Closer Day By Day

Genesis 31

Bible Passage:  Genesis 31 A few months back, I said something mean about a colleague whom I dislike immensely and another colleague of mine commented, “How could you say such a thing? Aren’t you a Christian?” While I was embarrassed I felt ashamed too as I brought disgrace to the name of the Lord. I am sure many of us have had encounters with Christians who do not behave like how...

Genesis 30

Bible Passage:  Genesis 30 I am rather muddle headed today. In the morning, I thought I saw my bus and got up… only to discover that I was on a wrong bus and it had headed off to a completely different direction.  Then as I was doing this Bible blog, I almost finished what I was writing before discovering that I had actually written for tomorrow’s chapter instead of todays! [And no,...

Genesis 29

Bible Passage:  Genesis 29 Have you decided? Do you think Jacob passed the test? It only seemed like yesterday that Jacob began his journey of faith. Today he has journeyed afar. And this is the beginning of his test… As you read Genesis 29… imagine this… This is the story of Jacob through his eyes: I went on my journey to a far away land. One day I saw a well in the field and there...

Genesis 28

Bible Passage:  Genesis 28 The beginning of Jacob’s faith - Genesis 28 “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.” (Genesis 28:20-21) What were your thoughts as you read these words of Jacob? Previously I commented on Genesis...

Genesis 27

Bible Passage: Genesis 27 Have you ever had the strong urge that you just want things to go your way; that your choice or decision must surely be THE right one? In wanting to get things done your way, would you scheme, cheat, or steal? In this continuation of a family soap opera, issues of deception and trust-breaching are prominent features in Gen 27. We have a trusting father but a lying son who...

Genesis 26

What? Again? I’m afraid so. Strange as it may seem, the same old sin of deception raises its ugly head for the third time in chapter 26. If nothing else proves it, this does-Isaac is a son of his father (a chip off the old block?). Frightened concerning his own safety, Isaac succumbs to the temptation to pass off his wife as his sister. In doing this he was willing to risk Rebekah’s purity...

Genesis 25

Bible Passage: Genesis 25 The stereotype of identical twins is that they are exactly alike: they look alike, they dress in matching outfits, they share the same likes and dislikes. But in today’s chapter, we know that despite their shared genetic component, both Esau and Jacob are highly different individuals. They look different and their characters are poles apart. THE VERY EXPENSIVE BOWL...

Genesis 24

Bible Passage:  Genesis 24 It says in v1 “… the Lord has blessed Abraham in all things” - not in some but all things; and his servant has testified the same in v35. Having read Gen 11 (where Abraham was first mentioned) through to where we are today, let’s ponder, except for the material wealth, in what other way exactly the Lord God has blessed Abraham? We all want blessing,...

Genesis 23

Bible Passage: Genesis 23 Sarah dies. Gen 23:2 records that Abraham wept. Remarkably, this is the first recorded instance of Abraham weeping. He had experienced many uncertainties, problems, and heartaches in his life - he faced countless unknowns when he left his hometown and followed God’s calling (Gen 12), he was disappointed when Lot left him (Gen 13:5-12), he was saddened in his heart as...

Genesis 22

Bible Passage:  Genesis 22 Today in our Bible reading, we read about Abraham sacrificing his only son! And became the Father of Faith. Now everytime I think about this story about Abraham sacrificing Isaac, I will remember my uncle, who is a staunch Catholic but said to me once that he can never accept that God actually commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son. He thinks the command of God is totally...