Welcome to Kendra Graham’s Summer Bible Study! This is a place where we can come together and share in our journey towards Scriptural truths and spiritual maturity. We pray this will be a safe, respectful, resourceful place to come and discuss God’s Word…to discover What it says…What it means…and What it means to you!
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Kendra Graham notes from James 1:4.
WHAT DOES IT SAY? THE FACTS ONLY PLEASE.
In this step you need to list the outstanding facts of the passage. DON’T get caught up in the details, just list the facts. Do not paraphrase. Use the actual words of the passage. This is God’s Word, a lot of times this step seems tedious to some, but I urge you, as we read, and say and write God’s Word, it begins to sink deep into our hearts. If you just pick one fact out of the verse, write it down and meditate on it.
FACTS:
Let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect, complete, lacking nothing.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE LESSONS.
Look for a lesson to learn from each fact. What are the people doing that they should be doing? What are the people doing that they shouldn’t be doing?
Is there a command to follow? A promise to claim? A warning to heed? An example to follow?
LESSONS:
As I conscientiously took care of my critical patient, her mother was wrapped up in a blanket in the corner, trying to be strong. Her daughter’s condition could go either way, and she knew I was fighting to get her a bed in the ICU as the results on her labs came back each hour.
The mother of the patient began to tell me story after story of how her daughter had lengthy stays in the hospital since she was a small girl, and how she prayed even now at her bedside that God would strengthen her sweet child, yet again in this moment, and save the life of this precious 25-week baby that was growing inside her each day.
The questions came rolling out of the mom’s heart, as her daughter lay in bed without the energy to interject.
I remembered my patient that encouraged me earlier in the summer and shared the Truth of who God is, and how His grace is enough for this day, even when we hate the circumstances.
“God has a purpose for both the baby and the mamma,” I heard the mother of the patient say through tears. “Perhaps, the baby too, will have a fight ahead of him, being so small, and who better to care for him than a mamma who fought the odds and won time after time? God has a plan. God is in control, even though I want to be the one to control the outcome. God sees the big picture and He is trustworthy.” In spite of the mother’s fear, she claimed the character of God.
Patience to wait through adversity and trust God with our life and the lives of those we love is extremely difficult. We have ideas, and dreams and visions of how things are supposed to be and if God doesn’t work them out in the here and now, and in the most logical way to us, then we lose our faith, we get angry, we raise our dust fists to God and wonder if He is sleeping on the job.
It’s hard. Life is hard. Adversity is a guarantee. This is why we must stay in God’s Word daily. We must literally claim His character, this day and the next, claiming verses such as James 1:4–trusting that God is working things out for His reason, His purpose–which is to solidify our faith in Him as we see Him do the impossible, bring strength to the weary, peace to the hurting, and grace to the falling.
This I know…. God is not in a hurry, but is patient and long suffering as He continues to mold me in His image, especially through adversity. Press in to the mercies and promises of the God who loves you and gave His life for you. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes on Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life John 3:16. God went to extreme measures for us, may we trust Him with the paths He leads us to.
“ If God sends us on strong paths, He provides us strong shoes.” – Corrie Ten Boom.
*The baby lived, the patient remained critical for days, eventually being able to go home, yet some of the damage that happened during the pregnancy will most likely not be reversed.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME NOW? APPLY IT…. TODAY.
Take the lessons you learned and put them into the form of a personal question that you would ask your spouse, or a friend or your son or daughter.
As you write the questions, listen for God to communicate to you through His Word.
*Do not rush. Do not write things down just to have something on paper, this step takes more time that you may think. This is where Scripture meditation becomes real, this is where you begin to hear that still small voice speak to you, and place His finger in your life and begin to direct your paths…. this day, and the next, and the next. Do you trust Him enough to put into place that which He is moving you to?
What circumstances in your life have left you questioning God’s character more than claiming it?
When God doesn’t work quick and up front and in the way you most see fit, do you abandon God or are you willing to be patient and press in to what He is teaching?
What character of God will you claim today as you are in God’s Word?
LIVE IT OUT!
Hold yourself accountable to LIVE OUT in your daily life that which God impresses upon your heart. Write it out, sign it, date it and claim the transforming power of God’s Word and His presence in your life.
Today, as my heart is hurting, and one I love is fighting for life, I will claim Lamentations 3:21-23: This I call to mind and therefore I have hope; because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions are new every morning …
Give me the grace to hold on to Your Word, the one thing from the beginning to end of time that will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35)
Homework: Isaiah 42:16
Get stuck? www.annegrahamlotz.com and Anne will walk through the Three Questions with you and help you along!