Saturday 23 January 2010<!--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">Genesis 12:9-13:1<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And Abram journeyed on by stages towards the Negeb.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to reside there as an alien, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, ‘I know well that you are a woman beautiful in appearance; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, “This is his wife”; then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account.’ When Abram entered Egypt the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. When the officials of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female slaves, female donkeys, and camels.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, ‘What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, “She is my sister”, so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and be gone.’ And Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning him; and they set him on the way, with his wife and all that he had.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 7:18-28</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual (for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘The Lord has sworn</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and will not change his mind,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“You are a priest for ever” ’—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save* those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other* high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 4:27-42</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, ‘What do you want?’ or, ‘Why are you speaking with her?’ Then the woman left her water-jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, ‘Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah,* can he?’ They left the city and were on their way to him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest”? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving* wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there for two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 30, 32</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 30</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and did not let my foes rejoice over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you have healed me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and give thanks to his holy name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For his anger is but for a moment;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his favour is for a lifetime.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Weeping may linger for the night,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but joy comes with the morning.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for me, I said in my prosperity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I shall never be moved.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By your favour, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you had established me as a strong mountain;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you hid your face;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was dismayed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To you, O Lord, I cried,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to the Lord I made supplication:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘What profit is there in my death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if I go down to the Pit?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will the dust praise you?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Will it tell of your faithfulness?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, be my helper!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have turned my mourning into dancing;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have taken off my sackcloth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and clothed me with joy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that my soul* may praise you and not be silent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 32</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whose sin is covered.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in whose spirit there is no deceit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While I kept silence, my body wasted away</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>through my groaning all day long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer.</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">Then I acknowledged my sin to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I did not hide my iniquity;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and you forgave the guilt of my sin.</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">Therefore let all who are faithful</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>offer prayer to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">at a time of distress,* the rush of mighty waters</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>shall not reach them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are a hiding-place for me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you preserve me from trouble;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.</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">I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will counsel you with my eye upon you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>else it will not stay near you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many are the torments of the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 42, 43</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 42</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a deer longs for flowing streams,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so my soul longs for you, O God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul thirsts for God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the living God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When shall I come and behold</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the face of God?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My tears have been my food</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>day and night,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">while people say to me continually,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Where is your God?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These things I remember,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as I pour out my soul:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">how I went with the throng,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and led them in procession to the house of God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a multitude keeping festival.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why are you cast down, O my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and why are you disquieted within me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my help and my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul is cast down within me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore I remember you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from Mount Mizar.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deep calls to deep</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the thunder of your cataracts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">all your waves and your billows</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>have gone over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and at night his song is with me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a prayer to the God of my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I say to God, my rock,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Why have you forgotten me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why must I walk about mournfully</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because the enemy oppresses me?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As with a deadly wound in my body,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my adversaries taunt me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">while they say to me continually,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Where is your God?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why are you cast down, O my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and why are you disquieted within me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my help and my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 43</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>against an ungodly people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">from those who are deceitful and unjust</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>deliver me!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you are the God in whom I take refuge;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>why have you cast me off?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why must I walk about mournfully</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of the oppression of the enemy?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O send out your light and your truth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them lead me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">let them bring me to your holy hill</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to your dwelling.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I will go to the altar of God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to God my exceeding joy;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I will praise you with the harp,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God, my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why are you cast down, O my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and why are you disquieted within me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my help and my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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