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 Sat, Sep 30
Psalm 87
Psalm 87
Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.(A)
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion(B)
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God:[a](C)
4 “I will record Rahab[b](D) and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia(E) too, and Tyre(F), along with Cush[c]—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”[d](G)
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord will write in the register(H) of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”
Footnotes:
- Psalm 87:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
- Psalm 87:4 A poetic name for Egypt
- Psalm 87:4 That is, the upper Nile region
- Psalm 87:4 Or “I will record concerning those who acknowledge me: / ‘This one was born in Zion.’ / Hear this, Rahab and Babylon, / and you too, Philistia, Tyre and Cush.”
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalm 90
BOOK IV
Psalms 90–106
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place(A)
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born(B)
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting(C) you are God.(D)
3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”(E)
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.(F)
5 Yet you sweep people away(G) in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.(H)
7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins(I) in the light of your presence.(J)
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.(K)
10 Our days may come to seventy years,(L)
or eighty,(M) if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,(N)
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.(O)
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath(P) is as great as the fear that is your due.(Q)
12 Teach us to number our days,(R)
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.(S)
13 Relent, Lord! How long(T) will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.(U)
14 Satisfy(V) us in the morning with your unfailing love,(W)
that we may sing for joy(X) and be glad all our days.(Y)
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.(Z)
17 May the favor[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.(AA)
Footnotes:
- Psalm 90:17 Or beauty
Cross references:
- Psalm 90:1 : S Dt 33:27; Eph 2:22; Rev 21:3
- Psalm 90:2 : S Job 15:7
- Psalm 90:2 : Isa 9:6; 57:15
- Psalm 90:2 : S Ge 21:33; S Job 10:5; Ps 102:24-27; Pr 8:23-26
- Psalm 90:3 : S Ge 2:7; S Job 7:21; 34:15; 1Co 15:47
- Psalm 90:4 : S Job 10:5; 2Pe 3:8
- Psalm 90:5 : S Ge 19:15
- Psalm 90:6 : Isa 40:6-8; Mt 6:30; Jas 1:10
- Psalm 90:8 : S Ps 19:12; 2Co 4:2; Eph 5:12
- Psalm 90:8 : S Heb 4:13
- Psalm 90:9 : Ps 78:33
- Psalm 90:10 : Isa 23:15, 17; Jer 25:11
- Psalm 90:10 : 2Sa 19:35
- Psalm 90:10 : S Job 5:7
- Psalm 90:10 : S Job 20:8; S 34:15
- Psalm 90:11 : Ps 7:11
- Psalm 90:11 : Ps 76:7
- Psalm 90:12 : Ps 39:4; 139:16; Pr 16:9; 20:24
- Psalm 90:12 : Dt 32:29
- Psalm 90:13 : Ps 6:3
- Psalm 90:13 : S Dt 32:36
- Psalm 90:14 : Ps 103:5; 107:9; 145:16, 19
- Psalm 90:14 : S Ps 77:8; 143:8
- Psalm 90:14 : S Ps 5:11
- Psalm 90:14 : Ps 31:7
- Psalm 90:16 : Ps 44:1; Hab 3:2
- Psalm 90:17 : Isa 26:12
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalm 136
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks(A) to the Lord, for he is good.(B)
His love endures forever.(C)
2 Give thanks(D) to the God of gods.(E)
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks(F) to the Lord of lords:(G)
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,(H)
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding(I) made the heavens,(J)
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth(K) upon the waters,(L)
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights(M)—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern(N) the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn(O) of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out(P) from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand(Q) and outstretched arm;(R)
His love endures forever.
13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a](S) asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through(T) the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;(U)
His love endures forever.
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;(V)
His love endures forever.
17 to him who struck down great kings,(W)
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings(X)—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites(Y)
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan(Z)—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land(AA) as an inheritance,(AB)
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance(AC) to his servant Israel.(AD)
His love endures forever.
23 He remembered us(AE) in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us(AF) from our enemies.(AG)
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food(AH) to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Footnotes:
- Psalm 136:13 Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 15
Cross references:
- Psalm 136:1 : Ps 105:1
- Psalm 136:1 : Ps 100:5; 106:1; 145:9; Jer 33:11; Na 1:7
- Psalm 136:1 : ver 2-26; S 2Ch 5:13; S Ezr 3:11; Ps 118:1-4
- Psalm 136:2 : Ps 105:1
- Psalm 136:2 : S Dt 10:17
- Psalm 136:3 : Ps 105:1
- Psalm 136:3 : S Dt 10:17; S 1Ti 6:15
- Psalm 136:4 : S Ex 3:20; S Job 9:10
- Psalm 136:5 : Pr 3:19; Jer 51:15
- Psalm 136:5 : S Ge 1:1
- Psalm 136:6 : S Ge 1:1; Isa 42:5; Jer 10:12; 33:2
- Psalm 136:6 : S Ge 1:6
- Psalm 136:7 : Ge 1:14, 16; Ps 74:16; Jas 1:17
- Psalm 136:8 : S Ge 1:16
- Psalm 136:10 : S Ex 4:23; S 12:12
- Psalm 136:11 : S Ex 6:6; 13:3; Ps 105:43
- Psalm 136:12 : S Ex 3:20; S Dt 5:15
- Psalm 136:12 : S Dt 9:29
- Psalm 136:13 : S Ps 78:13
- Psalm 136:14 : Ex 14:22; Ps 106:9
- Psalm 136:15 : S Ex 14:27
- Psalm 136:16 : S Ex 13:18; Ps 78:52
- Psalm 136:17 : Nu 21:23-25; Jos 24:8-11; Ps 78:55; 135:9-12
- Psalm 136:18 : Dt 29:7; S Jos 12:7-24
- Psalm 136:19 : Nu 21:21-25
- Psalm 136:20 : Nu 21:33-35
- Psalm 136:21 : Jos 12:1
- Psalm 136:21 : S Dt 1:38; S Jos 14:1
- Psalm 136:22 : S Dt 29:8; Ps 78:55
