Preparing Places

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (NKJV)

I’ve had a busy summer of work. We prepare guest houses for visitors to Montana. My husband and oldest son mow the lawns and keep the yards looking green and welcoming. I get to clean the inside of the cabins, with help from my husband. Sometimes it can be stressful to ready the guest houses in time. I worry the bathmats won’t be dry before check-in, or I’ll miss a hair on the toilet seat. Everything has to be just right, because it’s my job to prepare these places. Does Jesus know how I feel?

Yes! He’s preparing places, too! Jesus promises me in is John 14:2 that He is going to prepare a place for me! Do you think He worries I’ll show up too soon with groceries for the refrigerator? Is He concerned about dust under the beds? No! He will have my room ready for me at just the right time, because He promises He will. I wonder what it will be like… Will there be window boxes of flowers and a big feather bed? I can’t even imagine how wonderful it will be!

To visit the vacation houses we serve, there is a website map available for guests to follow. Guests are cautioned not to use a GPS, for those directions take you up the wrong valley. Where are the directions for getting to heaven? They are right in the Bible. In this same passage, Thomas asks…“Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:5-6 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Are you looking forward to the mansion Jesus is preparing in heaven? Are you getting your heart ready for that day when you will meet Jesus face to face? Remember, Jesus is the Way and He is preparing a place for you! Oh, Jesus. Find me faithful. Forgive my sins and prepare me for heaven someday! Amen.

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)

David’s TEA CUPP Prayer

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

Did David have TEA with God? You know, David, the young shepherd boy from the Old Testament who killed the giant Goliath with a stone? I’d like to think he had TEA as he sat in the fields with his sheep, singing psalms…this was his special quiet time with God, much like my TEA CUPP Prayers are to me.

David grew up to be the second king of Israel. He did everything with great pomp and circumstance, delighting the people. When the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord was returned to the City of David, he danced in the streets. The Levites put the Ark inside the special tent and presented burnt offerings to God.

David celebrated by giving everyone cakes of dates and raisins and a loaf of bread (think of this the next time you have cinnamon-raisin bread!). And then David instructed the Levites to lead prayers, including THANKS and PRAISE (EXALT) and PETITIONS. David prayed this Psalm to God which included all the parts of My TEA CUPP Prayers. I’d like to share it with you today….

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord:

THANKSGIVING

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!

EXALTING
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

CALLING for my life

Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

PROMISES (Claiming God’s)

He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”

UNDERSTANDING my story

When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

CALLING for my life

Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

EXALTING

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.

CALLING for my life

Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.

PROMISES (Claiming God’s)
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.

EXALTING

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,

PROMISES (Claiming God’s)
For He is coming to judge the earth.

THANKSGIVING

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

ADMITTING/PETITION (Pouring out my heart)

And say, “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.”

EXALTING

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:4-36 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: As you sit with God for TEA today, pray David’s Psalm and consider the wonder of it all…this is the same God who heard David’s prayer, who created the world, who sent His son Jesus to die for our sins. What a mighty God we serve!

My Best Friend Jesus

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

I always wanted a best friend. When I was three years old I had a friend down the block named Susie Brown. We played together, watched Sesame Street, planted pieces of wicker to grow a pretzel bush, and got into her sisters’ things. It was fun to have such a close friend. But then Susie moved to Texas when I was six.

Over the years God sent other friends to fill Susie’s place…Andi, Michale, Jennie, Jennifer, Mary Anne, Jean, Laura, Sarah, Becky, Jill, Lisa, Nancy, Jodi, Cindy, Susan (all very special to me!!!)…but they had other friends, too. It seemed no one needed a best friend.

Yet today I encounter folks with best friends. My scrapbook buddy had a surprise 40th birthday party given by her best friend from high school. My neighbor was driving to Saturday morning coffee with her life time best friend, a weekly date. There still are best friends in the world, after all.

With my Christmas card basket full of cards, I know I do have friends. But none are best friends. Who will be my best friend? God tells me it is Jesus.

Jesus is the One who is ALWAYS there for me. He never lets me down. He holds me when I’m sad and wipes away my tears. He carries me on days that I can’t carry myself. On happy days, He is there to share my joy. When I mess up, He forgives me right away. He promises to never leave me nor forsake me. I’m so thankful that Jesus is my best friend!

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: May the words of this old hymn bring us comfort and joy today, as we have TEA with our best friend Jesus…

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there. By Joseph M. Scriven, 1855

Crying Out to God

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 (NKJV)

My favorite devotion book, Our Daily Bread, had a wonderful devotion a few weeks ago called “Crying Out to God.” Sometimes our hearts are so overwhelmed for our children, our families, our friends, and our country. All we can do is cry. Jesus hears us and comes to us. And so I share this devotion link with all those who need Him to hear today…

http://odb.org/2013/02/15/crying-out-to-god/

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

Tea Cupp Measuring Spoons

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

My dear friend Jodi gave me these measuring spoons a few years ago. Aren’t they neat decorated with tea cups? I use them often for measuring and baking.

The other day I was looking at these spoons again and recalled a devotion I heard at Awana a long time ago.

Awana is a children’s Bible program that meets weekly to bring boys and girls to Christ. It’s name comes from 2 Timothy 2:15 – Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. The children play games, memorized Bible verses, and have a council time each week. (To find an Awana near you, check their website: http://www.awana.org/

Once when our older children were still in Awana, I came early to pick them up and heard the council time devotion. The pastor had several spoons and shovels and a bag of M&Ms. I can’t remember exactly how he worded it, but the point was, which size spoon or shovel would you like to be given M&Ms? THE BIGGEST ONE, of course!

Well, that is the size shovel we should be using to give to others, also. We shouldn’t give because we expect blessings in return. But we should give because we are so full of God’s love we want to share it with others. AND we should use the BIGGEST shovel we have!

Bakers know that when you measure flour, you scoop it gently and level it with a knife, never pressing it down. But when you measure brown sugar, you pack it into the measuring cup, pressing firmly to get as much sugar as possible. That is how this verse from Luke tells us to measure what we give others — pack it down and give as much as we can! AND God promises we will be blessed!

Today’s TEA CUPP: What size spoon are you using to share with others? Let’s all try to use a bigger spoon today!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

Living for Today

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Jennifer Grace

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,”…Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Have you ever pondered why God put you in this particular place and time in history? I’ve often thought of my location in the U.S. and wondered what if He had put me in a tribe in Africa. How would my life be different? Since God placed me in this rich country, what is He calling me to do?

I’ve also considered living today with Jesus. When I read the Old Testament, I’m sorry they don’t have God’s Son. People had so many laws to follow and sacrifices to make. I’m happy to live in the here and now with Jesus, His forgiveness and the Holy Spirit to guide me. We New Testament people got the better deal!

Yet, one day when Jesus comes again to rule on earth (that will be an awesome day!), people will look back and say they are sure glad to be living at that time with Jesus, rather than now. As people walk about with Jesus, they will be confident they have the best deal!

Three big chunks of history tell our story: 1)Waiting for Jesus, the Old Testament prophets pointed to a Savior, 2) Now, Waiting for Jesus’ Second Coming, and 3) With Jesus, after His Second Coming when He reigns on earth.

Each part of history has its joys…like walking with God through the Red Sea in the Old Testament, walking with Jesus and seeing Him heal the sick in the early New Testament, and walking forever with Jesus when He reigns on earth. Let’s claim the joys of this present time and do all He calls us to do until He comes again.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Jesus, You put me here on earth for TODAY. Help me live the call I have from you right now. Amen.

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

Gluten-Free Lasagna

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jennifer Grace

This gluten-free lasagna is also meat-free, making it the perfect meal to serve to your vegetarian friends. A fresh salad with fruit will complete your meal. You may make the lasagna ahead, keeping it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.

1 package Rice Lasagna noodles (cook according to package)
28 oz. Ragu or similar Italian sauce
1 cup Mozzarella cheese (plus a little extra)
2 cups Ricotta cheese
2 cups Cottage cheese (if the grocery store is out of Ricotta, I use 4 cups Cottage cheese)
2 Eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. Parsley (1 Tbsp. dry)
1 tsp. Sugar
1/4 tsp. Pepper

Cook lasagna noodles. Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch glass pan with a spoonful of tomato sauce. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Mix together the cheeses, eggs, parsley, sugar and pepper. Put 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. Repeat these layers again and again, so you have 3 layers of sauce, noodles and cheese, ending with a bit more sauce. Sprinkle extra mozzarella and parsley on top. Cover with foil sprayed with pan spray so it won’t stick. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes, or until bubbly. Let lasagna set a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Note: If you would like veggies added to your lasagna, you may layer them with the first two cheese layers. Spinach, zucchini, green peppers, and carrots all make a yummy lasagna.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:25-26 (NKJV)

I Thirst

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” John 19:28 NKJV

Up again in the night for another feeding, I sat in bed nursing our new baby. Though I had just sipped some water, my throat was still dry, since nursing requires a great deal of fluids.

“I thirst,” I mused. And then I thought of Jesus and His words from the cross. “I thirst,” He whispered weakly. The people heard and offered Him vinegar on a sponge. Then Jesus died for our sins.

This is Jesus who proclaimed “I am the Living Water.” Yet on the cross He thirsted. When Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” perhaps at that moment He was alone, a perfect Man, the spotless Lamb, not God the Living Water. For at that moment God had left Him so He could die for our sins. Thus Jesus thirsted.

This is what our Jesus did for us. Thank You, dear Jesus. May I remember what You did for me on the cross every time I thirst. Amen.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Matthew 27:45-54. Thank Jesus for His gift of life. Remember Jesus every time you thirst.

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 4:14 NKJV

Petitions: With my whole heart

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Today’s TEA CUPP: Praying God’s Word.

Here is a verse to pray today as we POUR out our hearts to Jesus, giving Him our PETITIONS.

I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O LORD!
I will keep Your statutes. Psalm 119:145 (NKJV)

Promises: For our children

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Today’s TEA CUPP: Praying God’s Word.

Here’s a PROMISE from God’s Word to claim during our TEA CUPP time with Jesus today:

But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17 (NIV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

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

Tag Archives: devotions for mothers

Preparing Places

David’s TEA CUPP Prayer

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

My Best Friend Jesus

Crying Out to God

Tea Cupp Measuring Spoons

Living for Today

Gluten-Free Lasagna

I Thirst

Petitions: With my whole heart

Promises: For our children