Saturday 11 July 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">1 Samuel 17:31-49<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul; and he sent for him. David said to Saul, ‘Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.’ But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.’ David said, ‘The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.’ So Saul said to David, ‘Go, and may the Lord be with you!’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Saul clothed David with his armour; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. David strapped Saul’s sword over the armour, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, ‘I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.’ So David removed them. Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. The Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.’ But David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 11:1-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now the apostles and the believers* who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers* criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, ‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us.* These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.” And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?’ When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 1:14-28</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news* of God,* and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;* repent, and believe in the good news.’*</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He* commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 20, 21:1-14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 20</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The name of the God of Jacob protect you!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he send you help from the sanctuary,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and give you support from Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he remember all your offerings,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and regard with favour your burnt sacrifices.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he grant you your heart’s desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fulfil all your plans.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May we shout for joy over your victory,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in the name of our God set up our banners.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the Lord fulfil all your petitions.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will answer him from his holy heaven</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with mighty victories by his right hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will collapse and fall,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but we shall rise and stand upright.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Give victory to the king, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>answer us when we call.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 21:1-14</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in your help how greatly he exults!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have given him his heart’s desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have not withheld the request of his lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you meet him with rich blessings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you set a crown of fine gold on his head.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He asked you for life; you gave it to him—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>length of days for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His glory is great through your help;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>splendour and majesty you bestow on him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You bestow on him blessings for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you make him glad with the joy of your presence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the king trusts in the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your hand will find out all your enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your right hand will find out those who hate you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will make them like a fiery furnace</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when you appear.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fire will consume them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will destroy their offspring from the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their children from among humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If they plan evil against you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you will put them to flight;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you will aim at their faces with your bows.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will sing and praise your power.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 110:1-7, 116, 117</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 110:1-7</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord says to my lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Sit at my right hand</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">until I make your enemies your footstool.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord sends out from Zion</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your mighty sceptre.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Rule in the midst of your foes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your people will offer themselves willingly</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on the day you lead your forces</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on the holy mountains.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From the womb of the morning,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like dew, your youth* will come to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.’*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is at your right hand;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will execute judgement among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>filling them with corpses;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he will shatter heads</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>over the wide earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will drink from the stream by the path;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore he will lift up his head.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 116</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I love the Lord, because he has heard</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my voice and my supplications.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because he inclined his ear to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore I will call on him as long as I live.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The snares of death encompassed me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I suffered distress and anguish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I called on the name of the Lord:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘O Lord, I pray, save my life!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our God is merciful.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord protects the simple;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I was brought low, he saved me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Return, O my soul, to your rest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have delivered my soul from death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my eyes from tears,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my feet from stumbling.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I walk before the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the land of the living.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I kept my faith, even when I said,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I am greatly afflicted’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I said in my consternation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Everyone is a liar.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What shall I return to the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for all his bounty to me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will lift up the cup of salvation</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and call on the name of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will pay my vows to the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the presence of all his people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Precious in the sight of the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is the death of his faithful ones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, I am your servant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You have loosed my bonds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and call on the name of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will pay my vows to the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the presence of all his people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in the courts of the house of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in your midst, O Jerusalem.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 117</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord, all you nations!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Extol him, all you peoples!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For great is his steadfast love towards us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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