Weekly Guide：Week 39
October 21, 2018
Forward
We continue to read the Book of First Corinthians this week.
The church in Corinth was full of problems. Disciples are gathered in church by gospel and should love each other, however, discord and isolation impede our ability to testify for gospel. A mature church accepts all people, of different races, nationalities, social status, backgrounds, and unites in direction and key decisions making where most members can understand and agree to.
Loving endurance and faithful grace are necessary for bringing forth the gospel. This means we need to let go of our self-interests, to put ourselves in others’ shoes, to benefit others. Our willingness to learn unfamiliar songs, to care about others more than self, and to exhibit the life transformed by the gospel naturally, are what the world needs to see from us as our testaments to gospel.
My God’s word renew you all each day!
Question
Why did Paul raise the question of covering and supper?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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It was a tradition of the time to wear head covering. Paul suggested women of the period should cover their heads.
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Remember the Lord and examine oneself during the Lord’s Supper before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
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When eating together, we ought to wait for each other.
Meditation: My Story
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts from God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Spiritual gifts are given to individuals by the will of the Holy Spirit.
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We are all members of one body, baptized by one Spirit into one body, and all made to drink into the one spirit.
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Without love and not used to benefit others, gifts, no matter how great, are nothing.
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What we know and what we prophesize are limited. Only when that which is perfect has come, then there will be no more limits.
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It is a spiritual gift to be able to speak in tongues but it is of no benefit if the listener cannot understand.
Meditation: My Story
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Community - What is love? Am I loving my Christian brothers and sisters by God’s standard?
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Fidelity - Every member of the body has their unique gifts. What are my spiritual gifts? Am I willing to benefit the church with my gifts?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why is Jesus’ death and resurrection so significant?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Paul reiterated the gospel to correct the false view of those who did not believe Jesus’ resurrection.
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The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates God’s power.
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Paul used to persecute the church then became the smallest of the apostles. Through God’s grace, he became an important vessel of God’s purpose.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - How do I see death? Do I believe in resurrection? Why?
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Fidelity - Paul reminded us to stand firm, let nothing move us. Always give us fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Am I serving the Lord with such a strong mind and faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How should we assist each other?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Can I stand firm on the truth? Do I have a mature spiritual life or is it still in its infancy?
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Integrity - Do I have the love to assist financially those brothers and sisters in need?
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Fidelity - The household of Stephanas were devoted to the service of the Lord’s people. Am I following their example?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How do the outer suffering from outside and the inner misery enrich those who have faith in God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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God is the Father of compassion and God of all comfort. As we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. With this suffering and comforting we may comfort those who are suffering.
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We are not to grieve each other, but with a firm love, bring joy to each other in the Lord.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - Christian life is not always smooth sailing. What is suffering in Christ when the distress comes? How do I submit to God’s purpose and become comfort for others?
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Community - Is the joy in Lord for the other Christians the goal of my relationship with them? Do I prioritize my own defense when being wronged? When others have done wrong, do I prioritize the enforcement of righteousness on them over their repentance and acceptance of God’s salvation?
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Integrity - What should be the source and basis of my plans? What promises can I give to others? What should be the basis of my promises?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How do we demonstrate Christ’s glory and aroma as Christians under the New Covenant?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Paul and his co-workers spoke of Christ before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. And God lead them as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and used them to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.
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Paul and his co-workers are ministers of a new covenant, of the Spirit, of the righteousness, and of the long-lasting glory. The Spirit of God causes us to be like Him with His glory upon glory.
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We are to preach Christ as Lord God so that the light of His glory may shine in people hearts.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - Whether others believe or not what we preach, we’d have the aroma of Christ as long as we preach Christ with sincerity before God. What does “before God with sincerity as sent from God” mean? What does this remind and encourage me in my service and preaching? Do I boast for their conversion? Am I depressed for their resistance?
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Fidelity - What’s the difference between the glory of Moses and the glory of the ministry of the New Covenant? What is the result of the glory of the ministry of the New Covenant? What hope does it bring to me knowing this everlasting and life transforming glory? How does this hope help me preach the truth with courage? What does “commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” mean?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does a sinner become righteous?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Man's unfaithfulness does not diminish God's faithfulness. Our unrighteousness makes more apparent God's righteousness.
