Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 7:39 (New International Version) When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” This strikes me as an odd thing for the Pharisee to say about […]

[Read more →]

Luke 2:28-32 (New International Version) 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss[d] your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory […]

[Read more →]

John 1:17 (New International Version) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. I hadn’t noticed this short verse of a dozen or so words before. This type of writing is called contrast or opposition. It shows one thing, then another. Moses – a great and humble servant of […]

[Read more →]

Acts 4:25-26 (New International Version) from Psalms 2 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ” ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed […]

[Read more →]

1 Peter 2:1 (New International Version) Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander – these are bad things. I don’t want these things in my life. Is Peter telling us, “Stop this or you will go to hell.” I don’t […]

[Read more →]

Proverbs 18:18 (New International Version) Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. I read this week as well. It was another of those, “What does this say? This must be a misprint!” The writer of this proverb is telling me to “roll the dice” or “cut a deck of cards” to settle […]

[Read more →]

Song of Solomon 1:16 (New International Version) How handsome you are, my lover! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant. Verdant. People don’t use words like “verdant” anymore. I had to learn what this meant. Some definitions: Lacking experience or sophistication Naïve Unripe in knowledge or judgment Unsophisticated Raw Green As a verdant youth […]

[Read more →]

Romans 14:10 (New International Version) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. This verse begins with two questions that simply irritate me. Why would someone judge his brother? Why would someone look down on his brother? […]

[Read more →]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (New International Version) 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy […]

[Read more →]

Job 11:14 (New American Standard Bible) If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents; Romans 6:12 (New American Standard Bible) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, Genesis 4:7 (New American Standard Bible) “If you […]

[Read more →]