Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:10 (New Living Translation) 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. This is a well-known verse. The King James Version has the shorter, “for the love of money is […]

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John 10:10 (New Living Translation) 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. Jesus is speaking here. This is part of the tale of the good shepherd and the sheep. The purpose of the thieves is to steal sheep, kill them, […]

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John 6:63 (New Living Translation) 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Jesus said the above words. The topic is eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. Hey, wait a minute. I mean, I try to be good and […]

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John 6:29 (New Living Translation) 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” This is Jesus speaking. Jesus tells everyone that there is only one work God wants from mankind. Pay attention to this one, folks. Believe in the one God has sent. […]

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Ephesians 2:7 (New Living Translation) 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. I am an example. I am an example of the incredible […]

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Ephesians 1:1 (New Living Translation) This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. This begins the letter from Paul to the Christians in Ephesus. Paul says, “I am an […]

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John 4:10 (New Living Translation) 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” This is one of those sentences in scripture that puzzles me. In one case, “if you only knew the gift […]

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Luke 2:15 (New Living Translation) 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” This is part of the (hi)story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Angels visited shepherds in the […]

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John 1:51 (New Living Translation) 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” Jesus is talking to Nathanael. Jesus describes Himself as the stairway […]

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Luke 23:35 (New Living Translation) 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” This is part of the (hi)story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. At this point, Jesus has been nailed to the cross and is […]

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