Saturday 27 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">Proverbs 8:22-30</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord created me at the beginning* of his work,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the first of his acts of long ago.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ages ago I was set up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the first, before the beginning of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When there were no depths I was brought forth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when there were no springs abounding with water.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before the mountains had been shaped,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before the hills, I was brought forth—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when he had not yet made earth and fields,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or the world’s first bits of soil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When he established the heavens, I was there,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when he made firm the skies above,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when he established the fountains of the deep,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when he assigned to the sea its limit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that the waters might not transgress his command,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when he marked out the foundations of the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>then I was beside him, like a master worker;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I was daily his* delight,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoicing before him always,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 13:20-35</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’* So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.* After he received the piece of bread,* Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him,* God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isaiah 44:1-8</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But now hear, O Jacob my servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Israel whom I have chosen!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus says the Lord who made you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who formed you in the womb and will help you:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jeshurun whom I have chosen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I will pour water on the thirsty land,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and streams on the dry ground;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will pour my spirit upon your descendants,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my blessing on your offspring.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They shall spring up like a green tamarisk,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like willows by flowing streams.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>another will be called by the name of Jacob,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet another will write on the hand, ‘The Lord’s’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and adopt the name of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am the first and I am the last;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>besides me there is no god.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them declare and set it forth before me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who has announced from of old the things to come?*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let them tell us* what is yet to be.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not fear, or be afraid;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>have I not told you from of old and declared it?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You are my witnesses!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Is there any god besides me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is no other rock; I know not one.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 John 5:1-12</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ* has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify:* the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God* have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 97, 98</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 97</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the many coastlands be glad!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fire goes before him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and consumes his adversaries on every side.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His lightnings light up the world;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the earth sees and trembles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before the Lord of all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heavens proclaim his righteousness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all the peoples behold his glory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All worshippers of images are put to shame,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who make their boast in worthless idols;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all gods bow down before him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Zion hears and is glad,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the towns* of Judah rejoice,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of your judgements, O God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are exalted far above all gods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord loves those who hate* evil;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he guards the lives of his faithful;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Light dawns* for the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and joy for the upright in heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and give thanks to his holy name!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 98</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O sing to the Lord a new song,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he has done marvellous things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His right hand and his holy arm</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>have gained him victory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has made known his victory;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to the house of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the ends of the earth have seen</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the victory of our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>break forth into joyous song and sing praises.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the lyre and the sound of melody.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With trumpets and the sound of the horn</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the world and those who live in it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the floods clap their hands;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the hills sing together for joy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to judge the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will judge the world with righteousness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the peoples with equity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 145</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 145</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will extol you, my God and King,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bless your name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every day I will bless you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and praise your name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his greatness is unsearchable.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One generation shall laud your works to another,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shall declare your mighty acts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the glorious splendour of your majesty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will declare your greatness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is gracious and merciful,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is good to all,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his compassion is over all that he has made.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all your faithful shall bless you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and tell of your power,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to make known to all people your* mighty deeds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the glorious splendour of your* kingdom.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your dominion endures throughout all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is faithful in all his words,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and gracious in all his deeds.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord upholds all who are falling,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and raises up all who are bowed down.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The eyes of all look to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you give them their food in due season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You open your hand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>satisfying the desire of every living thing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is just in all his ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and kind in all his doings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is near to all who call on him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to all who call on him in truth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He fulfils the desire of all who fear him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he also hears their cry, and saves them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord watches over all who love him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but all the wicked he will destroy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all flesh will bless his holy name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->