Weekly Guide：Week 75
June 30, 2019
Forward
Many of you have been endeavoring in God’s word each day while some might have had trouble keeping up due to busy schedule. No worry, you can always catch up and continue the journey. Bible study is a lifetime’s work, you may start anytime but shall never stop.
In the second half of this year, we’ll complete the books of the prophets, both major and minor prophets. If you are not familiar with the books of the prophets, this is a perfect chance to get started. Let us absorb God’s will and wisdom from these books.
This week, we continue with the Book of Isaiah. The book of Isaiah is loved by many. It is full of God’s promises to give us comfort and encouragement. When we hear the warmth of God’s calling “my people” our relationship with Him and privilege as the chosen ones from the entire universe made by God become even sweeter. We are His and He had done for us more than anything among His created; He even sacrificed His own Son to bring us closer to Him.
Let us open our wounded hearts, standing by our precious identity, hold on to the scared hands of Jesus with humbleness, and listen to God calling us “my people.” He will not only strengthen us, protect us, but will tenderly look after our emotions, supply us our daily needs, and ensure that we have an abundant life. Just as a loving father worrying about his children’s conducts, comforting their tearful eyes and broken hearts, caressing their sunken and disappointed heads, He comforts us, as “my people.”
May you all be renewed each day in God’s word!
Question
Why did the Lord raise up Cyrus?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself.
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This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him.
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I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free.
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Turn to the Lord and be saved, all of us ends of the earth; for He is God, and there is no other.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Does the clay say to the potter, “What are you making?” Does your work say, “The potter has no hands?” We shall obey under God’s sovereignty knowing He had created us and is the source of our peace. What doubt do I still have for Him and wondering why something happens not to my liking? Call out to God and try to accept His sovereignty over that “thing.”
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the end of Babylon?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The idols of Babylon cannot be saved, they will all go off into captivity.
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Listen to me, Israel, I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
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With whom will you compare God or count Him equal?
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God make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
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Babylon will be defeated. They showed Israel no mercy. Even on the aged they laid a very heavy yoke.
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Babylonians are lovers of pleasure, lounging in their own security and saying to themselves, “I am, and there is none besides me.” Therefore, woe to them.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - God promised: “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.” These loving words have encouraged many, given them hope. Put these words into my heart and become my strength.
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Integrity - God condemned Babylon: “You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’” Do I believe no one sees my improper behavior? Let me repent before God without reservation, because He knows everything and sees my heart.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How does the Lord call His people to repent and return to Him?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Rebuke all those who take oaths in the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel-but not in truth or righteousness.
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Rebuke all those who are treacherous and were rebellious from birth.
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The Lord for His name’s sake delays His wrath; for the sake of His praise He holds it back from them.
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Calling all to listen to the Lord, Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - We benefit from the Lord’s teaching and from His leading us to walk on the His way. If we obey, we’d be blessed because fearing God is the beginning of wisdom. Do I fear Him in how I act and am willing to seek His will? Or, do I just go my own way by my own will? Why is it that I sometimes don’t listen to Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What are the attributes of the Lord’s servant?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Before I was born the Lord called me. I have labored in vain. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.
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The Lord who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and my God has been my strength.
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The Lord wants His servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and will also make him a light for the Gentiles, that His salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
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He will keep him and will make him to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land.
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Can a mother forget the baby at her breast? The Lord have engraved His people on the palms of His hands.
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The Lord’s servant would be persecuted, but the Lord would help him so that he would not be disgraced and put to shame.
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Trust in the name of the Lord and rely on our God.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - God never forgets us and never forsakes us: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Let me remember His promise and be strengthened through His word.
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Fidelity - When the servant of the Lord is being looked down upon, he knows the Lord will help him, so he is not disgraced nor ashamed. Have I ever been looked down upon in my service to the Lord? Let me receive strength and glory from Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is it like when salvation comes to Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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You who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord, think about His calling and blessing.
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The Lord will surely comfort Zion. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
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Listen, people. Instruction will go out from Him. His arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to Him and wait in hope for His arm.
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Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; sorrow and sighing will flee away.
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Jerusalem shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive.
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Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem. The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. My righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.” & goto :_no_skip
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - God wants us: “Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults.” Am I afraid of the “mere mortals” in my heart? Or, do I have hatred when others hurt me? Let me hand off my grievances to God and let Him bring justice and righteousness.
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Fidelity - How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation. Am I a true ambassador of the Gospel? Who else may I share the good news with and testify for His glory?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How does the Lord’s servant suffer for us for our sins?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The appearance of the Lord’s servant was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness. But, he will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
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The Lord’s servant had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
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He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, familiar with pain, and we held him in low esteem.
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Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
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He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth.
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Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin. The will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
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After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - The Lord’s servant had no beauty or majesty to attract us. His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness. But he will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Our true value is not determined through our outward appearance. Do I value how others see me more than how God sees me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Daniel different?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ An eagle is over the house of the Lord because the people have broken the Lord's covenant and rebelled against His law.
+ With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! The Lord's anger burns against them.
+ Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; But God will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses.
+ Threshing floors and winepresses will not feed the people. They will not remain in the Lord's land; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; But God will send fire. Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. For things I build, do I lean on God or by my own effort?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Ephraim is blighted for what reason?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, they yield no fruit.
+ Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. Their heart is deceitful. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.
+ They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.
+ Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord wants us to sow righteousness for ourselves so we may reap the fruit of unfailing love. It is now the time to seek the Lord. Am I treating others and myself with justice? Do I do everything by seeking the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God lead Israel with the cord of human kindness and ties of love?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When Israel was a child, God loved him, and called him out of Egypt.
+ But the more they were called, the more they went away from God. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.
+ A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans.
+ They will follow the Lord; He will roar like a lion. When he roars, His children will come trembling from the west.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them He was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek and bent down to feed them. How does this help me to see and understand God's love?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What sins did Ephraim commit?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ephraim pursues multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
+ The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.
+ Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger; his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed.
+ Ephraim became guilty of Baal worship. Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver.
+ When God fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot God.
+ The guilt of Ephraim is stored up, his sins are kept on record. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.
+ Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Israelites were satisfied when God fed them; when they were satisfied, the became proud; then they forgot God. By whom are we fed? Do I give thanks to God or am I proud of my own success?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Israel pray for in their return to God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The prophet advises Israel to return to their God. Ask Him to forgive all their sins and receive them graciously.
+ God will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for His anger has turned away from them.
+ Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - In their prayer returning to God, the Israelites asked God to Forgive all their sins and receive them graciously, that they may offer the fruit of their lips. Do I often offer my repentance through my prayer?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What comes to those who are humble and those who mock?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The pride of Ephraim is like the fading flower.
+ In that day, the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of His people.
+ The Lord lays a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.
+ The prophet reminds people to not mock, or their chains will become heavier.
+ These people come near to the Lord with their mouth and honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from the Lord. Their worship of the Lord is based on merely human rules they have been taught.
+ The humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - In the last days, woe will come to those who hide their plans from the Lord. Am I walking in the light?
+ **Identity** - In the last days, those who laugh and mock at the prophets will be rebuked by the Lord. Do I fear the Lord in my action and speech?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus reveal His identity?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In Caesarea Philippi, Peter said to Jesus "You are the Messiah." Jesus predicted His death and resurrection for the first time.
+ The price to pay for being a disciple is to deny themselves and take up their crosses and follow Jesus.
+ Jesus went up to a high mountain and transfigured. He stood with Moses and Elijah.
+ Disciples couldn't drive out the demon from a possessed boy revealed the unbelieving generation.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Peter's spiritual life seemed to have fallen to bottom of the valley when Jesus predicted his denials compared to the time he proclaimed Him as the Messiah. Is my spiritual life high on the peak of the mount or in the bottom of the valley? Am I following God's will or my own desires?
+ **Identity** - Jesus taught us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses to follow Him as the only way to receive true life. That is, we need to give up ourselves to gain ourselves. What do I need to give up today? What have I received already?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the important events on the way to Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus again predicted His own death and resurrection.
+ Disciples argued amongst themselves who would be the greatest. Jesus talked about the attitude needed of the disciples.
+ Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection the third time.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus taught disciples, anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. This is a total opposite from the world's view of success and status. Am I willing to accept this teaching? Can I do it? What is the biggest challenge?
+ **Community** - When Jesus talked about marriage, He said: "What God has joined together, let no one separate." How do I understand this teaching? Do I stand behind the vow I took, view my marriage as a vessel in our sanctification, and grow together spiritually with my other half through love?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus enter Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus entered Jerusalem gloriously and drove out those traders who desecrated the temple.
+ The sandwich-structured writing indicates the connection between the curse of fig tree and clearing of the temple courts which might be viewed as Jesus' prediction of the temple and Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus said it would be ours whatever we ask for in prayer and believe that we have received (11:24.) Do I understand the relationship between my faith and identity? Do I understand why faith can move mountain?
+ **Integrity** - Instead of worshiping, the temple was being used by thieves as hiding place of their evil acts. Our bodies as God's temple may also be desecrated by our sinning nature. Do I have any thoughts or behaviors need to be cleansed by the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus debate with the priests, teachers of the law and elders in the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the temple, Jesus taught about His authority and Israel's rebellion, paying tax, marriage at resurrection.
+ The commandment on "love God, love others" and hypocrisy of the teachers of the law.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - We are citizens of some country and, more importantly, we are people of the Heavenly Kingdom. From the question on paying tax to Caesar, how do I understand my double identity? Do I often remember my identity in the Heavenly Kingdom?
+ **Fidelity** - The commandment "love God, love others" contrasts greatly with the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law. Let me reflect on my service to the Lord. Is it based on my love of God and others or is it based on my desire for self-glorification?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Jesus' teaching about the End of Times?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The poor widow's offering reveals how God sees offerings.
+ Jesus taught the signs of the End of Times and the need to be alert.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The widow was poor but offered willingly. How do I view money? Do I offer willingly or with reservations?
+ **Integrity** - No one knows when Jesus will come again. Am I always being alert and will answer to the Lord honestly or do I live a life in deceit and hope that I'll not get caught?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the events through Jesus' betrayal and arrest?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ An alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of nard was poured over Jesus' head to prepare for His death.
+ Passover supper and Gethsemane prayer.
+ Jesus' arrest and trial as well as being disowned by Peter three times.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The woman who poured the expensive perfume over Jesus' head knew His identity and treasured Him. Do I also treasure Jesus and willingly offer my all?
+ **Integrity** - Peter was full of confidence that he would never disown Jesus and yet did it three times. Do I rely all my actions on my own confidence or on faith in God? Let me pray and ask the Holy Spirit to remind me of my fleshly weakness and help me to win over it.
Prayer
Notes and Responses