Pentecost • 26

reading for: Tuesday Night, 12 November

Mark 13:1-8

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: Mark 13:1-8

    “5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.” - Mark 13:5-8

  • Commentary

    Today we are reading the first part of Mark’s version of the Olivet discourse. The setting for the discourse is that Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, having gone there after exiting the temple. In fact, the conversation started probably as they were making their way to the Mount of Olives. One of Jesus’s disciples, looking at the temple, pointed out the wonderful stones and buildings of the temple. The temple that he was pointing to was not Solomon’s temple, for that has been destroyed, but the rebuilt temple. Jesus immediately replied that these great buildings that they see will be thrown down, and not one stone would be left upon another.

    Verse 3 tells us that Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple where Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him when these things would be and what would be the sign when all these things were about to be accomplished. In context, Jesus and those disciples were referring to the statement that Jesus just made that there would be no stone left upon another, meaning that the temple would be destroyed. Jesus then began to say to them that there would be many who would come in Jesus' name and lead many astray, and they would hear of wars and rumours of wars. They were not to be alarmed. They will see nation rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. Earthquakes will abound in many places, and there will be great famine. Jesus then concludes that these are but the beginnings of birth pangs.

    The events spoken of in this chapter can refer to 70 AD, in which the temple was destroyed, and many were persecuted in the 60s AD. Many apostles were persecuted in those times. However, the events in this chapter do not merely refer to those living in the 60s AD but remain relevant for all time as we await the return of the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. In the modern world today, we still hear of wars and rumours of wars. There are many false christs and false prophets who constantly lead us away from Christ.

    The main point to note is that Jesus is coming back with great power and great glory, sending out the angels and gathering his elect from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. There will be suffering and tribulation before His return, but the Church is to be on guard and not be led astray.

  • Reflect

    Are we looking forward to the coming of Christ? Are we on our guard?

    Prayer

    Father, may we be hopeful and expectant for the future coming of your Son Jesus Christ, who will come again with great power and glory to gather us. Help us to be on our guard and not be led astray by the false christs and prophets. Amen.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 13 November

1 Samuel 1:4-20

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: 1 Samuel 1:4-20

    1 Samuel 1:10

    “And she was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.”

  • Commentary

    In 1 Samuel 1:4-20, we see Hannah’s heart laid bare. She is distressed, childless, and taunted by those around her. But Hannah’s response is powerful: she doesn’t withdraw or lash out—she turns to God in raw, honest prayer. Her story is a beautiful reminder of how we can come to God with our deepest pains, trusting in His sovereignty even when the future is uncertain.

    Last Sunday, Pastor Francis shared on Psalm 146, urging us to cultivate a life of praise and trust in God. He reminded us that, like the Israelites who returned from exile, we’re on a journey where faith and hope are our anchors. Psalm 146 teaches us to place our hope in God, who keeps His promises and cares deeply for those who are vulnerable.

    At Centre of New Life (CNL), we’ve been on a similar spiritual journey—learning to rely on God in every season. Trials will come, and sometimes, like Hannah, we may feel the weight of unanswered prayers. But, as Pastor Francis encouraged, our faith is strengthened not by the absence of troubles but by trusting God through them.

    Hannah’s story isn’t just about receiving what she longed for. It’s about what happens in the waiting—how her faith grew, how she discovered a deeper intimacy with God, and how she ultimately released her son to Him. Her journey mirrors our call to place all our trust in God’s hands, to believe that His timing and plans are perfect.

     

  • Reflect

    In moments of pain or uncertainty, do you turn to God with the same honesty and trust as Hannah did?

  • Prayer

    "O Lord, grant me the grace to rest in You amid life’s storms. Teach me to trust Your timing and Your ways, even when I don’t understand. Like Hannah, may my faith grow stronger as I wait upon You."

     

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 14 November

Hebrews 10:11-25

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference : Hebrews 10:11-25

    “19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:19-25

  • commentary

    Hebrews speaks of Jesus as the high priest that has entered into heaven and has made a way for us to enter the holy places, to be in the presence of God. This way that he opened for us is through his flesh and blood, dying on the cross for us and rising again. He is our great priest.

    Hebrews exhorts us to enter the holy places with confidence. He desires for us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies washed with pure water. In other words, God desires for us to come close to Him and be in His presence and not be far from Him.

    Hebrews continue to exhort us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. God desires us to remain hopeful in Him and not lose heart despite the challenges that we go through.

    Third, Hebrews teaches us to stir up one another to love and good works. He does not want us to neglect to meet together but to continually encourage one another as we see the Day draw near.

  • Reflect

    Are we entering into the holy places regularly? Let’s wake up strong, don’t go to bed wrong and pause in your day to pray. By doing so, we are continually entering into the holy places.

  • Prayer

    Father, help us to draw near to you with a true heart, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water through the flesh and blood of your son Jesus who died on the cross for us and rose again. Amen.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 15 November

1 Samuel 2:1-10

  • ReAD

    Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 2:1-10

    1 Samuel 2:2

    There is no Holy One like the LORD, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

  • COMMENTARY

    Do you truly know the name of the LORD your God? Do you know Him like you know a close family member?

    Our God has a name and there is no one else like Him. He is Holy like no other. That's why Jesus taught us in the very beginning of his prayer that we are to hallow His name. For He is Holy and there is no one else like Him.

    As we see in the example of Hannah’s prayer and request, who else would notice the poor and needy? Much less lift them up to sit with princes and take up a seat of honour. (V.8)

    Who else has the power to make one rich or poor?

    Who else can bring someone low or lift someone up? (V.7)

    Who else has the power to give life and end life? (V.6)

    Only the LORD our God, our Father in Heaven who is Holy. Only He who is like our Rock.

  • Reflect

    How do you address your Heavenly Father in your prayers? Do you refer to him as God or Lord? Or do you call Him Father?

  • Prayer

    Our Father in Heaven,

    Hallowed be Your Name,

    You alone are worth, You alone are deserving of all honour.

    Your name is worthy to be praised.

    Be my rock and take centre place in my heart Father.

    In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Season of LentCNL