Tuesday 6 January 2009<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><!--StartFragment-->
<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">Isaiah 52:7-10</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">How beautiful upon the mountains</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who brings good news,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who announces salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>together they sing for joy;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for in plain sight they see</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the return of the Lord to Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Break forth together into singing,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you ruins of Jerusalem;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for the Lord has comforted his people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has redeemed Jerusalem.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has bared his holy arm</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before the eyes of all the nations;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and all the ends of the earth shall see</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the salvation of our God.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Revelation 21:22-27</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honour of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practises abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 12:14-21</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds* followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will put my Spirit upon him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will not wrangle or cry aloud,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will not break a bruised reed</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or quench a smouldering wick</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">until he brings justice to victory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And in his name the Gentiles will hope.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 46, 97</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 46</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">God is our refuge and strength,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a very present* help in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">though its waters roar and foam,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains tremble with its tumult.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the holy habitation of the Most High.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is in the midst of the city;* it shall not be moved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God will help it when the morning dawns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he utters his voice, the earth melts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Come, behold the works of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>see what desolations he has brought on the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he burns the shields with fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Be still, and know that I am God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted in the earth.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 97</p>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 96, 100</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 96</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O sing to the Lord a new song;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing to the Lord, all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to the Lord, bless his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>tell of his salvation from day to day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Declare his glory among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his marvellous works among all the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is to be revered above all gods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For all the gods of the peoples are idols,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the Lord made the heavens.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Honour and majesty are before him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>bring an offering, and come into his courts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Worship the Lord in holy splendour;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>tremble before him, all the earth.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will judge the peoples with equity.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the sea roar, and all that fills it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the field exult, and everything in it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before the Lord; for he is coming,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he is coming 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 his truth.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 100</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Worship the Lord with gladness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>come into his presence with singing.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Know that the Lord is God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is he that made us, and we are his;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Enter his gates with thanksgiving,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his courts with praise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Give thanks to him, bless his name.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">For the Lord is good;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his steadfast love endures for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his faithfulness to all generations.</p>
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