Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Genesis 33:1-11.

Toward the end of the first four years of my ministry from 1972 to 1976 when I was a campus minister at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., one of the teachers criticized by efforts with the remark: “The trouble with you is that you want everybody to be friends.” “No,” I replied, “but I would like to provide opportunities for everyone to meet at least once.”

The enmity between Esau and Jacob, while not over for their descendants, did at least cease in the tender moment of meeting between these two brothers. How beautiful is this verse: Genesis 33:10 “! Perhaps Jacob became open to see the face of God in his former enemy Esau, because he had struggled the night before with the presence of God. Jacob wanted blessings—either by deceit, as he did with Esau, or by not letting go of God until a blessing came. Cling to the Lord in your prayer until the blessing comes.

Genesis 32:3—33:20

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Steadfast love and faithfulness 32:10

The entire portion for this Sabbath:
Genesis 32:3—36:43

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 Luke 1:5-25.

Noah’s Ark and the Holy of Holies: both are sacred spaces where God acts. Here in the center of the holiest place in the Temple, an aged man lifts his hands to the Lord—longing, waiting, interceding, and pleading. All the emotions of a desperate people converge upon him.

St. Luke is presenting Yom Kippur, the holiest of holy days. Perhaps because he is so overwhelmed with this once-in-a-lifetime stand before God, Zechariah is not prepared to hear astounding, unexpected news. While he prays for deliverance, he does not expect it to come so clearly, so closely, so personally through his own wife Elizabeth and him.

Are you ready for the unexpected to happen to you? Remember the words of Jesus: “The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40).

Luke 1:1–25

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Birth of John: gladness and joy v. 14

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Luke 1 – 2; Matthew 1 – 7.

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 for the day.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Titus 1:1-9.

Just as Moses prepared Joshua for leading God’s people into the Promised Land, so does Paul instruct Titus as a leader of the Church on the Island of Crete. As in the First Letter to Timothy, here are the qualities needed for a leader in the church. Similar to the contrasts in Psalm 1 are the contrasts between good and evil leaders.

God calls you to take a special place of leadership for God’s People. Beyond administrative leadership associated with the office of bishop, gifts and graces are given to you to be a leader in your own way. Meditate on the list of virtues required for spiritual leaders. What are the areas where you need to grow?

Be a steward of God and the things of God. May your daily contact with the Word steadily purify you and clarify the sacred call God has placed upon your life.

Titus 1

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Prudent, upright and devout. v. 8

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year we read Titus, Philemon, Galatians and Philippians.

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.