Luke 19: Are You The Chief Publican?
Verse of the Day: V2 “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

1. Chief (V1-10)
V2 “And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.”

Though Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief publican, he was hated by the Jews for collecting taxes for the Romans. This was why he was overjoyed and immediately came down from the sycamore tree (he climbed the tree as he was too short to see Jesus) when Jesus told him that He would stay at his house. He repented his sins, and gave half of his wealth to the poor, and returned to the Jews four times what he had falsely collected from them.

V8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
      
2. Cities (V11-27)
V13 “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

Jesus taught His disciples of a nobleman who gave his ten servants one pound each for service to others. When he returned from overseas, he was glad that the first servant reaped ten times, and he rewarded him to rule over ten cities. The second reaped five times, and he rewarded him to rule over five cities. One came without any service, and he rebuked him, and gave his one pound to the one who had been most faithful in his service.

V17 “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”
 
3. Colt (V28-48)
V28 “And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.”

Jesus told His two disciples that He needed a colt for His ride to Jerusalem before His death. Jesus humbled Himself by riding on a colt instead of a stallion as He was preparing for His eventual death as the Saviour of the world, but one day He shall come as the King of kings and Lord of lords riding on a stallion to judge the sins of the world.

V30 “Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me to know that to be chief is to serve others in need.

Luke 18: Are You A Publican?
Verse of the Day: V10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”

1. Pray (V1-8)
V1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

Jesus taught His disciples of a parable of a judge who feared not God and man, and refused to help a poor widow, yet finally acceded to her request for justice against her enemy, because she was so persistent in asking him for help. If an unjust judge could help a poor widow, how much more should we persist in praying to our God who loves us so much and shall surely hear and answer our prayers according to His will and for our good.

V7 “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”
      
2. Publican (V9-34)
V10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.”

Jesus taught His disciples of a parable of two men who went to the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other a publican or tax collector who was despised by the people because as a Jew he was collecting taxes on behalf of the Romans and was seen as a traitor. The Pharisee prayed and boasted of how much he had done for God while the publican pleaded with God to have mercy on him. However, God forgave the publican because he was humble, but God did not forgive the Pharisee because he was proud.

V14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
 
3. Praise (V35-43)
V42 “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

Jesus healed the blind beggar because he had great faith to believe that Jesus was the Son of David, and pleaded with Jesus to have mercy on him. After he received his sight, he immediately followed Jesus and glorified God. The people who witnessed the miracle also praised God. Indeed, let us praise God for who He is and what He has done for us.

V43 “And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please humble me as I am a publican, a sinner, saved by grace.

Luke 16: Where Will You Go?
Verse of the Day: V23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

1. Heart (V1-18)
V13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Jesus warned His disciple never to serve God and the world or the devil. Though they thought they could worship God publicly and sinned against God secretly, yet they failed to realise that God could see and know their hearts, and shall judge their sins and hypocrisy. We can only serve God because only He deserves our loyalty and devotion.

V15 “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”
      
2. Hell (V19-26)
V22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;”

Jesus taught the people of the life story of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed his life of sins on earth but when he died he suffered in hell forever, while Lazarus believed in God and suffered on earth but when he died he enjoyed heaven forever. Let us choose to believe in God like Lazarus, because it is far better to suffer on earth and enjoy heaven forever, than to enjoy sins on earth and suffer in hell forever.

V23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
 
3. Hear (27-31)
V27 “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:”

The rich man begged Abraham to raise Lazarus from the dead, and sent him to earth to warn his five brothers to repent of their sins, and believe in Jesus, and escape fiery hell. However Abraham told him that if his five brothers would not hear Moses and the prophets, how would they hear from Lazarus even though he was raised from the dead?

V31 “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am going to heaven because I believe in You.

Matthew 2

Verse of the Day:V10 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

1.  Star (V1-10)

V2 “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

The wise men who studied God’s word and prophecy knew that the moment of exceeding great joy would come when the Star which would appear in the East would be the time when the almighty God, the Father, shall send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews as well as the King of kings, to this earth to save the world from sins.

V10 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
 
2.  Seek (V11-14)

V13 “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

Herod, King of Judaea or King of the Jews, misunderstood that when the time of the star would appeared, it would be the time when Jesus would be born, and Jesus would be the one who would eventually dethrone him to be the next King of Judaea. Herod failed to realise that Jesus was not only the King of the Jews, but He is the King of kings, and His mission is to save the world from their sins. Instead of believing in Jesus, Herod ordered his men to seek and destroy Jesus. However God protected Jesus as He sent His angel to Joseph asking him to bring Jesus and his mother to flee to Egypt by night to escape death.  

V14 “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”

3.  Son (V15-23)

V15 “And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”

Prophet Hosea prophesied the return of Jesus (Israel), long before Jesus came out of Egypt after the death of Herod. God loved Jesus and all the people made in His image, and He sent Jesus into the world to die for the sins of the people, so that whosoever believes and trust in Jesus shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hosea 11:1)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, thank You that I know and trust in the Star, Jesus, the Son of God.

Matthew 1

Verse of the Day: V21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

1.  Joseph (V1-17)

V16 “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

Apostle Matthew, inspired by the Holy Ghost, declared the miraculous birth of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who shall save all the people from their sins if they repent their sins, and believe in Him. Jesus’ birth was miraculous because Mary, his mother, was a virgin, when she gave birth to Jesus. Mary’s husband, Joseph, accepted this miraculous birth by faith knowing that it was God’s love and redemption plan to save all the people from their sins, and that whosoever believes in Jesus shall not perish in the fiery pits of hell, but shall have everlasting life with God in the pearly gates of heaven.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
 
2.  Just (V18-20)

V18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

Joseph was a just man as he kept the miraculous birth privately as many might accuse him and Mary of having a child before their marriage. He could have called off the wedding but he truly believed that the child was of the Holy Ghost, and he continued to love and cherish Mary, and raised the child, Jesus Christ, in the way of God, the Father.

V19 “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”

3.  JESUS (V21-25)

V21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Joseph did not have any sexual relationship with Mary until she gave birth to her firstborn son, JESUS, who shall save all the people from their sins, that whosoever repents their sins and believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life in heaven.

V25 “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, thank You that I know Your Son, JESUS, who saves me from my sins.

Malachi 4

Verse of the Day:V4 “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”

1.  Stubble (V1)

V1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”

God through Prophet Malachi warned the people that there shall be the Day of Judgment where He shall judge all the people in the world whether they are righteous or wicked before Him. The humble and the righteous shall inherit eternal life, while the proud and the wicked shall be punished as stubble to be burned in the oven of hell forever and ever.

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)
 
2.  Sun (V2-3)

V2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

Malachi encouraged and comforted the people that the Sun of righteousness and the Shield who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, shall shine upon their lives and give them hope and peace, and heal their physical and spiritual sicknesses, and grow them in His Word, and give them grace and glory, and above all, bless them with many good things if they would believe in Him, and fear Him, and walk uprightly in His perfect will.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalms 84:11)

3.  Servant (V4-6)

V4 “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”

Malachi reminded the people that the Lord shall bless them if they would obey His commandments given by Moses, His servant. Though Moses was not a perfect servant and leader of Israel, and had failed in his leadership and walk with God, yet he never gave up, but kept serving the Lord until God took him home at the age of 120. Moses was so blessed of God that he was still in good health and had good eyesight before his death.

“And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” (Deuteronomy 34:7)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, please humble me and help me to serve You all the days of my life.

Malachi 4

Verse of the Day: V4 “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”

1.  Stubble (V1)

V1 “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”

God through Prophet Malachi warned the people that there shall be the Day of Judgment where He shall judge all the people in the world whether they are righteous or wicked before Him. The humble and the righteous shall inherit eternal life, while the proud and the wicked shall be punished as stubble to be burned in the oven of hell forever and ever.

