Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Leviticus 26:3-6.

Here are the blessings that come from obedience and the curses that result from disobedience. When you read about the curses, focus not on the Lord who is punishing, but on the issue of not walking in God’s ways.

We don’t like to hear about a God who punishes. However, God will forgive where there is repentance. God will be faithful to the Covenant God established with our ancestors.

A difficulty we have with a God who punishes out of justice, is the projection of our unholy anger. Harboring resentments, dwelling on thoughts of revenge and wanting to punish those who have wronged us: this is our sin. The Lord is pure love, with justice. It is comforting to know that ultimate justice will take place. The Covenant is the Lord’s. It is ultimately God’s responsibility to reward or punish—not ours.

Leviticus 26:3—27:15

This is the first and second of three parts of the Torah Portion Behukkotai (My Commandment)
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.

Leviticus. 26:3—27:34

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example:I follow Your commandments. 26:3

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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

As the Good News spreads, so does the opposition. Jesus’s family thinks he has gone out of his mind. Opposition of the scribes and Pharisees increases to the point of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, to conclude that Jesus’s miracles are the work of the devil. Jesus teaches that such a sin cannot be forgiven.

Do not be afraid of this. If you are reading God’s Word and want to grow in Christ, you are far from this devastating, pernicious, premeditated sin. However, we do live in a world that quietly mocks and disdains the gifts of the Lord. If there is not outright blasphemy, there is that indifference and lukewarmness that John said is worse than being cold to the Lord (Revelation 3:16).

Put on the mind of Christ and do not be afraid of those who think you are out of yours! 

Mark 3:20–35

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I long to do Your holy will. v. 35

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
Since Easter was two weeks earlier than its mean week, the two weeks at the end of the Epiphany season are added to the beginning of the season of Pentecost.

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 Jude 1:17-25.

This is a brief letter of Jude, said to be the brother of Jesus and James, the first leader of the Jerusalem church. Jude’s words encourage his listeners to press on in the faith, contending with those settings and circumstances that would lessen the fervor of the faith. Such would be those whose doctrines amount to denying the faith itself. He refers to the book of Enoch, a respected, but non-canonical work of the first century, B.C.

Once again, notice the power of the earthy images in verses 12 and 13 used to describe faithfulness. Admonition and encouragement go hand in hand in this letter. Be strengthened by both in your walk with the Lord. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Yield to the spontaneous ways that the Spirit pours out prayer from deep within you.

Jude

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You can keep me from falling. v. 24

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
Since Easter was two weeks earlier than its mean week, the two weeks at the end of the Epiphany season are added to the beginning of the season of Pentecost.

For all the Firestarters 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.