Isaiah envisions the fall of Babylon, the city called “The Wilderness of the Sea.” In 703 B.C., Sennacherib of Assyria takes the city. Isaiah experiences within, the terror of Jerusalem as the thought, “You’re next” brings pain to God’s people as of a woman in labor.

Is there anyone or any circumstance coming against you that is frightening you? Isaiah describers the crippling power of fear. Just as he identifies with the fear of Jerusalem, so can this chapter serve to have the fears in your life come to the surface so that you can face them, releasing them to the Lord who has ultimate power against all the “bullies” in your life.

Are there persons in your life who are being frightened? Perhaps the Lord will have you intercede for them by experiencing their fear, just as Isaiah stands in for Jerusalem and its terror, until God’s saving power enters in.

Isaiah 21

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Isaiah 13 – 27; Lamentations 1 and 2 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Glory of the world passing v. 16

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.

At times, I hear a person say something like this: “I wonder what it would have been like to have actually been with Jesus when he walked this earth?” Today’s Gospel is a sobering reminder of what happened to many who had this blessing. Moses was able to bring water from the rock at God’s command; but even God cannot make the rock-hard soul of a person flow with living water, unless the person is willing.

You needn’t prefer any other time or place than your here and your now. The fullness of God’s power in the Holy Spirit is available to you at this very moment. Repent of hardness of heart toward any person, place, or thing. Be open to God’s invitation to rest in him.

Take the final three verses and memorize them so that they will be the Firestarter in the center of the logs of your life, falling into place to light your fire.

Matthew 11:16–19; 25–30

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: “Come to me: I give you rest.” v. 28

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.

 Phineas has passion zeal almost as much as God has. There always appears at least one faithful person after the heart of God; thus God alters the chastisement planned. Phinehas reminds us of Jesus. John in his Gospel cites Psalm 69:9 in reference to Jesus: “Zeal for Your house has consumed me” (2:17).

Who or what in your life receives your life-energies? If any work or person outside of God consumes you, you will indeed by “eaten alive.” However, spiritual zeal is like enthusiasm, the latter word literally meaning, “God inside-ism.” When you consume God through prayer, Scripture and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, then you will be caught by the fire of God and be consumed by it.

At this point in the Book of Numbers, we are half-way through the forty years of wandering. Anew generation is on the scene; a new census needs to be taken. Good news: this group does not complain!

Numbers 25:10—26:51

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Pinhas (Phineas)
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.

Numbers 25:10—30:1

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Zeal and joy on Your behalf 25:11

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