Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

When I am preparing a couple requesting to be married in our church, I inquire about whether they already belong to a church community. Sometimes I hear: “You don’t have to go to church in order to pray.” True. But the non-verbals and lack of life in the response often make it merely a game of “one-up-manship.” Very little prayer seems to be going on in some lives, and hardly any experience of the joys of being part of a community of faith.

As the objects from last week’s reading, so here, places for worship are featured. The verse for today is one of three verses where Moses refers to God’s instructions about where to worship. Find the other two.

Become sensitive to the places that are especially conducive to lead you into the Lord’s presence—a church, a favorite spot for a meditation walk, a small table-like altar in your house where you are drawn to God just by going there. In order for you to find God everywhere, there needs to be some places where you find God’s face first.

Deuteronomy 11:26—12:28

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Reeh (Behold)
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.

Deuteronomy 11:26—16:17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Nothing but Thee within me 12:2

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.

Jesus invites Peter, James, and John to pray with him in the Agony in the Garden. That moment brought drowsiness upon them as great as was the suffering of Jesus. Likely it was Jesus’ intent to take these special three apostles and prepare them for his approaching death, by giving them an anticipation of the glory to come. The Transfiguration prefigures the resurrection. Here on the last Sunday in Epiphany we glimpse at glory before the season of Lent begins. Take your place beside the apostles as they look at the other three—Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

A thought to ponder: two of the three great Jewish festivals find Christian fulfillment in the Trinity. Passover is fulfilled in the resurrection of the Son; Pentecost is completed in the coming of the Spirit; Tabernacles … no Christian counterpart for the Father’s plan. Given the divisions that exist among religions, we are a long way from one tabernacle of peace, tolerance, and worship of the one God in whom we claim to believe.

Matthew 17:1–13

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: It is good that I be here. v. 4

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.

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

The final chapters of Paul’s letter shift from teaching to exhortation. Make a list of the imperatives that he uses to encourage his beloved Roman Christians to grow in their commitment to Christ.

The essence of Jewish worship was animal sacrifice. Paul takes this concept and urges his listeners to have their bodies become a “living sacrifice.”

Similar to his thought in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds his people that their oneness in the body of Christ means that they belong to one another. It is Paul’s way of stating a truth found in the very beginning of the Bible about Cain and Abel: you are your brother’s keeper. Spiritual gifts unique to each person are described just as Paul did in that same chapter of 1 Corinthians.

When you conclude the reading, rest … wait … write what further exhortations the Spirit may be expressing from deep within.

Romans 12—13

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Holding fast to what is good 12:9

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

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.