Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Revelation 12:1-6.

The persecution of God’s people in the first century is described in bold images on a cosmic scale.
The images stir within us a sobering awareness that the struggles of the first-century church are mirrored in our own day, with portents of what is to come. We will devote the last ten Thursdays of this year of grace to the second half of the Book of Revelation.

The woman clothed with the sun recalls the woman in Genesis 3, the twelve stars reminding us of God’s people in the twelve tribes. The ancient church also saw the woman as Mary, mother of Jesus. This image, as well as all the images of Revelation, evokes varying levels of meaning. The images are vehicles of God’s power at work in you bringing about victory against evil.

Revelation 12

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I belong to you, Jesus. v. 17

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 141.

Solomon learned how to pray from his father, David; the psalmist learns from David—and so do we. The closeness of David to God peacefully reveals itself in this prayer of protection from the forces of evil that circle about him. He asks God to protect him from the seductive quality of evil as it threatens to enter him. He prays that God guard his mouth from evil; it is a prayer of protection against the comings and goings of wickedness.

Here in the center of the week, when the human family is beset with so many attacks from evil, let this gentle, confident prayer become yours. Pray not only for personal protection against evil, but allow this psalm to be a spark of fire the Spirit fans in you for intercessory prayer.

Psalm 141

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Raising my hands like incense. v. 2

We continue to read 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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and 2 Chronicles 6:12-21.

The purpose of the writer of Chronicles and of Zechariah is the same—to have God’s people recently returned to Jerusalem, find connectives to their past and God’s fidelity to them. The history of the earliest beginnings comes alive for them in these writings, sometimes copies of the history of 1 and 2 Kings.

The newly constructed Temple finds the vast, inward, empty space filled with the sacred articles used at worship. Solomon’s work is done. He pauses as he looks at everything in place. He prays a model for prayer across the ages and through the seasons.

Place yourself among the throng of people hearing Solomon’s prayer. May the earnest pleas for his people become yours. What specific calls for prayer does the Spirit bring to mind as you pray along with this great King?

2 Chronicles 4—6

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: You keep your promises, Lord. v. 14

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 30—32
and 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes 9—12.

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