O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)
What do runners drink? Usually we think of ice cold water, Gatorade and sports drinks. Those all refresh me after a long run down the highway. But what do I like to drink even before a morning run? I enjoy a TEA CUPP with the Champion of champions, Jesus.
Tea is certainly coming into vogue as the new sports beverage, but the brand I want to share with you is brewed with Living Water, straight from God’s Word. Here’s how it works: Before you do your stretches and head out the door, sit down with your Bible and a cup of tea. Read a selection, letting the Lord speak first. Then start praying, using Bible verses as conversation starters.
For example, to give God Thanks for your health or recent victory or other blessings in your life, recite 1 Corinthians 15:57 and tell Him for what you are thankful. Even if you’ve never had a victory, Jesus gives us all the victory over sin and death, because He conquered those when He died and rose again. Then continue your prayers with Psalm 20:5 to Exalt the Lord and tell Him how great He is. Follow this with Hebrews 12:1-2, asking Jesus to help you Admit and lay aside every sin.
Now you’ve finished your TEA and are ready for the CUPP. I’ve listed more suggested verses below for talking to Jesus about your Call, Understanding your story, claiming God’s Promises, and pouring out your heart with Petitions for others. As you finish your prayers and tie your shoes, you’ll find the conversation continues as you and Jesus head out for a run together.
T for Thanks:
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)
E for Exalt:
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! Psalm 20:5 (NKJV)
A for Admit:
…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus...Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
C for Call:
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Matthew 5:41 (NKJV)
U is for Understanding our story:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)
P is for Promises:
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
P is for Petitions:
Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Sip this Runner’s TEA CUPP today, before heading out on your path. Use it as a conversation starter as you talk to the Lord. When you read your Bible, underline more verses you’d like to pray tomorrow.
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14 (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
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