Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Nahum 1:7-15.

Vivid poetry describes the destruction of the capital city of one of the severest of the enemies of God’s people—Nineveh. The ultimate triumph of God over continuously unrepented evil, balances God’s compassion for the city that we encountered in the book of Jonah.

The meaning of Nahum’s name is “comfort.” Though the book’s three chapters describe anything but comfort to the people of Nineveh, still it is consolation to know that ultimate justice will prevail, that God and God’s goodness is finally going to triumph.

Nations, cities, enterprises, and even minor projects are doomed to defeat if they are built on the sands of sinfulness, pride, deceit, and exploitation, instead of upon the rock of Jesus. The reading will sober and awaken you to deeper justice and mercy in your own life.

Nahum

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost we read Amos to Nahum with Lamentations 4—5 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Slow to anger; great in pow’r 1:3

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.

Eighteen years bent over … Ponder this long time for the woman. Her eyes focus only on the ground beneath her—rarely on the sky. She is utterly “weakened” by her condition—the root meaning of “illness” in the Greek word, astheneia.

She comes to the synagogue to hear Jesus. At least she can receive some consolation from this now famous itinerant preacher. Jesus spots her and calls her to come near, lays healing hands on her and she stands up strong and free.

Be that woman. Draw near to Jesus and he will do the rest, calling you into his intimate presence where he rests his sacred hands upon you. Picture this in your faith-filled imagination. The woman in the Gospel stands in for you!

Luke 13:10–17

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Set free from being crippled v. 12

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 Deuteronomy 15:7-11.

Persons on their deathbed are often able to put their things in order and make final arrangements before they die; so too in the case of Moses. Instructions are given about how the poor are to be treated and the ordinances for the freeing of slaves. Once again, the commandment is stated about celebrating the three major pilgrim festivals—Passover, Pentecost (“Weeks”) and Tabernacles.

We often take for granted the yearly celebration of festivals and holidays. Of course, the word “holiday” is from “holy day.” Originally, the Lord commanded such celebrations as a way to fill the year with remembrances of God’s saving activity on behalf of God’s people. We are responding to the instruction given by God through Moses. How do you celebrate holidays? Are they holy … or not so holy?

Deuteronomy 15:1—16:17

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Reeh (Behold)
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. 
Deuteronomy 11:26—16:17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You’re blessing me here and now 15:4

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