Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

On Good Friday, the veil in the Temple was torn in two; the separation between the divine and human was removed. In the final weeks of Easter, we peer into the mystery of God behind the place where the veil used to be.

The key to understanding is once again, meno, “to abide.” Repeatedly this word appears, weaving Jesus’s profound expression in this and the following chapter.

The word for the Holy Spirit that John uses is the Greek parakletos, sometimes simply transferred into English as “paraclete.” The word literally means “one who is called to be at your side” as a lawyer, advocate, counselor, “helper,” or in the King James version, “Comforter.”

Meditate upon these and other words that may be given to you, all variations of the intimate living-with that the Spirit brings.

John 14:15–21

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Spirit abiding in me v. 17

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 26:3-6.

Here are the blessings that come from obedience and the curses that result from disobedience. When you read about the curses, focus not on the Lord who is punishing, but on the issue of not walking in God’s ways.

We don’t like to hear about a God who punishes. However, God will forgive where there is repentance. God will be faithful to the Covenant God established with our ancestors.

A difficulty we have with a God who punishes out of justice, is the projection of our unholy anger. Harboring resentments, dwelling on thoughts of revenge and wanting to punish those who have wronged us: this is our sin. The Lord is pure love, with justice. It is comforting to know that ultimate justice will take place. The Covenant is the Lord’s. It is ultimately God’s responsibility to reward or punish—not ours.

Leviticus 26:3—27:15

This is the first and second of three parts of the Torah Portion Behukkotai (My Commandment)
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. 26:3—27:34

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example:I follow Your commandments. 26:3

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 and John 6:52-69.

Along with our Hebrew ancestors in the wilderness, the spirit of complaint blinds the Jewish leaders from receiving the gift in front of them of Jesus as the Bread of Life. Similar to Thomas the apostle who doubted, the leaders come to Jesus with their own concepts and norms for how God would touch and communicate with God’s people.

Complaining is poison. Do not do it. Receive the Bread of Life. Commit to the Lord that problem, that situation as you exhale each breath. With each inhale, take in the Bread of Life who is also the “breath” of life in the Holy Spirit. Receive the covenant blood of Jesus that brings salvation, joy and the immense love of Jesus.

John 6:41–71

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: The living bread from heaven v. 51

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.