Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Amos 3:1-8.

Watch the power in one Hebrew word—Galah: “to reveal.” It literally means, “to uncover,” “to remove.” The Hebrew Scriptures often use this word for exposing the nakedness of someone, or to strip something bare. It is also the word used to take people into captivity, making them naked to their enemies. The protective covering of the homeland is wrenched away. Of the ten times that Amos uses the word, all have this meaning, except the meaning of “reveal” in the verse for the day.

The strong sense of action in the word galah suggests the power that comes upon the prophet as he experiences the naked word of God exposed to him. The early 8th century B.C. thundering voice of Amos also becomes a written word; Amos will lead the way in making prophecy a literary form.

What unique word is the Lord uncovering for you today?

Amos 3—4

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit offers the very presence of God to our own souls. With this presence, comes the action of God upon our lives. The Spirit is our advocate, counselor, lawyer, advisor, teacher and here— our guide. Many roles that we assign to others in our lives are gathered up in the Holy Spirit who leads us further and further into the mystery of all truth. Where the Spirit is, there is also the Father and the Son. The heart embraces the Trinity, unable to be grasped by the mind.

In 1334, the church named the Sunday after Pentecost as Trinity Sunday. We contemplate the whole mystery of what God has been doing as the Father in creation (Advent-Epiphany), the Son in salvation (Lent-Easter), and now as the Holy Spirit in sanctification (Pentecost).

John 16:12–15

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Embracing the Trinity

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

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  Numbers 11:24-30.

The Israelites leave the foot of Mount Sinai and renew their journey once more. Soon strife starts in again. The people keep their eyes on their need, instead of on the cloud before them by day and the pillar of fire by night—signs to them of the faithful presence of God. The fire begins to burn them, instead of leading them out of their misery, by a constant, faithful trust in the Lord.

The unique intimacy of God with Moses is described in the familiarity of their conversation. Moses places his need before God: others need to share the burden of the people that Moses otherwise has to carry alone. Watch what happens when the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron flares up. (See the verses at the beginning of Chapter 12.)

Moses is described in 12:3 as the humblest man on earth. How are you when it comes to humility? Christ exalts the humble. If you are, God will be glorified, for he has made you part of a race of priests, prophets and kings!

Numbers 10:35—12:16

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Behaalot’cha (When You Kindle) 
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. Behaalot’cha (When You Kindle) 

Numbers 8:1—12:16

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Growing in humility 12:3

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