Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Deuteronomy 31:1-6.

Here is one of those verses that gather the entire Bible into one, as though seeing all the heavens reflected in the tiny piece of a mirror.

The tradition of the Scribes begins with verse 9, after God commanded Moses to write down the law. The Hebrew word for write is chatab, which means to “inscribe” or “engrave” on some material such as sheepskin. Thus, the scriptures have been preserved for 3,000 years. Remember how Jesus stopped Satan in his tracks when he responded to the temptations in the desert with quotations from Deuteronomy saying: “It is written …” (Cf. Matthew 4:1–11.)

The chapter closes with the “passing of the torch” to Joshua, and the importance of the song of Moses that comes in the next chapter.

Deuteronomy 31:1–30

This portion of the Torah is read in its entirety every year.

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…

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 passage.

The cosmic image of the woman of yesterday is in marked contrast with the humble woman of today’s reading. We are in the Temple with Jesus and some disciples. Similar to the grand furnishings of the Temple described in Tuesday’s reading, proud Pharisees stand about in long robes. They form a border to the scene. An old woman enters, bent over, slowly making her way to the box that receives her offering of two small coins. Picture her, there in the center, in the spotlight of Jesus’s gaze; the Temple adornments and Pharisees are lost in the shadows.

Find comfort in the words about this remarkable, unnamed woman whom Jesus exalts. Quietly discover your brand of the two small coins and simply give them to the Lord. Empty yourself of everything, so that Jesus can fill you with everything.

Luke 21:1–19

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Little with love being much. v. 3

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Luke 19:28 to 24:53.

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 Revelation 12:1-6.

The persecution of God’s people in the first century is described in bold images on a cosmic scale.
The images stir within us a sobering awareness that the struggles of the first-century church are mirrored in our own day, with portents of what is to come. We will devote the last ten Thursdays of this year of grace to the second half of the Book of Revelation.

The woman clothed with the sun recalls the woman in Genesis 3, the twelve stars reminding us of God’s people in the twelve tribes. The ancient church also saw the woman as Mary, mother of Jesus. This image, as well as all the images of Revelation, evokes varying levels of meaning. The images are vehicles of God’s power at work in you bringing about victory against evil.

Revelation 12

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I belong to you, Jesus. v. 17

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

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.