David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty (Yahweh Tsebaoth), the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (NIV)

As we continue to call upon the name of God, let’s turn our eyes to Yahweh Tsebaoth. This name means LORD Almighty, The Lord of Armies, The Lord of Hosts. Depending on your translation in Scripture, this name of God addresses His rule over every other power in the material and spiritual universe. The title Yahweh Tsebaoth occurs 240 times in the Hebrew Scriptures reminding us that all of creation, even in its fallen condition, is under God’s rule and reign.

In my daily reading, I came across the story of David and Goliath. Because this story is so familiar to most of us, it is easy to skim it over and not let the truth of who God is penetrate our hearts. So often, we concentrate on David or Goliath, when in reality the story is about Yahweh Tsebaoth, LORD Almighty! As David heard this Philistine curse the name of his God, He could not understand why the Israelites did not go and take him down. David’s brothers were jealous and wanted David to go back and take care of his sheep, but David decided he would take care of Goliath. There are many exciting truths in this story and it would be impossible to talk about them all in such a short devotional. So we are going to concentrate on our God who can deliver us from any challenge we may face.

Take a moment and think of any “giants” you may be facing. By giants I’m referring to difficult situations, stress, worries, difficult people, health issues, financial worries, etcetera—anything you would love for God to remove from your current situation.

In this story Saul tried to get David to put on Saul’s armor to fight Goliath, but David said there was no way he could wear what fit Saul. This is true for all of us. We all have our own way of handling situations, however, what we all have in common is God. I’m not going to tell you the exact steps you need to take to face your giants or fight your battles, but I encourage you to trust The Lord of Armies, Yahweh Tsebaoth, God Almighty. He is greater and more powerful than anything you may face!

David told Goliath that he came in the name of his God and we should do the same! David remembered God had rescued him when he faced many dangers and he fervently believed God would continue to fight for him. It would do us well to remember a time when we needed strength to get through a difficult time and found God faithful to carry us when we wanted to give up. Each of our battles will be different, but we have the same God to call upon to fight for us. We must allow His power to fight for us. We are not alone in our battles nor are we able to win without calling upon the only One who has already given us victory. David took five stones and fought what appeared to be an impossible battle. Before he took the first shot from his sling, he called upon Yahweh Tsebaoth and God directed the stone to hit Goliath in the perfect place to destroy him. David never used the other four stones he had prepared to use. God was all He needed!

I’m not sure if you’ve had five stones that you depended upon to win prior battles in your life, but this one thing I do know, to win you must call upon the name of God, Yahweh Tsebaoth. He will fight for you! Remember, winning may not mean the giant is dead but that the giant does not destroy you! Winning occurs when you trust in the only God who is greater than anything you face. Winning is God’s responsibility; your responsibility is to call upon Yahweh Tsebaoth and stand firm! Let’s repeat what David said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel!”

Further Reading
Psalm 84:12,Psalm 46:10-11, Zechariah 1:3, Exodus 8-10, Exodus 14:15-31, 1 Samuel 7:10-12, Daniel 6:16-22

There’s no sweeter sound than the first time you hear your child call you “Mommy.” I remember repeating “mommy, mommy, mommy” over and over to my children in hopes of hearing them call my name for the first time. As the have years gone by, I still respond to “Mom.” Even to this day, I can be in a crowd and hear someone call ”Mom” and turn around. When my children call me on the phone, I can tell just by the way they say “Mom” if they are happy or upset. I love that my children want to talk with me. I can’t help but wonder if this same excitement comes to the heart of God when He hears His children call Him by name.

Throughout the New Testament, we learn that Jesus withdrew from the crowds to pray. Jesus needed to talk with His Father who loved Him and understood Him more than anyone else. His disciples were interested in learning how to talk to God too, so on occasion, they would ask Jesus to teach them to pray. There’s no one who can teach like Jesus. And there’s no one who can pray like Jesus. He is our greatest example. One of the most shocking teachings of Jesus was when He instructed His disciples to address God as “Father.” It’s one thing for Jesus to call God “Father” (the religious leaders considered this blasphemy which led to His crucifixion), but it’s quite another thing for a common man to call God “Father.” Yet, this is exactly how Jesus teaches His followers to communicate to God.

