Merry Christmas!

[From the original version]

Joseph dragged to Egypt as a slave, becomes the means of salvation for his people. Now it is Moses who returns to Egypt as the Lord’s chosen to save God’s people who had all become slaves in that land. The swelling movement of God’s saving acts begins again. No resistance on the part of Pharaoh is going to withstand what God is going to do. Even the periodic discouragements and angers of the Israelites against Moses do not stop the Lord from the relentless grace of salvation held out to God’s beloved people.

Resistance of God’s people is stronger when they fail to worship. When you find that affliction seems greater than grace, bow your head, go inward, and worship the Lord in acts of praise, trust, and surrender. Focus all the energies of faith upon the One who is delivering you right now.

Exodus 4:18—6:1

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Walking with the pow’r of God 4:20

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

[From the version for families with children]

We come to the end of our Tuesday story in Advent.  Ruth and Boaz marry and have the baby, Obed.  He’s the grandfather of King David.  It’s from the family line of David that Jesus will find his historical connection through Mary, his fatherly connection to God.  

Let’s think about what is obvious throughout this story: that God can take someone on the outside and bring that person into the center.  It’s like a basketball game that you’d like to get into, but you’re just standing on the sidelines.  You’d love to play, but you’re just not in the “in group.”  Then something happens.  Someone tosses you the ball and invites you in.  Then you make the final shot that wins the game—right from the center of the court!  Hurray, you’re a hero!  That’s what God did in this story of Ruth: a lady on the sidelines of all the actions gets to come into the center!  There’s hope for us!   Merry Christmas!  

Ruth 4

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Redeemed by Your faithful love

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Advent this year, we read the Book of Ruth.

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