Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Gospel.

St. Matthew renders the first Beatitude as “Poor in spirit,” to expand the meaning of poverty beyond those socially poor. Yet there is a preferential love that the Lord has for those who find themselves at the margin of life, powerless to compete with the “haves” who have managed to create “have nots.” Those that are poor, while on the edge of life, are also at the brink of the joy of relying only on the power of God alone to bless, rather than on the power of the world to curse.

“Woe” is the opposite of “blessed.” In other words, it is a curse. Luke speaks plainly. Be loosened from what you have, until you have nothing but the Lord.

Luke 6:17–26

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Blessed are the poor: Kingdom theirs v. 20

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

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 Exodus 20:1-17.

The Ten Commandments are placed in the very center of the Book of Exodus. Meditate on them, especially the extended phrases that amplify the familiar summaries of the commandments. They are meant to convict you—never condemn. They are basic standards that ensure that there will be right relation between God and the human family.

As you pray over them, make your own extensions. For example, what was the particular “house of bondage” out of which the Lord brought you? Make the commandments personal; examine your conscience, gently, completely and honestly.

You need not be afraid, as the Israelites were, that God speak to you directly. Because of the freedom won for you on the cross, the Holy Spirit of Jesus can speak directly to your heart. What does the Spirit say?

Exodus 20

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Yithro (Jethro) 
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.

Exodus 18:1—20:26

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You the Lord: no other gods v. 3

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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Luke 7:1-10.

Down through the ages, this verse has been repeated in liturgies before receiving communion. Did the centurion ever think that his faithfulness would be so long remembered?

We are never worthy of the Lord’s presence under the roof of our lives. That is not the issue. Rather it is Jesus’ great love for us that has him long to dwell with us. Yet there are dispositions of the centurion that prepared him for the miracle that flowered from his faith. Consider the irony: the man was a Roman soldier just like the ones that put the nails in the hands of Jesus. However, this man spent time hammering and nailing to make the furnishings of a place of worship under which roof he was not entitled to enter, because he was a gentile!

Note the human dispositions in the four stories of this chapter. Be sensitive to what happens inside you as you perhaps pray them each in quarter parts of the day.

Luke 7

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Speak the Word: Your servant healed. v. 7

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8.

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.