It might seem strange, but Jesus says that some wonderful things are going to happen to his disciples because he is going away. We might think that if Jesus stayed with them he would give them the power that they need; but no. Jesus says that unless he goes away, the Holy Spirit will not come. It’s the Holy Spirit that brings all the fullness of what God can give to us.

There are nine days between the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost, a week from Sunday. The word “novena” comes from the root meaning of the word “nine.” This is what Jesus means when he talks about “the little while” between his going away and the coming of the Spirit. Jesus brought great joy to his disciples and will do the same for us if we read his words very slowly and quietly, believing the many promises in these verses. How many of these promises can you count?

John 16:16-33

A Bible Breath: You turn my pain into joy. v. 20

 Touch to learn more…

The Firestarters are taken from the version for families with young children.

These verses are a sample of the rules that God wanted God’s new people to follow.  It all comes down to kindness and fairness, respecting God as the center of life and how God wants us to have compassion on those in need.  We can gather up the commands of God here in what is called “The Golden Rule.”  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Think about this for some minutes.  What are those things that you would wish that others would do for you?  Make a little list of them, and then find someone today for whom you could do one or two of these things.  The happiness that this will bring them will be yours!

 Leviticus 25:35-38

0Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example:
“Kindness to all that I meet” v. 36

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.

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.

It might seem strange, but Jesus says that some wonderful things are going to happen to his disciples because he is going away.  We might think that if Jesus stayed with them he would give them the power that they need;  but no.  Jesus says that unless he goes away, the Holy Spirit will not come.  It’s the Holy Spirit that brings all the fullness of what God can give to us.

There are nine days between the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost, a week from Sunday.  The word “novena” comes from the root meaning of the word “nine.”  This is what Jesus means when he talks about “the little while” between his going away and the coming of the Spirit.   Jesus brought great joy to his disciples and will do the same for us if we read his words very slowly and quietly, believing the many promises in these verses.  How many of these promises can you count?

John 16:16-33

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example:
“No one takes away my joy.” v. 22

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.