Weekly Guide：Week 89
October 06, 2019
Foreword
We continue to read the Book of Daniel this week.
Like Daniel being forced to live in a land of idolatry, we are too living in a foreign land. Although the life is abundant and prosperous, it runs against our believe. To the world, self-centeredness is god, one’s own worthiness is the life-long pursuit, and spirituality takes meaning only in one’s own perception. Such is the great discrepancy between the world’s believe and Christian believe. We live in the world of atheism and agnosticism and being attacked by paganism and hedonism. We may feel like fighting an uphill battle against the world, but we shall determine not to defile ourselves by the world.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
Why did Nebuchadnezzar throw some Jews into the blazing furnace?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold and assembled officials for its dedication. Everyone was ordered to fall down and worship the image. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.
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Some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that they did not worship the image.
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Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
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Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego believed the God they serve would deliver them from the blazing furnace.
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Nebuchadnezzar commanded to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the blazing furnace.
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Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire. The fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
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Nebuchadnezzar praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Why didn’t Shadrach and friends obey the king’s order to worship the golden image? Do we face similar dilemma? What pressure am I facing today? How does today’s passage help me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why did Nebuchadnezzar tell nations about the signs and wonders of God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Nebuchadnezzar told nations about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed.
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Nebuchadnezzar, had a dream at home in his palace, contented and prosperous. All wise men of Babylon could not interpret it.
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Daniel, with the spirit of the holy gods in him, interpreted the dream.
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Nebuchadnezzar would be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; would eat grass like the ox.
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At the end of that time, Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity was restored. Then he praised the Most High; he honored and glorified him who lives forever.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - Nebuchadnezzar was driven away for seven years. Was his attitude toward God changed after that time? Do I understand God’s good intention when He disciplines me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the end of Belshazzar?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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King Belshazzar gave a great banquet. While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that they might drink from them.
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The fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall.
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All the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. The king brought Daniel to read the writing.
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Daniel rebuked the king that he did not humble himself to give glory to God and therefore, God sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
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Daniel read the writing that God had already numbered the days of Belshazzar’s reign and brought it to an end.
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That very night Belshazzar was slain.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - Belshazzar was punished for his pride. What difference was there between him and his father? What caused the difference? What does it remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What happened to Daniel during Darius’ reign?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel.
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The administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so.
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These administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and ask the king to issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.
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Daniel went home. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. The men went to King Darius and reminded him of the decree.
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The king gave the order to throw Daniel into the lions’ den.
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The king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
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At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. He called to Daniel in an anguished voice. The lions did not hurt Daniel.
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At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den.
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King Darius issued a decree that everyone must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
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Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Even though the king banned it, Daniel was unaffected and continued to pray to God. What example has Daniel shown me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were the differences in Daniel’s two visions?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the first year of king Belshazzar, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying in bed.
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Four great beasts, each different from the others.
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Daniel was disturbed by the visions and asked one of those standing there the meaning of all this.
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In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, Daniel had another vision.
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A ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, no animal could stand against it. A goat came from the west.
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Gabriel told Daniel the meaning of the vision.
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In the first year of Darius’s reign, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
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Daniel turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes, to turn away His anger and wrath from Jerusalem.
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Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed, to put an end to sin, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - The animals in Daniel’s vision did as they pleased. What happened to these animals?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the revelation of Greece come to Daniel?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel.
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Daniel was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, he had no strength left, face turned deathly pale and was helpless.
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The one who looked like a man gave Daniel strength.
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Prophesy three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others and he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.
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The kings of south and kings of north would sometimes go to war against each other and sometimes have peace.
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The king of north would set his heart against the holy covenant and desecrate the temple.
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Everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - What was the view in Daniel’s vision on those who are in power? What am I leaning on in this world?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the principle behind the Lord's judgment?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord used the parable of two eagles and a vine to depict the judgment of Israel betraying the king of Babylon.
+ The one who follows the Lord's decrees and faithfully keeps the Lord's laws. The man is righteous; he will surely live.
+ Wicked son of righteous man is to be put to death.
+ Righteous son of wicked father will not die for his father's sin. But his father will die for his own sin.
+ The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
+ If a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all God's decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.
+ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, they will die.
+ The Lord's way is just. He will judge each of you according to your own ways. Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Why did the Lord say to betray Babylon is the same as betraying the Lord? How shall I uphold the oath I have taken and the covenant I have made with others? Why is it that we must be faithful to others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What parable did the Lord use to depict Israel's exile and destruction?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The trapped lion as a parable of Judah king being carried off to Babylon.
+ The uprooted vine as a parable of Jerusalem's destruction.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The king of Judah must carry the responsibility for the great destruction and judgement his household and the entire nation faced. How may I pray for the political leaders of my country to lead according to God's will to seek blessings for the people and country?
