Month: October 2024

by

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Daniel 6:10-28.

[Today’s Firestarter is from the edition for families with children.]

Daniel proved that he was a wise and trusted advisor to the King Darius.  The King put Daniel in charge of other officials.  As you might guess, these other persons became very jealous of Daniel.  Today’s episode tells of the powerful protection of Daniel by God.

What got Daniel into trouble was the awful decree that the King was the only one that could be prayed to!  Daniel refused to do this.  He used to pray three times a day to his one, true God.  To remind him of this sacred connection to God, he would turn and face Jerusalem.

Here’s an idea.  Go into your room and spend some minutes praying as you face the direction where your church is located.  In your mind, make a connection by an imaginary straight line that joins you and the church.  This can help to bring the feelings of worship that you hopefully have from your church, right into your heart at this very moment. 

   Daniel 6

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year, we read the Book of Daniel.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Unharmed, for I trust in You. v. 23

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.

by

The Holiness of Marriage

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Gospel.

Jesus has strong words about divorce and remarriage. Does this situation apply to you? Rather than rationalize what Jesus teaches, let the Lord convict you where there was sin in your life in this regard. It does not mean that God wants you to return to a shattered or abusive relationship.

The Eastern Church sees marriage and divorce in the following way. There is a difference between a precious, ceramic vase that is cracked and can be fixed and one that is shattered into smithereens on the floor. In keeping with the analogy with marriage, both circumstances likely involve sin. In the one, effort needs to be made for repair. In the other, grief over the loss and moving on, humbled yet grateful for saving grace.

Mark 10:2-16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Kingdom entered as a child v. 15

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year B, we read from the Gospel of Mark.

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.

by

The Song of Moses

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the beginning part of the Torah portion.

This song was intended to fill the air from generation to generation. The image of a rock appears throughout. It tells what would happen if the people go after other gods and serve them. While the song expresses the anger of God, yet deeper still, it sings of the compassion of a God who continues to lure the people into fidelity and love.

The end of Moses is near. He is reminded that he will not be permitted to enter the Promised Land because he complained about the people in Numbers 20:11–13. He failed to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord giving water from the rock to the people.

As you hear this song in your heart with countless others “listening” to it this same day, what kinds of thoughts and feelings come to you? Write them down, so that you will remember.

Deuteronomy 32

Today this portion is read in synagogues around the world.

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Your teaching falling like rain. v. 2

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