Tag Archives: praying God’s Word

TEA with Hebrews 13

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The goal of My TEA CUPP Prayers is to get you reading your Bible, listening to God, underlining verses that speak to you, and using those verses as conversation starters as you pray and have TEA with Jesus each day.  Eventually, all you will need is your Bible and you can share My TEA CUPP Prayers with a friend to get her started.  Inviting ladies to TEA with the King of kings…that’s our mission.  You are invited, my dear TEA CUPP friend.  Here are some verses from Hebrews 13 to get you started today…

T for Thanksgiving
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

…the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant…through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have…Hebrews 13:5a (NKJV)

 C for Calling:

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV)

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

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5b (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

Grace be with you all. Amen. Hebrews 13:25 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Soak yourself in Hebrews 13 today.  Read the chapter.  Underline your favorite verses.  Use these verses to pray with Jesus, pouring out your heart to Him. Keep this routine every day as you read your Bible and find more verses that God shows you.  May God bless you, dear friend!

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

Be One of the Faithful

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 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 14:14 (NKJV)

Sometimes the books of the Old Testament prophets can be long and difficult to read, with much prophecy and destruction, because God’s people kept turning away from Him.  But there are still good verses tucked in there to exhort and encourage us in our walk with God.

The verse above from Ezekiel 14:14 was one of these that caught my eye.  When we read, “Noah, Daniel and Job,”  we feel connected, since most of us have heard their stories: Noah’s Ark, Daniel and the Lions, The Patience of Job.  The following verses remind us of each one.

…Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9 (NKJV)

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10 (NKJV)

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:1 (NKJV)

A just man who walked with God, a man of prayer, a blameless and upright man…These are all great Bible heroes, strong in their faith.  So, what does Ezekiel 14:14 tell us?  It says that even if those three faithful men were there, they would only save themselves and no one else from God’s impending destruction.

What does this mean for us?  John McCarthur says in his notes on Ezekiel 14:14, “one man’s righteousness is no protection for another.” (MacArthur, 1997) We can’t take comfort that we live in a country founded under God, or that our neighbor attends church, or that our grandmother prayed for us.  We must make the decision for ourselves, confess Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raise Him from the dead, and we will be saved (Romans 10:9).

Even if we hangout with our pastor’s family or Bible study leader, though these are very good things to do, we won’t be delivered.  We must “hang out” with the King of kings, the Savior of our souls, God’s only Son who gave His life for our sins on the Cross, pouring out His blood to wash us clean.  We must be friends with Jesus.

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Be friends with Jesus.  Have TEA with Him each day, reading His Word, the Bible, pouring out your heart to Him in prayer.  As you begin this new year, ask God to help you walk with Him each day as did Noah, Daniel, Job, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Ruth, and so many others Bible heroes.

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:23-24 (NKJV)

MacArthur, J. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc. (p. 1168)

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

Many thanks to my Discipleland Sunday school curriculum for the Bible hero pictures I enjoy each week in our classroom!

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 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

 

TEA with 2 Thessalonians

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Good morning, TEA CUPP Friends!

This CUPP of TEA you can sip in one hour, and then savor the rest of the day.  First read the book of 2 Thessalonians from the New Testament in your Bible.  2 Thessalonians is only three chapters and won’t take long to read. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians, a group of early Christians.  Use your pen to underline your favorite verses.  Now with your verses begin a conversation with Jesus, praying and talking with Him. Below I have listed the verses that jumped out at me and how I might use them in prayer…

T for Thanksgiving:

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.  2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NKJV)

Dear Jesus, thank You for these special people in my life…

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.  2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)

Dear Jesus, thank You for saving…

E for Exalting:

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 (NKJV)

O Jesus, O Father, be glorified in my life and in the lives of…

A for Admitting:

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 (NKJV)

O Lord, forgive me for being a busybody…

 C for Calling:

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions https://onhealthy.net/product/valtrex/ which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV)

 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)

Dear Jesus, please help me stand fast and not grow weary while doing good…

U is for Understanding our story:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You have given me everlasting consulation and good hope by grace…

P is for Promises:

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NKJV)

Lord, I claim Your promise to guard me from the evil one…

P is for Petitioning:

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV)

O Lord, give peace to all on my prayer list as I lift up each name to You…

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Extra petitions for my missionary son and for you to pray for the missionaries on your prayer list…Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power… 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NKJV)

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,  and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (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.

