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.

God so Loved, that God Gave--Dec. 18, 2018


Gracious God, you loved so much that you gave;
accepting your love, may we be faithful;
receiving your righteousness,
may we live in peace.

Let the earth be full
of the knowledge of your love,
and at all times may we pray in the Spirit.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 33; 146; 85; 94
Isa. 11:1-9
Eph. 6:10-20
John 3:16-21

Selected Verses
Ps. 85:10
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
          righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 

Isa. 11:10
They will not hurt or destroy
          on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
          as the waters cover the sea.

Eph. 6:18a
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  …" [Jesus, to Nicodemus]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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