Though the death of Ananias and Sapphira did not come as violently as did the idolaters in Monday’s reading from Ezekiel, it came as swiftly. Do not lie to God!

Water and oil do not mix; but joy and suffering can. Be aware of this blending in today’s reading.

How do you suffer? Is it with anger and complaints as a victim asking, “Why is this happening to me?” Give a name to the suffering and let this name turn into the name of Jesus. Offer your pain and suffering for others who do not have the faith that gives meaning to their pain. The joy of the Lord is your strength, making sense out of your suffering, which brings power in intercession for others.

Acts 5—6

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Joy to suffer for Your name 5:41

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Easter this year we read Acts 1—9.

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.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 18.

[This Psalm is also found in 2 Samuel 22] Why is it so easy to talk about the weather? It is because we find a common experience for conversation. So often, we define a day as good or bad by how the weather is. For David, the variety of weather changes only serves to lead him into deeper awareness of the power and strength of the Lord who has protected him from all his enemies—Saul and his army.

Images of safety in the midst of turmoil abound. Picture these same physical settings for yourself, along with David. Security in the Lord’s protection will comfort you. Call upon the Lord and his angels to protect those you love.

Someone once said: “Criticism of the weather is a mild form of blasphemy!” Penetrate to the sun present behind the clouds.

Psalm 18

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: It is You who lights my lamp. v. 28

We continue to follow the Psalms in numerical order.

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

Go with Ezekiel lifted on high between heaven and earth. Behold the visions the Lord unfolds for him. Abominations of idolatry are committed. Feel the jealousy of God as worship of idols is described, with all the horrible practices that accompany this. The purity of God cannot tolerate such contamination. Those that continue to practice idolatry must be eliminated.

Look into the hole in your own heart, as into the eye-piece of a microscope. What do you see going on there? The pace of life, the demands of others can lure us into living out priorities that are not God’s—idols that God abhors. What do you see that fills your inner space? Release your hold on any idol. “Sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within” (9:4).

Ezekiel 8—9

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Easter we read Ezekiel 1—16.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Your hand ever upon me 8:1

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.