Welcome to Kendra Graham’s online 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!
Kendra Graham NOTES from Nehemiah 6:5-9
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.
Verse 5: Sanballet sent his servant to me in the same manner a 5th time. Open letter in hand.
Verse 6: “It is reported among nations, you & the Jews are planning to rebel, therefore rebuilding the wall. You are to be king according to reports.”
Verse 7: You appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem, “A king is in Judah”. It will be reported to the king. So let us counsel together.
Verse 8: Then I sent a message to him, “Such things have not been done, you are inventing them in your mind.”
Verse 9: All of them were trying to frighten us. “They will become discouraged with work and it will not be done.” Oh God, strengthen my hands.
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?
Verse 5: The enemy is persistent. We could take a page out of the enemies book like Nehemiah has and be just as persistent to finish what God has laid out before us.
Verses 6 and 7: False narratives and false motives WILL be placed upon us as we do what God has asked of us. The enemy here is escalating. In earlier chapters, they just mocked, now things have escalated to the point that they are trying to get Nehemiah killed by the king. The bigger the threat, the more desperate the enemy. The enemy knows what will really “get”to us…. the enemy WILL throw everything he can in our face to get us to stop…. surely, one of these lies Nehemiah will believe, right?! “Be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10
8: Nehemiah points out that he received the letter, but does not validate it’s contents. No long speech. No long “I’m offended”email or Facebook post, he refused to waste his time on an audience that didn’t care about the Truth. Facts are stubborn things, and we don’t need to respond to each and every accusation we receive. We need to stay close to the Truth and hold on tight to it.
9: Nehemiah is able to cut to the root cause of why the accusations and threats were flying….. they did not want the wall finished. Nehemiah knew the wall started because God called him to it, and will be finished again, only by the hand and strength of God. Nehemiah refused to be controlled by fear. God places us in impossible situations to build our faith…. challenges force choices. Nehemiah’s choice is to continue with God and see God finish what He started.
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER.” II Timothy 1:7 “Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God!” Zechariah 4:6
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?
Verse 5: What has God called me to finish? Am I persistent or am I quick to give up?
Verses 6 and 7: What lies has the enemy told me or you that we hold on to as cold hard fact, when it is anything but? Am I quick to believe a lie, or do I have the perseverance and belief in the Living God that I will stand and face it?
Verse 8: Do I allow God to define who and what I am, or am I quick to believe the lies the enemy wields to others? Am I holding on to the Truth or grasping for lies?
Verse 9: What challenges has God placed in my life currently to force me to choose to believe His Word over how I feel about it?
LIVE IT OUT!
LORD, strengthen my hands to continue what You have called me to do this day. Give me strength to pray and do the same thing tomorrow…. and the day after…. and the day after that….
Homework: Luke 2:8-11
Get stuck? www.annegrahamlotz.com and Anne will walk through the Three Questions with you and help you along!
Ladies don’t miss out…
Come and enjoy a festive afternoon with music, a message from Kendra Graham, and a delicious meal.
Open to area women ages 15 and above. Space is limited.
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