Some people in remote parts of the world did not receive the news of the end of World War II until long after the victorious countries held parades of celebration. In somewhat the same manner, John keeps a tension between the victory in Jesus already won, and its not yet realization in all levels of creation. A new thousand-year period is upon us, heightening the awareness of the millennium of which John speaks.

There are various interpretations of the thousand-year period of Jesus’ reign. However, beyond calendars and literal verifications of the events in Revelation, the images of the triumph of good and the defeat of evil are meant to work there way into our lives until the Word of God’s victory touches the heart with praise.

Psalm 148 of yesterday continues its energy of praise into today’s chapter.

Revelation 20

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: May I bear witness to Christ. v. 4

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

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 148.

Preoccupation with something or someone, obsession with a thought or habit—all these constrict the wideangle view of creation which we need to maintain. The psalmist has this perspective. At the very heart of matter—more intimate than the bustling movement of atoms and molecules—lies the creative activity of God lifting every thing, animal and person into existence. It is there, at the deepest core that each article of creation is in praise of its creator. From the heights of heaven where God dwells, every creative thing finds its master-image. The dust of the earth—as toner in a copier—arranges itself according to this image.

Enter into God’s creation at the inspiration of the psalm for today. Find your life, with all its details, thoughts, and feelings, set against the background of creation ever-singing praise to God.

Psalm 148

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Praise the Lord, all creation. v. 5

We continue to read 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

The final weeks of the cycle of prophets are dedicated to the last sacred writer of the Old Testament, Malachi. From him the torch would be passed to Matthew.

We are in the middle of the fifth century, B.C. The Temple has been rebuilt. Just as in the case of the original Temple of Solomon, when many lost interest in faithful worship and drifted to idolatry, so does Malachi call for authentic worship along with compassion. He teaches that the union of mercy and sacrifice is the kind of worship that God wants.

The slogan for Hallmark Cards has been applied to God the Father sending Jesus to us: “He cared enough to send the very best.” Will you return your very best to God in a fervent life on fire by personal and communal worship together with dedication to service?

Malachi 1

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You have loved us for always. v. 2

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide we read Habakkuk to Malachi.

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.