God’s act of saving grace in Jesus is prefigured in many Hebrew saints and heroes. In Advent, the humble, self-sacrificing Ruth, becomes an ancestor to Jesus. Moving soon into the Epiphany portion of this sacred season, we lift up Esther, another woman totally dedicated to the salvation of God’s people, risking her life, as did Jesus.

Jesus the King is born. Contrast him with the extravagance and pride of Ahasuerus and the vanity of Queen Vashti. God is quietly working out salvation amid the decrees of emperors and kings.

Chapter 1 sets the stage for this powerful and beautiful story of salvation. What personal reflections come to you about vanity and where the center of your life rests? Is it in any place other than the humble manger of Jesus’s birth?

Esther 1

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Examples:

Slow to anger, breathing peace v. 12

Vanity cleared from my heart

Gentle and tender to all

A servant’s heart before all

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Advent to Epiphany this year, we read Ruth, Esther and Proverbs 7 to 9.

 

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

Christmas for the world, is over. The presents have been bought, wrapped, given, and now lie exhausted beneath the tree. The retail world is spent after its meal of consumerism. The comparisons with past years will soon be in.

Isaiah shakes us, provoking us to fix our attention on the promises of Isaiah realized in Jesus. Exult with joy and confidence in the power of the verse for the day. The final one also bears the promise of the fullness and constancy of the Spirit’s presence in your family for endless generations to come. Do you believe this promise? Memorize it until it is so soaked into you that unspeakable joy radiates from within, giving assurance to many others of a new consumerism—consumed by his Love!

Isaiah 59:15b–21

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 56 to 66..

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Cloak of zeal wrapped around me v. 17

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.

Merry Christmas!

[From the original version]

Joseph dragged to Egypt as a slave, becomes the means of salvation for his people. Now it is Moses who returns to Egypt as the Lord’s chosen to save God’s people who had all become slaves in that land. The swelling movement of God’s saving acts begins again. No resistance on the part of Pharaoh is going to withstand what God is going to do. Even the periodic discouragements and angers of the Israelites against Moses do not stop the Lord from the relentless grace of salvation held out to God’s beloved people.

Resistance of God’s people is stronger when they fail to worship. When you find that affliction seems greater than grace, bow your head, go inward, and worship the Lord in acts of praise, trust, and surrender. Focus all the energies of faith upon the One who is delivering you right now.

Exodus 4:18—6:1

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Walking with the pow’r of God 4:20

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