Alive in God 

The psalms are intimate prayers that join Jews, Moslems, Christians—everyone in the human family. Often, as here, the psalmist has big problems. He is aware of his enemies and begins to describe just how they are getting to him. Yet greater than the power of his enemies, the sacred writer rejoices in the power found in the name of the Lord. So awesome is this power, that Jews refrain from uttering the sacred name of God.

In Christ, we need not be so cautious. Jesus urges us to use his holy name. When prayed with faith and confidence, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead keeps you alive in God, and buoys up those people for whom you are to intercede.

When you are up against it and difficulties simply seem too much, stop—let go and place your faith in the power of the name of the Lord coming against all that comes against you.

Psalm 54

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: O God, You are my helper. v. 4

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

Totally Dedicated to the Lord 

When God is about to intervene in a unique way in history, an angel announces the coming birth of a specially anointed deliverer. Such was the case with the birth of Isaac, Samuel, and now, Samson. The season of Advent, just past, had us celebrating the angelic announcement of the two greatest persons whom God was going to use—John the Baptist and of course, Jesus.

In the case of the Baptist and Samson, there was a life style that expressed total consecration to the Lord— no wine or strong drink—and, in Samson’s case, the full Nazarite vow of never cutting the hair. All these outward signs remind the individual and others of loyalty to the Lord; they were set apart and constantly reminded that their life was given to God.

What is there about your life that reminds you that you are to be totally dedicated to the Lord? In Christ you are very special, called to be a sacrament of his presence.

Judges 13—14

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: I’m a sacrament of You.

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Judges, Proverbs 4 6.

 

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

Carrying You in Total Care 

The image or the statue of a false god has to be carried about. Not so with our God, says Isaiah. Our God carries us, sustaining us throughout our lifetime.

The arc of a rainbow is as the span of life, as we might say, “From the womb to the tomb.” God has total care of you. Today’s passage invites you to be in touch by faith with this protective, assertive, energetic and total care of the Lord, carrying you from one end of your life to the other.

When Jesus descended into the waters of the Jordan, he took all your sins upon his shoulders. He carries you through those waters to dry land, just as God covenanted with Noah with the rainbow after the flood and as God opened the Red Sea in the Exodus. He carried the cross, which is your cross and mine, so that the weight of our sins would not have to be borne by us. Praise Him!

Isaiah 46

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the Winder Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 40 – 55.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example:

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.