Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

The crowds were singing this verse during the water ritual at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles. It was then that Jesus shouted about the living waters flowing from him (John 7:37).

This brief chapter is a celebrative conclusion to the first part of Isaiah. It is soaked in messianic imagery. The word for “praise” in verse 4 means, “to lift up the hands.” Here is a way for your body to pray this psalm-like prayer of Isaiah. Begin with your head down, your hands clenched together in a fist, pressed against your chest. Then in response to the promise of Jesus, let your palms become open, as the living water of Christ’s Spirit breaks out from your inmost being, flowing upward and outward in joy to the world—so thirsty for the life-giving Spirit that can flow from you.

Isaiah 12

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 1-13.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You are my strength and my might. v. 2

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 the Gospel.

In seasons of drought, there are strict limits on the use of water. Even then, extreme scarcity of water in affluent countries is non-existent. This is not the case for the Middle East in ancient times. For the Hebrew people, water was a blessing from God, especially manifest during the years of wandering in the desert when miracle-water from the rock flowed.

The great autumn festival of Tabernacles celebrates all these years of wandering. On the last day of this feast, the priest would walk about the altar with water freshly drawn. Today rabbis pray for rain at the close of this festival.

Picture the Temple with Jesus standing amid the crowd as the ritual of water takes place. He has overturned the money tables in chapter 2 at the Passover Festival. Now he breaks in upon the singing crowd with the earpiercing cry of 7:37-38. Let it break open the rock of your heart, letting Spirit-water flow.

John 7:37–39

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Living water from my heart v. 38

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 the Gospel.

The word in Greek for the pity and compassion of Jesus refers to a profound inner emotion. The root of the word is splanchna, the Greek for “bowels.” From the tenderest feeling of love to the strongest outrage, the physical center of our bodies is the place from where deep feelings come.

Chapter 10 begins “The Missionary Discourse” of Jesus, the second of five major addresses in Matthew’s Gospel. The twelve apostles are named and sent forth, even as the hands of a clock point to the twelve hours that radiate outward to mark the movement of the day and night.

Today when you look at a clock or watch with a face, be reminded that you are going forth to a day of loving compassion and healing with the same energy of Jesus.

Matthew 9:35—10:8

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Like sheep without a shepherd 9:36

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide, we read the Gospel of Matthew.

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.