Weekly Guide：Week 95
November 17, 2019
Foreword
We will complete reading the last of the Books of the Minor Prophets, the Book of Malachi. Then, on Thursday, we’ll start on the beginning of the last part of the two-year Bible reading plan: Gospel of John, Epistle of John, and Book of Revelation.
This mini-series is the summary of gospel, from salvation, to sanctification, to glory. Hope you will all find the key to our life’s transformation by gospel and root our life deep in the word of God.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
How does the Lord save Israel?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lord is going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.
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When all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, the Lord will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
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The Lord will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on the Lord.
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On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
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The Lord will banish the names of the idols from the land.
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The sword will strike. Two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.
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Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations.
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On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.
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The Lord will be king over the whole earth.
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The Lord will send plague to strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem.
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The survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - The Lord will put the remnant of Israel into the fire; Refine them like silver and test them like gold. God is watching over all suffering Christians, to grow our lives, and to refine us with the tests of fire. How shall I pray for all those who are suffering?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the priests show contempt for the Lord’s name?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Malachi rebukes Israel for forgetting God’s blessing.
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The Lord rebukes the priests for showing contempt for His name.
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They say the Lord’s table is defiled and its food is contemptible.
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If they do not listen, the Lord will send a curse on them, and will curse their blessings.
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Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.
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The Lord testifies that the Israel have been unfaithful to their wives.
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They have wearied the Lord with their words.
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The Lord will soon send His messenger, who will prepare the way before Him. But who can endure the day of His coming?
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The Lord will come to put them on trial.
Meditation: My Story
- Community - God seeks Godly offspring. So be on our guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of our youth. Let me pray for my spouse, family, children, so the state of our relationship pleases the Lord and glorifies His holiness.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Israel being arrogant against the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord. But the Israelites ask, how are we to return?
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Israel are robbing the Lord in tithes and offerings.
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Israel have spoken arrogantly against the Lord, for they said, it is futile to serve God, what do we gain by carrying out His requirements?
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A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name.
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Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire.
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Remember the law of Moses. I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The Israelites said it is futile to serve the Lord, nothing is gain by carrying out His command. The Lord said this is arrogance. Have I complained in my services? Do I understand the benefit of obeying God’s command?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Who is Jesus?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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God sent John as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
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The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.
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John testified concerning Him.
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Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
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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
Question
How did John the Baptist testify for Jesus?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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John said he was not the Messiah.
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He was the voice of one calling in the wilderness: “Make straight the way for the Lord.” In the words of Isaiah the prophet.
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John called Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
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John saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. He testify that this is God’s Chosen One.
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Two of John’s disciples followed Jesus.
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Jesus called Philip and Nathanael to follow Him.
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Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
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In Cana, Jesus turned water into wine. This was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Nathanael declared Jesus is the Son of God. What do I do to testify that He is the Son of God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How one may have eternal life?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus saw people selling in the temple courts, so He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts.
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Jews asked Jesus to show signs and He responded, destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.
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Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Jesus told him, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
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For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
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Jesus and His disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where He spent some time with them, and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim. John said, He must become greater; I must become less.
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Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. Do I remember that everything I do shall be done in the light so I would act according to the truth and not hide in the dark?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the reasons people did not want to build the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The prophet Haggai dispute the people for delaying the construction of the temple. Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?
+ Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored.
+ The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the spirit of Joshua, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God.
+ The Lord says: In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, and in this place I will grant peace.
+ The Lord rebukes the unclean offering which has caused failures prior to temple construction.
+ The Lord has chosen Zerubbabel and made him His signet ring.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Before construction of the temple, the people have planted much, but harvested little. They ate, but never have enough. They drank, but never have their fill. They put on clothes but were not warm. They earned wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. When God is not the center of our lives, this is our Spiritual life, never fulfilled. Where does my fulfillment come from? How is God the center of my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Zechariah's mission?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord told Israel to turn to Him through the prophet Zechariah.
+ Zechariah has a vision of a man mounted on a red horse who has gone throughout the earth.
+ The angel asked the Lord, how long will you withhold mercy? The Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel.
+ Zechariah saw four horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
+ Zechariah saw a man with a measuring line in his hand to measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.
+ Flee from the land of the north, for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven, declares the Lord.
+ Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord told Israel to not be like their ancestors, but to turn from their evil ways and evil practices. Am I hearing God's voice in Bible? Am I willing to turn from my evil ways and evil practices?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Zechariah's vision of the golden lampstand?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.
+ The Lord says, I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.
+ Zechariah saw a solid gold lampstand and two olive trees by it.
+ The lampstand is the Spirit of the Lord, the two olive trees are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.
+ The flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide, is the curse that is going out over the whole land.
+ The cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman. This is wickedness.
+ Four chariots coming out from between two mountains-mountains of bronze.
+ The Lord ordered a crown made of silver and gold to be set on the head of Joshua, to indicate the temple will be built.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord almighty says, not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit. Am I still leaning on my own might and power or the Spirit of the Lord Almighty?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why was the Lord determined to do good to Israel?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The people of Bethel entreat the Lord and ask Him if they should mourn and fast in the fifth month, as they have done for so many years.
+ The Lord was not pleased when they fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months because it was not for Him.
+ The Lord called but they did not listen. He scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers.
+ The Lord will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.
+ The Lord has determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.
+ The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.
+ Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat Him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - The Lord wants Israel to administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other. Am I obeying His will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How do the Lord's righteousness and victory come to Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord's judgment will come to the land of Hadrak and Damascus.
+ Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious.
+ Because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
+ Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.
+ I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them.
+ Listen to the wail of the shepherds; their rich pastures are destroyed! Zechariah shepherded the flock marked for slaughter. He took two staff and called one Favor and the other Union.
+ He broke the staff called Favor, revoking the covenant he had made with all the nations. Then he broke the second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel.
+ The Lord commanded Zechariah to take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. For He was going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost but will eat the meat of the choice sheep.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. How does this promise influence my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Foreword
We will complete reading the last of the Books of the Minor Prophets, the Book of Malachi. Then, on Thursday, we'll start on the beginning of the last part of the two-year Bible reading plan: Gospel of John, Epistle of John, and Book of Revelation.
This mini-series is the summary of gospel, from salvation, to sanctification, to glory. Hope you will all find the key to our life's transformation by gospel and root our life deep in the word of God.
May you all be renewed in God's word each day!
### Question
How does the Lord save Israel?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord is going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.
+ When all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, the Lord will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
+ The Lord will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on the Lord.
+ On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
+ The Lord will banish the names of the idols from the land.
+ The sword will strike. Two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.
+ Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations.
+ On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.
+ The Lord will be king over the whole earth.
+ The Lord will send plague to strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem.
+ The survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord will put the remnant of Israel into the fire; Refine them like silver and test them like gold. God is watching over all suffering Christians, to grow our lives, and to refine us with the tests of fire. How shall I pray for all those who are suffering?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Where is love coming from?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In serving church, we must be careful not to teach false doctrines, not devote to myths or endless genealogies. None of these are of any help to growth in faith.
+ The goal of the commands in urging people of church is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
+ Law is for the lawbreakers. It should be used appropriately and not against the principles of gospel.
+ The Lord elected the sinners by grace and pours onto them with faith and love. He saves even the worst among the sinners for the world to see.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - False doctrine is not necessarily other religions but to pollute and confuse the believers with something added to the gospel. What does it mean by false doctrines, myths, and endless genealogies? Have I seen similar things in my Bible study small group? Why does it promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work?
+ **Integrity** - Love (agape) comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. It helps us to stand firm on the truth. We have learned in First Corinthians about how the agape love is grown. What is a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why is it pleasing to God to pray for all people?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When going to war with our Lord, it is of the utmost importance to pray for all people, including kings and all those in authority so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is pleasing to God because He wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
+ Man shall pray, lift up holy hands without anger or disputing.
+ Woman shall act with decency and propriety, learn in quietness and full submission.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What does it mean that the petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people including kings and all those in authority so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness? Does it mean that we won't face suffering and persecution? Knowing God's will toward all people (including kings and all those in authority) helps us to learn to see all people through His eyes instead through our own feelings and benefits. Have I changed my attitude toward those around me? How can I pray for them?
