Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Peter 1:3 (New Living Translation) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, God is merciful. God’s mercy gives us a new birth, and, with […]

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Psalm 27:1 (New Living Translation) The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? Sometimes I (re)find a verse or two that summarizes everything. I slap my head and wonder why I make life so complicated that I cannot put one foot in front of the other. Here is such […]

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Psalms 27:11 (New Living Translation) Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Simple, under-stated, yet powerful. Please, oh Lord, teach me how to live. Why does the writer ask for instruction? Because there are people seeking to harm the writer. Are we […]

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1 Chronicles 26:13 (New Living Translation) They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots. Here is yet another example of a decision made by casting lots. This was an important decision: who would guard what […]

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Psalm 35:1,6 (New Living Translation) O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. … Make their path dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. These two verses are from a Psalm of David. David asks Jehovah to oppose those who oppose David. The second verse listed […]

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James 2:9 (New Living Translation) But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. Sunday morning that guy sat on the pew next to me. You know who that guy is: he dresses funny his hair is fixed funny his cologne/shampoo/deodorant/toothpaste smells funny he […]

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Psalms 36:1-4 (New Living Translation) 1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. 2 In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. 3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. 4 They lie […]

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Matthew 10:8 (New Living Translation) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Jesus is addressing some disciples as He is sending them out to spread the good news. These followers heard the good news without paying any money. In today’s words, […]

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