Monday 7 June 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">Ecclesiastes 7:1-14<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A good name is better than precious ointment,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the day of death, than the day of birth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is better to go to the house of mourning</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>than to go to the house of feasting;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for this is the end of everyone,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the living will lay it to heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sorrow is better than laughter,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for by sadness of countenance the heart is made glad.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>than to hear the song of fools.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For like the crackling of thorns under a pot,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so is the laughter of fools;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>this also is vanity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surely oppression makes the wise foolish,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and a bribe corrupts the heart.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Better is the end of a thing than its beginning;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the patient in spirit are better than the proud in spirit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not be quick to anger,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wisdom is as good as an inheritance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>an advantage to those who see the sun.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider the work of God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who can make straight what he has made crooked?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the day of prosperity be joyful, and on the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that mortals may not find out anything that will come after them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Galatians 4:12-20</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Friends,* I beg you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the gospel to you; though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What has become of the goodwill you felt? For I testify that, had it been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you may make much of them. It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 15:21-28</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 56, 57</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 56</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all day long foes oppress me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my enemies trample on me all day long,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for many fight against me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Most High, when I am afraid,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I put my trust in you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In God, whose word I praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in God I trust; I am not afraid;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>what can flesh do to me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All day long they seek to injure my cause;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all their thoughts are against me for evil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They stir up strife, they lurk,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they watch my steps.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As they hoped to have my life,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so repay* them for their crime;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in wrath cast down the peoples, O God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You have kept count of my tossings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>put my tears in your bottle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Are they not in your record?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then my enemies will retreat</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on the day when I call.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This I know, that* God is for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In God, whose word I praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the Lord, whose word I praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in God I trust; I am not afraid.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What can a mere mortal do to me?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My vows to you I must perform, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will render thank-offerings to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you have delivered my soul from death,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my feet from falling,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that I may walk before God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the light of life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 57</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for in you my soul takes refuge;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>until the destroying storms pass by.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cry to God Most High,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to God who fulfils his purpose for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will send from heaven and save me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he will put to shame those who trample on me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I lie down among lions</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that greedily devour* human prey;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">their teeth are spears and arrows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their tongues sharp swords.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let your glory be over all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They set a net for my steps;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul was bowed down.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They dug a pit in my path,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but they have fallen into it themselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My heart is steadfast, O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart is steadfast.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will sing and make melody.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Awake, my soul!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Awake, O harp and lyre!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will awake the dawn.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will sing praises to you among the nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your faithfulness extends to the clouds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let your glory be over all the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 64, 65</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 64</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>preserve my life from the dread enemy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from the scheming of evildoers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who whet their tongues like swords,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who aim bitter words like arrows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">shooting from ambush at the blameless;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shoot suddenly and without fear.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They hold fast to their evil purpose;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they talk of laying snares secretly,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">thinking, ‘Who can see us?*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who can search out our crimes?*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the human heart and mind are deep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But God will shoot his arrow at them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they will be wounded suddenly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all who see them will shake with horror.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then everyone will fear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they will tell what God has brought about,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and ponder what he has done.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and take refuge in him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let all the upright in heart glory.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 65</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Praise is due to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God, in Zion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and to you shall vows be performed,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O you who answer prayer!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To you all flesh shall come.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you forgive our transgressions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Happy are those whom you choose and bring near</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to live in your courts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your holy temple.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O God of our salvation;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you are the hope of all the ends of the earth</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and of the farthest seas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By your* strength you established the mountains;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you are girded with might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You silence the roaring of the seas,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the roaring of their waves,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the tumult of the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You visit the earth and water it,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you greatly enrich it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the river of God is full of water;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you provide the people with grain,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for so you have prepared it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You water its furrows abundantly,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>settling its ridges,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">softening it with showers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and blessing its growth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You crown the year with your bounty;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your wagon tracks overflow with richness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The pastures of the wilderness overflow,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the hills gird themselves with joy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the valleys deck themselves with grain,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they shout and sing together for joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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