For the Hebrew people, the priests were also considered as medical doctors.  They were the ones to diagnose illness. One of the diseases was called leprosy—a very serious skin disease.   If a priest said that a person had the disease, that person had to completely stay away from others, calling out “Unclean, Unclean!” so that no one would touch him or her. How sad!  Here there is a sickness and to top it all off, no one was to come near the person to offer care and comfort. 

There’s a story in the Gospels of Jesus coming right up to a leper and touching the person, and the person was healed (Matthew 8:1-14). It is the touch of Jesus that comforts and heals us.  Spend some time praying and inviting Jesus to come near you and touch your heart and ask you to make you whole and happy. If there is some sickness you have in your body, or you are just plain sad, ask Jesus to come and give you a hug so that that can feel better again.

Leviticus 13:45-46 

Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example from today’s reading:
“You touch me and I am healed.”

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.

As you read today’s passage, count how many times the words “remain in” are used.  Sometimes the phrase is translated as “abide in,” as Jesus says that he is going to make his home inside of us and our spiritual home inside of God.  

Jesus offers the image of a vine and its branches as a way to understand the very great closeness that Jesus wants us to have with him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. As close as are the branches to a vine, that is how close we are to be to Jesus.  In fact, a whole bunch of branches IS the vine, isn’t it?  All of us together in our love and trust of Jesus, make up the risen body of Jesus, the true vine.

Today, look about you and find plants that are all connected together.  You might begin by simply looking at trees!  As you look, think of yourself as part of the very Body of the Risen Jesus. 

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example from today’s reading:

John 15:1-17
“You in me and I in You” v. 4

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read from the Gospel of Mark,
except during most of Lent and Easter when we read from the Gospel of John.

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.

Paul and his friend Barnabas begin to spread the Good News about Jesus beyond Israel.  They go up north and west through what is now the country of Turkey.  One of the features of the book of Acts is that the Apostles perform miracles, as Jesus did—and they suffer persecutions, just as Jesus did.  

A crippled man is healed by Paul. The local people think that Paul and Barnabas are some more gods to add to their list of many gods.  Paul and Barnabas take the chance to tell these people about the one true God.  The people are so happy with these two blessed apostles—but look what happens.  Just like some in the crowd that cheered for Jesus when he went into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week and who turned against him on Good Friday, the same thing happens to Paul.  They stone him and leave him for dead.  But look! He just gets up and keeps on traveling and preaching!

Will you live today trusting that God who raised Jesus to life and who brought Paul back from near death, will be your champion God to love and protect you?

Acts 14

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example from today’s reading: v. 22
“Giving strength to each other”

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.

These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed 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.