Saturday 3 January 2009<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">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Genesis 28:10-22</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder* set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him* and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed* in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel;* but the name of the city was Luz at the first. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one-tenth to you.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 11:13-22</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom he had been told, ‘It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named after you.’ He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ‘bowing in worship over the top of his staff.’ By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 10:7-17</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 68</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 68</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let those who hate him flee before him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as wax melts before the fire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the wicked perish before God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But let the righteous be joyful;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them exult before God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them be jubilant with joy.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to God, sing praises to his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds*—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">his name is the Lord—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be exultant before him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Father of orphans and protector of widows</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is God in his holy habitation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God gives the desolate a home to live in;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the rebellious live in a parched land.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O God, when you went out before your people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when you marched through the wilderness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the presence of God, the God of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you restored your heritage when it languished;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">your flock found a dwelling in it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord gives the command;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>great is the company of those* who bore the tidings:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The women at home divide the spoil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though they stay among the sheepfolds—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the wings of a dove covered with silver,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>its pinions with green gold.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Almighty* scattered kings there,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>snow fell on Zalmon.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do you look with envy, O many-peaked mountain,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the mount that God desired for his abode,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>where the Lord will reside for ever?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>thousands upon thousands,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You ascended the high mount,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>leading captives in your train</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and receiving gifts from people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">even from those who rebel against the Lord God’s abiding there.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who daily bears us up;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God is our salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our God is a God of salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But God will shatter the heads of his enemies,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the hairy crown of those who walk in their guilty ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord said,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I will bring them back from Bashan,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that you may bathe* your feet in blood,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from the foe.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your solemn processions are seen,* O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the singers in front, the musicians last,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>between them girls playing tambourines:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Bless God in the great congregation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the princes of Judah in a body,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Summon your might, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>show your strength, O God, as you have done for us before.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of your temple at Jerusalem</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>kings bear gifts to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Trample* under foot those who lust after tribute;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>scatter the peoples who delight in war.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let bronze be brought from Egypt;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let Ethiopia* hasten to stretch out its hands to God.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing praises to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ascribe power to God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whose majesty is over Israel;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and whose power is in the skies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Awesome is God in his* sanctuary,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Israel;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he gives power and strength to his people.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 72</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 72</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Give the king your justice, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your righteousness to a king’s son.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he judge your people with righteousness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your poor with justice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the hills, in righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give deliverance to the needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and crush the oppressor.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he live* while the sun endures,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like showers that water the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In his days may righteousness flourish</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and peace abound, until the moon is no more.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he have dominion from sea to sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and from the River to the ends of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May his foes* bow down before him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his enemies lick the dust.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>render him tribute,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">may the kings of Sheba and Seba</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>bring gifts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May all kings fall down before him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all nations give him service.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he delivers the needy when they call,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the poor and those who have no helper.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has pity on the weak and the needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and saves the lives of the needy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From oppression and violence he redeems their life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and precious is their blood in his sight.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Long may he live!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>May gold of Sheba be given to him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May prayer be made for him continually,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and blessings invoked for him all day long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May there be abundance of grain in the land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may it wave on the tops of the mountains;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may its fruit be like Lebanon;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and may people blossom in the cities</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like the grass of the field.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May his name endure for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his fame continue as long as the sun.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May all nations be blessed in him;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may they pronounce him happy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who alone does wondrous things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be his glorious name for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may his glory fill the whole earth.Amen and Amen.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
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