Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Jeremiah 29:10-14.

Today’s reading provides clues for discerning the difference between true and false prophecy. False prophets speak of promises they cannot deliver; true ones speak of the consequences to unfaithfulness to God.

Listen to the letter of chapter 29 as though personally directed to you. Be compassionate with the lost. Pray in heartfelt intercession, moved by the tenderness of God. Does the Lord place anyone in particular upon your heart for prayer?

In the middle of the letter, a verse expresses profound love and tenderness on the part of God. May your heart, loosened, shaken, and sobered by this letter, receive this verse of comfort as a shining jewel in the midst of a rough, hard earth.

Jeremiah 27—29

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the Season of Lent this year we read Jeremiah 18 to 35.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: “I know th’ plans I have for you.” v. 11

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 reading.

The cross is before us again, but this time, it is still and standing tall. Ground movement is over. The cross is at rest, lifted high to connect earth with heaven. John recalls Moses and the bronze serpent in the desert in Numbers 21: 9. This was the other pole up so that when the people would look upon it, the serpent would not bite them.

Go for the gold! Keep your eyes on the prize of the cross and you will find the strength to finish the journey and come to rest. Embrace verse 16 which has been called “The Gospel in Miniature.” This “Gospel Gold” needs to be committed to the memory of your heart.

Centuries ago, this Sunday was called “Laetare Sunday,” a mid-Lent “Sunday of Joy.” Let this mid-journey rest be filled with the joy of Jesus loving you so much, “… for the Bible tells you so!”

John 3:14–21

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: God so loved, He gave His Son. v. 16

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.

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 John 8:39-47.

As bookends that hold what is between, so do vv. 32 and 58 of our reading hold the center together. The left “bookend” reads, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The right one is: “Before Abraham was, I AM.” The center area describes the mounting conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus. As typical in John, the responses of Jesus are on another level, exalted words about what happens to those who adhere to Jesus. They shall “never taste death.”

In John’s Gospel, when Jesus uses the words “I AM,” John wants us to arc back to the very beginning of God’s liberation of God’s people in the Exodus when God revealed the covenantal name to Moses at the burning bush. The name of God given to Moses means, “I AM.” Jesus completes the ancient covenant in himself. All that God wants of us is obedience and adherence to the Lord by faith. Bonded to the truth, we shall then become free.

John 8:31–59

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Knowing truth; being set free v. 32

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the Seasons of Lent and Easter this year we read the Gospel of John.

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.