ELISHA & THE WOMAN FROM SHUNEM

27 But when she came to the man of God at the mountain, she fell to the ground before him and
caught hold of his feet. Gehazi began to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her
alone. She is deeply troubled, but the Lord has not told me what it is.” (…)

OBSERVATION:

The story revolves around the woman who was delighted in showing her hospitality
to Elisha in the town of Shunem. The woman even mentioned to her husband how she felt every time
Elisha stops into there place, she’s so sure that he is a holy man of God for the presence of the
Lord lives in Him that she even decided to build a room for him to rest whenever he comes by. Now
to return the favour for the woman’s hospitality Elisha ask her what can they do for her but she
refused.Then Gehazi, Elisha’s servant informed him that the woman doesn’t have a son for her
husband is old. So Elisha prophesied that she’ll have a son after 1 year and It happened. This
was the 3rd miracle happened after Elisha had to help the poor widow with a flask of olive oil
now both stories considered Elisha as the “man of God” and if we are to go into the next verses
is the miracles during a famine from which the people also called him “Man of God”. It’s like a
pattern of Elisha then people perceive the Lord’s presence upon him then a problem and then
miracle happens.

APPLICATION:

It seems like it’s not an accident that God leads Elisha to walk his way into the house of this
woman for she is prominent to this town, and maybe He knew that her influence would be a huge
impact upon introducing God’s works in her life to this place. This woman offered for help
without asking in return but little did she know that God knew what she needed and what her heart
longs to have. Just like the woman from Shunem, We also are chosen by God and is called for a
greater purpose in His Kingdom. He may give us an “old husband” in our lives that would show us
our disability and how God is being our ability into this bearings or use an Elisha to challenge
our faith in those moments that we thought we could run from or we thought we have moved on (but
not really mehehe) or He may send a situation from which we cannot understand (2 Kings 4:28 just
like how the woman’s son died that leads her to question) to refine our faith and our
reservations. And in the end of the story the woman’s son was brought back into life and her
sudden reaction was to fell at his feet and bowed before him. You see when we submit our lives to
God’s authority and allow Him to amend our faith God see’s our heart and He honours it.

PRAYER:

Lord give us faith to believe on the things that

we cannot see. Help us to trust in your way and live our lives with a heart that always depends
on Yours.
In Jesus name, AMEN.

SESSION REFLECTION:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation; old things have passed away,
and look, new things have come. —— 2 Cor.5:17

This reminds me of the life from the old testament to the new testament
it depicts an old covenant that is quite impossible to follow on our own (ten commandments) but
Paul is saying “worry no more!” for the new covenant is already here Jesus have prepared it for
us and it takes not fear but our love to obey and follow, In here I have learned that
transformation happens when we turn to the Lord leaving our self-centred desires and start living
for the sake of others which is made possible through Christ Jesus.

Character is like the lead of a pencil (graphite), it has different grading scale
on which it depends its mark. The higher the number the harder the writing core and the lighter
the mark left on the paper. As the pencil core becomes softer (through the use of lower
proportions of clay) it leaves a darker mark as it deposits more graphite material on the paper.
As I reflect on the session about character it makes me think about how we are like pencils with
different graphite grading scale from which is our character, when we have a higher expectations
into ourselves alone and a hardened heart that protects our ego the lighter the mark we leave as
a follower of Jesus but if we humble ourselves and be honest enough to give our softest core that
is willing to be sharpened by God, W’ll surely leave a greater mark not by our own efforts but by
the grace that God has been given to us but again it’s up to us on what mark w’ll gonna leave.

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SCRIPTURE:

Jonah 4:2-3
“So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this,
Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying
people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not
happen.”

OBSERVATION:

The Book of Jonah began on the Lord sending one of his prophet, Jonah into a sin city called
Nineveh to warn the people there about God’s judgement. But this Jonah instead of obeying have
ran the opposite direction to get away of his task. So Jonah went on board into a ship leaving
for Tarshish hoping to escape but God didn’t let him. God sent a huge tide of waves and storm
that leads the people on board afraid so they called Jonah and ask him who he was so he explained
that he is a worshipper of the God of heaven who made the sea and land although this is one proof
that Jonah knew who God is yet still hopes to escape to this God by riding a ship(funny right?/
ironic) After knowing about the truth the people on board have repented and believe in the Lord
and the only way for the storm to stop is to throw Jonah away into the sea so they did it the
people around Jonah had a change of heart but still here he is looking into his self-centred
shallow goal yet the providence of God, however, watched over him, first in a storm, and then in
his being swallowed by a large fish for the space of three days and three nights being stuck
there for 3 days and 3 nights isn’t a joke it may be cold and sad being alone their in the dark
but there in the darkness Jonah cried out and prayed altho in the end of his prayer he have
compared his sacrifices to the once who have turn their backs from God he realised that salvation
comes from the Lord alone. So the Lord commanded the fish to spit him out into the beach. For the
second time the Lord ask Jonah to go to Nineveh to deliver His message and this this time Jonah
obeyed Him when he entered the gate of the city he shouted to the crowds “Forty days from now
Nineveh will be destroyed!” 8 WORDS! Jonah running away from God for those 8 few words I can only
imagine the tone of his voice while shouting, for a prophet being sent by the Lord it’s hard to
see the heart in his words, He didn’t even gave credit to the one who sent him there (God).But
you see God’s plan doesn’t really depend on the works of man for the people of Nineveh believed
in God’s message and repented thru those 8 few words.

In the end the prophet, not from personal but national feelings, grudged the mercy shown to
a heathen nation and that’s the reason why he ran in the first place. He was therefore taught by
the significant lesson of the "gourd," whose growth and decay brought the truth at once home to
him, that he was sent to testify by deed, as other prophets would afterward testify by word, the
capacity of Gentiles for salvation, and the design of God to make them partakers of it.
From the beginning til the end Jonah had a resentful heart for he never understand how to love
others specially the unlovable, He have forgotten that it is only possible through the grace
given to us by God. In the story we see God being so patient with this man who knows nothing but
complain for God knows that He created Jonah for a greater purpose that his mission was actually
symbolical/prophetic that and even mentioned on Matthew 12:41 (41 The men of Nineveh will stand
up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of
Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.).

APPLICATION:

Bitterness,Anger,Comparison./SIN/
Some of the things that’s eating us down up to our stems like the worm leaving us dry/dead.
Growing up in a catholic school back when I was a kid I knew the story of Jonah and the Big Fish
already, The story of a prophet who run away from God then repent then obey and people got
saved.THE END. but little did I know about the ending of the story. Breaking down unto the
conversations of God and Jonah,I felt it.

There are these situations in our lives from which we wanted to just runaway from all our tasks
not because we’re tired but because we’re losing the sense of purpose why we are doing the things
that we do and this feeling of lacking leads us to question God’s promises. Why will I do it when
I know what will happen in the end? How can I constantly love the people around me when they
can’t even see the goodness in all these? Love my enemies? Seriously? why will I, How can I,
Should I, I! I! I! Sometimes we are so passionate with our passion to do God’s will that we often
forgot that we could only be able to do these things through God. You see prophet Jonah knew who
God is in his life but he have forgotten his first love, He have lost his heart in the process.
Good thing God already knew our limitations that’s why He have sent a new Jonah to deliver and
remind us of the good news and in Him is forgiveness and grace and He have set an example of
great love and compassion to others so that through Him we could be able to obey God because we
love Him. Therefore when we are in this situation from which we couldn’t see how it will make
sense, We could pause for a while, search our hearts, know its motives, check if it’s still Jesus
who reigns in the very core of it, ask God for direction for surely His light will guide and meet
you there.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

I humbly come in your holy presence,

Truly no words can express how you have shown your love and compassion
into your creation and I thank you for setting an example of this love
through your son Jesus. May you remind me again and again of this love
every time I a huge storm is trying to struck me down, every time
the darkness of being alone is eating my joy and every time a little worm of
deserter is trying to destroy me inside out and may You imprint into my
heart that from this time on and for the rest of my life I’ll be doing the
things that I do with you at the centre of it all.

