Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

Energy enters into a search for God. Pagan foreigners peer into the skies, seeking meaning to the new star they discover in the heavens. They leave everything to discover where it is leading. They follow the star shining in their hearts, as well as the one in the skies.

At polar opposites are Herod and the Jewish leaders. Nestled in complacency and inner blindness, they are not interested in God’s new King, but rather are anxious that he might overthrow the tables of their own power. Fear and hostility enter and possess them.

How are you when it comes to some new entry of God into your life? Are you open to search the inner skies of your own possibility for some innovation and direction there, or are you tempted to be your own “king,” resisting God’s reign in your life?

Matthew 2:1–12

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Opening my gifts for You v. 11

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year A, we generally read from the Gospel of St. 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 Genesis 48:8-16.

The final portion of the Book of Genesis contains the passing of the blessing from Jacob to the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. As in the case of Esau and Jacob, the younger is preferred to the older. Joseph objects with strong feelings as his father switches his hands placed on the heads of these two boys.

The names of the two sons will help to understand verse 20 of chapter 48, a blessing whose importance is seen as a part of Aaron’s blessing (Numbers 6:22) and the opening of the Lord’s Prayer. The key lies in the meaning of the names of the sons: Ephraim, “Fruitful,” and Manasseh, “One who causes forgetfulness.” It is indeed a blessing from God to forget one’s painful, sinful past, and that one’s future be fruitful. Make this your prayer as you bless your loved ones.

Genesis 47:28—48:22

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Vayhi (And He Lived).
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.
Genesis 47:28—50:26

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You, Lord, my inheritance 48:6

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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Matthew 1:1-17.

Three great divisions of generations place Jesus into the immense tapestry of God’s activity in history. Each of these has fourteen generations—two times the perfect number—seven. They are described by Matthew in the conclusion of the genealogy in v. 17.

The New Testament begins with a grand sweep of the First Covenant. The list is taken from the paternal line. However, the symmetry is interrupted by the mention of foreign women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathesheba. The ways that God worked through these women outside the strictly male, Jewish line, set the stage for the miraculous intervention through Mary. This also anticipates the way in which God’s saving grace would include Gentiles.

The Lord has placed you in the generational list of those who will bear Christ. How will the next generation be brought to worship God because of you?

Matthew 1

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Being righteous as Joseph. v. 19

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.