Contemplative Bible Reading

Proverbs 22:29 (New Living Translation) Do you see any truly competent workers?They will serve kingsrather than working for ordinary people. This section of Proverbs begins with, “Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.” Next are a series of “Don’t do this and don’t do that” as those things go […]

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Exodus 16:4 (New Living Translation) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow […]

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Psalm 61:2-3 (New Living Translation) 2 From the ends of the earth,I cry to you for helpwhen my heart is overwhelmed.Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3 for you are my safe refuge,a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Many years ago, I would travel to far places. I would tell people, “It […]

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Exodus 16:23-24 (New Living Translation) 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” 24 So they put some […]

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Psalm 119:97-99 97 Oh, how I love your instructions!I think about them all day long.98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,for they are my constant guide.99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,for I am always thinking of your laws. Way down into Psalm 119 we find this expression of thanks. God, […]

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Genesis 50:20 (New Living Translation) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. This is part of the (hi)story of Joseph and his brothers. The brothers planned to kill Joseph and lie to their father about […]

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Psalm 69:5-7 (New Living Translation) 5 O God, you know how foolish I am;my sins cannot be hidden from you.6 Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me,O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies.Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated,O God of Israel. The writer bemoans his foolishness. The writer is […]

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Genesis 45:3 (Christian Standard Bible) Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence. This is part of the (hi)story of Joseph and his brothers. After many years and twists and turns, Joseph is a ruler in Egypt […]

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Genesis 22:8 (New Living Translation) 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. This is part of the (hi)story of Abraham and his son Isaac. God told Abraham to take Isaac up the hill and sacrifice him. This is a crazy story with […]

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Exodus 25:8 (New Living Translation) Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses. God wanted the people to build a special place—a holy sanctuary. That place had requirements of entry of special people who had special jobs […]

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