Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the reading.

Glorious images fill this week and next, springing from the joy of the Lord which God has planted in the heart of Isaiah. The power of God’s saving grace is expressed by the utter transformation of the physical world into complete reconciliation and exuberant life.

Soak in these images of life. The final times of which Isaiah speaks are with us now in the age of the resurrection of Jesus—the Church. Though tainted with sin, the Church is the expression of the visions that well up from these verses.

All that may be at odds with you and your past, to which you have yet to be reconciled, is happening in the realm of the Spirit. Pray until all aspects of your life—past, present and future—are before you here and now in the healing joy of the Lord.

Isaiah 65:17–25
Example: Trusting You, my faithful God v. 16

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 56 to 66..

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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.

St. Matthew renders the first Beatitude as “Poor in spirit,” to expand the meaning of poverty beyond those socially poor. Yet there is a preferential love that the Lord has for those who find themselves at the margin of life, powerless to compete with the “haves” who have managed to create “have nots.” Those that are poor, while on the edge of life, are also at the brink of the joy of relying only on the power of God alone to bless, rather than on the power of the world to curse.

“Woe” is the opposite of “blessed.” In other words, it is a curse. Luke speaks plainly. Be loosened from what you have, until you have nothing but the Lord.

Luke 6:17–26

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Blessed are the poor: Kingdom theirs v. 20

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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Exodus 20:1-17.

The Ten Commandments are placed in the very center of the Book of Exodus. Meditate on them, especially the extended phrases that amplify the familiar summaries of the commandments. They are meant to convict you—never condemn. They are basic standards that ensure that there will be right relation between God and the human family.

As you pray over them, make your own extensions. For example, what was the particular “house of bondage” out of which the Lord brought you? Make the commandments personal; examine your conscience, gently, completely and honestly.

You need not be afraid, as the Israelites were, that God speak to you directly. Because of the freedom won for you on the cross, the Holy Spirit of Jesus can speak directly to your heart. What does the Spirit say?

Exodus 20

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Yithro (Jethro) 
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 18:1—20:26

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You the Lord: no other gods v. 3

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