Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (New Living Translation) We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. Paul and his fellow missionaries are writing to the Christians in Thessaloníki (I think that’s how […]

[Read more →]

2 Corinthians 10:3 (New Living Translation) We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. Paul writes to the Christians at Corinth long ago. In this short sentence, Paul states two simple and significant facts: (1) We (followers of Jesus Christ) are human. This is great. We are created by God in the […]

[Read more →]

1 John 3:7-8 (New Living Translation) 7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. […]

[Read more →]

2 Corinthians 10:4 (New Living Translation) 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. The writer is telling the readers in Corinth about some of the ways that God has made Christians different (if we accept that). Once different, we destroy […]

[Read more →]

1 Thessalonians 3:12 (New Living Translation) 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. The writer to this church is sending a written prayer. The writer prays that everyone in this distant church loves one another more each […]

[Read more →]

2 Corinthians 10:7 (New Living Translation) 7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. Paul is writing to a church in Corinth. There is a lot of fussing going on. Some say Paul is a phony. Paul is […]

[Read more →]

Ephesians 4:34 (New Living Translation) 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. The writer is explaining what Jesus Christ has done for them. Jesus made their lives different. They are better. NO! WRONG! My life isn’t different. My life isn’t better. My life isn’t improved. My life is […]

[Read more →]

Mark 10:45 (New Living Translation) 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Let’s think a moment about ransom. If someone kidnapped my wife and told me, “We want a dollar in ransom money.” I use “a […]

[Read more →]

Romans 10:3 (American Standard Version) 3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. Righteousness is a state of being right. I got it right. ‘Nough said (wrong). Paul is writing about those people who want to establish their own definition […]

[Read more →]

Colossians 3:11 (New Living Translation) 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. The writer is writing about life and how to live. Prior to this sentence, […]

[Read more →]