+ There is no one righteous. All are under God's judgment.
+ Through God's grace and Jesus' salvation, those who are faithful are declared righteous.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are given righteousness. What is my value as being declared righteous? What should be the focus of my life to be commensurate with this value?
+ **Fidelity** - Should God not judge us for our sins if God's righteousness is made more apparent by our unrighteousness? Since God's elected would stand up even after they fall, should those who cause them to stumble argue with God? How should I serve God whole heartedly without looking for excuses?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why can't we claim righteousness for our work?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Righteousness comes not from works.
+ Righteousness comes not from religious ceremonies and formalities.
+ Righteousness comes not from obeying the laws.
+ Righteousness comes by faith alone so that we can reconcile with God and be saved by God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What does it mean to reconcile with God? How have I gone against God before I became a believer? How have I reconciled with Him afterward?
+ **Community** - Righteousness does not come from our works, nor from obeying the laws, nor from religious ceremonies, but from faith and from faith alone. The Jews emphasized on their works, their ceremonies, their relentless pursuing of the law to the letters, and looked down on the gentiles. Have I fallen into the same trap and look down on those who are yet to believe the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the source of sin? What is the source of righteousness?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Sin and death entered the world to all people through Adam for he sinned once.
+ Life and grace came to all people where all may be declared righteous through Jesus Christ for His one righteous act.
+ Grace wins over sin, Righteousness reigns in life through grace wins over sin which reigns by death.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God's grace is greater than Adam's sin so that we may win over sin in our daily lives through grace. Do I have any sin that I'm unable to overcome? Trust God and ask Him for His grace to overcome my sin.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How to unite with Jesus Christ to escape from sin through Him?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Through baptism, we die with Jesus Christ; Through His resurrection, we live by uniting with Him and live to be like Him.
+ Dead to sin. Alive in Christ. Offer ourselves as obedient slaves to righteousness.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What does dead mean in dead to sin? What does alive mean in alive in Christ? How does these remind me what should my attitude toward sin be while facing the stubborn sins of mine? How do I unite with Christ to escape from the authority of sin?
+ **Walking with God** - Is there any area of my life where I submit to my fleshly desires and let sin reign? What does it mean to offer myself as a slave to righteousness?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What identity do we receive through the Holy Spirit?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The law of sin causes us to die through the law of righteousness. However, the law of the Spirit releases us in Christ to free us from the law of death.
+ Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the adoption to sonship as glorious descendants. With Holy Spirit praying for us, God helping us, and with us in Christ, there's nothing can separate us from the love of Christ!
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - We struggle as the law of sin battles in our heart with the law of God. How do I rely on the law of the Spirit to gain freedom in Christ? What does it mean to serve the flesh and to serve the Holy Spirit? Have I experienced fleshly suffering in exchange with peace through the Holy Spirit?
+ **Identity** - There's nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Do I see my value in the eyes of God from the description of God's love in verses 8:31-39. Let's remember how God loves us! Have I looked down upon myself due to the influence of the world? Likewise, have I looked down upon others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
By whose sovereignty does God elect?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God's election is by His promise which never fails.
+ God's election is by His calling rather than our works.
+ God's election comes from His mercy rather than our will and endeavor.
+ It is by God's sovereignty a vessel may be elected and given glory.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - If it is God's will to elect then why are we punished for our sins? Same question was asked in Paul's time and continued to be asked now. What was Paul's answer? Let me try to explain it with my own words so I can provide a clear explanation when asked.
+ **Integrity** - Paul's love for the Jews is seen in the verse 9:3 even though he was being persecuted by them! This is not a fleshly love, not a worldly love, but a Godly love. Are there people in my life who are unlovable? They might have misunderstood or hurt me. But let me pray and ask the Lord for a merciful heart to help me love through Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does a sinner become righteous?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Man's unfaithfulness does not diminish God's faithfulness. Our unrighteousness makes more apparent God's righteousness.
+ There is no one righteous. All are under God's judgment.
+ Through God's grace and Jesus' salvation, those who are faithful are declared righteous.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are given righteousness. What is my value as being declared righteous? What should be the focus of my life to be commensurate with this value?
+ **Fidelity** - Should God not judge us for our sins if God's righteousness is made more apparent by our unrighteousness? Since God's elected would stand up even after they fall, should those who cause them to stumble argue with God? How should I serve God whole heartedly without looking for excuses?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why can't we claim righteousness for our work?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Righteousness comes not from works.
+ Righteousness comes not from religious ceremonies and formalities.
+ Righteousness comes not from obeying the laws.
+ Righteousness comes by faith alone so that we can reconcile with God and be saved by God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What does it mean to reconcile with God? How have I gone against God before I became a believer? How have I reconciled with Him afterward?
+ **Community** - Righteousness does not come from our works, nor from obeying the laws, nor from religious ceremonies, but from faith and from faith alone. The Jews emphasized on their works, their ceremonies, their relentless pursuing of the law to the letters, and looked down on the gentiles. Have I fallen into the same trap and look down on those who are yet to believe the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the source of sin? What is the source of righteousness?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Sin and death entered the world to all people through Adam for he sinned once.
+ Life and grace came to all people where all may be declared righteous through Jesus Christ for His one righteous act.
+ Grace wins over sin, Righteousness reigns in life through grace wins over sin which reigns by death.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God's grace is greater than Adam's sin so that we may win over sin in our daily lives through grace. Do I have any sin that I'm unable to overcome? Trust God and ask Him for His grace to overcome my sin.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How to unite with Jesus Christ to escape from sin through Him?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Through baptism, we die with Jesus Christ; Through His resurrection, we live by uniting with Him and live to be like Him.
+ Dead to sin. Alive in Christ. Offer ourselves as obedient slaves to righteousness.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What does dead mean in dead to sin? What does alive mean in alive in Christ? How does these remind me what should my attitude toward sin be while facing the stubborn sins of mine? How do I unite with Christ to escape from the authority of sin?
+ **Walking with God** - Is there any area of my life where I submit to my fleshly desires and let sin reign? What does it mean to offer myself as a slave to righteousness?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What identity do we receive through the Holy Spirit?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The law of sin causes us to die through the law of righteousness. However, the law of the Spirit releases us in Christ to free us from the law of death.
+ Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the adoption to sonship as glorious descendants. With Holy Spirit praying for us, God helping us, and with us in Christ, there's nothing can separate us from the love of Christ!
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - We struggle as the law of sin battles in our heart with the law of God. How do I rely on the law of the Spirit to gain freedom in Christ? What does it mean to serve the flesh and to serve the Holy Spirit? Have I experienced fleshly suffering in exchange with peace through the Holy Spirit?
+ **Identity** - There's nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Do I see my value in the eyes of God from the description of God's love in verses 8:31-39. Let's remember how God loves us! Have I looked down upon myself due to the influence of the world? Likewise, have I looked down upon others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
By whose sovereignty does God elect?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God's election is by His promise which never fails.
+ God's election is by His calling rather than our works.
+ God's election comes from His mercy rather than our will and endeavor.
+ It is by God's sovereignty a vessel may be elected and given glory.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - If it is God's will to elect then why are we punished for our sins? Same question was asked in Paul's time and continued to be asked now. What was Paul's answer? Let me try to explain it with my own words so I can provide a clear explanation when asked.
+ **Integrity** - Paul's love for the Jews is seen in the verse 9:3 even though he was being persecuted by them! This is not a fleshly love, not a worldly love, but a Godly love. Are there people in my life who are unlovable? They might have misunderstood or hurt me. But let me pray and ask the Lord for a merciful heart to help me love through Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the temple in Hezekiah's eyes?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Hezekiah reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done.
+ Hezekiah brought in the priests and the Levites, asked them to consecrate themselves and the temple of the Lord to remove all defilement from the sanctuary.
+ Early the next morning King Hezekiah sacrificed offerings for the sanctuary and for Judah. The king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. They sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.
+ Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. The whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month.
+ There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Hezekiah called on the priests and Levites not to be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen them to stand before Him and serve Him. How am I encouraging my fellow Christians to serve the Lord today?
