Friday 10 July 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">1 Samuel 17:17-30<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesse said to his son David, ‘Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers; also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See how your brothers fare, and bring some token from them.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. David rose early in the morning, left someone in charge of the sheep, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All the Israelites, when they saw the man, fled from him and were very much afraid. The Israelites said, ‘Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. The king will greatly enrich the man who kills him, and will give him his daughter and make his family free in Israel.’ David said to the men who stood by him, ‘What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?’ The people answered him in the same way, ‘So shall it be done for the man who kills him.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His eldest brother Eliab heard him talking to the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David. He said, ‘Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart; for you have come down just to see the battle.’ David said, ‘What have I done now? It was only a question.’ He turned away from him towards another and spoke in the same way; and the people answered him again as before.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 10:34-48</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 1:1-13</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The beginning of the good news* of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who will prepare your way;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Prepare the way of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>make his paths straight” ’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John the baptizer appeared* in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with* water; but he will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved;* with you I am well pleased.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 16, 17</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 16</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have no good apart from you.’*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in whom is all my delight.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or take their names upon my lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you hold my lot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have a goodly heritage.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the night also my heart instructs me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I keep the Lord always before me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my body also rests secure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you do not give me up to Sheol,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or let your faithful one see the Pit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You show me the path of life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In your presence there is fullness of joy;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 17</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From you let my vindication come;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your eyes see the right.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my mouth does not transgress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for what others do, by the word of your lips</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have avoided the ways of the violent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My steps have held fast to your paths;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my feet have not slipped.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>incline your ear to me, hear my words.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wondrously show your steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O saviour of those who seek refuge</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from their adversaries at your right hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Guard me as the apple of the eye;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>hide me in the shadow of your wings,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">from the wicked who despoil me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my deadly enemies who surround me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They close their hearts to pity;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with their mouths they speak arrogantly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They track me down;* now they surround me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they set their eyes to cast me to the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are like a lion eager to tear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like a young lion lurking in ambush.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By your sword deliver my life from the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">from mortals—by your hand, O Lord—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from mortals whose portion in life is in this world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May their bellies be filled with what you have stored up for them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may their children have more than enough;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may they leave something over to their little ones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 22</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 22</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and by night, but find no rest.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet you are holy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>enthroned on the praises of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In you our ancestors trusted;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they trusted, and you delivered them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To you they cried, and were saved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I am a worm, and not human;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>scorned by others, and despised by the people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All who see me mock at me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let him rescue the one in whom he delights!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet it was you who took me from the womb;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On you I was cast from my birth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and since my mother bore me you have been my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not be far from me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for trouble is near</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and there is no one to help.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many bulls encircle me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>strong bulls of Bashan surround me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they open wide their mouths at me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like a ravening and roaring lion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am poured out like water,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all my bones are out of joint;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my heart is like wax;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it is melted within my breast;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my mouth* is dried up like a potsherd,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my tongue sticks to my jaws;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you lay me in the dust of death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For dogs are all around me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a company of evildoers encircles me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My hands and feet have shrivelled;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can count all my bones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They stare and gloat over me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they divide my clothes among themselves,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and for my clothing they cast lots.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But you, O Lord, do not be far away!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O my help, come quickly to my aid!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deliver my soul from the sword,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my life* from the power of the dog!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Save me from the mouth of the lion!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued* me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You who fear the Lord, praise him!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he did not despise or abhor</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the affliction of the afflicted;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he did not hide his face from me,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but heard when I* cried to him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From you comes my praise in the great congregation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my vows I will pay before those who fear him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The poor* shall eat and be satisfied;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who seek him shall praise the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>May your hearts live for ever!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the ends of the earth shall remember</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and turn to the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and all the families of the nations</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall worship before him.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For dominion belongs to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he rules over the nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To him,* indeed, shall all who sleep in* the earth bow down;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I shall live for him.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Posterity will serve him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>future generations will be told about the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and* proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>saying that he has done it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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