In Jesus Name,
AMEN.
SESSION REFLECTION:

Human’s heartbeat is triggered by electrical impulses that travel down a special pathway
through ones’ heart and just like the impulses The truth of the gospel works as the vital system
in our lives from which creates an impact in order for us to function. It is designed not only to
be a part but to be our life itself. As I reflect about the previous lesson about ones’ character
and transformation I am also being reminded of my purpose as a follower of Christ and the true
reality of who I am created to be, It was God’s love that actually transforms us into this new
life and living in that new life may be simple, but man! IT’S NOT EASY. Part of the lesson says
that the gospel removes a “man-pleasing” spirit- the drive to “win the approval of men.” The
gospel produces confident and fearless follower of Jesus, doing what is right without concern for
the approval and good opinion of others but today in a world that’s full of claims that you have
to be “this” or “that” in order to be approved, a world that will make you feel the need to be
“liked” or “loved” in order to be accepted there’s this “selfie” generation that longs for the
insta-approval of the people and makes you forget the very purpose of why and who you are created
to be, How can you find a way to fight this ugly truth? Go back to the basics! Be reminded of
God’s promises into your life, what’s the gospel’s truth, go back to the time when you have first
encountered His love, There you can never think that there’s a thing that could ever come close
to His love (God’s love), that there could ever be a counterpart into this feeling of approval
than His. The session challenged me to see things in God’s perspective, to see myself on how he
sees me and to love others as He loves me, It taught me that full transformation comes with a
great foundation that is found in Christ alone.

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S.O.A.P

SCRIPTURE:
ISAIAH 21:6-7

Meanwhile, the Lord said to me,

“Put a watchman on the city wall.
Let him shout out what he sees.
He should look for chariots
drawn by pairs of horses,
and for riders on donkeys and camels.
Let the watchman be fully alert.”

OBSERVATION:

"The foretelling of future events is a hallmark of the character of God." it is only one proof of
God being in control over all. Reading the book of Isaiah chapter by chapter is like forming a
puzzle piece by piece each chapter is connected to one. As I run through this book I have
observed God's judgement over the rebellion of nations including Jerusalem and Judah He use
prophets to warn them on the consequences that they may have.In this Chapter prophet Isaiah have
foretold the destruction of each city by which is Babylon. In the prophecy Isaiah supposes
himself in Babylon and the events which are described are made to pass rapidly in vision before
him. At first he saw a disaster roaring down the city like a whirlwind sweeping in destruction.
Then he saw its invaders the Elamites and Medes being commanded by God to attack and lay siege at
Babylon, He himself felt the pain and anguish of the city’s fall as he describe what will happen.
Then in Isaiah 21:5 he describes the state of the Babylonians as they prepare for a great feast
and when suddenly was awakened on what’s going to happen they were alarmed and have prepared
themselves for the battle. Moving further to verse 6-9 Prophet Isaiah have described the scene as
if he was the “watchman of the watchman” who announces what they are expected to be looking for,
from which is the chariots drawn by pairs of horses and riders on donkeys and camels and when
they finally took the place the only words the watchman said is “Babylon is fallen, fallen!” then
the prophet closed the prophecy by calling the people of Babylon “threshed” (are often used in
the Scriptures to denote punishments inflicted on the enemies of God.) and declaring that these
words all came from God is also the assurance of the destruction that have been told in Isaiah 13
will soon arrive.

APPLICATION:

In this chapter we can see that

-Wrong actions(Works that is against God) always have a consequence to face.
-When God says He will do it, He will do it.
-God use/send people to deliver His message not to condemn but to console them.
Being a man who talks on God's behalf is not an easy task,
I can only imagine the weight of being one. Its responsibility was made clearer to me when the
chapter began to introduce the WATCHMAN.
We can find several references in Scripture to a watcher mounting the city walls in times of
stress to survey the scene outside the fortifications. He was situated on a spot from which he
could monitor the approaches to the town. If a threat appeared, he would sound a warning and the
town would shut its gates and prepare for a battle. Now who is to do that job today in this world
that is in danger and is moving closer in the face of destruction from temptation, lies and
hatred? (Maybe we should)
Now being a watchman doesn't only warn people but also gives them hope. Although in this chapter
it is too late for the Babylonians. But now that we have the time, we should share the good news
of God's Salvation before it's too late.
During Isaiah's time people have lost their focus to God and have been blinded by their idols and
self centred desires and it costs a lot. Let's learn from the past mistakes and start to live in
righteousness, a life that is focus to Jesus alone.

