Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

There comes a time of judgment for you and me—the moment at our deaths when we will stand before King Jesus with the Book of Life open. While salvation depends upon accepting Jesus as Lord and not upon our works, there is a connection to accepting Jesus that must be seen in action. There are consequences in our surrender to the Lord that need to be evidenced in our sensitivity to the needs of others and to meeting those needs. No one ever presuming to give his or her life to the Lord ought to be blind to the needs summary that Jesus offers in this chapter.

Jesus said, “The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Are you doing the will of the Lord now as was outlined in the criteria for eternity in the reading for today? Spend time in the quiet, until any defensiveness within yields to surrender in action to the Lord.

Matthew 25:31–46

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Finding You in those in need 

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide, we read the Gospel of Matthew.

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 Genesis 30:14-24.
(Note: Mandrakes were believed in the Bible to have fertility power.)

The narrative continues with the births of more of Jacob’s sons and one daughter. Names of children in Hebrew are derived from some circumstance surrounding their births.

Naming is important. If you are a parent, you will recall the careful thought you gave to the naming of your children, perhaps to remember your own parent or grandparent. Jewish people never use the name of God directly, because naming gives power over whom or what is named. Naming God, we have “power” over God, which would be blasphemous in the Hebrew mind.

If you were to give names to the members of your family associated with divine intervention and blessing in their lives, what would those names be? Such names could be the focal point for prayer for each family member.

Genesis 30:14—31:16

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Vayetze (And He Departed) 
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.

Genesis 28:10—32:3

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You with me, no matter what 31:42

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 Nick read the Firestarter and the day’s Scripture.

Catch the shift of emotions as Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” move from grief, to surprise, wonder, and absolute joy as they meet Jesus on the road. Contemplate the scene as Jesus alive takes action again, now that the passion is over.

Look at the two empty places that bear witness to Jesus alive—the cross and the tomb, both without Jesus filling them.

In the emptiness, allow the faith in the resurrection to well up deep within your spirit. Jesus is alive for you just as he was alive to the women on the road and the disciples in Galilee. As this sacred season comes to a close with the end of Matthew’s Gospel, what do you notice about your commitment to the Lord who lives inside you?

Matthew 28:1–15

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You meeting me on my way v. 9

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Matthew 19 to 28.

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.