Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 10:29a (New Living Translation) The man wanted to justify his actions, so… justify: Verb, show or prove to be right or reasonable Here comes trouble. This poor fellow—he reminds me of ME—wants to justify himself to Jesus. Imagine the folly of that one. Justify himself to the Son of God sent to a sinful […]

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Galatians 6:4-5 (New Living Translation) 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. I have always liked to be the best—the best speller […]

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James 1:5 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. I live to improve. I want to be and do better everyday. I desire this to a fault. Yes, others don’t always share […]

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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation) 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins […]

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2 John verse 4 (New Living Translation) How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded. John addresses his letter to “the chosen lady and her children.” I don’t know who “the chosen lady” is. Did this lady have a big […]

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2 John verses 1-2 (New Living Translation) I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. I struggle with the concept at the heart of these verses. […]

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Colossians 3:5 (English Standard Version) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Watch out for the last phrase of this verse: covetousness which is idolatry. I sure like that fellas’ car. I sure like that fellas’ vacation plans. Innocent enough, right? Perhaps. […]

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Colossians 2:6 (English Standard Version) Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him Walk in Him. Wade in Him. Live in Him. There is an all-too-popular phrase bouncing about “make room for God.” I strongly disagree. I believe this verse strongly disagrees. We walk in Jesus. We live in him all […]

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John 17:15-16 (New Living Translation) 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Jesus is praying to God regarding His followers (“them” and “they” in the verses). Let’s reverse […]

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Romans 8:8-9 (New Living Translation) 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do […]

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