Monday 24 May 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>
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<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Proverbs 10:1-12<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A wise child makes a glad father,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but righteousness delivers from death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A slack hand causes poverty,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the hand of the diligent makes rich.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A child who gathers in summer is prudent,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessings are on the head of the righteous,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The memory of the righteous is a blessing,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the name of the wicked will rot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The wise of heart will heed commandments,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but a babbling fool will come to ruin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the one who rebukes boldly makes peace.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hatred stirs up strife,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but love covers all offences.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Timothy 1:1-17</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith:</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training* that is known by faith. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.* Amen.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 12:22-32</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.’ He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists* cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 25</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 25</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O my God, in you I trust;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me be put to shame;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let my enemies exult over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make me to know your ways, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach me your paths.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lead me in your truth, and teach me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you are the God of my salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you I wait all day long.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for they have been from of old.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>according to your steadfast love remember me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good and upright is the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>therefore he instructs sinners in the way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He leads the humble in what is right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and teaches the humble his way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For your name’s sake, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pardon my guilt, for it is great.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who are they that fear the Lord?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will teach them the way that they should choose.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They will abide in prosperity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their children shall possess the land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he makes his covenant known to them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes are ever towards the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for he will pluck my feet out of the net.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Turn to me and be gracious to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I am lonely and afflicted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Relieve the troubles of my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bring me* out of my distress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider my affliction and my trouble,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and forgive all my sins.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider how many are my foes,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and with what violent hatred they hate me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O guard my life, and deliver me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May integrity and uprightness preserve me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I wait for you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Redeem Israel, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>out of all its troubles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 9, 15</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 9</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will be glad and exult in you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When my enemies turned back,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they stumbled and perished before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have maintained my just cause;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have sat on the throne giving righteous judgement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have rebuked the nations, you have destroyed the wicked;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their cities you have rooted out;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the very memory of them has perished.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the Lord sits enthroned for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has established his throne for judgement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He judges the world with righteousness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he judges the peoples with equity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a stronghold in times of trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And those who know your name put their trust in you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.</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, who dwells in Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Declare his deeds among the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be gracious to me, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>See what I suffer from those who hate me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that I may recount all your praises,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and, in the gates of daughter Zion,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoice in your deliverance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgement;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Higgaion. Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The wicked shall depart to Sheol,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the nations that forget God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the needy shall not always be forgotten,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor the hope of the poor perish for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the nations be judged before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Put them in fear, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the nations know that they are only human.</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">Psalm 15</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, who may abide in your tent?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who may dwell on your holy hill?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and speak the truth from their heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who do not slander with their tongue,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do no evil to their friends,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nor take up a reproach against their neighbours;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in whose eyes the wicked are despised,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but who honour those who fear the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who stand by their oath even to their hurt;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who do not lend money at interest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and do not take a bribe against the innocent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who do these things shall never be moved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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