I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

Jesus, Let Me not Neglect the Gift--Aug. 30, 2015


Lord Jesus, your heart is steadfast--
you know God and keep God's word--
and you know what is in every human heart.
Awaken my soul, and do not let me neglect
the gift that is in me, for the gift is from you
and it is for your glory, not for mine.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 108; 150; 66; 23
1 Kings 8:22-40
1 Tim. 4:7b-16
John 8:47-59

Selected Verses
Ps. 108:1
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
          I will sing and make melody.
          Awake, my soul! 

1 Kings 8:39
"…then hear in heaven your dwelling place, forgive, act, and render to all whose hearts you know--according to all their ways, for only you know what is in every human heart…"  [Solomon's prayer] 

1 Tim. 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 

John 8:55c
"…But I do know [God, my Father] and I keep his word.  …"  [Jesus to those who said he had a demon]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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