Monday 23 February 2009<span style="mso-spacerun:
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<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">Deuteronomy 6:10-15</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Lord your God has brought you into the land that he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you have eaten your fill, take care that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. The Lord your God you shall fear; him you shall serve, and by his name alone you shall swear. Do not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who are all around you, because the Lord your God, who is present with you, is a jealous God. The anger of the Lord your God would be kindled against you and he would destroy you from the face of the earth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 1:1-14</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son,* whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains* all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For to which of the angels did God ever say,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘You are my Son;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>today I have begotten you’?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Or again,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘I will be his Father,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he will be my Son’?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of the angels he says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘He makes his angels winds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his servants flames of fire.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But of the Son he says,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Your throne, O God, is* for ever and ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your* kingdom.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">therefore God, your God, has anointed you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the heavens are the work of your hands;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they will perish, but you remain;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they will all wear out like clothing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">like a cloak you will roll them up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and like clothing* they will be changed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you are the same,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your years will never end.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But to which of the angels has he ever said,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Sit at my right hand</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Are not all angels* spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 1:1-18</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own,* and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,* full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,* who is close to the Father’s heart,* who has made him known. ******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 25</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 25</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O my God, in you I trust;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me be put to shame;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let my enemies exult over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make me to know your ways, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your paths.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lead me in your truth, and teach me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you are the God of my salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you I wait all day long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for they have been from of old.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>according to your steadfast love remember me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good and upright is the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore he instructs sinners in the way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He leads the humble in what is right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and teaches the humble his way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For your name’s sake, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pardon my guilt, for it is great.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who are they that fear the Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will teach them the way that they should choose.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will abide in prosperity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their children shall possess the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he makes his covenant known to them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes are ever towards the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he will pluck my feet out of the net.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Turn to me and be gracious to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I am lonely and afflicted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Relieve the troubles of my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bring me* out of my distress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider my affliction and my trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and forgive all my sins.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider how many are my foes,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and with what violent hatred they hate me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O guard my life, and deliver me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May integrity and uprightness preserve me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I wait for you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Redeem Israel, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>out of all its troubles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 9, 15</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 9</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will be glad and exult in you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When my enemies turned back,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they stumbled and perished before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have maintained my just cause;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their cities you have rooted out;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the very memory of them has perished.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the Lord sits enthroned for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has established his throne for judgement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He judges the world with righteousness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he judges the peoples with equity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a stronghold in times of trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And those who know your name put their trust in you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Declare his deeds among the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be gracious to me, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>See what I suffer from those who hate me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that I may recount all your praises,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and, in the gates of daughter Zion,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoice in your deliverance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgement;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Higgaion. Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The wicked shall depart to Sheol,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the nations that forget God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the needy shall not always be forgotten,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor the hope of the poor perish for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the nations be judged before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Put them in fear, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the nations know that they are only human.</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">Psalm 15</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, who may abide in your tent?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who may dwell on your holy hill?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and speak the truth from their heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who do not slander with their tongue,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do no evil to their friends,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor take up a reproach against their neighbours;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in whose eyes the wicked are despised,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but who honour those who fear the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who stand by their oath even to their hurt;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who do not lend money at interest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not take a bribe against the innocent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who do these things shall never be moved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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