Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Isaiah 16:9-11.

Moab was a son of Lot by his eldest daughter. As though continuing the perversity from which he was born, the Moabites were characterized by idolatry with all the sacrilegious behaviors that accompany false worship. Isaiah describes the outcome of their behavior in a manner in keeping with the very rebellion of this people against God. Listen for the sounds of suffering in the wailing and weeping that weave themselves throughout this reading.

From 16:8, summer is emptied of its fullness as invaders ravage the land of Moab. Unrepented sin has its consequences. However, even for Moab, there is a remnant that will become seed for a new summer, even as from the seed of Ruth, the Moabitess of old, came Jesus. Jesus is relentless in compassion for those bound by sin. Stay close to the Lord today.

Isaiah 15—16

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Isaiah 13 – 27; Lamentations 1 and 2 on the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: My heart throbbing for the lost 16:11

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Numbers 14:1-7.

Jewish tradition gives names to every Sabbath as Christians name Sundays in the sacred year. As you read the Torah readings, especially this year A (the first of the three-part division of each portion), see how the title relates to the subject matter of the reading. “Send” refers to the Lord’s command to send out spies into the land of promise.

13:16 is the very first time that the name of Joshua appears. Moses does something to his name as God did to Abraham and as Jesus did to Simon; the name is changed or slightly altered to give it special meaning. Moses changed Hoshea to Joshua, the latter meaning “Yahweh (the Lord) is Salvation.” It is the same name as Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew name.

Fear paralyses the hearts of the other spies. Notice the “Yes, but” to which they yield in 13:28. “But” cancels out all that goes before it. Pray that you face the “enemies” in your life as fearlessly as Joshua and Jesus faced theirs.

Numbers 13:1—14:7

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Shelah L’cha (Send) 
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.
Numbers 13—15

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Inward milk and honey flows 13:27 

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