Saturday 21 February 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 66:1-6</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus says the Lord:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Heaven is my throne</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the earth is my footstool;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">what is the house that you would build for me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and what is my resting-place?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All these things my hand has made,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and so all these things are mine, *</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">says the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But this is the one to whom I will look,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to the humble and contrite in spirit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who trembles at my word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who kills a human being;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whoever sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">whoever presents a grain-offering, like one who offers swine’s blood;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These have chosen their own ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in their abominations they take delight;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also will choose to mock* them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bring upon them what they fear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because, when I called, no one answered,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I spoke, they did not listen;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but they did what was evil in my sight,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and chose what did not please me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear the word of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you who tremble at his word:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your own people who hate you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and reject you for my name’s sake</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that we may see your joy’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but it is they who shall be put to shame.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listen, an uproar from the city!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A voice from the temple!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The voice of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>dealing retribution to his enemies!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Timothy 6:6-21</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that* we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made* the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Grace be with you.* ******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 12:35-44</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, ‘How can the scribes say that the Messiah* is the son of David? David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“The Lord said to my Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Sit at my right hand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until I put your enemies under your feet.’ ”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?’ And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-13</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 107:33-43</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He turns rivers into a desert,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>springs of water into thirsty ground,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">a fruitful land into a salty waste,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He turns a desert into pools of water,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a parched land into springs of water.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And there he lets the hungry live,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and they establish a town to live in;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they sow fields, and plant vineyards,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and get a fruitful yield.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By his blessing they multiply greatly,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he does not let their cattle decrease.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When they are diminished and brought low</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he pours contempt on princes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and makes them wander in trackless wastes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but he raises up the needy out of distress,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and makes their families like flocks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The upright see it and are glad;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all wickedness stops its mouth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let those who are wise give heed to these things,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 108:1-13</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will sing and make melody.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Awake, my soul!*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Awake, O harp and lyre!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will awake the dawn.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will sing praises to you among the nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and let your glory be over all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that those whom you love may be rescued.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God has promised in his sanctuary:*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘With exultation I will divide up Shechem,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and portion out the Vale of Succoth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ephraim is my helmet;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Judah is my sceptre.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moab is my wash-basin;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on Edom I hurl my shoe;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>over Philistia I shout in triumph.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who will bring me to the fortified city?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who will lead me to Edom?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you not rejected us, O God?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You do not go out, O God, with our armies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O grant us help against the foe,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for human help is worthless.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With God we shall do valiantly;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it is he who will tread down our foes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 33</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 33</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Praise befits the upright.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord with the lyre;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to him a new song;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the word of the Lord is upright,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all his work is done in faithfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He loves righteousness and justice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all their host by the breath of his mouth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he put the deeps in storehouses.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let all the earth fear the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he spoke, and it came to be;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he commanded, and it stood firm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he frustrates the plans of the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The counsel of the Lord stands for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the thoughts of his heart to all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord looks down from heaven;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he sees all humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From where he sits enthroned he watches</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the inhabitants of the earth—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he who fashions the hearts of them all,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and observes all their deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A king is not saved by his great army;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The war horse is a vain hope for victory,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and by its great might it cannot save.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on those who hope in his steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to deliver their soul from death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to keep them alive in famine.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our soul waits for the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is our help and shield.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our heart is glad in him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because we trust in his holy name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even as we hope in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->