These are among the most beloved chapters in the Bible. Verse upon verse needs to be present before your eyes throughout this day; you will find it hard to select your favorite one.

Yesterday you learned from David how to let the Lord lift you from the pit of darkness and despair. Today Paul is your leader. Remember, Paul penned these words from the pits of a Roman prison. Everything goes out from the dark, downward space as he responds to the “upward call” of Christ upon his life.

Though Paul likely received mere morsels of stale bread, Paul offers you a banquet of God’s Word, upon which he also feasts. Nothing can restrain his joy.

Abanquet of delicious food from the Lord is spread before you today. Take, eat, and pass the nourishment on to others.

Philippians 3—4

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Lord, you supply all my needs. 4:9

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Titus, Philemon, Galatians and Philippians.

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 13.

A brief psalm of only six verses is yours today. Three couplets of two verses each bear dramatic shifts in David’s spirit as he prays. First come four repeated cries of “How long, O Lord?” However far away God seems, David believes that God is listening. What intimacy David has with his God! A couplet comes next with three imperatives for God. Two of them are commands for God to listen, the third, a plea that God put the sparkle back into David’s eyes. Finally, there is the dramatic shift in the two final verses that express David’s singing for joy.

It does not take long for shifts to take place in your soul, if you model your prayer-life after David’s. Whether or not you identify with the eclipse of God’s presence, pray this psalm in profound intercession for those at the edge of despair—or deep into it, as in some black hole. Grab hold of them with this psalm and lift them up to peace.

Psalm 13

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Trusting your unfailing love v. 5

We 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

Whole sections of aisles in supermarkets are devoted to products designed to have your house smell fragrant. A sophisticated name, “aroma therapy,” is given to further the marketing of these sprays, oils, and candles. A device will periodically spray fragrance into your room every few minutes.

The sense of smell leads us into spiritual feelings associated with our world. God’s Word can do the same, especially chapters such as the one for today. An aroma of wisdom and spiritual understanding will fill your day if you let God’s presence through the Word pervade it. Periodically let each verse “spray” its sweet fragrance into the agenda of your day. The aroma of God’s presence will not only transform all that you do, but your life itself will smell sweet to others and lead them to God.

Proverbs 3

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Seeking you in all I do. vv. 5-6

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Joshua and Proverbs 1—3

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