Closer Day By Day

History - 2 Chronicles 29-32

The main king we are reading about today is Hezekiah.  While we have read about him already in our readings of Isaiah and Kings, I feel that his life serves as a great example and warning in our life of faith.  What do I mean? Let’s read first and find out together… Bible Passage:  2 Chronicles 29-32 It was only this month that I discovered that in our church, we have so many October...

Law - Deuteronomy 7-9

Bible Passage:  Deuteronomy 7-9 Our passage for today has two very important and meaningful verses which I feel are very good reminders for us Christians today. Not that the other verses are not important or meaningful but these two verses just seem to stand out more. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least...

Epistle - James 4-5

It is not difficult to put ‘Christianity’ in that blank field next to “Religion:” in your job application form. It is hard to be a good Christian and glorify God’s name doing it. We have read some useful tips on practical Christian living from the Book of James 1-3. Let’s read James 4-5 today. Bible Passage:  James 4-5 God Vs World Treasureinearthernvessel’s...

Gospel - Acts 9-10

Bible Passage:  Acts 9-10 Acts chapter 9 and chapter 10 both contains 2 very great stories in Christian history. In both stories, the hand of God acted to convert 2 persons, and these 2 persons later on brought great blessings upon the people around them. In Chapter 9 it records how God shone the light on Saul so that he recognised that Jesus is the true God of the Jews. From a persecutor of Christ,...

Prophecy - Habakkuk

In the South East Asian context, there is often a jokey pun that can be made on this prophet’s name. The effect is made more obvious by the fact that very little is known about this prophet. We won’t go into details of his name (and neither the pun on it), but we would look at the details of the book to obtain spiritual insight. We’ll read Habakkuk. Bible Passage:  Habakkuk 1-3 Like...

Poetry - Ecclesiastes 1-2

Bible Passage:  Ecclesiastes 1-2 What am I living for? I thought, to live is to eat. So I fed myself with all kinds of delicacies and yummy treats, I go from place to place and made sure I tried all the chef’s recommendations. But one day, I fell ill and the doctor restricted my diet. And no more could I live to eat. Then I thought, to live is to enjoy, for life is short, we should lead each...

Psalm - Psalm 122-124

Today’s 3 psalms are the songs of ascents penned by David. These psalms were sung by the people of Israel when they went up to the Temple in Jerusalem for the 3 solemn feasts. There are only 21 verses in total within these 3 psalms, but they are filled with adoration to God and His house, the confidence in their plea to God, and their assurance that God is their strong Defense. As we read today’s...

History - 2 Chronicles 25-28

I was a lousy history student.  Somehow the idea of dates, past events, drama etc never excited me. But history was written for a purpose… so that we might learn from the past… and hopefully not commit the mistakes of the past but repeat the successes - although history (pun fully intended) has shown us otherwise. (: However, the History books of the Bible are different.  Cause although...

Law - Deuteronomy 4-6

When you woke up this morning, what were the first words you spoke? Let us imagine ourselves to be Israelites (physical, not just spiritual) for the day. That means reciting the shema when we wake up. It goes like this: Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One (Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad) This shema is found in our passage for today but it does not stand alone. It is followed...

Epistle - James 1-3

After struggling through the book of Proverbs and realizing that I am really short of the wisdom that comes from God, I am not confronted with a book of action - the epistle of James. James is a compact, hard-hitting letter about practicing the faith.  Religion is not about how many members there are in church, how much do we contribute or what is said in church.  The true test of our religion is...