Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Luke 1:5-25.

Noah’s Ark and the Holy of Holies: both are sacred spaces where God acts. Here in the center of the holiest place in the Temple, an aged man lifts his hands to the Lord—longing, waiting, interceding, and pleading. All the emotions of a desperate people converge upon him.

St. Luke is presenting Yom Kippur, the holiest of holy days. Perhaps because he is so overwhelmed with this once-in-a-lifetime stand before God, Zechariah is not prepared to hear astounding, unexpected news. While he prays for deliverance, he does not expect it to come so clearly, so closely, so personally through his own wife Elizabeth and him.

Are you ready for the unexpected to happen to you? Remember the words of Jesus: “The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40).

Luke 1:1–25

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Birth of John: gladness and joy v. 14

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Luke 1 – 2; Matthew 1 – 7.

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 the reading for the day.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Titus 1:1-9.

Just as Moses prepared Joshua for leading God’s people into the Promised Land, so does Paul instruct Titus as a leader of the Church on the Island of Crete. As in the First Letter to Timothy, here are the qualities needed for a leader in the church. Similar to the contrasts in Psalm 1 are the contrasts between good and evil leaders.

God calls you to take a special place of leadership for God’s People. Beyond administrative leadership associated with the office of bishop, gifts and graces are given to you to be a leader in your own way. Meditate on the list of virtues required for spiritual leaders. What are the areas where you need to grow?

Be a steward of God and the things of God. May your daily contact with the Word steadily purify you and clarify the sacred call God has placed upon your life.

Titus 1

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Prudent, upright and devout. v. 8

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Titus, Philemon, Galatians and Philippians.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters 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 the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 1.

The three-year journey through the sacred land of the Bible has begun. Weaving through the center of each of the one hundred and fifty-six weeks of these years is a psalm. Take the admonition of Psalm 1 as you stand before the open space of time before you.

When Moses was about to “pass the torch” to Joshua, Moses put life and death before the people, encouraging them to “Choose life.” As you enter the Promised Land of God’s presence each day, there will be a word from God to guide you. The Living Waters of the Word will soak the roots of your life.

The trees of winter hardly look as though life will spring from them in the next season. Yet snow is needed now to warm the plants and when melted, to be the first waters for new life.

Let each day of your life flow with Living Water.

Psalm 1

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More

We continue to read the Psalms in numerical order.

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