The Day After

Posted on December 26, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

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)

Imagine the day after Jesus was born how Mary felt. She had just endured this long journey on an uncomfortable donkey, Joseph searched for a place for them to stay, they ended up in a stable for animals, she gave birth to her first child which no doubt hurt a lot, she may have wished for a hot shower or bath, she had a hungry baby to care for and she was hungry herself, the animals were noisy, the straw floor was scratchy and dirty, she couldn’t send Joseph to Family Dollar for diapers, the shepherds had been there in the night, telling of the amazing angelic choir, and Joseph and Mary had stayed up late in awe of what the shepherds proclaimed. Now Mary was ever-so-tired…but in her arms she held the most precious Baby of all, the Savior of the world…Jesus was with her!

The day after Christmas there are wrapping paper remains and travels and returns and leftovers and more family and celebrations, or perhaps there are sickness and tummy aches. And after a month of anticipation and counting down days on the advent http://barefootpuppets.com/xanax/ calendar, http://barefootpuppets.com/xanax/ there are children with Christmas blahs, wondering what to look forward to next…but Jesus is with us.

The day after any event may have all sorts of emotions…the day after a speech or term paper is due, there is relief for the student. The day after graduation has great excitement and anticipation. The day after a wedding, there are tears and relief for the parents, joy and struggles for the newlyweds. The day after a loved one dies, we endure heart-wrenching weeping and what-ifs…but Jesus is with us.

Whatever your day after is like, remember this verse from Lamentations…

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)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Jesus is with you in all your “days after,” my friend. His mercy and compassions never fail. They are new every morning. God is faithful and will help you through your day after. Claim His promise of faithfulness today!

…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)

The Lord is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He never fails… Zephaniah 3:5 (NKJV)

To You!

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 (NKJV)

There is always something exciting about a wrapped present. At my house, led by the example of their Daddy, children shake, listen, feel and measure packages they find under the Christmas tree, trying to deduce what could be inside. But perhaps the best part is the tag which reads, “To:____”. If your name is in the space next to the “To,” you are thrilled indeed!

Well, God has such a gift for all of us marked, “TO YOU.” As the angels announced to the surprised shepherds, “For there is born TO YOU this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The Gift was wrapped, not in shiny paper with a bow and placed under a tree; but in swaddling clothes, the same fabric used to wrap someone who died, pointing to the day He would one day hang on a tree. The tag on this Baby was not just for the shepherds, but for the whole world: “To YOU!” The gift is Jesus. He came for our sins. The crucial thing is, YOU have to open this Gift yourself.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Friend, if you haven’t already, please accept the free gift God offers you this Christmas, His one and only Son Jesus who died for our sins. Put your name in the verse: “For there is born TO _______ this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Say a prayer, asking Jesus to forgive you, asking Him into your heart. And you will truly have the Joy to the World and Peace on Earth we sing about each Christmas.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
John 4:14 (NKJV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)

If you enjoyed this devotion, you might like to read my other Christmas Devotions, one of my favorite is Remember the Cross. Merry Christmas, dear TEA friends! Jesus loves you!

No Shadows in Heaven

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
1 John 2:25 (NKJV)

I often think about heaven, don’t you? I think of all the people waiting there for me. At the top of my list are God and Jesus, of course! There is my Daddy, who passed into the arms of Jesus exactly one year ago, and the countless relatives who went before him. Then there are my college cross country coaches and teammates who died in a plane crash. There are our three miscarried babies, Gloria Anne, Angelica May, and Gabriella Hope and our dear grandchild. There are all the Bible heroes like Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, David, Esther, Ruth, Daniel, all the Marys and Martha, Peter, John, Paul…And there are a number of people Facebook still tells me are having birthdays, but they are now with Jesus. It’s comforting to think about all those dear people waiting for me in heaven.

The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
Revelation 21:23 (NKJV)

One day while reading my Bible and contemplating heaven, I realized there won’t be any shadows in heaven. Isn’t that interesting?! Think about it…we have shadows on earth because a light or the sun shines on one side casting a shadow to the other side. But in heaven, Jesus is the light and He is everywhere! With light coming from all directions, you can’t have shadows!

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 (NKJV)

I imagine my Daddy, who studied light as a professor, asking Jesus, “Wow! How do you do that?” God drives out the darkness and there is only light! Isn’t that a comforting thought? …no shadows, no darkness, no sighing, no tears, no death, no sickness, no pain, no evil…only the light of our precious Savior Jesus. Wow!

