Waves upon waves of compassion and love sweep across the pages of this passage. You will need to drink from each verse as from precious nectars of various flavors. Pause often. Keep your Bible close to you throughout the day so that you can take regular refreshment from the promises that lie before you.

How many such promises can you count in these chapters? All the ones you count you can count on! Take note of the various images used to convey the power of the promises. Place each one before all that may be coming against you, believing that according to 54:17, that there is no weapon turned against you that will succeed.

Isaiah 54—55

The mid-range of the date of Easter (April 10 to 16) results in all four seasons being thirteen weeks long. When an early Easter shortens Epiphany by one or two weeks (very rarely three), then Pentecost is lengthened by the corresponding number of weeks. This is the case for this year; the 8th week in Epiphany “leaps ahead” to the beginning of the season of Pentecost–summer in the northern hemisphere.

We’re using The Message translation of the Scriptures.
Learn about this. unique translation

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
We continue to read from the Prophet Isaiah.

For the next several weeks, the Firestarters will be from the original version of this program. For these 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.

Christmas, Easter, Pentecost:  these three holidays are like midnight, dawn and noon.  How’s that?  Well, Christmas comes in the winter-time when everything is dark.  The Epiphany Star is like a star at midnight, leading the Magi to the new-born infant Jesus.  All of God is seen in the tiny baby in the manger…like beautiful, shining star at night.

Easter is like the dawn.  The sun breaking out in the East is like Jesus rising from the grave.  A new day has come with the Resurrection of Jesus.  Pentecost is like noon-time.  The fullness of God is poured out in the coming of the Holy Spirit, just as the noon sun is the highest and brightest…and hottest as the summer weeks draw near.

Pentecost is really the greatest holy day there is, because it’s the final gift of God to us—God’s Spirit living inside us.  If you and I were to really get into living with God inside us and we inside God, what a life of love we would lead!

Acts 2:1-13

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary
During the Easter Season, are read from the Gospel of John.

For the Firestarters in the original edition, 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 Hebrew name for this portion of the Torah is Bemidbar, meaning “In the wilderness.” It is also the Hebrew name for the book itself, since this portion begins the book of Numbers. Greek people called this the book of Numbers, since it begins with census lists of the names of God’s people and how they were arranged around the Tabernacle, the special portable temple in the wilderness.

The twelve tribes were divided into four groups of three tribes, each gathered about the Tabernacle in the four directions—north, south, east and west. Today’s reading describes the arrangement on the eastern side.

Look how important it was for the people to know that God is the center of their lives. What can you do today to be reminded that God is meant to be the center of your life as well? Is there a place in your room that would remind you that the most important relation you have is with Jesus?

Numbers 2:1-9

We’re using The Message translation of the Scriptures.
Learn about this. unique translation

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…

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.

These Firestarters are for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, 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.