner peace
    Take a real rest
    Walk along with me
    In the pastures of my presence
    You can be yourself and you can

    Say what's on your heart

    I already know it all
    Doesn't matter what you say
    Come and get away with me
    I know where you are
    Where you've been and what you've seen
    Doesn't matter how you come
    Come and get away with me
    Get away get away with me
    (Get away get away with me)

    Are you burdened

    From all the heavy days
    It's not your job
    To shoulder all the weight
    Let me do it
    Let me come and take
    The lies you've been believing in
    The truth is that you have a place to

    Grace upon grace upon grace

    Let it lead
    Get away get away with me
    Grace upon grace upon grace
    Let it lead
    Get away get away with me
    Grace upon grace upon grace
    Let me lead
    Get away get away with me

    Say what's on your heart

    I already know it all
    Doesn't matter what you say
    Come and say it all to me
    I know where you are
    Where you've been and what you've seen
    Doesn't matter how you come
    Come and get away with me
    Oh come away come away with me
    Get away get away with me

    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

    8 min
  • Mark 6

    Passage:

    47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

    (Mark 6:47-52 ESV)

    Song:

    Peace Be Still by Andrew Holt, Hope Darst, Mia Fieldes

    Lyrics:

    I don't want to be afraid
    Every time I face the waves
    I don't want to be afraid
    I don't want to be afraid
    I don't want to fear the storm
    Just because I hear it roar
    I don't want to fear the storm
    I don't want to fear the storm

    Peace be still

    Say the word and I will
    Set my feet upon the sea
    Till I'm dancing in the deep
    Peace be still
    You are here so it is well
    Even when my eyes can't see
    I will trust the voice that speaks

    I'm not gonna be afraid

    'Cause these waves are only waves
    I'm not gonna be afraid
    I'm not gonna be afraid
    I'm not gonna fear the storm
    You are greater than its roar
    I'm not gonna fear the storm
    I'm not gonna fear at all

    Peace peace over me

    Let faith rise up

    O heart believe
    Let faith rise up in me

    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.
    -The Book of Common Prayer

    12 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…