Sunday 26 September 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">Hosea 2:2-14<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Plead with your mother, plead—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for she is not my wife,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I am not her husband—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that she put away her whoring from her face,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and her adultery from between her breasts,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">or I will strip her naked</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and expose her as in the day she was born,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and make her like a wilderness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and turn her into a parched land,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and kill her with thirst.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Upon her children also I will have no pity,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because they are children of whoredom.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For their mother has played the whore;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>she who conceived them has acted shamefully.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they give me my bread and my water,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore I will hedge her* way with thorns;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will build a wall against her,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>so that she cannot find her paths.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She shall pursue her lovers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but not overtake them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and she shall seek them,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>but shall not find them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then she shall say, ‘I will go</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and return to my first husband,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for it was better with me then than now.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She did not know</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that it was I who gave her</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the grain, the wine, and the oil,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and who lavished upon her silver</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and gold that they used for Baal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore I will take back</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my grain in its time,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my wine in its season;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and I will take away my wool and my flax,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>which were to cover her nakedness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now I will uncover her shame</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in the sight of her lovers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and no one shall rescue her out of my hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will put an end to all her mirth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>her festivals, her new moons, her sabbaths,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and all her appointed festivals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>of which she said,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘These are my pay,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>which my lovers have given me.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make them a forest,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the wild animals shall devour them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will punish her for the festival days of the Baals,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>when she offered incense to them</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">and decked herself with her ring and jewellery,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and went after her lovers,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and forgot me, says the Lord.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore, I will now persuade her,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and bring her into the wilderness,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and speak tenderly to her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">James 3:1-13</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,* for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,* and is itself set on fire by hell.* For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,* this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters,* yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 13:44-52</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Morning Psalms: Psalm 66, 67</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 66</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing the glory of his name;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>give to him glorious praise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the earth worships you;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they sing praises to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>sing praises to your name.’</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">Come and see what God has done:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He turned the sea into dry land;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>they passed through the river on foot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There we rejoiced in him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>who rules by his might for ever,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">whose eyes keep watch on the nations—</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the rebellious not exalt themselves.</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">Bless our God, O peoples,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let the sound of his praise be heard,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">who has kept us among the living,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and has not let our feet slip.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For you, O God, have tested us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you have tried us as silver is tried.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You brought us into the net;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>you laid burdens on our backs;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">you let people ride over our heads;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>we went through fire and through water;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will come into your house with burnt-offerings;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will pay you my vows,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">those that my lips uttered</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will offer to you burnt-offerings of fatlings,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I will make an offering of bulls and goats.</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">Come and hear, all you who fear God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and I will tell what he has done for me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cried aloud to him,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and he was extolled with my tongue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Lord would not have listened.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But truly God has listened;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he has given heed to the words of my prayer.</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"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because he has not rejected my prayer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>or removed his steadfast love from me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 67</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God be gracious to us and bless us</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and make his face to shine upon us,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">that your way may be known upon earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>your saving power among all nations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the peoples praise you, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the peoples praise you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for you judge the peoples with equity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and guide the nations upon earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the peoples praise you, O God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the peoples praise you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The earth has yielded its increase;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God, our God, has blessed us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May God continue to bless us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>let all the ends of the earth revere him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evening Psalms: Psalm 19, 46</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 19</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heavens are telling the glory of God;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and the firmament* proclaims his handiwork.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Day to day pours forth speech,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and night to night declares knowledge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is no speech, nor are there words;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>their voice is not heard;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">yet their voice* goes out through all the earth,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their words to the end of the world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the heavens* he has set a tent for the sun,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and like a strong man runs its course with joy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Its rising is from the end of the heavens,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and its circuit to the end of them;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and nothing is hidden from its heat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The law of the Lord is perfect,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>reviving the soul;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the decrees of the Lord are sure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>making wise the simple;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the precepts of the Lord are right,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>rejoicing the heart;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the commandment of the Lord is clear,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>enlightening the eyes;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the fear of the Lord is pure,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>enduring for ever;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the ordinances of the Lord are true</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and righteous altogether.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">More to be desired are they than gold,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>even much fine gold;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">sweeter also than honey,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and drippings of the honeycomb.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moreover by them is your servant warned;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in keeping them there is great reward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But who can detect their errors?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clear me from hidden faults.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep back your servant also from the insolent;*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>do not let them have dominion over me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I shall be blameless,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and innocent of great transgression.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be acceptable to you,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 46</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is our refuge and strength,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a very present* help in trouble.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">though its waters roar and foam,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>though the mountains tremble with its tumult.</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">There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the holy habitation of the Most High.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is in the midst of the city;* it shall not be moved;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God will help it when the morning dawns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he utters his voice, the earth melts.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</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">Come, behold the works of the Lord;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>see what desolations he has brought on the earth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he burns the shields with fire.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">‘Be still, and know that I am God!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted among the nations,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am exalted in the earth.’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord of hosts is with us;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the God of Jacob is our refuge.*</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:
yes"> </span>Selah</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">******************************************************************</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<!--EndFragment-->