Contemplative Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 7:29 (New Living Translation) But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path. The writer reminds us of a simple yet critical thing: God created us to be virtuous. Well, that’s nice. What does that mean? And, so what? The definitions […]

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Proverbs 22:29 (New Living Translation) Do you see any truly competent workers?They will serve kingsrather than working for ordinary people. This section of Proverbs begins with, “Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.” Next are a series of “Don’t do this and don’t do that” as those things go […]

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2 Corinthians 10:3 (New Living Translation) We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. Paul writes to the Christians at Corinth long ago. In this short sentence, Paul states two simple and significant facts: (1) We (followers of Jesus Christ) are human. This is great. We are created by God in the […]

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Exodus 16:4 (New Living Translation) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow […]

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Psalm 61:2-3 (New Living Translation) 2 From the ends of the earth,I cry to you for helpwhen my heart is overwhelmed.Lead me to the towering rock of safety,3 for you are my safe refuge,a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Many years ago, I would travel to far places. I would tell people, “It […]

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Exodus 16:23-24 (New Living Translation) 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” 24 So they put some […]

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Psalm 119:97-99 97 Oh, how I love your instructions!I think about them all day long.98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,for they are my constant guide.99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,for I am always thinking of your laws. Way down into Psalm 119 we find this expression of thanks. God, […]

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Genesis 50:20 (New Living Translation) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. This is part of the (hi)story of Joseph and his brothers. The brothers planned to kill Joseph and lie to their father about […]

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