Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

The theme of yesterday’s Gospel about saying versus doing continues in today’s reading. Words of worship of the mouth are empty and vain unless connected to a heart filled with devotion. When this connection is broken, words scatter themselves about in the wind as dead crackling autumn leaves. The awesome power of worship becomes a sacrilege; the sacred becomes secular. The root of the word “secular” means, “to be scattered.” The secular is that which is not rooted and defined by the holiness of God.

What will happen if your heart is not right with God? Begin there. Go to where your heart is, and make an honest confession to the Lord and repent. The sweet feelings of devotion in worship will come after your mouth honestly expresses the sinfulness that may be lurking in your heart. Then your mouth will find itself expressing the grace of the Lord that floods from within.

Isaiah 29

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: My mouth and my heart as one v. 13

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Isaiah 13 – 27; Lamentations 1 and 2 in the Ninth Week.

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.

Jesus presents three powerful teachings in six verses. In the first half, he admonishes us to confront with love a brother who is doing wrong against us. In verse 18, the Lord repeats what he said to Peter about the connection between heaven and earth in binding demons and loosening them from people. The last two verses celebrate the power of “two against one,” the one in question being Satan who comes against God’s people in sickness, disease, and strife. Praying in agreement with another brings the power of the witness of two against the one source of evil. While speaking about two, Jesus adds the third teaching, in verse 20, Where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them. also rendered as “gathered in my name.”

How does your life measure itself against these standards of the Lord?

Matthew 18:15–20

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Seeking to be reconciled v. 15ff

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide, we read the Gospel of Matthew.

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.