Chapter 6: Adonai - Lord & Master

I thought I might take a moment before we get to our study on Chapter 6 to explain a few things...
If you're following along and don't see many comments after the chapter summary, please don't take this as a sign that no one is really doing the study!!  You are not alone here!  In fact, many more ladies are following and doing this study that the names & faces you see to the right of the post!

In fact, I get comments via Facebook & email all the time regarding what ladies are learning about their God as a result of this Bible study!  I think that this particular study becomes very personal rather quickly.  And therefore, perhaps women are not as willing to be vulnerable to the world wide web.

I completely understand this and applaud you for not airing all of your skeletons to strangers.  But if you so desire to comment - I welcome them in any way you want to send them.  And even if you don't want to comment - that's okay too - as long as your making your comments to the Lord - you're on the right track!

Now on with Chapter 6 - Adonai

Before we get too far into this chapter's lesson, I want to ask you two very important questions...

What are the things that you own?

(don't over spiritualize this - just think about the things in your life that you would attach the word, Mine, to)

Do you have any areas in your life where you would say, "Lord, I can't"?

(this could be about places you would go, things you would do, people you would love, etc)

Okay - hang on to those questions and answers and let them bake in your mind for a bit while we back up and learn a little more about this particular name for God - Adonai.

Whenever you see, "Lord", in scripture (written in exactly like this - capital L, smaller uppercase ord) it means, Adonai, meaning Master or more simply owner.  If you see, LORD, (written in all caps) it means God or Yahweh.

The first time we read about Adonai is with Abram - (yes, again with Abram!).  Abram is asking God what He will give him since he is still childless.  Will He make Eliezer of Damascus his heir?

The interesting thing here is that Eliezer was Abram's bondslave (not a hired slave).  A bond servant or slave was far better off than a hired servant because his master provided for his every need!

Ladies, as believers, as Christians, we are bondslaves to the Lord.  Slave?  How in the world could this be a good thing?  Well, for one, just as we see with Abram - you are welcomed in as a member of the family and are totally provided for by the Master. 

Kay then had us read several scriptures where we saw the benefit of having God as our Master.

I've listed them below.  Please take a moment to read them (or review them from your personal workbook) and see the benefits and/or responsibilities of living under this kind of authority.

Psalm 89:50-51;     Psalm 141:8-10;     Psalm 119:125;     
Judges 6:14-16

Then we looked at some verses about all that God is Adonai (Master) over:

Deuteronomy 9:26;    1 Kings 2:26;    Psalm 2:4;    
Psalm 8:1, 6-8;    Psalm 37:12-13

I want to specifically draw your attention to Psalm 8:1, 6-8 (just in case you gave up with all the Bible calisthenics)...  Here we see that the Lord is ruler, Master, over EVERYTHING!  If you listed them out in your workbook you probably wrote down: works of Your hands (which is everything), flocks, herds, beasts, birds, fish.  This doesn't leave room for anything to be left out of the Lord's dominion, does it?!

Are you ready to call the Lord, your Master?  Are you ready to hand it all over to Him?  Because quite frankly, my sweet sisters - He already owns everything that you are currently calling, "Mine!"

Go back to the first question that I asked you at the beginning of this session.  "What are the things that you own?"  Did you know that the Lord, Adonai already owns everything?  You are just a steward of what belongs to Him.  This includes your house, your car, your washing machine, and yes, even your children!  They do not belong to you - they belong to God.  And He is allowing you to temporarily take care of them.

How does this make you feel?

In a way, it kind of puts things in a better perspective if you think about it.  Ownership is not always what it's cracked up to be.  Ownership demands maintenance and repairs and much attention and provision.

Okay, I know that we could stop right here and chew on this information for a while - but there's one more thing I want you to see with Adonai.  And it's something that Abram kind of missed when he called the Lord, Adonai.  See, Adonai means Master, meaning I am completely submissive to your direction, God.  And yet, Abram saw his areas of lacking while trying to call the Lord, Master.

If your Master is telling you to do something, He is going to provide you with what you need to do the task!  Remember when we were saying that a bond servant was treated like a member of the family and the Master had to completely provide for the servant's needs?  It is an incompatible statement to say, "Lord (Adonai), I can't do that!" - when He's told you to do it!

Are you submissive or not?  Are you allowing Him to be your Master or not?  Another incompatible statement is, "Lord, I don't want to!"  

If He is truly your Lord,  your Master, you don't get to put your wants above His instructions and directions for your life!!!

Did you know that a Master can demand respect & obedience?  This is kind of the nature of "Master".  But I want to show you where God addresses this in scripture:  

Malachi 1:6

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master.  Then if I am a father, where is My honor?And if I am master, where is My respect?" says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name.

We are to honor, respect, and obey the Lord as the Master, the owner of our entire life. 

I want to end our time together with 3 things that a person who knows God as their Adonai will do:

(this was taken from Ken Hemphill's, The Names of God)

1.  They know God is the owner of their entire life and consider it a privilege to serve Him

2.  They know that their Master will supply everything in order for them to do what He has called them to do.

3.  They can do whatever God (Adonai) calls them to do.  

(In other words, they never say, "Lord, I can't.")

I want to close with the Memory Verse that Kay gives us at the end of the chapter.  Take a moment and look it up in your own Bible, pray over and make it personal.

Psalm 16:2, I said to the Lord, "Thou art my Lord (Adonai); I have no good besides Thee."

Points of discussion for the Comment Section:

1.  How do you feel about God, Adonai, owning EVERYTHING - which includes you, your things, and your family members, and friends?

2.  Have you ever said, "Lord, I can't!" or "Lord, I don't want to?"  What were the results of those circumstances?

3.  What kind of comfort does it bring you that as your Adonai, He will supply you will your every need?

4.  Point to ponder - knowing God as your Adonai puts you in a position (bowed down) to actually see Him as your El Shaddai (nourisher, provider, all sufficient).  Have you experienced this?

I'm super proud of your faithfulness to learn and get to know your God!

Your sis in the faith,

pen

Chapter 5: El Shaddai - The All-Sufficient One

I'm so glad that you decided to open this blog!  It is not by accident that you opened a blog or a link about an All-Sufficient God!  God has some amazing things to reveal about Himself today in this Chapter Summary on El Shaddai - the All-Sufficient God.  Please be diligent to read to the end of this summary.

Before we get started - I want to encourage you to read Genesis 17:1-3

I don't know what trials or experiences you are facing as you read this today - but I would imagine that most of us could say that we have or are facing the impossible!

Think about this with me for just a moment...

What will it take to relieve your anxiety?

(we all have areas that keep us from sleeping)

How much is enough?

(enough what?  money, security, friends, acceptance, etc)

I want to share with you today - that God is the answer to both of the questions above!

God is enough.  He is sufficient for ALL your needs!

There are wonderful promises in the Bible.  Like the one found in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  Or like Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing."

Can these really be true in your life - or are they just words on a page that sound good.  Can they REALLY be true in our lives?!  With a resounding YES - I want to scream!

Share with us if you have experienced how God is truly enough and how He can relieve your anxiety.

Kay shares with us the Greek meaning of this name for God - El Shaddai.  As we have studied in previous chapters the "El" means mighty and powerful.  So what about the Shaddai part.  It has been widely accepted that Shaddai comes from another Hebrew word - Shad - which means to nourish or supply.  As a  woman this has an even more personal meaning and/or understanding.  The Hebrew word Shad actually means The Pourer or the Shedder forth.  It also has a meaning of "breasted".

So to put these all together we have a God would supplies all of our nourishment by pouring Himself out for His creatures.  He sheds forth His Spirit upon us and actually dwells within us.

There is nothing more beautiful and comforting knowing that as a baby cries a mother can provide for this little one from her very being!  I know it paints a strange picture - but this is where we get "all-sufficient" - He can provide for everything that we may be hungering for and need.

The thing that I want you to understand from this chapter is not only can He provide for our needs - but He provides in situations that seem impossible!

Look at the verses from Genesis again.  This is the first time we see God revealed as El Shaddai - to Abram as he turns 99 years old and again is reminded that he will father a son from Sarai - who is 89 years old.  Are you kidding me?!  Really?!  This can really still happen?!  Yes!  With God as their El Shaddai - God Almighty - God makes a way from who He is in areas that seem impossible!

Just look at what He did for Abraham & Sarah...  El Shaddai brought fruit to an empty & very old womb.   Do you have areas that seem impossible to you?  Areas where you're sure they are just hopeless - even for God?

So finally I ask you - if God can move and work with the impossibles and make them possibles and fruitful - what's the catch?  In other words - what is required of me?  Is there something I must do first?

YES!

I see three things that put us in the right position to see God move in our areas of impossibilities.

1.  Take this message as a warning.  

We will never accomplish for God His plan as long as we are still doing things our way.

Don't use prayer as your last resort!

2.  We must be ready to take a posture of positive surrender!

Be willing to let go and let God.  Don't do this grudgingly!

3.  Be willing to wait!

Wait!  Really?!  

Abraham & Sarah had to wait for God's timing and so must we!

Today, in the comments section, share with us how you have experienced God as your El Shaddai - how He provided in ways that seemed impossible to you.  If you have not experienced God as your El Shaddai, share with us how you will begin to let go & let God take control of those areas that give you anxiety.

I love you all dearly and am so very proud that you are still studying God's Word with me!

Your sis in the faith,

pen

Chapter 4: El Roi - The God Who Sees

I'm so proud of you in your faithfulness to this study!  I know it must take a lot of discipline to go through a study at home and attend ONLINE, rather than going a meeting a group of ladies.  While, yes, it may be easier to cozy up to your computer with a cup of coffee, your Bible, and your book - it does indeed take discipline to read and study.  I know this to be true & I applaud your faithfulness!

I know as a result God is going to show you great & mighty things that will bring healing, comfort and power to your life.

In this chapter (Chapter 4) we see God as El Roi - The God Who Sees.  I hope you have taken the time to read this short chapter - it was amazing!  But if you are following this blog only I want to give you some background information.

The first time in scripture where we see El Roi mentioned is in Genesis 16.  Please take a moment to go and read this very short chapter.  It is a familiar story about Sarai (her name has not yet been changed to Sarah) & Hagar.

In Genesis Chapter 16, we see where Sarai, couldn't wait for God to fulfill His promise of her having a son, so she sends Hagar to her husband Abram in the hopes that she can have a son through her.  I just wrote in the margins of my Bible, "WOW!" when I read that Abram took Hagar as his wife.  I know times were different then, but SERIOUSLY!  What was Sarai thinking?  As my husband calls it, I think this was some kind of "stinkin' thinkin'!"

Hagar does get pregnant and does indeed have a son.  Good news right?  Wrong!  As a result, the women treated each other harshly (interesting isn't it... when we get ahead of God and go our own way, discord begins to happen!).   Eventually Hagar just can't take it anymore and she runs away (literally).

The Lord finds Hagar in the wilderness, by a spring and reveals Himself to her as El Roi - the God Who Sees all that has happened.  He explains what is about to happen.  She will have a son, she will name him Ishmael, and that she is to return to Sarai & Abram.

My dear friends - have you ever had a Hagar Moment?  Perhaps you did exactly like you were told, you did a good job, and then it just didn't measure up?  It just wasn't enough and you were still ridiculed for what you were told to do?!  How frustrating right?  It could be enough for you to literally run away, or enough for you to run away from it in your spirit.  And as a result, you never really received healing.  If this is where you are today - I have good news for you!

God sees it all!  Have you ever wondered, "Where is God?" or "Did God see what they just did to me?"  The answer is a resounding, "YES!"

Based on this, I would imagine that we all have areas in our life that need some healing?  So where do we start?  Where does real healing begin?  Read Psalm 139: 7-12.  Nothing happens that God does not see.  There is no place that evil can hide from God.  He sees it all.

Kay says on page 32, "God saw it.  He knows the sin that was committed against you.  And someday He will vindicate you."  How does this make you feel?  Does this bring you comfort?

The chapter ends with a great thought... "What if you had a loved one who ran away or who was missing?  Although you would not know where he was or what was happening in his life, El Roi does!" 

Perhaps you're really concerned about your future and you just can see how you're going to get out of where you currently are - you can't see - but El Roi does!

Conclude your time today reading Proverbs 15:3.  "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good."

Comments for today's discussion:
1.  What comfort does knowing your God as El Roi bring to you today?
2.  How does Proverbs 15:3 make you feel?
3.  Do you have some times in your life where you felt like Hagar?  How would knowing God as El Roi helped you then and how does it help to heal you now?
4.  Take a moment to thank God for being your El Roi - that He does see all that happens concerning you, His child!

Chapter 3: El Elyon - The God Most High

I certainly hope & pray that you are enjoying this Bible Study.  I know that I am.  I tried to keep up with the weeks and the chapters - but knowing that the pace of an online study is different than a local in-person study, we're not bound to "weeks."  So starting today, I will just list them (or title them) according to the chapter of study.

Chapter 3 rocked my world!  I don't know if you've ever studied the sovereignty of God before, but it can really impact how you view your God and truly impact your prayers in a positive way.

I hope that you saw in studying Elohim that you were created with a purpose!  Our God - Elohim - the Creator, created us to give Him glory and to do His will.   All that we do in our everyday-regular-life-stuff should point to His glory and that we are being obedient to His will for our lives.

Now in Chapter 3 we see that God is El Elyon - The God Most High.  This means that our God is sovereign.  I've listed here just a few definitions of sovereign (this is very helpful if the concept of sovereign is new to you):

1.  Not controlled by outside forces
2.  Greatest in status
3.  Chief ruler
4.  Permanent authority
5.  Absolute and independant authority
6.  Free from external control and constraint in action and judgment

On page 15, Kay says, "For if God is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then He is not the Most High, and you and I are either in the hands of fate (whatever that is), in the hands of man, or in the hands of the devil."

After reading this I wrote in the margin of my book, "This leaves me no security!  What a scary thought!"  Ladies... I want my God to be Most High - I want my God to be sovereign!  Don't you?!

In this chapter Kay had us turn to many scriptures to see the sovereignty of God.  I do hope that you have a book and are actually turning to them in your own Bible.  If you do not have a book - I've listed them here for you.  Please take a moment and turn to them and see what a sovereign God looks like.
(Don't worry - they aren't long and they are worth it to see!  I promise!)

Daniel 4:34-35;  Isaiah 14:24,27;   Isaiah 46: 9-11;    Daniel 2:20-23;  Isaiah 5:5-7;   Deuteronomy 32:39;  1 Samuel 1:5-6;   1 Samuel 2:6-10;  Isaiah 45:6-7;   John 19:10-11

Stop for a minute and think about your own life.  Do you like that God is in control all the time?  That nothing can happen to you, to your family, to all the people around you without the ultimate permission of God?  Share with us how this makes you feel in the comment section today!

Ladies, it is so important to realize, especially after reading these verses, that God is totally and completely in control of your life!  There is great news here!  God wants you to follow Him - to do His will and to bring glory to Him and He will do and/or allow anything to happen to get to that end!

He will allow amazing miracles to take place to show His glory.  He will also allow horrible hardships to befall us - if it will bring us to our knees and recognize that He is Holy.  Remember - it's all about His glory and His will. 

I have often said that many times God will through small little pebbles at us to get our attention.  Please, ladies do not push Him to through a boulder at us!  Recognize when He's trying to get your attention.  If you miss it - in His sovereignty, He might just wound so He can heal! (from verse Deuteronomy 32:39 - go read it if you didn't before - it will really educate you!)

El Elyon is super powerful!  He is the Most High God.  Did you know that our prayers do not inform or educate God about anything?  Nothing surprises God!  He is bigger than anything you can share with Him.  He is bigger than your worst nightmare!  He is more powerful than your scariest monster in your life!  And the good news - He is so big that there's nothing you can do to make Him stop loving you!  He's more forgiving than your biggest mistake!  He has more love than you have mistakes.  His bag of do-overs never empties!  He is the God Most High!  

I want to close with a small exercise.  In Chapter 2, we read Romans 11:36 - "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever.  Amen."

I want you to list your "all things" to God.  In other words, what are you dealing with this morning that is quite frankly just too much for you?  Because remember - from, through, and to - is this thing!

Now - look at the verse for Chapter 3 - Psalm 57:2 - "I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me."

Here we see El Elyon - we can cry to Him with the "all thing" that you listed from Chapter 2 - and know that our God is able to accomplish it for us!

It is comforting to me to know that I can cry out to El Elyon and know that in His sovereignty He will accomplish good things in my life!

Continue reading - continue learning about your God - everything rides on this!  I promise that your prayers will become more effective and so will your life, as you study the names of your God!

your sis in the faith,
Pen

Week 2: Chapter 2 - Elohim

Hello my dear Friends!
I really wanted chapters 2 & 3 to come a lot sooner than this, but no worries - remember the online pace could be slower or faster than the local classes.  I might surprise you this next week and have a posting about chapters 4-6 really fast... you just never know - so I hope you're checking the blog daily so you don't miss anything!

Wow!  Chapter 2 rocked my world!  Just from a name of God we can find our entire life's purpose!

We learned our first name of God - Elohim.  The El part of this name means, "mighty" and "strong" and the him part is a plural ending indicating more than one.  This is where we learn about the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Our God is a 3 in 1 God who is mighty & strong.  Elohim is also the name for God as CREATOR.  In the previous chapter we learned that the name of God is a strong tower and we can run to it for safety.   How in the world can knowing our God as Creator be a strong tower for us?

God, as Creator, gave us life.  Have you ever wondered why?  Why did He create you?  Why in the world are you here?

Please read Psalm 139:13-14.  You are fearfully & wonderfully made!  Do you know this?  Or do you look in the mirror and see something different than what God sees?

On page 10 of Chapter 2, Kay talks about the disciples who had seen a blind man.  This man had been blind from birth and the disciples asked who in this man's life had sinned.  Jesus answered this question in John 9:3, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works fo God might be displayed him him."

Wow!  You may not understand why you look the way you do, or why you're having to experience the kind of life that you have, but you can trust in the name of your God!

Read Isaiah 50:10.  Here we see someone who fears God, obeys God and yet still struggles in life.  But Isaiah says to still trust in & rely on the name of God!

Read Romans 11:36 (this is one of my favorite verses!)
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever. Amen."
Share with us what this verse means to you.

So again... why were we created?
Read Isaiah 43:1, 3-4, 7

We were created for His glory!  Have you ever been told this before?  Do you really get what this means for your daily life?!  Share with us what this means to you.

Kay defines what glory means on page 12, "in the Hebrew language it means to give the correct opinion or estimate of."

Okay, so if I am created for His glory, then my life should reflect a correct opinion or estimate of who God is.  Kay asks us, "How would you live if you were to live for His glory?"  Great question!!!

But you weren't only created for His glory - you were also created to do His will.
Read Revelation 4:11.

Did you see it?  "but because of Thy will they existed and were created."  Our lives should be lived in such a way as to reflect Him and His character and to accomplish His will.

Please don't miss this!  "To miss this purpose is to miss fulfillment."  My husband always says, in almost every sermon or counseling session that the Bible is filled guidelines that will give you the best life possible - don't miss it!

Elohim is our strong & mighty Creator God who gives us true life!  Do you want to just exist or do you want to truly live?!  Don't just go through life day after day burning hours - truly begin to live today by understanding that the very name of your God gives you life and purpose!

Are you living the purpose of your creation?  What would you need to change to make that happen?

Comments for this chapter discussion:
1.  Share how Romans 11:36 impacts your daily life.

2.  Do you truly get that you were created for His glory?  Does your life reflect the character of God in your daily, regular life stuff?

3.  Why is it important to know God as our Creator?

4.  What is currently happening in your life or circumstances that is easier to deal with now that you know God as your Elohim?

I look forward to reading and sharing with you!
Your sis in the faith,
Pen

Week 1: Chapter 1

Okay, so I know most of you probably have the book and are faithfully doing your daily assignments and are just plugging along in this new study.  However, I have had several ladies ask if they could just follow the blog - without necessarily buying the book.

I will NEVER tell something they have to buy something to study God's word.  Just get your Bible in your hand and your spirit in a place to receive what God wants to show you and you are welcome!

So, tonight (while the kids are asleep & John is at a church meeting) I thought I would give you a few notes about the first chapter.


Chapter 1:  The Names of the Lord
At the very beginning of this chapter Kay asks the question, "Where do you run in time of need?"

We study the names of God to know where to run to find help in times of trouble, worry, and fear.  When it seems like darkness is all around you and nothing you're doing seems to be working, where do you go?  When you feel like you're lost and you just can't seem to get a handle on life and certainly can't find joy, you need a strong and powerful name you can lean on and run to - and God is just that kind of name.

Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."

My sweet friends, we may not be able to ever know the reasons why things happen in our lives, but we can know the God who is able to deliver us through every trial and circumstance.  Do you believe this today?  If you're not sure... hang on.  Stick with us for this study.  Test and see if your faith is not strengthened the more we get to know Him.

Psalm 20:7 says, 

"Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; 

but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God."

Do you know what it means to boast in the name of the Lord?  To boast in something means to have confidence in or to trust.  So to boast in the name of the Lord means to have confidence in His name.

Can you say that you boast in the name of God? 

I think that we don't run to God or boast in God because we don't really know Him.  I hope that you have taken time to read the many names of God at the back of your book.  Did you know before this study that God even had that many names?!

Read all of Psalm 20.

In this passage look for every word that has something to do with trouble, need, or help and mark it in some way.

Now look for the Lord's promises - mark those too!

I also write a blog that bears the name "LIVING ABOVE' - we see in verse 1 that we can be set securely on high - we can live above whatever we're going through.  What sets us there on that high place - THE NAME OF GOD!!  Now that's some kind of power!

One last thing about this Psalm... verse 7 refers to chariots and horses.
What happened to the people who boasted in those?

What happened to the people who boasted in the name of the Lord?

Now don't you feel proud of yourself?!  We've already covered Chapter 1!!

Comment suggestions:
Always feel like you can "share" or comment on anything that you like about this chapter.  Even if you see something that I didn't bring up here!  I love it when someone sees something totally different from the same set of scriptures that I read!!!

But if you're needing some help...
1.  Contrast the two type of people - those who boast in the Lord and those who boast in horses & chariots.  Did you learn something here?

2.  Have you ever trusted in your own type of "horse & chariot" and if so what were they and how did they work for you?

3.  Now name a time that you totally trusted in the name of the Lord.  What were your results?

Please take time to pray over what you have learned from this first chapter.  And I would love to encourage you to memorize Proverbs 18:10 - "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."

I love you all dearly and welcome your input, insights, questions, and comments!
Your sis in the faith,
Pen

Week 1: Introduction

I'm so excited this day has finally come!  

Wednesday - Day 1 - Week 1 of our online study of, "Lord, I Want to Know You."

I don't know the hows and whys of what brought you to this study in this venue, but I would love to!  Please feel free to share in the comments what made you want to do this particular study in this manner (online) and at this time.  I think our answers will be interesting to share!

Today, I just want us to get familiar with our book and all that we'll be learning in this study.  In the local Bible Study group, we're doing this entire book in just 6-7 weeks.  I know it seems fast, so we're calling it our Summer Intensive Bible Study.  But the beauty of going through a study online is you can take it at whatever pace is comfortable for you.

Each week we will be discussing 3 names of God - or going through 3 chapters at a time.  Again, don't let this deter you from checking in and following along.  Just continue to read and comment at the pace that best fits your mood, schedule, and availability (or if you have children - the pace at which they keep interruption to a minimum!) .

Now I want you to get familiar with your book...

The first thing I want you to do is write your name and the date in the inside cover of your book.  Also write somewhere that you did this study with a group of ladies online.  I promise you'll reference this book again in the future and it will make you smile to remember the date and the circumstances of which you studied the Names of God.

Second, turn to page 196.  The page number is not actually listed on the page - but it is a page at the end of the book (right across from "Study Resources") that lists all the names of God that we will study, along with what the names mean.  Take a moment to read them all and then circle the one that most intrigues you.   Perhaps because it fills a need that you have or perhaps because it's a way that God has really been there for you.

Now I want you to look at page 193.  If you're like me, you might need help pronouncing a few of the names we're about to learn.  I wanted you to know that this page exists & where to find it so you can reference it as we go through the book.

Okay, the final thing before we dive into this study, turn back to the Introduction (I know I'm weird, I started you at the back of the book only to finally bring you to the front) and look at the first page 3rd paragraph.  I want you to underline this verse.  Perhaps even find it in your own Bible.

Let's look at it together here:  

Daniel 11:32, "the people who know their God will display strength and take action".

Are you ready to have more strength in your every day?  Are you ready to take action with specific areas in your life?  Then I have the answer... get to know your God!  

I love Kay's very first sentence of the Introduction, "So much of our confusion, our pain, our indecision, and our wrong decisions come because we do not know God."

If you are ready for these negatives to go away - then get ready... they more you know your God, the more confident you can be sure that you're on the right road for your life.

Okay - let's dive in!  Let's get started already!

From now until next Wednesday work on the first 3 chapters of the book.  Next Wednesday you'll find discussion topics and questions.  If I get industrious you may find blog posts before then - sometimes I just can't help myself when it comes to studying God's Word.

So...  read and study the first 3 chapters of the book.

The first names of God that we will study are:

1.  Elohim - The Creator (chapter 2)

2.  El Elyon - The God Most High (chapter 3)

Finally, I want to encourage you in this study!

There are several levels at which you can go through this book.  I promise you that you will get out of this what you put into it.  Kay Arthur does NOT spoon feed you!  Having said that, I still want you to come here & study God's Word with me at whatever level you are prepared to learn.  I would love to encourage you to mark the things that Kay tells you to mark.  She's going to have you read some verses many times - do this!  You'll understand why as we go along.  She's going to have you ask the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions about scriptures - so you can dig out His truths for yourself.  She wants you to develop your Bible Study skills and not solely rely on what others say about His Word.  You're going to really enjoy this about her teachings!  She is going to help you develop really strong spiritual muscles! 

So whether you're just here to read the blog periodically or answer every discussion question in the book daily and on schedule - you're welcome here!  I want this to be a place where you feel safe, loved on, and cared about!  I may or may not know you and all that's going on in your life - but God does!  And through studying His Word together we can support and love one another!

Comments for today's session:

I look forward to learning more about why you've chosen this study, at this time, and in this venue (online).

Also share with us your thoughts about learning the many names of God.

Then finally, share with us which name of God you circled on the chart at the back of the book and why.

I'll see ya next week!
Your sis in the faith,
Pen

Welcome to "Lord, I Want to Know You!"

Welcome Everyone!
On June 30th, we are starting "Lord, I Want to Know You!" Bible Study by Kay Arthur.  I have heard from so many ladies many things about Bible Study time.   Some of you want to participate, but the time that we're meeting just doesn't fit your summer schedule.  Others of you don't even live in New Orleans!  You would like to do the study - but you live in Texas, or New York, or Utah! 

Well, I'm here to invite all my friends to do this wonderful study 

on the Names of God with me - right here - online!

How will this work?

First - become a follower of this blog.  That way I'll know who's interested in doing the study.  Then each week, I'll post discussion questions and you can leave comments or questions you may have about the chapters.  

What about the book?

You can purchase the book just about anywhere!  You can either go to www.cbd.com or any LifeWay Christian Store will have it as well.  You might can even find it at a Barnes & Noble.  I believe the book is about $14.

What is this study all about?

Everyone loves to hear their own name said aloud!  So does God!  And God has MANY names!  He has a name for just about anything you may need - healing, comfort, provider!  The more we know about His Name - the better we will know our God.  Please join us right here.. as we study the names of God together!

I'm so excited about this new addition to our Ladies Bible Studies!  I'm looking forward to seeing just who all will join us from all over the world!  No matter where you live, what you do, who you are - YOU ARE WELCOME here!

Your sis in the faith,
Pen