Contemplative Bible Reading

While recently reading through the New Testament, I read the same greeting over and over. The words “grace and peace” over and over. Here are some examples: Galatians  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord […]

[Read more →]

Acts 10:34-35 (New International Version 2010) 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his family. Also present are some Jews who […]

[Read more →]

Acts 10:1-2 (New International Version 2010) 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Here we have an officer in the Roman […]

[Read more →]

John 12:47-48 (New International Version) 47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very […]

[Read more →]

2 Peter 1:5-9 (New International Version 2010) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these […]

[Read more →]

Romans 5:5 (New International Version 2010) And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. There are times when I read the Bible from a simple perspective. The recent reading of this verse was one of […]

[Read more →]

Romans 8:18-21 (New International Version) 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but […]

[Read more →]

John 11:47 (New International Version) Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.    “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. What a great question: What are we accomplishing? This group of religious leaders gathered to consider what to do with and about this man […]

[Read more →]

Mark 6:36-37 (New International Version) 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” These statements are part of Mark’s recording of the feeding of 5,000 men. Verse 36 is what the Apostles […]

[Read more →]

John 10:33 (New International Version) “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” Speaking here are Jews in Jerusalem. They are going to execute Jesus for a capital crime. Jesus of Nazareth claimed to be the Son of God. To […]

[Read more →]