+ **Integrity** - God does not discriminate on gender when He asked of men and women differently, rather, the different natures of our sins necessitate different warnings and reminding. Reflecting on my temper, am I often grumpy or in control? Is my work worldly and perhaps unpleasing to God instead of holy? Do I focus on arguing about difficult problems instead of praying? Do I pay more attention to my appearance and fashion instead of my life's integrity? Do I like to express myself more than learning quietly? Do I judge instead of submitting?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are the requirements for overseers and deacons?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Those who aspire to be overseers or deacons must desire noble tasks.
+ The overseers need to manage well his family and marriage; Have integrity in life, love God and love others, and be blameless both inside and out of the church; Must be mature in faith and be tested in life.
+ Deacons, men or women, must manage well in their family and marriage, control their tongues, love God's word, be faithful to the Lord.
+ Serving is not just doing the works, but also benefits in building one's faith and life's integrity.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Verse 3:13 explains that serving is not just doing the works. Faithful service would cause one's faith and life's integrity to grow. Reflect on my services, what was my past attitude toward them? What is my current attitude? Have I received blessings and grown in my spiritual life?
+ **Integrity** - God puts great emphasis on serving our own family and children. Family and marriage are the forefronts of our services. Where in my spiritual life I am positioning my family and marriage? Do I need to make any adjustment to my priorities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the mystery for godliness?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The mystery for godliness is gospel.
+ Some will abandon faith and impede people's understanding of truth by ways of superficial godliness.
+ Stand firm on truth, train for godliness, have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales.
+ Don't look down ourselves for young age, lack of maturity in Lord, or any other reasons. We shall always train for godliness and set examples for others.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What is the mystery of godliness? What is a true godly life? What are the aspects of training for godliness?
+ **Identity** - Paul encouraged Timothy not to be looked down for his young age. In other words, do not give up such that his own importance is not realized because others may not take him seriously for his age. What aspects of my life have I looked down upon and use them as excuses for not training myself to be godly? Is it age, maturity in the Lord, academic achievement, capability, or worldly success? I shall strive to train myself to be godly in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity, and be an example to other believers.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
From widows in real need to leaders of the church, what are the basic guidelines for attitudes toward them?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Respect godly widows. Their children and grandchildren shall first take up the responsibility of caring for them. Church may take care of those widows who are alone and in real need. Staying widowed is not the only testimony; Remarry to have children and manage home well is also good testimony. Therefore, encourage young windows to remarry so that they don't stumble by their sensual desires.
+ The elders who direct the affairs of the church well and those who preach and teach are worthy of double honor; Accusation against them must be brought by two or three witnesses; Reprove before everyone those who continue to sin; Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands; Do not share in the sins of others.
+ Treat people without partiality and do nothing out of favoritism.
+ Servant must respect master. Serve even better those masters who are believers.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Under what circumstances and what encouragements for the older and younger men as well the older and younger women are pleasing to God with absolute purity? For those who are in real need, such as the widows, what is the guideline for supporting them? What about the church elders and leaders?
+ **Integrity** - Absolute purity, respect godly people, double honor those who work hard, reprove before everyone those who (continue to) sin, treat people with impartiality, do things without favoritism. All these characters are gained through training to be godly. How has the Holy Spirit reminded me? Where am I lacking in treating people and things?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How to flee from the desire and love of money?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Those who being holy for love of money bring about controversies and destruction.
+ Love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Eagerness for money, causes one to wander from the faith and pierces themselves with many griefs; Holiness with contentment is great gain to God's people.
+ Man of God, flee from love of money, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
+ Those who are rich shall not make wealth, which is uncertain, as their hope but put it to good use wisely, make it a blessing for others, and take hold of the life that is truly life.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God's people shall flee from the love of money. They shall pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. It is not to flee first then to pursue afterward. Rather, both shall be done concurrently. While getting away from corruption, we shall press toward the goal. Let me think about the meaning of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. How do these help me to build a firm foundation and take hold of the life that is truly life?
+ **Identity** - Money is not evil but the temptation and love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The uncertain wealth pierces us with many griefs. Put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment, helps us to lay up treasure as a firm foundation to take hold of the life that is truly life. What is my view of money? How am I putting my hope on money, which is uncertain, instead of God who provides me with everything? Have I ever been pierced by griefs and lack in peace? How shall I put my hope on God who provides me with everything?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses