Three images are used by the Lord through Ezekiel to focus on the responsibilities of spiritual leadership— watchman, singer, and shepherd. Whether you are pastor or parishioner, listen well to the accountability to the Lord required of each person. Note the power of 33:32. How easy it is for the most anointed of spiritual singers either to awaken one to action and change, or simply be a soothing sound for the ears alone!

Listen to words of judgment and challenge. Rest in the strength of your Father God who takes charge and watches out for you, who becomes your personal shepherd through Christ Jesus, and who sings to your soul through the Holy Spirit.

What personal changes need to take place because of your close praying of God’s Word today?

Ezekiel 33—35

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Lent this year we read Jeremiah 36-52.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Rescuing the scattered sheep 34:12

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.

Every hour of this day is as the sacred hour of Jesus that has come. Be moved at every moment by a holy awareness that Jesus died for you. I suggest that you take chapters 18 and 19 of the Gospel of John, dividing each one into two parts, creating four sacred quarters of the day. Be with Jesus as the movements of his passion take place. Be in the crowd, but close to Jesus in fidelity, lest distance from him draw you into the courts of temptation, as happened for Peter.

1. 6 am (or on rising) Arrest, Trial, Denial of Peter 18:1–27
2. 9 am Jesus and Pilate 18:28–40
3. 12 pm Scourging, Crown of Thorns, Crucifixion 19:1–30
4. 3pm Piercing the Side; Burial 19:31–42

Be with Jesus. Let him change you. Note the points of irony. Dwell on all the meanings of the final words of Jesus.

John 18:1—19:42

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Head bowed, gave up his Spirit 19:30

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Lent and Easter we read the Gospel of John.

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.

On this sacred day of community, ministry, and Holy Communion, ponder these chapters of Paul. Be open to the full activity of the Holy Spirit in your life. Acknowledge the manifold gifts that demonstrate the presence and power of the Spirit as expressed in chapter 14. Experience the movement of Paul’s thought about the resurrection in chapter 15, preparing yourself for the gift of Easter Sunday and its impact upon the way that you live now.

Pause with Paul at those verses where you find his words touching you. Allow yourself to move into those new spiritual places of understanding and love that the Spirit will bring about in you through these powerful words. Dwell on the utter reasonableness of 15:14: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

1 Corinthians 14—15

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My gifts building up the church 14:12

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Lent this year we read the Letter of James, and 1 Corinthians 14-15.

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.