New Year House Cleaning

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Jennifer Grace

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, 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)

Exalting with the Christmas Story

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Jennifer Grace

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.

Expecting the Suddenly

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Jennifer Grace

Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly. 2 Chronicles 29:36 (NKJV)

A favorite pastor of mine, Pastor Tim Sheet of Oasis Church in Middletown, Ohio, says to “expect the suddenly.” I’ve been wanting some suddenly. I’ve been hoping for some suddenly. I’ve been needing some suddenly. I’ve been praying for some suddenly. And one of these days, I know the suddenly will come. As I was reading God’s Word in Luke the other day, this story jumped out at me as a suddenly:

A man went to synagogue one Sabbath day just as he had faithfully done for years. His steps were slow and his head was bent low as he trudged along the roadside, dragging his right foot in the loose gravel. His silver hair waved in the breeze as his swollen body approached the busy house of worship. He lifted his head to nod greetings to others, but no one took notice of him. The poor man went inside and sat in his usual spot in the far back on the righthand side, thankful for a place to rest his painful body and weary soul. He wondered if the message today would give him any hope? Then, by surprise, a Light entered the synagogue. It wasn’t that the door had been left open, but that the doorway and the Person standing in its midst both radiated light. Of all the people in the room upon whom this Person might fix His gaze, He chose the tired man in the back-right corner. With strength and light He glided straight to the drooping man; reaching out He held his hand, pulling him to his feet. And with Words sweet as honey and pure as gold, He said, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” The man looked with wonder, hoping beyond hope that it was lawful. He kept silent, the lawyers kept silent, the pharisees kept silent. So, the Person spoke again, taking the swollen man in both hands, He hugged him and healed him and let him go, saying, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” The man stood straight and lifted his once swollen arms in praise! “HalleluYAH! Adonai heals!” And he hugged his Savior and wept and thanked Him again and again. (Luke 5:20, 14:1-6, author’s interpretation).

Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. Daniel 10:10 (NKJV)

How is that for a suddenly? That is what I’m awaiting: I’m expecting the suddenly. . .suddenly healed, suddenly home, suddenly salvation for loved ones, suddenly revival. . . and in the twinkling of an eye, suddenly our Savior comes! HalleluYAH!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Expect the suddenly! This week when you attend church, expect the suddenly. This week when you say your prayers, expect the suddenly. This week when you have TEA with Jesus, expect the suddenly!

. . . And He took him and healed him, and let him go. Luke 14:4 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You healed this dear man with dropsy without expensive doctor visits, without changing his diet, without asking him to list all his sins, without making him repeat Scripture promises for months. It was immediate, it was a suddenly, it was for Your glory! O Jesus, look down on all who need Your healing:________________. In the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the King of the Universe, we unbind these dear ones. O Jesus, Yeshua Messiah, Yehovah Rapha, Our Healing God, I claim Your promise of healing NOW! Do the suddenly NOW! Amen.

Pray for sudden revival across America!!!

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.Isaiah 58:8 (NKJV)

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 1 Kings 19:5 (NKJV)

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3 (NKJV)

So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath? Luke 13:16 (NKJV)

Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 (NKJV)

Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly. Psalm 6:10 (NKJV)

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow;
Suddenly they shall be wounded. Psalm 64:7 (NKJV)

Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly. 2 Chronicles 29:36 (NKJV)

Keep your eyes out for all the Bible verses that say “suddenly,” or “immediately,” or “speedily,” or “quickly.” All these come from patience and persistent prayers.

Another Pot of Precious Promises

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Jennifer Grace

These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. John 16:1 (NKJV)

God’s blessings to you on your new year, dear sister in Christ! I hope your year is off to a good start. Perhaps like me you woke up with a terrible cold on January 1 and thought all the new year’s hopes and resolutions had gone out the window! But Jesus is merciful and healed my cold and gave me strength to press on and send my next book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, back to the publisher for the third time. HalleluYAH! All glory to Jesus!!! How I pray that it can be ready for you by Resurrection Sunday!

Ten years ago, I wrote a short devotion called Pouring a Pot of Precious Promises, written on a day I came across several promises in my daily Bible reading. As I was reading the book of John again in December, John 16 surprised me with many promises from Jesus, too. I thought, “we will have to pour another pot of precious promises for the ladies!”

