Friday 19 December 2008<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span><!--StartFragment-->
<p class="MsoNormal">DAILY LECTIONARY</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Email Evangelism, forward to a friend: http://www.dailylectionary.org</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isaiah 10:5-19</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the club in their hands is my fury!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Against a godless nation I send him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and against the people of my wrath I command him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to take spoil and seize plunder,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But this is not what he intends,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor does he have this in mind;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but it is in his heart to destroy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to cut off nations not a few.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he says:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Are not my commanders all kings?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Is not Calno like Carchemish?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is not Hamath like Arpad?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is not Samaria like Damascus?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whose images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>what I have done to Samaria and her images?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he* will punish the arrogant boasting of the king of Assyria and his haughty pride. For he says:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘By the strength of my hand I have done it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and by my wisdom, for I have understanding;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have removed the boundaries of peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have plundered their treasures;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My hand has found, like a nest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the wealth of the peoples;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and as one gathers eggs that have been forsaken,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so I have gathered all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and there was none that moved a wing,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or opened its mouth, or chirped.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Shall the axe vaunt itself over the one who wields it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or the saw magnify itself against the one who handles it?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As if a rod should raise the one who lifts it up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or as if a staff should lift the one who is not wood!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and under his glory a burning will be kindled,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like the burning of fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The light of Israel will become a fire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his Holy One a flame;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and it will burn and devour</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his thorns and briers in one day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The glory of his forest and his fruitful land</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord will destroy, both soul and body,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and it will be as when an invalid wastes away.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The remnant of the trees of his forest will be so few</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that a child can write them down.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 Peter 2:17-22</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the deepest darkness has been reserved. For they speak bombastic nonsense, and with licentious desires of the flesh they entice people who have just* escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘The dog turns back to its own vomit’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.’ ******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 11:2-15</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When John heard in prison what the Messiah* was doing, he sent word by his* disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers* are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone* dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet?* Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who will prepare your way before you.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,* and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears* listen!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 40, 54</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 40</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I waited patiently for the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he inclined to me and heard my cry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He drew me up from the desolate pit,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>out of the miry bog,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and set my feet upon a rock,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>making my steps secure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He put a new song in my mouth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a song of praise to our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many will see and fear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and put their trust in the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those who make</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord their trust,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who do not turn to the proud,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to those who go astray after false gods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have multiplied, O Lord my God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>none can compare with you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Were I to proclaim and tell of them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they would be more than can be counted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but you have given me an open ear.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Burnt-offering and sin-offering</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have not required.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I said, ‘Here I am;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the scroll of the book it is written of me.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I delight to do your will, O my God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your law is within my heart.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have told the glad news of deliverance</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the great congregation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">see, I have not restrained my lips,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as you know, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from the great congregation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not, O Lord, withhold</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your mercy from me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let your steadfast love and your faithfulness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>keep me safe for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For evils have encompassed me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>without number;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my iniquities have overtaken me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until I cannot see;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they are more than the hairs of my head,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my heart fails me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, make haste to help me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let all those be put to shame and confusion</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek to snatch away my life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let those be turned back and brought to dishonour</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who desire my hurt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let those be appalled because of their shame</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who say to me, ‘Aha, Aha!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But may all who seek you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoice and be glad in you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">may those who love your salvation</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for me, I am poor and needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the Lord takes thought for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are my help and my deliverer;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not delay, O my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 54</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Save me, O God, by your name,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and vindicate me by your might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear my prayer, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear to the words of my mouth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the insolent have risen against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the ruthless seek my life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they do not set God before them.</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">But surely, God is my helper;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord is the upholder of* my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will repay my enemies for their evil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In your faithfulness, put an end to them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a freewill-offering I will sacrifice to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he has delivered me from every trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 51</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 51</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have mercy on me, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>according to your steadfast love;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">according to your abundant mercy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>blot out my transgressions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and cleanse me from my sin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I know my transgressions,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my sin is ever before me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Against you, you alone, have I sinned,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and done what is evil in your sight,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that you are justified in your sentence</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and blameless when you pass judgement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Indeed, I was born guilty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a sinner when my mother conceived me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You desire truth in the inward being;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me hear joy and gladness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hide your face from my sins,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and blot out all my iniquities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Create in me a clean heart, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and put a new and right* spirit within me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not cast me away from your presence,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not take your holy spirit from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore to me the joy of your salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sustain in me a willing* spirit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I will teach transgressors your ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sinners will return to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God of my salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, open my lips,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my mouth will declare your praise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have no delight in sacrifice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if I were to give a burnt-offering, you would not be pleased.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The sacrifice acceptable to God* is a broken spirit;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">then you will delight in right sacrifices,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in burnt-offerings and whole burnt-offerings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>then bulls will be offered on your altar.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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