Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

There need be no fear as you read these chapters, referred to as “Isaiah’s Apocalypse.” It is not “Apocalypse Now,” but “Apocalypse When.” In figurative, rather than literal language, Isaiah prophesies that God will come against unrepented evil.

But for now, God’s mercy is in full measure. God wants you to put an end to unrepented sin in your life, lest such sin put an end to you!

Isaiah wants the power of the images to make deep impressions upon you. There can be much denial in how sin gets to us. Isaiah’s poetry can loosen the hold that any sin has upon you. Do not get stuck in guilt; guilt is a gridlock that freezes movement into the eternal life that can be yours now.

The chapter sounds like the reversal of the power of God in the creation account in Genesis. The truth is that unrelenting, unrepented sin destroys the beauty of God’s creation. However, there is still time! Be loosened by the sweet joy of repentance.

Isaiah 24

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Isaiah 13 – 27; Lamentations 1 and 2 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Praising You for rising sun v. 15

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 Nick read the Firestarter.

The gruesome death of John the Baptist urges Jesus to seek solitude. However, crowds track Jesus down, interrupting the gift of spending time alone. Compassion for the crowd shifts Jesus’ awareness from grief over the death of his beloved cousin. The multiplied loaves and fish prefigure another miracle related to his own death—Holy Communion.

The miracle of the loaves and fish does not occur without the cooperation of the disciples: “You feed them,” commands Jesus.

Do the needs of others—and sometimes their unreasonable claims upon you—seem so hard to juggle? Slow things up, through prayer and contemplation. Spend time alone with your Lord; God will teach you how to have your few gifts pass through the Lord’s hands into yours for multiplied cycles of flight to heaven.

Matthew 14:13–21

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: “You give them something to eat.” v. 16

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide, we read the Gospel of 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.

The last words of one about to die often have a powerful urgency about them. Such is the case for Moses and the entire Book of Deuteronomy. God has told Moses that he will not be permitted to enter the Promised Land because of the complaint Moses expressed to God about God’s compassion on his thirsty people in Numbers 20. Moses wants to be sure that future generations are extremely careful about their attitude to God and God’s ways.

Take to heart, therefore, these words of Moses; he does not speak lightly. Reflect upon the power of suggestion. Some things can either lead us to God, or drag us away, by the connection they have either with God or what is opposed to God.

Moses speaks his last words to God’s people—and to you and me. How do you know that these are not among the last words you shall ever hear?

Deuteronomy 7:12—9:3

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Ekeb (Reward)
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 7:12—11:25

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Only holiness within 7:26

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