I hope you’ll read John 16 for yourself and discover perhaps even more words that touch your heart. John 16 came at a sad time for Jesus. He knew He would soon go to the cross to die for our sins. (John 17 contains His last prayers for us all before He was betrayed). Jesus knew His disciples would need the promises recorded in John 16. If the disciples needed them then, I believe we also need these promises for 2024.

First, lets look at some of the not-happy promises…

The enemy will try to make us stumble (16:1).
The enemy will put us out of the churches (16:2).
The enemy will try to harm us (16:2).
We will have sorrow (16:20).
In the world we will have tribulation (16:33).
Somethings we can’t bear to hear now (16:12).

Do you find most of those promises are hard to hear? Me, too! Let’s keep reading, because Jesus gives us His comforting promises:

He will send us a Helper, the Holy Spirit (16:7).
The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement — sounds like a great revival! (16:8).
The Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth (16:13).
The Holy Spirit will tell us things to come (16:13).
The Holy Spirit will glorify God’s Son Jesus (16:14) — that way we’ll know it’s the Holy Spirit!
In a little while we will see Jesus (16:16) — Oh, what a glorious Day!
Our sorrow shall be turned to JOY! (16:20, 16:22).
Whatever we ask the Father in Jesus’ Name, He will give us (16:23).
The Father Himself loves us because we believe in His Son Jesus (16:27).
Jesus is our peace (16:33).
Be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world! (16:33).

Dear one, please be of good cheer, Jesus truly has overcome the world. He already conquered death and the devil when God the Father raised Him from the grave on the third day. He opened the door of heaven for all who believe in His Name. We can trust Him completely for He has a good, good plan.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Pour a pot of these precious promises in your teacup today, dear sister. You will need them this coming year. Read John 16 in your favorite Bible version. Then, write the most precious promises from your Bible in your prayer journal or on notecards on your bathroom mirror. Keep reading His Word and holding onto Jesus’ promises every day!

p.s. If you want to begin a new Bible reading plan this year, I’d like to recommend the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan. I made some special bookmarks to use in this well-loved plan.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV)

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. 1Corinthians 15:3-4 (NKJV)

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9 (NKJV)

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14 (NKJV)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Listening for His Voice

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 11:15 (NKJV)

It’s been a long time since I wrote a post. Dear sisters in Christ, I haven’t forgotten you! I’ve been praying for you, working on the edits of my third book, More Tea Cupp Prayers, moving into our temporary winter home, cooking for my hungry boys, homeschooling our youngest son, visiting my mom and grandchildren, reading God’s Word and listening for His voice. LISTENING is what I want to share with you today.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 13:9 (NKJV)

When we sit down for TEA with Jesus, the first thing we should do is open His Word, our Bibles, letting our Lord speak while we LISTEN. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” And so, we pick up our Bibles, open and read, letting that two-edged sword slice through our thoughts as we LISTEN.

Do you remember what happened in Genesis when Adam and Eve did not listen to God’s instructions, eating the forbidden fruit? They were kicked out of God’s beautiful garden forever. Do you remember what happened when King Saul did not listen, performing the sacrifices before Samuel arrived? He was removed as king of Israel. Do you remember what happened to the rich young ruler who did not listen to Jesus? He went away sorrowfully (see Genesis 3, 1 Samuel 13, Matthew 19:16-22).

Our attitude for listening should be like that of the boy Samuel in 1 Samuel 3. Four times God called to Samuel as he was falling asleep. The first three times, Samuel thought it was Eli the priest calling him. But finally, Eli realized it was the Lord, instructing Samuel what to do. Read this beautiful children’s story and come to Yeshua like a child, saying, “Speak, for Your servant hears” (See 1 Samuel 3:9-10).

Another Old Testament Bible story comes to mind about listening. In Kings 19, the prophet Elijah was in crisis. He had just triumphed over the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, but now Jezebel was seeking to kill him. While Elijah hid in a cave on a mountain, the voice of the Lord came to him. As Elijah looked out, a great windstorm blew past the cave entrance, but God was not in the wind. Next, an earthquake shook the mountain, but God was not in the earthquake. Lastly, a fire like the forest fires of Montana roared past the cave, but God was not in the fire. Finally, there was a still small voice. Knowing this was the Lord God, Elijah wrapped himself in his mantle and went out to listen for God’s directions.

