Jealousy and power rear their ugly heads, as they did for the fall of the evil King (or Lucifer?) in Isaiah 14. The rebels mentioned might as well have taken on God, as indeed amounts to be the case, when they challenge Moses and Aaron with such profound disrespect. What happens to them is similar to the outcome of that one that fell from heaven.

Envy is one of the Capital Sins. Its reckless, blind energy smashes headlong into the carefully woven plans that God has for each person.

If only the Korahites had minded their own sacred business—a sacred, priestly business. After you read, examine your own conscience about jealousy. The purity of God’s Spirit cannot tolerate dwelling in a soul restless with jealousy. It is a very destructive power. Beware!

Numbers 16:1–40

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Korah 
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 16—18

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Incense rising from my heart

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

Gather with the Twelve and listen to Jesus tell them and you about how to go about spreading God’s Good News.

The reception of God’s peace, which each household must have, begins with you. Wait before you begin to read. Silence descends, giving a wide setting for whatever distracting thoughts may be buzzing in your head. Give them attention for a moment, but only long enough for you to collect them and turn them over to the Lord.

Do not suppress distractions; give them a way out and a direction into God.

The thought of Jesus is not complicated here; however, be ready to be transformed by grace.

Matthew 10

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Losing life and finding it v. 39

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.

Law and grace, faith and works, human righteousness and Jesus’ justification: Paul holds these polar opposites before the face of the Roman recipients of this letter. He goes beneath the level of debate, linking the apparent newness of his teaching about the law of faith with the prototype of all faith—Abraham. Citing Genesis 15:6, Paul grounds his case upon the righteousness of Abraham in his faith.

May the energy of Paul’s teaching bring you beyond and beneath mental understanding of his thought, to a spiritual grasp of this teaching. It is not what you do that brings salvation, but rather your surrender by faith to the One who saved us through the blood of the cross.

Here is the essence of our joy—the gratuity of God’s grace.

Romans 3:21—4:25

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You called me into being. 4:17

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.