Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Numbers 20:1-13.

John the Baptist and Jesus are prefigured in this portion of the Torah that treats of the spiritual power of water. John must have had this reading in mind when he chose the ritual of baptism as a preparation for Jesus. Miracle water from the rock looks to Jesus as the living water, which flowed from his open side.

Whenever death has been touched, cleansing needs to happen. So too in death-bound unreconciled negative feelings within, such as hidden resentments and unhealed pain that pull the soul toward death. Notice the period of seven days of purification; what a blessing it would be to have your whole self cleansed of inner “death” within the space of a week! The water from your own tears can be the means of cleansing.

Look what happened to Moses when he challenged God’s decision to give the complaining people the water they needed! Do you complain when God is showing mercy?

Numbers 19:1—20:21

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Hukkath (Ordinance).
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 19:1—22:1

Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Complaining blocks the presence 20:24

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 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 Mark 6:30-44.

The Baptist is beheaded—time out for Jesus and the disciples. The seeking crowds find and press about Him. Forgetful of food, they hang on every word from his mouth, rejoicing in his healing presence. The multiplying loaves and fish only increases the crowd’s intensity; but it is the wrong kind. Jesus abruptly dismisses them, sends the disciples onto the storm-tossed sea, and seeks the solitude that soaks his soul in the presence of the Father. Back to the disciples in the middle of the night, walking on water … No barriers of time or place keep Jesus long away from those he has chosen.

Feel all the shifts and movements of the latter half of this chapter. Roll with the waves on the sea as you walk on the waters of your life toward Jesus.

Mark 6:30–56

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Crowds as sheep with no shepherd .34

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 2 Corinthians 6:1-10.

Imagine a pencil held in a vertical position by gently pressing down upon the eraser end with the point on the paper. The pencil will almost hold the weight of your hand and arm as long as it is perpendicular to the table. The entire pencil hovers over the point beneath. If you move the hand away from the vertical, it will fall.

When you move away from the present moment, guilt and shame over the past, or anxiety about the future, will have you fall. “Now is the acceptable time,” says Paul. Another expression goes: “The point of power is the present.”

Relax into the chair or floor that supports you. Be in the Lord’s presence that fills this present moment with power and grace.

2 Corinthians 6

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Kindness, holiness, and love v.6

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In this season of Pentecost this year,
we read 2 Corinthians.

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.