Listen to PastorNick read the Firestarter and Isaiah 31:4-5.

God’s people were regularly tempted to have recourse to an old enemy—Egypt and its “horse-power”! They continued to do what repeatedly their ancestors did in the wilderness wanderings—be impatient with Moses and with God, and look back to the fleshpots of Egypt for security.

Here is another opportunity to see where you are placing your confidence. Is it in worldly powers of one form or another, or in the power of God? Make a list of any “Egyptian horses” that you are looking to in place of God who alone can lead you through the impasses in your situation.

For you, is the Lord the first recourse in your prayer, or the last resort? Turn to the Lord with all your heart and look to God alone for the way out of what presses against you.

Isaiah 31

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Isaiah 28-39.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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 and the reading.

Suppose you are working all day on a project for which you will receive a fee. Imagine someone coming in at the last hour to help, receiving the same payment as you. How would you feel? This is the issue of the famous “Parable of the Eleventh Hour Worker.”

Parables, similar to jokes, have punch lines. Linger on the impact the final verses, until the Kingdom way of thinking rises in your heart. Let go of worldly ways of weighing in the mind—not minding one’s own business … jealousy … looking for rewards. The Spirit gives the Kingdom heart; it does not come from the flesh. In the Kingdom, there is love of serving, joy in another’s good fortune, and praise for the Master’s love of the forgotten.

Ponder, pray and wait for the Lord to give you peace—God’s choicest blessing for this, the current hour of your life. Do you have the right to demand another hour after this?

Matthew 20:1–16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Grateful for others’ blessings v. 11

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide, we read the Gospel of Matthew.

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 Deuteronomy 32:1-4.

This song was intended to fill the air from generation to generation. The image of a rock appears throughout. It tells what would happen if the people go after other gods and serve them. While the song expresses the anger of God, yet deeper still, it sings of the compassion of a God who continues to lure the people into fidelity and love.

The end of Moses is near. He is reminded that he will not be permitted to enter the Promised Land because he complained about the people in Numbers 20:11–13. He failed to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord giving water from the rock to the people.

As you hear this song in your heart with countless others “listening” to it this same day, what kinds of thoughts and feelings come to you? Write them down, so that you will remember.

Deuteronomy 32

Today this portion is read in synagogues around the world.

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Your teaching falling like rain. 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