Tuesday 30 December 2008<span style="mso-spacerun:
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<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isaiah 25:1-9</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, you are my God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will exalt you, I will praise your name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for you have done wonderful things,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>plans formed of old, faithful and sure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have made the city a heap,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the fortified city a ruin;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the palace of aliens is a city no more,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it will never be rebuilt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>cities of ruthless nations will fear you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have been a refuge to the poor,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a refuge to the needy in their distress,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the song of the ruthless was stilled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And he will destroy on this mountain</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the shroud that is cast over all peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the sheet that is spread over all nations;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he will swallow up death for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the Lord has spoken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It will be said on that day,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the Lord for whom we have waited;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Revelation 1:9-20</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.* I was in the spirit* on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, ‘Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. ******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 7:53-8:11</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.* When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’* And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’]]<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 20, 21:1-14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 20</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The name of the God of Jacob protect you!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he send you help from the sanctuary,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and give you support from Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he remember all your offerings,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices.</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">May he grant you your heart’s desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fulfil all your plans.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May we shout for joy over your victory,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in the name of our God set up our banners.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the Lord fulfil all your petitions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will answer him from his holy heaven</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with mighty victories by his right hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will collapse and fall,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but we shall rise and stand upright.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Give victory to the king, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>answer us when we call.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 21:1-14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in your help how greatly he exults!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have given him his heart’s desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have not withheld the request of his lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you meet him with rich blessings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you set a crown of fine gold on his head.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He asked you for life; you gave it to him—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>length of days for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His glory is great through your help;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>splendour and majesty you bestow on him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You bestow on him blessings for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you make him glad with the joy of your presence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the king trusts in the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your hand will find out all your enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your right hand will find out those who hate you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will make them like a fiery furnace</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when you appear.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fire will consume them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will destroy their offspring from the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their children from among humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If they plan evil against you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you will put them to flight;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you will aim at their faces with your bows.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will sing and praise your power.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 23, 27</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 23</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He makes me lie down in green pastures;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he leads me beside still waters;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he restores my soul.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He leads me in right paths*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for his name’s sake.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even though I walk through the darkest valley,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I fear no evil;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for you are with me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your rod and your staff—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they comfort me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You prepare a table before me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the presence of my enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you anoint my head with oil;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my cup overflows.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surely* goodness and mercy* shall follow me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the days of my life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my whole life long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 27</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is my light and my salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whom shall I fear?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is the stronghold* of my life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of whom shall I be afraid?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When evildoers assail me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to devour my flesh—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my adversaries and foes—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shall stumble and fall.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though an army encamp against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart shall not fear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">though war rise up against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet I will be confident.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing I asked of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that will I seek after:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to live in the house of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the days of my life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to behold the beauty of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to inquire in his temple.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he will hide me in his shelter</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the day of trouble;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will set me high on a rock.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now my head is lifted up</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>above my enemies all around me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I will offer in his tent</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sacrifices with shouts of joy;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing and make melody to the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be gracious to me and answer me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your face, Lord, do I seek.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do not hide your face from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not turn your servant away in anger,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you who have been my help.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God of my salvation!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If my father and mother forsake me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord will take me up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teach me your way, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and lead me on a level path</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of my enemies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for false witnesses have risen against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and they are breathing out violence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the land of the living.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wait for the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be strong, and let your heart take courage;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wait for the Lord!</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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