Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

Canaan is the land intended by Moses when he tells the people, “When you arrive in the land … (v. 1). However, mull over “Canaan” in your heart. Where is the spiritual “place” to where the Lord is leading you? Accept where you are right now, but believe that the Lord is continuing to give you grace to move to new levels of union with God and realization of your purpose in life.

Each day is a steppingstone to move further and deeper. Whether the stone is comfortable to stand upon or not, whether you like the stone or not, it is the one that will enable you to move to the next place on your journey. Greater than any discomfort is the presence of the Lord and his love for you that give you the energy to keep on. As you arrive at each Canaan-point of spiritual growth, be ready to offer your “first fruits” to the Lord.

Deuteronomy 26:1–11

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Ki Tavo (When You Will Come)
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.

Deut. 26:1—29:8

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Offering the best I have v. 2

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 Nick read the Firestarter.

Parts of words have fire in them. The key to today’s reading comes from the word “forgive.” The word has the root, “give” and the prefix, “for.” The prefix comes from the Latin foris meaning “outside.” Those who speak Spanish will recognize the word fuera, which has the same meaning.

What does “forgive,” mean? Simply this. Take the feelings of pain, resentment, frustration, sadness, fear, etc., which are associated with what someone did to you, and “give them outside yourself.” This is a slightly more complicated way of saying, “Let go.” It means that I will no longer allow the other to have power over me by the resentment that lingers all too long in my heart. In this sense, forgiveness has nothing to do with whether the other has apologized or not; that too makes my serenity depend upon the other. Forgiveness is up to you, prompted by the grace of God.

Matthew 18:21–35

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Letting go and letting God

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Matthew 8 to 18.

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 Nick read the Firestarter.

This is the close to what is acclaimed as the greatest treatise on Christianity in the New Testament. You are reading what moved the “greats”—Martin Luther and John Wesley, just to name a few.

Most of the passage is Paul’s commendation to those especially endeared to him. The woman’s name, Phoebe, in verse 1, means “The Radiant One.” By the way in which you are, you radiate or obscure the goodness and acceptance of God through yourself to others. Your radiance of God’s unfailing love is what people need to find the peace for which they long. Recall verse 5 from Psalm 34 of yesterday.

The center of the chapter contains Paul’s final appeal to unity. When you discuss issues, beware of selfinterest, which fosters division.

As you see the setting sun on the day and the season, lift your voice in prayer and praise of God in the final verse of this great letter.

Romans 16

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Sending out kisses of peace v. 16

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

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.