Wednesday 2 December 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">Amos 3:12-4:5<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus says the Lord: As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who live in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part* of a bed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>says the Lord God, the God of hosts:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the day I punish Israel for its transgressions,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will punish the altars of Bethel,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and the horns of the altar shall be cut off</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fall to the ground.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will tear down the winter house as well as the summer house;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the houses of ivory shall perish,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and the great houses* shall come to an end,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">says the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear this word, you cows of Bashan</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who are on Mount Samaria,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who say to their husbands, ‘Bring something to drink!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord God has sworn by his holiness:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The time is surely coming upon you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when they shall take you away with hooks,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even the last of you with fish-hooks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Through breaches in the wall you shall leave,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>each one straight ahead;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you shall be flung out into Harmon,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">says the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Come to Bethel—and transgress;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to Gilgal—and multiply transgression;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">bring your sacrifices every morning,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your tithes every three days;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">bring a thank-offering of leavened bread,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and proclaim freewill-offerings, publish them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for so you love to do, O people of Israel!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">says the Lord God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 Peter 3:1-10</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles. First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died,* all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!’ They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgement and destruction of the godless.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you,* not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 21:23-32</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father* went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 119:1-24</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 119:1-24</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whose way is blameless,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who walk in the law of the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those who keep his decrees,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek him with their whole heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who also do no wrong,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but walk in his ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have commanded your precepts</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to be kept diligently.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O that my ways may be steadfast</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in keeping your statutes!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I shall not be put to shame,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will praise you with an upright heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when I learn your righteous ordinances.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will observe your statutes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not utterly forsake me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How can young people keep their way pure?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By guarding it according to your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With my whole heart I seek you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me stray from your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I treasure your word in my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I may not sin against you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed are you, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With my lips I declare</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the ordinances of your mouth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I delight in the way of your decrees</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as much as in all riches.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will meditate on your precepts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and fix my eyes on your ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will delight in your statutes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will not forget your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deal bountifully with your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I may live and observe your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Open my eyes, so that I may behold</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wondrous things out of your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I live as an alien in the land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not hide your commandments from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul is consumed with longing</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your ordinances at all times.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who wander from your commandments;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">take away from me their scorn and contempt,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I have kept your decrees.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even though princes sit plotting against me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your servant will meditate on your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your decrees are my delight,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are my counsellors.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 12, 13, 14</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 12</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the faithful have disappeared from humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They utter lies to each other;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the tongue that makes great boasts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those who say, ‘With our tongues we will prevail;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>our lips are our own—who is our master?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will now rise up,’ says the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I will place them in the safety for which they long.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>silver refined in a furnace on the ground,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>purified seven times.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You, O Lord, will protect us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you will guard us from this generation for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On every side the wicked prowl,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as vileness is exalted among humankind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 13</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How long will you hide your face from me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long must I bear pain* in my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and have sorrow in my heart all day long?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and my enemy will say, ‘I have prevailed’;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But I trusted in your steadfast love;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because he has dealt bountifully with me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 14</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no one who does good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to see if there are any who are wise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who seek after God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no one who does good,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>no, not one.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who eat up my people as they eat bread,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not call upon the Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There they shall be in great terror,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for God is with the company of the righteous.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You would confound the plans of the poor,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the Lord is their refuge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->