The more I grow in my faith, the more I realize how I complicate prayer. I wonder if I’m saying the right words, praying with enough faith, or questioning if there is sin in my life. And then I realize that these are clues indicating that I’m not praying to my Father to communicate with Him, but rather praying to my Father to manipulate Him to do what I want Him to do. I’m not saying I shouldn’t have faith or sift my motives; I’m saying that God wants me to communicate with Him as a child communicates with her father.

The disciples were so curious about the prayer life of Jesus, but when Jesus prayed His most heartfelt prayer in Gethsemane, they were asleep. Had Peter, James, and John stayed awake during that dark night when Jesus was arrested, they would have heard the Son of Man cry out, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36, NIV). The disciples missed Jesus’ greatest teaching on prayer! There is no greater lesson than to hear Jesus cry, “Abba, Father,” and to understand that in this prayer Jesus drew His strength from His Father. When we recognize the price Jesus paid for us to call God “Father”—and what an amazing gift this is—our prayer life will become more precious to us.

Today, we can rest assured that if our hearts are breaking, our strength is weak, or we need to talk to someone, we can call upon Abba Father and know that He hears our prayers.  “Abba” is the Aramaic word translated “father” and is used in the spirit of a tender, affectionate child in much the same way a child today would use the word “daddy.” I don’t know what kind of a relationship you have with your earthly father, but of this I am sure, we have a Heavenly Father who desires to have such an intimate relationship with us that He desires for us to call Him “Abba Father”, or “Daddy.”

Sweet friend, you have been given an inheritance to be called a child of God. He is your Creator, your Shepherd, your Provider, your Peace, and your Father. As a little girl, I dreamed of crawling into my earthly father’s lap and hearing him say the words, “I love you.” Although I never experienced this on Earth, I have often felt God offering me His lap and saying, “I love you!” during my prayer time. I experienced this when my heart was breaking, and I knew no one understood more about how I was feeling than my Heavenly Father. After many tears, I found myself saying, “Not my will, but Your will,” and placing all my worries and cares in the loving arms of my Heavenly Daddy! In these moments, He gave me His strength, which was greater than the answer I was seeking from Him through prayer. Life is hard. At times circumstances can overwhelm us. But we have a Heavenly Father whose strength we can feel just like a child feels the love and strength of her daddy.

Further Reading
Matthew 6:6, Matthew 7:9-11, Galatians 4:6-7

Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. Psalm 20:7 (NASB)

Since Father’s Day is in June, I decided to reflect upon the name of our Heavenly Father in the June editions of “A Sip from the Cup“. God’s name in Hebrew is Yahweh; however, throughout Scripture, different names are used to represent His attributes, His character, and His relationship to His people. As we focus on four of God’s attributes this month, I pray that you will call upon His name as you reflect His unfailing character each week.

Proverbs 18:10 tells us, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” Why would the name of the LORD be a safe place? Certainly, there’s no place in this world we can guarantee safety and yet, God says safety is in His name. When Howard and I had our children, next to labor, the hardest thing we had to do was to name our child. I remember holding each child and saying every name I could think of until I felt like they “looked” like that name. How strange is that? As if a newborn looks anything but cute and wrinkled. But in biblical times, a name represented a person’s character. It’s not surprising then that God gave us His name to show us His attributes, His nature, and His power. We have the privilege of knowing and calling upon Him by His name. When we call upon His name, it causes us to take our focus off our circumstances and on who He is. We know that He is a God of comfort, power, peace, love, and hope. And when we need these things, we call upon Him to be what we need.

