Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Malachi 1:11-14.

The final weeks of the cycle of prophets are dedicated to the last sacred writer of the Old Testament, Malachi. From him the torch would be passed to Matthew.

We are in the middle of the fifth century, B.C. The Temple has been rebuilt. Just as in the case of the original Temple of Solomon, when many lost interest in faithful worship and drifted to idolatry, so does Malachi call for authentic worship along with compassion. He teaches that the union of mercy and sacrifice is the kind of worship that God wants.

The slogan for Hallmark Cards has been applied to God the Father sending Jesus to us: “He cared enough to send the very best.” Will you return your very best to God in a fervent life on fire by personal and communal worship together with dedication to service?

Malachi 1

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You have loved us for always. v. 2

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide we read Habakkuk to Malachi.

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 Sadducees waste awesome moments in Jesus’s presence. Here they pose a question only designed to catch Jesus in the awkwardness of a dilemma. Puffed up in themselves, they resist the light of the Master, remaining in their darkness—smug and self-assured in denying that there is a resurrection. See the sneers on their faces as they put their question to Jesus, confident that he would be reduced to an embarrassing silence.

Jesus responds with a glimpse into the future life of the saints in heaven. The only spouse in heaven will be Jesus, the one in whom marriage finds its bond and meaning here on earth.

The arrogance of the Sadducees prevents them from dying to self so that they can rise in Jesus. The “dead” ashes-toner of a copier is stirred to resurrection only when it recognizes the light shining on the face of the “Master.”

Luke 20:27–38

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: In Your body all are one. v. 35

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Genesis 18:1-15.

Three men mysteriously come before Abraham to announce the conception of Isaac. Many scholars interpret this as a manifestation of the Trinity, coming in the early chapters of the Bible. Isaac is another type of Jesus, miracle-child of Abraham and Sarah. He comes at a moment in the evening of the lives of this couple when their “sun” would be expected to set.

There is a charming quality about the story of the back-and-forth dialogue between God and Abraham about the catastrophe soon to come upon Sodom and Gomorrah. God’s desire is to save, not to destroy. Look at what a few good people in prayer could do to hold back the consequences of so much sin. However, as the disciples in the garden with Jesus, there was no one to watch one hour with him. Be among those found faithful to intercessory prayer.

Genesis 18

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Vayera (And He Appeared)
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.

Genesis 18—22

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: All wonderful in You, Lord v. 14

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