Weekly Guide：Week 40
October 28, 2018
Forward
We continue the reading of the book of the Second Corinthians.
From this week’s reading, we’d see the life of Paul as example of a true disciple: Carried around in his body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus was revealed in his body; Wasted away outwardly, yet renewed day by day inwardly; Viewed lightly the momentary troubles outweighed by the unseen eternal glory. For the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven. Therefore, as disciples of Christ we must commit our hearts to live for the Lord, to please God, and give glory to Him. This is not to wage war as the world does but by the power of God. To build others and not to tear them down; To not boast in what others have done, but to boast in the Lord in the sphere of service God has assigned.; To worry in the faithfulness and purity of disciples’ belief; Never become a burden to anyone and to lower ourselves so that others may be elevated.
May God’s word renew you all each day!
Question
What should I keep in mind to have a God pleasing life?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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This is Paul’s life: carry with him Jesus’ death so that Jesus’ life may be revealed; while his body is decaying but his heart is renewed each day; set his focus on the eternal glory instead of temporary troubles; gaining the heavenly building in place of destructible earthly tent.
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Disciples of Jesus must commit to live for the Lord, to please God, and give glory to Him.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. This verse assures us while on earth, we may taste the joy of God’s grace when we’re surrounded by the temporary troubles so that we may be strengthened in faith and have hope for the eternal glory. The commitment of our hearts and the works of the Holy Spirit are inseparable. Do I have such experience? Is the Holy Spirit working or has worked in me to help me set my sight on the eternal home?
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Integrity - For we live by faith, not by sight. This verse clearly tells us to view lightly the troubles we see on earth but set sight on the eternal glory. What problems am I seeing? How are these problems troubling me and causing me to lose focus on the eternity?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is the life of an ambassador of Christ like?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Ambassadors of Christ appeal for God to others to reconcile with God.
- Ambassadors of Christ commend themselves as servants of God in every way.
- Ambassadors of Christ speak freely and open widely their hearts to others.
- Make examples of ambassadors of Christ, to sanctify, to purify, to fear God, to reconcile with God, and be Holy.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Ambassadors of Christ commend themselves as servants of God in every way. Think about verses 6:3-10. How did Paul reveal himself as servant of God? How should I live out my life as God’s servant?
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Fidelity - Ambassadors of Christ appeal to others to reconcile with God. What does it mean to appeal to others to reconcile with God? What does it remind me of those unbelievers whom I preach to and of those distressed fellow Christians whom I serve?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What does it mean to become sorrowful as God intended?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Become sorrowful as God intended won’t be harmed in anyway.
- Become sorrowful as God intended brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.
- Become sorrowful as God intended produces marvelous characters.
- Become sorrowful as God intended reveals a purified life.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The life of a Christian is a life of repentance. We are renewed in the Lord so that we may become sorrowful as God intended to produce a repenting heart instead of being sorrowful as the world for bearing the fruits of sin. What is it like being sorrowful as the world? What is it like being sorrowful as God intended? What is causing me to be sorrowful as the world? How should I turn that to being sorrowful as God intended?
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Fidelity - The God who comforts the downcast. Paul got comfort because some members of the Corinthian church repented for they were sorrowful as God intended. It was God’s transforming power brought joy and comfort to Paul. Is there anything in my daily life, be it work, family, marriage, or children, causing me to become sorrowful? How does Paul’s testimony help me turn to God for hope of joy and comfort?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What attitude shall we hold when giving in the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- We shall give willingly according to our God given ability.
- We shall give like Jesus for He was rich but became poor so that we may become rich through His poverty.
- We shall give as to sow seed to bear the fruit of righteousness.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - To help and give willingly to brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need is pleasing to God. Through giving willingly we practice being like Jesus who gave graciously. Let me pray for willing hearts in giving for myself and my family. Let me teach my children the meaning of “Freely you have received; freely give” and share our blessings with others.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What example of apostle did Paul give us?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Apostles do not wage war as the world does but by the power of God.
- Apostles build up others rather than tear them down.
- Apostles do not boast of work done by others but boast in the Lord in the sphere of service God has assigned.
- Apostles worry about the purity and faithfulness of the believers’ belief.
- Apostles lower themselves to elevate others and never become burdens.
- False apostles’ end will be what their actions deserve.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - What is the relationship between God and the true apostles as described by Paul? By what do they wage war? How do they follow God’s lead? What does it mean by boasting in God? Am I a true apostle?
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Community - How do true apostles treat limbs of the Christ’s body? What shall I do to build others up rather than tearing them down when there are conflicts between myself and others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What are the marks of Paul’s claim as an apostle?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Boasting on one’s own is foolish. Paul did not want to boast, but he boasted to demonstrate the marks of apostle. Paul suffered (11:23-33); Paul was given visions and revelations from the Lord (12:1-10); Paul persevered to demonstrate through signs, wonders, and miracles, the marks of apostle (12:12); Paul loved the church of Corinth as his own child (11:7-11, 12:14-18); He gave his all to build up others (12:19-21).
