Sunday 1 February 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 51:9-16</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Awake, awake, put on strength,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O arm of the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Awake, as in days of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the generations of long ago!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who pierced the dragon?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Was it not you who dried up the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the waters of the great deep;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who made the depths of the sea a way</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the redeemed to cross over?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So the ransomed of the Lord shall return,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and come to Zion with singing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shall obtain joy and gladness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I, I am he who comforts you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>why then are you afraid of a mere mortal who must die,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a human being who fades like grass?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who stretched out the heavens</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and laid the foundations of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You fear continually all day long</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of the fury of the oppressor,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who is bent on destruction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But where is the fury of the oppressor?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The oppressed shall speedily be released;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shall not die and go down to the Pit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor shall they lack bread.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I am the Lord your God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord of hosts is his name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have put my words in your mouth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and hidden you in the shadow of my hand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">stretching out* the heavens</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and laying the foundations of the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 11:8-16</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised.* Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 7:14-31</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. The Jews were astonished at it, saying, ‘How does this man have such learning,* when he has never been taught?’ Then Jesus answered them, ‘My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?’ The crowd answered, ‘You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses, but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the sabbath? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, ‘Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah?* Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah* comes, no one will know where he is from.’ Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.’ Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many in the crowd believed in him and were saying, ‘When the Messiah* comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Psalm 24, 29</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 24</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the world, and those who live in it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for he has founded it on the seas,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and established it on the rivers.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And who shall stand in his holy place?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who do not lift up their souls to what is false,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not swear deceitfully.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will receive blessing from the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and vindication from the God of their salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Such is the company of those who seek him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek the face of the God of Jacob.*</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">Lift up your heads, O gates!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and be lifted up, O ancient doors!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that the King of glory may come in.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who is the King of glory?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Lord, strong and mighty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord, mighty in battle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lift up your heads, O gates!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and be lifted up, O ancient doors!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that the King of glory may come in.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who is this King of glory?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Lord of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is the King of glory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 29</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,*</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 of his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>worship the Lord in holy splendour.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The voice of the Lord is over the waters;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of glory thunders,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord, over mighty waters.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The voice of the Lord is powerful;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and Sirion like a young wild ox.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and strips the forest bare;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the Lord give strength to his people!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>May the Lord bless his people with peace!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 8, 84</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 8</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, our Sovereign,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how majestic is your name in all the earth!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have set your glory above the heavens.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Out of the mouths of babes and infants</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to silence the enemy and the avenger.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the moon and the stars that you have established;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">what are human beings that you are mindful of them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>mortals* that you care for them?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet you have made them a little lower than God,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and crowned them with glory and honour.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have put all things under their feet,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">all sheep and oxen,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and also the beasts of the field,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whatever passes along the paths of the seas.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, our Sovereign,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how majestic is your name in all the earth!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 84</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">How lovely is your dwelling place,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord of hosts!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul longs, indeed it faints</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the courts of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my heart and my flesh sing for joy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to the living God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even the sparrow finds a home,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the swallow a nest for herself,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>where she may lay her young,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">at your altars, O Lord of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my King and my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those who live in your house,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ever singing your praise.</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">Happy are those whose strength is in you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in whose heart are the highways to Zion.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As they go through the valley of Baca</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they make it a place of springs;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the early rain also covers it with pools.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They go from strength to strength;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of gods will be seen in Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear, O God of Jacob!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Behold our shield, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>look on the face of your anointed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For a day in your courts is better</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>than a thousand elsewhere.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>than live in the tents of wickedness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Lord God is a sun and shield;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he bestows favour and honour.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No good thing does the Lord withhold</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from those who walk uprightly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>happy is everyone who trusts in you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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