Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Deuteronomy 23:12-14.

Even in war, cleanliness is vital, for it reminds the warrior that the Lord walks in the camp that must be in good order for God to be present.

The word Torah in Hebrew means not only “law” but also includes the concepts of “teaching” and “guidelines.” The Lord gives us the banks of the river, as it were, for the clear movement and flow of our lives.

Remember the obvious: all this comes from the Lord. God is the legislator; no congress or human being has made these laws. Receive them with faith and awe, as you come to understand what the Lord has given us that we might live.

Deuteronomy 23:9—24:13

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Ki Tetze (When You Go Out) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Deuteronomy. 21:10—25:19

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Where I am—to be holy 23:14

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

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 Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Mark 10:46-52.

[This Firestarter us from the version for young people.]

Way back in the time of Jesus, blind persons wore a special coat that told others that they could not see. This meant that when they begged for money and food, they really deserved the help because of their blindness.

You can just image what it must have been like for the blind beggar Bartimaeus, to learn that Jesus was passing by.  He became so excited, saying to himself:  “Here’s my chance to be healed!  Here comes Jesus, the one I’ve heard so much about, but whom I never had a chance to meet and beg for more than money or food.  Now I can beg for my eyesight!”  He really got Jesus’s attention by yelling and screaming.  People from the crowd tried to quiet him down, but he shouted all the louder.

What do you really want from Jesus–wanting it so much that you are willing to think of nothing else and are praying very hard for it?  You don’t need to yell–you already have Jesus’s attention!  Actually, Jesus knows your need even more than you do.  So just go to Jesus and ask him about what you need.  He’ll want to bring you clearer sight in the soul-parts of your life.  The more you see things the way God sees them, the wiser and happier you will be.

Clothed Only with Jesus  [from the original version]

That Jesus could predict his passion and not protect himself from it, means he is in charge of what is coming. He goes to Jerusalem to be offered as the Paschal Lamb. He came to earth for this. The forces are mounting against the Lord.

Just before the entry in triumph into Jerusalem, there is one last miracle. The man’s name is Bartimaeus. He is blind. In those days, the blind wore a special garment as an indicator to passersby that the person could not see, thus needing alms. As a sign of his total surrender to the Lord, Bartimaeus throws away the protective cloak.

Jesus is everything to him.

Throw off what you often use for your own self-defense and put on Jesus alone.

Mark  10:23-52

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Throwing off all defenses v. 50

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read
from the Gospel of Mark, this season, chapters 10 to 16.

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 introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.

[This Firestarter is from the original version.]

The Bible we read every day is not a human word, but the very Word of God. The Lord speaks to your heart with the same tenderness and family affection with which Paul addresses the new Christians whom he loves so much.

Read slowly and prayerfully, entering into the sacred space that the inspired Paul creates for you. The freshness of the message speaks to your heart, awakening you by its power to a new way of seeing your own world. The Word of God is a sacred canopy over your life. Believe in the active presence of the Lord, bringing that power to you of which Paul speaks. What plans God has for you today!

1 Thessalonians 2

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Pleasing God who tests our hearts v. 4

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In season of Kingdomtide this year,
we read 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Revelation 4—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.