God’s people are poised for the Promised Land. It is near the end of the forty-year period. The entire book of Deuteronomy is an address of Moses to God’s people. Their whole history appears before their eyes. Moses brings a generation that did not know the Exodus into vivid contact with the history of God liberating the people from slavery.

Line up with the tribes assembled together in awesome silence as they listen. How much we need to experience ourselves as part of The People of God! You are not alone. You stand in formation with saints who have gone before, and billions today who are God’s children.

You might make your own resumé of what God has for you as you are about to enter into a greater possession of the Promise. See your personal story as part of the great masterpiece of history as God works to bring freedom to everyone.

Deuteronomy 1:1—2:1

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Devarim (The Words) 
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 1:1—3:22

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You carry me as a child 1:31

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

How would you feel if your cousin was beheaded and the head placed on a platter for public ridicule? The death of John the Baptist must have affected Jesus in a similar way. He seeks solitude in a silent place … no such thing. The crowds are so excited about Jesus and the miracles that they track him down by the thousands.

The chapter is marked with strong changes. The multiplication of the five loaves and the two fish deeply moves the crowd, not to mention the disciples. I remember a retreat director during my seminary years suggesting that while the disciples were gathering the leftovers into the twelve baskets, they instigated the crowd, starting the chant: “Make him king! Make him king!” Jesus would have none of it. He dismisses the crowd and sends the disciples into a boat. Jesus seeks quiet, this time on a mountain. Then see what happens! Expect silence to birth your miracle as you seek solitude and surrender to Jesus.

Matthew 14

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Withdrawing to be with You v. 13

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.

The self-effacement of Paul is starkly described in the opening verses. Imagine willing to be cursed and separated from Christ, if it meant the salvation of Paul’s beloved Jewish people! Samuel, David and Paul, and of course Jesus, stand before you this week as those willing to live and die that others might have life.

The questions posed in verses 20 and 21 are designed to have the image of the potter and the clay shift us away from Job-like questions that nag at us. There is yet another question that the clay could ask the pot with equal silence in response: “Why did you make me at all?”

Why were you conceived and the born on the day of your birth, and not someone else? No answer to that question … Neither are there answers to many others. Live with these questions and adore the Lord who made you.

Romans 9

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Awe before Your making me v. 20

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.