Contemplative Bible Reading

James 4:8 (New International Version 2011) Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Notice the three things the writer encourages the reader to do: come near to God wash your hands purify your hearts How did wash your hands make […]

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Galatians 2:4 (four different translations) New Living Translation: Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there—false ones, really —who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their […]

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Joshua 24:14-15 (New International Version 2011) 14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, […]

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Romans 14:17 (New International Version 2011) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Items of major importance: righteousness peace joy in the Holy Spirit Items of minor importance: eating drinking Let’s move on.

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Romans 13:13 (New International Version 2011) Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. This is a bad list, but what is the last one doing there? Is jealousy as bad as these others in the list? What is […]

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Ephesians 3:20-21 (New International Version 2011) 20 Now to him (God the Father) who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! […]

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Acts 26:1-3 (New International Version 2011) 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and […]

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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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