Wednesday 28 April 2010<span style="mso-spacerun:
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<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>
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<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Exodus 33:1-23<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go, leave this place, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “To your descendants I will give it.” I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the people heard these harsh words, they mourned, and no one put on ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, “You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, and I will decide what to do to you.” ’ Therefore the Israelites stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onwards.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp; he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise and stand, each of them, at the entrance of their tents and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and bow down, all of them, at the entrance of their tents. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then he would return to the camp; but his young assistant, Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the tent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.” Now if I have found favour in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favour in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name.’ Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord”;* and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1 Thessalonians 2:1-12</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">You yourselves know, brothers and sisters,* that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle* among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You remember our labour and toil, brothers and sisters;* we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 5:17-20</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,* not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks* one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 119:49-72</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 119:49-72</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Remember your word to your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in which you have made me hope.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is my comfort in my distress,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that your promise gives me life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The arrogant utterly deride me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but I do not turn away from your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I think of your ordinances from of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I take comfort, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those who forsake your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your statutes have been my songs</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>wherever I make my home.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I remember your name in the night, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and keep your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This blessing has fallen to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I have kept your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is my portion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I promise to keep your words.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I implore your favour with all my heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be gracious to me according to your promise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I think of your ways,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I turn my feet to your decrees;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hurry and do not delay</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to keep your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do not forget your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At midnight I rise to praise you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because of your righteous ordinances.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am a companion of all who fear you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of those who keep your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your statutes.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have dealt well with your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, according to your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teach me good judgement and knowledge,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I believe in your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before I was humbled I went astray,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but now I keep your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You are good and do good;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The arrogant smear me with lies,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their hearts are fat and gross,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but I delight in your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is good for me that I was humbled,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I might learn your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The law of your mouth is better to me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>than thousands of gold and silver pieces.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 49</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 49</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hear this, all you peoples;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear, all inhabitants of the world,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">both low and high,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rich and poor together.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My mouth shall speak wisdom;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will incline my ear to a proverb;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why should I fear in times of trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those who trust in their wealth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and boast of the abundance of their riches?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no price one can give to God for it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the ransom of life is costly,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and can never suffice,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that one should live on for ever</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and never see the grave.*</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we look at the wise, they die;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>fool and dolt perish together</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and leave their wealth to others.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their graves* are their homes for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their dwelling-places to all generations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though they named lands their own.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are like the animals that perish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Such is the fate of the foolhardy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the end of those* who are pleased with their lot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Death shall be their shepherd;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">straight to the grave they descend,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their form shall waste away;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sheol shall be their home.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he will receive me.</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">Do not be afraid when some become rich,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when the wealth of their houses increases.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For when they die they will carry nothing away;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their wealth will not go down after them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>—for you are praised when you do well for yourself—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they* will go to the company of their ancestors,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who will never again see the light.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are like the animals that perish.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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