Contemplative Bible Reading

John 11:43 (King James Version) And when he (Jesus) thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. Jesus is standing among a group of persons. What if Jesus had said, “Come forth” or “Come here.” The persons standing around would look at each other and shrug and start walking towards Jesus. […]

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John 3:21 (New Living Translation) But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. There are days when I want everyone to see what I am doing. Arrogant? Boastful? Prideful? Please pause a moment. I want people to see the actions, not […]

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John 3:20 (New Living Translation) All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. Question to ask (especially to ask myself): What are you (what am I) doing? Will that lead to something? Will that lead to something you (I) want? Do I want […]

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John 3:19 (New Living Translation) And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. Funny thing about being in a well-lit place: I can see everything I am doing. And…everyone else can see everything I am […]

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John 3:18 (New Living Translation) There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. Some translations use the word “condemnation” instead of “judgement.” That is because if God judges me alone, well, I’m […]

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John 3:17 (New Living Translation) God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. This is pretty simple. How did we miss it? “God just doesn’t want me to have any fun. God hates us. God just wants to slap me around.” I’ve heard these […]

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John 1:46 (New Living Translation) “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. People were gathering around a fellow who had appeared from the little hamlet of Nazareth. This Jesus fellow was saying things that amazed them. The things he said weren’t complicated, but were simple, basic, clear, and touched their hearts. Those who had seen […]

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John 14:27 (New Living Translation) I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. Jesus is speaking to His followers about the future. He is about to leave this world. He will leave behind many gifts. One—something many of us have […]

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John 17:15-16 (New Living Translation) 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Jesus is praying to God regarding His followers (“them” and “they” in the verses). Let’s reverse […]

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John 6:2-5 (New English Translation) 2 A large crowd was following him because they were observing the miraculous signs he was performing on the sick. 3 So Jesus went on up the mountainside and sat down there with his disciples. 4 (Now the Jewish feast of the Passover was near.) 5 Then Jesus, when he […]

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