Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Numbers 28:16-25.

Spring or autumn—which one is the beginning of a new year? Obviously, there is a connection with spring as the beginning, as new life comes into existence. It was then that new life emerged from the Red Sea in the Exodus. There is also the sense that autumn is the beginning, the time when Jewish people celebrate the New Year. Jewish tradition has it that creation took place in autumn, since God created all things in their fullness.

Keep this tension in mind as God outlines all the major festivals of the Jews gathered into this passage. Burnt offerings are to be made. The phrase occurs 267 times in the Old Testament, 22 of them in this passage alone!

While what is burnt is no longer in effect, the fact of burning remains. Are you willing to let yourself be set on fire by the Holy Spirit and burn on for the Lord? God wants no other offering than you.

Numbers 28:16—30:1

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Pinhas (Phineas)
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. 
Numbers 25:10—30:1

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My life: sweet odor for You 28:24 etc.

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 Luke 13:22-30.

Jesus continues to make his way to Jerusalem. Along the road, opportunities for teaching, healing, and confrontation offer themselves, depending upon the kind of response that Jesus needs to give.

As an image of movement from one place to another, Jesus speaks about the narrow door—that special opening through which one enters into Kingdom life. This is not unlike the narrow barriers that we pass through on toll highways. We must slow down in order to make the entry safely.

Take this chapter and its simple divisions and let them be as moments in your day to slow up and pass through the narrow gate of God’s Word. Take nourishment, take heart, and be on your way. Remember: any toll that has to be paid was already done by Jesus on the cross!

Luke 13

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Planting my life to bear fruit v. 9

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Luke 9—19:27.

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 Hebrews 4:12-16.

Do we draw water, or does water draw us? Oceans, rivers, lakes, streams each invite us to come to the side, resting as we gaze upon the liquid body. Whether it is a mirror-like lake, or waves crashing upon soft sand, water calls to quiet and to rest.

My favorite lake is always the same, yet always different. Never does the same water fill this cup of earth. Before me is the age-long dilemma of “The One and the Many.”

The Letter to the Hebrews takes the same theme. The many attempts that there be rest after sin’s atonement are contrasted with the one, total sufficiency of the priest and king—Jesus.

Take verse 12. There is the one Word of God, the Greek, logos, and there are the particular moment-by moment words and promises for you, the Greek, rhema. What is the rhema that God has for you today?

Hebrews 4

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Your word piercing to the heart v. 12

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read 1 Timothy and Hebrews.

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.