Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

Peter answers with true, Spirit-filled spontaneity, not with his usual fleshly impulses. The Father through the Holy Spirit gives him revelation-knowledge about who Jesus is.

Be there. As you respond in faith to who Jesus is for you, know that it is the Spirit that makes faith have flesh in you.

Jesus is in the northern part of Galilee in the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi. It lies spread out on a terrace 1,150 feet about sea level. To the northeast Mt. Hermon rises in splendor to 9,100 feet. To the south the fertile Jordan valley stretches. The city was a center of Greco-Roman Civilization, as well as a place associated with various Semitic deities. Picture the setting. Jesus stands against the background of ancient pagan gods—a fitting place for him to inquire of his disciples about who he is.

Peter answers with true, Spirit-filled spontaneity, not with his usual fleshly impulses. The Father through the Holy Spirit gives him revelation-knowledge about who Jesus is.

Be there. As you respond in faith to who Jesus is for you, know that it is the Spirit that makes faith have flesh in you.

Matthew 16:13–20

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: The rock within this moment v. 18

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.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you sift out the eternal truths that remain after some regulations are no longer in effect. The Lord has led us away from being a male-dominated society. Yet, the areas of God’s concern are ever the same. For example, God cares about sexual behavior, for sexuality says a great deal about who God is and how God is related to us. Marriage imagery is often used to describe the relation of God to us. Consider too the seriousness of an incorrigible child; read what happened to such a one! Modern society is filled with examples of enabling and spoiling children by their parents. Look for the eternal sense of justice that runs through the other examples given.

Paul in Galatians 3 quotes the sentence just prior to the one in the verse for today about the curse of the cross. Not only was Jesus nailed to the cross, but also so were the curses that went with it. The curse has become the blessing. Hold the cross near you as you hear God’s personal instruction to you in this passage.

Deuteronomy 21:10—23:8

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Ki Tetze (When You Go Out) 
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.

Deut. 21:10—25:19

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Being helpful—happiness

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.

Over the gates of the Kingdom is this sign: “Only Children May Enter.” Read this familiar passage expanding its meaning in your imagination.

First, remove some negative associations with children. They can be cruel. There are many times when peers pick on, ridicule, and shun innocent children. However, this generally happens as a reaction to some grave dysfunction in family and society. There are many adults who are candidates for that millstone to be hung around their necks and cast into the sea, because of scandal to children.

On the positive side, children are needy and dependent. When they are safe and loved, they naturally tend to radiate love in return, as well as spontaneity, trust, hope, and wonder.

Be as a child whose joy in life bursts as a response to divine love welling up from the center of your heart.

Matthew 18:1–20

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: No one stumbling due to me v. 7

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Matthew 8 to 18.

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.