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Paul reminded all that by God given authority, apostles do not tolerate sins.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Paul’s self-depiction presented the life of a faithful servant of the Lord. He boasted in order for others to see clearly the marks of a true apostle. How do I distinguish between a true and a false apostle? What aspects of my life do I boast as being spiritual? What are superficial? Ask God to remove the foolish part of me so that I may boast in Him.
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Community - Paul’s harsh words came out of his love and his will to build others up. When a limb of Christ has sinned, we should point it out for love and to build up. Have I backed off for the fear of confrontation when someone has sinned? Do I point finger at others for being different or do I point out the truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Through what are we saved?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ We are elected through God's grace by faith.
+ We are elected through Jesus Christ who is the culmination of the laws and through His death and resurrection for us. Everyone who calls on His name will be saved. To call on His name, one needs to believe. To believe, one needs to hear gospel. To hear gospel, one needs to be preached.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Jews had zeal but no knowledge. Today, we have the knowledge but do we also have the zeal? What are the differences between the righteousness of man and the righteousness of God?
+ **Fidelity** - All who call on His name will be saved. But to call His name one must first believe. To believe one must first hear the gospel. To hear one must be preached. It is through God's sovereignty that we are elected. It is through God's grace that we believe. But it is our responsibility to preach. Are there people around me to whom I can preach and give them the opportunity to hear gospel?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God's election come to the Israelites and the Gentiles?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ There's a remnant of Israelites chosen by God's grace.
+ Because of the Israelites' transgression, the salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
+ By the depth and riches of His wisdom and knowledge, God's mercy has come to the Israelites as well as the Gentiles.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God's election is full of His wisdom and knowledge as well as His grace and mercy. We sometimes ask why He elected those who seemed wicked but not those who look to be moral. What does passage on the wisdom of His election remind and inspire me?
+ **Integrity** - They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. Do I look down on those who don't believe because I feel being superior? What does God's warning remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the life of one who's body is offered as living sacrifice?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
+ The life of a disciple is to serve according to one's gifts. To love others and overcome evil with good. Submit to governing authority. Clothe with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - A Christian's life should be filled with love. To love not only the fellow Christians but to love even those who are wicked as well as submit to those who have authority to govern. A Christian is to faithfully serve, to clothe in Jesus Christ, and not to submit to one's own fleshly desires. Which of the aforementioned is the most difficult for me? In what area do I need to pay more attention? Have I gained more understanding through reading today's passage?
+ **Fidelity** - The offerings in the Old Testament were first killed then burnt. How does the Living Sacrifice different from that? What does it mean to offer our bodies as Living Sacrifice? What kind of life is a Living Sacrifice?
+ **Fidelity** - In verse 12:1, this is your true and proper worship. How does this help me to have deeper understanding of the Living Sacrifice?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How should our attitude be toward our brothers and sisters in Christ?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Accept those whose faith are weak. Do not judge. Act in love. Do not cause others to stumble. Bear with the failings of the weak.
+ Serve Lord Jesus Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What matters in the Kingdom of God as described in verses 14:17-18? How does accepting the differences of the others relate to the life in Kingdom of God?
+ **Community** - Think about how Jesus Christ accepts us while we are still sinners. What is real acceptance when we face others? Think about how Jesus Christ bears our weaknesses and our failings. How should we bear the failings of the others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What kind of life did Paul display in his parting words?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul would not dare to mention anything outside of what Lord Jesus Christ called him to do.
+ Paul was determined to spread the gospel to the end of the earth.
+ Paul asked all believers to work with him and pray for him.
+ Paul advised all believers to greet each other, to watch out for those who serve their own appetite.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Paul explained the reasons for writing the letter and tasks he relegated to the Roman Christians in the closing words. From his writing, we can see fully that Paul's life is a testimony of the New Life in Christ.
What can I learn from Paul in offering my own body as Living Sacrifice to serve God? What can I learn from Paul to stand for truth, hate evil, and cling to good? What can I learn from Paul to love others as myself?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is wisdom and where does it come from?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul reminded the church of Corinth there should be no division and quarrel.
+ God wants the church to unite in mind and thought.
+ God uses the foolish things of the world instead of the wisdom of human to save those who believe.
+ God does not like those who proclaim to be wise.
+ God's people are taught His wisdom through the Holy Spirit for the wisdom of human does not understand the mystery of God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Have I had caused or even thought of division and quarrel? Let me ask God to help me unify with other Christians.
