Closer Day By Day

History - Joshua 21-24

We have come to the end of the 1st month of Bible Reading and it ends nicely with the conclusion of the book of Joshua. Bible Passage:  Joshua 21-24 All the tribes of Israel now had their land, except for the tribe of Levi.  Because God had decreed that the Levites will attend to the tasks of worship and sacrifice (Num 18:5-6), God commended that each tribe set aside a proportionate number of cities...

History - Genesis 16-19

Today, we continue our look at the life of Abraham. Bible Passage:  Genesis 16-19 First, Sarah gave Hagar to be Abraham’s concubine so that Abraham could have a son. But the son that was to be born, Ishmael, was not the promised son from God. Then God once again renewed His covenant with Abraham (changed his name) and established the sign of circumcision. Then it was Sarah’s turn to have...

Epistle - Romans 9 - 10

Today’s Bible Passage:  Romans 9 - 10 Whenever I read Paul’s letters, I cannot but feel the intensity of his love for Christ and His people.  And I am sure if you take the time to read these 2 chapters slowly today, you can also feel his love burning through… Romans 9:3 - “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren” Despite being ill treated...

Gospel - Matthew 8 - 10

Whew!  Today’s reading takes a look at what Jesus did after His sermon on the mount. Bible Passage:  Matthew 8 - 10 And if you literally get breathless reading about what Jesus did immediately after He came down from the mountain. Jesus indicated that those who follow Him will become like Him (Matt 10:25). What does it mean to be like Jesus? We read in these few chapters the Servant like actions...

Prophecy - Isaiah 18-22

Did you have a good first day Chinese New Year celebrations.  Hoped you did not over eat like I did.  :)  All those pineapple tarts, bak kwa … hmmm…. who can resist? Today’s reading follows yesterday’s theme in that it gives us a sobering message in the midst of our festivities. Bible Passage:  Isaiah 18 - 22 Isaiah continues his prophecies against Ethopia (Chp 18), followed...

Poetry - Job 7 - 8

Happy Chinese New Year! May our God continue to lead and guide us in our journey of faith together this year. Since today is the Chinese New Year celebrations, we just have a couple of chapters to read: Bible Passage:  Job 7 - 8 Ok… did you read it?  Not exactly the feel good message that we hoped to read for the new year isn’t it? In Chapter 7, we read how Job lamented that his suffering...

Psalm - Psalm 9 - 11

How is your chinese new year reunion dinner preparations coming along?  Or have you just finished a great lunar new year feast and am now settling down for the countdown to the year of the Ox? In any case, man does not live by bread alone and indeed, while we feast on the new year goodies, it is important to feast spiritually as well. Yesterday’s sermon by Pr Simon Chin, taken from Proverbs...

History - Joshua 16 - 20

The division of the conquered land of Canaan to the tribes of Israel continues in today’s… Bible Passage:  Joshua 16 - 20 Last week we read that Judah, Rueben, Gad and half the tribe of Mannasseh had received their portion of the land. Today, we see the rest of the land being distributed by lots.  This map will give you a better idea of how the land was finally allocated: 12 Tribes of...

Law - Genesis 12 - 15

Today, we are introduced to Abraham in… Bible Passage:  Genesis 12 - 15 The stories are familiar.  The message is the same. Abraham has left us an example of what faith is. Sometimes we think we have been very faithful in our worship of God.  We think we have passed through our trials with flying colours.  We congratulate ourselves for remaining obedient to God. But when we looked at what...

Epistles - Romans 7 - 8

Whenever I read today’s passage, I cringe… Bible Passage: Romans 7 - 8 Because I see myself in the very words that Paul writes… “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to...