When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit … v. 41 

[From the original version of the book]

 A masterpiece of the great sixteenth century artist, Michelangelo, stretches across the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. At the center, God and Adam lovingly and longingly stretch out their hands and fingers to each other. The feeling of being freshly created is awesomely captured by the artist, as their fingers are separate, yet connected. In a similar sense is the visit with Mary and Elizabeth. John in his mother’s womb leaps for joy in the presence of Jesus, the new Adam inside Mary.

Clear away the debris in your heart that clutters the space between your heart and the heart of God in Christ. Then you will leap for joy at the desperate nearness of your Savior who is re-creating you right now.

Luke 1:39–45

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example:
My soul magnifies the Lord. v. 47

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

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.

The secret of Joseph’s success is his unwavering faith in the Lord. From the moment his brothers threw him into the ditch until his forgiveness of them in Egypt, Joseph knew that the God of justice and mercy would eventually bring goodness out of evil.

This is the faith that made the forgiveness of his brothers possible. He anticipated Paul in Roman 8:31 who rejoiced to write: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Such focus upon the Lord freed the heart of Joseph from nursing resentments. He was thus available to receive direct knowledge from the Lord through dream interpretations and in wisdom. He was put in charge of the affairs of the very country where he was a slave.

Repeat the verse for the day repeatedly as you pray it against the background of what may be tempting you to harbor anger.

Genesis 50

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
A sample from today’s reading:
You bringing good from evil v. 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

John the Baptist is born from the silent womb of Elizabeth; a song births from the silent tongue of Zechariah. He breaks out in a poetic expression that for centuries would become the hymn to close Morning Prayer in many churches. Notice how the words link Jewish longing for salvation, and fulfillment in the coming Lord.

Sense the contrast between darkness and light, between silence and word. Close your eyes in silent waiting as a preparation to allow the Holy Spirit, released from the heart of Zechariah, to well up from you, as you become one with this prayer of the ages.

The hymn closes with the first of fourteen references to peace in the Gospel of Luke. Let peace be in your breathing and in your speaking this day. Who is going to receive the comforts of this hymn from you?

Luke 1:57–80

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
A sample from today’s reading:
Giving light to those in dark v. 79

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 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.