Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Leviticus 17:10-14.

Blood and sexuality are spoken about as holy. Blood is life; life is to be dedicated to God, and so blood was reserved for God alone. No blood was permitted to be consumed by anyone.

The New Testament Letter to the Hebrews develops this in an exalted way, speaking about the holiness of the Blood of Christ. His blood is sacramentally consumed by us, for in Christ, we already belong to him and are one with him. Communion is the expression of the blood of Christ given back in sacrifice to God.

The world tends to degrade sexuality and eclipse its holiness. The prescriptions in chapter 18 are to remind us of the goodness and joy of human sexuality. Care must be taken to protect and maintain its sacredness, for upon this depends whether God will be present in the sexual encounter or not. May the spirit of these ordinances become even clearer to you, for the greater glory of God.

Leviticus 17—18

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Ahare Moth (After the Death) 
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.

Leviticus 16:1—18:32

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My life’s blood offered to You. 17:11

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 reading.

Jesus prepares his disciples and us for the persecutions that are to come. Again, the situation for the very writing of this Gospel is disclosed: “They will put you out of synagogues.” Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as the Comforter in the dislocation of Jesus’s disciples from being able to worship as Jews.

Jesus announces that he is going away. He softens the sadness by stating that it is better that this be so; otherwise, “The Helper will not come to you.” Jesus of Nazareth releases himself from being a limited presence on the earth. Because of the resurrection, Christ’s body is beyond being bound by time and space. The Lord Christ lives in limitless space and eternity itself. Yet all the intimacy of his presence is preserved for you, because of the coming of the Holy Spirit into your heart.

John 16:1–15

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: “I go and send the Spirit.” v. 7

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the Seasons of 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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Acts 16:19-34.

Paul’s disciple is the young Timothy. This is the second missionary journey of Paul. Models of leadership abound. People learn about leadership by becoming spiritual apprentices.

Remember that all of the Holy Lands at this time are part of the Roman Empire, which is divided into provinces. In addition to the names of cities, there are provinces such as Galatia, Asia (not the continent), Bithynia, Mysia, Phrygia, Macedonia, and Achaea (modern Greece). Soon into this journey, Paul receives a vision during the night to cross over into Macedonia. This would be the first time that the Gospel is preached in Europe.

One of the loveliest stories in Acts is the account of what happens when Paul and Silas are in prison. May your heart sing along with theirs as you too become open to the power of God in your life.

Acts 16

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Wid’ning the circle of love

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the Winter Season of Advent to Epiphany this year we read the Letters of John and Jude.

For all the Firestarters 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.