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

Tap here for a video-meditation on Psalm 134.

They’ve arrived! As the elation of marathon runners crossing the finish line, the hands of the pilgrims are raised high as they come into the sanctuary of the Lord. Feet come to rest; now it is hands’ turn to celebrate.

For the pilgrims, it is the joy at what is coming, rather than what is finished. So also for Jesus who crosses the finish line into Jerusalem this coming Palm Sunday, “who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding it shame” (Heb 12:2). The cross is the finish line into heaven’s space. Only from there does Jesus cry out: “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Because of Jesus’s completion of the Father’s will, we can already be in the sanctuary of the risen life now. For you: what further journeying into that precious presence still needs to take place?

Psalm 134

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Come, you servants, bless the Lord. v. 1

We conclude the fifteen “”Songs of Ascent” with today’s Psalm.

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 Job 36:13-23.

The sixteenth century Polish astronomer, Copernicus, demonstrated that the sun is the center, with the earth and planets circling about it. It was a revolution in his day. Elihu’s intervention does the same for Job’s world. Job is not the center: God is. Read today’s passage very slowly, so that your spirit will sense the shift, flowing easily along with his speech. Pause after his questions, so that any egocentric ways of thinking that you have will shift to a prayerful contemplation of God as the center of your world.

Yield to Elihu’s expression of faith and conviction. The images and poetry here will touch your spirit. Be open to the Lord who daily prepares you to receive God’s Word more and more. The concluding passage in Job comes next week, when God finally intervenes and does the talking.

Job 35—37

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Lured out of stress into peace 36:16

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Lent this year we read Job 22 to 37; 41-42.

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 Jeremiah 50:17-20.

Throughout these judgments against the nations, the word against is used to describe the posture of these nations toward the Lord. The vivid descriptions of their downfall are all consequences of being against God.

Pride is sinful because it sets the self in opposition to God as though on an equal plane. Contests of power occur between the ego of the person, group, or nation. All of these are variations on the theme of the rebellion of the opposing angels, which has unleashed the cancer of pride into the earth and the human family.

Each verse flows over you, burning away anything in you as those arrogant nations, until you are totally limp and disposed for true spontaneity in the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s plan is to preserve and pardon you.

Jeremiah 49—50

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Lent this year we read Jeremiah 36-52.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Boasting only in Your strength 49:4

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.