Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Genesis 43:16-34.

You may feel impatient, as you anxiously wait for the recognition of Joseph by his brothers. Yet the mounting tension only serves to make the coming disclosure all the more poignant—all in the Lord’s own time. Each step of the story purifies Joseph’s brothers of the evil they did to him. The coming reconciliation of the brothers will be all the more complete.

Do you become impatient when some issue needs resolution in your own life? Perhaps the Lord is dealing with you as he did with Joseph’s brothers, purifying your mind and heart so that you will more fully recognize your Jesus who has been with you all along, yet you did not know it. What is in the way of the deeper recognition that is delayed?

Genesis 43:16—44:17

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Mikketz (At the End) 
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 41:1—44:17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Clearing the way for loving

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.

Zechariah must have benefited from the months of his muted mouth, consequence of doubt and distrust of Gabriel’s message. Unable to communicate, he enters into that inmost sacred space where God does a precious work, just as God was doing in the dark, silent wombs of Elizabeth and Mary.

Thus, Zechariah was ready to let prayer be the first expression of his loosened tongue. What flows forth would be repeated daily for centuries as the Church’s Morning Prayer after the silence of the night.

Hold your tongue often during these darkening days of Advent. Believe that God is at work in your inmost, just as God was molding the major personalities of the first Advent. The more you wait and relish the silence, the greater will be the fire of prayer that starts within, expressing itself without through your loosened tongue.

Luke 1:57–80

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Giving light to those in dark v. 79

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Luke 1 2; Matthew 1 7.

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 reading.

Prepare an inner manger of the heart for Jesus. Paul’s concluding chapter in this letter uplifts humility and gentleness which must precede the soul about to be immersed in the miracle of God’s presence in Christ. Thus, your spirit will be ready to receive the regenerating wash of the Holy Spirit expressed in verses 4 to 6. These are verses, which place the wonders of our redemption into tiny space; I suggest you memorize them. The verses are in preparation for the bath of grace; the following verses unfold the ways we are to live our transformed life.

Do not argue about theology; it only makes for division. Receive the measure of faith that God gives you and come into God’s presence. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matt 18:20).

Titus 3

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Speaking evil of no one. v. 2

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Titus, Philemon, Galatians and Philippians.

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.