Weekly Guide：Week 79
July 28, 2019
Forward
We will continue our journey this week with Jeremiah the weeping prophet. It is not easy for prophets to follow God’s path, just as running in a marathon requires perseverance without comfort and assurance, and even feeling worn out and hard to continue. The challenges become ever more difficult, a casual stroll becomes a race against the horses, the safe harbor becomes the dangerous jungles of the Jordan River.
God’s calling does not equate to an easy life for it masks all opportunities to grow. Life’s challenges develop our spiritual muscles to enable us to walk further. Each new challenge and transformation help us to grow our faith, to make us more mature, stronger, and more enduring. A believer’s life is not to be a bystander but to build that life through the truth. Persevere the race on the path God gave us for God supports and does not spoil.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
How did God throw the people out of the promised land and then bring them back again?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lord wanted the prophet to not marry and have sons or daughters for they will die of deadly diseases and will not be mourned.
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The Lord said: “It is because your ancestors forsook me, I will throw you out of this land.”
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The Lord said: “The days are coming when I will restore them to the land I gave their ancestors.”
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The Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress.
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Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars.
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Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
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The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? The Lord search the heart and examine the mind.
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The people did not believe the prophesy: “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it now be fulfilled!”
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Keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? We may even be deceived by our own deceitful heart. However, as believers, we already have the Holy Spirit in us to help us. So, God wants us not to rely on our own strength but to follow Jesus. How may I distinguish between the voice my own desire and the voice of the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What example did the Lord use to show Israel of His wrath?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lord’s word came to Jeremiah told him to go down to the potter’s house. Israel to the Lord as the clay in the potter’s hand, the Lord can do to them as the potter does to the clay.
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The Lord is preparing a disaster for Israel and devising a plan against them. So turn from each’s evil ways and reform your ways and your actions.
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The prophet prayed to the Lord to save him from the evil plans of his accusers.
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The Lord said to Jeremiah to buy a clay jar from a potter then proclaim His word: “He will bring disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.” Then break the jar and say: “He will smash this nation and this city just as this potter’s jar is smashed and cannot be repaired.”
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The prophet prayed to the Lord to save him because Israel repaid good with evil and did not remember how he stood before the Lord to speak in their behalf. Have I ever been misunderstood and even got hurt? How may I call to God for His salvation?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Jeremiah being laughed at?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The priest Pashhur, the official in charge of the temple of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying so he had Jeremiah beaten and put in the stocks at the Lord’s temple then released the next day.
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Jeremiah said to Pashhur that the Lord would make him a terror to himself and to all his friends.
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The prophet cried to the Lord that he was being ridiculed all day long, mock by everyone, and with terror all around.
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The prophet knew the Lord was with him, his persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
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The prophet was willing to be cursed the day he was born, mocked by everyone, and end his days in shame.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The Lord’s word in the prophet’s heart was like fire shut up in his bones, he was weary of holding it in. Do I have the same zeal as the prophet with the Lord’s word and would spread the gospel like it is burning in my heart?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the prophet foretell the end of Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon was attacking, King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord.
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Jeremiah answered: The Lord would fight against Jerusalem with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in furious anger and in great wrath that whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians will live.
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The prophet scolded the house of the King of Judah that they must hear the word of the Lord, administer justice, rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed.
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The prophet warned the Judah king and people that they must hear the word of the Lord, do what is just and right, rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed.
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Foretold that Shallum son of Josiah would die in the place where they have led him captive.
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Foretold that woe would come to Jehoiakim.
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Foretold that Jehoiachin would be delivered into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Babylonians.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - The prophet tried to persuade the Judah king and its people to do what is just and right, and not to be greedy. We may often unknowingly trapped by greed as the world does and forget what is just and right. Let me examine myself to see if I have been following the world instead of His word. How has the Holy Spirit reminded me to turn back to His way?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did God give people hope in His righteous judgment?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of God’s pasture!
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God will raise up for David a righteous Branch.
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Concerning the false prophets and their punishments.
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Those who are cynical of the prophets will be punished.
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The Lord likened those Judah who would be looked after and receive His grace to the good figs. He also likened the Judah king and the rest of the Judah who would become abhorrent, be reproached and ridiculed by the nations to the bad figs.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - God saved a remnant from the exiles of the Judah, to give them a heart to know Him, and bring them back to the promised land, to be His people, and return to Him with all their heart. God saved us by His grace. How may I know God more each day of my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the prophet’s foretelling of Judah’s exile?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The prophet rebuked the Judah for not listening to the Lord for twenty-three years.
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Foretold the Judah would be taken in exile to Babylon for seventy years.
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When the seventy years are fulfilled, the land of the Babylonians would be made desolate forever.
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God’s judgment likened to a cup filled with the wine of His wrath.
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Shepherds shall weep and wail for the people.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The prophet asked the shepherds to weep and wail because the people would be scattered and slaughtered. Do I weep and wail when I see those around me whose souls are yet to be saved? Do I have a heart to love all like God loves the world?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How should God's anointed to act out the righteousness in the world?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Arise, shine, the glory of the Lord rises upon you, the nations will come to your light.
+ All will be gathered to you. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish.
+ Although you have been forsaken and hated, the Lord will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations.
+ The Lord will be your everlasting light.
+ The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on the anointed one to proclaim good news to the poor and the year of the Lord's favor.
+ They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Do I have joy in the Lord and rejoice because of Him? Let me witness the produce in the field, the fruit in the orchard, see the righteousness and praises from the people, and shout out with joy each and every day in Him.
+ **Fidelity** - The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on the anointed one, to proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn. Each and every one of us Christians are the anointed and chosen by our God, how am I living out the responsibility of the anointed?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God's salvation spread to the end of the world?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ For Zion, the prophet will not keep silent till her vindication shines out like the dawn.
