Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

The night of the Last Supper, Jesus says through the Gospel of John, “Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” Apparently, the resurrection community around St. Matthew needed to hear the rebuke of Jesus about their lack of faith, the same condition placed at the beginning of the verse from St. John. Some manuscripts add verse 21 with Jesus saying, “But this kind of demon won’t leave unless you have prayed and fasted.”

Faith, prayer, fasting: the first is a gift; the next two are disciplines that loosen the way for the healing power of Christ. While there is mystery in how some people are healed and some are not, be sure there are positive check marks on the list of these three spiritual responses in your life.

Yesterday’s teaching of Paul about one’s behavior not being a stumbling block for another is exactly held by Jesus in verse 27.

Matthew 17:14–27

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: For Thee, naught impossible v. 20

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.

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

John Wesley summarized the opening verses by stating: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

The idea of one day being holier than another comes from a deeply subjective, yet real feeling. Each day has a sense about it. I hope that you will grow in a unique and holy feeling about each day of the week, due to the associations that all seven days of the week have with parts of the Bible.

As Paul develops his line of thought, be aware of those verses that especially summarize him. You will discover basic principles of human freedom and edification of your neighbor as guides for you, not only in living your own life, but also in allowing others to live theirs.

Examine yourself: do you do anything that stops the free flow of your brother or your sister’s life from flying freely into the depths of God?

Romans 14

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Open and never judging v. 3

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.

Tap on the image for a video meditation on Psalm 32.

Today’s psalm comes as a joyful release for David, a prayerful commentary after the episodes in yesterday’s reading.

Verse 3 expresses the freeing power of confessed sin. Is there some sin that you are allowing guilt or shame to prevent you from confessing? Find out what it is, and confess it to God and to a person that you trust. In so doing, the place within ceases to be a dungeon where you are held hostage by guilt or shame; instead you are transported into God’s secret hiding place within God’s own heart. Confession will shift you from the selfabsorption of guilt and shame, into a divine awareness of God’s enduring and unconditional love.

Ask God to enable you to discern the moods that have been affecting you at this time in your life—even right now as you begin to pray. Be careful of getting stuck and stubborn by sulking. This psalm will inspire you to let go of all that garbage!

Psalm 32

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Thou, a hiding place for me v. 7

We continue to follow 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