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:14 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Turn on your light and turn your thoughts heavenward today. Look up the Bible verses in this devotion and underline your favorite verses. Write them in your prayer journal. Thank Jesus for His promise of heaven and imagine what it will be like. Keep shining for Jesus!

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)

If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read My Two Daddies in Heaven, and Leave No Doubt, and Glimpses of Heaven with My TEA CUPP Prayers. Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers! Jesus loves you!

For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:9 (NKJV)

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)

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)

Casting All Your Burdens

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

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

The week after Thanksgiving I was suddenly overwhelmed with prayer needs. Dear friends and acquaintances were all going through trials at the same time. First, a young mom’s baby was born with her intestines outside her stomach; mamma and baby were both life-flighted to a hospital far away. Then the husband of one of my best friends was diagnosed with leukemia, then our local pastor had emergency gallbladder surgery, then a dear church friend had a hysterectomy, then another church member had a heart attack, then a 7.2 earthquake hit Alaska where my college roommate lives, then a community member loved by all was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer…the prayer needs were daunting for me, combined with all my usual prayers. I found myself fretting throughout the morning, worrying about each person and praying for them over and over again. In my unfruitful way, I was trying to carry out Galatians 6:2.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

But then I realized I should bear those burdens to the Lord, carrying them from my friends to Jesus. Once I gave it to Jesus, I was supposed to let go, not take it back. I was carrying burdens I did not need to carry. I got out my prayer journal and wrote 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” And I wrote all the people for whom I’d been worrying. I prayed for each one and gave them to Jesus. I said, “Jesus, please carry these for me, it’s too much for me and You know just what to do.” And Jesus took my load. He gave me His peace that He would take care of everyone. I still lift these dear ones up to Jesus each day, but I’m not fretting now. Jesus has them covered.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Write 1 Peter 5:7 in your prayer journal today. Below the verse list people you’ve been worrying about, one name per line. Then go back and write a short prayer for each one by their names. Thank Jesus for carrying these dear ones for you!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)

Good Deed Manger

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 (NKJV)

This December we are renewing a Christmas tradition we began long ago, the Good Deed Manger. It all started when our oldest two children were little and I was reading Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul. One story was about a mom with four children who was having trouble with them arguing and fighting during December. So, she began a Good Deed Manger.

The story was a real tear-jerker and hard for me to finish reading aloud to my family. But we read it each year, nonetheless, and made our own Good Deed Manger. The first year, Kallie, Jacob and their Daddy built the manger you see in this picture, it was a little crooked, just like in the story. Some family members went outside to collect dry grass or straw to put in a bucket near the manger.

Then we all wrote our names on slips of paper and put them in a Christmas hat. We took turns drawing names until everyone had one. It was a secret, so no one could know whose name we had. That was the person we would do good deeds for all week, without them seeing us. Each time we did a good deed, we could put a straw in the manger, trying to make a soft bed for baby Jesus. Every Sunday night we would draw new names and continue with the good deeds. On Christmas Eve we put a baby doll in the manger to be the Baby Jesus. We hoped the bed was soft enough for Him because of all our good deeds.

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Make a Good Deed Manger with your family this December! If you can find Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul at your library, look for the original story (p. 68 “The Last Straw”). and read it aloud together. Better yet, read the story of our Savior’s birth in Luke 2. Then have a blessed Christmas season, surprising everyone with good deeds.

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:16 (NKJV)

If you enjoyed this devotional activity, you might like to read my other Christmas Devotions, another favorite of mine is My Heart Inn.

Gingerbread Cookies and Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)

With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas before us, it’s time to start making more goodies. Today I share two gluten-free recipes you can use to make treat plates to take to neighbors, if you can deliver the goodies before your family munches them!

The photo here includes both the gingerbread cookies I share with you today, along with the sugar cookies I made one Valentine’s day. Both are delicious and gluten-free, though I think the gingerbread variety holds together the best.

Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut oil or goat butter
1/2 cup monk fruit or coconut sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 Tablespoon vinegar
1 beaten egg
2 cups brown rice flour
1 cup tapioca or arrowroot flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan, bring coconut oil, monk fruit, molasses, and vinegar to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat to potholder on the counter and allow to cool.

In another bowl, sift together dry ingredients: Brown rice flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.

