Contemplative Bible Reading

Leviticus 19:4 (New Living Translation) Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God. Here is another one of those “New Testament style” instructions found in the heart of the Old Testament law. God gave the people specific instructions about worshiping idols. God […]

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Leviticus 19:3 (New Living Translation) Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God. After chapters of specific commands to the people, the LORD now gives some “fuzzy” instructions. Here is one of the first. Respect […]

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Jonah 4:10-11 (New Living Translation) 10 Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. 11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” […]

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Isaiah 25:6-8 (New Living Translation) 6 In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. 7 There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the […]

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Ephesians 4:26-27 (New Living Translation) 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. This is a famous passage. One paraphrase that applies strongly to me: Get over it so you can sleep at night. […]

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1 Corinthians 1:10-11 (New Living Translation) 10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household […]

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2 Timothy 2:16 (New Living Translation) May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. Paul is writing about the love of a friend Onesiphorus. Paul was in prison, but his friend visited him […]

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Joel 3:13a (New Living Translation) Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. I love the how the message is worded in this phrase. In the day of Joel the prophet, people would literally tear their clothes to express grief. I suppose what some people do today is punch or kick […]

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