Contemplative Bible Reading

James 4:7 (New Living Translation) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. The devil is a large, powerful enemy. This verse, however, tells me that the devil will flee from me. Hmmm, I must be pretty powerful, too. What do I have to do so the devil flees? […]

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James 3:2 (New Living Translation) Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. Notice the power and promise of this verse. If I can control my tongue, I can control myself in every other way. Contemplate on […]

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James 2:3-4 (New Living Translation) 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? This is the passage from […]

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James 4:13-16 (New Living Translation) 13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a […]

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James 3:9-10 (American Standard Version) 9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: 10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. So are the words from the American Standard Version […]

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James 2:9 (New Living Translation) But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. Sunday morning that guy sat on the pew next to me. You know who that guy is: he dresses funny his hair is fixed funny his cologne/shampoo/deodorant/toothpaste smells funny he […]

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James 2:1-4 (New Living Translation) My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in […]

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James 4:8 (New International Version 2011) Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Notice the three things the writer encourages the reader to do: come near to God wash your hands purify your hearts How did wash your hands make […]

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James 5:16b (King James Version) The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This is one of my favorite sentences from the Bible. I love the King James Version of this. Something about this rings in my ears. (The New International Version is shown below. I suppose it is easier to understand, but […]

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