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If you yield to the Lord, God will do more with you than what you embrace with your conscious mind alone. When Isaiah made this famous prophecy about the virgin to Ahaz, king of Judah, he wanted to assure the king, frightened about the power of enemies all about, that a little child to come would be the source of victory. However Isaiah’s prophecy reaches deep into the very center of the future; it is the Messiah of whom he speaks. Though the rest of the chapter speaks of devastation, Ahaz, you and I need to remember the name given to the child of promise to come: Immanuel: “God-with-us.” The child of the Virgin Mary is the spark igniting the new fire of God’s powerful intercession against every enemy in all history. Jesus has come. Trust in his power, even though for you, as for Ahaz, times of loss and trial may be coming against you.

Isaiah 7

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: “God with us”— Emmanuel v.14

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 final portion of the Book of Genesis contains the passing of the blessing from Jacob to the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. As in the case of Esau and Jacob, the younger is preferred to the older. Joseph objects with strong feelings as his father switches his hands placed on the heads of these two boys.

The names of the two sons will help to understand the verse for the day, a blessing whose importance is seen as a part of Aaron’s blessing (Numbers 6:22) and the opening of the Lord’s Prayer. The key lies in the meaning of the names of the sons: Ephraim, “Fruitful,” and Manasseh, “One who causes forgetfulness.” It is indeed a blessing from God to forget one’s painful, sinful past, and that one’s future be fruitful. Make this your prayer as you bless your loved ones.

Genesis 47:28—48:22

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Vayhi (And He Lived).
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 47:28—50:26

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You, Lord, my inheritance 48:6

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

The readings for this week mingle marvelously with each other in Epiphany themes. Today, return to the Magi story, this time linking it with the tragedy in the reaction of Herod. Evil resists God outlandishly, always harming the innocent. Consider the children who are victims of abuse, murder, and genocide.

As we begin reading Exodus as the Sabbath readings about this time, Matthew sees Jesus as a New Moses who will lead us out of the bondage in the “Egypts” of our lives. God’s eternal plan is that we be free from all “Pharaohs” or “Herods” who scramble to protect their power by destroying ours.

Matthew 2

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Opening my gifts for You v. 11

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.