With Whom Are You Joined?

Paul uses the image of sexual union to address the Corinthian Christians who had once surrendered their lives to Jesus, later committing fornication, along with other vices. From verse 15 Paul uses this principle: your identity is found from the one with whom you are joined. If joined to a prostitute, you are a prostitute; if joined to Christ, you are “one spirit with him.”

Clear boundaries must be set between those who live in Christ’s body, and those who do not. It is a sacrilege for those who profess oneness in Christ to settle disputes by recourse to those outside this sacred boundary.

Paul’s admonition is strong—as strong as his love for these children begotten of him. Write down the loving and perhaps confronting words the Lord speaks to your heart.

1 Corinthians 6

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: All I do: for the Gospel v. 23

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 1 Corinthians.

For all the Firestarters 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.

Intercessory Pain

A young woman dying of AIDS found comfort in this psalm. The intensity of her suffering found a place to express itself in this prayer. The psalms will comfort you in times of anguish. Let David be your “coach.” Allow his suffering to become one with yours, giving you words and phrases that are expressions of your own pain.

Most of all, Jesus, the Son of David, has already taken the essence of your suffering to the cross. Join your suffering to Jesus’s who leads you on the path toward the redemption of your pain and your own salvation. Pray to the Lord that you learn to suffer well—not in self-pity or anger; not in guilt and shame; not as a victim. Just as David and Jesus, let your pain become intercessory for others. It is then given so much meaning and a special kind of joy that lifts the suffering itself. Then you will see your suffering placed into the galaxy of the Lord’s blessings.

Psalm 40

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Your tender mercies to me v. 11

We continue to follow 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

Sitting Before the Lord 

David does what yesterday’s reading from Isaiah implored. David’s plan to build a house for God is reversed: God is going to build him a house! Feel the burst of promise in the coming Messiah in verse 12: “When you die, I will raise up one of your descendants, and I will make his kingdom strong.” Sit with David as he prays a glorious prayer of thanksgiving from verse 18. He reviews what God has done in his life. You do the same. Make this prayer your very own. Reflect upon the movement of your life and see in it the hand of the Lord redeeming and remaking what your mistakes and sins have damaged.

All the successes of chapter 8 come because David sits before the Lord in chapter 7. Is there a new chapter in your life that is about to begin, but which needs you to sit in prayer where you are now?

2 Samuel 7—8

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Your love is everlasting v. 15

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 15-16, 2 Samuel and Ecclesiastes 1-4.

 

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