The first name we are given for God is Elohim. Elohim is the name for God as Creator. In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and earth. “El” means mighty or strong and “him” is used for Hebrew plural that indicates more than one god. Is there more than one God? No! This is the first reference to the Trinity. God spoke, the Spirit moved and Colossians 1:16 tells us Jesus was present in creation. Elohim created the heavens, the earth and you! Do you struggle with insecurity or purpose? Genesis 2 tells us that God created man in His image. You exist because of God! In Psalm 139 we are told that we are formed in our mother’s womb and are wonderfully made. God (Elohim) created you for Him. You are not a mistake. God has a purpose for you and your purpose is to glorify your Creator because you were created in His image. Whenever you feel like you don’t measure up to others’ expectations or you wonder why you are here on this earth, remember God created you for His purpose. You are a child of God and He has allowed you to know Him. He is your Creator and He delights in you.

This week reflect on your great Elohim—your Creator. Often at night I go outside and look up and am in awe of God as I stare at the stars. Whether it’s stars, a mountain or an ocean, His creation reminds me of His great power. His name, Elohim, brings comfort knowing there is nothing in my life that He cannot handle. I am His child. He created me and He will take care of me! Man and woman are the only creations that God created in His image. And He gave His life for you! What more value could we bring to ourselves that God has not already given? Let’s sing with the angels in heaven: “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

Further Reading
Genesis 1–2, Psalm 139, Exodus 4:11, Isaiah 43:1, 3, 4, 7

By Dot Bowen

And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. Genesis 25:21-22 (ESV)

Have you ever seen the episode of I Love Lucy when Ricky wants Lucy to try working for a week? If you haven’t, you must look it up on YouTube—it will bring laughter to your day! Lucy and her friend Ethel get jobs at a candy factory and they are totally inept, especially at wrapping chocolates, due to a speeding conveyor belt. The speed of the conveyor belt forces them to stuff chocolates in their mouths, blouses, hats and anywhere they can find! Oh my, I can’t help but laugh when I think about Lucy trying to keep up the pace by grabbing as much candy as possible to win the battle between Ethel, the candy, and the conveyor belt! I guess I laugh because I can relate to being a grabber. I find myself grabbing hold of anything that will help me survive this fast–paced life that surrounds me. No, I don’t usually grab candy, but I do tend to grab at anything that will give me a sense of peace and relief. However, I have noticed I’m not the only grabber! I’m not judging anyone else; I’ve just been listening to you! Do you remember the commercial “Grab for all the gusto you can get?” If we all weren’t grabbers, there would be no need for commercials, magazines, or self help books. We grab for anything that will promise instant relief even though the price tag is often hidden under deception.

If your motto is “misery loves company,” I’m about to make you feel better. One of God’s favorite people was a grabber and his name was Jacob. The name Jacob means, “he takes by the heel” with the derived meaning to supplant, deceive or attack from the rear. Jacob came into this world grabbing the heel of his brother Esau! When his mother Rebekah was giving birth to twins, it was Jacob who grabbed the heel of his brother to come out first. Now, I would say that’s a grabber before birth!!! (Genesis 25:24-26)

It was difficult for Rebekah to get pregnant, but God blessed her and Isaac with twins. It appears these boys were very active in the womb—enough so that Rebekah asked God what was happening inside her. God responded and told Rebekah she was carrying two nations and they would be divided. Jacob grabbed hold of Esau’s heel at birth and he continued to grab hold of anything he wanted. Jacob pursued anything that would make his life better—even if it meant deceiving his own father. Jacob deceived and manipulated his way to not only having one wife but two. He deceived his father-in-law Laban in order to obtain stronger camels and donkeys. He had more female servants and male servants than anyone by grabbing hold of any opportunity to deceive his family. Jacob was a grabber his entire adult life until the day he was gripped with fear as he was told his brother Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men.

The night before Jacob was to see his brother again, something happened that changed his life forever. As he was sitting alone, he faced his past decisions and regrets. He knew he would soon be face to face with his brother, and having to face what he had done, he prayed for deliverance and confessed his own unworthiness before the Lord. At that moment God appeared to Jacob and Jacob wrestled with God until the morning. Jacob was a changed man. He no longer wanted to hold on to the things God had given him; he wanted to cling to God alone and not let go. Clinging to God that night was so life changing that God changed his name from Jacob to Israel, which means “he strives with God”. Jacob was no longer the same man who entered the world by grabbing everything on which he could get his hands. Instead, he became a man who decided to cling to God and not let go.

One of the greatest lessons to learn from Jacob is to see that as long as Jacob tried to manipulate circumstances to get what he wanted, the more he had to continue to manipulate. When the consequences of this behavior caught up with him, he was gripped with fear and had no desire for the things he once manipulated, deceived and fought to have. The very things Jacob grabbed to make him happy were the very things he became willing to lose. Interestingly, the one thing Jacob wasn’t willing to let go of was God. To this day Jacob is known for deceiving his brother, but it’s his God given name—Israel—that is known as the people of God, a nation chosen by God.

We each have a choice. We can choose to be a Jacob and try to manipulate our lives by grabbing onto anything that will promise us instant relief or we can choose to be an Israel and cling to God and not let go! I encourage you to hold on to God until He changes your heart and your desires. Who knows, He may even change your name! Maybe, that’s why I’m now known as Dot and not Doris! I’m holding on to God for dear life!

Further Reading
Genesis 25:24-26, Genesis 25:30; 36:1. Hosea 12:3, Genesis 25-50

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked. 1 Kings 12:6 (NIV)

There are times when someone will ask my advice concerning a particular situation and when this happens, I immediately begin to pray! I’m not praying because I’m so godly, I’m praying because I’m so human! My first thought is, “What do I know about God’s desire for their life?” Certainly, everyone’s situation is unique and in my opinion God doesn’t give group therapy. I find myself feeling very insecure, and if anxiety doesn’t overwhelm me, I reflect on God’s response to Job’s friends when Job’s life was falling apart. Have you read the story of Job when his friends tried to make sense of his situation? They were actually criticized by God for giving Job advice! Just thinking about this makes me break out in a cold sweat!

The problem with Job’s friends was not that they didn’t love Job nor did they lack wisdom. The problem was that they didn’t have the book of Job to know what not to say because they were living the story! Obviously, they didn’t have the advantage of reading Job 2 to know Satan had asked God to sift their friend as if he were a sack of flour! Maybe they should have asked God before giving advice?

I can relate to Job’s friends more than I want to admit. When someone I love has a very difficult decision to make or is going through a hard time, I often try to figure out what God is doing. When will I learn that I do not have the complete mind of God and I do not know what the future holds? What makes me think that I can speak into the life of someone concerning what God is doing in her life? How should we advise friends? I believe we must pray before speaking. It’s hard not to immediately begin to talk; I’m learning I need to talk to God first and encourage them to do the same. I think the story of Rehoboam may help us as well.

Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and even though Solomon is known as the wisest man, he did some really unwise things. For instance, he married 700 women that God specifically told him not to marry. God warned Solomon that these women would turn his heart to worship other gods and that is exactly what happened. Solomon also increased taxes to the point where the average citizen was near financial ruin and His disobedience cost him his kingship and was handed over to his son Rehoboam.

According to 1 Kings 12, Rehoboam was asked by the people to take away the burden of taxes that his father had placed on them. Being young and a new king, he sought the advice of some elderly men who were experienced counselors and administrators that had served his father Solomon. The elderly men advised him not to have the mind of being served but to serve the people by encouraging them with words. I think this sounds like great advice. But Rehoboam wasn’t as keen on this advice so he asked his friends what they thought. His friends had quite the opposite opinion and advised him to put harder restrictions on the people and make it so difficult that if they did not obey his leadership, they would be whipped with scorpions. This forced Rehoboam to decide if he would be a servant hearted leader or a slave master.

We are told in 1 Kings 12 that Rehoboam took the advice of his peers and Israel became a divided nation and has remained divided ever since. Hindsight is always 20/20 and if we take a moment to look back in history, we can learn from the mistakes of Rehoboam and his father. Had Solomon obeyed God, the kingdom would not have been torn from him nor would he be known as the wisest man who made some very unwise decisions! Had Rehoboam listened to the people with experience in leadership, he would have known that their advice lined up with the truth of God’s word. God is known for his love, not His demands, and had Rehoboam taken the advice of those in leadership all of Israel would have benefited.

What about you? When you look for counsel, do you look for someone who gives Godly wisdom? We are often more comforted by people who make us feel better than by the people who will share truth with us. I like to say, “If I’m drowning, I don’t want my small group jumping in and holding my hand and telling me that they understand how I feel. I want Michael Phelps swimming to get me out of the water!”

What advice is better? To say “I understand” or to lead another to the One who knows completely and truly understands? I believe the difference between these two responses is being self–centered or God–centered. When we give advice we need to be God–centered. If you have a friend who will lead you to the truth of God, praise Jesus and call them immediately when you need help! But if your friends just want to make you feel better, go shopping and get coffee with them but don’t listen to their advice. Experience has shown me that the word of God is the safest advice you can receive and when in doubt, ask God!

Further Reading
1 Kings 11:43-14:31, 2 Chronicles 9:31-13:7, Job 2

Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. 1 Kings 3:16-18 (NIV)

As you probably know, Mother’s Day is approaching. My heart literally aches for the mom who is estranged from her children, living in a distant city, or had the heartache of saying goodbye through death. Mother’s Day is always a reminder to me that my own mother is looking at the face of Jesus. I miss her and I do not believe that will change until we are united in heaven. Until then, I smile and enjoy the memories of times we shared together. For the woman who longs to be a mother and Mother’s Day is a reminder of waiting for the opportunity to be called “mom”, I want you to know that I will be praying for the comfort only Jesus can give.

As I began to think about writing this devotional for Mother’s Day, the two moms who came to King Solomon to settle a debate came to mind. These women were both prostitutes that lived in the same house and they each had a baby boy. In the middle of the night, one of the ladies rolled over her son and killed him. Her longing to be a mom was so great that she stole the other son from his mom and traded that child for her dead son. We are told that they went to Solomon for wisdom on how to handle their situation. Since they were prostitutes, they had no rights and both were pleading for mercy. Solomon, being wise, came up with a very creative way to discover the real mom. Solomon asked for a sword and was going to cut the living baby in half when the real mom cried out, “NO!” Solomon knew the cry of love for this child had come from the heart of his mother.

Now you may wonder why in the world this story came to my mind on Mother’s Day. I think you may see a little more of a mother’s heart if you look closely at the moms themselves and not at Solomon and his wisdom. As I mentioned before, both women were prostitutes; they had no one to love and the hope of finding lasting love was almost impossible given their profession. Having a child gave these two ladies the life they longed to have by giving them a sense of purpose and self worth. My heart breaks for these women as I truly understand the joy of having a child. However, as a mother myself, I also know children cannot be our life. Children are a gift from God, but they are not God and cannot give life purpose.

I have three grown children and I love them with all my heart. I will go ahead and confess to you—especially since God already knows my heart—that I cannot imagine life without my children. But, if I allow them to be my life, I have a few things to sort out. I was recently faced with this reality when the thought came to my mind that God did not die for me to be a mom; He died for me! God died to restore my relationship with Him and He is to be my life. I love my children with everything in me, but if I really love my children, I will encourage them to be the person God has created them to be and I’m to do the same. I have seen the loneliness and heartache that results when children are the center of a woman’s life. When the time comes for the child to leave home—and they do leave home—the mother is left feeling like her life is over. This is just not true! Life goes on and a mom is always a mom! We just play a different role in their lives as they grow and mature.

Now, back to the two prostitutes in 1 Kings. Both women wanted their children and loved them dearly. But only one woman was willing to give the child up for the sake of his life—even if it meant she would never again hold him or hear him say “mama”. That’s what I call the ultimate expression of a mother’s love.

As I reflect further on this story I am quick to say, “I would have done that—I would have sacrificed my desires to save my child!” But then the Holy Spirit reminds me of the fear I have even when I think about a life without my children. When the fear subsides, I know that by letting them live their own lives I have the freedom to enjoy—really enjoy—my children. The more I understand and embrace who I am and the purpose God died to give me, the more free I am to be the mom God intended me to be and look forward to what is next in my own life.

I will always be a mom. But my role as a mom will change in every season of my children’s lives. I happen to be in the season of life where my children are grown and I must say I have enjoyed each stage of their lives. Do I miss holding them in my lap and tucking them in bed? Absolutely! I will forever cherish those moments! I so enjoy the relationship I now have with my grown children as a mentor and friend, but I will always be their mommy! Not even death will change that! But I’m to go on living the life God desires for me by understanding my children do not determine my self worth nor do they bring value to me. I am God’s child and that alone gives me value!

Further Reading
1 Kings 3:16-28

He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44-45 (NIV)

LIES, LIES, LIES, I tell you! Yes, it’s amazing to me the lies we believe. When I hear someone start telling me something I know is totally against God’s word; I start sweating! I find myself wanting to grab the girl and say, “THAT’S A LIE FROM HELL!” Now, before you panic and think that I’m going to grab you by the shirt and shake you, let me explain why I hate lies. Usually when we are feeling depressed, worthless or questioning God’s love, there’s a lie we believe.  I’m not saying depression is based solely on believing lies; I am saying lies are usually good friends with depression. I can’t think of anything that makes me more frustrated than seeing God’s precious children, including myself, living in bondage based on a lie we have believed. Based on what I know about the heart of Jesus, I think He hates it when His children are controlled by lies.

In John 8, Jesus tells the religious men of His time that they not only were hypocrites, but they followed their father Satan who Jesus calls the father of all lies. Now, let me just say when Jesus said this, they were not happy! Immediately, they wanted to kill Jesus, but it wasn’t the right time for that. Jesus continued to teach against believing and following after Satan’s lies. His message is about truth because He is truth and Satan’s message is lies because that is who he is. At the time of Jesus’ death, I believe every demon celebrated believing they had won the battle against God. But when He raised Himself from the dead, every demon had to turn to “Plan B”. In my opinion, Plan B is Satan’s strategy to convince God’s children that God is not good and cannot be trusted.

It is Satan’s desire to hold us in some type of bondage because this breaks the heart of God. If Satan could not destroy God by putting Him on the cross, he will take captive what God loves the most—you and me! God’s children are His prize creation and if Satan could not destroy the creator, he will try to destroy His prize creation. In telling us lies concerning God and ourselves, Satan can keep us from knowing the truth and causing us to not enjoy the fullness of who we are and who God is. It’s like kidnapping—taking captive what is most precious and not allowing the person to experience life with the one they love. Yes, Satan wants to kidnap God’s children and keep them away from the only One who truly loves them—God! This is the purpose of lies! In the Garden, Satan lied to Adam and Eve and he has not stopped lying to God’s children yet! So, what are these lies Satan wants us to believe? There are so many that I cannot list all of them but I will share the most common lies I hear from women.

So many women are trapped in the lie that says, “I can never measure up to the standards given by God and other people.” This is a hard lie to uncover because it’s half–truth and half–lie. Lies hurt but when you add half-truth to it, you have a mixture of poison. It is true we cannot ever measure up to God’s standard of holiness! In 2 Timothy 1:9 we are told that because Jesus saved us and called us to a holy life there is nothing we can do to make ourselves holy.  We have been given grace through Jesus and are found holy in Christ. It’s not what we do, it’s what Jesus has done that makes us holy. Trying to measure up to another person’s standard is trying to hold wind in your hand. It’s impossible. About the time we think we have measured up to the standard of acceptance, the standard is raised to a higher level. Can you imagine the freedom that comes in understanding that you are pleasing to God because you have Jesus? All the work you possibly could do will never be enough to earn God’s grace. It’s a gift. That’s truth!

Another lie I see women believe is that the things around them define a person. If they’re a mom, their children define their self worth. If they are single, not having a man determines their self worth. If they have a job, their position determines their self worth. The lie goes on and on! Here’s truth: it’s not what you do that determines your self worth but being God’s child makes you who you are! Jesus considered you worthy enough to die for you and His blood became the payment for you; you are a child of the King and this determines your self worth. God created you and gave you life by giving His life for you. God determined your self worth and nothing can take that away nor can anything add more value to you. This is truth!

I pray that today you will begin questioning your thoughts by asking yourself this question: “Is this true or is this a lie?” It’s your choice whether to believe the lie or the truth. Your joy and freedom depend upon it!

Further Reading
John 8, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 John 3:1, Ephesians 1:4-6

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 (NASB)

Every time I read Psalms 91:1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” I feel a sense of peace. Why do I love this verse so much and find such comfort in it? I’m really not sure. It may be what’s going on in my life or the visual of finding refuge in a God who is strong and powerful. I call this my “9-1-1 verse”—the verse I meditate on when I’m in need of hope!

I don’t know about you, but it appears to me that life is getting harder! At Cup of Joy we have the privilege of praying for so many women and the prayer requests are getting tougher. We love to pray so the more we are asked to pray the happier we are! However, along with the joy that comes from the privilege of praying for our sweet friends the heavier our hearts become from the struggles so many are facing. So when I feel discouraged, hopeless, or just need a reminder that I have a great God who is with me, I turn to my 9-1-1 verse:  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Shelter is a place of protection from anything that may cause harm and will provide a place of refuge. The shelter does not prevent storms it just provides protection. It is a given that we are going to have storms, heartaches, and disappointments in this world—Jesus assured us tribulation will come in this world. We are no longer in the Garden of Eden and there’s no way to go back. So how do we live in this world when there appears to be no hope? Jesus is our hope! If we try to find comfort in anything apart from God, we build our hope on something that can be easily taken from us. In other words, there’s nothing this world can offer that is guaranteed to last.

If we depend on friends, they will fail us.
If we depend on our finances, they may run out.
If we depend on our family, personality, talents, or anything tangible, we depend on something we may lose.

Jesus is the only One who has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He promised to give us strength in the midst of heartaches, failures, and disappointments. He is our hope! He is the strength that will protect us as we rest under His wing. He alone is our refuge, our strength and our hope!

It’s one thing to be in a storm; it’s another to be destroyed by the storm. When we find our shelter in the Most High God, we find that His shadow alone is enough for us to enjoy His peace. Would we prefer not to be in the storm? Of course! But is this realistic knowing what is surrounding us daily? No! God in His sovereignty gave us a way of escape—escape from the destruction of the storm not the storm!

Can you imagine what David must have experienced as a shepherd boy as he worked to protect his sheep from the dangers of other animals, his enemies, and the adverse effects of nature? David knew God was the One who gave him the strength to tackle whatever threatened his safety and the safety of his sheep. David found shelter and refuge in knowing God’s eye was on Him and in His presence he found peace. Our God promised to be with us in every situation. He did not promise freedom from tribulation but He does promise freedom in Him. God’s presence in the midst of the storm gives us assurance that He is aware of our present situation and His strength is enough for us to ride out the storm.

When you need hope read Psalm 91:1. Hope and strength is yours for the asking. You have a God who understands your hurt, gathers your tears, and holds you close to Him. He promises that when this life passes He will call us home to a place He has prepared for us. We will live with Him forever! (John 14:1-2) Until we see Him face to face, we can rest in His strength! REST in Him and let Him protect you. He has more strength than you do! Maybe it is time for you to snuggle up under His wing and find your refuge in Him! He’s waiting for you!

Further Reading
John 16:33

“By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.” Hebrews 11:31 (NASB)

I recently attended the baptism of my sweet granddaughter Millie. Millie is eight years old and we call her our little “holy spirit”. What I mean is that Millie is quick to know the right versus the wrong thing to do. Not only does Millie know what she should do, Millie is quick to let me (Mimi) know when I am doing wrong. She is never ugly or arrogant just innocent and right. I can remember driving a little too fast and as I went through the yellow light, from her car seat Millie said to me, “Mimi, are you supposed to go so fast?” God gave me Millie to keep me accountable. (Actually, God gave me all my grandchildren to keep me in line).

Further Reading
Joshua 2, Matthew 1:54, James 2:25