When pot is cool, stir in the beaten egg, followed by the dry ingredients. Mix well, cover, and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

When ready to bake cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove gingerbread dough from fridge and let sit on counter while oven is preheating. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Use extra tapioca flour to flour a cutting board lightly. Scoop part of the dough onto your prepared cutting board. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out your favorite Christmas shapes. Use a metal pancake turner to lift the cookies from the cutting board to the parchment paper pans. When the pans are full, bake for 5-8 minutes, or until done. Cool on cooling racks. Decorate with your favorite frosting and sprinkles. (We mix 2 T. coconut oil, 2 cups powder monk fruit, a teaspoon of vanilla and enough almond/goat milk to make a fine frosting). Merry Christmas!!!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant. Genesis 18:5 (NKJV)

If you’re like us, your freezer still has zucchini from last August. We grated several zucchinis and bagged them for winter baking and cooking. Grocery stores still have zucchinis this time of year, too. This recipe was one of our favorites we made in summer. The Chocolate Zucchini Bread can be wrapped and given as a gift, or sliced and arranged on a plate with the cookies. This recipe we modified from the Gluten-Free Mama Cookbook, another great resource for gluten-free eaters.

Ingredients:
Coconut oil to oil baking pans
2 cups brown rice flour
1 cup tapioca or arrowroot flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups monk fruit or other sweetener
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup baking cocoa
2 cups shredded zucchini
4 eggs
1 cup organic apple sauce
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 package Enjoy Life or Lily’s Chocolate Chips
2 Tablespoons monk fruit

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two loaf pans with coconut oil. Set aside.

In a large bowl sift together the brown rice flour, tapioca flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, monk fruit and cocoa. Set aside.

In a stand mixer combine the zucchini, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla. Mix for one minute. Next, add the dry mixture, a little at a time, mixing just a little bit until combined. Finally, add the chocolate chips and gently mix.

Pour half the batter into each prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the tops with monk fruit. Bake for 1 hour or until done. Remove from oven to cooling racks. Cool completely before slicing. So tasty it should probably be called cake!

Arrange all the goodies on plates for your neighbors with a Christmas greeting and Bible verse. Another recipe your neighbors will love is Anna’s Peanut Butter cups!

Remember the REASON for the SEASON!

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)

Party Beans, Rice Con Queso, and Sweet Potatoes

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

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

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! The big day is tomorrow! I pray that God blesses you with family and friends and a feast! Here are a few more of our family’s favorite recipes for the holidays. Scroll all the way down for extra Thanksgiving links.

Party Beans

Ingredients:
(All bean cans are about 15-16 ounces)
1 can kidney beans
1 can great northern beans
1 can butter beans
1 can black beans
1 can black-eyed peas
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium red pepper, chopped
1- 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brown coconut or monk sugar
2 bay leaves
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/8 teaspoon pepper

This is a great crock-pot recipe. First open your five cans of beans, empty them into a colander and rinse. Pour all the beans into your crock-pot. Next, chop your onion and peppers and add them to the beans. In a glass measuring cup, combine the ketchup, water, brown sugar, bay leaves, cider vinegar, ground mustard and pepper. Pour the ketchup mixture over the beans and veggies in the crock-pot. Give it a quick stir. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-7 hours, or high heat for 3-4 hours. Remove bay leaves. Serve with cheese or chips for a great meal or side dish. Any combination of 5 cans of beans will work, whatever you have on hand. Sometimes I’ll use a can of corn. The more colors, the more festive for your holiday gathering!

Rice Con Queso

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups brown rice, cooked with 3 cups water, salt and pepper
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large red onion, chopped
1 small can green chilies, chopped
1-1/2 cups shredded Jack cheese or Daiya cheese
8 ounces Ricotta cheese or almond milk Ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Daiya cheese

Put rice, water, salt and pepper in a soup pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover and simmer for 50 minutes. Or, you can cook the rice ahead in your rice cooker. Saute garlic, onions, and chilies, in a bit of olive oil. Add the sauteed veggies, along with the black beans, to the cooked rice. Lightly oil a 2 quart casserole dish with olive oil. Layer the rice mixture, Jack or Daiya cheese, and Ricotta or almond milk Ricotta in dish. Repeat layers 2 times, ending with rice mixture. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheddar or more Daiya cheese. We make one with dairy and a dairy-free rice con queso.

