Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

As though with a magnifying glass, look more closely at the Eight Beatitudes. The first one from the New English Bible exposes the essence of what it means to be “poor in spirit.” “Blessed are those who know their need of God.” Poor indeed! The only source of our coming into existence is God.

Have you ever wondered why you came forth from your mother’s womb on the day of your birth, and why it was not someone else? It is a fact of God’s loving favor toward you that God decided some time ago to allow the idea of you take flesh at your conception. You need God alone for that fact. You need God alone for every breath, from the first gasp of air at birth, to the final sigh surrendering you in death.

If you truly live by the First Beatitude, the Kingdom of Heaven will be yours, not only after your final breath, but also in all the breaths, from the first to the last.

Matthew 5:1–12

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Blest those who thirst for justice. v. 6

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

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter Exodus 13:17-22.

God led the people by wilderness—empty space where God can speak to hearts. The people do the first of what would often happen during the next forty years: they complain. Just as Peter who walked on water, but soon doubted and fell, so do the hearts of the Israelites sink as they see nothing but disaster coming behind them in the army of Pharaoh galloping toward them. See the dust clouds in the distance; hear the strident noises and rumbling of the chariots. The enemy is coming! The Hebrews are distracted from the pillar of fire and the cloud before them, mindful only of the disaster pressing from behind. They have no notion of how God is going to open the Red Sea before them.

Jesus, the New Moses, encourages you to keep your eyes in front of you where God’s salvation is ever coming. Don’t pay attention to the noises of the Enemy behind. Your miracle is coming!

Exodus 13:17—14:14

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Beshallah (Sent Out)
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Exodus 13:17—17:36

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You ever make me way.

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

If Jesus were to give an inaugural address for his ministry, the Sermon on the Mount would be it. The message is for the disciples alone; the multitude far below is not ready for these words.

Matthew sees Jesus as the New Moses. He wants us to be aware of the lines of connection between the Mount of the Beatitudes and Mount Sinai. On Sinai God spoke face to face with Moses when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments; here God in Christ speaks face to face with the disciples. He invites you to be there and listen to the wondrous new ways of walking in the freedom of God’s kingdom in the intimate, face-to-face union with Jesus.

Jesus invites you to be his closest disciple. Will you let the Sermon on the Mount lift you to new heights of your awareness of self, so very close to God?

Matthew 5:1–20

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: The meek inherit the earth. v. 5

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Luke 1 2; Matthew 1 7.

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.