+ **Integrity** - I am a follower of Christ but still living in the infancy of my spiritual life? Pray and ask God to help me to have a God centered life instead of focusing on the world.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Through what are we saved?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ We are elected through God's grace by faith.
+ We are elected through Jesus Christ who is the culmination of the laws and through His death and resurrection for us. Everyone who calls on His name will be saved. To call on His name, one needs to believe. To believe, one needs to hear gospel. To hear gospel, one needs to be preached.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Jews had zeal but no knowledge. Today, we have the knowledge but do we also have the zeal? What are the differences between the righteousness of man and the righteousness of God?
+ **Fidelity** - All who call on His name will be saved. But to call His name one must first believe. To believe one must first hear the gospel. To hear one must be preached. It is through God's sovereignty that we are elected. It is through God's grace that we believe. But it is our responsibility to preach. Are there people around me to whom I can preach and give them the opportunity to hear gospel?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God's election come to the Israelites and the Gentiles?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ There's a remnant of Israelites chosen by God's grace.
+ Because of the Israelites' transgression, the salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.
+ By the depth and riches of His wisdom and knowledge, God's mercy has come to the Israelites as well as the Gentiles.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God's election is full of His wisdom and knowledge as well as His grace and mercy. We sometimes ask why He elected those who seemed wicked but not those who look to be moral. What does passage on the wisdom of His election remind and inspire me?
+ **Integrity** - They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. Do I look down on those who don't believe because I feel being superior? What does God's warning remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the life of one who's body is offered as living sacrifice?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
+ The life of a disciple is to serve according to one's gifts. To love others and overcome evil with good. Submit to governing authority. Clothe with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - A Christian's life should be filled with love. To love not only the fellow Christians but to love even those who are wicked as well as submit to those who have authority to govern. A Christian is to faithfully serve, to clothe in Jesus Christ, and not to submit to one's own fleshly desires. Which of the aforementioned is the most difficult for me? In what area do I need to pay more attention? Have I gained more understanding through reading today's passage?
+ **Fidelity** - The offerings in the Old Testament were first killed then burnt. How does the Living Sacrifice different from that? What does it mean to offer our bodies as Living Sacrifice? What kind of life is a Living Sacrifice?
+ **Fidelity** - In verse 12:1, this is your true and proper worship. How does this help me to have deeper understanding of the Living Sacrifice?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How should our attitude be toward our brothers and sisters in Christ?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Accept those whose faith are weak. Do not judge. Act in love. Do not cause others to stumble. Bear with the failings of the weak.
+ Serve Lord Jesus Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What matters in the Kingdom of God as described in verses 14:17-18? How does accepting the differences of the others relate to the life in Kingdom of God?
+ **Community** - Think about how Jesus Christ accepts us while we are still sinners. What is real acceptance when we face others? Think about how Jesus Christ bears our weaknesses and our failings. How should we bear the failings of the others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What kind of life did Paul display in his parting words?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul would not dare to mention anything outside of what Lord Jesus Christ called him to do.
+ Paul was determined to spread the gospel to the end of the earth.
+ Paul asked all believers to work with him and pray for him.
+ Paul advised all believers to greet each other, to watch out for those who serve their own appetite.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Paul explained the reasons for writing the letter and tasks he relegated to the Roman Christians in the closing words. From his writing, we can see fully that Paul's life is a testimony of the New Life in Christ.
What can I learn from Paul in offering my own body as Living Sacrifice to serve God? What can I learn from Paul to stand for truth, hate evil, and cling to good? What can I learn from Paul to love others as myself?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is wisdom and where does it come from?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul reminded the church of Corinth there should be no division and quarrel.
+ God wants the church to unite in mind and thought.
+ God uses the foolish things of the world instead of the wisdom of human to save those who believe.
+ God does not like those who proclaim to be wise.
+ God's people are taught His wisdom through the Holy Spirit for the wisdom of human does not understand the mystery of God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Have I had caused or even thought of division and quarrel? Let me ask God to help me unify with other Christians.
+ **Integrity** - I am a follower of Christ but still living in the infancy of my spiritual life? Pray and ask God to help me to have a God centered life instead of focusing on the world.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God fulfill the Israelite's effort in rebuilding the temple?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the second year of Darius's reign, the Lord raised up the prophets to prophesize to the Jews to restart the temple rebuilding.
+ Zerubbabel and Joshua set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
+ Dedication of the Temple
+ Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius the news of temple's rebuilding. By God's protection and the rebuilding continued without pause.
+ King Darius issued an order to prevent any disturbance to the temple's rebuilding and to provide all necessary funding and all that is needed for burnt offerings.
