[From the original version]

 Are you tempted to give up on God, saying to yourself: “He just doesn’t hear me?” Take the first verse to heart. Repeat it often until the power of its truth loosens comfort and joy within you.

Someone once said; “If God seems far away, guess who moved?” Verse 2 echoes this truth. Isaiah provokes and incites with his images, confronting us with the full awareness that sinful behavior places barriers that separate us from the Lord. Each of us is responsible for this separation.

Habits that break communion with the Lord tend to progress into circles that become more and more vicious. Isolation is the outcome. This Advent prophet will shake your foundations until you are resting only in the Lord Jesus who is about to come.

Isaiah 59:1–15a
Example: Your hand reaching out for me v. 1

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 56 to 66.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit … v. 41 

[From the original version of the book]

 A masterpiece of the great sixteenth century artist, Michelangelo, stretches across the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. At the center, God and Adam lovingly and longingly stretch out their hands and fingers to each other. The feeling of being freshly created is awesomely captured by the artist, as their fingers are separate, yet connected. In a similar sense is the visit with Mary and Elizabeth. John in his mother’s womb leaps for joy in the presence of Jesus, the new Adam inside Mary.

Clear away the debris in your heart that clutters the space between your heart and the heart of God in Christ. Then you will leap for joy at the desperate nearness of your Savior who is re-creating you right now.

Luke 1:39–45

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example:
My soul magnifies the Lord. v. 47

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of 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.

The secret of Joseph’s success is his unwavering faith in the Lord. From the moment his brothers threw him into the ditch until his forgiveness of them in Egypt, Joseph knew that the God of justice and mercy would eventually bring goodness out of evil.

This is the faith that made the forgiveness of his brothers possible. He anticipated Paul in Roman 8:31 who rejoiced to write: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Such focus upon the Lord freed the heart of Joseph from nursing resentments. He was thus available to receive direct knowledge from the Lord through dream interpretations and in wisdom. He was put in charge of the affairs of the very country where he was a slave.

Repeat the verse for the day repeatedly as you pray it against the background of what may be tempting you to harbor anger.

Genesis 50

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
A sample from today’s reading:
You bringing good from evil v. 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