For a long time, I was sharing what I had taught in a ladies Sunday School class when we went through the Kay Arthur book, Lord, I Want to Know You.

Then I moved on to other things without finishing up the last two lessons. So over the next few weeks, I want to finish those lessons with corresponding printables in case anyone is doing this as a Bible study.

I did use many other books in my preparation to teach although the other ladies only used Kay Arthur’s book. Here are some of the books I used:

• Trusting in the Names of God: Drawing Strength from Knowing Who He Is by Catherine Martin — I LOVE this book!! The first 12 chapters (or days of studies) are leading up to the individual names of God that she covers. Then she discusses 14 names of God in the book.
• Names of God by Marilyn Hickey — I liked this book. She includes 19 names of God, a few of which are not in most of the other books.
• Names Of God by Nathan Stone — I used different quotes from this book. There are 12 names of God included.
• Names of God by Ken Hemphill — I used this book for some names more than other names, but I was glad I had it. He includes 13 names of God in his book.
• Rose Bible Basics: Names of God & Other Bible Studies — I used this in making my worksheets. If I ever get all my worksheets on the blog, you may not want to buy it, but it does have Bible basics on many other topics such as the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, the Trinity, the Fruit of the Spirit, the Armor of God, the Names of Jesus, and more. Plus, Kay Arthur’s book has 15 names of God it covers and this book has about 20 names of God plus some other interesting facts not covered in Kay Arthur’s book.
• Names of God: Fully Illustrated–More Than 250 Names and Titles of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit by George W Knight — each name has about 1-2 paragraphs written about it. It shared the first time the name was used in Scripture, sometimes some context about the name, what it meant, and usually an application. If you want a book with all the names of God, this is the book to get.
• The Names of God: God’s Name Brings Hope, Healing, and Happiness by Lester Sumrall is the book I used the least. I think his writing style just wasn’t my favorite. If I didn’t have time to look at all of the books, his was the one I would skip. There are 11 names of God.included in this book.

The next to the last chapter in Kay Arthur’s book is “The Lord Our Righteousness.”

Here, God delivered a message through Jeremiah to His people. He would punish them for their sin and idolatry by allowing the Babylonians to overrun the nation of Judah. But He would preserve a remnant of His people who would remain faithful to Him. He would bless them, allow them to return to their homeland, and give them a special name by which they could know God – the Lord Our Righteousness.

They could know that even though their own people had sinned and turned away from God, that there was still hope. They could be made righteous. They could have a new heart through The Lord our Righteousness.

Key Scripture:  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6

So what exactly does Jehovah-tsidkenu mean in Scripture?

• Tsidkenu –In the Hebrew, tsedek originally meant “to be stiff or straight.” It can also mean “a full weight or measure” toward God, in the spiritual sense.
• Righteousness means “the quality of being right.” It shows a picture of a man trusting in God and becoming the righteousness of God.

We must understand what this righteousness means and how we are to become righteous.

• “Righteous is more than goodness; it is a right standing with God. Righteous means to be straight. It is to do what God says is right, to live according to His standards.” Kay Arthur
• Righteousness can never be achieved by a person’s own effort. It requires a new heart only given by The Lord our Righeousness.

In the Old Testament, a person received God’s righteousness by believing God’s promise that one day He would send a Messiah who would take their place and pay their penalty for their sin. They had faith that a Messiah would come. They were saved by faith.

We see this in Hebrews 11 where the author inspired by the Holy Spirit says that the Old Testament saints realized they were just pilgrims and believed the promises, even though they never received the actual promise of the Savior in their lifetime.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13

Today, we place our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ who did come and who did take our place on the cross. He took our sin upon Himself, and when we recognize that we are sinners, believe that He died in our place, accept that sacrifice and ask Him to save us, then we receive His righteousness.

When God looks down on us from heaven after we believe on His Son, He no longer sees our sin, but He sees His Son’s righteousness. The Lord is our Righteousness.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

So there is hope for every person who is alive today. No matter if our whole family or nation has turned away from God just like the nation of Israel had in Jeremiah’s day, God calls out for each individual to come to Him and to accept His righteousness. When we turn to Him in faith, He will give us His righteousness. He will become the Lord our Righteousness.

Next week, we will see how we can further apply this name to our lives, and I will share the printable notes as well. I hope this name of God was as much of a blessing to you as it was to me!

Here are all of the other lessons done thus far on the names of God:

• Names of God (List of books I used to study for this series)
• Elohim, The Creator God (free printables)
• El Elyon, The God Most High (free printables)
• El-Roi, The God Who Sees (free printables)
• El-Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One (free printables)
• Adonai, The Lord (free printables)
• Jehovah, The Self-Existent One, Part 1
• Jehovah, The Self-Existent One, Part 2 (free printables)
• Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide, Part 1
• Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide, Part 2 (free printables)
• Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, Part 1
• Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, Part 2
• Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, Part 3 (free printables)
• Jehovah Nissi: The Lord My Banner, Part 1
• Jehovah Nissi: The Lord My Banner, Part 2 (free printables)
• Jehovah-mekoddishkem: The Lord Who Sanctifies You, Part 1
• Jehovah-mekoddishkem: The Lord Who Sanctifies You, Part 2 (free printables)
• Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Is Peace, Part 1
• Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord is Peace, Part 2 (free printables)
• Jehovah-Sabaoth: The Lord of Hosts, Part 1
• Jehovah-Sabaoth: The Lord of Hosts, Part 2 (free printables)
• Jehovah Raah: The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 1
• Jehovah Raah: The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 2 (free printables)

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

* homemaking * homeschooling * devotional or Biblical posts * Christian in nature * family/marriage * inspirational *

1. Do NOT link up recipes, reviews, giveaways, diy, or crafts.
2. Link up to three posts that have not been linked up to this linky previously!
3. We would love it if you visited a couple other posts and left a comment or shared/pinned the post!
4. If you wish, please follow Creative K Kids by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

If you link up, we would love if you put this button somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, or party page) or provide a text link so that others can also find these great posts.

<div align=”center”><a href=”https://creativekkids.com” title=”Creative K Kids”><img src=”https://creativekkids.com/Thoughtful Thursdays 150.jpg” alt=”Creative K Kids” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

If you would like to receive a weekly email reminder on Thursday parties about linking up to this party, please sign up HERE.

I’m doing an inductive Bible study with a group of ladies through John 15.

When you study a passage of God’s Word in depth, you always get something out of it that you would not get with a quick perusal of the passage.

Sometimes, it’s not something new you learn; but what those truths show us about God and His love for us are so mind-blowing.

Here are some of the mind-blowing amazing thoughts from the past couple of weeks:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

This is a familiar verse — but I forget to live by it. I can do nothing on my own. I need God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance in anything I do. Yet, how often do I wake up and go about my day without thinking of asking for His help. Yes, of course, in the big problems, He is the first place I turn. But how about the little details? The every day concerns? I have to remember that in all things that I can do NOTHING.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2

Here we are told that God, the vinedresser, will purge the branches, believers, who bear fruit. Therefore, if I am bearing fruit, I should expect to receive purging.

This goes contrary to my human nature. I don’t want to experience difficulty or pain. I don’t want trials. Yet, that is often how God will prune me. And when He does prune me, I will bear more fruit. Therefore, I should desire His pruning in my life.

Why should I desire His pruning? Because when I bear fruit, He is glorified. This was another amazing thought to me. That my bearing fruit brings glory to Him. And what is the sole purpose of man?

According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” So if my bearing fruit brings Him glory, my desire should be to bear as much fruit as possible — which means I need to abide and submit to His purging.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

One other amazing truth in this passage is that Jesus is my friend. He is God, yet He has called me His friend.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:14-15

He is the best friend I can ever have. He is always faithful, always true. He gave His life for me. He loves me. He forgives me. He accepts me even though I have so many faults. He desires my fellowship. He is always there. He never fails.

When life is messed up and uncertain, I can go to Him. It’s amazing! He is my friend.

What amazing truths have you thought about God this week?

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

* homemaking * homeschooling * devotional or Biblical posts * Christian in nature * family/marriage * inspirational *

1. Do NOT link up recipes, reviews, giveaways, diy, or crafts.
2. Link up to three posts that have not been linked up to this linky previously!
3. We would love it if you visited a couple other posts and left a comment or shared/pinned the post!
4. If you wish, please follow Creative K Kids by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

If you link up, we would love if you put this button somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, or party page) or provide a text link so that others can also find these great posts.

<div align=”center”><a href=”https://creativekkids.com” title=”Creative K Kids”><img src=”https://creativekkids.com/Thoughtful Thursdays 150.jpg” alt=”Creative K Kids” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

If you would like to receive a weekly email reminder on Thursday parties about linking up to this party, please sign up HERE.

Last week, I started sharing favorite posts from several months ago! I got into March, and today I want to continue sharing favorite thoughtful posts linked up to the last few months of parties.

• Thinking Seriously about Easter at a Serious Time from Soul Survival was a great post about the importance of us passing on our Christian faith to our children and how we could have used the pandemic and forced sheltering in place to teach spiritual truths. (3/19)
• 7 Verses to Calm Your Anxiousness from Unshakeable Joy is a good post about turning to God in all this chaos. (3/26)
• I could relate a lot to Jennifer Lambert’s Lessons from Quarantine. (4/2)
• This was another good post about being anxious called Anxiety & The Size of Our God from Soul Survival. I feel more sad when I watch the news this past week than during the height of the COVID pandemic. Maybe you need these verses at this time even though it was written back in April. (4/9)
• 4 Ways to Build Your Marriage During Social Distancing from InstaEncouragements is a good post for someone who is married to read at anytime. (4/16)
• With all the above posts about anxious, our kids can be anxious too. My oldest told me, “I’m feel so sad after going on Instagram or Facebook.” It makes me sad that our kids have to see and deal with the current environment in our country. However, God knew, and so we have to help them to learn to deal with what they experience now and in the future. When My Child’s Heart is Anxious by InstaEncouragements has some Scripture and books that may be helpful. (4/23)
• I enjoyed reading the post Waiting Practice by A New Lens. The post, “An Open Letter to Graduates During COVID-19” was a great read if you have a graduate in your life. Our oldest is graduating from high school, so it was especially interesting to me. (4/30)

I’ll come back and share more thoughtful posts I have enjoyed in the near future! What I found exciting is that so many posts were written months ago, but they were very timely with all the recent events occurring in our country. But since the posts are based on God’s Word, that should not surprise us, because God’s Word is always applicable to every circumstance we are going through. We have such a great hope and comfort we can turn to that the world knows nothing about. Let’s share it as much as we can. He is truly the only solution to our world’s problems.

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

* homemaking * homeschooling * devotional or Biblical posts * Christian in nature * family/marriage * inspirational *

1. Do NOT link up recipes, reviews, giveaways, diy, or crafts.
2. Link up to three posts that have not been linked up to this linky previously!
3. We would love it if you visited a couple other posts and left a comment or shared/pinned the post!
4. If you wish, please follow Creative K Kids by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

If you link up, we would love if you put this button somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, or party page) or provide a text link so that others can also find these great posts.

<div align=”center”><a href=”https://creativekkids.com” title=”Creative K Kids”><img src=”https://creativekkids.com/Thoughtful Thursdays 150.jpg” alt=”Creative K Kids” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

If you would like to receive a weekly email reminder on Thursday parties about linking up to this party, please sign up HERE.

It’s been a very long time since I share some of my favorite posts that have linked up to all of these parties. The last time I shared favorites was January 16! So I went back to January 16, and I am sharing one post from each of those parties that was convicting, or encouraging, or a good reminder.

Thank you for writing and sharing posts that make other people think!

• From January 16, I enjoyed A New Len’s post called, Living Life in the Midst of Waiting.” Four months after it was written, I felt it very appropriate as we are waiting to get back to a more normal life after the stay-at-home orders many of us were under.

• At Home with Zan had a good article on January 23 called “Trusting in God’s Promises,” and I also enjoyed reading the article, “Is Premarital Counseling Right for Us” by K’Mich Wedding Soiree Blog. I know that my husband and I benefited greatly from premarital counseling!

• From January 30th’s party, the article, “How I Pray” from Jennifer Lambert shared helpful prayer ideas for what we can pray for our children.

• If you are trying to have healthier eating habits, then the helpful hints shared in Clean Eating Food List – Your Way To Success from Heidi Naturally are worth reading. (February 6)

• Having a Vision for HOME from Thrive on One Income linked up to February 13th’s party was a convicting post for me to read. I have been working full-time 2 out of the past 5 years, and part-time the other 3 years. I have gotten much busier with church ministries. I think I have lost my vision sometimes for the home — sometimes I am just surviving or hanging on. I need to catch the vision again with what I want to do as a mom in our home.

• InstaEncouragements shared the post called 16 Names of God & What They Mean on February 20th’s party. I have written several posts on the Names of God, so I wanted to see what she shared about the Names of God.

• ​Look to the Ant to Know Peace When the Storms Come from InstaEncouragements linked up to February 27th’s party was also a great read.

• The article, “Skincare — 3 Things You Did not Know About Fish Oil” from K’Mich Wedding Soiree Blog from March 5th’s party made me want to start taking fish oil. I didn’t know that it was good for hair — and my hair needs some help!

Next week, I’ll share some more favorite posts from parties since March 12. Thanks for taking the time to link up at these Thoughtful Thursday parties and for writing posts that matter!

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

* homemaking * homeschooling * devotional or Biblical posts * Christian in nature * family/marriage * inspirational *

1. Do NOT link up recipes, reviews, giveaways, diy, or crafts.
2. Link up to three posts that have not been linked up to this linky previously!
3. We would love it if you visited a couple other posts and left a comment or shared/pinned the post!
4. If you wish, please follow Creative K Kids by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

If you link up, we would love if you put this button somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, or party page) or provide a text link so that others can also find these great posts.

<div align=”center”><a href=”https://creativekkids.com” title=”Creative K Kids”><img src=”https://creativekkids.com/Thoughtful Thursdays 150.jpg” alt=”Creative K Kids” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

If you would like to receive a weekly email reminder on Thursday parties about linking up to this party, please sign up HERE.

