The purpose of the writer of Chronicles and of Zechariah is the same—to have God’s people recently returned to Jerusalem, find connectives to their past and God’s fidelity to them. The history of the earliest beginnings comes alive for them in these writings, sometimes copies of the history of 1 and 2 Kings.

The newly constructed Temple finds the vast, inward, empty space filled with the sacred articles used at worship. Solomon’s work is done. He pauses as he looks at everything in place. He prays a model for prayer across the ages and through the seasons.

Place yourself among the throng of people hearing Solomon’s prayer. May the earnest pleas for his people become yours. What specific calls for prayer does the Spirit bring to mind as you pray along with this great King?

2 Chronicles 4—6

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: You keep your promises, Lord. v. 14

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 30—32
and 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes 9—12.

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 lack of concern of yesterday’s unjust steward is set beside the call of God’s people in today’s reading to rebuild the Temple. Destruction of Solomon’s Temple and exile had plummeted God’s people into despair. While they have returned to their homeland, discouragement still hovers as a dark cloud over the people, de-energizing them from rebuilding the Temple. “How can we build a temple as magnificent as Solomon’s?”

Zechariah, whose name means “Yahweh Remembers,” receives eight visions of comfort and energy from God to empower the people to rebuild the Temple, sign of God’s life among them. Today’s reading has the first three of these visions. Read them as waves of comfort God is sending your way to enable to you to rebuild your own life according to the plans of the temple of Christ’s body in which you live, move, and have your being.

Zechariah 1—2

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide we read Habakkuk to Malachi.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: I am apple of Your eye. 2: 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.

A crisis in personal finances calls forth great inventiveness from this manager. “I’ve got to be sure that I have a roof over my head when I’m fired!”

A glance at the whole line of the week’s readings in the quilt of this season reveals a temple theme threading its way through the days. Today Jesus contrasts the creativity of this man in caring for the temple of his earthly home with the lack of concern of so many for the spiritual, heavenly temple and the eternal “roof” intended to cover us.

Become quiet so that you will sense the contrasts of these priorities. Sift, evaluate, feel what is truly central in your life. Will you be as creative and inventive about the call upon your life, as you are with caring for yours and your family’s temporal needs?

Luke 16:1–13

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Sharing the gift that I am. v. 9

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