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.


You Who Opened Lydia's Heart--Oct. 16, 2011


God everlasting, you have established the world.
You know the plans you have made for us,
plans for our welfare, not for our harm;
plans to give us a future with hope.

Open our hearts, eagerly to listen for your word;
but if we think we see signs your Spirit works
through us, let this be no cause to rejoice;
to be with you is all the joy we need.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93
Jer. 29:1, 4-14
Acts 16:6-15
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Selected Verses
Ps. 93:1c-2
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
      your throne is established from of old;
      you are from everlasting.

Jer. 29:11
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

Acts 16:14b
The Lord opened [Lydia's] heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.

Luke 10:20
"…Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” [Jesus to his seventy disciples, when they returned]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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