Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Judges 13.

When God is about to intervene in a unique way in history, an angel announces the coming birth of a specially anointed deliverer. Such was the case with the birth of Isaac, Samuel, and now, Samson. The season of Advent, just past, had us celebrating the angelic announcement of the two greatest persons whom God was going to use—John the Baptist and of course, Jesus.

In the case of the Baptist and Samson, there was a life style that expressed total consecration to the Lord— no wine or strong drink—and, in Samson’s case, the full Nazarite vow of never cutting the hair. All these outward signs remind the individual and others of loyalty to the Lord; they were set apart and constantly reminded that their life was given to God.

What is there about your life that reminds you that you are to be totally dedicated to the Lord? In Christ you are very special, called to be a sacrament of his presence.

Judges 13—14

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: I’m a sacrament of You.

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Judges, Proverbs 4 6.

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 and Isaiah 46:1-7.

The image or the statue of a false god has to be carried about. Not so with our God, says Isaiah. Our God carries us, sustaining us throughout our lifetime.

The arc of a rainbow is as the span of life, as we might say, “From the womb to the tomb.” God has total care of you. Today’s passage invites you to be in touch by faith with this protective, assertive, energetic and total care of the Lord, carrying you from one end of your life to the other.

When Jesus descended into the waters of the Jordan, he took all your sins upon his shoulders. He carries you through those waters to dry land, just as God covenanted with Noah with the rainbow after the flood and as God opened the Red Sea in the Exodus. He carried the cross, which is your cross and mine, so that the weight of our sins would not have to be borne by us. Praise Him!

Isaiah 46

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the Winder Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 40 – 55.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example:

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 and the reading.

Creation, old and new … Genesis and Mark—feel the blending of these two beginnings as the new year begins. The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters of chaos and gave them a limit they could not trespass so that dry land could come for us to walk upon. It happens again for Jesus by the Jordan. He plunges into the waters of your chaos and mine and emerges onto solid ground. Jesus takes all that would drown you and comes out more than a survivor, a victor! The highway between heaven and earth, blocked by Adam’s sin, is wonderfully open again. Now the voice of God can be heard for you and everyone.

How are you? You can respond much more than the typical, “Hanging in there!” You are more than a survivor; you are victorious in Jesus if you will cling to the Lord as the waters rush around you.

Mark 1:4–11

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Ready to be lifted up

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year, we read the Gospel of Mark, chapters 1-2.

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.