Contemplative Bible Reading

Jude 1:23 (New Living Translation) 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. The writer is encouraging followers of God to show mercy while hating. Whoa. I guess that is possible, but there is […]

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Luke 22:63-64 (New Living Translation) 63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” This is part of the (hi)story of the crucifixion of Jesus. This incident of mocking Jesus tells us much about prophets and prophesying and […]

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John 4:13-14 (New Living Translation) 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Jesus is speaking to a woman sitting next to a well. […]

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Ephesians 1:15-16 (English Standard Version) 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, Paul is writing to a group of Christians in Ephesus. Paul thanks God […]

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Acts 22:16 (New Living Translation) 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ In this verse, Paul is retelling the story of how he came to follow Jesus as the Christ. Ananias is talking to Paul. He tells Paul […]

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2 Corinthians 3:16 (New Living Translation) 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. The verses before this describe the lack of mental understanding and the lack of emotional feeling of God’s people as a veil. There was a veil that covered their minds and covered their hearts when the […]

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Luke 10:21 (New Living Translation) 21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased […]

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Matthew 1:20-21 (New Living Translation) 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a […]

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Luke 8:1-3 (New Living Translation) 1 Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, […]

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Matthew 10:18 (New Living Translation) 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. Jesus is talking here. Jesus is telling followers what to expect. The followers will stand before rulers and other unbelievers. What […]

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