Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the reading.

Religion can become dangerously “outer.” Customs, traditions and “the way we do things” can substitute for that powerful, inner presence of the Lord, which alone makes religion breathe with true spirituality.

Works can be merely external. While there must be action in our lived response to Christ, works unenergized by a loving, surrendered heart to the Lord, will not produce the kind of fruit about which Jesus teaches.

What is within defines what comes out. If your heart is right, then what you say and do will be expressive of the goodness of your inner state of soul. However, if your heart is insincere, then the outer feigning of religious activity will be a sacrilege that defiles you.

Mark 7:1–23

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Washing the hands of my heart v. 3

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read
from the Gospel of Mark, this season, chapters 4 to 9.

For the next several weeks, the Firestarters will be from the original version of this program. For these 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 the Psalm.

Tap here to view a video meditation on Psalm 75.

From the songs of the mothers of Samuel and Jesus, to Jesus himself, the Bible often speaks about the humble being lifted up and the proud being brought low. Praying this psalm brings serenity, in case your heart has the thoughts here reversed, perhaps entertaining jealousy toward those who boast about all they have.

The big “horn” of power of those who are boastful will be brought low. Similar to the wisdom of Proverbs, the wisdom present in these and many psalms can reorient you to the way God sees and orders all things by the might of God’s hand.

Verses 9 and 10 place the proper order of exaltation. Singing “praises to the God of Jacob” will free your mind and heart from obsessing about anyone or anything. The Lord will lift you up on high into the presence of the One whom you are praising.

Psalm 75

Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I will rejoice forever. v. 9

We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.

For the daily 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 1 Kings 9:1-9.

A hinge is a small piece of hardware, securing the movement of a great door. When two are carefully in place, the heaviest of doors floats on air. A slight touch of the hand opens it easily.

There are hinges in the interaction between God and Solomon in chapter 9. The first is the tiny word “IF.” “If you walk before me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness …” The second hinge is the little word “THEN.” “Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever.”

While God loves us without any “IFS, ANDS, or BUTS,” there are conditions when it comes to having a relationship with the Lord. Just as in marriage, as we see in Hosea, God demands us to be faithful to God alone. Are you?

1 Kings 9—10

Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Your name always in my heart 9:3

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In this season, Proverbs 20-11; 1 Kings

For the daily 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.