Who else was a good listener? Esther listened to Mordecai and spoke up for her nation. Naaman listened to Elisha and his assistants, washing seven times in the Jordan to be healed. Peter listened to his brother Andrew and came to meet Jesus. And who can forget Martha’s sister Mary who sat at Jesus feet listening and listening and listening (2 Kings 5, Esther 7, John 1:40-41, Luke 10:38-42).

My friend, God still calls us to listen today. Listening comes in many ways. We listen as we read God’s Word. We listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit to guide us. We listen to trusted pastors and friends to point us to the Scriptures. All the while, we are praying for discernment, we test the spirits, comparing the message to other Bible verses to see if this message is truly from God (2 Timothy 3:16, , 2 Peter 1:19, 1 John 4:1-3). Listening for God’s voice is so important today with all sorts of false prophecies and fake news going around. Compare everything you hear to God’s Word and make certain it is from the Lord.

What has God been teaching me recently as I seek Him in His Word and listen to His voice? He tells me to honor the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. He’s saying to live by faith and not by sight as we wait for healing and a home. He’s called me to finish what I began over a year ago and press on toward the goal of the upward cause of God in Christ Jesus (Acts 20:24, 2 Corinthians 8:11, Philippians 3:14). And, He’s shown me how to pray the names of God and rebuke the enemy in His name! (i.e. “In the Name of Yehovah Rapha, I rebuke the pain in my tummy, and claim Jesus’ healing, none of the diseases that were upon the Egyptians shall fall upon me or my family. We are covered by the blood of Yeshua Messiah! In the Name of Yehovah Jireh, I rebuke the destroyer who took our home and belongings a year ago! I claim our inheritance in heaven, and also, God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Yeshua Messiah!!! (See Exodus 15:26, Romans 5:9, Philippians 4:19, 1 Peter 1:4).

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read 1 Kings 19 for Elijah’s listening story. Choose three more listening verses to look up in your Bible. As you go through your week, reading God’s Word and praying, write what the Lord is telling you in your prayer journal. Perhaps He is calling you to a task. Perhaps He has a promise for you to claim. Keep listening for that still small voice of Jesus, dear one!

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Luke 9:35 (NKJV)

Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. Deuteronomy 7:12 (NKJV)

Give ear, O my people, to my law;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psalm 78:1 (NKJV)

I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
For He will speak peace
To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly. Psalm 85:8 (NKJV)

For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord,
And has perceived and heard His word?
Who has marked His word and heard it? Jeremiah 23:18 (NKJV)

Hear, all you peoples!
Listen, O earth, and all that is in it!
Let the Lord God be a witness against you,
The Lord from His holy temple. Micah 1:2 (NKJV)

But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Matthew 13:16-17 (NKJV)

Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 13:43 (NKJV)

But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 (NKJV)

…Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. John 18:37 (NKJV)

…And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8 (NKJV)

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness.” Hebrews 3:7-8 (NKJV)

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19 (NKJV)

(See also Numbers 9:8, Deuteronomy 4:1, Deuteronomy 5:1, Deuteronomy 6:3-4, Deuteronomy 9:1, Deuteronomy 18:15, Deuteronomy 18:18-19, 1 Samuel 3:10, Psalm 45:10, Psalm 49:1, Psalm 50:7, Psalm 81:8, Psalm 81:13 , Psalm 85:8 , Isaiah 1:10, Isaiah 32:3, Isaiah 33:13, Isaiah 34:1, Isaiah 46:3, Isaiah 48:12, Isaiah 48:16, Isaiah 51:1, Isaiah 51:4, Isaiah 51:7, Isaiah 55:2-3, Isaiah 66:5, Jeremiah 6:17-19, Jeremiah 10:1, Jeremiah 19:3, Jeremiah 19:15, Jeremiah 25:8, Jeremiah 26:3, Jeremiah 29:20, Ezekiel 2:8, Ezekiel 3:7, Ezekiel 3:10, Ezekiel 3:27, Ezekiel 12:2, Ezekiel 25:3, Matthew 7:24, Matthew 17:5, Mark 4:3, 4:9, 4:12, 4:23, 4:33, 4:24, Mark 7:14-16, Mark 7:37, Mark 9:7, Mark 12:29, Mark 8:18, Luke 8:8, Luke 8:21, Luke 9:44, Luke 14:35, Luke 16:31, Acts 3:22-23, Hebrews 5:11, Hebrews 12:25, James 1:22, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22)

💝From Jenny’s Journal: Luke 19:48… for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.
O let all Your children truly hear you NOW, Lord Jesus, all Israel and the USA and all the world, not killing you a week later, but instead, dying to sin, welcoming you as Savior, Messiah, Christ, Lord, and King! In the Name of Yeshua Messiah, we say to all ears, Ephphatha! Be opened!!! Mark 7:34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

O earth, earth, earth,
Hear the word of the Lord! Jeremiah 22:29 (NKJV)

Choose Your 5 Stones!

