Sunday 14 March 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 48:8-22<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, ‘Who are these?’ Joseph said to his father, ‘They are my sons, whom God has given me here.’ And he said, ‘Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them.’ Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, and he could not see well. So Joseph brought them near him; and he kissed them and embraced them. Israel said to Joseph, ‘I did not expect to see your face; and here God has let me see your children also.’ Then Joseph removed them from his father’s knees,* and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand towards Israel’s left, and Manasseh in his left hand towards Israel’s right, and brought them near him. But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn. He blessed Joseph, and said,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘The God before whom my ancestors Abraham and Isaac walked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the angel who has redeemed me from all harm, bless the boys;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and in them let my name be perpetuated, and the name of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and let them grow into a multitude on the earth.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to his father, ‘Not so, my father! Since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.’ But his father refused, and said, ‘I know, my son, I know; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.’ So he blessed them that day, saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘By you* Israel will invoke blessings, saying,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“God make you* like Ephraim and like Manasseh.” ’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your ancestors. I now give to you one portion* more than to your brothers, the portion* that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Romans 8:11-25</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ* from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through* his Spirit that dwells in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So then, brothers and sisters,* we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba!* Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness* with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in* hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes* for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 6:27-40</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which* comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 66, 67</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 66</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 67</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<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>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 19, 46</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 19</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heavens are telling the glory of God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the firmament* proclaims his handiwork.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Day to day pours forth speech,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and night to night declares knowledge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is no speech, nor are there words;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their voice is not heard;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet their voice* goes out through all the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their words to the end of the world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the heavens* he has set a tent for the sun,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and like a strong man runs its course with joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Its rising is from the end of the heavens,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and its circuit to the end of them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and nothing is hidden from its heat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The law of the Lord is perfect,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>reviving the soul;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the decrees of the Lord are sure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>making wise the simple;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the precepts of the Lord are right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoicing the heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the commandment of the Lord is clear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>enlightening the eyes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the fear of the Lord is pure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>enduring for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the ordinances of the Lord are true</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and righteous altogether.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More to be desired are they than gold,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even much fine gold;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">sweeter also than honey,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and drippings of the honeycomb.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moreover by them is your servant warned;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in keeping them there is great reward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But who can detect their errors?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clear me from hidden faults.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep back your servant also from the insolent;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let them have dominion over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I shall be blameless,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and innocent of great transgression.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be acceptable to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 46</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is our refuge and strength,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a very present* help in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">though its waters roar and foam,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains tremble with its tumult.</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">There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the holy habitation of the Most High.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is in the midst of the city;* it shall not be moved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God will help it when the morning dawns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he utters his voice, the earth melts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</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, behold the works of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>see what desolations he has brought on the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he burns the shields with fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Be still, and know that I am God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted in the earth.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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