Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Genesis 43:16-34.

[From the original version]

You may feel impatient, as you anxiously wait for the recognition of Joseph by his brothers. Yet the mounting tension only serves to make the coming disclosure all the more poignant—all in the Lord’s own time. Each step of the story purifies Joseph’s brothers of the evil they did to him. The coming reconciliation of the brothers will be all the more complete.

Do you become impatient when some issue needs resolution in your own life? Perhaps the Lord is dealing with you as he did with Joseph’s brothers, purifying your mind and heart so that you will more fully recognize your Jesus who has been with you all along, yet you did not know it. What is in the way of the deeper recognition that is delayed?

Genesis 43:16—44:17

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Mikketz (At the End) 
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.

Genesis 41:1—44:17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Clearing the way for loving

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 the Gospel.

[From the original version]

The Gospel of John and the Book of Genesis both begin with, “In the Beginning.” St. John describes the pre-existence of the Son of God in a poetic expression linking heaven and earth. The frame of bounded time is set against the expanse of eternity. Into this frame enters the eternal Word.

Four times in the prologue—nowhere else in this Gospel—the Greek, charis is used, usually translated into English as “grace.” This is the action of God as it enters our human lives. It is the New Testament term for the loving-kindness of God as found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Keeping with the sense of God’s presence among the desert-wandering Jews in the tabernacle, John asserts, “The Word was made flesh and has pitched his tent among us” (author’s translation).

God moves out of time to be in time—yours, so that you can be in eternity now. Pray this awesome passage.

John 1:1–18

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You pitched Your tent among us. 14

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8,
with the exception of today.

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.

The Greek, hupogrammos, “example,” literally means an “underwriter.” Just as insurance companies have underwriters that support legitimate claims, so does Christ’s suffering and death give us the grounding and support to withstand unjust treatment that may come our way.

Rather than focus upon yourself as a victim of mistreatment, shift the focus upon a truth that gave the early Christians profound comfort when they were falsely accused. “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” (Acts 5:41). There is no spiritual or physical suffering that you can experience that Jesus did not first endure. Find joy in being treated as Jesus, being one with him in his sufferings, so that you can be one with him in his resurrection.

1 Peter 2:11–25

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
A Sample from today’s reading:
The pure milk of the Scripture v. 2

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

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