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)
 
2.  Sun (V2-3)

V2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

Malachi encouraged and comforted the people that the Sun of righteousness and the Shield who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, shall shine upon their lives and give them hope and peace, and heal their physical and spiritual sicknesses, and grow them in His Word, and give them grace and glory, and above all, bless them with many good things if they would believe in Him, and fear Him, and walk uprightly in His perfect will.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalms 84:11)

3.  Servant (V4-6)

V4 “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”

Malachi reminded the people that the Lord shall bless them if they would obey His commandments given by Moses, His servant. Though Moses was not a perfect servant and leader of Israel, and had failed in his leadership and walk with God, yet he never gave up, but kept serving the Lord until God took him home at the age of 120. Moses was so blessed of God that he was still in good health and had good eyesight before his death.

“And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” (Deuteronomy 34:7)

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, please humble me and help me to serve You all the days of my life.

Malachi 3

Verse of the Day: V16 “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

1.  Refiner (V1-7)

V2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:”

Prophet Malachi prophesied the coming of the Lord and warned the people of Israel to get ready to meet God. The Lord shall come as a Refiner and Purifier of silver, and He shall judge all the people in the world whether they are righteous or wicked before Him.

V3 “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”

2.  Rob (V8-15)

V8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

The people denied that they had robbed God when He challenged them to give their tithes and offerings to Him. God then challenged them to prove Him. God promised them that He shall pour abundant blessings upon their lives and that they would be laying treasures in heaven, if they would give their tithes and offerings to Him. However they never thought of giving to God, as they only thought of laying treasures on earth for themselves.

V10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

3.  Remembrance (V16-18)

V16 “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

God has a book of remembrance where He kept His people’s names and their services done for Him. Let us fear the Lord, think upon Him and serve Him all the days of our life.

V18 “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”

Prayer of the Day:
 
Dearest God, please remember me and help me to serve You now and forever.

Malachi 2

Verse of the Day:V2 “If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.”

1.  Curse (V1-4)

V1 “And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.”

God through Prophet Malachi pronounced a curse upon the priests who did not give glory to Him for who He is, and what He has done for the people of Israel. At that time many priests doubted and disobeyed God, and many served Him for their own selfish gain. God never bless the hypocrites, but instead will send a curse upon them. Let us escape God’s curse by giving Him all the glory, and trusting and obeying Him with truth and sincerity.

V2 “If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.”

2.  Covenant (V5-13)

V5 “My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.”

The Lord covenanted with all the priests from the tribe of Levi that He shall only grant life and peace to those who fear Him and His name, and trust and obey Him. However the priests not only failed to fear God and His name, and trust and obey Him, but they caused many to stumble at the law, and depart from God who loves and cares for them.

V8 “But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.”

3.  Companion (V14-17)

V14 “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”

God reminded the married couples to remain faithful and loving to each other. God’s definition of marriage is not just two individuals accountable to each other, but rather three individuals, with the Lord as their witness. When God joins the man and the woman together, they become lifelong lovers and companions, until death does them apart.

“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one fleah. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6)

Prayer of the Day:
 
Dearest God, please help me to trust and obey You, and escape Your curse.

Malachi 1

Verse of the Day: V2 “I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,”

1.  Polluted (V1-9)

V2 “I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,”

The Almighty God through Prophet Malachi declared to the people of Israel (Jacob) that He truly loved them. However the people of Israel were ungrateful and unthankful, and they only pretended to love God. They offered polluted bread upon His altar assuming that the Lord would accept their offering. They failed to realise and understand that the Lord saw through their pretence and rebellion, and would never accept their polluted bread. It grieved the Lord that the people He truly loved would sin and rebel against Him.

V7 “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.”

2.  Pleasure (V10-11)

V10 “Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.”

God had no pleasure in the people of Israel because they were impure and insincere, and pretended to worship Him in order to receive His blessings. However God is not mocked, and He will never accept our worship unless we truly repent of our sins and hypocrisy.

V11 “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.”

3.  Profaned (V12-14)

V12 “But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.”

The people of Israel profaned and corrupted their worship before the Lord, their great King, and subsequently He severely judged and punished them for their sins and rebellion.

V14 “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.”

Prayer of the Day:

Dearest God, please help me to love You with a pure and sincere heart and mind.