- Psalm 136:22 : Isa 20:3; 41:8; 42:19; 43:10; 44:1, 21; 45:4; 49:5-7
- Psalm 136:23 : Ps 78:39; 103:14; 115:12
- Psalm 136:24 : S Jos 10:14; S Ne 9:28
- Psalm 136:24 : S Dt 6:19
- Psalm 136:25 : S Ge 1:30; S Mt 6:26
- Psalm 136:26 : Ps 105:1
- Psalm 136:26 : S Ps 115:3
- Psalm 136:26 : S Ezr 3:11
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
2 Kings 11:1-20
Athaliah and Joash(A)
11 When Athaliah(B) the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram[a] and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash(C) son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed.(D) 3 He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites(E) and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king’s son. 5 He commanded them, saying, “This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath(F)—a third of you guarding the royal palace,(G) 6 a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple— 7 and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king. 8 Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks[b] is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”
9 The commanders of units of a hundred did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields(H) that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the Lord. 11 The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
12 Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant(I) and proclaimed him king. They anointed(J) him, and the people clapped their hands(K) and shouted, “Long live the king!”(L)
13 When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord. 14 She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar,(M) as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets.(N) Then Athaliah tore(O) her robes and called out, “Treason! Treason!”(P)
15 Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks[c] and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple(Q) of the Lord.” 16 So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter(R) the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.(S)
17 Jehoiada then made a covenant(T) between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.(U) 18 All the people of the land went to the temple(V) of Baal and tore it down. They smashed(W) the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest(X) of Baal in front of the altars.
Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the Lord. 19 He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites,(Y) the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the Lord and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards. The king then took his place on the royal throne. 20 All the people of the land rejoiced,(Z) and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace.
Footnotes:
- 2 Kings 11:2 Hebrew Joram, a variant of Jehoram
- 2 Kings 11:8 Or approaches the precincts
- 2 Kings 11:15 Or out from the precincts
Cross references:
- 2 Kings 11:1 : 11:1-21pp — 2Ch 22:10–23:21
- 2 Kings 11:1 : S 2Ki 8:18
- 2 Kings 11:2 : 2Ki 12:1
- 2 Kings 11:2 : S Jdg 9:5
- 2 Kings 11:4 : ver 19
- 2 Kings 11:5 : 1Ch 9:25
- 2 Kings 11:5 : 1Ki 14:27
- 2 Kings 11:10 : S 2Sa 8:7
- 2 Kings 11:12 : Ex 25:16; 2Ki 23:3
- 2 Kings 11:12 : S 1Sa 9:16; S 1Ki 1:39
- 2 Kings 11:12 : Ps 47:1; 98:8; Isa 55:12
- 2 Kings 11:12 : S 1Sa 10:24
- 2 Kings 11:14 : S 1Ki 7:15
- 2 Kings 11:14 : S 1Ki 1:39
- 2 Kings 11:14 : S Ge 37:29
- 2 Kings 11:14 : 2Ki 9:23
- 2 Kings 11:15 : 1Ki 2:30
- 2 Kings 11:16 : Ne 3:28; Jer 31:40
- 2 Kings 11:16 : S Ge 4:14
- 2 Kings 11:17 : S Ex 24:8; 2Sa 5:3; 2Ch 15:12; 23:3; 29:10; 34:31; Ezr 10:3
- 2 Kings 11:17 : 2Ki 23:3; Jer 34:8
- 2 Kings 11:18 : S 1Ki 16:32
- 2 Kings 11:18 : S Dt 12:3
- 2 Kings 11:18 : 1Ki 18:40; 2Ki 10:25; 23:20
- 2 Kings 11:19 : ver 4
- 2 Kings 11:20 : Pr 11:10; 28:12; 29:2
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 Corinthians 7:10-24
10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.(A) 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.(B) And a husband must not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord):(C) If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.(D)
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.(E) 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save(F) your husband?(G) Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Concerning Change of Status
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.(H) This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.(I) 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.(J) 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.(K) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(L)
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;(M) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.(N) 23 You were bought at a price;(O) do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(P)
Cross references:
- 1 Corinthians 7:10 : Mal 2:14-16; S Lk 16:18
- 1 Corinthians 7:11 : ver 39; Ro 7:2, 3
- 1 Corinthians 7:12 : ver 6, 10; 2Co 11:17
- 1 Corinthians 7:14 : Mal 2:15
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 : S Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:33
- 1 Corinthians 7:16 : S Ro 11:14
- 1 Corinthians 7:16 : 1Pe 3:1
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 : Ro 12:3
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 : 1Co 4:17; 14:33; 2Co 8:18; 11:28
- 1 Corinthians 7:18 : Ac 15:1, 2
- 1 Corinthians 7:19 : Ro 2:25-27; Gal 5:6; 6:15; Col 3:11
- 1 Corinthians 7:20 : ver 24
- 1 Corinthians 7:22 : Jn 8:32, 36
- 1 Corinthians 7:22 : S Ro 6:22
- 1 Corinthians 7:23 : S 1Co 6:20
- 1 Corinthians 7:24 : ver 20
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Matthew 6:19-24
Treasures in Heaven(A)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,(B) where moths and vermin destroy,(C) and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,(D) where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.(E) 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(F)
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “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.(G)
Footnotes:
- Matthew 6:22 The Greek for healthy here implies generous.
- Matthew 6:23 The Greek for unhealthy here implies stingy.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.