To make this a festive Thanksgiving dish, instead of serving in a casserole dish, serve it in a pumpkin! You will have to pre-bake the pumpkin. Here’s how: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Choose a small to medium pumpkin and wash thoroughly. Cut off the top and scoop out the insides. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and turn the pumpkin upside down onto the paper. Bake the pumpkin for at least an hour, until the inside seems tender. Don’t bake too long, or it will collapse (that’s what happened to mine this year, so I don’t have a final photo for you 😕 ). Remove from oven and place upright on a fresh lined pan or oiled casserole dish. Layer the rice con queso ingredients and bake as described above. It’s an amazing treat for Thanksgiving!

Sweet Potatoes

Here’s another crock-pot recipe. We make this Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving and let it cook all night. The house sure smells delicious when we get up on Thanksgiving morning. Then we scoop it into a casserole dish to serve later with dinner.

Ingredients:
6 medium sweet potatoes or yams (we like the orange yams best)
1-1/2 cups applesauce
2 apples, chopped
2/3 cup brown coconut or monk sugar
3 Tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 to 2 cups water

Place all ingredients in your crock-pot. Cover and cook on high 8 hours or overnight. Enjoy!

Need more holiday recipe ideas? Check out my complete list of holiday recipes. Or my pies and jello salads.

Need an activity for your family around the dinner table, or while waiting for dinner? Check out the Thanksgiving Chain.

Need a new grace to sing with your family? Check out these favorite camp graces.

How about some Thanksgiving Bible verses to add to place cards at your Thanksgiving table?

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours. Jesus loves you! And because of Him, we all have a reason to give thanks!

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)

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

Jello Salads and Cranberries

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1 (NKJV)

It’s time to collect holiday recipes! This month I’ll be sharing some family favorites with you. Occasionally my grown children will ask for these when away from home for the holidays, so now they are right where we can find them.

Today I have two favorite Jello salad recipes. The first came from my husband’s Grandma Fern. Grandma Fern was a Christian prayer warrior who prayed and fasted every Friday. I claim God’s promises that He continues to hear Grandma Fern’s prayers for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Grandma Fern’s Holiday Jello Salad

Ingredients:
1 large box red (strawberry or cherry) Jello
1 large box green (lime for Christmas) OR orange (orange for Thanksgiving) Jello
1 small box yellow lemon Jello
3 oz. cream cheese or dairy free cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayo or Veganaise
1 can crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup mini-marshmallows

Give yourself a day to make this salad. You will need a 9×13 pan or container.

Heat water to a boil. Measure 1-1/2 cups boiling water into a large glass measuring cup. Stir in the red Jello until dissolved. Add another 1-1/2 cups cold water and stir again. Pour into the the 9×13 pan. Cover and put in the fridge to chill.

When the red layer is firm, boil more water. Measure 1 cup hot water into a large glass measuring cup. Add the lemon Jello and 1 cup marshmallows. Stir until marshmallows melt. Allow to cool for a bit. In another bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and mayo. Add the crushed pineapple and juice. Now, carefully add the lemon jello mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Stir. Pour it all on top of the chilled red layer. Cover and chill again.

When the lemon layer is firm, heat water to a boil. Measure 1-1/2 cups boiling water into a large glass measuring cup. Stir in the green or orange jello, depending on the holiday. Add another 1-1/2 cups cold water and stir again. Pour this final layer over the lemon layer. Cover and put in the fridge to chill. Cut into squares when ready to serve. Happy celebration!

Cranberry Jello Salad

Cranberry Jello Salad is one of my favorite holiday salads, packed full of healthy ingredients like cranberries, apples, nuts and celery. So hearty and yummy!

Ingredients:
2 cups cranberries
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 large box cherry Jello
1 can crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup water
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup unpeeled apples, chopped
1 cup walnuts, chopped

In a medium sauce pan, cook cranberries and 1 cup water until cranberries are soft (about 15 minutes). Add sugar and bring back to a boil. Remove pan from heat to a potholder on the counter. Stir in Jello. Next, add one more cup water and the can of crushed pineapple. Allow to sit on the counter to cool a bit. Stir in the celery, apples, and nuts. Pour the salad into a Jello mold, Bundt pan, or a medium glass bowl and cover. Chill in the fridge overnight. Enjoy!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Finally, the perhaps the easiest yet most appreciated holiday side dish is homemade cranberry sauce. This recipe is usually on the cranberry package. But if you can’t find it, I share it here with you…

Ingredients:
1-12 ounce package fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup water
1 cup sugar

Rinse the cranberries in a colander and throw away any bad ones. Set aside. In a medium sauce pan, combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the cranberries and bring to a boil again. Turn down the heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Pour into a glass dish, cover and chill until serving time. Be blessed!

Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:25-26 (NKJV)

Morning Prayer

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

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)

Dear Lord,

I am Your servant,

Show me where to walk,

For I have come to You in prayer,

Teach me to do Your will.

May Your gracious Spirit

Lead me forward,

I am Your servant, Lord,

In Jesus Name I pray,

Let Your will be done. Amen.

Today’s TEA CUPP: So long ago I read Psalm 143 and then wrote this prayer for God’s direction. You can do it, too. When you need God’s guidance for your next steps, read Psalm 143. Then pray Psalm 143, asking God to hear your prayer, to answer you speedily, to show you the way to walk, to deliver you from the enemy, to teach https://modafinilsmart.com you, to lead you, to revive you. And He will answer. The King of kings and Lord of lords, the Father or our Savior Jesus Christ, will answer you and guide you on His straight and narrow path.

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing. Psalm 143:10 (NLT)

Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Prayer Journal How-tos

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)

Keeping a prayer journal is a great way to stay focused while you pray, to encourage you that you really did pray, and to look back to see how faithful God has been in carrying you through so many prayer requests. Just as there are a variety of ways to pray, there are numerous ways to keep a prayer journal. Today I’d like to show you how I do My TEA CUPP Prayers prayer journal, and soon I hope to give you one along with my book.

For now, start by finding a notebook you know you will use. I like a spiral notebook that is about the size of my Bible. The prayer journal and Bible fit nicely together in my book bag. The spiral binding allows me to open it flat or flip it completely open while I am journaling. You can find inexpensive notebooks and journals at Walmart or Target or Family Dollar, or you can find a pretty flowery one at an office or gift store. Whatever inspires you and helps you pray is perfect!

Next, find your pens. If your favorite color is purple, perhaps you’d like a purple pen! I use blue Pilot G-2 pens for most of my journaling because of the smooth writing ability. I always need two or three, because they run out right in the middle of my prayers and I don’t want to have to get up and search the house for another one. Have extra pens right by your Bible and journal in your quiet time spot.

My quiet time begins with Jesus having the first Word as I read my Bible. I follow the one-year Bible reading plan found in the Our Daily Bread devotional. I have also used a One Year Bible in the past, which has the Bible divided into daily readings already. I pray,

“Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.” Psalm 119:18 (NKJV)

I soak up all He has to tell me and underline my favorite verses. I label the verses with the letters of the TEA CUPP acronym, so I may use them in my prayer journal. Then I open my journal and get it ready for my prayers. I write the date, then going down the page I write T-E-A. On the next page I write C-U-P. And on the next page I write another P.

Some Bible reading days have so many verses that it is hard to pick which ones to use. Other days I don’t have enough verses, so I go back and use verses I underlined in the previous weeks. I find a THANKSGIVING verse and write it next to the letter T to thank God for His blessings. I find an EXALTING verse and write it next to the letter E to exalt and praise my Jesus. I find an ADMITTING verse and write it next to the letter A to admit my sins and ask Jesus’ forgiveness.

On the second page of my journal, I find a CALLING verse for something God is calling me to do today and write that in my journal next to the letter C. I find an UNDERSTANDING verse and write it next to the letter U as I try to understand my story a little better. I find a beautiful PROMISE verse and claim that as I write it next to the letter P.

On the third page, I find a PETITIONING verse to use to pour my heart out to Jesus in prayer. I pray all the parts of My TEA CUPP, filling in the extra spaces of my journal with more prayers on each letter. Then I fill the rest of the PETITIONING page and perhaps another page with all my prayer requests for family and friends and loved ones.

If I am traveling or just had a new baby, I sometimes do just one letter a day in my prayer journal. But I feel most complete when I have time to do all the parts and talk to Jesus about everything that is on my heart that day.

Today’s TEA CUPP: I hope today’s devotion helps you as you fine tune your own prayer journal and devotion times with Jesus. If you need ideas for Bible verses I have oodles for you here. Someday, you will look back on all these prayers and be praising Jesus for His goodness all over again!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

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

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