Contemplative Bible Reading

1 John 4:18 (New International Version) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Over the years I have read and written about fear and the workplace. “Drive out fear” is one phrase that […]

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Titus 2:7a (New International Version) 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. Model the bahavior that you want others to live. I have heard that increasingly in the past couple of years. If I want people to listen, I slow down, shut up, and listen myself. If I want people […]

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Philippians 1:9-11 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through […]

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Matthew 23:23 (New International Version) Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Ah, these poor guys. The […]

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Matthew 5:16 (New International Version) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. This verse is the basis of the children’s song “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” I sang that hundreds of times while growing […]

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Hebrews 4:2 (New International Version) For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. The gospel without faith is of no value to the person hearing it. I can […]

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Matthew 5:1-2 (New International Version) 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them saying: Here is the situation: Jesus is about to speak to a large crowd of people. He is on the side of […]

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Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Need a guard for your heart and mind? Something […]

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Galatians 5:6 (New International Version) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love This passage discusses how we sometimes lose our focus and worry about all sorts of things that seem to be really important. The truth is, they only seem […]

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1 Peter 4:15 (New International Version) If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. This passage in chapter 4 is discussing suffering as a Christian or suffering at the hands of men because I am a Christian. Verse 15 summarizes […]

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