Sunday 3 January 2010<!--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">Wisdom 7:3-14<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and fell upon the kindred earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my first sound was a cry, as is true of all.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For no king has had a different beginning of existence;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is for all one entrance into life, and one way out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Solomon’s Respect for Wisdom</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I preferred her to scepters and thrones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because all gold is but a little sand in her sight,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and silver will be accounted as clay before her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I loved her more than health and beauty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I chose to have her rather than light,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">because her radiance never ceases.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All good things came to me along with her,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and in her hands uncounted wealth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but I did not know that she was their mother.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I learned without guile and I impart without grudging;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I do not hide her wealth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for it is an unfailing treasure for mortals;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those who get it obtain friendship with God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">commended for the gifts that come from instruction.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Colossians 3:12-17</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord* has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ* dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.* And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">John 6:41-47</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 66, 67</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 66</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing the glory of his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give to him glorious praise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the earth worships you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they sing praises to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing praises to your name.’</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">Come and see what God has done:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He turned the sea into dry land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they passed through the river on foot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There we rejoiced in him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who rules by his might for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">whose eyes keep watch on the nations—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the rebellious not exalt themselves.</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">Bless our God, O peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the sound of his praise be heard,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who has kept us among the living,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and has not let our feet slip.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O God, have tested us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have tried us as silver is tried.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You brought us into the net;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you laid burdens on our backs;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you let people ride over our heads;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we went through fire and through water;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will come into your house with burnt-offerings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will pay you my vows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those that my lips uttered</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will offer to you burnt-offerings of fatlings,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make an offering of bulls and goats.</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">Come and hear, all you who fear God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will tell what he has done for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cried aloud to him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he was extolled with my tongue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord would not have listened.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But truly God has listened;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has given heed to the words of my prayer.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because he has not rejected my prayer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or removed his steadfast love from me.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 67</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">May God be gracious to us and bless us</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and make his face to shine upon us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that your way may be known upon earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your saving power among all nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the peoples praise you, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the peoples praise you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you judge the peoples with equity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and guide the nations upon earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the peoples praise you, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the peoples praise you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The earth has yielded its increase;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God, our God, has blessed us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God continue to bless us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the ends of the earth revere him.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 145</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 145</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will extol you, my God and King,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bless your name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every day I will bless you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and praise your name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his greatness is unsearchable.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One generation shall laud your works to another,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shall declare your mighty acts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the glorious splendour of your majesty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will declare your greatness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is gracious and merciful,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is good to all,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his compassion is over all that he has made.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all your faithful shall bless you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and tell of your power,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to make known to all people your* mighty deeds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the glorious splendour of your* kingdom.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your dominion endures throughout all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is faithful in all his words,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and gracious in all his deeds.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord upholds all who are falling,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and raises up all who are bowed down.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The eyes of all look to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you give them their food in due season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You open your hand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>satisfying the desire of every living thing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is just in all his ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and kind in all his doings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is near to all who call on him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to all who call on him in truth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He fulfils the desire of all who fear him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he also hears their cry, and saves them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord watches over all who love him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but all the wicked he will destroy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all flesh will bless his holy name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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