An ever-burning candle in sanctuaries in many church traditions bears witness to the command given to Moses in today’s verse. From the appearance of God in the ever—burning bush before Moses and later the faithfully burning fire by night that led God’s people out of Egypt, fire has been a sign of the presence of God.

The burning of the grain offering suggests taking this basic element of life as a symbol of the substance of you. Offer yourself to the Lord. You might take a candle as a way of recalling this offering. As it burns during your prayer, your essence, your substance, your “grain,” is offered to God.

St. Paul enjoins us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Light the candle of the heart to ever burn before the Lord.

Leviticus 6:1—7:10

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Tzav (Command) 
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.
Leviticus 6:1—8:36

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My heart, a burnt offering 9:1ff

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

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 124.

The final “Song of Ascents” for this year brings us near the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus, Job, and the psalmist experience the onslaught of enemy power coming against them. Do you identify with them? Three images are uplifted that describe these enemies. Feel them. In what way do they serve to have you sense enemy power coming against you?

The final verse of the psalm has been used from earliest times in worship as a prelude to the final blessing. Meditate upon the blessings that will come to you when you know with your entire being that the one who is your defense is the One who made heaven and earth. Is there any power greater than this? Is there anyone more disposed to come to your aid than the Lord?

Psalm 124

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example:The Lord ever beside me v. 1

During Lent this year we read Psalms 120-124.

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

In waves of poetry, Job expresses praise as well as pain. Notice the verbs in chapter 12 assigned to God. The very act of Job’s expression loosens the constant pounding of the pain in his heart, freeing him to come to the poignant prayer in the verses for the day. Dwell on them until they engrave prayer upon your heart.

Competition instead of compassion: this is what Job’s friends contribute. Their responses are blocks in the path to where the Lord is leading him. Job’s words reveal the intimacy that he really has with the Lord. It is trust in God that ultimately brings Job to the place of resolution from all that is torturing him. God is even using the heartless responses of Job’s friends in the process.

Will you be open to how God’s hand is upon you, though you may not see it?

Job 12—14

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: In silence is my wisdom. 13:5

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Lent this year we read Job 1-14; 38.

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