Tuesday 27 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">Judges 2:1-5,11-23<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now the angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, ‘I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you into the land that I had promised to your ancestors. I said, “I will never break my covenant with you. For your part, do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; tear down their altars.” But you have not obeyed my command. See what you have done! So now I say, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become adversaries* to you, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’ When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept. So they named that place Bochim,* and there they sacrificed to the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and worshipped the Baals; and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them, and bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger. They abandoned the Lord, and worshipped Baal and the Astartes. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers who plundered them, and he sold them into the power of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them to bring misfortune, as the Lord had warned them and sworn to them; and they were in great distress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then the Lord raised up judges, who delivered them out of the power of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen even to their judges; for they lusted after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their ancestors had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord; they did not follow their example. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord would be moved to pity by their groaning because of those who persecuted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they would relapse and behave worse than their ancestors, following other gods, worshipping them and bowing down to them. They would not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and he said, ‘Because this people have transgressed my covenant that I commanded their ancestors, and have not obeyed my voice, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died.’ In order to test Israel, whether or not they would take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their ancestors did, the Lord had left those nations, not driving them out at once, and had not handed them over to Joshua.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Romans 16:17-27</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I urge you, brothers and sisters,* to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offences, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,* and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good, and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now to God* who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom* be the glory for ever! Amen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 27:32-44</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;* then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided* him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself.* He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.” ’ The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 61, 62</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 61</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hear my cry, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>listen to my prayer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From the end of the earth I call to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when my heart is faint.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lead me to the rock</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that is higher than I;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">for you are my refuge,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a strong tower against the enemy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me abide in your tent for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>find refuge under the shelter of your wings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O God, have heard my vows;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prolong the life of the king;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>may his years endure to all generations!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May he be enthroned for ever before God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So I will always sing praises to your name,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as I pay my vows day after day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 62</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For God alone my soul waits in silence;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from him comes my salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He alone is my rock and my salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my fortress; I shall never be shaken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How long will you assail a person,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>will you batter your victim, all of you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They take pleasure in falsehood;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">they bless with their mouths,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but inwardly they curse.</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">For God alone my soul waits in silence,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for my hope is from him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He alone is my rock and my salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my fortress; I shall not be shaken.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On God rests my deliverance and my honour;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Trust in him at all times, O people;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pour out your heart before him;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God is a refuge for us.</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 of low estate are but a breath,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>those of high estate are a delusion;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">in the balances they go up;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are together lighter than a breath.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Put no confidence in extortion,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and set no vain hopes on robbery;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once God has spoken;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>twice have I heard this:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that power belongs to God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you repay to all</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>according to their work.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 68</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 68</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let those who hate him flee before him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>as wax melts before the fire,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the wicked perish before God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But let the righteous be joyful;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them exult before God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let them be jubilant with joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to God, sing praises to his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds*—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">his name is the Lord—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be exultant before him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Father of orphans and protector of widows</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is God in his holy habitation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God gives the desolate a home to live in;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but the rebellious live in a parched land.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O God, when you went out before your people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when you marched through the wilderness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the presence of God, the God of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you restored your heritage when it languished;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">your flock found a dwelling in it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord gives the command;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>great is the company of those* who bore the tidings:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The women at home divide the spoil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though they stay among the sheepfolds—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the wings of a dove covered with silver,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>its pinions with green gold.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the Almighty* scattered kings there,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>snow fell on Zalmon.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do you look with envy, O many-peaked mountain,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>at the mount that God desired for his abode,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>where the Lord will reside for ever?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>thousands upon thousands,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You ascended the high mount,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>leading captives in your train</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and receiving gifts from people,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">even from those who rebel against the Lord God’s abiding there.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who daily bears us up;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God is our salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our God is a God of salvation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But God will shatter the heads of his enemies,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the hairy crown of those who walk in their guilty ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord said,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘I will bring them back from Bashan,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">so that you may bathe* your feet in blood,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from the foe.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your solemn processions are seen,* O God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the singers in front, the musicians last,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>between them girls playing tambourines:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Bless God in the great congregation,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the princes of Judah in a body,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Summon your might, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>show your strength, O God, as you have done for us before.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of your temple at Jerusalem</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>kings bear gifts to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Trample* under foot those who lust after tribute;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>scatter the peoples who delight in war.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let bronze be brought from Egypt;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let Ethiopia* hasten to stretch out its hands to God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing praises to the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ascribe power to God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>whose majesty is over Israel;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and whose power is in the skies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Awesome is God in his* sanctuary,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Israel;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he gives power and strength to his people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blessed be God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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