### Question
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is Israel's history of rebellions?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, however the Lord would not let them inquire but judge them to confront them with their detestable practices.
+ Israel rebelled against the Lord in Egypt. They did not forsake the idols of Egypt.
+ Israel rebelled against the Lord in the wilderness. They did not follow the Lord's decrees and rejected His laws.
+ Their children rebelled against the Lord in the wilderness. They did not follow the Lord's decrees and were not careful to keep His laws.
+ Israel offered their sacrifices and made offerings to arouse the Lord's anger on the high hill of the Promised Land.
+ Therefore, the Lord would reign over Israel with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.
+ The Lord would bring Israel out from the nations and gather them from the countries where they have been scattered, and He will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations.
+ With the parable of setting the forest ablaze, the Lord described how Israel would be attacked.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Why does the word Sabbath appear so many times in this passage? How does Sabbath let Israelites know that the Lord makes them holy and is their God? How is my Sabbath? How may I Sabbath in front of God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How would the Lord judge Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord would draw His sword from its sheath and cut off from Israel both the righteous and the wicked.
+ The Lord said there would be a sword against the people and all the princes of Israel.
+ The profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax.
+ The day has come for the wicked Ammonites, their time of punishment has reached its climax.
+ Jerusalem brings on herself doom by shedding blood in her midst.
+ The people of Israel have become dross to the Lord. He would melt them with a fiery blast inside the city.
+ The Lord's judgment came to the priests and prophets who profaned the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The Lord said, I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. In this sinful world, is there someone who would build up the wall and stand in the gap?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What parable did Ezekiel use as a sign of Samaria and Jerusalem's rebellion?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The parable of two adulterous sisters to describe how Samaria and Jerusalem engaged in prostitution and strayed away from God.
+ The Lord would stir up Oholibah's lovers, those who she turned away from in disgust, against her.
+ Judge Oholah and Oholibah with their detestable practices. Righteous judges will sentence them to the punishment of women who commit adultery and shed blood.
+ The choice meat in cooking pot as a parable for Jerusalem.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to not lament, weep, or shed tear for the death of his wife, as a sign for Israelites that their suffering would be so great that they would have no chance to mourn for themselves.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - God cleanses us, but we must play an active role in that process. What role am I playing in the process of purify myself?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the fates of the nations around Israel?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord would stretch out His hand against the Ammonites for they rejoiced with all the malice against the land of Israel.
+ Because Moab and Seir said, "Look, Judah has become like all the other nations," therefore the Lord would expose the flank of its towns.
+ Because Edom took revenge on Judah, therefore the Lord would stretch out His hand against Edom.
+ The Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - It is helpful for us to know we are not alone in life's challenges by understanding that the Lord is with us. Pray to the Lord to lift me up and give me the will to follow Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts from God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Spiritual gifts are given to individuals by the will of the Holy Spirit.
+ We are all members of one body, baptized by one Spirit into one body, and all made to drink into the one spirit.
+ Without love and not used to benefit others, gifts, no matter how great, are nothing.
+ What we know and what we prophesize are limited. Only when that which is perfect has come, then there will be no more limits.
+ 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
+ **Community** - What is love? Am I loving my Christian brothers and sisters by God's standard?
+ **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?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul reiterated the gospel to correct the false view of those who did not believe Jesus' resurrection.
+ The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates God's power.
+ Paul persecuted 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
+ **Identity** - How do I see death? Do I believe in resurrection? Why?
+ **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?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul reminded the Corinthian church to collect donations to assist the church in Jerusalem.
+ Paul reminded the church of Corinth to not hold any bias against Timothy for they might look down upon him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Can I stand firm on the truth? Do I have a mature spiritual life or is it still in its infancy?
+ **Integrity** - Do I have the love to assist financially those brothers and sisters who are in need?
+ **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?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ 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.
+ We are not to grieve each other, but with a firm love, bring joy to each other in the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **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?
+ **Community** - Is the joy in the 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?
+ **Integrity** - What should the source and basis of my plans be? What promises can I give to others? What should the basis of my promises be?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How do we demonstrate Christ's glory and aroma as Christians under thew New Covenant?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul and his co-workers spoke of Christ before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. And God led them as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and used them to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.
+ 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.
+ We are to preach Christ as Lord God so that the light of His glory may shine in people's hearts.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **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?
+ **Fidelity** - What is 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 for 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
### Question
What should I keep in mind to have a God pleasing life?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ 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.
+ Disciples of Christ must commit to live for the Lord, to please God, and give glory to Him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **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 are 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?
+ **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
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Prayer
Notes and Responses