Tag Archives: christian prayer

My Light TEA

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 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 (NJKV)

The Season of Light is upon us!  Christmas lights sparkle from homes as we drive through town.  Candles bring cheer inside as the sun disappears at 4:30 p.m.  During this time of Advent, we prepare our hearts for Jesus coming as the Light of the world.  And so a CUPP of Light TEA is in order.  Bask in the Light of Christ as you sip this Light TEA during the month of December.

T for Thanksgiving:

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:12 (NKJV)

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)

E for Exalting:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Psalm 112:4 (NKJV)

Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light! Psalm 148:3 (NKJV)

He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22 (NKJV)

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel. Luke 2:32 (NKJV)

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:4-5 (NKJV)

Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16 (NJKV)

A for Admitting:

There are those who rebel against the light;
They do not know its ways
Nor abide in its paths. Job 24:13 (NKJV)

You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 90:8 (NKJV)

But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:23 (NKJV)

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12 (NKJV)

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

 C for Calling:

O house of Jacob, come and let us walk
In the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5 (NKJV)

If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NKJV)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.  Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

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)

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12 (NKJV)

For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28 (NKJV)

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:6 (NKJV)

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 89:15 (NKJV)

You will make your prayer to Him,
He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.
You will also declare a thing,
And it will be established for you;
So light will shine on your ways. Job 22:27-28 (NKJV)

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)

P is for Petitioning:

There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. Psalm 4:6 (NKJV)

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle. Psalm 43:3 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season. Join the Savior of your soul, Jesus, for TEA each day. Underline your favorite verses in your Bible. Use these Light verses as conversation starters as you pray and pour out your heart to the Lord.  Merry Advent!

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5 (NKJV)

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

Moan Noisily

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Attend to me, and hear me;
I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily.  Psalm 55:2 (NKJV)

We’ve all heard the child moaning noisily, from the line at the grocery store to our own kitchen. Waaaaaaaaaah-wooooooooo-weeeeee-waaaaaah!  Kids are experts at the art of moaning, whether it is warranted or not.

Did you know it’s okay for us to moan noisily, too?  Sure thing! Doesn’t Jesus tell us to come to the Father as a child?

Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. Luke 18:17 (NKJV)

So we come to Him as a child, crying and bawling and whining and moaning, ever so noisily.  And He doesn’t turn us away.  He opens His arms and holds us close and hears our complaint and assures us of His perfect plan.

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms… Deuteronomy 33:27 (NKJV)

Did you know Jesus Himself, when He walked this earth, moaned noisily? When His good friend Lazarus died, Jesus wept and groaned within Himself, before raising Lazarus from the dead…

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. John 11:38 (NKJV)

Today when we don’t have the words to say, but all we can do is cry out in anguish, moaning noisily, God has sent His Holy Spirit to pray for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered.  Even the Holy Spirit groans…

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

Not only do Jesus and the Holy Spirit moan, the whole earth has been moaning! Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were kicked out of the garden, all creation has been crying out to be delivered from its bondage of corruption…

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:22 (NKJV)

If Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and all creation are groaning, we can groan, too. Yes, my friend, it is okay to moan noisily and let God hear your complaint.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Moan noisily.  I’m serious.  If you’ve been holding back at your TEA time with Jesus, just sharing small talk and not really pouring out your heart, today is the day.  Give Jesus all your hurts and sadness.  Tell Him you don’t like what’s going on in your world.  Unload your burdens on Jesus and let Him carry them today. 

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.  Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:23 (NKJV)

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 (NKJV)

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

My Thanks TEA

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In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18  (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul tells us to give thanks in everything.  God’s man who was ship-wrecked, beaten, stoned and imprisoned for Jesus, found ways to always be thankful. So this Thanksgiving, I’m challenged to give thanks in all parts of my TEA CUPP Prayers.  Here is a blend of Thanksgiving verses put together especially for you, my TEA CUPP friend.  May God bless your Thanksgiving prayers!

T for Thanksgiving:

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2 (NKJV)

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Psalm 75:1 (NKJV)

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV)

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalm 30:4 (NKJV)

I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.  Psalm 92:1 (NKJV)

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen. Revelation 7:12 (NKJV)

We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.  Revelation 11:17 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise. 1 Chronicles 16:35 (NKJV)

 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3-4 (NKJV)


Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High. Psalm 50:14 (NKJV)

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:17 (NKJV)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:12 (NKJV)

So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
Will give You thanks forever;
We will show forth Your praise to all generations. Psalm 79:13 (NKJV)

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
The upright shall dwell in Your presence. Psalm 140:13 (NKJV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. Colossians 1:3 (NKJV)

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: We can find so many thanksgiving verses in our Bibles.  Jesus must want to hear our thanks!  Underline these verses and other favorites God shows you.  Use these scriptures to pray and be thankful all year long.

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

Redeeming the Time

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See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV)

How do you spend your extra hour each year? As I write this devotion, it is the night before we set back our clocks to standard time in the United States.  Most of you must follow this same ritual, springing clocks forward an hour each spring and falling back an hour again in the fall.

