Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

The final scene in Luke’s Gospel is described again in the opening chapter of the Book of Acts. It is the Ascension of Jesus. Before Jesus departs, he does for the disciples what he did for the two on the road to Emmaus—he opens minds to understanding.

Luke’s Gospel begins and ends in the Temple. The closed, empty, inner Holy of Holies of waiting, longing, and finally God’s intervention in Gabriel, contrasts with the whole Temple. The veil of separation is torn; the new community expands the sacred space of God’s presence as they wait for the Holy Spirit. This Spirit will take them beyond the boundaries of the old Temple to endless limits of the new temple of Christ’s body.

Spend these days of waiting, in watching, longing, and hoping for what is yet to come.

Luke 24:44–53

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Staying here till clothed with pow’r v. 49

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During Lent and Easter, we generally read from the Gospel of John.

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 Numbers 1:1-4.

The Hebrew title of the Sabbath Torah portions comes from a word or words in the beginning of the portion. Since this is the first third of the first portion of the book of Numbers, Bemidbar is the Hebrew name for this entire book of the Bible. The English name comes from the Latin translation of the title of the Book in the Greek version of the Old Testament called The Septuagint. Much of the book deals with census-taking and other numberings.

Names and dates give orientation to the plans that God has for the people, such as the entry into the Promised Land and the preparation of the armies to bring this about.

Take a census—an inventory—of all that you have with you that the Lord can use as you enter into the spiritual battle for God’s people, bringing them into the Promised Land of the resurrection.

Numbers 1

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Bemidbar (In the Wilderness) 
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.
Numbers 1:1—4:20

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Knowing my place in Your plan v. 52

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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel reading.

Those who have had a near-death experience speak about passing through a tunnel having a great light at the end. Actually, these are “near-life” experiences.

Jesus is the door. As you approach Jesus in faith, you are having such a near-life experience. Pass through the door, which is Jesus, and rest with the Good Shepherd.

Do not be satisfied with merely a near-death experience of self, but rather a whole-death one. Lift your heart into the open doorway of the side of Jesus. His heart waits to receive you as the bridegroom of your soul. Return often during the day to the image of Jesus as your Good Shepherd

John 10:1–21

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Hearing now the Shepherd’s voice v. 3

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the seasons of Lent and Easter we read the Gospel of John.

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.