Contemplative Bible Reading

Matthew 10:16 (New Living Translation) Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. I have always loved this verse. Jesus is sending His followers into the world to speak of the Gospel. The world might eat them, and us, alive with savage brutality. […]

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Matthew 13:1-2 (New Living Translation) Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. Jesus often sat when he spoke to crowds. In these […]

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Matthew 5:17-19 (New Living Translation) 17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will […]

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Matthew 23:1-4 (New Living Translation) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people […]

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Matthew 21:42-44 (New Living Translation) 42 Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ 43 I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to […]

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Luke 24:36 (New Living Translation) And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. I know this is out of context in a sort, but just read the sentence. Jesus is here, Peace be with you, the end. All in well with […]

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Matthew 27:19 (New Living Translation) While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” I tend to notice Bible passages that notice dreams. Perhaps I put to […]

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Matthew 10:28 (New Living Translation) Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Most people I know – somewhere above 99% – fear death. If they say they don’t, put them in a swimming pool […]

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Matthew 11:2-5 (New Living Translation) 2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and […]

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Matthew 10:8 (New Living Translation) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Jesus is addressing some disciples as He is sending them out to spread the good news. These followers heard the good news without paying any money. In today’s words, […]

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