Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

Jesus prepares his disciples and us for the persecutions that are to come. Again, the situation for the very writing of this Gospel is disclosed: “They will put you out of synagogues.” Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as the Comforter in the dislocation of Jesus’s disciples from being able to worship as Jews.

Jesus announces that he is going away. He softens the sadness by stating that it is better that this be so; otherwise, “The Helper will not come to you.” Jesus of Nazareth releases himself from being a limited presence on the earth. Because of the resurrection, Christ’s body is beyond being bound by time and space. The Lord Christ lives in limitless space and eternity itself. Yet all the intimacy of his presence is preserved for you, because of the coming of the Holy Spirit into your heart.

John 16:1–15

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: “I go and send the Spirit.” v. 7

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the Seasons of Lent and Easter we read the Gospel of John.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Acts 16:19-34.

Paul’s disciple is the young Timothy. This is the second missionary journey of Paul. Models of leadership abound. People learn about leadership by becoming spiritual apprentices.

Remember that all of the Holy Lands at this time are part of the Roman Empire, which is divided into provinces. In addition to the names of cities, there are provinces such as Galatia, Asia (not the continent), Bithynia, Mysia, Phrygia, Macedonia, and Achaea (modern Greece). Soon into this journey, Paul receives a vision during the night to cross over into Macedonia. This would be the first time that the Gospel is preached in Europe.

One of the loveliest stories in Acts is the account of what happens when Paul and Silas are in prison. May your heart sing along with theirs as you too become open to the power of God in your life.

Acts 16

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Wid’ning the circle of love

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read the Letters of John and Jude.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

For a video meditation on today’s Psalm created three years ago, Tap here.

This Psalm joins two kinds of prayer—corporate prayer for the nation and private prayer for the self. As you pray the first twelve verses, see yourself as the intercessor for your country that needs to call upon the Lord to be present and active in the land. In verse 13 where burnt offerings and vows are promised, join your personal outpourings. While you will not be bringing burnt offerings to the altar, bring your whole self on fire with the Lord, with your egoism burnt away as in a refiner’s fire. This is the kind of offering which the Lord wants—death to self and life in Christ Jesus.

At the end of the psalm, you too, have the faith of the psalmist who believes that God has indeed listened to his prayer.

Psalm 66

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Ego burnt: refiner’s fire v. 10

We continue to read the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information