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20 (NKJV)

Almost a year ago I wrote the devotion “Wrestling with Abba Father,” ironically published exactly one week before we left our home forever due to a mold outbreak, not knowing I’d do more wrestling in the coming year than ever before! I have to say that when you spend several hours a day on the mat wrestling for months on end, you learn more about fighting the good fight of faith!

I haven’t written much about spiritual warfare in My TEA CUPP devotions in the past, focusing more on other parts of prayer. But as our world continues its moral decline and trouble of all kinds abound for God’s children, it is important that we put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) and battle the enemy in prayer. Though Jacob wrestled with the Angel of God, our spiritual warfare is not against the Father, but rather in the name of Jesus we fight against evil forces of wickedness, Satan and his fallen angels with names like Leviathan, Legion, Baal and many others. Paul tells us, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Our Lord Jesus knew all about spiritual warfare. Right after He was baptized, the Holy Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted for 40 days. At the end of those 40 days, Satan came to tempt Jesus. But Jesus did not give in to the devil’s tactics. He fought back with the Word of God, using the Sword of the Spirit to defend Himself (read Matthew 4:1-11). When Satan showed up again in the doubts of Peter, Jesus proclaimed, “Get behind Me, Satan!” ordering the devil away with His words (Matthew 16:21-23).

As I was reading the familiar story of David and Goliath a few weeks ago, I saw how it is a perfect example of using spiritual warfare in our prayers (1 Samuel 17). You all know the story of how David gathered the five stones to fight the giant Goliath for mocking the God of Israel. With only one stone, David won the battle, perhaps because the battle had already been won in prayer. Let’s look at what steps we must to do to be victorious like David in his spiritual battle over God’s enemy:

We pray (Psalm 27)
We obey our Father (1 Samuel 17:17-20)
We practice on a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
We size up the situation and ask permission (1 Samuel 17:20-30)
We gather our stones (1 Samuel 17:40)
We fight with the Word of God (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
We claim the victory! (1 Samuel 17:48-51)

I feel like I’ve been practicing on the lion and the bear this past year as we battled in prayer for healing and a home. I’ve progressed to gathering my stones and fighting the enemy with the Word of God. What does this look like? When I was on the verge of completing my third book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, I gathered my five stones. I knew the enemy did not want me to finish this as he had used every tactic to try to knock me out, from sickness to despair. So, on my final afternoon of writing, I wrote five promises from God’s Word in my prayer journal. These were my five stones to throw at the enemy if he came along during my writing. I wrote that day, Dearest Jesus, be with me to press on and finish More TEA CUPP! I claim these five stones of promise against Goliath in Your Name, Yeshua!

No weapon formed against me shall prosper (see Isaiah 54:17).
He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4).
He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:6).
I shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord (see Psalm 118:17).
He shall give His angels charge over me to keep me in all His ways (see Psalm 91:11).

I also rebuked, in the Name of Yeshua Messiah, the “prince of the power of the air” from messing with the internet and computer (Ephesians 2:2)! And I’m delighted to say that day was a victory for God’s side as More TEA CUPP Prayers is now at the publisher! HalleluYAH! God be praised!

As I continued reading 1 Samuel, I remembered again David and Goliath. I noticed that David didn’t assume his first victory would guarantee the next victory over the enemy. When he came to battle again, David first …inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” (1 Samuel 23:2). That is a lesson for us, too: Keep asking the Father before battling the enemy, or we might become like the people in Acts who cast out demons in Jesus’ name and were attacked (see Acts 19).

Paul tell us, “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This reminds me of 2 Samuel 17:13 when Hushai gave advice to Absolom, saying they would use ropes to pull the city down into the river. That’s what we do with our prayers! Our prayers are like ropes, pulling the evil strongholds into the river! Dear one, you can do this! Stay in God’s Word, claim His promises, always keep on His armor as you pray and go through your days.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read 1 Samuel 17. Now it’s your turn. Pick your five Bible verse “stones” to have ready for the next spiritual battle. Put on the whole armor of God and stand! Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)!

