Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and 2 Samuel 13:1-19.

David sows the sin of lust in his family. He makes an opening for evil to fester. Incest becomes hatred, further blowing up into conspiracy and murder.

As you read this story, know in your heart that the Lord is at work to bring reconciliation and peace to your family. No one alone can make it happen, but know that Jesus has risen to bring wholeness to brokenness in your life and in the lives of those you love.

Are there any dark emotions of resentment and vengeance that vibrate inside you as you read? Be honest with yourself. Forgive. Don’t let the tail wag the dog anymore! Let go and forgive. Thus, you will find that there will no longer be that inner pushing and shoving going on that takes its energy from negative emotions that burn within. When you forgive, you release the hot coals of unforgiveness that would otherwise burn you up.

2 Samuel 13—15

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Matthew 5:8

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 15-16, 2 Samuel and Ecclesiastes 1-4.

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

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Isaiah 36:13-22.

One of God’s favorite actions is to defend his people against arrogant, bully enemies. Outlandish, blasphemous assertions come from the mouth of the representative of King Sennacherib of Assyria. In fact, they appear twice in the Bible, as Chapters 36 to 39 are almost identical to 2 Kings 18:17–20:19. The confidence, which godless Assyria has in their military power, prompts the representative to summarize his arrogance in the verse for today.

This verse was a challenge to the first listeners—and is one for you as you listen to the taunting question, and boldly live out its answer in your life. It might be similar to an unbeliever who might question your belief in the presence of Jesus by faith in Holy Communion. The answer to that question and to the one in the verse for the day is the same: “He said so: I believe him!”

Isaiah 36

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Isaiah 28 – 39.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Trusting in Your faithful love

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 and the Gospel reading.

Jesus quotes from the first half of the Jewish Shema which pious Jews repeat twice daily (Deut. 6:4–5). After many questions on the part of the scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees, Jesus now takes the offensive. He presents a dilemma, forcing his listeners to face the question of how the Messiah would come to be. They are finally rendered speechless.

Life poses many questions about how, when or even whether God is intervening or not. There needs to come a moment when questions are silenced by the very presence of the Lord, perhaps by further questions, such as those posed to Job. God’s questions reduce Job to silence. They remind him about how incapable he is to dominate questions for which the Lord alone has answers.

Ponder these words of the song of Scott Wesley Brown: “When answers aren’t enough—there is Jesus.”

Matthew 22:34–46

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Surrendering to silence v. 46

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.