Tuesday 6 April 2010<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><!--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">Exodus 12:28-39<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Israelites went and did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his officials and all the Egyptians; and there was a loud cry in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. Then he summoned Moses and Aaron in the night, and said, ‘Rise up, go away from my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord, as you said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you said, and be gone. And bring a blessing on me too!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Egyptians urged the people to hasten their departure from the land, for they said, ‘We shall all be dead.’ So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading-bowls wrapped up in their cloaks on their shoulders. The Israelites had done as Moses told them; they had asked the Egyptians for jewellery of silver and gold, and for clothing, and the Lord had given the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. And so they plundered the Egyptians.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed crowd also went up with them, and livestock in great numbers, both flocks and herds. They baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt; it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 15:12-28</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died* in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.* For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end,* when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God* has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ But when it says, ‘All things are put in subjection’, it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark 16:9-20</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.* And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news* to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands,* and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 103</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 103</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bless the Lord, O my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all that is within me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>bless his holy name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bless the Lord, O my soul,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not forget all his benefits—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who forgives all your iniquity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who heals all your diseases,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who redeems your life from the Pit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who satisfies you with good as long as you live*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord works vindication</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and justice for all who are oppressed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He made known his ways to Moses,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his acts to the people of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is merciful and gracious,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will not always accuse,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor will he keep his anger for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He does not deal with us according to our sins,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor repay us according to our iniquities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For as the heavens are high above the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">as far as the east is from the west,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so far he removes our transgressions from us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a father has compassion for his children,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he knows how we were made;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he remembers that we are dust.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As for mortals, their days are like grass;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they flourish like a flower of the field;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and its place knows it no more.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on those who fear him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his righteousness to children’s children,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">to those who keep his covenant</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and remember to do his commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his kingdom rules over all.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bless the Lord, O you his angels,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you mighty ones who do his bidding,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>obedient to his spoken word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bless the Lord, all his hosts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>his ministers that do his will.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bless the Lord, all his works,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in all places of his dominion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bless the Lord, O my soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 111, 114</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 111</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the company of the upright, in the congregation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Great are the works of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>studied by all who delight in them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Full of honour and majesty is his work,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his righteousness endures for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord is gracious and merciful.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He provides food for those who fear him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is ever mindful of his covenant.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has shown his people the power of his works,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in giving them the heritage of the nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The works of his hands are faithful and just;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all his precepts are trustworthy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are established for ever and ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He sent redemption to his people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has commanded his covenant for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Holy and awesome is his name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all those who practise it* have a good understanding.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His praise endures for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 114</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Israel went out from Egypt,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Judah became God’s* sanctuary,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Israel his dominion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The sea looked and fled;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jordan turned back.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mountains skipped like rams,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the hills like lambs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why is it, O sea, that you flee?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Jordan, that you turn back?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O mountains, that you skip like rams?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O hills, like lambs?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the presence of the God of Jacob,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who turns the rock into a pool of water,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the flint into a spring of water.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->