Closer Day By Day

Prophecy - Ezekiel 13-18

As a Christian, there have been many times I was terribly disgruntled because just like the man pictured above, I felt that there were too many demands placed upon me and too many roles God expects me to play. Such a feeling has been recently compounded by a series of headache inducing events that hurtled into my life as if God were dropping a whole load of files in my lap and telling me, “Here...

Poetry - Proverbs 7

Proverbs 7 continues on the theme that was started in Proverbs 5 & 6 - Shun sexual immorality and the wiles of the seductress.  Just one chapter today but the message is of greatest importance for our spiritual lives. Bible Passage:  Proverbs 7 Last week when we looked at the previous passage from Proverbs, we concentrated on the 7 sins that God considered as an abomination. But the sin of sexual...

Psalms - Psalm 75-77

We continue reading a few more psalms written by Asaph today. In Psalms, there are twelve of the psalms attributed to Asaph (Ps 50, 73-83).  So Asaph, the singer, song writer and chief musician under King David (1 Chronicles 15:17) either wrote it, or some of it were written by his descendents who carried on his musical tradition (1 Chronicles 25:2). Asaph was a Levite and was known for his use of...

History - 1 Kings 19-22

Today we continue to read the final 4 chapters of 1Kings. In these 4 chapters, the recorder of history penned down a bit more about Ahab’s evil and selfish life, and his end. Prophet Elijah only appeared in today’s first chapter, 19 and in chapter 21 where he came to pronounce God’s judgment against Ahab for his injustice, and then we hear no more of Elijah until the beginning of 2Kings. Bible...

Law - Leviticus 7-9

After managing to sit through the first 6 chapters of Leviticus, today we come to the chapters 7 – 9. While not treating this irreverently, I must say that reading Leviticus can really be D.R.Y. But in any case, kudos to us who have patiently read through the portion of the offerings, and thanks to God for allowing us to be able to read His law. There is a minor transition in place with today’s...

Epistles - Philippians 1-2

In my visits to other countries, I have the chance to visit some of their musuems and historical attractions.  Interestingly, quite a number of national heroes were once imprisoned for various political reasons.  But even in prison, these heroes were able to exert their enormous influence to revolutionize the country.  Something about their confinement, uncertainty and mistreatment that they suffered...

Gospel - Luke 13-14

Walking with Jesus, Walking everyday, Walking all the way. Walking with Jesus, Walking with Jesus alone. As we continue to read Luke each week, do you feel like you are walking with Jesus? I particularly love the gospel books for this reason: being able to walk with Him during the time He walked on earth, and trying to experience all that He experienced. I hope you enjoyed the journey with Him thus...

Prophecy - Ezekiel 7-12

When we read the Old Testament, have we ever felt that God is sometimes too harsh and unforgiving? When we read about the judgement He metes out, do we ever question how a God who is supposed to be love can allow such atrocities to happen in the name of judgement? Have we ever wondered if it was really necessary to wipe out all but eight of humankind from the face of the earth or to allow Israel to...

Poetry - Proverbs 5-6

There is a story of Pericles, the ancient great leader of the Greeks. From time to time, he will issue decrees which are inscribed on plaques and displayed in prominent locations around the city. On one occassion, an ambassador came to Pericles asking that a certain decree be changed and the plaque removed. “I am sorry,” replied Pericles, “but I cannot do that. We have a law that...

Psalm - Psalm 72-74

Today, we end with a Psalm from Book Two of the Psalms and move into Book Three. Psalms are just like the hymns we sing.  Some of them are congregational psalms while others are personal - where the psalmist will express his most intimate thoughts and desires to God.  We shall see an example of both today. Bible Passage:  Psalm 74-76 Psalm 72 is a congregational psalm that celebrates the zenith...