Tuesday 17 February 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">Isaiah 63:7-14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because of all that the Lord has done for us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the great favour to the house of Israel</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that he has shown them according to his mercy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>according to the abundance of his steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he said, ‘Surely they are my people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>children who will not deal falsely’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and he became their saviour</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in all their distress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was no messenger* or angel</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but his presence that saved them;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But they rebelled</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and grieved his holy spirit;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">therefore he became their enemy;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he himself fought against them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then they* remembered the days of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of Moses his servant.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where is the one who brought them up out of the sea</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the shepherds of his flock?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Where is the one who put within them</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his holy spirit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who caused his glorious arm</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to march at the right hand of Moses,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who divided the waters before them</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to make for himself an everlasting name,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who led them through the depths?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like a horse in the desert,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they did not stumble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like cattle that go down into the valley,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the spirit of the Lord gave them rest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus you led your people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to make for yourself a glorious name.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1 Timothy 1:18-2:8</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme. <span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 11:12-26</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But you have made it a den of robbers.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching. And when evening came, Jesus and his disciples* went out of the city.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Have* faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received* it, and it will be yours.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 97, 99, 100</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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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">Psalm 99</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is great in Zion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is exalted over all the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them praise your great and awesome name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Holy is he!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mighty King,* lover of justice,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have established equity;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you have executed justice</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and righteousness in Jacob.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Extol the Lord our God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>worship at his footstool.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Holy is he!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moses and Aaron were among his priests,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Samuel also was among those who called on his name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they kept his decrees,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the statutes that he gave them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord our God, you answered them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you were a forgiving God to them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but an avenger of their wrongdoings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Extol the Lord our God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and worship at his holy mountain;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the Lord our God is holy.</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"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 94</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 94</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, you God of vengeance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you God of vengeance, shine forth!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, O judge of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give to the proud what they deserve!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, how long shall the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how long shall the wicked exult?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They pour out their arrogant words;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the evildoers boast.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They crush your people, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and afflict your heritage.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They kill the widow and the stranger,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they murder the orphan,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and they say, ‘The Lord does not see;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob does not perceive.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Understand, O dullest of the people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>fools, when will you be wise?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He who planted the ear, does he not hear?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He who formed the eye, does he not see?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He who disciplines the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he who teaches knowledge to humankind,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>does he not chastise?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord knows our thoughts,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that they are but an empty breath.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whom you discipline, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and whom you teach out of your law,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">giving them respite from days of trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until a pit is dug for the wicked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Lord will not forsake his people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will not abandon his heritage;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for justice will return to the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all the upright in heart will follow it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who rises up for me against the wicked?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who stands up for me against evildoers?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the Lord had not been my help,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I thought, ‘My foot is slipping’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the cares of my heart are many,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your consolations cheer my soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Can wicked rulers be allied with you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who contrive mischief by statute?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They band together against the life of the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and condemn the innocent to death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the Lord has become my stronghold,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my God the rock of my refuge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will repay them for their iniquity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and wipe them out for their wickedness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord our God will wipe them out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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