Closer Day By Day

History - 1 Samuel 6-10

In the last reading of 1 Samuel, there was little mention about the events after the birth of Samuel so now I will remedy it. In Chapter 4, it talks about the ark of God being captured. When I read that chapter, this picture comes to my mind. For those who have watched medieval movies be it the Western kind or the Chinese kind, this scene sort of like create this scenario whereby there is this great...

Law - Genesis 44-47

One word came to mind immediately when I read today’s passage. I wonder what word comes to your mind? Bible Passage:  Genesis 44-47 What strikes you the most after you read today’s passage? ? ? ? For me, if was Recounciliation. Joseph was recounciled with ALL his brothers … finally. No more secrets.  No more hidden schemes.  No more wondering what will happen next. Joseph - the...

Epistles - 1 Corinthians 7-8

We continue our look at 1 Corinthians today… Bible Passage:  1 Corinthians 7-8 In these 2 chapters we are reading today, are the responses of Paul to 2 matters which the Corinthian church had asked earlier, namely about marriage and food sacrificed to idols. 1Co 7: 3 – 5 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not...

Gospel - Mark 1-2

Background of Gospel of Mark When we think of the Gospel of Mark, we remember it as the shortest gospel book. I once heard someone said that the gospel of Mark was written in the most concise and powerful way recording mainly miracles, because it was targeted at preaching to the Romans. Then there was also a preacher who told me that every gospel book contains a full gospel to the people of that time,...

Prophecy - Isaiah 56-61

After a few days of slacking off due to a slight flu, I am now back to reading the Bible and I have learned a very valuable lesson. It takes hard work and a long time to build a good habit but breaking the good habit is one of the easiest thing to do in the world. And I have to restart with the longest passage of the week Bible Passage:  Isaiah 56-61 But what a passage!  There are just so many...

Poetry - Job 21-22

First of all, apologies for the lack of updates.  I have a bit of the flu and I know it is no excuse but it is very easy to just slip off the habit of reading the Bible daily. So better late than never! Bible Passage:  Job 21-22 What do you think of the questions and answers of Job’s friends so far? Do you think they are reasonable questions? Do you think they make sense? Do you think they...

Psalm - Psalm 30-32

It is a mixed bag of Psalms today. Bible Passage:  Psalm 30-32 Psalm 30 seems to coincide with David’s efforts to bring the ark of covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6).  When we read 2 Samuel, you will learn that the event that started with mourning was soon turned to dancing and rejoicing. Psalm 31 is a psalm of hope as we have the assurance that even in our darkest hours - even when we are paying...

History - 1 Samuel 1-5

We are starting a new book today - 1 Samuel. Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 1-5 The prayer of Hannah is a moving one. Hannah was oppressed by Penninah as she did not bear any children for her husband. In those times, it was very shameful not to be able to bear children. During her prayer, she cried out to the Lord until Eli the priest thought that she was drunk. I guess she was really deep in concentration...

Law - Genesis 40-43

The remarkable life of faith of Joseph continues. In prison, he was the in charge of the rest of the prisoners.  And this led him to an opportunity to interpret the dreams of the cupbearer and baker. This ability - that he openly declares comes from God - later opened his doors to meet the Pharoah and help him understand the meaning of the Pharoah’s strange dream which none of the wise men in...

Epistles - 1 Corinthians 5-6

As we continue to read the first epistle by Paul to the Corinthians, we will realize that Paul’s tone is getting harsher, for through his epistles, we can see the problems within the Corinthian church at that time. I believe Paul was very heart broken when he came to realize what the believers had done. These warnings are very important for us even today, for there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes...