Tuesday 9 September 2008<span style="mso-spacerun:
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<p class="MsoNormal">DAILY LECTIONARY</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Email Evangelism, forward to a friend: http://www.dailylectionary.org</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Job 29:1-20</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Job again took up his discourse and said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘O that I were as in the months of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as in the days when God watched over me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when his lamp shone over my head,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and by his light I walked through darkness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when I was in my prime,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the friendship of God was upon my tent;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when the Almighty* was still with me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when my children were around me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when my steps were washed with milk,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I went out to the gate of the city,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I took my seat in the square,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the young men saw me and withdrew,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the aged rose up and stood;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the nobles refrained from talking,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and laid their hands on their mouths;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the voices of princes were hushed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the ear heard, it commended me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and when the eye saw, it approved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because I delivered the poor who cried,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the orphan who had no helper.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The blessing of the wretched came upon me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my justice was like a robe and a turban.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was eyes to the blind,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and feet to the lame.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was a father to the needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I championed the cause of the stranger.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I broke the fangs of the unrighteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and made them drop their prey from their teeth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I thought, “I shall die in my nest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my roots spread out to the waters,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the dew all night on my branches;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my glory was fresh with me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my bow ever new in my hand.”</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 14:1-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas* went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to maltreat them and to stone them, the apostles* learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And the man* sprang up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city,* brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends,* why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.’ Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">John 10:31-42</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?’ The Jews answered, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.’ Jesus answered, ‘Is it not written in your law,* “I said, you are gods”? If those to whom the word of God came were called “gods”—and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, “I am God’s Son”? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand* that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, ‘John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ And many believed in him there.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 45</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 45</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">My heart overflows with a goodly theme;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I address my verses to the king;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are the most handsome of men;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>grace is poured upon your lips;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore God has blessed you for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in your glory and majesty.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In your majesty ride on victoriously</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the cause of truth and to defend* the right;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your right hand teach you dread deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your arrows are sharp</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the heart of the king’s enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the peoples fall under you.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your throne, O God,* endures for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your royal sceptre is a sceptre of equity;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you love righteousness and hate wickedness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore God, your God, has anointed you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>daughters of kings are among your ladies of honour;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>forget your people and your father’s house,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the king will desire your beauty.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since he is your lord, bow to him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the people* of Tyre will seek your favour with gifts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the richest of the people with all kinds of wealth.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The princess is decked in her chamber with gold-woven robes;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in many-coloured robes she is led to the king;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>behind her the virgins, her companions, follow.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With joy and gladness they are led along</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as they enter the palace of the king.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In the place of ancestors you, O king,* shall have sons;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you will make them princes in all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 47, 48</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 47</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Clap your hands, all you peoples;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shout to God with loud songs of joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a great king over all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He subdued peoples under us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and nations under our feet.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He chose our heritage for us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the pride of Jacob whom he loves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has gone up with a shout,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing praises to God, sing praises;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing praises to our King, sing praises.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For God is the king of all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing praises with a psalm.*</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is king over the nations;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God sits on his holy throne.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The princes of the peoples gather</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as the people of the God of Abraham.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the shields of the earth belong to God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is highly exalted.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 48</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the city of our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is the joy of all the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mount Zion, in the far north,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the city of the great King.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Within its citadels God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>has shown himself a sure defence.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then the kings assembled,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they came on together.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they were in panic, they took to flight;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">trembling took hold of them there,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pains as of a woman in labour,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">as when an east wind shatters</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the ships of Tarshish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we have heard, so have we seen</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the city of the Lord of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in the city of our God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>which God establishes for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We ponder your steadfast love, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the midst of your temple.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your name, O God, like your praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>reaches to the ends of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your right hand is filled with victory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let Mount Zion be glad,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let the towns* of Judah rejoice</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of your judgements.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Walk about Zion, go all around it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>count its towers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">consider well its ramparts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>go through its citadels,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that you may tell the next generation</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that this is God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">our God for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will be our guide for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
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