Saturday 13 June 2009<!--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">Ecclesiasticus 46:1-10<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joshua son of Nun was mighty in war,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and was the successor of Moses in the prophetic office.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He became, as his name implies,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a great saviour of God’s* elect,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to take vengeance on the enemies that rose against them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that he might give Israel its inheritance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How glorious he was when he lifted his hands</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and brandished his sword against the cities!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who before him ever stood so firm?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For he waged the wars of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Was it not through him that the sun stood still</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and one day became as long as two?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He called upon the Most High, the Mighty One,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when enemies pressed him on every side,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and the great Lord answered him</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with hailstones of mighty power.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He overwhelmed that nation in battle,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and on the slope he destroyed his opponents,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that the nations might know his armament,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that he was fighting in the sight of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he was a devoted follower of the Mighty One.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And in the days of Moses he proved his loyalty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he and Caleb son of Jephunneh:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they opposed the congregation,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>restrained the people from sin,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and stilled their wicked grumbling.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And these two alone were spared</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>out of six hundred thousand infantry,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to lead the people* into their inheritance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the land flowing with milk and honey.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord gave Caleb strength,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>which remained with him in his old age,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that he went up to the hill country,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his children obtained it for an inheritance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that all the Israelites might see</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how good it is to follow the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 Corinthians 13:1-14</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the third time I am coming to you. ‘Any charge must be sustained by the evidence of two or three witnesses.’ I warned those who sinned previously and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again, I will not be lenient— since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him,* but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to pass the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed. But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong—not that we may appear to have passed the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. This is what we pray for, that you may become perfect. So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Finally, brothers and sisters,* farewell.* Put things in order, listen to my appeal,* agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of* the Holy Spirit be with all of you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Luke 20:1-8</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders and said to him, ‘Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?’ He answered them, ‘I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ They discussed it with one another, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say, “Why did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ So they answered that they did not know where it came from. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 75, 76</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 75</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We give thanks to you, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we give thanks; your name is near.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People tell of your wondrous deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the set time that I appoint</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will judge with equity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the earth totters, with all its inhabitants,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it is I who keep its pillars steady.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">do not lift up your horn on high,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or speak with insolent neck.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For not from the east or from the west</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and not from the wilderness comes lifting up;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but it is God who executes judgement,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>putting down one and lifting up another.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with foaming wine, well mixed;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he will pour a draught from it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all the wicked of the earth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall drain it down to the dregs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I will rejoice* for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 76</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Judah God is known,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his name is great in Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His abode has been established in Salem,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his dwelling-place in Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There he broke the flashing arrows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.</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">Glorious are you, more majestic</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>than the everlasting mountains.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The stout-hearted were stripped of their spoil;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they sank into sleep;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">none of the troops</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>was able to lift a hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>both rider and horse lay stunned.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you indeed are awesome!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who can stand before you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when once your anger is roused?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From the heavens you uttered judgement;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the earth feared and was still</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when God rose up to establish judgement,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to save all the oppressed of the earth.</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">Human wrath serves only to praise you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when you bind the last bit of your* wrath around you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make vows to the Lord your God, and perform them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all who are around him bring gifts</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to the one who is awesome,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who cuts off the spirit of princes,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who inspires fear in the kings of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 23, 27</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 23</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He makes me lie down in green pastures;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he leads me beside still waters;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he restores my soul.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He leads me in right paths*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for his name’s sake.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even though I walk through the darkest valley,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I fear no evil;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for you are with me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your rod and your staff—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they comfort me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You prepare a table before me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the presence of my enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you anoint my head with oil;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my cup overflows.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surely* goodness and mercy* shall follow me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the days of my life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my whole life long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 27</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is my light and my salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whom shall I fear?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is the stronghold* of my life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of whom shall I be afraid?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When evildoers assail me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to devour my flesh—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my adversaries and foes—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shall stumble and fall.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though an army encamp against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart shall not fear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">though war rise up against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet I will be confident.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing I asked of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that will I seek after:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to live in the house of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the days of my life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to behold the beauty of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to inquire in his temple.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he will hide me in his shelter</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the day of trouble;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will set me high on a rock.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now my head is lifted up</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>above my enemies all around me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I will offer in his tent</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sacrifices with shouts of joy;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing and make melody to the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be gracious to me and answer me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your face, Lord, do I seek.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do not hide your face from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not turn your servant away in anger,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you who have been my help.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God of my salvation!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If my father and mother forsake me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord will take me up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teach me your way, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and lead me on a level path</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of my enemies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for false witnesses have risen against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and they are breathing out violence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the land of the living.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wait for the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be strong, and let your heart take courage;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wait for the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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