Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Leviticus 23:39-43.

 The Jewish calendar is grounded on three sacred feasts—Passover in the spring, Pentecost in summer and Tabernacles in autumn. Before the Temple was destroyed in the year 70 A.D., Jewish people used to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem for these festivals.

The festival of Tabernacles lasts nine days. Many believe that the pilgrims modeled their celebration of Thanksgiving after this festival. The tabernacles recall the tents of dwellers at harvest time as well as the Exodus in the desert.

We Christians can relate these feasts to the Triune God. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the Passover, as the descent of the Holy Spirit is Pentecost. Is there a counterpart for God the Father in Tabernacles? Curiously, we might have found it in the Transfiguration incident when Peter asked Jesus if he would allow three tabernacles to be built for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This never takes place. Instead, Jesus resumes his normal appearance and they walk down the mountain, learning about the coming suffering and death of Jesus.

The complete fulfillment of Tabernacles is yet to occur. We are all walking the path of God that leads us more and more into the Promised Land of God’s dominion over our hearts.

Leviticus 22:26—23:44

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Grateful for the home I have

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 in 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 the Gospel.

[From the original version]

Good news and bad news are mixed in this passage. The bad news: things are going to get worse as peoples rise up in rage against each other; the good news: the power of the Holy Spirit will be present as an inner strength of word and action against the power of darkness. Though the Temple would be destroyed in 70 A.D., and there would not be left a stone upon a stone, yet the New Temple of the presence of God, the risen body of Jesus, will be the sacred house where you can live now and forever.

Jesus likens this to a woman at the time of birth—pain as never before yet joy as never before. Each hour of this day is a time for you to deliver. What is the pain you need to experience so that new birth can happen?

Mark 13:1–13

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Suffering all as birth pangs v. 8

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 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 the reading.

[From the original version]

Buffalo, New York and Chicago, Illinois become so windy at times that the downtown areas are fitted out with ropes for people to hold onto as they walk, lest they be blown away.

This passage urges us to “stand fast.” We would say in current jargon, “Hang in there,” lest you be “tossed to and fro and be carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). Paul describes what happens when the role of Creator to creature is reversed—absolute arrogance and lawlessness, the creature despising the order set by the Creator. All evil results from this.

Stand fast against this usurped power. Cling to the cross as your rope when the lawless, evil winds of pride and power blow strongly against you.

2 Thessalonians 2

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Evil destroyed by Your breath v. 8

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.