Live and Let Live 

John Wesley summarized the opening verses by stating: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

The idea of one day being holier than another comes from a deeply subjective, yet real feeling. Each day has a sense about it. I hope that you will grow in a unique and holy feeling about each day of the week, due to the associations that all seven days of the week have with parts of the Bible.

As Paul develops his line of thought, be aware of those verses that especially summarize him. You will discover basic principles of human freedom and edification of your neighbor as guides for you, not only in living your own life, but also in allowing others to live theirs.

Examine yourself: do you do anything that stops the free flow of your brother or your sister’s life from flying freely into the depths of God?

Romans 14

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Open and never judging v. 3

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

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.

A Hiding Place in God

Today’s psalm comes as a joyful release for David, a prayerful commentary after the episodes in yesterday’s reading.

Verse 3 expresses the freeing power of confessed sin. Is there some sin that you are allowing guilt or shame to prevent you from confessing? Find out what it is, and confess it to God and to a person that you trust. In so doing, the place within ceases to be a dungeon where you are held hostage by guilt or shame; instead you are transported into God’s secret hiding place within God’s own heart. Confession will shift you from the selfabsorption of guilt and shame, into a divine awareness of God’s enduring and unconditional love.

Ask God to enable you to discern the moods that have been affecting you at this time in your life—even right now as you begin to pray. Be careful of getting stuck and stubborn by sulking. This psalm will inspire you to let go of all that garbage!

Psalm 32

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Thou, a hiding place for me v. 7

We continue to follow the Psalms in numerical order.

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

React or Enact? 

Monstrous jealousy drives Saul, while quiet, inner direction from God guides David. Even when he is enraged by the wicked Nabal and wants revenge, there is a space inside David that listens to the touching intervention of Nabal’s wife, Abigail that frees David to be open to God’s plan.

Here and again in next week’s reading is the principle David invokes for resisting the urge to kill Saul before David himself is killed. David invites us to look beyond the personal character of religious leaders, and respect those whom God has anointed for spiritual leadership, even when they are hardly acting in accord with the anointing. They need more prayer so that they remain faithful.

There are divine principles shining through these chapters as expressed by David and Abigail. How would you put them in your own words as the Spirit prompts?

1 Samuel 23—25

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Jesus between you and me 24:15

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Proverbs 13 and 14 and 1 Samuel.

 

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