Every once in awhile we hear about someone who has dislocated a shoulder. The joint where the arm meets the shoulder is pulled apart; it’s very painful.

Something like this happened to the first disciples in a spiritual sort of way.  Jesus tells them that there will come a time when they will be “dislocated” from their roots as Jews.  John 9 tells about a person born blind and when healed was thrown out of the synagogue.  Jesus’s disciples couldn’t worship in the synagogues either.

  Sometimes when a person loves in a special, even courageous way, others are mean toward the person. Perhaps something similar has happened to you as you live love Jesus’s way. Jesus wants us to find joy in his promise of sending the Holy Spirit as a special comfort to those who are mistreated in any way.  God loves and cares for those who are on the “outs” with others.  God wants you to know that you are “in” with God!

John 16:1-15

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example from v. 7
“Holy Spirit–my Helper”

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read from the Gospel of Mark,
except during most of Lent and Easter when we read from the Gospel of John.

These Firestarters are for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, 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.

As the Church of Jesus grew in the early years, the leaders thought and prayed about the link that they had with their Jewish ancestors.  They asked:  “Did persons who didn’t have Jewish parents and grandparents have to go do the same things that Jewish people do? “No,” they answered.  Today’s reading describes a big meeting in Jerusalem when they talked about all this.  The speech of Peter is a summary of their discussions.

The Holy Spirit was present as the Church of Jesus grew—at the big moments and the small ones too.  As you grow, you too will be facing decisions to be made.  The same Holy Spirit will be with you at every moment, whether the decisions are small or big.  Isn’t this a thought that brings you lots of comfort?

Acts 15:1-12

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example from v. 8
“O Jesus, You know my heart.”

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, 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.