[From the original version of the book]

Watch and be sober—two imperatives in Paul’s admonition today. The Greek root of the word for “watch” is egeiro, whence comes the name, Gregory. The image recalls the security guards of old who stayed up for three hours at a time during a night watch, making sure that no enemies would sneak across the boundary. The root means “to gather together” the senses into a wakeful whole. The notion is linked with being sober, the absence of which shatters and scatters the focus and attention needed to live the realities of the final words of Paul in this letter.

Listen carefully. Is the Spirit sweetly convicting you of anything? The Lord gives you the gift of discernment. Treasure it. Watch and be sober.

1 Thessalonians 5

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Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In season of Kingdomtide this year,
we read 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Revelation 4—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.

Tap here for a video on Psalm 86.

[From the original version of the book]

My first encounter with this Psalm was a young person in a religious community. Martin Neylon, Master of Novices, shared this prayer with me, calling it his favorite psalm. I can still hear the tender regard he had for it, even as the psalm itself breathes a sweet relation between the pray-er and the Lord.

The psalm implies a deep level of communion with the psalmist and the Lord. He presumes much, because he knows in faith upon whom he can rely. This same God of tender compassion is available for you right now. Do not let anything stand between you and the Lord.

The Bible is God’s intimate Word for you. Take each word personally. May these daily “Firestarters” be my way of making the Bible personal to you, just as others did for me.

Psalm 86

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More

We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.

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

[From the original version of the book]

Intrigue, unbelief, fear, famine, cannibalism—witness the extent of the sufferings of the people at the hands of the enemy Syrians. Yet the Lord is with the people. Marvel at God’s intervention in causing the Syrians to hear the sounds of approaching horses and chariots coming after them when this does not actually happen.

God will intervene on your behalf. When you have enemies coming against you in sieges of disease, strife, quarrels, call upon the Lord. God’s power is more within you than whatever is coming against you from without.

Recall the disciples besieged by fear in that upper room after Jesus was crucified. He comes right through the wall and shares the power of his peace. Even when your senses tell you he is not coming to you, believe that Jesus is already here.

2 Kings 6—7

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 22—23; 2 Kings; Ecclesiastes 5—8.

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