It’s a challenge to reset every clock in the house, car and even my Sunday school room.  We amazingly have a VCR with a clock that still works.  It was cleverly programmed at the factory to reset itself each fall and spring.  However, that was before a new law was passed, extending daylight savings time a few weeks at both ends of the season.  So, our VCR clock is always off for a few weeks this time of year.

What do you do with that extra hour you have every fall?  Do you sleep in?  Do you finally make it to church on time?  Do you spend time with your kids or husband?  Do you have an extra-long CUPP of TEA with Jesus? Do you treat yourself to time on a favorite hobby? There are certainly numerous ways we could spend that hour, as well as every hour of every day.  My prayer is that we use ALL our time for His glory and in His will, whether it is an extra hour or a regular hour in a 24-hour day.

God’s Word helps us pray to number our days aright, that we may gain hearts of wisdom.  I believe this also applies to every hour of the day.  May they all be used in ways that honor Him!

So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)

Of course, we’ve all wasted time, whether it was a day, a week, a month, or even years.  Wrong choices can fill us with regrets, wishing for a chance to redeem that lost time.  My friend, I have Good News!  God, the GREAT REDEEMER, can redeem the lost time for you.  In the book of Joel He promised His people He would restore the years that the locusts had eaten.

So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you. Joel 2:25 (NKJV)

My friend, you are not alone. We all have years we want to trade in on new ones.  Jesus can redeem the time.  He will give you the years the locusts have eaten plus eternity in heaven.  Jesus took on Himself, all our sins, all our regrets, all our hurts, and all our pains, when He died on the cross. When we confess our sins to Jesus, He forgives us, already having paid the price for those sins so long ago.  After Jesus died, He rose again, conquering sin and death, and giving all who believe the promise of New Life. Isn’t that Good News?!! Believe our Great Redeemer!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!  Job 19:25-27 (NKJV)

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.  Psalm 107:2 (NKJV)

O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;
You have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:58 (NKJV)

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

My Morning TEA

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 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. Psalm 5:3 (NKJV)

My favorite time for TEA with Jesus is first thing in the morning. Before the concerns of a new day hit, we need to sit down with Jesus, letting Him fill our CUPPS with His Word.  So today’s verses all have a morning theme.  When we pray at the dawn of the day, we follow in the steps of Jesus:

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 (NKJV)

T for Thanksgiving:

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

Therefore glorify the Lord in the dawning light,
The name of the Lord God of Israel in the coastlands of the sea. Isaiah 24:15 (NKJV)

But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
For You have been my defense
And refuge in the day of my trouble. Psalm 59:16 (NKJV)

For behold,
He who forms mountains,
And creates the wind,
Who declares to man what his thought is,
And makes the morning darkness,
Who treads the high places of the earth—
The Lord God of hosts is His name. Amos 4:13 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Lord, be gracious to us;
    we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
    our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)

 C for Calling:

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night.  Psalm 92:2 (NKJV)

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8 (NKJV)

If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)

 U is for Understanding our story:

I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:47 (NKJV)

My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. Psalm 130:6 (NKJV)

…He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:9-10 (NKJV)

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)

P is for Petitioning:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 (NIV)

But to You I have cried out, O Lord,
And in the morning my prayer comes before You.  Psalm 88:13 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  The old song, “In the Morning When I Rise, Give me Jesus” fills my head as I pray these morning verses.  May you be blessed, My TEA CUPP friend, as you spend time with Jesus this morning and every morning.

Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.  Psalm 55:7 (NKJV)

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011.

Choosing Life

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We have been with child, we have been in pain;
We have, as it were, brought forth wind… Isaiah 26:18 (NKJV)

A few weeks ago we had sad news from our daughter.  She and her husband were losing a baby at just 8 1/2 weeks in the womb.  I know miscarriages happen all the time, I know how awful it feels, because it’s happened to us three times.  Yet, the pain is still there when it happens again to another loved one.

Just a week earlier I had shared about our babies at a local church.  I realized as I was preparing for the talk, that I hadn’t cried in a long time.  God had allowed us a time of peace.  Then, boom (that’s how things always hit, isn’t it?), the heart-breaking news from our daughter.  A little grandbaby is joining our babies in heaven.  Our hearts were torn open once again. Our daughter put this beautiful post on her Facebook page:

How we pray for God to comfort them  and bless them with another sweet baby to ease their hurting hearts! I pray this for all moms who have lost babies.  May Jesus send a child for you to love and cherish. Just this month in my Samaritan Ministries prayer guide, where we pray for one person a day (and I only have a small portion of people whose last names begin with “W”), there were 11 babies and two were miscarriages. Many moms and dads are hurting out there.