…be valiant for me, and fight the Lord’s battles. 1Samuel 18:17 (NKJV)

…the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s... 1Samuel 17:47 (NKJV)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV)

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 1Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV)

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. 2Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare. 1Timothy 1:18 (NKJV)

Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1 (NKJV)

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)

4:7 I Thank My God

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

Today I continue my 4:7 Prayers, Petitions and Proclamations…

Philemon 4-7… I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother…. I thank my God for you, dear TEA CUPP Sisters, making mention of you always in my prayers. I’m so excited to hear how you sit down each morning with your Bible and a cup of tea to spend time in prayer with Jesus. And that your time in the Lord has been fruitful as you’ve prayed for family, friends and loved ones. You have refreshed their souls and mine and given me great joy. I thank Jesus again for you as I carry out the dream God put on my heart, to change this nation for Jesus, one TEA CUPP at a time. HalleluYAH! Amen! ❤️

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 🎶Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within: Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin. 🎶 (Julia H. Johnston, 1911). Thank you, dearest Jesus, for Your grace which brought me to You. I remember the first time someone explained grace and mercy to me. They said grace is the Father giving us a gift we don’t deserve, while mercy is You not giving us what we deserve. Like giving the little boy who hits his sister a lollipop (grace) instead of a spank and the time-out chair (mercy). When You died on the cross for us, Lord Jesus, that was ultimate mercy, taking the punishment for all our sins. Then You rose to eternal life and are giving us gifts, some prophecy, some teaching, some evangelism, some hospitality, and the best gift of all, eternal life (grace)! Thank You, Father, for sending us Your Son. Thank You, Jesus, for Your mercy and grace and good gifts. We thank and praise and love You forever and ever and ever! Amen! ❤️

Amos 4:7 I also withheld rain from you, When there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, And where it did not rain the part withered. Oh, Jesus, first I want to thank You for the rain and snow You’ve sent to Montana, the ranchers are all so glad. Yet it seems like it isn’t just You who is sending and withholding rain in recent years, but the devil himself is seeding clouds, blocking the sun’s rays, making the wind blow extra hard, and even controlling hurricanes. O Father, You are the Creator of all, even the weather… indeed the wind and sea obey You (Luke 8:25)… don’t let anyone mess with Your creation! Take back Your power over the weather! We would rather be under Your judgment with the weather than under the curse of the enemy. O Jesus, You died for this also! Come and rescue us and our weather. Make the land fertile again. Reign over us and rain down blessings upon us. Thank you, dearest Jesus! All our springs are in You (Psalm 87:7)! Amen! ❤️

He gives rain on the earth,
And sends waters on the fields. Job 5:10 (NKJV)

In summer 2022, the Lord called me to write 4:7 Petitions, Prayers, and Proclamations… I heard the Lord saying, “Pay attention to 4:7!” I started reading every 4:7 verse in the Bible. When there wasn’t a 4:7, I read the closest verse. I used these verses as Prayers, Petitions, and Proclamations to the throne room of Christ our Savior. Bit by bit, I’m sharing them with you, my TEA CUPP Sisters. Thank you for reading and praying 4:7!

Lifting Hands in Praise

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:6 (NKJV)

Today I want to share with you my “Lifting Hands” story. I grew up in a Presbyterian Church where beautiful organ music, a talented choir, and often a university orchestra accompanied every hymn. The congregation stood solemnly, singing the traditional songs from the hymnal. You could sing as loudly as you wanted because the organ would drown-out any wrong words or off-key notes. But you would never think of moving as you stoically clasped your hymnal like the rest of the congregation.

When I met Jesus in college, I attended a group called the Baptist Student Union. A few of the students there would lead us in singing, one playing the guitar and others leading the choruses. I realize now that all the songs we sang were Bible verses, for when I read those verses today, the BSU songs immediately come to mind and I hum them the rest of the day. The words were cast on the wall with an overhead projector and we were free to sit or stand and bump arms with our friends.

From there I went to work at a Lutheran summer camp where God’s Word and songs became more alive for me. I learned songs with actions that kept the campers and counselors active. We sang tunes like “Pharaoh, Pharaoh, Oh, baby, let my people go!” while doing the actions of an Egyptian hieroglyphic. We sang “Jesus is real, He’ll never fail,” while casting an imaginary fishing rod into the lake and reeling it in. And, of course, we learned to “march in the infantry” and “ride in the Calvary” and “shoot the artillery” and “soar over the enemy” because we were in the Lord’s army! Singing to Jesus became a fun time of laughing and movement.

