The Messianic image of “The Branch of the Lord” opens this chapter of just six verses. As occurred in the Exodus, the cloud of smoke by day and the pillar of fire by night will once again lead the people to places of purification, joy, and peace.

The days are the shortest in the northern hemisphere. However, with winter, the days begin to be longer. Thus, we remember the birth of Jesus at this time. The light of God in Christ has come. Whatever is the darkness of your circumstances or the filthiness of your sin, Jesus offers himself to lead you into paths of light. Jesus loves you. Only embrace and stay clinging to “The Branch of the Lord” and allow the Branch to embrace you in total love and forgiveness.

Isaiah 4

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 1-13.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Glory of God covering. v. 6

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.

Two Josephs are with us this season—the patriarch and the husband of Mary. The Saturday readings about Joseph in Genesis blend with those in the Gospels relating with Joseph, foster father of Jesus. Both receive directions from God through dreams; both go to Egypt; both are “just men” of the Lord.

Enter into the scene of the Annunciation to Joseph. Imagine his pain before the intervention of the angel; Mary is pregnant by someone else. Just as for the patriarch, Joseph, Mary’s husband moves beyond being a victim of circumstances. He is more concerned for Mary’s well-being than for his own condition. God can work wonders with those who die to self.

Meditate upon Joseph as he falls asleep in anguish; be with him in the wonder of his waking.

Matthew 1:18–23

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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

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 Genesis 43:16-34.

You may feel impatient, as you anxiously wait for the recognition of Joseph by his brothers. Yet the mounting tension only serves to make the coming disclosure all the more poignant—all in the Lord’s own time. Each step of the story purifies Joseph’s brothers of the evil they did to him. The coming reconciliation of the brothers will be all the more complete.

Do you become impatient when some issue needs resolution in your own life? Perhaps the Lord is dealing with you as he did with Joseph’s brothers, purifying your mind and heart so that you will more fully recognize your Jesus who has been with you all along, yet you did not know it. What is in the way of the deeper recognition that is delayed?

Genesis 43:16—44:17

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Mikketz (At the End) 
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.

Genesis 41:1—44:17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Clearing the way for loving

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