The disciples long to enter those spaces of communion that Jesus demonstrates he has with the Father. Join with their longing and their cry: “Lord, teach us to pray!”

What follows is Luke’s version of The Lord’s Prayer. Embrace every word until the familiarity of this prayer becomes brand new.

Jesus confronts the temptations that often lurk within us to distrust prayer. Jesus offers images for confidence in prayer. Fervently believe that the Lord wants to share his saving grace with you, inviting you to ask with the same confidence of a child to a loving Father. After all, this was the experience of Jesus. He shares with you the total intimacy in the bond of trust and love that he has with the Father.

Luke 11:1–13

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Give each day our daily bread. v. 3

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Luke.

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 wholly Other becomes one with us. Ponder the verses that tell again of Jesus’ absolute identity with us. Jesus knows the weakness in being human. Our experience is his experience—all of it—sin alone excepted.

Dwell on the comfort of the words that tell of Christ’s compassion for you. The rejection of others and ourselves comes from what we do not know. If the thread from our own pain to others’suffering were not broken, we would be compassionate, not critical.

Jesus is one with you in all that you suffer. He will teach you how to surrender your suffering and become one with him. Verses 12–14 invite us to reflect upon the level of spiritual maturity we bring to the faith facts of this letter. Are you ready to live the truths held before you?

Hebrews 5

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Example: How gently You deal with me! v. 2

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 1 Timothy and Hebrews.

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.

Jesus continues to make his way to Jerusalem. Along the road, opportunities for teaching, healing, and confrontation offer themselves, depending upon the kind of response that Jesus needs to give.

As an image of movement from one place to another, Jesus speaks about the narrow door—that special opening through which one enters into Kingdom life. This is not unlike the narrow barriers that we pass through on toll highways. We must slow down in order to make the entry safely.

Take this chapter and its simple divisions and let them be as moments in your day to slow up and pass through the narrow gate of God’s Word. Take nourishment, take heart, and be on your way. Remember: any toll that has to be paid was already done by Jesus on the cross!

Luke 13

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Planting my life to bear fruit v. 9

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Luke 9—19:27.

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.