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Two Josephs – with Recording

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Genesis 37:15-28.

The story of the Patriarch, Joseph, draws our attention to Joseph, husband of Mary. Both were addressed by God through dreams; both went to Egypt as a result of attempts on life—the patriarch Joseph himself, and Jesus.

The chapter sets the stage for God to use a victim of fraternal strife to become the means of salvation for his brothers. Joseph anticipates Jesus. The leaders of God’s own people complete the attempt on Jesus’s life by Herod years later; the scribes and Pharisees collectively have the same power and arrogance of Herod.

The betrayal of Joseph by his brothers is not unlike that of Judas, and the denial of Peter. However, the victory will come in Joseph’s fidelity to his God and Jesus’s adherence to the Father.

How does this reading touch you and move you to trust what God is doing in your life no matter what may be coming against you?

Genesis 37

This is the first of three parts in the Torah portion for today. The remaining two parts will occur in years B and C.
The entire portion,Vayeshev (And He Settled) is as follows:
Genesis 37:1—40:23

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Grateful to those who love me v. 21

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

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Flesh of His Flesh

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Magnificat: 1:46-56.

Morning, afternoon and evening can beautifully receive these three parts of today’s Gospel—the annunciation to Mary in the morning, the afternoon visit of Mary to Elizabeth and the evening song of Mary’s praise, the Magnificat. Each of these three segments take their movement from the stirrings of the Holy Spirit within the two women.

You will come to appreciate why for centuries the Magnificat has been the church’s evening prayer in the Catholic and Anglican traditions. Your heart will be one with the heart of Mary in her explosive prayer, if the prior hours of your day are filled with the awareness of what God wants to do for you as God did for Mary. Witness God’s compassion as Mary did to Elizabeth. May Jesus grow within you as he did within Mary. For you too, Jesus will be bone of your bone, and flesh of your flesh.

Luke 1:26–56

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: The child in me leaps for joy. v. 44

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.

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The Glorious Appearance of God

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

Pause before each of the virtues listed by Paul to Titus. They will wash you as the Baptism of John, cleansing you to receive ever-deeper penetrations of these gifts from the fire of the Holy Spirit.

The text from v. 11 is often the reading for Christmas Eve. These words of profound hope will launch you into a loving embrace of Jesus who wants to appear before you right now and come to you. May your heart long to possess the One with you in every successive minute of your life.

Repeat today’s reading often, such as at the hours that mark the quarter parts of the day. In this way, this holy Word of life, which encourages you and makes you eager to do the good, will transform the entire day.

Titus 2

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Temp’rate, serious, prudent. v. 2
Rev’rent, loving, self-controlled v. 3-4
Chaste, kind, and integrity v. 5-7

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.