PRAYER :
Father God,
Help me to become alert from when I should be prepared for the coming war against sin or may it
be a war from my self insecurities, pride, anger or even doubts. And I pray that you cut it down
immediately before it even grows up.
Help me to understand the value of obeying and listening to your voice so that I will not get
lost on my way even if the world shouts lie and tries to confuse me. Help me to build my
foundation into Your name alone.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
The Evelyn Wood Seven-Day Speed Reading and Learning Program

SUMMARY:

In the book The Evelyn Wood Seven-Day Speed Reading and Learning Program,
Stanley D. Frank presents some tools and guides for better and faster reading, writing a class
paper, how to prepare for an exam and better ways on taking down notes for a lecture.
The writer have discussed how their program is quite a solution to readings
that are full of information but has too little time to assimilate it by giving
some situational examples from different perspective of people and reading activities that would
help you monitor your reading speed along with hand motion techniques (e.g. underlining, The S,
The question mark, etc.)to be used for faster reading. In the later part the recall pattern was
introduced from which its main function is to organise your note taking skills in a simple and
efficient way it is divided into five categories the slash, linear, radial, pictorial and random.
Furthermore, the book also have discussed the importance of preparations before, during and after
an exam, such as managing the pre-exam anxiety, the importance of reading the instructions
carefully and some techniques on how to answer different types of test. In conclusion the author
closed the book by showing how interested he is to each reader’s process and improvements upon
taking the course.

CRITIQUE:(HEAD)

This book is a helpful tool for people whose not really into books like me.
It also used terms and wordings that are easy to grasp for a beginner but it is a little text
heavy for a visual person that prefers a lot of pictures than wordings. Just as I was having a
hard time following the instructions given on some activities, these instructions have helped me
to continue reading the remaining pages easier, In addition to that it provides a brief
background from each chapter that have been tackled which helped you to review what you have just
red. The book also provided some situational claims from different people that aims to encourage
you to do the drills it seems like it’s too good to be true for me although it stated that it is
a process in order to achieve the goal of faster reading and all. The book was made way way years
ago and If I would be given a chance to remake it I would make it more engaging, colourful,
lesser text, and more pictures (hehe). Nevertheless, I wish I could’ve read book like this If I
am to go back to my high school - college days, it could have been an invaluable tool as I study
back then but I think it’s not too late for me to learn the process and apply it to now.

HOW TO APPLY TO SELF: (HEART)

While reading this book I’ve learned to be patient because rushing won’t lead me to learning.
Although it is an academic book, it taught me the importance of each process. There are times
from which I was tempted to just scan and skip some pages but what can I get from my tardiness?
I also like this two line from the book from which the first stated “LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND NOT TO
RECORD NOTES” I am guilty with this on some ways but am also doing the right thing sometimes.
How? well back then when I was in school from where I felt that I am pressured to be competitive
I tend to take down notes of almost everything the lecturer have discussed ending for me to learn
less whereas to when I was listening to a professor that has the subject that I’m interested in,
Yup lesser notes but more learnings. So yeah LISTENING IS THE KEY! and pressure won’t really help
you accomplish things right. Secondly the book stated “Extreme statements are almost always
false” HAH! Sounds like the enemy :P that’s why we should by guided by God’s truth through His
words (The Bible) for the enemy’s extremity might be tempting to agree with sometimes.

HOW TO APPLY IN MINISTRY: (HAND)

As I have mentioned earlier I wish have this kind of sources during my school days and given now
that I have this, I would like to share and recommend this book to the younger people I know
whose still studying at the moment and I will try to construct some ideas n order make it more
engaging and interesting to their age ;).

SESSION REFLECTION:

PSALM 32

Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those

whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
(…) Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

For you are my hiding place;

you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory. (…)

