Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church

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Today's Scripture & Prayer

Daily Bible Reading & Praying with the Church


The congregation of Countryside is encouraged to not only read ahead in the texts we will be sharing and studying together during our services, but also to personally read the Scriptures together as a congregation. Here you will find Scripture for the day (a Psalm for each morning (always at least the first Psalm) and night, and selections from the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospels), as well as weekly and daily prayers. Together we read through the New Testament once a year, and the Old Testament every two years. The Scripture selections, and the prayers, are from common sources used by most Christians throughout the world.

The historic church found expression in the same rhythms of worship and devotion that were evident in the early church, and among the Hebrews, God's people, before that.  Our hope is that the regular reminder will be of encouragement to us all to join the people of God in reading the Scriptures and praying. Both are meant to go together with our daily prayer and communion service.

Reading for Sun, Nov 16

Psalm 66-67

Psalm 66

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.

1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!(A)
2 Sing the glory of his name;(B)
make his praise glorious.(C)
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!(D)
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe(E) before you.
4 All the earth bows down(F) to you;
they sing praise(G) to you,
they sing the praises of your name.”[a]

5 Come and see what God has done,
his awesome deeds(H) for mankind!
6 He turned the sea into dry land,(I)
they passed through(J) the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice(K) in him.
7 He rules forever(L) by his power,
his eyes watch(M) the nations—
let not the rebellious(N) rise up against him.

8 Praise(O) our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives(P)
and kept our feet from slipping.(Q)
10 For you, God, tested(R) us;
you refined us like silver.(S)
11 You brought us into prison(T)
and laid burdens(U) on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads;(V)
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.(W)

13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings(X)
and fulfill my vows(Y) to you—
14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble.
15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you
and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.(Z)

16 Come and hear,(AA) all you who fear God;
let me tell(AB) you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;(AC)
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard(AD) my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected(AE) my prayer
or withheld his love from me!

Psalm 67[b]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—[c](AF)
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation(AG) among all nations.(AH)

3 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.(AI)
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,(AJ)
for you rule the peoples with equity(AK)
and guide the nations of the earth.(AL)
5 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

6 The land yields its harvest;(AM)
God, our God, blesses us.(AN)
7 May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth(AO) will fear him.(AP)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 66:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 15.
  2. Psalm 67:1 In Hebrew texts 67:1-7 is numbered 67:2-8.
  3. Psalm 67:1 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 66:1 : Ps 81:1; 84:8; 95:1; 98:4; 100:1
  2. Psalm 66:2 : Ps 79:9; 86:9
  3. Psalm 66:2 : Isa 42:8, 12; 43:21
  4. Psalm 66:3 : S Dt 7:21; S 10:21; Ps 65:5; 106:22; 111:6; 145:6
  5. Psalm 66:3 : S 2Sa 22:45
  6. Psalm 66:4 : Ps 22:27
  7. Psalm 66:4 : Ps 7:17; 67:3
  8. Psalm 66:5 : ver 3; Ps 106:22
  9. Psalm 66:6 : S Ge 8:1; S Ex 14:22
  10. Psalm 66:6 : 1Co 10:1
  11. Psalm 66:6 : S Lev 23:40
  12. Psalm 66:7 : S Ex 15:18; Ps 145:13
  13. Psalm 66:7 : S Ex 3:16; S Ps 11:4
  14. Psalm 66:7 : S Nu 17:10; Ps 112:10; 140:8
  15. Psalm 66:8 : S Ps 22:23
  16. Psalm 66:9 : Ps 30:3
  17. Psalm 66:9 : S Dt 32:35; S Job 12:5
  18. Psalm 66:10 : S Ex 15:25
  19. Psalm 66:10 : S Job 6:29; S 28:1; S Ps 12:6
  20. Psalm 66:11 : Ps 142:7; 146:7; Isa 42:7, 22; 61:1
  21. Psalm 66:11 : S Ge 3:17; S Ex 1:14; Ps 38:4; Isa 10:27
  22. Psalm 66:12 : Isa 51:23
  23. Psalm 66:12 : Ps 18:19
  24. Psalm 66:13 : S Ps 51:19
  25. Psalm 66:13 : Ps 22:25; 50:14; 116:14; Ecc 5:4; Jnh 2:9
  26. Psalm 66:15 : S Lev 16:5; Ps 51:19
  27. Psalm 66:16 : Ps 34:11
  28. Psalm 66:16 : Ps 71:15, 24
  29. Psalm 66:18 : S Dt 1:45; S 1Sa 8:18; Jas 4:3
  30. Psalm 66:19 : S Ps 18:6
  31. Psalm 66:20 : Ps 22:24
  32. Psalm 67:1 : Nu 6:24-26
  33. Psalm 67:2 : Isa 40:5; 52:10; 62:1
  34. Psalm 67:2 : Ps 98:2; Isa 62:2; Ac 10:35; Tit 2:11
  35. Psalm 67:3 : ver 5
  36. Psalm 67:4 : Ps 100:1-2
  37. Psalm 67:4 : S Ps 9:4; 96:10-13
  38. Psalm 67:4 : Ps 68:32
  39. Psalm 67:6 : S Ge 8:22; S Lev 26:4; Ps 85:12; Isa 55:10; Eze 34:27; Zec 8:12
  40. Psalm 67:6 : S Ge 12:2
  41. Psalm 67:7 : S Ps 2:8
  42. Psalm 67:7 : Ps 33:8
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 19