My first job after graduation was teaching sixth grade at a Lutheran Day School where I was also required to join the Lutheran Church. There we learned and enjoyed the singing liturgy of the Lutherans, the good old hymns, and the joy of being in a congregation filled with children. The Day School held a service every Thursday morning. Once a month they recognized the children who had been baptized during that month with a song that runs through my head yet today… we are baptized, I am baptized, we have passed through the waters and that’s all that matters, I have passed through the waters, oh thanks be to God! Yet still we sang traditional hymns as we stood in the pews.

When we moved to a new town, we joined a Methodist Church because my husband had grown-up Methodist. It was also a traditional church, but without the singing liturgy. A dedicated choir marched up the center aisle every Sunday in their red robes, inspiring us all to join them in praising the Father. As I juggled young children and a hymn book, I tried to join them in singing. It was truly a Spirit-filled congregation, for there we often sang, “Here I am, Lord, is it I Lord,? I have heard You calling in the night, I will go, Lord, if You lead me, I will hold Your people in my heart.” We received our calling into church camp ministry and they laid hands on us, praying and sending us forth.

From there, our family moved to a United Methodist Church camp. Our first summer, we had only a handful of counselors and none of them were song leaders. Over and over we sang a favorite one young man remembered, “He’s my Rock, my Sword, my Shield, He’s the Wheel in the middle of the Wheel, He’s the Lily of the Valley, He’s the brightest Morning Star, doesn’t matter what you say, I’m gonna get on my knees and pray, I’m going to praise Him till the day that Jesus comes – Hee, haw!” This was accompanied by appropriate hand motions, of course! We prayed for a guitar player the next year, and soon our campers were enjoying a variety of new and old songs at the morning outdoor chapel with fun arm movements lead by the counselors.

God called us to a new church camp in Montana in the year 2000. One summer, a group of volunteers created an outdoor chapel on the hillside where we could hold Sunday evening worship services. One week, a volunteer, a retired Methodist, told me about his call to lift his hands in worship. Why did he tell me? The Lord must have put it upon his heart. As a Methodist, he had never lifted his hands at church, but one day he was reading Psalm 134:2. and the Lord spoke to him, telling him this is what he should do. And so he did! And God put the desire in my heart to do the same.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the Lord. Psalm 134:2 (NKJV)

At the time we were attending a Methodist Church and a closer Lutheran Church, both with choirs and traditional hymns. As the desire to raise my hands increased, I would grasp the pew in front of me, keeping my hands down during the hymns, not wanting to be different or cause a stir. When I would go home to my parents’ church, I would again grasp the pew ahead of me, knuckles turning white as I resisted the urge. For 10 years I did this, even after we started attending an Evangelical Church so our kids could partake in the youth group.

Finally, one Sunday, I let the Holy Spirit take over and I raised my hands as we stood in the back of this Evangelical Church, noticing a few others scattered around the sanctuary were also raising their hands. Finally, I followed the example in God’s Word, the desire of my heart, and the call of the Holy Spirit, reaching my hands up to our Father in heaven as I magnified His Name in song. And now we attend our Sabbath home church and a fellowship group where most hands are raised. And for me, as the good old hymn “I have decided to follow Jesus” says, there’s “no turning back, no turning back.”

…“Stand up and bless the Lord your God
Forever and ever! Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!
You alone are the Lord;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it,
The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You. “You are the Lord God… Nehemiah 9:5-7 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: What is your posture when you are praising the Father? Are you standing in the pew, singing with the congregation? Are you curled up on the sofa with pen in hand, writing in your prayer journal words of adoration? Are you sitting with head down, hands clasped, heart beating for the Lord? Are you prostrate on the ground, bowing in honor? Are you standing with hands up high, exalting, lifting the Name of Jesus, reaching toward His throne in heaven? However you position yourself, Our Father God sees you, knows you, loves you and is so blessed by your love and praise. Keep exalting Christ our Lord, dear sister!!!

If you would prepare your heart,
And stretch out your hands toward Him… Job 11:13 (NKJV)

Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. Psalm 63:4 (NKJV)

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2 (NKJV)

My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes. Psalm 119:48 (NKJV)

Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2 (NKJV)

A favorite hand-lifting song from church camp

Jesus, Our Greatest Example

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Jennifer Grace

In celebration of Thanksgiving this year, I’m re-running this post from June 2021. This devotion and many others will be in my new book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, coming out in spring 2023. Thank you for praying for me and the publication process! Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to one and all! Thank you, dearest Jesus, for so many blessings!

