Wednesday 28 January 2009<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 49:1-12</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listen to me, O coastlands,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pay attention, you peoples from far away!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord called me before I was born,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He made my mouth like a sharp sword,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the shadow of his hand he hid me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he made me a polished arrow,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in his quiver he hid me away.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet surely my cause is with the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my reward with my God.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And now the Lord says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who formed me in the womb to be his servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to bring Jacob back to him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and that Israel might be gathered to him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my God has become my strength—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to raise up the tribes of Jacob</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to restore the survivors of Israel;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will give you as a light to the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus says the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the slave of rulers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Kings shall see and stand up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>princes, and they shall prostrate themselves,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because of the Lord, who is faithful,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus says the Lord:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a time of favour I have answered you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on a day of salvation I have helped you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have kept you and given you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as a covenant to the people,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to establish the land,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to apportion the desolate heritages;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They shall feed along the ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on all the bare heights* shall be their pasture;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they shall not hunger or thirst,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for he who has pity on them will lead them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and by springs of water will guide them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I will turn all my mountains into a road,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my highways shall be raised up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lo, these shall come from far away,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and lo, these from the north and from the west,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and these from the land of Syene.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Galatians 2:11-21</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction. And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified* not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.* And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ,* and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,* who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification* comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 6:13-29</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’* name had become known. Some were* saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod* had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed;* and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias* came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s* head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 119:49-72</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 119:49-72</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember your word to your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in which you have made me hope.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is my comfort in my distress,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that your promise gives me life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The arrogant utterly deride me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but I do not turn away from your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I think of your ordinances from of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I take comfort, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who forsake your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your statutes have been my songs</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wherever I make my home.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I remember your name in the night, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and keep your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This blessing has fallen to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I have kept your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is my portion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I promise to keep your words.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I implore your favour with all my heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be gracious to me according to your promise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I think of your ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I turn my feet to your decrees;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hurry and do not delay</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to keep your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do not forget your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At midnight I rise to praise you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of your righteous ordinances.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am a companion of all who fear you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of those who keep your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have dealt well with your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, according to your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teach me good judgement and knowledge,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I believe in your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before I was humbled I went astray,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but now I keep your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are good and do good;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The arrogant smear me with lies,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their hearts are fat and gross,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but I delight in your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is good for me that I was humbled,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I might learn your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The law of your mouth is better to me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>than thousands of gold and silver pieces.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 49, 53</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 49</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear this, all you peoples;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear, all inhabitants of the world,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">both low and high,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rich and poor together.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My mouth shall speak wisdom;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will incline my ear to a proverb;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why should I fear in times of trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those who trust in their wealth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and boast of the abundance of their riches?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no price one can give to God for it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the ransom of life is costly,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and can never suffice,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that one should live on for ever</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and never see the grave.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we look at the wise, they die;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>fool and dolt perish together</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and leave their wealth to others.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their graves* are their homes for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their dwelling-places to all generations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though they named lands their own.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are like the animals that perish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Such is the fate of the foolhardy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the end of those* who are pleased with their lot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Death shall be their shepherd;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">straight to the grave they descend,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their form shall waste away;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sheol shall be their home.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he will receive me.</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">Do not be afraid when some become rich,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the wealth of their houses increases.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For when they die they will carry nothing away;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their wealth will not go down after them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>—for you are praised when you do well for yourself—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they* will go to the company of their ancestors,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who will never again see the light.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are like the animals that perish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 53</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no one who does good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God looks down from heaven on humankind</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to see if there are any who are wise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek after God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They have all fallen away, they are all alike perverse;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no one who does good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>no, not one.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have they no knowledge, those evildoers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who eat up my people as they eat bread,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not call upon God?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There they shall be in great terror,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in terror such as has not been.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they will be put to shame,* for God has rejected them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When God restores the fortunes of his people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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