Contemplative Bible Reading

Matthew 3:1–2 (New Living Translation) 1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” John the Baptist is preaching. (Trivia note—this is the first time that the word “preach” appears […]

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Matthew 11:4–5 (New Living Translation) 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” The followers […]

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Hebrews 5:1-2 (New Living Translation) 1 Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. 2 And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same […]

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Matthew 2:13-14 (New Living Translation) 13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to […]

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Philippians 3:3-4 (New Living Translation) 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others […]

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1 John 2:2 (New Living Translation) He (Jesus) himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. The sacrifice of Jesus atones for my sins. Wow! That is a lot. Amazing grace, as the song says. And wait, there is more: the sacrifice of […]

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1 Peter 4:10 (New Living Translation) God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Peter is summarizing his first letter. He has a word of great encouragement. Everyone has received a wonderful gift from God. He has a word of great […]

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2 Peter 1:2 (New Living Translation) May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. Peter is writing to Christians—those who share the same precious faith as Peter, faith in Jesus. Peter wants his fellow followers of Christ to have more peace […]

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Galatians 1:7b (New Living Translation) You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. The writer chides the Christians in Galatia. They are falling for a twisted version of the truth. So sad. What truth was twisted? The truth about Christ. What was the truth about Christ? See a couple of […]

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Ephesians 2:6-7 (New Living Translation) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward […]

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