Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 18:1 (New International Version) Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Jesus taught that we should not give up. Is that practical? Is that sensible? Is He speaking of everything? If I quit my job and start a business that is failing […]

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Luke 24:19-21 (New International Version 2011) 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had […]

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1 Corinthians 14:3 (New International Version 2011) But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. This is pretty simple, but often “simple” things in the Bible carry much. Why do someone prophecy or, more like what we would say today, preach? Paul writes to the Corinthian church and gives […]

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Galatians 5:19-21 (New International Version 2011) 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will […]

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Luke 11 (New International Version 2011) 42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees. Those […]

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Luke 10:17-20 (Common English Bible) 17 The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.” 18 Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power […]

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Mark 9:25 (New International Version 2011) When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Jesus casts a demon or impure spirit out of a person. Note the instruction that Jesus […]

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Luke 9:18-21 (New International Version 2011) 18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to […]

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Matthew 2:1-7 (New Living Translation) Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 […]

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John 4:46-53 (Common English Bible) 46 He returned to Cana in Galilee where he had turned the water into wine. In Capernaum there was a certain royal official whose son was sick. 47 When he heard that Jesus was coming from Judea to Galilee, he went out to meet him and asked Jesus if he […]

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