Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Isaiah 45:1-8.

It is Epiphany, time of God’s manifestation—the meaning of the word. Today we read about God revealing himself to a pagan King, Cyrus, who would allow Israel to go back to their homeland from Exile in 538 B.C. The ancient historian Josephus relates that King Cyrus decided to let Israel go when he read this passage about himself.

Verse 8 deserves a special focus: “Rain down, you heavens, from above …” It has happened. The Lord has come down. He desires to enter your soul as the sweetest of rains that soak the earth.

Isaiah is a poet whose images will carry your prayer along. He unfolds God as a powerful, all-encompassing presence in every aspect of creation. Exult in the Lord as you by faith, experience God’s power and presence in the world.

Isaiah 45

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: You call me by my own name. v. 4

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.

HALLÉ, Noël Rest on the Flight into Egypt 1755-60 Oil on canvas, 52 x 40 cm – Private collection

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

About this time of the year, Jewish people read the book of Exodus on Saturdays in synagogues throughout the world. Today’s section of the Epiphany story links the ancient account of the Exodus with the history of Jesus. Just as the Chosen People’s liberation began in Egypt, so does Jesus embrace the history of his people and go to Egypt. Herod is as the wicked Pharaoh who sought the life of Jesus. For Matthew, Jesus is a New Moses who is going to free his people. The weeping mothers of Bethlehem link with the weeping mothers during that other period in our history of suffering, the Exile in Babylon.

Nothing can stop what God wants to do. God is going to liberate God’s people. This will happen for you, when you listen and respond to the Lord’s call upon your life. God will protect you from the Evil One so that the full measure of God’s anointing can flow into your soul.

Matthew 2:13–23

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: I am resting in your love.

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year,
we generally 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.

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Exodus 3:1-14.

It is about 1,450 B.C. God is going to deliver his people from slavery in Egypt. What God brings about becomes the symbol of all activity of God on behalf of human freedom.

It begins with Moses. He had placed himself in voluntary exile in Median, because of murder. Something makes him curious … a bush burning without being consumed. It is there that God reveals God’s name. Yahweh, the Covenantal name for God, is difficult to translate. It means, “I Am the One Who will Always Be with You.” God is the One present to you in all your circumstances to liberate you through the fire of the Holy Spirit. May this Firestarter be a match that the Lord uses to set the never-ending fire of God’s love in your heart. With the Lord present to you, no pain, hurt or abusive past need ever consume you.

Exodus 3:1—4:17

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Shemoth (Names),
the beginning of the Book of Exodus.
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 1:1—6:1

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I’m standing on holy ground 3:5

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