Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

Clear, straightforward instructions come from Jesus about the dispositions of the heart when we do good deeds, and how the heart itself is to be transformed by prayer. Jesus’s instruction about prayer is a blend of two inseparable aspects. Each person is encouraged to go alone to the inner, secret place of one’s spirit. There is an inward privacy to prayer. However, as The Lord’s Prayer reminds us, there is always a communal dimension. The prayer is “Our Father,” not “My Father.”

Lent is coming soon. What does the Lord suggest to you about growth in prayer as the dark, secret place of winter yields to the open, expansive light of the coming spring?

Ponder the parting warning of Jesus in verse 15.

Matthew 6:1–15

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Will on earth as in heaven v. 10

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 Philippians 1:1-11.

Profound feelings of love and affection for a community of Christians far away warms the heart of Paul as he writes from a damp, dark Roman prison. With every stroke of his pen, sentiments of joy and encouragement expand and flow outward from him. His letter rescues him from being consumed by pain.

As the season of Epiphany ends, the cross on Calvary’s hill is on the horizon. Take courage. The joy of Christ manifest and with us will not diminish. The power of Christ shining from his face on the Mount of Transfiguration will continue, though blood from the crown of thorns will transfigure this face.

Is there someone who needs your love and encouragement in a letter that would send a stream of love into your heart as well as theirs, washing pain away?

Philippians 1

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: What You began You complete. v. 6

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 11.

Surrounded by enemies, David finds a refuge of prayer to compose this lovely, brief psalm. He finds strength in knowing that God, who sees all, will pour out saving power on those who live uprightly.

“The Lord is in his holy temple” (v. 4). Are you in yours? While David longs to fly as a bird to a mountain to flee from his enemies, his wish can become yours. Enter that inward center of your own soul, which is the Holy of Holies of your body, temple of the Holy Spirit. By faith, flee to the Mount of the Beatitudes, as the Gospels of these weeks come from there, portions of “The Sermon on the Mount.” Jesus lives this psalm, giving you strength in every circumstance.

The psalm will center you and comfort you, as you know by faith the One who is seeing you, loving you, and protecting you.

Psalm 11

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: The upright behold Your face v. 7

We read the Psalms in numerical order.

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