Contemplative Bible Reading

Ephesians 1:8 (New Living Translation) He (God) has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God didn’t give me some wisdom or some understanding. Perhaps I am taking this too literally, but it seems to indicate that God has given me, and plenty of other folks, A L L wisdom and […]

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Ephesians 1:3, 8 (New Living Translation) 3 All praise to God…8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. I find these three gifts astonishing. What else do I need to live in Christ Jesus? God didn’t just give me these things, He S H O W E R E […]

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Ephesians 4:26-27 (New Living Translation) 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. This is a famous passage. One paraphrase that applies strongly to me: Get over it so you can sleep at night. […]

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Ephesians 5:14 (New Living Translation) “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” This is a call to me and all of us. Awake, get up. More importantly, get out of the rut that is sin and death. There is no need to muddle about in the darkness. This […]

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Ephesians 5:12 (New Living Translation) It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. I am writing this the week of data dumps from the Ashley Madison hack. That was a website that people were using privately with some guarantee of privacy, a.k.a., in secret. What is the Ashley […]

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Ephesians 1:2-4 (New Living Translation) 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you […]

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Ephesians 5:1 (New Living Translation) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. The first two words summarize the Christian life. I also like the wording in the New English Translation: Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children A few years ago there was a big campaign in […]

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Ephesians 5:6 (New Living Translation) Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Sin has no excuse. What? But what about…? No, not even that. This verse refers to a list of sins given before it. Basically, this part of […]

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Ephesians 4:31-32 (New Living Translation) 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. These verses describe the choice of living in the light or in […]

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Ephesians 4:20-24 (New Living Translation) 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts […]

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