My Rockin’ Rock TEA

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Some dear ladies in my town own a wonderful tea company called Tumblewood Teas.  They are always blending new flavors of tea, from Lemon Beehive Honeybush to Petticoat Peppermint to Sweet Grass Celebration to Prairie Spice Pear.  I want to try them all, but sometimes I get stuck on a favorite for a few months.  It’s the same way for me with Bible verses. There are so many wonderful verses to memorize and pray, yet I often focus on my same favorite verses for weeks at a time.  So, today we’re brewing a new blend of verses with Jesus as our Cornerstone.  Sit with Jesus for a CUPP of Rockin’ Rock TEA today! Use these verses as  conversation starters as you pray with Jesus all week long.

T for Thanksgiving: 

Who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty ROCK.  Deuteronomy 8:15 (NKJV)

He made him ride in the heights of the earth,
That he might eat the produce of the fields;
He made him draw honey from the rock,
And oil from the flinty ROCK. Deuteronomy 32:13 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

He is the ROCK, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:4 (NKJV)

No one is holy like the Lord,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any ROCK like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 (NKJV)

The Lord is my ROCK and my fortress and my deliverer;
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:2-3 (NKJV)

The Lord lives!
Blessed be my ROCK!
Let God be exalted,
The ROCK of my salvation! 2 Samuel 22:47 (NKJV)

But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the STONES would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Of the ROCK who begot you, you are unmindful,
And have forgotten the God who fathered you.  Deuteronomy 32:18 (NKJV)

In God is my salvation and my glory;
The ROCK of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God. Psalm 51:12 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

For You are my ROCK and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3 (NKJV)

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the ROCK. Matthew 7:24 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

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 40:2 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a ROCK. Psalm 27:5 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

To You I will cry, O Lord my ROCK: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Psalm 28:1 (NKJV)

Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my ROCK of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me. Psalm 31:2 (NKJV)

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 61:2 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  While you sip  your Rockin’ Rock TEA today, enjoy this old hymn, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand. May Jesus be our ROCK in every area of our lives, now and always.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Edward Mote, ca.1834

He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel,
As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  Isaiah 8:14 (NKJV)

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

God is so Good!

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Thank you to my friends Donna and Wendy and the Forest Service for these great photos!

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

In Montana we had a miracle these past few weeks.  For two months we had smoke and fires.  Then God sent rain and snow to put them out!  The next week He sent more rain and snow, just to make sure there weren’t any more hot spots.  God is so good!

Usually we have the bluest sky in all the world here in Montana.  It really is the Big Sky State, with a sky that for me stretches from the Beartooth Mountains to the Absarokas to the Crazies and beyond.  But on July 17, my parents came to visit and suddenly it was hazy. I remember, because we always want it to be beautiful for our family and visitors.  But the Crazy Mountains just weren’t as clear any more.

The smoke persisted for two months as over a million acres of Montana forests and ranch lands burned.  Firefighters worked nonstop to contain the flames.  High temperatures and drought conditions kept the blazes going. It seemed that every time there were storm clouds, we would get the lightning, not the rain, as if someone was praying Psalm 144:

Bow down Your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Flash forth lightning and scatter them… Psalm 144:5 (NKJV)

The second week of September it was 90 degrees and a new fire broke out from a lightning strike at the north end of the Crazy Mountains.  From our house we could see the plume of smoke going up to the sky.  Friends’ husbands were going out to fight the flames.  People were posting on Facebook, “Pray for snow!”

And guess what, God sent rain and snow!!!  He really does answer prayers!  When the storm lifted we had blue skies again and snow covering our long-hidden Crazy Mountains.  The doxology was my prayer as I took in this beautiful sight, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above the heavenly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!”

Alleluia!  Jesus answers prayers!  I bet our friends in the south affected by the hurricanes have awesome stories of  God’s goodness, too!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Let’s praise Jesus for how He has provided for us, carried us through the storm, protected us and answered our prayers!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  Isaiah 43:2-3 (NKJV)

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