Monday 29 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">Hosea 2:14-23</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore, I will now persuade her,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bring her into the wilderness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and speak tenderly to her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From there I will give her her vineyards,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There she shall respond as in the days of her youth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On that day, says the Lord, you will call me, ‘My husband’, and no longer will you call me, ‘My Baal’.* For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more. I will make for you* a covenant on that day with the wild animals, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish* the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety. And I will take you for my wife for ever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On that day I will answer, says the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will answer the heavens</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and they shall answer the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and they shall answer Jezreel;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will sow him* for myself in the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I will have pity on Lo-ruhamah,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will say to Lo-ammi,* ‘You are my people’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 20:17-38</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him. When they came to him, he said to them:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘You yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, enduring the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. I did not shrink from doing anything helpful, proclaiming the message to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house, as I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus. And now, as a captive to the Spirit,* I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘And now I know that none of you, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again. Therefore I declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God* that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.* I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to warn everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing. You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions. In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” ’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed. There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Then they brought him to the ship.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Luke 5:1-11</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Once while Jesus* was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 89:1-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 89:1-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord,* for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I declare that your steadfast love is established for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have sworn to my servant David:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I will establish your descendants for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and build your throne for all generations.” ’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">a God feared in the council of the holy ones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>great and awesome* above all that are around him?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord God of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who is as mighty as you, O Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your faithfulness surrounds you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You rule the raging of the sea;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when its waves rise, you still them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You crushed Rahab like a carcass;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the world and all that is in it—you have founded them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The north and the south*—you created them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have a mighty arm;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>strong is your hand, high your right hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are the people who know the festal shout,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they exult in your name all day long,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and extol* your righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you are the glory of their strength;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>by your favour our horn is exalted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our shield belongs to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our king to the Holy One of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 89:19-52</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 89:19-52</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I have set the crown* on one who is mighty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have exalted one chosen from the people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have found my servant David;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with my holy oil I have anointed him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my hand shall always remain with him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my arm also shall strengthen him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The enemy shall not outwit him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the wicked shall not humble him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will crush his foes before him</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and strike down those who hate him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in my name his horn shall be exalted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will set his hand on the sea</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his right hand on the rivers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He shall cry to me, “You are my Father,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my God, and the Rock of my salvation!”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make him the firstborn,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the highest of the kings of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For-ever I will keep my steadfast love for him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my covenant with him will stand firm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will establish his line for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his throne as long as the heavens endure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If his children forsake my law</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not walk according to my ordinances,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">if they violate my statutes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not keep my commandments,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">then I will punish their transgression with the rod</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their iniquity with scourges;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but I will not remove from him my steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or be false to my faithfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will not violate my covenant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or alter the word that went forth from my lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will not lie to David.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His line shall continue for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his throne endure before me like the sun.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It shall be established for ever like the moon,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>an enduring witness in the skies.’</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">But now you have spurned and rejected him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are full of wrath against your anointed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have renounced the covenant with your servant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have defiled his crown in the dust.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have broken through all his walls;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have laid his strongholds in ruins.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All who pass by plunder him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has become the scorn of his neighbours.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have exalted the right hand of his foes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have made all his enemies rejoice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moreover, you have turned back the edge of his sword,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you have not supported him in battle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have removed the sceptre from his hand,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and hurled his throne to the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have cut short the days of his youth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have covered him with shame.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How long will your wrath burn like fire?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember how short my time is—*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for what vanity you have created all mortals!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who can live and never see death?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who can escape the power of Sheol?</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">Lord, where is your steadfast love of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>which by your faithfulness you swore to David?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember, O Lord, how your servant is taunted;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how I bear in my bosom the insults of the peoples,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">with which your enemies taunt, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with which they taunted the footsteps of your anointed.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be the Lord for ever.Amen and Amen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
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