Friday 24 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>
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<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Samuel 31:1-13<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and many fell* on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard upon Saul; the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by them. Then Saul said to his armour-bearer, ‘Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, so that these uncircumcised may not come and thrust me through, and make sport of me.’ But his armour-bearer was unwilling; for he was terrified. So Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. When his armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. So Saul and his three sons and his armour-bearer and all his men died together on the same day. When the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their towns and fled; and the Philistines came and occupied them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head, stripped off his armour, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to the houses of their idols and to the people. They put his armour in the temple of Astarte;* and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men set out, travelled all night long, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. They came to Jabesh and burned them there. Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 15:12-21</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, ‘My brothers,* listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favourably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“After this I will return,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from its ruins I will rebuild it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will set it up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.”*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled* and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 5:21-43</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, ‘My brothers,* listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favourably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“After this I will return,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from its ruins I will rebuild it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will set it up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.”*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled* and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 40, 54</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 40</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I waited patiently for the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he inclined to me and heard my cry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He drew me up from the desolate pit,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>out of the miry bog,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and set my feet upon a rock,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>making my steps secure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He put a new song in my mouth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a song of praise to our God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many will see and fear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and put their trust in the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those who make</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord their trust,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who do not turn to the proud,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to those who go astray after false gods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have multiplied, O Lord my God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>none can compare with you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Were I to proclaim and tell of them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they would be more than can be counted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but you have given me an open ear.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Burnt-offering and sin-offering</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have not required.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I said, ‘Here I am;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the scroll of the book it is written of me.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I delight to do your will, O my God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your law is within my heart.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have told the glad news of deliverance</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the great congregation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">see, I have not restrained my lips,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as you know, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from the great congregation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not, O Lord, withhold</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your mercy from me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let your steadfast love and your faithfulness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>keep me safe for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For evils have encompassed me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>without number;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my iniquities have overtaken me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until I cannot see;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they are more than the hairs of my head,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my heart fails me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, make haste to help me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let all those be put to shame and confusion</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek to snatch away my life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let those be turned back and brought to dishonour</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who desire my hurt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let those be appalled because of their shame</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who say to me, ‘Aha, Aha!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But may all who seek you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoice and be glad in you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">may those who love your salvation</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for me, I am poor and needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the Lord takes thought for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are my help and my deliverer;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not delay, O my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 54</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Save me, O God, by your name,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and vindicate me by your might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear my prayer, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear to the words of my mouth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the insolent have risen against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the ruthless seek my life;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they do not set God before them.</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">But surely, God is my helper;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord is the upholder of* my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will repay my enemies for their evil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In your faithfulness, put an end to them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With a freewill-offering I will sacrifice to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he has delivered me from every trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 51</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 51</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have mercy on me, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>according to your steadfast love;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">according to your abundant mercy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>blot out my transgressions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and cleanse me from my sin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I know my transgressions,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my sin is ever before me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Against you, you alone, have I sinned,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and done what is evil in your sight,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that you are justified in your sentence</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and blameless when you pass judgement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Indeed, I was born guilty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a sinner when my mother conceived me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You desire truth in the inward being;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me hear joy and gladness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hide your face from my sins,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and blot out all my iniquities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Create in me a clean heart, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and put a new and right* spirit within me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not cast me away from your presence,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not take your holy spirit from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore to me the joy of your salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sustain in me a willing* spirit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I will teach transgressors your ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and sinners will return to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God of my salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, open my lips,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my mouth will declare your praise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have no delight in sacrifice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if I were to give a burnt-offering, you would not be pleased.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The sacrifice acceptable to God* is a broken spirit;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">then you will delight in right sacrifices,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in burnt-offerings and whole burnt-offerings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>then bulls will be offered on your altar.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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