Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 7:33-34 (New Living Translation) 33 For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and […]

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Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. I love the wording of this verse in this translation. […]

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1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (New Living Translation) 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share […]

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Romans 7:24 (American Standard Version) Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I love the wonderful, horrible wording found in this translation. Paul calls himself a wretched man. One definition of wretched is in a very unhappy or unfortunate state The word “unfortunate” is an understatement. […]

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1 Corinthians 12:7 (New Living Translation) A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. It is easy to accept a gift and use it for my own pleasure. Someone gives me a gift certificate for my birthday. I enjoy the meal. Natural right? Perhaps this natural use of […]

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Galatians 4:8 (New Living Translation) Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist. This summarizes the state of the Gentiles in Galatia before the Gospel. They had enslaved themselves to things that didn’t exist. Let’s try to understand that principle. Think of something that does not exist. […]

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Galatians 1:4 (New Living Translation) Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. I can’t add anything. God, please keep my pride from having me attempt to add.

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Acts 13:39a  (New Living Translation) Everyone who believes in him (Jesus) is declared right with God… Pretty simple, huh. This is yet another example of how brevity and clarity often go together. Why is it that we make this so complicated? Perhaps to show how smart I am. God, help me to remove myself and […]

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John 4:48-49 (New Living Translation) 48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” 49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” This is part of the (hi)story of Jesus healing the official’s son (from a great distance). Jesus asks if the man would […]

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1 John 3:16 (New Living Translation) We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. I find the wording of this and other translation lacking. Notice how the words “gave up his life for us” are […]

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