Please note: this is the correct Firestarter and reading for July 2.

Three verses ring out from countless churches across the globe concluding the “Missionary Discourse” of Jesus. The disciples rejoice to find the presence of Jesus filling them to such an extent that when people receive them, they receive Jesus. Dwell on the immensity and the intensity of the identity!

The Dutch priest Henri Nouwen said: “You find the God you want to give, in the person to whom you want to give him.” This is the joy of ministry.

Look about your world. Observe without grabbing, as the alphabyte “Eyes” suggests. Be aware today of God’s presence in your interactions with others. Even the simplest and the most mundane of these can be filled with divinity, if filled with faith and love.

Matthew 10:40–42

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Welcome others, welcome You v. 40

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.

A donkey turns out to be more responsive to God than a man gifted with spiritual powers to see. Here is a story that will warm your heart and sober your mind. As the cows of 1 Samuel 6 that brought the Ark of the Covenant back to its resting place in the center of God’s people, so does this beast of the field prevent Balaam from going down the road to comply with the evil plans of Balak, king of the Moabites.

Animals seem to have a special gift of sensing fear. Be alert on this Sabbath, not to raw fear, but to a prudent sense of caution that the Holy Spirit may be sending your way when you are being manipulated. Is there a pet in your house or some other animal that you will discover as an image, a parable, that God is sending your way to teach you something very important?

Numbers 22:2–38

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Balak 
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.
Numbers 22:2—25:9

This year there are two Sabbath Portions.
I selected the second of the two for us to consider, Balak.
The previous one, Hukkath (Ordinance) is also included for this Sabbath.
Here is the reading for that portion of the Torah:
Numbers 19:1—22:1

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Whom I bless, Lord, will be blessed. v. 6

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

The dungeon of John the Baptist stinks with the stench of doubt. John is cut off from the evidence of Jesus’ saving grace. Perhaps prisoners with him taunt him: “No big changes happening outside your cell.” Now his voice cries in the wilderness of prison, “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” How the message from Jesus must have comforted him as a glass of cool, clear water to his parched spirit!

As great as is John, the least in the Kingdom is greater than he is. No matter what your circumstances, whether bound by the prison of doubt, or simply resting in the confines of your patio or summer garden—go deeper. There is within you an inner boundary of the Kingdom into which the Lord invites you to enter as his most intimate friend.

Matthew 11

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: “Come to me: I give you rest.” v. 28

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.