Nothing but a radical re-focus will dispose the people for God’s salvation. Words of promise mingle with those of judgment. The “mountain of the Lord’s house” is a physical image of the new center that must fill the hearts of the people.

The tender power of the Lord works its way into the mountain of resistance that may be inside you. Is your self consuming you? Is there pride pounding at you? The images of Isaiah can do their work to tear down pride until all that is left is a heart humbled and ready to surrender to the Lord. Accept all that is challenging you, paining you—even your temptations—as ingredients that God wants to use to loosen you from self-sufficiency, to a total surrender and trust in the Lord.

Isaiah 2

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 1-13.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Learning only ways of peace. v. 4

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 narrative continues with the births of more of Jacob’s sons and one daughter. Names of children in Hebrew are derived from some circumstance surrounding their births.

Naming is important. If you are a parent, you will recall the careful thought you gave to the naming of your children, perhaps to remember your own parent or grandparent. Jewish people never use the name of God directly, because naming gives power over whom or what is named. Naming God, we have “power” over God, which would be blasphemous in the Hebrew mind.

If you were to give names to the members of your family associated with divine intervention and blessing in their lives, what would those names be? Such names could be the focal point for prayer for each family member.

Genesis 30:14—31:16

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Surely You are in this place. 28:16

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

Noah’s Ark and the Holy of Holies: both are sacred spaces where God acts. Here in the center of the holiest place in the Temple, an aged man lifts his hands to the Lord—longing, waiting, interceding, and pleading. All the emotions of a desperate people converge upon him.

St. Luke is presenting Yom Kippur, the holiest of holy days. Perhaps because he is so overwhelmed with this once-in-a-lifetime stand before God, Zechariah is not prepared to hear astounding, unexpected news. While he prays for deliverance, he does not expect it to come so clearly, so closely, so personally through his own wife Elizabeth and him.

Are you ready for the unexpected to happen to you? Remember the words of Jesus: “The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40).

Luke 1:1–25

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Birth of John: gladness and joy v. 14

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Luke 1 2; Matthew 1 7.

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.