Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Micah 4:1-4.

Just as in last week’s passage, Micah uses shocking images followed by words of comfort to awaken God’s people to conversion. Wicked rulers have exploited the people as cannibals devouring human flesh. Images of this horrific practice continue in 3:1–5.

Chapter 4 marks a strong shift. The words are virtually identical to Isaiah 2:2–4. Abused by worldly power, God’s people will find themselves filled with strength from the Lord. Having been cast off to the margin, the powerless will find themselves in the center; worldly powers will be the ones on the sidelines.

The sharp contrast of poetic images call you forth to total freedom and availability for the saving work that God wants to do through you.

Micah 3—4

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost we read Amos to Nahum with Lamentations 4—5 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Beating swords into plowshares 4:4

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 Gospel.

A Maltese dog used to be part of our household. At mealtime, he would sit with eyes focused upon me, waiting for the moment when a few morsels were tossed his way—eyes glued to mine. His whole being was nothing but watching and waiting.

The Lord uses similar images to call us to watch and wait for God’s nourishing word. More than scraps from the table, Jesus longs to give you his very life. This is the only absolute value, one that needs selling and letting go of everything else.

The element of surprise is imaged in the thief coming when least expected. The only alternative is to expect the Lord all the time. Now is the time when the Lord wants to touch you with the treasure of his presence.

Luke 12:32–40

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Where my treasure, there my heart v. 34

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Luke.

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 7:7-11.

A spotlight reveals only what is before it; everything else is cast into darkness. So is God’s love for his people. It is a love of great tenderness and preference. For some reason known only to God, this saving love focused as a spotlight upon this little, insignificant people; all other nations were outside in the darkness.

The ultimate plan of God is to create a new people, born from the open side of his only Son, for whom God has a love of tenderness and preference. The Son’s embrace on the cross is worldwide. No one from any nation, people, or race is excluded from this embrace. In Jesus, God has a preferential love for everyone.

God has simply decided to love you. Nothing you do can change that. Only live in the spotlight of God’s love shining from the cross.

Deuteronomy 7:1–11

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Vaethanan (I Implored) 
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. 

Deuteronomy 3:23—7:11

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I, Your treasured possession v. 6

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