…Give thanks to the Lord Almighty,
for the Lord is good;
His love endures forever… Jeremiah 33:11 (NIV)

Whether you are new to prayer, or this is a regular routine for you, it is always a blessing to be reminded how our Lord Jesus prayed when He walked this earth. Jesus is our example in all things, including THANKSGIVING to the Lord. Isn’t it a wonder that Jesus the Son gave thanks to the Father, showing us how to give thanks to the Father, when He and the Father are One?

We find so many times in the Gospels when Jesus gave thanks…

When the 70 disciples returned from their first mission trip (Luke 10:17-24):

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” Luke 10:21

When Jesus fed the 5000 with five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14):

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11

When praying to the Father to raise His friend Lazarus (John 11:1-44):

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” John 11:41

At the Last Supper with His disciples (Luke 22:7-20):

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves.” Luke 22:17

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19

With these true stories in mind, I follow Jesus’ example, beginning my prayers with THANKSGIVING. Whether I’m welcoming my sons home from a mission trip, feeding my family, praying for healing for loved ones, or just having TEA with Jesus, I begin with thanks. Perhaps my biggest THANKS recently was attending my granddaughter Kennedy’s preschool graduation one year after she was diagnosed with cancer. You can turn to one of the last sections of this book to read how this Grandma’s heart was broken and cried desperate pleas to God the Father for over a year for healing for our granddaughter. She had no hair and couldn’t walk after the first rounds of chemo. I prayed and prayed, “Talitha, Cumi, Little One, arise,” and God raised her from her sofa bed to attend preschool and gymnastics! And Jesus let me witness her graduation while her new baby sister was being born. Oh, what double blessings all in one day! I thank you Lord Jesus, for you have heard my prayers and seen my tears and sent life to this family!

There is always something for which to be thankful, dear sisters. Even when the whole world is falling apart, we can thank Jesus that our names are written in heaven and that we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken. Hold onto these precious verses of THANKSGIVING this coming year…

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read one of the selections of Jesus giving thanks, noticing the miracles that came after His thanksgiving. Select one THANKSGIVING verse to write in your prayer journal, pouring out your thanks to the Lord. The Father will be so happy to hear from you!

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1-3

4:7 Victory

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Jennifer Grace

Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

O Father, O Jesus, here we have the story of when Satan tried to tempt You in the wilderness after 40 days of fasting (no food, no water). You must have been so hungry and thirsty, even though You are the Living Bread and Living Water.

First, the devil tried to tempt you to turn stones to bread, but You fought back with the Word of God, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Your Word is all we need for it is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.

Well, the devil was crafty in his second temptation, using Your Word himself, telling You to throw Yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple so the Father’s angel would guard over You. This verse is one of my favorites to pray for my family, the 911 verse, Psalm 91:11 “He shall give His angels charge over you.” Shame on the devil for mis-using this precious Word of God! And all praise to Jesus for fighting back victoriously with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, saying, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.“

O Father God, forgive us for ever trying to tempt You, knowingly or unknowingly. Forgive our nation for tempting You to wrath with all its evil. Save us, O Lord our God. Turn hearts to You before the great and awesome day when You return. Pour out your Holy Spirit on this land. Do not let us tempt you any longer. We say as Jesus did on the last temptation, “Away with you, Satan!”

“Away with you, Satan!” Away with you from our lives. Away with you from our health. Away with you from our families. Away with you from our schools. Away with you from our courthouses. Away with you from our government. Away with you from our churches. Away with you from our media. Away with you from our nation! Away with you, Satan, in the Name of Jesus and the blood He shed on the cross! We will not bow down to you!

We will only bow to the King of kings, the Lord of lords, our God and Father, Christ Jesus His Son, who showed us how to resist you with His Word, how to cut your temptations to pieces with His Sword of the Spirit, and how to live victoriously by following His steps. You are finished, Satan! Go to the deep pit where you belong! You are not welcome here. Away with you!

Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, is Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, is Lord of the United States of America. Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, is Lord of me and my family wherever we go. HalleluYAH! Amen!

My TEA CUPP Prayers

Praying God's Word … Inviting Ladies to TEA with the King of kings!

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