For some people, though, there is pain through bad choices.  Woman have been lied to in the United States for almost 50 years that they have a choice to make for babies.  It is the serpent from Genesis whispering into Eve’s ear that he has something better for her. This is not new, for we read in the Bible https://www.ncmh.info/valium-diazepam/ verses that make me cry…

Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces,
And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb;
Their eye will not spare children.  Isaiah 13:18 (NKJV)

Satan brings death.  Jesus gives life.  I exhort you to choose life your baby, no matter what. And if it is too late and the decision is behind you, come to Jesus, my friend, and find the forgiveness and healing for which you are longing.  His arms are wide open for you. Someday we will see all these babies in heaven! If only we could match all these babies with the empty arms and hearts that are longing for a child.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Oh, Jesus, our hearts break when babies die before they have a chance to be born due to miscarriage. It hurts that people are choosing to kill babies before they are born through abortion.  It’s unbearable to hear of little ones being hurt and killed.  We know we live in a fallen world where pain and sickness happen, but it still hurts.  Please wash away our pain. Forgive us.  Pour your oil of joy on our hurts.  Comfort our hearts. Give us beauty for ashes. Help us to honor the lives you have given us.   We look forward to seeing our precious little ones with You in heaven someday. Thank you, dearest Jesus.  

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.  Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)

…Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

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

 

Leave No Doubt

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For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJV)

It seems that as we get older, we attend more funerals and memorial services for loved ones, friends and acquaintances in our town, some departing too soon.  The pastors leading the services always do a beautiful job of sharing memories of the departed and comfort for those left behind. We are especially comforted if we know the person is in heaven with Jesus.

I remember when my college cross country team died in a plane crash, I knew my coach was in heaven because of his life.  Whenever we came home from meets I was always the last one to be dropped off, giving Coach plenty of time to share his faith.  Coach Ron would talk long and serious about things I did not understand, yet I knew they were important.   When he wasn’t planning our next big workout, he served at his church.  Coach Ron had a dream to start a Christian running camp in northern Wisconsin. Because of his faith and example, I know my coach is with Jesus and will be there when I get there, too.

Every once in awhile, though, there is someone who we aren’t sure where she stood in her faith journey. We wonder if he is with Jesus.  We pray she is in heaven.  We ask God to comfort us and assure us he is with Jesus. But we just aren’t sure.

So, I want to encourage you today to LEAVE NO DOUBT when it is your turn to go.  Make sure that while you are living, people know you love Jesus.  Tell them how you study your Bible and meet with Him each day for prayer. Let them see the fruit of your faith in good works. Share how you are looking forward to the day when He comes to take you home.  Then, when it is your turn to leave this world, your friends and family will have NO DOUBT that you are now in heaven having TEA with the King of kings!!!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Confirm your eternal destination today by praying with Jesus.  Invite Jesus into your heart to forgive you and guide your remaining earthly days.  Then tell a friend about this heavenly TEA party so she can join you there, too!

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV)

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27 (NKJV)

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

Pebble Pocks in My Palms

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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)

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

A Pot of Psalm 40

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Oh, how I love my TEA time with Jesus.  It’s the best way to begin my day, immersed in His Word.  Are you reading a Psalm or Bible passage each day and praying with Jesus? I want to encourage you again, to take time each morning to chat with the Lord.  Here are some verses from Psalm 40 to get you started…

T is for Thanksgiving

Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5 (NKJV)

E is for Exalting

He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God…  Psalm 40:3 (NKJV)

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let such as love Your salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!”  Psalm 40:16 (NKJV)

A is for Admitting

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Psalm 40:6 (NKJV)

For innumerable evils have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;
They are more than the hairs of my head;
Therefore my heart fails me. Psalm 40:12 (NKJV)

C is for Calling

I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding

  I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps. Psalm 40:1-2 (NKJV)

But I am poor and needy;
Yet the Lord thinks upon me... Psalm 40:17 (NKJV)

P is for Promises (claiming God’s)

…Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.  Psalm 40:3 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning (pouring out my heart)

Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord;
Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. Psalm 40:11(NKJV)

…You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40:17 (NKJV)

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me! Psalm 40:13 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: This morning prepare Psalm 40 for your TEA bag.  Let it steep in your pot and pour several CUPPs as you enjoy your prayer time with Jesus. 

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

Sipping Psalm 16

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There is nothing sweeter than beginning each day with a CUPP of TEA and sitting down with Jesus to read a Psalm. If you’ve been wanting to begin a prayer time, this is a great way to begin!  Heat your kettle, pour your TEA, and open your Bible, inviting Jesus to join you.  The Psalms aren’t too long, so reading one a day is do-able for most busy ladies.  Today I have Psalm 16 for you, broken up into the parts of the TEA CUPP.  You might also read the Psalm in order, scrambling the TEA CUPP in favor of the beauty of this Psalm.

T is for Thanksgiving

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance. Psalm 16:6 (NKJV)

E is for Exalting

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. Psalm 16:7 (NKJV)

A is for Admitting

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2 (NKJV)

C is for Calling

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope. Psalm 16:9(NKJV)

U is for Understanding

  I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8 (NKJV)

P is for Promises (claiming God’s)

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning (pouring out my heart)

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. Psalm 16:1(NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Pray Psalm 16 for your TEA time with Jesus today.  You can read the Psalm straight from your Bible or pull out individual verses to pray.  Be blessed as you immerse yourself in one of God’s beautiful Psalms today.

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3 As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips.

5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.

7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16 (NKJV)

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