With powerful images of evil, John portrays the arrogance and idolatry of the Roman Empire, great enemy of the early Christians. Recall the words of St. Paul in 1 Cor. 1:27: “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”

The Book of Revelation was intended to be a source of strength as Christians endured cruel persecution at the hands of that evil empire. Connecting with the image of the king riding in victory on a donkey in Monday’s reading from Zechariah, the image of the meek and vulnerable Lamb is John’s way of reminding us of the victory of the blood of Jesus over all adversaries.

Picture yourself in the Coliseum in Rome as lions are about to tear your flesh to shreds. The flesh of the Lamb of God was first torn for you, assuring you of the loving, sustaining presence of your Jesus when the flesh of your soul is about to be ripped.

Revelation 17

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Lord of lords and King of kings. v. 14

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 145.

The subtitle for this Psalm is “A Praise of David.” From this prayer until we come to the end of the Wednesday cycle in Psalm 150, praise will pervade every psalm.

This is another example of an acrostic poem—each verse beginning with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This structure offers a sense of movement and completion to the prayer. Further adding to the feeling of completion, the psalmist exhausts all the possible words for “praise” in Hebrew, making a kind of symphony of synonyms. How many words in English can you find that will fill your soul with praise?

This is a fitting psalm for all the readings for this week, as well as for the ones in these final weeks of God’s year of grace.

Psalm 145

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: You are kind in all Your ways. v. 17

We continue to read 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

Saint Paul would want you to remember his words: “What you sow you will reap,” as you read about the consequences of good and evil kings (Gal 6:7). The reference in Zechariah yesterday (10:2) about the sheep having no shepherd is present in today’s reading (18:16), an image that would become familiar in the Gospels.

Chapter 20 provides respite from the intrigues and infidelity of some of the leaders of God’s people. Give yourself special meditative time to pray through this chapter. Notice the power of praise as the weapon of victory over all enemies. Shift your focus away from what is coming against you in life, to praise for the One who is working out the victory for you at this very moment. The battle is not yours, but God’s!

2 Chronicles 17—20

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: The battle belongs to You. 20:15

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