Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and John 11:28-45.

The miracle of Lazarus brought back to life is a prelude to the death and resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus has power over this death, what must this say about Jesus’s power over his own life? The Jewish leaders ironically miss the whole point. Lazarus alive becomes the precipitating event that enrages the scribes and Pharisees to seek Jesus’s death. Ultimately their spiritual death occurs.

John dramatically tells the story. Human and divine elements fill the scenes. Verse 35 is the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” Meditate upon the movements and levels of meaning in this wondrous chapter of the Bible. Take to your own heart the words of verse 44 spoken by Jesus on Lazarus’s behalf: “Loose him and let him go.”

John 11:1–45

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Loose me, Lord, and then I’m free. v. 44

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During Lent and Easter, we read from 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 Leviticus 2:1-3.

Now that the tabernacle has been completed, the Lord directs Moses in the total life of worship with the seasonal and lunar celebrations that call to mind all that God has done for the people. Jewish children begin with the Book of Leviticus as the introduction to their life with God. Worshipping the Lord is the way that one comes to know God. No longer does God call to Moses from the heights of Mt. Sinai, but rather from a level plane at the sacred center of the people—the Holy of Holies.

The tabernacle and subsequent Temple no longer exist. Jesus is the living temple. His love burned for you on the cross in the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. Holy Communion brings this sacrifice into the present moment of worship. May your whole being be a burnt offering of love to God. Worship in Christ Jesus.

Leviticus 1—2

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Vayikra (And He Called) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Leviticus 1:1—5:19

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Offering my heart by fire 2:10

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

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 John 4:45-54.

The story of “The Woman at the Well” from the Third Sunday in Lent is filled with so many dimensions that it is well for us to consider it once again. You might focus today upon the scene with Jesus and the disciples, while the woman leaves and witnesses to her people about her encounter with Jesus.

Jesus moved the woman and she moved him. The greatness of his hunger is revealed—hunger for her salvation and the salvation of all of us.

Meditate upon the image of food and doing the will of God. Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Discovering and doing the will of God give a joy and satisfaction to the soul far surpassing any other banquet table.

John 4

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Your water: spring gushing forth v. 14

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.