Listen to Nick read the Firestarter

Perhaps Jesus has been looking for that time apart which he never was able to find, due to the pressure of the crowds to hear him, and the scribes and Pharisees to reject him. Jesus goes to the northern seacoast around Tyre and Sidon as a place of retreat by the sea. His reputation has gone before him. A pagan woman approaches Jesus and beseeches him to heal her daughter. Was the reason for his harsh response to the woman because Jesus did not want to give up on God’s chosen people? She refuses to take his remark personally, but rather presses on. She keeps to her purpose in coming to Jesus—to have her daughter healed. Jesus’response to her faith brings joy to his heart, and healing to her daughter.

Is there anyone or anything distracting you from a relentless pursuit of your heart’s deepest desires in life? Does fear, pride, or lack of faith prevent you from pressing on for your miracle?

Matthew 15:21–28

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Crumbs from Thy table enough v. 27

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide, we read the Gospel of 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 Nick read the Firestarter.

Three classes of God’s people are mentioned—priests, prophets and kings. Recall that Samuel, coming at the end of the period of judges, was at the same time the first of the prophets that were to follow. In Christ, you participate in all three classes, because you are engrafted onto his body. Therefore, read this passage by listening to the instructions directed to you in a special way. If the future kings need to read the law every day, how much more must we read, pray, and respond to the Holy Spirit who sets fire in our hearts from the words of Scripture! Is your Bible always close to you?

Verse 17:16 is a strong command: “You must never return to Egypt.” It was tempting for the wandering Israelites to forget the slavery of Egypt when they were hungry and thirsty in the desert. So too will you be tempted at times to return to previous forms of slavery and addiction instead of following the inner call of the Spirit to an evermore complete possession of “The Promised Land.”

Deuteronomy 16:18—18:5

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Shof’tim (Judges)
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.

Deuteronomy 16:18—21:9

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Placing Thee first before all 18:4

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 Nick read the Firestarter.

The night of the Last Supper, Jesus says through the Gospel of John, “Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” Apparently, the resurrection community around St. Matthew needed to hear the rebuke of Jesus about their lack of faith, the same condition placed at the beginning of the verse from St. John. Some manuscripts add verse 21 with Jesus saying, “But this kind of demon won’t leave unless you have prayed and fasted.”

Faith, prayer, fasting: the first is a gift; the next two are disciplines that loosen the way for the healing power of Christ. While there is mystery in how some people are healed and some are not, be sure there are positive check marks on the list of these three spiritual responses in your life.

Yesterday’s teaching of Paul about one’s behavior not being a stumbling block for another is exactly held by Jesus in verse 27.

Matthew 17:14–27

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: For Thee, naught impossible v. 20

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Matthew 8 to 18.

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.