Psalm 19[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens(A) declare(B) the glory of God;(C)
the skies(D) proclaim the work of his hands.(E)
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.(F)
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.(G)
In the heavens God has pitched a tent(H) for the sun.(I)
5 It is like a bridegroom(J) coming out of his chamber,(K)
like a champion(L) rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens(M)
and makes its circuit to the other;(N)
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The law of the Lord(O) is perfect,(P)
refreshing the soul.(Q)
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,(R)
making wise the simple.(S)
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,(T)
giving joy(U) to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.(V)
9 The fear of the Lord(W) is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.(X)

10 They are more precious than gold,(Y)
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,(Z)
than honey from the honeycomb.(AA)
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.(AB)
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;(AC)
may they not rule over me.(AD)
Then I will be blameless,(AE)
innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing(AF) in your sight,
Lord, my Rock(AG) and my Redeemer.(AH)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 19:1 In Hebrew texts 19:1-14 is numbered 19:2-15.
  2. Psalm 19:4 Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew measuring line

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 19:1 : Ps 89:5; Isa 40:22
  2. Psalm 19:1 : Ps 50:6; 148:3; Ro 1:19
  3. Psalm 19:1 : Ps 4:2; 8:1; 97:6; Isa 6:3
  4. Psalm 19:1 : S Ge 1:8
  5. Psalm 19:1 : S Ps 8:6; S 103:22
  6. Psalm 19:2 : Ps 74:16
  7. Psalm 19:4 : Ro 10:18*
  8. Psalm 19:4 : S Job 36:29; Ps 104:2
  9. Psalm 19:4 : S Jdg 5:31
  10. Psalm 19:5 : Joel 2:16
  11. Psalm 19:5 : S Job 36:29
  12. Psalm 19:5 : 1Sa 17:4
  13. Psalm 19:6 : Dt 30:4
  14. Psalm 19:6 : Ps 113:3; Ecc 1:5
  15. Psalm 19:7 : S Ps 1:2
  16. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 119:142; Jas 1:25
  17. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 23:3
  18. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 93:5; 111:7; 119:138, 144
  19. Psalm 19:7 : S Dt 4:6; Ps 119:130
  20. Psalm 19:8 : Ps 33:4; 119:128
  21. Psalm 19:8 : Ps 119:14
  22. Psalm 19:8 : S Ezr 9:8; Ps 38:10
  23. Psalm 19:9 : Ps 34:11; 111:10; Pr 1:7; Ecc 12:13; Isa 33:6
  24. Psalm 19:9 : Ps 119:138, 142
  25. Psalm 19:10 : S Job 22:24; Ps 119:72; Pr 8:10
  26. Psalm 19:10 : Ps 119:103; SS 4:11; Eze 3:3
  27. Psalm 19:10 : S 1Sa 14:27
  28. Psalm 19:12 : Ps 51:2; 90:8; Ecc 12:14
  29. Psalm 19:13 : S Nu 15:30
  30. Psalm 19:13 : Ps 119:133
  31. Psalm 19:13 : S Ge 6:9; S Ps 18:32
  32. Psalm 19:14 : Ps 104:34
  33. Psalm 19:14 : Ps 18:31
  34. Psalm 19:14 : S Ex 6:6; S Job 19:25
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 46

Psalm 46[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge(A) and strength,(B)
an ever-present(C) help(D) in trouble.(E)
2 Therefore we will not fear,(F) though the earth give way(G)
and the mountains fall(H) into the heart of the sea,(I)
3 though its waters roar(J) and foam(K)
and the mountains quake(L) with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river(M) whose streams(N) make glad the city of God,(O)
the holy place where the Most High(P) dwells.(Q)
5 God is within her,(R) she will not fall;(S)
God will help(T) her at break of day.
6 Nations(U) are in uproar,(V) kingdoms(W) fall;
he lifts his voice,(X) the earth melts.(Y)

7 The Lord Almighty(Z) is with us;(AA)
the God of Jacob(AB) is our fortress.(AC)

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,(AD)
the desolations(AE) he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars(AF) cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow(AG) and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.(AH)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;(AI)
I will be exalted(AJ) among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob(AK) is our fortress.(AL)

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
  2. Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.
  4. Psalm 46:9 Or chariots

Cross references:

  1. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 9:9; 37:39; 61:3; 73:26; 91:2, 9; 142:5; Isa 33:16; Jer 16:19; 17:17; Joel 3:16; Na 1:7
  2. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 18:1
  3. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 34:18; La 3:57
  4. Psalm 46:1 : Ps 18:6; Lk 1:54
  5. Psalm 46:1 : S Dt 4:30; Ps 25:17
  6. Psalm 46:2 : S Ge 4:7; Ps 3:6
  7. Psalm 46:2 : Ps 82:5; Isa 13:13; 24:1, 19, 20; Jer 4:23; Da 11:19; Am 8:14; S Rev 6:14
  8. Psalm 46:2 : ver 6; Ps 18:7; 97:5; Isa 54:10; Am 9:5; Mic 1:4; Na 1:5; Hab 3:6
  9. Psalm 46:2 : Ex 15:8
  10. Psalm 46:3 : Ps 93:3; Isa 17:13; Jer 5:22; Eze 1:24; Rev 19:6
  11. Psalm 46:3 : S Job 9:26
  12. Psalm 46:3 : S Jdg 5:5
  13. Psalm 46:4 : S Ge 2:10; Rev 22:1
  14. Psalm 46:4 : S Ps 1:3
  15. Psalm 46:4 : Ps 48:1, 8; 87:3; 101:8; Rev 3:12
  16. Psalm 46:4 : Ge 14:18
  17. Psalm 46:4 : S 2Sa 15:25
  18. Psalm 46:5 : Dt 23:14; S Ps 26:8; Isa 12:6; Zec 2:5
  19. Psalm 46:5 : Ps 125:1
  20. Psalm 46:5 : S 1Ch 5:20
  21. Psalm 46:6 : S Job 12:23
  22. Psalm 46:6 : Ps 74:23; Isa 5:30; 17:12
  23. Psalm 46:6 : Ps 68:32; 102:22; Isa 13:4, 13; 23:11; Eze 26:18; Mt 4:8
  24. Psalm 46:6 : S Ps 29:3; Isa 33:3
  25. Psalm 46:6 : S ver 2
  26. Psalm 46:7 : S 1Sa 1:11
  27. Psalm 46:7 : S Ge 21:22
  28. Psalm 46:7 : S Ps 20:1
  29. Psalm 46:7 : ver 11; Ps 18:2
  30. Psalm 46:8 : Ps 66:5
  31. Psalm 46:8 : Isa 17:9; 64:10; Da 9:26; Lk 21:20
  32. Psalm 46:9 : Isa 2:4
  33. Psalm 46:9 : S Ps 37:15; S Isa 22:6
  34. Psalm 46:9 : Isa 9:5; Eze 39:9; Hos 2:18
  35. Psalm 46:10 : Dt 4:35; 1Ki 18:36, 39; Ps 100:3; Isa 37:16, 20; 43:11; 45:21; Eze 36:23
  36. Psalm 46:10 : Ps 18:46; Isa 2:11
  37. Psalm 46:11 : S Ps 20:1
  38. Psalm 46:11 : S ver 7
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Error: '1 Maccabees 2:29-43' not found for the version: New International Version.
Error: '1 Maccabees 2:49-50' not found for the version: New International Version.

Acts 28:14-23

14 There we found some brothers and sisters(A) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(B) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(C)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(D) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(E) although I have done nothing against our people(F) or against the customs of our ancestors,(G) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(H) and wanted to release me,(I) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(J) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(K) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel(L) that I am bound with this chain.”(M)

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(N) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”(O)

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,(P) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(Q) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(R)

Cross references:

  1. Acts 28:14 : S Ac 1:16
  2. Acts 28:15 : S Ac 1:16
  3. Acts 28:16 : Ac 24:23; 27:3
  4. Acts 28:17 : Ac 25:2
  5. Acts 28:17 : S Ac 22:5
  6. Acts 28:17 : S Ac 25:8
  7. Acts 28:17 : S Ac 6:14
  8. Acts 28:18 : Ac 22:24
  9. Acts 28:18 : Ac 26:31, 32
  10. Acts 28:18 : S Ac 23:9
  11. Acts 28:19 : S Ac 25:11
  12. Acts 28:20 : Ac 26:6, 7
  13. Acts 28:20 : S Ac 21:33
  14. Acts 28:21 : S Ac 22:5
  15. Acts 28:22 : S Ac 24:5, 14
  16. Acts 28:23 : S Mt 3:2; Ac 19:8
  17. Acts 28:23 : S Ac 8:35
  18. Acts 28:23 : Ac 17:3
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Luke 16:1-13

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.(A) 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

6 “‘Nine hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world(B) are more shrewd(C) in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.(D) 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth(E) to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.(F)

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,(G) and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,(H) who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”(I)

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 16:6 Or about 3,000 liters
  2. Luke 16:7 Or about 30 tons

Cross references:

  1. Luke 16:1 : Lk 15:13, 30
  2. Luke 16:8 : Ps 17:14
  3. Luke 16:8 : Ps 18:26
  4. Luke 16:8 : Jn 12:36; Eph 5:8; 1Th 5:5
  5. Luke 16:9 : ver 11, 13
  6. Luke 16:9 : Mt 19:21; Lk 12:33
  7. Luke 16:10 : Mt 25:21, 23; Lk 19:17
  8. Luke 16:11 : ver 9, 13
  9. Luke 16:13 : ver 9, 11; Mt 6:24
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.