Monday 3 August 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">2 Samuel 7:1-17<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders* of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take* my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me;* your throne shall be established for ever. In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 18:1-11</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After this Paul* left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul* went to see them, and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together—by trade they were tentmakers. Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word,* testifying to the Jews that the Messiah* was Jesus. When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes* and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ Then he left the synagogue* and went to the house of a man named Titius* Justus, a worshipper of God; his house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the official of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul became believers and were baptized. One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.’ He stayed there for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 8:11-21</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.’ And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now the disciples* had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’* They said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ They said to him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?’ And they said to him, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Do you not yet understand?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 80</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 80</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you who lead Joseph like a flock!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stir up your might,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and come to save us!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore us, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your face shine, that we may be saved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord God of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have fed them with the bread of tears,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and given them tears to drink in full measure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You make us the scorn* of our neighbours;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our enemies laugh among themselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore us, O God of hosts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your face shine, that we may be saved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You brought a vine out of Egypt;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you drove out the nations and planted it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You cleared the ground for it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>it took deep root and filled the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mountains were covered with its shade,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the mighty cedars with its branches;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">it sent out its branches to the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and its shoots to the River.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why then have you broken down its walls,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The boar from the forest ravages it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all that move in the field feed on it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Turn again, O God of hosts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>look down from heaven, and see;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">have regard for this vine,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the stock that your right hand planted.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the one whom you made strong for yourself.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then we will never turn back from you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give us life, and we will call on your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let your face shine, that we may be saved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 77</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 77</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cry aloud to God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>aloud to God, that he may hear me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul refuses to be comforted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think of God, and I moan;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I meditate, and my spirit faints.</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">You keep my eyelids from closing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am so troubled that I cannot speak.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I consider the days of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and remember the years of long ago.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I commune* with my heart in the night;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I meditate and search my spirit:*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Will the Lord spurn for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and never again be favourable?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Has his steadfast love ceased for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are his promises at an end for all time?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Has God forgotten to be gracious?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Has he in anger shut up his compassion?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And I say, ‘It is my grief</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that the right hand of the Most High has changed.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will remember your wonders of old.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will meditate on all your work,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and muse on your mighty deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your way, O God, is holy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What god is so great as our God?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are the God who works wonders;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have displayed your might among the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With your strong arm you redeemed your people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.</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">When the waters saw you, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the waters saw you, they were afraid;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the very deep trembled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The clouds poured out water;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the skies thundered;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your arrows flashed on every side.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your lightnings lit up the world;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the earth trembled and shook.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your way was through the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your path, through the mighty waters;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet your footprints were unseen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You led your people like a flock</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>by the hand of Moses and Aaron.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->