+ **Integrity** - Hezekiah sent word to Israel to invite them to turn back to God and worship the Lord in the temple. How should I help those who are weak in faith and those who have sinned to turn back to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What good and right did Hezekiah do?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israelites went out to the towns of Judah, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. They destroyed the high places and the altars.
+ Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions-each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites-to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord's dwelling.
+ The Israelites dedicated to the Lord in great amount a tithe of all that the fields produced and a tithe of their herds and flocks.
+ Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
+ Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He slandered against the Lord God and His servant Hezekiah when laying a siege to Lachish.
+ King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace and some of his sons cut him down with the sword.
+ Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor for God had given him very great riches.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Israelites had great joy when they worshiped the Lord and celebrated the festivals and their spirits were renewed, as well. What is my worship life like? How is it bring about the renewal of my spiritual life?
+ **Identity** - When the Israelites' spirits were renewed, they gave generously the tithe to the Lord. How is my spiritual situation reflected in my tithe?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Under what circumstance did Manasseh turn back to the Lord?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Manasseh reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.
+ In his distress Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to Him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.
+ Manasseh got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.
+ Amon he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Josiah reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, purged Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols, and restored the temple of the Lord.
+ Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. Then the king called together all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord.
+ Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to the covenant of God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - In his distress Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord and humbled before Him and God saved him. How do I view God's discipline? Complain or repent?
+ **Integrity** - What did Manasseh do after he repented? What did I do? What is true repentance?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Judah go into exile?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. He provided the sacrifices to the people and the priests and Levites.
+ Necho king of Egypt went up and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. Josiah would not listen to what Necho had said at God's command. Archers shot King Josiah and he died.
+ Jehoahaz son of Josiah and became king in Jerusalem in place of his father. The king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem.
+ Jehoiakim reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked him and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
+ Jehoiachin reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Babylon, together with articles of value from the temple of the Lord, and he made Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, king over Judah and Jerusalem.
+ Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, carried them to Babylon.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What role did the Babylonians play in the history of Israel? Who was in control of history? How do I view the events in my country and around the world?
+ **Identity** - The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Why did He put Judah into exile? How do I understand His compassion and grace?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God fulfill the promise to return the Israelites to Jerusalem from exile the first time?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ To fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia. He made a proclamation to let the Israelites to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
+ God moved the heart of fifty thousand Israelites to return to Jerusalem in company with Zerubbabel. They prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
+ King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Nearly fifty thousand Israelites (most of them likely were the next generation born in Babylon) were moved and obeyed God, to leave the familiar land, to leave their livelihood, to accompany Zerubbabel, trekking a long way, through all difficulties, to go back to the unfamiliar homeland to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Do I know that I am of the people of God, even though the journey of life is filled with struggles and the world is full of temptations, I still am aiming wholeheartedly to go through the narrow door which leads to the promises of God?
+ **Integrity** - God accomplished His plan according to His timetable. Seventy years after the Israelites' exile, God fulfilled His word spoken through Jeremiah, to move the heart of Cyrus king of Persia, and by his hands contributed to the return. Do I believe God has a great plan for me and would accomplish it according to His time table? Pray to God to give me faith in Him and wait for His timing.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ After returning to Jerusalem, the Israelites came together to rebuild the altar, sacrificed offerings each day, and celebrate the sacred festivals of the Lord.
+ In the second year, Zerubbabel led the people to begin the work on the temple. When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, and the sound was heard far away.
+ They refused to let their enemies to join in the temple rebuilding. So their enemies set out to work against them and to frustrate their plans
+ The rebuilding effort was stopped until the reign of Darius. The opposition continued until the reign of Xerxes and the reign of Artaxerxes.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - When laying the foundation, the people shouted to the Lord. Some with shouts of joy and some wept. We react differently to the same thing because we have different experiences. How may I accept other's view points and try to understand them?
+ **Integrity** - Israelites refused their enemies' request to rebuild the temple and brought opposition to their rebuilding effort and caused it to stop. In real life, have I experienced unreasonable attack because of my refusal to offend God? How did God strengthen my faith?
+ **Fidelity** - The Israelites rebuilt the altar together and renewed their offering before the temple reconstruction began. How am I building my relationship with God and make it the foundation of my life and serving the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses