Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Good evening ladies, this past week we continued to learn to know Our LORD through the study of His names: El Elyon: The Most High, El Roi: The God Who Sees and El Shaddai: The All-Sufficient One.

Day Seven:
 We looked at several verses of scripture in the Old and New Testaments that reveal the truth of God's sovereignty. For me these verses in Isaiah, Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel and John spoke to me a comfort and a reminder of humility that "God is control." Many of you that have studied with me before know that I have the utmost respect for Dr. Charles Stanley and his ministry. One of Dr. Stanley's Life Principles "Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him" (Exodus 19:5) comes to mind. As I think on the sovereignty of God reveled my thoughts are that blessings  all encompassing come from God. I may not fully understand; but God has a plan for my life and the peaks and valleys that appear.

Day Eight:
How does our enemy, Satan, stand in comparison to El Elyon, the Most High? Through the story of Job we see truth that in times of the valleys, storms and outright attacks from Satan our God Most High is in control. There is no "battle" between Heaven and Hell God and Satan; God has "won" and He is in control of Satan. Our God will not give us burdens more than we can bear; He is our refuge through trials and tribulation; His faithfulness and integrity are unending.

Day Nine:
He is the Only God; worthy of love, praise, faithfulness, trust and obedience through the valleys and on the mountain tops. If I give my life to the Lord I have nothing to fear; He will sustain. Kay uses the story of Joseph as another example of God's faithfulness to His faithful during times of suffering; and the blessings that come.

Memory Verse: I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me. (Psalm 57:2)

Day Ten:
El Roi, yes, he is the God who sees. "The omnipresent God is there, and His eyes are not shut. He isn't asleep, unaware of all the circumstances. He sees." In Genesis 16 we study the story of Hagar, Sarai and Abram. An example to us of the chaos that can ensue when we try to take over control of circumstances for God. Kay asks "in light of what you know about God, how do you feel it would help to know Him as El Roi?  Thoughts that come to mind: Sometimes I feel used, overwhelmed, unappreciated. I see and hear of injustice, wickedness, unfairness in the world around me. It is a comfort to know that God sees too. Justice for the wicked, blessings for the faithful will come by God's hand, in His time. He promises it to be so.

Day Eleven:
So God Sees! Dealing with the emotions and lingering memories of past hurts. We forgive; but harder to forget? How do we heal? In the knowledge that God is in control and He Does See and is waiting for us to come to Him for comfort and to trust in His truths and promises. "These truths will be your comfort, your healing, your sanity, your hope, your protection against the fiery darts of the accusing liar." For me this knowledge of God as El Roi makes it easier to let go of anger, fear, need for justice, feelings of injustice, easier to forgive myself and others, trusting in His promise to raise up His anointed, and judge/punish the wicked.

Day Twelve:
El Shaddai: The All-Sufficient One

Memory Verse: Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am the God Almighty (El Shaddai); walk before me, and be blameless." (Genesis 17:1)

Whenever we see God Almighty in the Old Testament, we see El Shaddai. The first time He revealed himself to Abram (Genesis 17:1-8). " I am the God Almighty; walk before Me; and be blameless." At 99 years of age God promises Abram that He is making His covenant with him and his descendants; he shall be called Abraham and be the father of multitude of nations. In our weakness God makes us strong beyond our imagination of capability. How often we my turn to worldly, temporary comforts: love and approval of others, drugs, alcohol, food, work, hobbies, entertainment, "fill in the blank" when our All Sufficient God and Father is awaiting with open arms to provide for all our needs and promises to do so if we will only come.

Questions from this weeks study:

1.How does the study of El Elyon help you better understand the instruction, "in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18) ?

2. From the study of El Elyon, how limited is Satan? Who sets his limits?

3. How do you see El Elyon's work in you own life?

4. In what situations would it help you to know God as El Roi? How?

5. How does 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 apply to God's name El Shaddai?

6. What are some things that you have looked to for satisfaction? Did they satisfy?

7. Has God revealed Himself to you as El Shaddai? What has this meant in your life?