I really like how PDV smoothly emphasise the importance of “PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH”
by reviewing over and over every session that transformation should be taken into the heart,
that it can only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit and I have learn through out the
session that heart is the focus of the gospel transformation for it dictates you your priorities
and who do you love the most so for me it’s a heart check with a question of “WHO DOMINATES MY
HEART?”. Growing up being a “right-brainer”, I strive to make things done in the way that I
wanted it to be for it gives me satisfaction when it works and (indecisively) frustrates me when
it doesn’t. You see there are pros and cons on being creative, “Visualisation is a huge part of
creativity. Drawing by visual observation is an activity that occurs in the right hemisphere of
the brain. This is also where intuitive and creative thinking occur.” it enables me to think way
beyond the norm on the other hand it leads me to having my mind constantly distracted, made me
believe that no one could understand my own ideas other than myself and sometimes it dominates me
to believe on my own creativity rather than God’s so Session 3 was actually a major “sampal” to
me. It made me realised things that I thought I was doing for good but turns out to be an
ultimate thing, an idol. but I was reminded by an old message from one of the Ates at church that
I should not let my creativity define me, but let my creativity be empowered by the Spirit,
ALWAYS. Let it be animated by the Spirit. Additionally to pertain the verse (Psalm 32) last shown
during the session, I am continually learning how to become vulnerable to others on what I feel
and it was immediately exercised during the class’ accountability time hehe but it’s undeniably
refreshing and not as bad as I thought it brought peace in my heart as I am being reminded that
it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; My own creativity will no longer be my
comfort zone but God as my hiding place from where I am protected and surrounded with songs of
victory.

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S.O.A.P

SCRIPTURE:
HOSEA 1-4
“(…) I will make you my wife forever,
showing you righteousness and justice,
unfailing love and compassion.
I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
and you will finally know me as Lord (…)”

OBSERVATION:

The book of Hosea is quite a tragic love story between Hosea and his wife Gomer and God with
the people of Israel. The first few chapters of the book presented Hosea’s obedience to God
showed as he marry a prostitute, Gomer. As a man living a holy life we can assume that he would
never marry someone like Gomer except by God’s command. Eventually Gomer bore 3 three children
(Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah - ‘Not Loved, Lo-ammi - ‘Not my people’) named after God’s impression to the
people of Israel at that time. Hosea being married to unfaithful wife who constantly cheated on
him have used this experience to illustrate God’s experience with Israel. Chapter by chapter you
can see God’s judgment (from which the Israelites deserve) covered by God’s grace by describing
the people of Israel as his wife. We can see here God uncovering the shameful acts and
unfaithfulness as He cover his people with His love. The use of metaphor of the UNFAITHFUL WIFE
helps to absorb the idea of how God felt when his people are being unfaithful to Him. Although at
first it it’s a thought of ‘God could not ask a man to marry an unfaithful woman’ but if we fast
forward into the New Testament If Hosea’s story cannot be real, then neither is the story of
salvation is real, because that is precisely what Christ has done for us.”

APPLICATION:

In our lives today, we can identify ourselves as the present “Gomers” who once lived a life
of shame, guilt and sin but then God used some people around us it might be a friend, a family
member or a stranger or a situation which lead us to an encounter with the Lord. From that
moment, we may probably promised eternal love and devotion to God like a wife being committed to
her husband but when difficult circumstances come will we come back to the life we once lived?
I’ve witnessed a lot of people being transformed by God from a shameful background into a
wonderful one, but sadly I’ve also seen people who chose to go back into that corrupted life
perhaps out of feeling neglect? out of anger? out of boredom? I don’t know but for whatever
reason, We always find these same inexcusable arguments when we chose to be with another god/ our
idols (e.g.social media browsing, shopping, in my case my own creativity as mentioned earlier in
my session reflection) Yet in all this, learning the truth about living a life that is
transformed by the Lord I’m also challenged to be a “Hosea” and live a life that is pleasing to
God by as simple as being patient to a manong jeepney driver who can’t hear your “para!” maybe
because his day is just too long and he just wanted to be with his family or share some words of
encouragement for an officemate who keeps on ranting about his/her job or by simply praying for
the ones in the government, the political leaders who’s undeniably hated by many hoping that one
day God could turn there lives into something beautiful just like how he turned a lot of
righteous people in the bible. You see there’s no limit in God’s grace, in His turning,
the question is are we willing to be turned? Are we willing to be used by God to turn people unto
Him?

PRAYER:

Lord thank you for reminding me that I actually have one job
to be fulfilled and that is to obey your commandments not out
of fear but out of my love for you alone. Help me to see how I could
be able to love the ones that are unloveable. Help me to trust you
even on the things that I can hardly understand knowing that
You always have the best plan. Thank You Father for I know that
whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in
the One who makes me who I am.
Session Reflection:

It's fascinating to dig deeper and study the word of God.

You learn things you never knew was there when you first read it. Through the session from which
we've discussed the story of The Fall and the story of Cain and Abel, I've learned that each
detail of the scripture is important and is somewhat connected to another. At the start our
presentation I am confident that we have completed the answers needed for our seat-work but I'm
wrong, truly there's more to be added . Now with regards to the topic Pride and Anger, I've
learned that
-God sees your heart more than what you can offer
Just like how God saw Abel's heart as he gives his offerings to God sometimes we people are so up
to this giving all our efforts into our works for the Lord just to fill our responsibilities and
often forgotten that giving should be a result of our love.

-God points out our wrongs not to condemn us but to correct us.
God never wanted His children to turn away from Him
that's why when He see that something is wrong with us we are being warned through the Holy
Spirit to check our hearts condition so that it won't lead into something bigger.

-Anger is just an emotion until you do a certain action.

Often times we neglect to process how we feel about a certain situation because we thought we can
handle it into ourselves but the thing is we can never know where our anger can take us that's
why when we feel upset and we feel angry our initial action should be honest on what we feel and
process it with God first.

-Our real character is the one who's inside of us when no one's watching it reflects on how we
act through the "squeezing"

-God gives mercy, grace and forgiveness to the ones who repent
Humility is one of the hardest thing a human's nature can do but it is not impossible, for our
Lord Jesus himself have perfected this during his time here on earth He have set us an example to
follow. Sometimes it's just a simple act of honesty that we actually have nothing to be brag
about, that we are absolutely nothing without the grace of God.

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S.O.A.P

SCRIPTURE:
ISAIAH 53

(…) He was despised and rejected—

a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; (…)

OBSERVATION:

(matitigas ang ulo ng mga Israelites, binigyan sila ng karampatang parusa sa kamalian nila
pero mahal pa rin sila ni Lord kaya gumawa Siya ng daan para sa kanilang kaligtasan)

This chapter foretells the sufferings of the Messiah and the salvation He will bring into the
nations. It is a clear picture of God’s glory to his people.

Isaiah 53 started with the “question of Who has believed our message?” followed by talking about
WHO THE MESSIAH IS:
The person.(1-3)
It is not quite the best introduction for a Saviour to be defined.
We can observe here the meanness of his appearance. The scripture even define him as He had
nothing of the glory which one might have thought to meet with him. His whole life was not only
humble as to outward condition, but also sorrowful. through this verses we can see the reflection
of Christ humility and how he truly became one of the people here on earth and even lower from
which is probably the reason why prophet Isaiah have prophetically anticipated the rejection of
the Messiah through the question on the first verse.
WHAT HE HAS DONE:
His sufferings. (4-9)
In here is the account of the design of His sufferings.
It describes the things that Christ has to bear in his life here on earth.
ISAIAH 53:5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.(JOHN 19:34 One of the
soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
Psalms 22:16) We can also observe here Christ’s patience to endure all these harsh things against
Him with silence for he know when is the right time to speak.
After the sufferings was humiliation, and exaltation of Christ, with the blessings to mankind
from his death. (10-12)
After all the things that God’s people have done against him, from which was asserted on the
previous chapters (Isaiah 43,44,48 …)God’s love still prevails. This chapter is a timeless
prophecy for it is for the people back then and can even be applied up to now. It is meant to be
an admonishment for people to know who’s the coming Messiah and is reminder for us now of what
the Messiah has done for our salvation.

APPLICATION:

Truly, Love is sacrifice. (*sigh)

As I run through this chapter I can’t help but imagine how it looked and feels like to be with
the “human version” of Jesus. To witness how He lived back then, to listen to His voice as he
preach and to be at the same place as He is. Will I ever notice it was Him? or will I be with the
ones who rejected Him? You see Jesus have faced all the things that we usually moans, fears and
protest about at present the physical hurt, the feeling of being rejected, humiliation,
persecution and death but what is his response? LOVE. always LOVE. As a christian, It’s a day to
day journey for me to live like how Christ lived from the morning I wake up giving the Lord
thanks for blessing me another life to asking for strength to overcome the whole day then
realising that I should have ask what He wanted me to do for the day rather than just ending the
day safe. How would I respond to those street children I pass by everyday who probably didn’t get
a decent meal all through out the day? Further and further I’ve learned and still learning to
live a life for others sake. As I continuously seek of WHO JESUS IS in my life, I’m also being
reminded of my identity and purpose, as I am being reminded of His love, I’m also being reminded
of how I should love my brothers and sisters. Less of me and more of HIM.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus,

You have set an example of one true love.

Help me to see things through your eyes.
Teach me how to be silent when I’m treated harshly.
Renew my heart to start loving others as You have loved me.

Thank you Lord for I know that I can do these things all
by your grace.
SESSION REFLECTION:

I have learned through this session the importance of digging deeper into the Word of God.
It is essential to dissect the specific chapter or verse that you study from how it has been
written, to whom it is written, What’s happening back then while it was being written and studies
its History. Back then when I was studying at school I’m fond of listening to the subjects that
are of relating to History, It gives me a moment of time travelling while learning
There will always be an “Oh!” and “aha!” moment, “Oh so that’s what happened!” “Aha! So that’s
where it started!” History is somewhat a root of Now, and studying the history of each story in
the bible is an eye-opening for me. Well at first it scares me with questions of “What if I study
the wrong context?”, “How can I be so sure that my references will be accurate?” “Knowing all
these things how can apply it into my bible studying?” “How can I associate and balance the
contextual study and my personal devotions?” but made me realize that it is a challenge to
exercise my faith, and How deep can I go? And the thing is I know that God will give me the
wisdom to understand and depend on Him more than I could depend on all those questions.

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S.O.A.P.

SCRIPTURE: (Jeremiah 1)
Jeremiah 1:7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young, ‘for you must go wherever I send you
and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will
protect you. I the Lord have spoken!” (…)

OBSERVATION:
The book of Jeremiah is again about God’s judgement to His people and His plan of giving them
hope.
It began with God’s calling to the prophet; it started with an assurance that God knew the
prophet more than Jeremiah knew himself. God know his people so well that He always knows where
to start. Then of course how did the young prophet respond to God’s call? EXCUSES! “I can’t I’m
too young!” But God refuses his excuse and encouraged Him with an affirmation that He will always
be with Him. Here, we can see that when God gives the work, He also gives the power.
This is also a good picture that it is truly by God’s grace alone that people can do things
beyond their limitations. Then story goes on into a vision of the Lord putting His word unto
Jeremiah’s mouth just like how He promised on Isaiah 51:16. This only showed God’s assurance that
Jeremiah now has no excuse for he should be able to speak the proper words of a prophet coming
from God himself. Then God gave him a view of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, Jeremiah
saw a boiling pot of water spilling from the north representing the cities’ uproar and the cause
of this judgement was SIN, always SIN. (When will these people learn? Waaaah) the chapter turns
into a glimpse of Jeremiah’s mission not only into the city of Jerusalem and Judah but to the
nations and ended with God’s promise that beyond all these great things that the prophet has to
face His presence is with him.

APPLICATION:
Often times when God calls us to do something, we people tend to make excuses as if we can escape
from Him.
In my case I find myself very similar to Jeremiah on how he responds to his calling. There are
many situations in my life from which I tend to doubt my abilities upon doing something for the
Lord’s kingdom, such as I’m not a people person to lead, I’m not as good as him/her to be part of
that, I can’t share the gospel for I know a little, it takes so much time and lots of
opportunities taken down for me to realise that behind all this excuses and self-doubts was pride
for I cannot see God’s good purpose for my life and just focus on what people’s going to say
about me when I do these things. But you see if I hold on so much with these “I can’ts” I’m
missing out the point of God’s “I AM WITH YOU”. That if I try to keep on comparing myself with
others I will fail to see what God wants me to do for His kingdom and I can’t afford to take down
another opportunity from God. He sees me/us in a way that we can never imagine we are and He
knows us more than we know ourselves, it takes just a bound of obedience into our inexperience
for His power is greater than our timidity and
It’s a leap of faith to trust Him even if the thing that He wants us to do is bigger than we are
capable of.

PRAYER:
Lord, there’s no word that could express
How thankful I am for your love that never changes from then up to now.
Teach me to strive harder to love like you do, to have compassion for others
Even if it seems like they’re not worth it but We all matter to you so who am I
To say that I “shouldn’t”. Mould my heart to be understanding on each situations
And open my eyes to see that every opportunity that comes from you comes
With a promise that YOU ARE WITH ME.

Thank You Father.

In Jesus Name. AMEN.