Kendra’s Bible Study…Joshua 23:3-7

Posted on October 16, 2012 by notesfromthecove

Welcome to Kendra Graham’s online Bible study.  This is a place where women can come together and share their 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 suggests you use the following process when studying Scripture.  We have included an example of this process from John 1:1.

Step 1:  Pray
 Step 2: Read God’s Word (look at the passage)
 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
Step 3: What Does God’s Word Say? (list the facts)
 1 In the beginning the Word was with God and was God.
 Step 4: What Does God’s Word Mean? (learn the lessons)
 1 God‘s Word is not just ancient philosophy, it is eternal Truth.
 Step 5: What Does God’s Word Mean to Me? (listen to his voice)
 1 How do I view the Bible?

Kendra Graham NOTES from Joshua 23: 3-7 homework

Facts: What does it say?
v. 3  You have seen all that the LORD your God has done, He has been fighting for you.
V.4  See, I have apportioned TO YOU these nations which remain as inheritance, nations from the Jordan, to the Great Sea, to the setting sun.
v.5 The LORD will thrust them out, & drive them from you; you will possess their land as the LORD promised
v.6 BE very firm.  Keep and DO ALL written in the law of Moses, so you don’t turn right or left.
vs.7  So you will not associate with these nations, mention, serve or bow to their gods.

LESSONS.  What does it mean?
v.3  God is faithful to His promises and His people.  When God works in our lives, and gives us a testimony of His great power, we need to cling to that and set our hearts not to forget what He has done.
vs. 4  God has victories for His people to claim.
vs. 5  God calls us to do things that only He can accomplish.  When God calls us, there is always a gap between what we can do and what God must do (Crawford Lorrits).  This gap is where obedience is a must and our faith will be tested, but God will be glorified on the other side! BELIEVE IT!
vs. 6  Be FIRM and DO ALL…  Faith is a verb.  Faith becomes real, personal and tangible when we put to action and obey the God we say we believe in.  We obey with action, not just words. We cannot be a people of a great faith without being a people of great obedience.
vs.7 Bank tellers do not train with counterfeit dollars so they can pick out the false currency, they train day after day with the real deal, so when the fake comes along, it’s obvious & easy to spot.  We need not fill our minds with learning the intricacies of all other ideas and religions of the world, we need to fill our hearts and our homes with the very Word of God, the TRUTH, day in and day out, so when a counterfeit comes along, it’s easy not only for us to spot, but our children as well.

APPLICATION: What does it mean to me?
vs.3  Do I live my life upon the fact that God will continue to be faithful to His Word and faithful to me?  How has God been faithful to me in the past?  Do I need to cling to that for the present?
vs.4  What victories does God have for me to claim?  Do I choose to live in defeat over the victory God has given?  Perhaps I have not claimed the victory because I don’t want to show up to the battle God wants me to face?  (God gave Jericho to Joshua before the battle ever began, but Joshua still had to obey and show up on site! Joshua 5-6)
vs.5 What has God called me to that He must do? (Not where have I called myself to, or where I would like to be, or where I think I deserve to be, or where it is logical for me to be, this is God centered not me centered)  Have I spent time in God’s Word and asked Him?vs.6  Is it now that God is asking us to ACT upon those beliefs we have said for years that we so strongly believe? What would it look like if we as Christians actually lived out in real life what we say we believe in our hearts?  How will I begin to implement godly obedience in my life?
vs.7  Am I more concerned about the gods of this world and not offending anyone than I am with knowing the Everlasting God, the LORD Jehovah and the Creator of Heaven and earth?  

Share with us your lesson(s) and applications and what they mean to you.
 Do you know someone that might be blessed by joining our study?
 Please share this blog link with them.

Homework: Joshua 23: 8-11

Time to register for our FREE annual Women’s Bible Study at The Cove.  Classes begin on Tuesday January 8, 2013 for both Kendra Graham’s evening study and for Jane Derrick’s morning study.  Bring a friend or your Sunday school class and enjoy digging into the Word in the beautiful setting of The Cove, in Asheville, NC. 

Click here for more information and to register or call 1-800-950-2092.

 

 

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Gary Thomas to Teach on the Names of God

Posted on October 11, 2012 by notesfromthecove

Gary Thomas, award-winning author, probably best known for Sacred Marriage, will teach us here at The Cove later this month about knowing the Object of our worship. Read below, as he explains why it is important to know the names of God.

We live in a self-important society. We take personality tests. We use social media to broadcast what is on our mind. We hear slogans that tell us we’re due something or we deserve a reward.

But, in order to live in such a way that God is most glorified, we must pursue a greater knowledge of Him.

“To really be who God made us to be, we must make it a priority to know Him over knowing ourselves. Who God is will transform our own lives, our relationships, and our own sense of identity,” explained Thomas.

God As Creator

One way Thomas will give the audience a biblical lens through which they can more closely examine God is to study Him as Creator. When we can emphasize God as our Creator as much as we do our Savior, this provides a stronger basis for worship.

“This understanding should change how we view our lives, days, body and money. God as Savior is such a glorious role. But He has a prior claim as creator.”

So, how does this understanding change the way we live?

“I think it feeds our worship. We realize just how great God is and that’s what informs our worship. We’re not relying on our feelings toward Him but leaning on a deeper understanding of who He is and what makes Him who He is,” said Thomas.

“The more we love Him and understand Him, we see that He’s better than we could have dreamed. And we gain an appreciation of who He is by studying His names.”

Not only can we know God deeper through understanding His names and his attributes, we can better understand ourselves. God’s position as creator, explains our call to create. We are called to a sense of mission.

“We are to be people who create. The problem is passivity. We’re not creating as God calls us to create. Fathers are leaving children instead of creating families. Instead of creating work or business, people are waiting for handouts. Instead of sharing our faith to create brothers and sisters in Christ, we often sit out these opportunities, afraid to do so.”

A Merciful God

Another name Thomas will examine during the seminar is “God the Merciful.”

We like to receive mercy, but we’re often slow to give it. Thomas hopes to help people become more merciful as he teaches them about the God of mercy.

“We’ll look at the well known passage in Micah that tells us to love mercy, act justly, and to walk humbly with God. We’re called to love, and out of that love we are to give mercy to others.”

Understanding: A Precursor to Change

Once we gain an understanding of God’s names and attributes (like Creator and Merciful), we get more than just knowledge: we’re called to action. We’re not learning just to gain information; we’re learning so we can change.

“Knowing who God is affects how we treat others. When we lack mercy, we have poisoned relationships because we’re holding on to things. Also, when we can understand who God is, for instance, as Creator, it changes the way we worship. We’re not just worshipping when the music is catchy or the hymns sound majestic, but we’re worshipping in spirit and in truth.”

You can still make plans! Join Gary October 29-31 as you fall more in love with God and learn to become a more accurate picture of Him.

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An Evening at The Cove with Marty Goetz

Posted on October 8, 2012 by notesfromthecove

On October 20th, modern day psalmist, Marty Goetz, takes the stage at The Cove.  Long before he was known for his beautiful music, a 13-year-old Marty stood at the bimah of Cleveland’s Temple on the Heights for his bar mitzvah and solemnly sang the ancient worlds of the Torah.  Some 20 years later, Marty would be found singing to God at Billy Graham’s Rally in Central Park. 

Marty’s songs are scriptures beautifully set to music, leaving listeners spiritually moved, inspired and educated. With melodic and fresh acoustical/classic arrangements, Marty Goetz has the ability to lead you into a place of true intimacy with God.

Read on as Marty describes his experience at The Cove. 

By Marty Goetz

On the wall in a room where I often stay, when playing and singing at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, hangs a plaque which reads: “All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15)

Life at The Cove is like that; a veritable feast for the soul! (For the body, as well; the food is fantastic!) From the moment you enter the grounds, the beauty of the place envelops you, inviting you to a time of rest, refreshment and spiritual restoration.  Everyone who works there is a servant of the Lord, treating you as if you were the most important person on earth.  Your every need is attended to with care and a prayer and a smile, and all you have to do is enjoy your stay. 

As if that were not enough, you have the pleasure of sitting at the feet of the finest Bible expositors this world has to offer.  The teaching sessions are inspiring and impacting, leading to personal reflection and interaction with others who are there to grow in their relationship with Jesus. 

My wife, Jennifer, and I have been blessed to participate in the work of the Billy Graham Training Center these past many years.  What a privilege for us to have had the opportunity to meet Dr. Billy and Ruth Graham and their family.  We are continually amazed that God would allow us to partner with Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea in some of the special events offered by this ministry that is truly, a ‘heaven on earth’. 

Often, when leading worship, I play the piano with my shoes removed.  Some have asked if, by doing that, I am implying that I am on ‘holy ground’.  Well, to be honest, I simply prefer playing that way, but… when I’m at The Cove….it happens to be true!
———-
Don’t miss your chance to join Marty for an Evening at The Cove on Saturday, October 20th.  Overnight lodging is available at applicable rates and includes breakfast the following morning.  To register click here or call 1-800-950-2092. 

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Come see us! Fall Saturday Hours for the Chapel at The Cove …

Posted on October 5, 2012 by notesfromthecove

“There are two gorgeous chapels in eastern America.  One is at Duke University and the other is here at The Cove.”  Billy Graham

The Chatlos Memorial Chapel and Visitor’s Center is nestled on the 1,200 acre property of The Cove, The Billy Graham Training Center, in the mountains of Asheville, NC.  Take a free tour or enjoy a few minutes alone for prayer and reflection in the elegant simplicity of this beautiful place.

The building is constructed using blue granite stone hand hewn by local craftsmen and is furnished with antique pews from the Royal London Society for the Blind, a 400-year old pulpit from the Church of England and handcrafted wrought iron chandeliers. 

Our Visitor’s Center includes an “Ambassador for God Around the World—Billy Graham” display and a tour guide will share interesting facts about the ministry. 

The Chatlos Memorial Chapel and Visitor’s Center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  We are also open on Saturdays in the Fall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (October 6 – November 17, 2012).  The Cove is closed to visitors during most major holidays and other special occasions.  Admission is free.  Come see us!      

Would you like to meet a few of the wonderful tour guides at The Chatlos Memorial Chapel?  Watch here as Rip, Wanda and Dawne share their experience volunteering at The Cove. 

Click here for more information or to view photos of the Chapel.   

Click here for a schedule of Cove seminar, leadership training, senior adult events, personal spiritual retreat and concert dates.   

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Kendra’s Bible Study…Joshua 21:43-45

Posted on October 2, 2012 by notesfromthecove

Welcome to Kendra Graham’s online Bible study.  This is a place where women can come together and share their 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 suggests you use the following process when studying Scripture.  We have included an example of this process from John 1:1.

Step 1:  Pray
 Step 2: Read God’s Word (look at the passage)
 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
Step 3: What Does God’s Word Say? (list the facts)
 1 In the beginning the Word was with God and was God.
 Step 4: What Does God’s Word Mean? (learn the lessons)
 1 God‘s Word is not just ancient philosophy, it is eternal Truth.
 Step 5: What Does God’s Word Mean to Me? (listen to his voice)
 1 How do I view the Bible?

Kendra Graham NOTES from Joshua 21:43-45 homework 

What does it Say? FACTS

v43.  The LORD gave Israel all the land He swore.
v.44  The LORD gave them rest, according to all He had sworn to their fathers. The LORD gave their enemies into their hand.
v45.  Not one of the promises the LORD made failed.  ALL CAME TO PASS.

What does it mean?  LESSONS

v.43  God says what He means and means what He says.  What God says He will do, He will do.  Evidence of the faithfulness of God can be measured personally.
v.44  God’s promises span generations.  Even though God promised “their fathers” and their fathers had died, no part of God’s promises died.  God promised a previous generation, so present Israel took Him at His previous Word, stepped out on faith then…  God became their leader, defender, refuge, strength, strong tower, encourager, shield and banner in a world that should have chewed them up for breakfast.  This is what their testimony says about who God is to them personally.  They overcame by the Word of their testimony.  It is great to hear of God’s great stories from old, but there are great stories of God to be written today, when your personal faith becomes forged… often it is through the fire that things are forged… through the hard times, times of affliction and pain, the times when you are tired and want to run as fast as you can to the middle of nowhere and throw in the towel on your faith… those are the times you need to hold on, nails splitting from the grip you have on Jesus! Hold on to that hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5)… CLAIM IT, don’t let anyone steal the blessing that is at the end of all this! Your personal testimony of God’s faithfulness to you! Don’t settle for someone else’s story, let this be yours?
v.45  God’s Word is true.  God is trustworhy.  Doesn’t matter if I believe it or not…. God says it, thus, it is so.  Doesn’t matter how I feel about it, think about it, believe about it, or whether or not I act upon it.  It is because God has said so…. the only one missing out if I don’t live my life based up on the TRUTHS of His Word, is me. 

What Does it mean to me?  Applications

 v.43  How has God been faithful to others in my life? Do I believe God will be faithful to     me? Lord, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24)!
v44. What testimony does God want to work out in my life? Have I been satisfied to hear of the awesome works of God in other people’s lives not knowing God wants to be personal to me?  Do I have a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness to me?
v45. How would my life change if I really lived on the FACT God is who He says He is?

Share with us your lesson(s) and applications and what they mean to you.
 Do you know someone that might be blessed by joining our study?
 Please share this blog link with them.

HOMEWORK: Joshua 23:3-7

Time to register for our FREE annual Women’s Bible Study at The Cove.  Classes begin on Tuesday January 8, 2013 for both Kendra Graham’s evening study (7-week long) and for Jane Derrick’s morning study (8-week long).  Bring a friend or your Sunday school class and enjoy digging into the Word in the beautiful setting of The Cove, in Asheville, NC. 

Click here for more information and to register or call 1-800-950-2092.

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FREE Webcast Tonight with Alistair Begg!

Posted on September 24, 2012 by notesfromthecove

Join us online tonight at 7:35pm ET for the first session of Alistair Begg’s seminar at The Cove titled, The Truth, Power and Relevance of the Gospel…for FREE! 

No amount of money, social status, power, nor any kind of immediate gratification could ever take the place of peace with God. Learn to live the Gospel daily with the blessed assurance that nothing “will be able to separate” you “from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39, ESV).

Please share this great opportunity with friends and family. 

Click here to watch online.

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A Poem by Ruth Bell Graham

Posted on September 22, 2012 by notesfromthecove

By Ruth Bell Graham

Lay them quietly at His feet

one by one:

each desire, however sweet,

just begun;

dreams still hazy, growing bright;

hope just poised, winged for flight;

all your longing—each delight—

every one.

At His feet and leave them there,

never fear;

every heartache, crushing care—

trembling tear;

you will find Him always true,

men may fail you, friends be few,

He will prove Himself to you

far more dear.

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Women’s Day Away at The Cove…

Posted on September 18, 2012 by notesfromthecove

Ladies, has the phrase “Calgon, take me away!” been running through your mind lately?  Well, now is your chance to get away, refresh and renew your mind and your soul in the beautiful and serene setting of The Cove in Asheville, NC. 

Join us for a Women’s Day Away on October 2nd, as acclaimed author and Bible teacher, Cindy Easley, teaches on The Strength and Influence of a Godly Woman.  God wants to use you to impact those around you for good.  Come explore your identity in Christ and the power He has given you to make a profound difference in the world.     

Read on as Cindy explains how God’s commandment to be strong and courageous plays out in our daily lives and how we are to be encouraged in the truth that we are NEVER alone.  

 

 

By Cindy Easley:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.    Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

I’ve always loved those words.  “Be strong and courageous”.  That phrase appears at least 10 times in God’s Word.  “Be strong and courageous.”  Moses encourages Israel, “Be strong and courageous.”  He instructs Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”  David admonishes his son, Solomon, “Be strong and courageous.”  And of course, as you can read above, the LORD God tells Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”

It must be that these men of God, these Biblical heroes, were…well…afraid.  They felt weak and inadequate for the task set before them.  I can relate to that!  Occasionally I feel like I’ve got it all together, but most of the time I feel weak and inadequate.  Afraid I’m not up to the job set before me.

Just as Joshua stood on the edge of the Promised Land ready to lead those rebellious Israelites, God places each of us in unique situations.

God calls us to be salt and light.  He tells us to “go into the world.”  God wants His children to be influencers, leaders, the kind of men and women that impact the people around them.   And frankly, this terrifies me.  I’ve often been astounded (and worried) that God placed me in my family and my workplace, and in my neighborhood.  God has trusted me with influencing each of these people.   And all too often I feel afraid and weak and inadequate.

Thankfully we aren’t left with just the command “Be strong and courageous.”  Each time these words are uttered, they’re also followed with the comfort and promise that God will be with us.  We don’t need to be anxious or afraid or even discouraged because God is with us.  Always. Where ever we go. 

But it’s not just that God is there, He’s also leading and guiding and showing us the way.  That’s why He’s with us.  God knows we are weak and inadequate without Him. 

That means that God is with me in my parenting.  When I’m absolutely unsure of how to impact my children, or how to guide them into adulthood, God does.   And when my co-worker is so confused about “all that spiritual stuff”, God is there too.  When I’m caring for elder parents, or helping a friend grieve the loss of a child, God is there and He will give me the strength and courage to walk into difficult situations and to fill my inadequacy with His light and life.

So the next time you are discouraged, or afraid, or anxious remember that God is with you.  Let these words be your strength and comfort…your battle cry!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.    Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Click here  or call 1-800-950-2092 to register for the Women’s Day Away with Cindy Easley on October 2, 2012. 

