Monday 8 June 2009<!--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">Deuteronomy 30:1-10<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">When all these things have happened to you, the blessings and the curses that I have set before you, if you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and return to the Lord your God, and you and your children obey him with all your heart and with all your soul, just as I am commanding you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, gathering you again from all the peoples among whom the Lord your God has scattered you. Even if you are exiled to the ends of the world,* from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you back. The Lord your God will bring you into the land that your ancestors possessed, and you will possess it; he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live. The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on the adversaries who took advantage of you. Then you shall again obey the Lord, observing all his commandments that I am commanding you today, and the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">2 Corinthians 10:1-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold towards you when I am away!— I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards.* Indeed, we live as human beings,* but we do not wage war according to human standards;* for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human,* but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we. Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. For they say, ‘His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.’ Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense. We, however, will not boast beyond limits, but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us, to reach out even as far as you. For we were not overstepping our limits when we reached you; we were the first to come all the way to you with the good news* of Christ. We do not boast beyond limits, that is, in the labours of others; but our hope is that, as your faith increases, our sphere of action among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may proclaim the good news* in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in someone else’s sphere of action. ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ For it is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Luke 18:31-43</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth* is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 56, 57</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 56</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all day long foes oppress me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my enemies trample on me all day long,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for many fight against me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Most High, when I am afraid,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I put my trust in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In God, whose word I praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in God I trust; I am not afraid;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>what can flesh do to me?</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">All day long they seek to injure my cause;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all their thoughts are against me for evil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They stir up strife, they lurk,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they watch my steps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As they hoped to have my life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so repay* them for their crime;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have kept count of my tossings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>put my tears in your bottle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are they not in your record?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then my enemies will retreat</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on the day when I call.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This I know, that* God is for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In God, whose word I praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the Lord, whose word I praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in God I trust; I am not afraid.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What can a mere mortal do to me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My vows to you I must perform, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will render thank-offerings to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have delivered my soul from death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my feet from falling,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that I may walk before God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the light of life.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 57</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for in you my soul takes refuge;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until the destroying storms pass by.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cry to God Most High,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to God who fulfils his purpose for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will send from heaven and save me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will put to shame those who trample on me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I lie down among lions</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that greedily devour* human prey;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">their teeth are spears and arrows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their tongues sharp swords.</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>Let your glory be over all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They set a net for my steps;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul was bowed down.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They dug a pit in my path,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but they have fallen into it themselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My heart is steadfast, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart is steadfast.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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>I will sing praises to you among the nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your faithfulness extends 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>Let your glory be over all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 64, 65</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 64</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>preserve my life from the dread enemy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from the scheming of evildoers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who whet their tongues like swords,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who aim bitter words like arrows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">shooting from ambush at the blameless;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shoot suddenly and without fear.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They hold fast to their evil purpose;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they talk of laying snares secretly,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">thinking, ‘Who can see us?*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who can search out our crimes?*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the human heart and mind are deep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But God will shoot his arrow at them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they will be wounded suddenly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all who see them will shake with horror.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then everyone will fear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they will tell what God has brought about,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and ponder what he has done.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and take refuge in him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let all the upright in heart glory.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 65</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise is due to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God, in Zion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and to you shall vows be performed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O you who answer prayer!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To you all flesh shall come.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you forgive our transgressions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whom you choose and bring near</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to live in your courts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your holy temple.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God of our salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you are the hope of all the ends of the earth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and of the farthest seas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By your* strength you established the mountains;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are girded with might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You silence the roaring of the seas,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the roaring of their waves,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the tumult of the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You visit the earth and water it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you greatly enrich it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the river of God is full of water;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you provide the people with grain,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for so you have prepared it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You water its furrows abundantly,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>settling its ridges,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">softening it with showers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and blessing its growth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You crown the year with your bounty;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your wagon tracks overflow with richness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The pastures of the wilderness overflow,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the hills gird themselves with joy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the valleys deck themselves with grain,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shout and sing together for joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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