+ No longer will they call you Deserted. But you will be called Hephzibah, for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married.
+ The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: "Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.'"
+ The Lord who proclaim victory, mighty to save, will trodden the enemies.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord call Israel Hephzibah also calls us the same as He takes delight in us. The people of the Lord shall shine on earth and be His ambassador of grace. How may I live out the life that is pleasing to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the prophet pray to God to bring justice to earth?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In all their distress, the anointed too was distressed. In his love and mercy he redeemed them.
+ They rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
+ This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name. Please Look down from heaven and see.
+ Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you and make your name known to your enemies!
+ Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - While we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away, God is already saving us. The humble and repentant heart will not be taken lightly by Him. Pray to God to have mercy on my weakness, to forgive my wickedness, and let me atone quietly in from of Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How will the remnant of Israel be blessed?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord revealed Himself to those who did not ask for Him; He was found by those who did not seek Him. To a nation that did not call on His name, He said, "Here am I, here am I."
+ Judah was forsaken for their unbelieve. The Lord will not keep silent but will pay back in full; He will pay it back into their laps.
+ The Lord will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess His mountains.
+ Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Israelites often angered God even though they were the chosen people. Today, we as the saved, are still chained by sins and often angers God. Pray to God to examine my heart and remind me to remove my all my sins including those remain hidden.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How shall we face the high and exalted one?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it and keeps hands from doing any evil.
+ For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
+ Rebukes the Judah for being rebellious and treacherous, but whoever takes refuge in Him will inherit the land.
+ The Lord lives in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The wicked are like the tossing sea, "There is no peace, for the wicked." Am I still full of guilt and sin and unable to let go? Please ask the Holy Spirit to help me, to forsake the sins that has being bonding me to receive peace from God's grace.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How do the new heavens and new earth look?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the new heavens and a new earth, the former things will not be remembered. Be glad and rejoice forever in what the Lord will create.
+ Heaven is the Lord's throne and earth is His footstool. The ones He look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit.
+ Those who exclude you because of my name will be put to shame.
+ Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her.
+ The Lord is coming with fire, He will bring down His anger with fury.
+ The Lord is about to gather the people of all nations and languages, and they will come and see His glory.
+ The name and the descendant of chosen will be made to endure.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord creates new heavens and new earth but will look on with favor those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at His word. Am I justified in God's eye? Am I humble and ready to repent with fear of His holiness?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus prepare the disciples for His death?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus predicted His own death and gave sight to the blind.
+ Through Zacchaeus the Tax Collector, Jesus explained the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.
+ Through the parable of the minas, Jesus explained the importance of wisely put to work our gifts.
+ Jesus rode donkey into Jerusalem. Jesus' sorrow for Jerusalem.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus said He came to seek and to save the lost. Am I unable to let go of my past sins and failures? How does Jesus' word help me realize my value and worth?
+ **Fidelity** - When the servant said to the master that he reaps what he did not sow, the servant looked down upon the mina his master entrusted to him. Am I able to see the gifts the Lord has entrusted to me and am willing to be used by Him to become the blessing of others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What conflicts did Jesus have with the elders, the teachers of the laws, and the chief priests at the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus cleansed the temple.
+ Jesus used the parable of the tenants to illustrate the loss of Israel's blessing.
+ Jesus used paying taxes to Caesar to explain the relationship between religion and political power.
+ Jesus predicted destruction of the temple and redemption belongs to those who endures.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** -Learning from Israel's loss of its blessing as depicted in the parable of the tenants, how should we value our own identity? Do I deserve the blessings and salvation from Jesus? Can I put thankfulness back into my heart?
+ **Fidelity** - The two small copper coins from the poor widow was more than what all others gave. Am I giving my all to serve God? What reservations do I have?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the last events before Jesus' arrest?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus and disciples had Passover supper together.
+ Disciples disputed who would be the greatest. Jesus predicted Peter to disown Him three times.
+ Jesus was arrested at Gethsemane then put on trial before the council.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Jesus asked His disciples to pray so they wouldn't fall into temptation. Do I pray often for my own spiritual life? As my spiritual life is being molded, how do I avoid falling into temptation?
+ **Fidelity** - Peter was confident that he would not disown Jesus. Do I know the biggest weakness in my heart? How does the understanding of that weakness help me stay away from temptation?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Jesus crucified?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus was brought in front of Pilate for trial.
+ The crowds were willing to let go of Barabbas but wanted to crucify Jesus.
+ Jesus was buried in a grave which no one had yet been laid.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The curtain in the temple was torn in two when Jesus died. The separation between God and man was reconciled since. Do I understand my personal relationship with God and come to Him without fear?
+ **Fidelity** - Joseph went to Pilate asking for Jesus' body to burry in the grave dug out for himself. Am I being compassionate and serve fearlessly?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus do after His resurrection?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two who were on the way to Emmaus.
+ Jesus appeared in Emmaus and Jerusalem.
+ Jesus commissioned the disciples and then was risen into heaven.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - After His resurrection, Jesus opened the disciples' minds so they could understand the scripture from Moses to everything written about Himself. Am I able to see Jesus and God's plan from the Old Testament? Pray and praise God for His omnipotence and thank Him for His eternal plan.
+ **Community** - The disciples did not believe the women who told them the fact that they saw an empty grave without Jesus. How do I treat my fellow Christian's testimonies? Can I accept them by the faith in our Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who is Jesus?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
+ God sent John as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
+ The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.
+ John testified concerning Him.
+ Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
+ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus Christ for our salvation, the Word became flesh, dwells among us, full of grace and truth. Am I willing to follow Jesus' example, dwell in this world and be a disciple full of grace and truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses