Pebble Pocks in My Palms Revisited

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For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living? Psalm 56:13 (NKJV)

This post from September 20, 2017 has been on my mind this past week. One week ago today I had another experience with my face on the ground, but this time I was face to face with the cement. Today, with a fractured knee cap, sprained hand, and mild concussion, and no ability to run, I long for just the pebble pocks in my hands! Thank you for praying for Jesus to heal me speedily! That the bones He has broken may rejoice!

Pebble Pocks in My Palms

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:12

Why was my nose in the dirt?  Lying face down on the gravel road with pebble marks in my hands and knees, I wondered, “What happened?” Just a split second before I was running and praying for my neighbors.  How had my feet slipped?  My shocked body just wanted to lie in the dust, but my brain told me to get up. So, I pulled my bruised flesh off the rocky ground and hobbled home.

Having a good cry on the sofa was a welcome idea, but then I remembered my busy schedule and this was my only chance to go running.  So, with band-aid help from my dear husband and youngest son, I was soon out the door and running again, this time on the smooth highway, managing to squeeze in five miles before breakfast.

Still, a week after my running fall, I could feel the pebble pocks in my palms and see the bruises on my legs, a reminder of God picking me up. I know it could have been so much worse, as friends have been through broken arms, fingers, legs, ankles, and concussions this year.  But God let me feel it in my hands to remind me of his Son Who also has marks in His hands.  His marks proclaim how He died for the sins of all the world.

Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Jesus died for you, my friend.  He has nail holes in His hands to remind us of His sacrificial death on the cross.  All who believe in Jesus are saved and will live forever with Him in heaven.  Today, let Jesus pick you up from wherever you have fallen. Believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living. Psalm 116:8-9 (NKJV)

Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Psalm 51:8 (NKJV)

In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:12 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

The Adventure Continues

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Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 36:5 (NKJV)

Our pop-up camper holds a notebook entitled “Pop-up Camper Journal.” We started the journal when we first bought the used camper in 2021 during covid so we could visit our granddaughter with cancer.  The journal is inspired by my dad who always kept a detailed journal of our family vacations and also by my scrapbooking hobby.  It contains photos from places we’ve visited, notes about our activities, pictures of family, nature sketches, camp ground maps, etc.  Nothing fancy, just a school notebook and handwriting that often looks like we were driving over a bumpy road when I journaled.  But it’s a record of God’s faithfulness.

But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more. Psalm 71:14 (NKJV)

As I read through the journal the other day, I saw how Jesus brought us through covid and Kennedy’s cancer, letting us take the camper to Wisconsin in 2022 to watch her ring the cancer-free bell.  I see how Jesus has helped us celebrate anniversaries even when plagues, cancer, and homelessness have touched our lives.  I read how He took us to Iowa to plant a tree in memory of my Daddy whose journals I long to emulate.  And how we took a special birthday cake all the way from Montana to Iowa to celebrate my father-in-law’s 90th birthday.  And how we moved my husband’s parents to Montana.  The journal shows me how God knew our needs in advance and provided this travel trailer for when we would be homeless.  Little did we know we would have to learn to live in it full time! 

All this has come upon us;
But we have not forgotten You,
Nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant.
Our heart has not turned back,
Nor have our steps departed from Your way;  Psalm 44:17–18 (NKJV)

Many of you know that in the fall of 2022 our home was condemned, full of mold.  We had to toss most of our belongings and seek a new home.  Ever since, we’ve been bouncing around between guest houses in winter and campers in summer.  The first summer we were in a borrowed camper with a restroom.  That was a blessing!  The second summer we stayed in our pop-up camper and moved from place to place as friends needed house-sitters.  2025 is our third summer and we are again in the pop-up camper, but trying not to move too often.  We received a discount to stay at the KOA for a month where there are fun activities for our son, restrooms, showers, laundry, and a campfire ring!  We have campfires and s’mores often and are making the most of what we hope will be our last camping summer. 

For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.  Psalm 66:10–11 INKJV)

The first summer in the borrowed camper, we felt sure God would answer our prayers for a home by the end of summer. The second summer in our own pop-up was much more difficult, with anger and despair visiting often.  But this summer we are laughing with God (Psalm 59:8) at the enemy as we continue to trust Him to provide a home.  We’ve looked at many houses and have a few possibilities. Thank you for joining us in prayer that one will work out for us, the one the Lord has prepared.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us. Psalm 123:2 (NKJV)

Some of you may remember a devotion in My TEA CUPP Prayers entitled, “Jesus is My House Hunter.”  I hadn’t thought about it until I was flipping through a copy of the book before giving it to a new friend from the KOA.  The Lord has been testing me to see if I really believe what I wrote!  Yes, Lord Jesus, You are Yehovah Jireh, my provider!  Our God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus!  Thanks be to God!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2–3 (NKJV)

Throughout our mold and camper journey, the Lord has helped me persevere on my next book, More TEA CUPP Prayers.  I’m happy to say it is back at the publisher after several rounds of corrections and I hope it will be out to you very soon!  May it bring more ladies to morning TEA, more glory to Jesus, and more fruit for His kingdom!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  The other day we went to church with our son Kevin and his new wife Noël. Their church shared this worship song. It blessed me and I pray it will bless you, too!  (If it doesn’t come through on your feed, go to Youtube and search for CityAlight – He Will Be)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:6–8 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. 

Celebrating Bible Moms

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…Deborah, arose,
Arose a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7 (NKJV)

In honor of mothers and the celebration of Mother’s Day, it’s fitting that we should visit a few more Special Bible Ladies today. We can celebrate these ladies as we honor our own dear mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and neighbors. 🌺

 

Let’s celebrate Miriam and her mother, Jochebed:

And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. Exodus 2:4 (NKJV)

When I think of Miriam, I imagine a little girl of about five or six years old, as she was often depicted in Sunday School stories. I see her clinging to the skirts of her mother, Jochebed, anxious for her baby brother Moses’ safety.  You are likely familiar with the story.  Pharoah had proclaimed that all the Hebrew baby boys should be drowned in the Nile River. Miriam’s mother just couldn’t do this to her little baby, so she hid him for three months.  When he was too big to hide any longer, she made a basket of reeds lined with pitch. She put Moses in the basket and set him afloat in the Nile River. Big sister Miriam watched from behind a bush on the shore.  When Pharoah’s daughter found baby Moses, Miriam bravely ran forward to ask if she needed a nurse for the baby (Exodus 2:7). Pharoah’s daughter accepted her offer, so Miriam ran to bring her own mother to nurse baby Moses for the Pharoah’s daughter.  When Miriam and Moses and brother Aaron grew up, they never forgot their relationship.  Aaron was Moses’ mouthpiece and high priest for Israel.  After the crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam led the Israelites in singing and praising God. I love how Miriam, Jochebed, and the Pharoah’s daughter all stood up for LIFE of this baby who would one day lead God’s people. All three are special Bible ladies to be celebrated. (See also Numbers 26:59, Exodus 6:20, Hebrews 11:23)

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them:

“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!” Exodus 15:20-21 (NKJV)

 

Dear Lord Jesus, help me stand up for the LIFE of babies like Miriam and her mother, Jochebed, and even like Pharoah’s daughter who adopted Moses. I claim your promise to triumph over the enemy.  Help me praise You always as Miriam did.

Let’s celebrate Abigail whose wisdom saved her household:

The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb. 1 Samuel 25:3 (NKJV)

We meet Abigail in 1 Samuel 25.  Her husband, Nabal, was having a sheep-shearing party.  His shepherds had returned with their sheep unharmed because of the protection of David and his men in the field.  I imagine David had a heart for shepherds because he was one once, too.  (And the Son of David, Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd.) When David heard that Nabal was having a party, he sent some of his men to ask for food. But Nabal turned them away empty-handed.  This made David so angry, he took 400 men to do vengeance upon Nabal.  When the shepherds told Abigail, she quickly loaded donkeys with food fit for a king and took it all to David and his men. She even dismounted her own donkey and fell down before David, begging forgiveness for her household.  David accepted her gift and turned back from harming Nabal.  After the Lord struck Nabal and he died, David invited Abigail to be his wife.  Abigail was mother to David’s second son, Chileab (1 Chronicles 3:3). 

How Abigail washed David and his men’s feet was symbolic, for one day David’s seed Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and told them to go and do likewise. Abigail saved David from avenging himself (1 Samuel 25:26) and making himself a fool like Nabal. David was called to fight for Israel not himself. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Abigail gets credit for saving David from this disaster.

Dear Lord Jesus, give me Your understanding and make me beautiful inside to shine out to others and wash feet like Abigail!

Let’s celebrate Timothy’s faithful mom and grandma:

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.  2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)

We don’t know too much about Timothy’s mom Eunice and grandmother Lois.  We first meet Timothy in Acts 16:1. Paul took Timothy in hand to be his missionary companion. Later, when writing to Timothy, Paul set out to encourage him by reminding him of the faith of his mom and grandma.  Because of his grandma’s faith, his mom had faith. And because of his mom’s faith, Timothy had faith in the Lord Jesus.  And you, dear one, have faith, too! Jesus said that if we have faith like a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20)!   

Dear Lord Jesus, give me mountain-moving faith like Timothy’s mom and grandma.  May our children and grandchildren follow our example and seek You as Timothy did. 

Today’s TEA CUPP: All these ladies are beautiful daughters of the King, and so are you, dear sister! Jesus loves you so much that He came to earth and died on the cross for you. Whether you are a mom, a daughter, a sister, a wife, an aunt, a grandma, a teacher, or a neighbor, you are very special to God the Father. Find a mother or friend to bless this Mother’s Day. 🌺

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 (NKJV)

A gracious woman retains honor… Proverbs 11:16 (NKJV)

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV)

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28 (NKJV)

…She has done what she could. Mark 14:8 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Three Times

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And the third day He will rise again. Mark 10:34 (NKJV)

Three days. My college cross country coach repeatedly said that if we didn’t get enough sleep, or ate a bunch of junk food, or over-worked in some other way, three days later we would either come down with a cold, pull a muscle, or endure some other injury. Therefore, we were always to get a good night sleep, eat healthy, and follow his work-out plans—tough instructions for college students with piles of late-night homework, early morning and afternoon work-outs, and limited food choices in the 1980’s dorm cafeteria. But I always remember his caution, “three days.”

Three days or three times comes up quite often in the Bible, too. Perhaps the most memorable is Jesus’ three days and three nights in the tomb, just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish. And on the third day, Jesus rose, conquering sin, death, and the power of the devil, opening the door for all of us to have eternal life. HalleluYAH!

One year as I was reading my Bible, I went on a treasure hunt to discover other examples of three days or three times. I thought you might enjoy hearing these examples as we near Resurrection Sunday (First Fruits). As you think of Jesus spending three days in the grave and descending into hell, after all He already went through on the cross for all the world, consider these other “threes” He wrote into His Word:

Three days after their dreams, Pharoah’s butler was restored to his position, while the baker was hung (Genesis 40).

Three days Joseph put his brothers in prison (Genesis 42:17).

Three months Moses’ mother hid him as a baby (Exodus 2:2).

Three days journey Moses requested Pharaoh allow the Israelites to take (Exodus 3:18, 5:3, 8:27).

Three days the Israelites went without finding water after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:22).

Three days to prepare for the Lord coming down Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:11).

And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Exodus 19:11

Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God. Exodus 23:14-17, 34:23 (NKJV)

Three days was the Israelites first journey with the tabernacle after leaving the mountain of God (Numbers 10:23).

Three days notice was what Joshua gave the Israelites before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:11).

Three days the spies hid in the mountains from the King of Jericho at Rahab’s caution (Joshua 2:16).

Three days after Joshua made the covenant with the Gibeonites, he heard they were their neighbors (Joshua 9:16).

Three days plague David chose as his punishment for the census; this plague led to the location of the Temple (2 Samuel 24).

Three times Elijah had the people pour four water pots on the altar before the Lord’s Mt. Carmel miracle (1 Kings 18:34).

Three days the sons of the prophets searched for Elijah after God took him to heaven in a whirlwind, even though Elisha didn’t want them to search (2 Kings 2:17).

Three years and they would have fruit (2 Kings 19:29).

This shall be a sign to you: ‘You shall eat this year such as grows of itself,
And in the second year what springs from the same;
Also in the third year sow and reap,
Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.’ 2 Kings 19:29 (NKJV)

Three days and Hezekiah would be healed and go up to the house of the Lord (2 Kings 20:5).

Three days Rehoboam asked the people to wait while he made a bad decision (2 Chronicles 10:5, 10:12).

Three times God works to bring a soul back from the Pit (Job 33:29-30).

Three years God’s servant Isaiah walked naked and barefoot as a sign and wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia (Isaiah 20:3).

After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight. Hosea 6:2 (NKJV)

Three months Mary stayed with Elizabeth when they were both expecting special babies (Luke 1:56).

Three days Joseph and Mary searched for Jesus when He was twelve years old (Luke 2:46).

Three days and the Son of Man would be raised from the dead, Jesus told His disciples (Luke 9:22).

“Three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none,” said the man in Jesus’ parable (Luke 13:6-9).

“The third day I shall be perfected,” Jesus sent in a message to Herod (Luke 13:32).

 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”  Luke 18:31-33 (NKJV)

Three times Pontius Pilate asked about Jesus, “Why, what evil has He done? (Luke 23:22).

Third hour Jesus was crucified (Mark 15:25).

Three hours the earth was dark in mid-day as Jesus hung on the cross (Luke 23:44).

Three days until the Son of Man rose again (Luke 24:7,24:21).

In three days, Jesus said He could raise up His temple if it was destroyed (John 2:19-22).

Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21).

Three times Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:8).

Today’s TEA CUPP: Let’s consider again that day that Jesus died for us. Three people were hung on three crosses. The One in the center had never done anything wrong. The criminal on His right believed in Him and said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” There was darkness for three hours. Jesus was laid in the tomb and on the third day He rose from the grave, opening the door for all to enter heaven. Let’s be like the thief on His right who believed, hearing Jesus say, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,  1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. 

p.s. Thank you for stopping by My Tea Cupp Prayers! My next book is in the final stages for publishing. It’s entitled More Tea Cupp Prayers. I pray that many ladies will read it for a deeper walk with Jesus. Today’s devotion will be part of another book, The Runner’s Tea Cupp (God willing!). Thank you for praying for me! God bless you, dear ones! Jesus loves you!

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, GF, DF

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“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40(NKJV)

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, GF, DF

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups gluten-free oats
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tarter
  • 1 teaspoon pink salt
  • 1 jar organic almond butter
  • 1 cup monk fruit or org. coconut sugar
  • 4 organic eggs
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 bag Lily’s Dark Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: oats, baking soda, cream of tarter, and salt.  In a large bowl, first stir the almond butter to blend it well. Then add the sweetener, eggs, and vanilla.  Mix well.  Next, add the dry ingredients bowl to your wet ingredients and stir until mixed.  Finally, fold in one bag of chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving room between cookies.  Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool before serving.  This made about 30 cookies for us. Enjoy! 

Notes:  We have made this recipe several times, trying out various sweeteners. The monk fruit and coconut sugar worked best.  Also, powdered stevia worked.  When we used maple syrup, we only used 2/3 cup syrup and 3 eggs. They turned out to be a much smoother cookie (see picture below) and people enjoyed them, too.  Next time I plan to try chopped walnuts instead of the oats to make a grain-free variety.  

But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”… Luke 9:13

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Spread the love of Jesus by whipping up a batch of these delicious cookies for a neighbor or friend in need.  Spend the day having A Cup of Love TEA with Jesus.  Continue to fulfill your calling to love God and love your neighbors in this world.  Oh, how the world needs your love, dear TEA CUPP friend! 

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1 Corinthians 16:24 (NKJV)

Many thanks to eatgood4life.com for the original recipe!  

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

New Year House Cleaning

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Set your house in order. . .2 Kings 20:1, Isaiah 38:1 (NKJV)

Many people make a new year’s resolution to clean their houses. Every January, my friend Lisa gives her home a good spring-cleaning. That way, when spring really comes, she can work outside in her garden. She does this every year and her home always looks beautiful, yet comfortable and welcoming with house plants and seasonal decorations. She takes what she doesn’t need to the thrift shop and often comes home with something new. Lisa was one of my first friends who invited me for tea as she offered me a cup every time I visited her cozy home.

It’s ironic that even though my family is still “homeless” after two years since evacuating our home due to mold, we don’t get to escape spring-cleaning. My doctor insisted we deep-clean the guest cabin where we are currently blessed to reside. There are many tips for deep cleaning for mold-sensitive people, but her instructions were to vacuum with a HEPA filter vacuum, dust with Ever-clear, and wash all fabric with a Cascade dishwasher pod. It has a special enzyme to kill toxins. We also have two AirOasis filters going in the cabin to constantly clean the air. That spring-cleaning was a job we didn’t enjoy, but now we’re glad to know the cabin passes my doctor’s test.

My friend Carol also has been cleaning her house as she recovers from mold toxins. She had an interesting experience one day when the Holy Spirit told her there was something in her bedroom that He wanted her to clean. Carol went into her bedroom where He led her to a tall file cabinet. Then the Holy Spirit pointed out the right drawer and file. In it she found an un-opened wedding invitation from long ago. She hadn’t opened it because she already knew the date and was planning to go. So that day she opened it and found it had a Harry Potter theme. Carol knew the Holy Spirit doesn’t like the witchcraft in those books (Deut. 7:26, 18:10), so she burned the invitation along with other items. I like the way Carol lets the Holy Spirit help her clean!

God likes house-cleaning, too!  As I read my Bible, I notice several times when God’s people were told to “clean house!” Remember the tent-cleaning in Joshua 7?  After the victory at Jericho, a man named Achan stole some of the accursed treasures and hid them in his tent.  His sin caused the Lord not to go with Israel’s army, leading to Israel’s defeat in their first battle against Ai.  Joshua made certain that everyone had a “clean tent” after that!    

If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
You will remove iniquity far from your tents. Job 22:23 (NKJV)

More than once, God’s children were told to clean His house. Hezekiah became king when he was 25 years old. In the very first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. Then he called the priests and Levites to carry out all the rubbish that had collected over the years of neglect.  It took 16 days, and when the temple was clean again, King Hezekiah restored temple worship and celebrated the Passover (Read 2 Chronicles 29–30).

…“Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. 2 Chronicles 29:5 (NKJV)

And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord. 2Chronicles 29:15 (NKJV)

When Josiah became king, a few generations later, God’s house needed cleaning again. Josiah was only eight years old at the start of his reign.  At the age of 16, he began to seek the Lord and tear down idols in the land of Judah. When he was 26, Josiah directed the work of cleaning the temple; there, they found the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses.  Imagine, not being able to find God’s Word because it was buried under rubbish, idols, and abominations!  Josiah tore his clothes when he heard God’s Law and realized how they had fallen short.  Like his great-grandfather, King Josiah restored true worship and kept the Passover at the temple (Read 2 Chronicles 34).

If you would prepare your heart,
And stretch out your hands toward Him;
 If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away,
And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
Then surely you could lift up your face without spot;
Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear. Job 11:13-15 (NKJV)

What can we learn from all this house-cleaning? Cleaning fits so well with the “A” part of the TEA CUPP where we ADMIT our sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. The Lord wants both our houses where we live and our hearts to be clean.  Can we seek the Lord in His Word like King Josiah? Can we carry out the rubbish like King Hezekiah and my friend Lisa? Can we let the Holy Spirit guide us like my friend Carol?  Can we admit our sins and let Jesus give us clean homes and hearts? 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9 (NKJV)

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: And so, we clean our hearts, the temple of His Holy Spirit, by coming to the Lord with all our anxieties. And Jesus makes us new. We clean out all the rubbish, the idols, and abominations. We follow His Book, worshiping Him in our clean house!

Jesus told the parable of a woman who lost a coin and swept her whole house to find it (Read Luke 15). Dear sister, Jesus loves you so much He would sweep the whole world to find you. Let’s have our hearts and houses clean when He comes!

Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? Luke 15:8 (NKJV)

If I wash myself with snow water,
And cleanse my hands with soap. Job 9:30 (NKJV)

But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the Lord
An offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:2-3 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Exalting with the Christmas Story

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For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

The Christmas Story is a blessed place to find verses to exalt and praise our Lord Jesus.  (The E part of the TEA CUPP is for Exalting, where we lift up the name of our Father in heaven and praise Him for sending His Son to be our Savior).  From the Old Testament prophecies, to the words of the angels, to the shepherds and wise men, we have plenty of examples for exalting and honoring our Lord.  Let’s look at a a few of these:

Do  you remember how Jesus taught His disciples to pray, saying: “Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name”?  That is what exalting is all about. Like a halo above an angel’s head, we lift up Abba Father’s name above all. (Matthew 6:9)

Isaiah the prophet hallowed Him in the verse above, proclaiming Him as “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The wisemen in Matthew 2 exalted Him with their actions: And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. (Matthew 2:11)

When the Virgin Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, she glorified the Lord with her song: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)

When Zacharias’ son John the Baptist was born, he praised God with his first spoken words in nine months: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David, (Luke 1:68-69)

When the angel came to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, suddenly a multitude of angels appeared glorifying God, saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)

And after the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see if this new Baby was really there, they returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:20)

According to the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took their Baby to the temple to be dedicated, where a man named Simeon took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”” (Luke 2:28-32) Anna also was there and joined Simeon’s praise as she gave thanks to the Lord.  (Luke 2:38)

From Genesis to Revelations, especially the Psalms, the Prophets, and the New Testament writings,  God gives us words to hallow and exalt our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the precious Baby who came humbly to a stable to save the whole world.

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Join the prophets and wise men, join Mary and Zacharias, join the angels and shepherds, join Simeon and Anna, join all creation this Christmas in exalting and hallowing the precious name of our Lord Jesus.  As you sing your favorite Christian Carols, truly sing them to glorify the King of kings: “With the angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem,” Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for leaving heaven and coming to earth to die for me.  May you be glorified in my heart and family this Christmas and always.

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”  Revelation 5:13 (NKJV)

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  1 John 4:9 (NKJV)

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers! If you are blessed by today’s post, you might also enjoy some of my other Christmas devotions.  I pray a wonderful celebration of our Savior Yeshua to you and all your loved ones!

As you move into the year 2025, consider using my Bible Reading Bookmarks or check out this cool website I just found where you can design your own. 

Also, consider joining this Daniel Fast as we pray for our country the first 21 days of the new year.

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Taste and See this Thanksgiving

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Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)

If ever there was a good time to “taste and see” that the Lord is good, it must be Thanksgiving. Taste buds are tempted with a tantalizing table of treats this time of the year. And for these gifts, we give the Lord thanks! For every good and perfect gift (especially our food) comes from above!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 (NKJV)

What are you having for Thanksgiving this year? I pray that you are surrounded by loved ones and yummy things to eat! I know some may be struggling financially this year, with job lay-offs and high grocery bills. I pray someone delivers a casserole and pumpkin pie to your door! Our family is still homeless, but we do have a place to stay and food for the table and children coming “home,” so for that we are very thankful! And while we might want to be sad about this or that, Jesus tells me, “You give them something to eat!”

But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” Luke 9:13 (NKJV)

And so I set my moldy brain to work on a little plan and divide up the menu and who is helping with what, and soon we have a scrumptious dinner, feasting like children of the King of kings in our borrowed cabin. Yes, the Lord is gracious!

 If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3 (NKJV)

I love how Jesus always promises to feed us. Isaiah promises that He feeds us like a shepherd, for He is our Good Shepherd. And if this is a sad Thanksgiving for you, He is also carrying you in His arms. For the Lord has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted (Isaiah 49:13). And for the young families with little ones, He is gently leading us, too!

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11 (NKJV)

I was reminded of a few sad Thanksgivings lately. November 25, 2024 marked the 39th anniversary of the plane crash that took my college cross country team. Thanksgiving that year was a time of grieving. The other night we were driving home late after spending the day in the emergency room with my husband who thankfully only had vertigo, not a stroke. In the last few miles before our cabin, I hit ice on a bridge and spun our truck around and around before landing at the edge. Just two years after that plane crash, I had a similar accident with my parents’ car on my way home from a Thanksgiving gathering. May Jesus’ angels keep charge over all your loved ones this holiday season!

There have been happy Thanksgivings, too. I remember 1998 when my family all gathered at our church camp in Iowa. After the meal we had a talent show with my parents performing their famous skit of “Mabel and the Chewing Gum.” I remember 2006 when we were on a mission to Mississippi to help with rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina. We served a Thanksgiving dinner at a soup kitchen that day. I remember 2017 was the last Thanksgiving with my Daddy before he went to heaven. He was so thankful to have the family together. And in 2000, during the covid year, we spent Thanksgiving with Kennedy when she had cancer. And now she is a healthy third grader! Yes, there is always something for which to be thankful.

The first part of My TEA CUPP is T for Thanksgiving where we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). How about if we all do that this Thanksgiving: Cut maples leaves from orange construction paper. Invite everyone to write and share blessings on the leaves. Then make a Thanksgiving wreath and pray 1 Chronicles 16 or a Psalm of thanks.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Let’s count our blessings instead of our bad days. Let’s count His praises instead of our pains. Let’s count our loved ones instead of our lack. And whatever you have on the table, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Here are a few of our Thanksgiving favorites:

Party Beans, Rice Con Queso, and Sweet Potatoes

Pumpkin and Pecan Pies

Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. 

Digging Ditches Across the USA

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. . . Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches”. . .2 Kings 3:16 (NKJV)

Get your “shovels” ready, ladies! It’s time to start digging!

In 2 Kings 3 we read the story of three kings going to battle against the king of Moab. This trio included the king of Judah, the king of Israel, and the King of Edom who joined forces to commence the battle. Only there was a problem. The armies had marched for seven days and found no water. They called for the prophet Elisha who told them to dig ditches for “You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water” (2 Kings 3:17). Miraculously, the armies obeyed, God filled the ditches with water, and the armies quenched their thirst and that of their animals. In addition, the enemy saw the water as blood and came forth unprepared to battle the three armies. And Yehovah Nissi, our conquering King, won a great victory for Israel that day!

And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 2 Kings 3:16-17 (NKJV)

When Elisha told the kings to dig ditches, it is possible he was remembering the time his predecessor Elijah dug ditches. Do you remember that Mt. Carmel victory? The prophets of Baal could not get their sacrifice to light, even with all their hooting and cutting. Then it was Elijah’s turn to pray for the Lord God to light his sacrifice. But first, Elijah had a huge trench dug around the altar. Then those trenches were filled with twelve water pots of water. When the Lord sent His fire, it consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust, and all the water in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:20-40). Amen! Come, Lord Jesus, our Rock, the Christ, the Living Water, do it again! Turn hearts of stone to Living Water. Pour out Your Holy Spirit and Living Water across this land!

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
At the presence of the God of Jacob,
Who turned the rock into a pool of water,
The flint into a fountain of waters. Psalm 114:7-8 (NJKV)

As we prepare our offering, our sacrifice of prayers, let’s dig ditches around them and ask the Lord Himself to fill our land with His Living Water.  While you pray for Living Water to cover this nation, your thoughts may turn to the woman at the well in John 4. How did Jesus say to get His Living Water? Just by asking! James 4:2 reminds us, “you do not have because you do not ask.” 
Can we dig ditches with our prayers and then ask the Lord Jesus to fill them with His Living Water?

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10 (NKJV)

Where have I been digging ditches? I’ve been digging them everywhere the soul of my foot has touched. I’ve been digging ditches in Wisconsin where the Lord healed our granddaughter from cancer. I’ve been digging ditches in my state as I have tea with Jesus each morning. I’ve been digging ditches in Washington DC as I pray for the upcoming election. Yes, I’m digging ditches with my prayers!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Now it is your turn! Get your “shovel” and start digging ditches in your hometown for the Lord to fill with His Living Water. Help us, O Lord, to dig ditches with our prayers. And may You fill these ditches with Living Water to flood this nation! Come, Living Water, Come!