+ The temple was completed in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The Israelites returned from exile celebrated the Passover.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The rebuilding of the temple was paused for fourteen years because of the oppositions. Many of those who returned from exile might have lost their hope and enthusiasm. But, by God's own timetable, He re-energized His servant, turned around the situation, and completed the rebuilding in four years. Am I waiting for God? Do I feel the waiting has no end in sight? Seeing what God had done in the temple's rebuilding can I patiently and faithfully wait for His timing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the purpose Ezra taking the second wave of Israelites back to Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ During the seventh year of king Artaxerxes' reign, Ezra brought the second wave of Israelites return to Jerusalem.
+ God was with Ezra, caused Artaxerxes to provide Ezra everything he asked for and the gold and silver articles for worship in the temple, as well as the tax burdens of the Levites and priests.
+ Ezra called on the Levites to return to Jerusalem to serve in the temple.
+ Ezra refused the protection from Artaxerxes' soldiers but fasted and petitioned to God for protection.
+ The hand of God protected them from enemies and bandits along the way.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Ezra fasted to petition to God for protection and refused Artaxerxes' protection. He believed God is His only protector and provider. When I face challenges, do I first go to God? What did Ezra's faith remind me?
+ **Fidelity** - Ezra called on and prepared the right people to help him to serve God. Am I co-working with others in concert to serve God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Ezra lead all Israel to repent for their sins?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Israelites in Jerusalem, including Levites and priests, married gentiles and strayed away from God.
+ When Ezra heard this, he tore his tunic and cloak, pulled his hair from head and beard, and sat appalled. Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around Ezra fell on their knees with hands spread out to the Lord their God and prayed to repent their sins and guilt.
+ They encouraged Ezra to make a covenant with God to send away the foreign women whom they have married and their children. Ezra and all Israel took oath.
+ All Israel gathered in Jerusalem within three days. Ezra proclaimed the sins they have committed and led the way to repent to God. All people, greatly distressed, send their officials to act for the assembly, until the fierce anger of God in this matter had turned away.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Seventy years had span from the rebuilding of the temple to the second returning. Those in Jerusalem likely were the second generation of those who were in the first returning. They have forgotten their identity as God's chosen people, married foreign women and strayed away from God. Perhaps it was caused by the circumstances, or perhaps their parents did not teach them God's word. Am I committing the same mistake and compromising with the circumstances? Am I ignoring my responsibility to lead the next generation?
+ **Integrity** - After Ezra led the assembly in prayer and repentance, they spent several months and series of actions to deal with their sins. How is this reminding me of my sins? After praying in repentance, what actions do I take to deal with my sins?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Nehemiah start rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Nehemiah fasted and prayed for the land of his ancestors.
+ King Artaxerxes let Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.
+ Nehemiah inspected Jerusalem saw its wall lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire.
+ Nehemiah called the people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Nehemiah heard about the wall of Jerusalem and fasted and prayed. What attitude can I see from him toward his country and people? Do I prioritize serving God higher than my own needs?
+ **Fidelity** - Nehemiah was a leader and did not act in recklessness. What spiritual principles can I learn from him? How may I apply what I learned in my daily life and service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the people work together to rebuild the wall?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The people worked together to rebuild the gates in order.
+ Sanballat became angry and was greatly incensed when he heard that the Israelites were rebuilding the wall.
+ Sanballat plotted to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
+ The enemies did not come when they heard that the Israelites were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Sanballat was incensed when he heard about the Israelite's plan. Am I discouraged by my own weakness? How may I be strengthened and encouraged?
+ **Fidelity** - Rebuilding the wall is a long and arduous process. But it was rebuilt in fifty-two days. What does work sharing means to God's kingdom? Are the challenges remaining in my co-working with others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Forward
We continue to read the book of Nehemiah this week. The attacks from their enemies escalated when Nehemiah's plan was going well. The Israelites worked in the daytime and took on defensive positions at night. They had to bear arms when went out for water. We often have to work relentlessly when we are in pursuit of something valuable. Going backward is not a meaningful choice when facing challenges, but success is brought by perseverance.
Those who persevere will be saved. It is not that they are never under pressure or without doubts, but from the Holy Spirit, they receive the strength to continue. Persevere in faith, in His word, to build on a solid and unshakable foundation, to hold fast the original believe, would be victorious in Christ.
May you all be renewed each day in God's word!
### Question
What was the reaction of all surrounding nations when the wall was completed?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The people raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews because they are living in poverty.
+ Nehemiah was very angry when he heard this outcry.
+ For the twelve years Nehemiah was appointed the governor in the land of Judah, he never ate the food allotted to the governor.
+ When the enemies heard Nehemiah had rebuilt the wall, they schemed to harm him.
+ The wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
+ When all enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Nehemiah accused the nobles and the officials that they were charging their own people's interest. May we tell the truth with love to those who are doing things not pleasing the Lord? What do I need to be careful about?
+ **Fidelity** - Nehemiah was responsible and diligent in his service because he understood the importance of his ministry. How do I value my own service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses