Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 16:10 (New Living Translation) If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Who said that? Oh, it was Jesus. I guess He knew what He was saying. Of course this disagrees with today’s […]

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Luke 11:41 (New Living Translation) So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. This is Jesus’ conclusion to a lesson He gave to religious leaders about being clean on the outside (proper hygiene) and clean on the inside (proper love towards one another and Him). Jesus […]

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Luke 11:8-9 (New Living Translation) 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask […]

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Mark 4:41 (New Living Translation) The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” This is the reaction of the followers of Jesus. These men had been walking with Jesus daily for many months. Yet, they were terrified when they saw Him. Is the […]

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Matthew 6:31-32 (New Living Translation) 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. What is in the minds of unbelievers? What consumes their thoughts? Conquering the […]

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Luke 5:3 (New Living Translation) Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. Once again, note the position of the great teacher. As in many cases, Jesus sits while He addresses the crowds. […]

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John 1:46 (New Living Translation) “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. I have heard Philip described as, “The Apostle for the rest of us.” Philip provides what may be the most powerful statement in spreading the good news about Jesus the Messiah, “Come and see […]

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Luke 1:78-79 (New Living Translation) 78 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. Words of poetry and promise too grand to […]

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John 20:22-23 (New Living Translation) 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Jesus changes the world. He imparts the ability for a bunch of average Joes to forgive sins. Up to […]

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1 Peter 3:9 (New Living Translation) Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. Here is a little different contemplation on this verse. I usually read this […]

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