 

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Beth Moore Simulcast at The Cove

Posted on September 11, 2012 by notesfromthecove

 

The Cove will be a host site for the Living Proof Live simulcast with Beth Moore. Come and experience inspiring worship with acclaimed worship leader Travis Cottrell and gain a fresh perspective on God’s Word with Beth Moore during this live internet streaming event from Reading, Pennsylvania. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join with other women from our community as we gather together to study Scripture under the leadership of this renowned Bible teacher.

Lunch and materials are included. Please also note a lodging option is available for the night of September 15th which would include breakfast on the 16th. Pre-registration for this event is required so please call us at 1-800-950-2092 to register.

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Kendra’s Bible Study…Joshua 14:12-15

Posted on September 11, 2012 by notesfromthecove

Welcome to Kendra Graham’s online Bible study.  This is a place where women can come together and share their 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 suggests you use the following process when studying Scripture.  We have included an example of this process from John 1:1.

Step 1:  Pray
 Step 2: Read God’s Word (look at the passage)
 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
Step 3: What Does God’s Word Say? (list the facts)
 1 In the beginning the Word was with God and was God.
 Step 4: What Does God’s Word Mean? (learn the lessons)
 1 God‘s Word is not just ancient philosophy, it is eternal Truth.
 Step 5: What Does God’s Word Mean to Me? (listen to his voice)
 1 How do I view the Bible?

Kendra Graham NOTES from Joshua 14:12-15 homework

FACTS:  What does it say?
v12: “Give me this hill country, Anakim (giants) were there, fortified cities”  The LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken.
v13. So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb.
v14. Hebron became Caleb’s inheritance because he followed the LORD GOD of Israel FAITHFULLY.
v15.  The land had rest from war.

LESSONS: What does it mean?
v12.  God calls us to HARD, TOUGH things that are too big for us…. thus we need him.  Caleb knew the character of God, knew what God had called him to and then BELIEVED GOD by acting on that faith.  FAITH IS A VERB (an ACTION verb).  WE DO, because we believe.  Caleb believed God and took Him at His Word.
v13.  By faith the blessing was received on the front part of the battle.  Because of the faith of Caleb, he was blessed.  Acting on faith results in blessings from God.
v14.   Faithfulness to knowing God and obeying God will always end in a life blessed by God. Caleb’s testimony to a life of faithfulness: It’s WORTH it! BELIEVE GOD! His Word is True and faithful!
v15. When we battle though those daunting times, when we want to walk away from our faith completely, but don’t makes the times of peace that much more of a blessing.  Hang in there, hold on, press in, the King of Peace is coming. (Revelation 21:3-7) It is worth it! Praise God we can hold on through the tough times of trial and tribulation because Jesus overcame the the world!  John 16:33 “These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you SO THAT IN ME you may have PEACE.  In the world you HAVE (not may have, or might have, but HAVE) TRIBULATION but TAKE COURAGE, I have OVERCOME the WORLD!”  AWESOME.  We never want the testimony, the hardship, the struggles that God has entrusted us with… but God has indeed entrusted them to you so that you may hold on because we can… we can hold on because of what Jesus has done for us, and others need to see our peace in the midst of it.  Courage in the midst of it.  The battle in the midst of it… so at the end, when times are peaceful we can shout and share what God has done through the midst of it.

APPLICATIONS: What does it mean to me??
v12.  What “Anakim” (giants) in my life am I facing now?  Do I constantly look for the easy way out, thinking that because I love Jesus the hard stuff will float past me?  When have I believed God through a tough situation, and held on by the skin of my teeth only to find that indeed God was more than enough?  What situation am I facing now that makes me want to run and hide from my faith?  What will I do? Stand or fall? Fight or flee?
v13.   What am I believing God for? (my marriage to improve, a wayward child to come home, a disease to be contained, my economic needs to be met? Support to be raised?)  What blessings are right there for the taking if I just really lived my life believing God really is who He says He is?
v14. Who do I know that has led a faithful life to God?  What is their testimony?  How will I live today in faithfulness to God and His commands?  Tomorrow? The day after that?  Will I start to live a life of faithfulness today?
v15.  “And they overcame because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony” Revelation 12:11

What is my testimony someone needs to hear?  What do I have to press into so that someone else can come to Jesus? 

Share with us your lesson(s) and applications and what they mean to you.
 Do you know someone that might be blessed by joining our study?
 Please share this blog link with them.

HOMEWORK: Joshua 21:43-45

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