Monday 28 September 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">2 Kings 17:24-41<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria in place of the people of Israel; they took possession of Samaria, and settled in its cities. When they first settled there, they did not worship the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. So the king of Assyria was told, ‘The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land; therefore he has sent lions among them; they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land.’ Then the king of Assyria commanded, ‘Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there; let him* go and live there, and teach them the law of the god of the land.’ So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel; he taught them how they should worship the Lord.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But every nation still made gods of its own and put them in the shrines of the high places that the people of Samaria had made, every nation in the cities in which they lived; the people of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the people of Cuth made Nergal, the people of Hamath made Ashima; the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. They also worshipped the Lord and appointed from among themselves all sorts of people as priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places. So they worshipped the Lord, but they also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. To this day they continue to practise their former customs.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">They do not worship the Lord and they do not follow the statutes or the ordinances or the law or the commandment that the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel. The Lord had made a covenant with them and commanded them, ‘You shall not worship other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them, but you shall worship the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm; you shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice. The statutes and the ordinances and the law and the commandment that he wrote for you, you shall always be careful to observe. You shall not worship other gods; you shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you. You shall not worship other gods, but you shall worship the Lord your God; he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.’ They would not listen, however, but they continued to practise their former custom.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So these nations worshipped the Lord, but also served their carved images; to this day their children and their children’s children continue to do as their ancestors did.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 7:25-31</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that, in view of the impending* crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life,* and I would spare you that. I mean, brothers and sisters,* the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 6:25-34</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,* or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?* And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God* and his* righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 89:1-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 89:1-18</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord,* for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I declare that your steadfast love is established for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have sworn to my servant David:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I will establish your descendants for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and build your throne for all generations.” ’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">a God feared in the council of the holy ones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>great and awesome* above all that are around him?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord God of hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who is as mighty as you, O Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your faithfulness surrounds you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You rule the raging of the sea;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when its waves rise, you still them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You crushed Rahab like a carcass;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the world and all that is in it—you have founded them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The north and the south*—you created them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have a mighty arm;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>strong is your hand, high your right hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are the people who know the festal shout,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they exult in your name all day long,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and extol* your righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you are the glory of their strength;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>by your favour our horn is exalted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our shield belongs to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our king to the Holy One of Israel.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 89:19-52</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 89:19-52</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I have set the crown* on one who is mighty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have exalted one chosen from the people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have found my servant David;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with my holy oil I have anointed him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my hand shall always remain with him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my arm also shall strengthen him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The enemy shall not outwit him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the wicked shall not humble him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will crush his foes before him</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and strike down those who hate him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in my name his horn shall be exalted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will set his hand on the sea</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his right hand on the rivers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He shall cry to me, “You are my Father,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my God, and the Rock of my salvation!”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make him the firstborn,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the highest of the kings of the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For-ever I will keep my steadfast love for him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my covenant with him will stand firm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will establish his line for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his throne as long as the heavens endure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If his children forsake my law</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not walk according to my ordinances,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">if they violate my statutes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not keep my commandments,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">then I will punish their transgression with the rod</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their iniquity with scourges;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but I will not remove from him my steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or be false to my faithfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will not violate my covenant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or alter the word that went forth from my lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once and for all I have sworn by my holiness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will not lie to David.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His line shall continue for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his throne endure before me like the sun.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It shall be established for ever like the moon,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>an enduring witness in the skies.’</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">But now you have spurned and rejected him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are full of wrath against your anointed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have renounced the covenant with your servant;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have defiled his crown in the dust.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have broken through all his walls;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have laid his strongholds in ruins.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All who pass by plunder him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has become the scorn of his neighbours.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have exalted the right hand of his foes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have made all his enemies rejoice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moreover, you have turned back the edge of his sword,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you have not supported him in battle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have removed the sceptre from his hand,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and hurled his throne to the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have cut short the days of his youth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have covered him with shame.</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">How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How long will your wrath burn like fire?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember how short my time is—*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for what vanity you have created all mortals!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who can live and never see death?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who can escape the power of Sheol?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Lord, where is your steadfast love of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>which by your faithfulness you swore to David?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember, O Lord, how your servant is taunted;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>how I bear in my bosom the insults of the peoples,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">with which your enemies taunt, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with which they taunted the footsteps of your anointed.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be the Lord for ever.Amen and Amen.</p>
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