Monday 27 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">2 Samuel 2:1-11<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">After this David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?’ The Lord said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said, ‘To which shall I go up?’ He said, ‘To Hebron.’ So David went up there, along with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David brought up the men who were with him, every one with his household; and they settled in the towns of Hebron. Then the people of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When they told David, ‘It was the people of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul’, David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord, and buried him! Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you! And I too will reward you because you have done this thing. Therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbaal* son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ishbaal,* Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. But the house of Judah followed David. The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 15:36-16:5</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">After some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Come, let us return and visit the believers* in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers* commending him to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul* went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers* in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 6:14-29</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’* name had become known. Some were* saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod* had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed;* and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias* came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s* head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.</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">Psalm 65</p>
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<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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