Friday 26 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">Esther 8:1-8,15-17</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On that day King Ahasuerus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews; and Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her. Then the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. So Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then Esther spoke again to the king; she fell at his feet, weeping and pleading with him to avert the evil design of Haman the Agagite and the plot that he had devised against the Jews. The king held out the golden sceptre to Esther, and Esther rose and stood before the king. She said, ‘If it pleases the king, and if I have won his favour, and if the thing seems right before the king, and I have his approval, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote giving orders to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king. For how can I bear to see the calamity that is coming on my people? Or how can I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?’ Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to the Jew Mordecai, ‘See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he plotted to lay hands on the Jews. You may write as you please with regard to the Jews, in the name of the king, and seal it with the king’s ring; for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s ring cannot be revoked.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king, wearing royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a mantle of fine linen and purple, while the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honour. In every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict came, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a festival and a holiday. Furthermore, many of the peoples of the country professed to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 19:21-41</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now after these things had been accomplished, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem. He said, ‘After I have gone there, I must also see Rome.’ So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed for some time longer in Asia.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>About that time no little disturbance broke out concerning the Way. A man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the artisans. These he gathered together, with the workers of the same trade, and said, ‘Men, you know that we get our wealth from this business. You also see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be scorned, and she will be deprived of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When they heard this, they were enraged and shouted, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’ The city was filled with the confusion; and people* rushed together to the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s travelling-companions. Paul wished to go into the crowd, but the disciples would not let him; even some officials of the province of Asia,* who were friendly to him, sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theatre. Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd gave instructions to Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed forward. And Alexander motioned for silence and tried to make a defence before the people. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours all of them shouted in unison, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’ But when the town clerk had quietened the crowd, he said, ‘Citizens of Ephesus, who is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple-keeper of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven?* Since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. You have brought these men here who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of our* goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the artisans with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges there against one another. If there is anything further* you want to know, it must be settled in the regular assembly. For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.’ When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Luke 4:31-37</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, ‘What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!’ And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 88</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 88</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, God of my salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when, at night, I cry out in your presence,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let my prayer come before you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>incline your ear to my cry.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">For my soul is full of troubles,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my life draws near to Sheol.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am counted among those who go down to the Pit;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am like those who have no help,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">like those forsaken among the dead,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like the slain that lie in the grave,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">like those whom you remember no more,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for they are cut off from your hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have put me in the depths of the Pit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the regions dark and deep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your wrath lies heavy upon me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you overwhelm me with all your waves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You have caused my companions to shun me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have made me a thing of horror to them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am shut in so that I cannot escape;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my eye grows dim through sorrow.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every day I call on you, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I spread out my hands to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you work wonders for the dead?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do the shades rise up to praise you?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or your faithfulness in Abaddon?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Are your wonders known in the darkness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">But I, O Lord, cry out to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the morning my prayer comes before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, why do you cast me off?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why do you hide your face from me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wretched and close to death from my youth up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I suffer your terrors; I am desperate.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your wrath has swept over me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your dread assaults destroy me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They surround me like a flood all day long;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from all sides they close in on me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have caused friend and neighbour to shun me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my companions are in darkness.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 91, 92</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 91</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You who live in the shelter of the Most High,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my God, in whom I trust.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and from the deadly pestilence;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he will cover you with his pinions,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and under his wings you will find refuge;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will not fear the terror of the night,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or the arrow that flies by day,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or the destruction that wastes at noonday.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">A thousand may fall at your side,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ten thousand at your right hand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but it will not come near you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will only look with your eyes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and see the punishment of the wicked.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Because you have made the Lord your refuge,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Most High your dwelling-place,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">no evil shall befall you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>no scourge come near your tent.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">For he will command his angels concerning you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to guard you in all your ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On their hands they will bear you up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will tread on the lion and the adder,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Those who love me, I will deliver;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will protect those who know my name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When they call to me, I will answer them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will be with them in trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will rescue them and honour them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With long life I will satisfy them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and show them my salvation.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 92</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">It is good to give thanks to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to sing praises to your name, O Most High;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to declare your steadfast love in the morning,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your faithfulness by night,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to the music of the lute and the harp,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to the melody of the lyre.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the works of your hands I sing for joy.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">How great are your works, O Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your thoughts are very deep!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The dullard cannot know,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the stupid cannot understand this:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">though the wicked sprout like grass</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all evildoers flourish,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they are doomed to destruction for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but you, O Lord, are on high for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For your enemies, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your enemies shall perish;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all evildoers shall be scattered.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have poured over me* fresh oil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The righteous flourish like the palm tree,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are planted in the house of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they flourish in the courts of our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In old age they still produce fruit;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are always green and full of sap,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">showing that the Lord is upright;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.</p>
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