Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Isaiah 33:2-6.

Jesus and Paul would echo the admonition at the beginning of this chapter: “Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged” (Matt. 7:2). “You will always reap what you sow” (Gal 6:7).

There are images of stability. The Hebrew word for “times,” et, means “a particular time or season of life.” The “times” of your life are set against larger, ill-defined, hostile, “hard times” from the world. Enemy eras will not be able to cross the sacred boundaries of your soul, because you are finding stability through the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom and knowledge.

Jerusalem will be firm with strong stakes and cords to prevent her from being blown away by enemies from without. What do you need to do to set the stakes of your life’s tent more securely?

Isaiah 33

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Isaiah 28 – 39.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: My stakes and ropes holding firm v. 20

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.

This is the Sixth Week in Kingdomtide. Listen above to the Alphabyte “Streams.”

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

The Lord confronts the Pharisees in “The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers.” They are about to plot what the parable portrays—the murder of the Son of the Landowner.

God does not take the sin of our “No” as the final word. Ever since the sin of abusing the sacred space of the Garden of Eden, the Lord has been seeking to create a lush vineyard in the midst of ensuing chaos. Read Isaiah 5:1–7 and the song about the tender care that the Lord has for his vineyard.

The Lord never gives up on you or me. However, is there abuse of any kind toward yourself or another? Repent. Stop abusing yourself with guilt and shame; God does not want you to treat one of his precious children that way!

Matthew 21:33–46

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Poor in spirit: heaven theirs Mt 5:3

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 Deuteronomy 34.

Open your hand to receive God’s abundant blessings poured out upon the tribes of Israel. God is faithful. All that is asked is acceptance of the covenant and to walk in God’s ways; the Lord will provide all the safety and protection needed. 

The name “Jeshurun” as was also used in the Song of Moses in 32:15, is found also in Isaiah 44:2. It is a nickname for Israel, a term of endearment for God’s people.

Moses dies on Mount Nebo. Read with awe, the death of this great man of God. Be moved by the grief of the people. Joshua is ready. Find comfort in the One who would be the prophet-like-Moses to come, whom God knew face to face as Father and Son.

With this passage, we join Jewish people as they rejoice at completing the cycle of readings from the Torah.

Deuteronomy 33—34

This portion, along with the first one in Genesis is read at Simchat Torah, “The Joy of the Torah”
at a celebration at the end of the eight day festival of Tabernacles.

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Future stretching before me 3:1

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