Scripture for Today | Philippians 3:17-4:1 (with Jeff Sholar)

About this Episode

Opening Song: 

Take Heart by Leslie Jordan and Taylor Leonhardt

Lyrics:

“Take Heart”

 

Hear all you children of Heaven's promise

Shivering under clouds of gloom

Hear all you wond'ring where your God is

Jesus weeps tonight with you

 

Take heart take heart He has overcome the world

Take heart take heart He has overcome (the world)

 

Hear all you weary trouble's companion

Praying to find a peace unknown

Where sorrow's river hollowed a canyon

The Wounded Healer's water flows

 

Our joy is born in labor pains

Love suffers long but not in vain

Our joy is born in labor pains

Love suffers long but not in vain

 

He has overcome the world

Passage: 

17   Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

 

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

(Philippians 3:17–4:1 ESV)

Musical Reflection: 

O Lord, Hear My Prayer by Jacques Berthier

Reflection Notes: 

This song from the Taizé community contains a series of pleas: “O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; when I call, answer me.” The repeated notes emphasize the insistence of the sung prayer, while the descending lines indicate a deep, almost despairing desire to connect. 

Prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ, give us a measure of your spirit that we may be enabled to obey your teaching to pacify anger, to take part in pity, to moderate desire, to increase love, to put away sorrow, to cast away vainglory, not to be vindictive, not to fear death, ever entrusting our spirit to immortal God, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. 

-Apollonius [(d. c. 185–190). A Roman senator who was particularly well read in the philosophy of the pagans. He was forced to appear before the praetorian prefect Perennes and was eventually martyred.]