Wednesday 18 August 2010<span style="mso-spacerun:
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<p class="MsoNormal">DAILY LECTIONARY</p>
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<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">Judges 18:16-31<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">While the six hundred men of the Danites, armed with their weapons of war, stood by the entrance of the gate, the five men who had gone to spy out the land proceeded to enter and take the idol of cast metal, the ephod, and the teraphim.* The priest was standing by the entrance of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war. When the men went into Micah’s house and took the idol of cast metal, the ephod, and the teraphim, the priest said to them, ‘What are you doing?’ They said to him, ‘Keep quiet! Put your hand over your mouth, and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one person, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?’ Then the priest accepted the offer. He took the ephod, the teraphim, and the idol, and went along with the people.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So they resumed their journey, putting the little ones, the livestock, and the goods in front of them. When they were some distance from the home of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house were called out, and they overtook the Danites. They shouted to the Danites, who turned around and said to Micah, ‘What is the matter that you come with such a company?’ He replied, ‘You take my gods that I made, and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then can you ask me, “What is the matter?” ’ And the Danites said to him, ‘You had better not let your voice be heard among us or else hot-tempered fellows will attack you, and you will lose your life and the lives of your household.’ Then the Danites went on their way. When Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Danites, having taken what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, put them to the sword, and burned down the city. There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon and they had no dealings with Aram.* It was in the valley that belongs to Beth-rehob. They rebuilt the city, and lived in it. They named the city Dan, after their ancestor Dan, who was born to Israel; but the name of the city was formerly Laish. Then the Danites set up the idol for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses,* and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the time the land went into captivity. So they maintained as their own Micah’s idol that he had made, as long as the house of God was at Shiloh.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Acts 8:14-25</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come* upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John* laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you* have said may happen to me.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now after Peter and John* had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">John 6:1-15</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.*<span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages* would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they* sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 119:145-176</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 119:145-176</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will keep your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cry to you; save me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that I may observe your decrees.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I rise before dawn and cry for help;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I put my hope in your words.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes are awake before each watch of the night,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that I may meditate on your promise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In your steadfast love hear my voice;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they are far from your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet you are near, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all your commandments are true.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Long ago I learned from your decrees</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that you have established them for ever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Look on my misery and rescue me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I do not forget your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Plead my cause and redeem me;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give me life according to your promise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Salvation is far from the wicked,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for they do not seek your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Great is your mercy, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give me life according to your justice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet I do not swerve from your decrees.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I look at the faithless with disgust,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because they do not keep your commands.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Consider how I love your precepts;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>preserve my life according to your steadfast love.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The sum of your word is truth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and every one of your righteous ordinances endures for ever.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Princes persecute me without cause,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but my heart stands in awe of your words.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I rejoice at your word</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like one who finds great spoil.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hate and abhor falsehood,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but I love your law.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seven times a day I praise you</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for your righteous ordinances.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Great peace have those who love your law;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>nothing can make them stumble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I hope for your salvation, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I fulfil your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My soul keeps your decrees;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love them exceedingly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I keep your precepts and decrees,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for all my ways are before you.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Let my cry come before you, O Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give me understanding according to your word.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let my supplication come before you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>deliver me according to your promise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My lips will pour forth praise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because you teach me your statutes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My tongue will sing of your promise,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for all your commandments are right.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let your hand be ready to help me,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I have chosen your precepts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I long for your salvation, O Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and your law is my delight.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me live that I may praise you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and let your ordinances help me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for I do not forget your commandments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 128, 129, 130</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 128</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who walks in his ways.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Your wife will be like a fruitful vine</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>within your house;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">your children will be like olive shoots</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>around your table.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thus shall the man be blessed</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who fears the Lord.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord bless you from Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>all the days of your life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May you see your children’s children.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Peace be upon Israel!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 129</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">‘Often have they attacked me from my youth’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>—let Israel now say—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘often have they attacked me from my youth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>yet they have not prevailed against me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those who plough ploughed on my back;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they made their furrows long.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord is righteous;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has cut the cords of the wicked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May all who hate Zion</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be put to shame and turned back.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let them be like the grass on the housetops</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that withers before it grows up,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">with which reapers do not fill their hands</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or binders of sheaves their arms,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">while those who pass by do not say,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We bless you in the name of the Lord!’</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 130</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lord, hear my voice!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let your ears be attentive</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to the voice of my supplications!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lord, who could stand?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But there is forgiveness with you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that you may be revered.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and in his word I hope;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">my soul waits for the Lord</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>more than those who watch for the morning,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>more than those who watch for the morning.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">O Israel, hope in the Lord!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For with the Lord there is steadfast love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and with him is great power to redeem.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is he who will redeem Israel</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>from all its iniquities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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