Friday 2 July 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">Numbers 24:1-13<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, so he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face towards the wilderness. Balaam looked up and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. Then the spirit of God came upon him, and he uttered his oracle, saying:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the oracle of the man whose eye is clear,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the oracle of one who hears the words of God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who sees the vision of the Almighty,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who falls down, but with eyes uncovered:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">how fair are your tents, O Jacob,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your encampments, O Israel!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like palm groves that stretch far away,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like gardens beside a river,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">like aloes that the Lord has planted,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like cedar trees beside the waters.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Water shall flow from his buckets,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his seed shall have abundant water,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">his king shall be higher than Agag,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and his kingdom shall be exalted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God, who brings him out of Egypt,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is like the horns of a wild ox for him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">he shall devour the nations that are his foes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and break their bones.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He shall strike with his arrows.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He crouched, he lay down like a lion,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and like a lioness; who will rouse him up?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed is everyone who blesses you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and cursed is everyone who curses you.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, ‘I summoned you to curse my enemies, but instead you have blessed them these three times. Now be off with you! Go home! I said, “I will reward you richly”, but the Lord has denied you any reward.’ And Balaam said to Balak, ‘Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, “If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will; what the Lord says, that is what I will say”?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Romans 8:12-17</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 22:15-22</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 140, 142</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 140</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>protect me from those who are violent,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who plan evil things in their minds</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and stir up wars continually.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and under their lips is the venom of vipers.</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">Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>protect me from the violent</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who have planned my downfall.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and with cords they have spread a net;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>along the road they have set snares for 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">I say to the Lord, ‘You are my God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have covered my head in the day of battle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not further their evil plot.*</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">Those who surround me lift up their heads;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let burning coals fall on them!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let evil speedily hunt down the violent!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and executes justice for the poor.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the upright shall live in your presence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 142</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With my voice I cry to the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with my voice I make supplication to the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I pour out my complaint before him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I tell my trouble before him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When my spirit is faint,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you know my way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the path where I walk</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they have hidden a trap for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Look on my right hand and see—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>there is no one who takes notice of me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">no refuge remains to me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>no one cares for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cry to you, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I say, ‘You are my refuge,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my portion in the land of the living.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Give heed to my cry,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I am brought very low.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Save me from my persecutors,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for they are too strong for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bring me out of prison,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that I may give thanks to your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The righteous will surround me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you will deal bountifully with me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 141, 143</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 141</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear to my voice when I call to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>keep watch over the door of my lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not turn my heart to any evil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to busy myself with wicked deeds</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in company with those who work iniquity;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let me eat of their delicacies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the righteous strike me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the faithful correct me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head,*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for my prayer is continually* against their wicked deeds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When they are given over to those who shall condemn them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But my eyes are turned towards you, O God, my Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenceless.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and from the snares of evildoers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the wicked fall into their own nets,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>while I alone escape.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 143</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear my prayer, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>answer me in your righteousness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not enter into judgement with your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for no one living is righteous before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the enemy has pursued me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>crushing my life to the ground,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>making me sit in darkness like those long dead.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore my spirit faints within me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my heart within me is appalled.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I remember the days of old,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think about all your deeds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I meditate on the works of your hands.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I stretch out my hands to you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.</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">Answer me quickly, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my spirit fails.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not hide your face from me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for in you I put my trust.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teach me the way I should go,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for to you I lift up my soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Save me, O Lord, from my enemies;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have fled to you for refuge.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Teach me to do your will,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you are my God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let your good spirit lead me</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on a level path.</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, preserve my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In your righteousness bring me out of trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In your steadfast love cut off my enemies,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and destroy all my adversaries,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I am your servant.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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