My husband has been preaching out of the book of Psalms on Wednesday nights, so I have been taking notes and sharing these encouraging messages here. During this time of confusion, we need to have times of refreshment from God’s Word.

This week, he preached on Psalm 24. There are links on the bottom of this post to the other posts I have written so far from the Psalms.

Psalm 24 was probably designed to be sung as the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem. It is good to note that the ark represented God’s law, God’s presence, and the mercy seat.

The Jewish tradition is that this song is sung on Sunday. A different psalm/song was sung on different days. This tradition started during the Babylonian era. It would be a responsive reading.

Matthew 20:1-11 is the New Testament equivalent of this psalm. The priests would have been in the temple singing this song while Jesus was doing His triumphant journey into the city of Jerusalem. The priests are saying, “Who is this King of glory?” and the people on the streets are saying, “It’s Jesus!”

I. The King’s glory in His creation

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. vv.1-2

1. His glory includes the entire earth.
   The heavens even declare His glory.
2. His glory includes all the people who dwell upon the earth.
   He owns it all.

Everything we have is His. We are just stewards of everything we have. This should bring us humility and not pride.

. . . and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? I Corinthians 4:7

II. The King’s glory in His companions.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. vv. 3-4

The king’s companions need to fulfill certain requirements.

• Where should they meet? The holy place (where David is setting up the tabernacle. ) This is God’s dwelling place. The presence of the Lord is there.
• Who can meet with Him? Who is acceptable into the presence of this King and into His holy place? How can you prepare yourself for fellowship with the King?
  • Those who are ritually and practically clean — we have to do whatever God tells us to do.
  • He who has clean hands which is symbol of a faultless life. No one can look at you and blame you of a habitual sin. Your actions are righteous, blameless.
  • He who has a pure heart. This is a symbol of a right attitude. Our motives are sincere and our minds are not corrupted. We are continually hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
  • He who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity. This means that he is not trusting in the things of this world but rather he is trusting in God. They don’t have an appetite to do foolish things.
  • He has not sworn deceitfully. He keeps his word; he has integrity.

The big idea of these two verses is that there are two sides of being able to stand before God:

• Internal godliness (I’m pure on the inside.)
• External righteousness on the outside. People can tell that there is a redeemed relationship.

What blessing shall the King’s companions receive?

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. vv. 5-6

Here is an example after the list of requirements to receive the blessing from the Lord. This gives us hope as Jacob wasn’t perfect, but God watched over him and brought him back.

The blessing is God’s presence. This is what we get when we choose to live a life of righteousness. When we walk with God, we get the favor of God. We also get righteousness when we are in His presence. When we stay in His presence, we will become more like Him. We will not want to sin in His presence. This is also talking about how we are justified, made righteous in the eyes of God, when we accept His saving favor in our lives.

Summary statement for verses 3-6: The King’s companions don’t worship idols; they are true worshippers and they walk in faith and integrity.

III. The King’s glory and His conquest (vv. 7-10)

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. vv. 7-10

• The call of the people in verse 7 to be encouraged because the King of glory is coming.
• The clarification is in verse 8. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty. This is similar to Moses’s sang in Exodus in 15 after the destruction of the Egyptian army.
• Repetition in verse 9 reminding the people to be encouraged because the King is coming.
• Repeated clarification is in verse 10 saying The Lord of Hosts is the King of glory. This is in part a reference to the Messiah coming on Palm Sunday. We know Jesus is the King of Glory shown when He had victory over Satan, sin, death, and the grave.

Two big idea applications from this chapter:

1. Everything we have (our wealth, etc) is God’s. Be faithful with what you have for God’s glory.
2. Our physical and spiritual health is His.
   Is your stewardship of everything that you are under His control — your body, soul, and mind? Are your hands clean, is your heart pure, and do you speak truth?

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Corinthians 6:19-20

More posts from the Book of Psalms:

• Rejoicing in Answered Prayer, Psalm 21
• A Prayer for Suffering, Psalm 22
• The Lord is My Shepherd, Psalm 23
• Encouragement from Psalm 18
• Encouragement from Psalm 37

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

* homemaking * homeschooling * devotional or Biblical posts * Christian in nature * family/marriage * inspirational *

1. Do NOT link up recipes, reviews, giveaways, diy, or crafts.
2. Link up to three posts that have not been linked up to this linky previously!
3. We would love it if you visited a couple other posts and left a comment or shared/pinned the post!
4. If you wish, please follow Creative K Kids by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

If you link up, we would love if you put this button somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, or party page) or provide a text link so that others can also find these great posts.

<div align=”center”><a href=”https://creativekkids.com” title=”Creative K Kids”><img src=”https://creativekkids.com/Thoughtful Thursdays 150.jpg” alt=”Creative K Kids” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

If you would like to receive a weekly email reminder on Thursday parties about linking up to this party, please sign up HERE.