He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 (NKJV)

And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. Ezekiel 47:9 (NKJV)

p.s. A great resource for prayers for the USA: https://amillionwomen.org/

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.



Dear Israel

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He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:3 (NKJV)

Dear Israel,
I am praying for you. You are the tree and I am a branch. We need you to be well, to be safe, to be protected, to have the victory, to be saved, to have peace. And so, almost every day since October 7, 2023, the Lord God has given me a Bible verse to pray for you. I want to share a few of these verses and prayers to encourage you, and to help my other TEA CUPP ladies to keep lifting you in prayer.

From Psalm 83 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult . . . let them be confounded and dismayed forever, yes, let them be put to shame and perish that they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth. Let it be so! Yehovah Nissi, continue to go out with Israel’s army and every missile. Be their Shield and Sun. And may all Israel and all their enemies know the Lord is God!  

From 1 Kings 8:44-52 When Your people go out to battle against their enemy. . . listen to them whenever they call to You. . . forgive Your people who have sinned against You. . . maintain their cause. 

I Kings 4:24-25 For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. 1 Kings 5:9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; I will float them in rafts by sea. . . I pray first for our brothers and sisters in Israel. Lord Jesus, Yehovah Nissi, fight for them and do not stop until victory is won. Fight as David did in the name of the Lord God of Israel. And establish the land as it was in the time of Solomon, far-reaching and at peace; even peace with Lebanon from where Hiram gave Solomon wood for the temple. Renew that old friendship between David and Hiram. Send peace and victory to Israel today. Protect our brothers and sisters there. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you. My heart and prayer is for all Israel to be saved, to know You, Yeshua, as their Messiah. Give the leaders of Israel the wisdom of Solomon. Give the army of Israel the skill and heart of David. Give every lady and child angels of protection, and pour out Your Holy Spirit across the land!

I pray the blessing of Ezekiel 36, especially Ezekiel 36:7-10, 36:15 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “I have raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that are around you shall bear their own shame. But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come. For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown.  I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. . . “Nor will I let you hear the taunts of the nations anymore, nor bear the reproach of the peoples anymore, nor shall you cause your nation to stumble anymore,” says the Lord God.’ ” Abba Father, I pray this blessing is NOW for Israel! Give them victory today and continue to be their Shield and Salvation! Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Ezekiel 39:29 And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.” Lord Jesus, have compassion on Israel this day. Do not hid Your face anymore. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon them all. Let them know You as Messiah and glorify You for being their Shield and Rock in the battle. Continue to bring peace to Jerusalem and save Your children. Bless all the children of Israel and all Your children around the world today.

From Psalm 108:7-13 God has spoken in His holiness:
“I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem
And measure out the Valley of Succoth.
Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine;
Ephraim also is the helmet for My head;
Judah is My lawgiver. Moab is My washpot;
Over Edom I will cast My shoe; Over Philistia I will triumph.” . . . Give us help from trouble,
For the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies. . . . Deliver Israel TODAY, O Lord! I claim this Psalm, the Land belongs to Yehovah God. He has declared it! He shall squash the enemy with His shoe. The Lord is sending His angel armies to fight, help and protect. Praise God who helps Israel do valiantly! Praise Jesus for casting down the enemies!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Please join me in continuing to pray for victory and peace in Jerusalem and for all Israel to know the salvation found in Yeshua Messiah, Jesus the Christ, Son of the Most High God.

My favorite Podcast for keeping up on the news of Israel, along with a Messianic Jewish message of encouragement can be found at BouldozerFaith.com with Pastor Kenny Russell. Please keep Pastor Kenny and all the children of Israel in your prayers.

Lord, You have been favorable to Your land;
You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. Psalm 85:1 (NKJV)

For our shield belongs to the Lord,
And our king to the Holy One of Israel. Psalm 89:18 (NKJV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:17 (NKJV)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for deflecting missiles and being favorable to Your land!

O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.  Psalm 115:9-11 (NKJV)

 

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

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