Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and 1 Chronicles 13:1-8.

(See 2 Sam 6:1–11; 2 Sam 5:17–25)

With the death of Saul, strife within the Israelites ends. Now David can turn the people’s attention to a heightened awareness of God’s presence by having the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem.

The Ark was the most sacred symbol of the presence of God to the people. Enter into the joy of David and the people in the all-night dance of joy before this precious symbol.

What would it be like for you to dance for the Lord? You will want to do this the more you relish those symbols that quicken God’s presence to your mind and heart. From this close awareness of God, you will want to turn often to God, just as David did. He frequently asked God for direction, for example, what to do about the Philistines. Know by faith that God has an answer for you when you truly want to know what God wants.

1 Chronicles 13—14

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Allow a seven-syllable phrase well up from within.

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”

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 day’s passage.

Shall we try this again, Jonah? This man, who spends more time sulking than prophesying, finds himself back to square one. “What might happen if I avoid God’s will again? More nights in the belly of a whale? I think not!”

So it is that Jonah makes his way through Nineveh obeying the command from God, yet with no energy to do it. The people repent in grand style! Jonah’s anger flares up. Then he sulks again when the little bush withers up. The Lord’s compassion is never-ending. The last verse is similar to the final words of Jesus on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Be careful about sulking. Do God’s will, even when you do not feel like doing it. In the belly of your person, there is a sense deeper than feeling—you simply know what God is asking of you.

Jonah 3—4

Learn about Bible Breaths.
Can you let the Holy Spirit breathe one of your creation and the Lord’s?

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.

A woman in a church I served claimed that we needed to come to the defense of Martha in this story. After all, she was offering hospitality and needed her sister’s help.

Yet instead of quietly, politely asking her sister to help, Martha turns to the guest and scolds Jesus for not sending Mary her way! Beneath this charming incident that only Luke reports, there are two kinds of dispositions. Martha is the impulsive type, quick to help another right away; Mary is open, receptive, needing time with Jesus before she does anything else.

There comes a time to move from the feet of Jesus to share more widely, as the Gadarene demoniac of a few chapters before. However, beware of the Martha in you who has no time to be at the feet of Jesus—being first fed by the one whom she will later serve. If you never rest and listen at Jesus’s feet, what good is it wherever else you go?

Luke 10:38–42

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Choosing first to be with You v. 42

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