The verses for today that come in the center of the reading is a Firestarter for your heart to glow with a basic truth: God wants purity for his people. This may help to interpret the warlike behavior, which seems impossible to justify by modern understanding of how God wants us to act toward our enemies. Certainly, Jesus’ position is clear: we are to love our enemies and to pray for them. These “coals of fire” upon their heads are the holy violence of love designed to win people into the Kingdom. As for the Book of Numbers, there is no consistently clear position about what constitutes a Holy War. Killing defiles; hence the need for purification afterward.

There are harsh consequences for those given to idolatry. However, thank God for Jesus. The way he treats the foreign woman in Matthew 15 shows how he makes new “spoils” for the Kingdom by healing and love.

Numbers 30:2—31:54

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Matoth (The Chiefs) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Numbers 30:2—32:42

There is another portion assigned this year: Maseh (Journeys) 
Numbers 33:1—36:13

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Vengeance belonging to You 31:1ff

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

Parable: here is a word associated with Jesus, almost as much as the word Gospel. Today begins “The Sermon of Parables,” the third of five major discourses in the Gospel of Matthew. Envisioning Jesus as the new Moses, Matthew parallels the first five books of the Bible, the Torah.

Parallel and parable: the words are related through the common Greek prefix para meaning “alongside.” Parallel lines are those that move alongside each other at the same distance, uniting only in infinity. The third syllable in the word parable means, “to throw.” A parable is an image that is “thrown alongside” some aspect of the Good News, so that we can see grace reflected in the image.

Remember the list of seven parables in this chapter. Be alert today for other parables that the Spirit will throw your way, as the Spirit within your heart teaches you about the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 13

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Seed-word falling on good soil v. 8

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Matthew 8 to 18.

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.

 One of the most powerful chapters in the whole Bible is before you. We peer into the depths of Paul’s heart and mind as we consider the essence of what it means to live a life in the Spirit.

This chapter forms a centerpiece to the whole letter to the Romans, coming in the middle of this season dedicated to the Holy Spirit. It is the Firestarter that has Paul burn on and on with his passion for the Spirit. Pray that the same Spirit that burned in Paul will burn in you. You will encounter very profound thought. Ask the Lord to give you a spirit of deep understanding as you embrace the truths that are laid forth here.

You may find it helpful to take the four quarter parts of the day, devoting these four parts of the chapter to each one: verses 1–8, 9–17, 18–30, 31–39. It will be “Fire in Four-quarter Time”!

Romans 8

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Mind on Spirit: life and peace v.6

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

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.