Tap the image for a meditation on Psalm 60 on Matawan United Methodist Church’s YouTube Channel.

Banners are signs of encouragement to all the people of the victory, which the Lord will bring. They are symbols of hope when other evidence of defeat might be present. David prays in urgency on behalf of the people, interceding for them that the favor of the Lord return.

The Psalms have been at the heart of Christian prayer, because intercession is central to our prayer life. We read the whole book of Psalms (the Psalter), in three years; however for centuries, monastic communities would pray the entire Psalter once a week as a way of pleading before the Lord on behalf of all the people. Wednesday is a special time to lift the human family in the midst of the workweek, compassionately pleading to the Lord on behalf of those countless settings where abuse and injustice are prevailing. 

Psalm 60

The mid-range of the date of Easter (April 10 to 16) results in all four seasons being thirteen weeks long. When an early Easter shortens Epiphany by one or two weeks (very rarely three), then Pentecost is lengthened by the corresponding number of weeks. This is the case for this year; the 8th week in Epiphany “leaps ahead” to the beginning of the season of Pentecost–summer in the northern hemisphere.

We’re using The Message translation of the Scriptures.
Learn about this. unique translation

Bible Breaths Learn More…

We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.
Today’s psalm is taken from Wednesday of the 8th Week in Epiphany
which was omitted due to Easter being one week earlier than it’s mid-range dates of April 10-16.

For the next several weeks, the Firestarters will be from the original version of this program. For these 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.

Begin your time of Bible reading with a period of pure quiet, silent presence before the Lord. Even a few minutes of simply stopping everything will prepare you as warm wax, to receive the seal of the Holy Spirit.

This kind of preparation reduces defensiveness before the Word. The book of Proverbs seeks to have you moved by the power of the truths expressed. The images and comparisons will make concrete and personal what might otherwise be abstract and distant. You will learn about the danger of indolence and the wiles of seduction. With pen poised to write, let the phrases of Proverbs loosen personal truths for you to note down. The Holy Spirit will use your own creativity and inner freedom to share God’s wisdom with you.

Proverbs 6

The mid-range of the date of Easter (April 10 to 16) results in all four seasons being thirteen weeks long. When an early Easter shortens Epiphany by one or two weeks (very rarely three), then Pentecost is lengthened by the corresponding number of weeks. This is the case for this year; the 8th week in Epiphany “leaps ahead” to the beginning of the season of Pentecost–summer in the northern hemisphere.

We’re using The Message translation of the Scriptures.
Learn about this. unique translation

Examples of Bible Breaths Learn More…

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”

For the next several weeks, the Firestarters will be from the original version of this program. For these 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.

Waves upon waves of compassion and love sweep across the pages of this passage. You will need to drink from each verse as from precious nectars of various flavors. Pause often. Keep your Bible close to you throughout the day so that you can take regular refreshment from the promises that lie before you.

How many such promises can you count in these chapters? All the ones you count you can count on! Take note of the various images used to convey the power of the promises. Place each one before all that may be coming against you, believing that according to 54:17, that there is no weapon turned against you that will succeed.

Isaiah 54—55

The mid-range of the date of Easter (April 10 to 16) results in all four seasons being thirteen weeks long. When an early Easter shortens Epiphany by one or two weeks (very rarely three), then Pentecost is lengthened by the corresponding number of weeks. This is the case for this year; the 8th week in Epiphany “leaps ahead” to the beginning of the season of Pentecost–summer in the northern hemisphere.

We’re using The Message translation of the Scriptures.
Learn about this. unique translation

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
We continue to read from the Prophet Isaiah.

For the next several weeks, the Firestarters will be from the original version of this program. For these 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.