Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Exodus 8:16-24,
the begnning of the Torah portion.

God addresses Pharaoh through the mouth of Moses. However great is the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, even stronger are the consequences of his stubbornness. Plague upon plague comes against Pharaoh and the Egyptians—five of them in this year’s reading.

The Bible’s way of stating that God is in command at every moment is to have God be the one who sends the plagues. Actually, when we do anything outside of the Lord’s will, the results will be something like the plagues. Because of Jesus, we know that God is not out to punish, but to save. The Lord is actively present in the afflictions and hardships of life, manifesting divine power to deliver us precisely through the pain that urges us to drop to our knees, not in defeat, but in worship. Pray until you find the blessing embedded in the pain.

Exodus 8:16—9:35

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Vaera (And I Appeared)
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 6:2—9:35

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Blessings embedded in pain

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 Luke 4:16-30.

The darkness of pride, jealousy, and unfaithfulness in the people are pitted against the humility, compassion, and fidelity of Jesus. Whether alone in the silence of the desert, or amid the crowds that want to throw him over a cliff, Jesus faces all the wiles of Satan in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Take comfort. Whatever be the evil that is coming against you, it cannot withstand the inner power of the Holy Spirit available to you just for the asking. The Spirit is alive, capable of completing every word of this chapter and the whole Bible in your hearing. This is especially true as you meditate upon these same words of the Lord along with the many who are living the Scriptures in these daily readings.

God wills to deliver you from evil so that you can pass through its midst and be on your way—the Lord’s way.

Luke 4

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Anointed to bring good news v. 18

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8.

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 reading.

As shining embers amid the smoldering ashes of suffering, the word “glory” rises up four times in this brief passage. The word in Greek is doxa, whose root means “thought” or “opinion.” It comes to mean the good opinion of another, or their reputation. Applied to God, doxa is the radiance of God shining forth.

The word and its variations occur over two hundred and thirty times in the New Testament. In John’s Gospel, it is closely connected with the great suffering and death of Jesus as the moment of God’s glory. As with John, here glory joins suffering for Christ. God’s own glory shines through the shame and suffering inflicted upon those who follow Jesus.

Repeat the word often throughout your day, beneath your breath, as GLORY rests on you and shines forth from within.

1 Peter 4:12–19

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Blessed when reviled for Your name v. 13

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

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.