USA, Arise! Come Forth!

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

For the Lord is our Judge,
The Lord is our Lawgiver,
The Lord is our King;
He will save us. Isaiah 33:22 (NKJV)

Calling all prayer warriors to pray John 11 over the USA today! In John 11 we read the amazing account of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the grave. As you read this passage today, replace Lazarus’ name with the USA. We can say to the Lord with John 11:3, “Lord, behold, the USA who You love is sick.”

We have been very sick this year, haven’t we? First there were impeachment trials, then COVID19 and shut-downs hit our land, followed by rioting, wildfires, and each month brought some new shame. The truth is we are sick like Lazarus and dead in our sins. We are lost in a dark cave with only Jesus to save us. But God shines His light in the dark places of our hearts (Prov. 20:27) and nation, showing us our sins and providing a way out (Isaiah 35:8, John 14:6).

Jesus reassures us with John 11:4 that the USA’s sickness is not unto death, “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” And we can claim Jesus’ promise in John 11:23, the USA “will rise again.”

When Jesus speaks to Martha in John 11:25-26, “…I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” we can answer with a resounding, “YES, JESUS! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!”

Those of us who have been praying all year for our nation, probably feel like Martha and Mary do in John 11:21 & 32, “Lord, if you had been here, the USA would not have died.”

As Jesus weeps with us over the USA in John 11:35, we weep, too.

We stand amazed as Jesus tells us in John 11:40, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” and we await the miracles He will do for our country.

Let us give thanks even before the miracles, following Jesus’ example in John 11:41, “Father, we thank You that You have heard us.”

Then, with a commanding cry, and loud voice, we proclaim along with Jesus in John 11:43, “USA, Come forth!” And the USA will come out of it’s grave to new life in Jesus! Halleluja!

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
And the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Isaiah 32:15 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Oh Jesus, You did this! You sent Your Holy Spirit at Pentecost. You turned the wilderness of the USA into a fruitful field, “the bread basket of the world.” Oh Jesus, the true Bread of Life, the Living Water, the Savior of humankind, I claim Your promise to do it again. Call us out of that grave! Pour out Your Holy Spirit on the USA! Send a revival! Turn every heart to You! USA, arise! Come forth! Come, Holy Spirit, flood this land with Your presence. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done. In Your Holy and Mighty Name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Arise, O God, plead Your own cause;
Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily. Psalm 74:22 (NKJV)

You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day. (Glorious Day by Passion)

Songwriters: Jonathan Smith / Jason Ingram / Kristian Stanfill / Sean Curran

Glorious Day lyrics © Worshiptogether.com Songs, Sixsteps Music, Worship Together Music, Sixsteps Songs, Sounds Of Jericho

P.S. Please keep praying for THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming. Will you join me in fasting every Tuesday, though the USA election on November 3, 2020? Our country needs your prayers!

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers. If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read Battling the enemy with the Word of God, and Of Course, There’s a Plague, and My Lazarus TEA.

Battling the enemy with the Word of God

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

Much fighting has been stirring our country lately, and I’m not referring to riots in the big cities. This fighting has been taking place behind closed doors in war rooms across our nation. Battles are being fought by prayer warriors who are taking COVID19, riots, racism, babies’ lives and the election to the foot of the cross, to Jesus. These dedicated soldiers have put on the whole armor of God, that (they) may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:11). For they know we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).

These prayer warriors are following the example of Jesus who often went by Himself to pray. In Matthew 4, we read how Jesus fought Satan in the desert with the Word of God. Jesus had just fasted for 40 days and nights. His earthly body was hungry, so the devil came to tempt Him (the enemy finds us at our weakest moments, but when we are weak, Jesus is strong! 2 Cor. 12:10). Even the enemy knew how to use God’s Word, quoting Psalm 91:11, “He shall give His angels charge over you.” Jesus could see the devil’s plot, so Jesus countered with Deuteronomy 6:16, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” And with the final temptation, Jesus declared…

…“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)

Because Jesus fought with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, the Satan fled from Him. The Bible promises us in James 4:7, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

When Jesus went to the cross, the devil thought he had finally won, but Jesus could have called legions of angels to rescue Him (Matt. 26:53). Jesus went to the cross because it was God’s plan all along to rescue His children from sin. After He died and was buried, on the third day, Jesus rose again in victory! Jesus conquered sin, death and the devil!

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

My friends, when you hold your Bible, you have in your hands the most powerful weapon. For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12). Don’t neglect this mighty gift God has given us — use His Word to fight the enemy.

So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear TEA Friends, our country needs your prayers! Read Matthew 4:1-11 to see how Jesus fought Satan. Can you follow His example, putting on the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17)?

Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1 (NKJV)

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV)

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 (NKJV)

More COVID Prayers

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 (NKJV)

Recently I was checking My TEA CUPP Prayers listing on Goodreads.com and discovered my daughter had left a comment! She said, “There could be another line in Ecclesiastes 3, ‘a verse for every purpose under heaven.’ Many good verses for any situation and encouragement in prayer. And my mom wrote it, so… :D”

So, of course, I had to return her compliment with Proverbs 31:29, “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”

Truly there is a Bible verse for every situation, even for COVID19! I’m sure many of you have found such verses as you’ve endured this year and read your Bibles. Here are just a few I found..

No hugging…

…A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing. Ecclesiastes 3:5 (NKJV)

Those stuck in quarantine…

You have put away my acquaintances far from me;
You have made me an abomination to them;
I am shut up, and I cannot get out;
My eye wastes away because of affliction…Psalm 88:8-9 (NKJV)

The reason for the plague…

Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds,
And the plague broke out among them. Psalm 106:29 (NKJV)

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:30 (NKJV)

God promises us…

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence. Psalm 91:3 (NKJV)

No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. Psalm 91:10 (NKJV)

Let this be our petition and our story…

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses. Psalm 107:19 (NKJV)

He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:20-21 (NKJV)

Our prayer for the USA after healing…

That they may know that this is Your hand—
That You, Lord, have done it! Psalm 109:27 (NKJV)

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: What other verses can you find to help you through this COVID19 election year? Underline them in your Bible. Share them with a friend. Share them on Facebook. Most of all, use them as conversation starters as you share a TEA CUPP with Jesus.

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)

Dear Jesus, We ask that you shine Your light on our nation. We’ve been in the shadow of death this year with COVID19. We’ve been in the dark, wandering around in our sins. Forgive us, Jesus. Wash away our sins and hurts. Heal our land. Shine Your light into our hearts and clean out every corner. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and help us shine for You, so others will see Your light. Please keep healing our President and his wife and every person who needs Your healing. Today I pray especially for________________. In Jesus’s precious Name we pray. Amen.

The Intercessor

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

…by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 (NKJV)

My TEA friends, you must read this book! My pastor mentioned Rees Howells Intercessor, The Story of a Life Lived for God by Norman Grubb in a sermon over a year ago. I put it on my birthday list and my daughter gave it to me for my birthday last year (Thank you, Kallie!!!). Then it sat beside my bed in the stack of books I hoped to read. Finally, this year I started reading it and couldn’t put it down for the work of God in this man’s life. You want to read this book NOW. You want to join in this amazing work of prayer witnessed in Rees Howells’ life.

Where many books climax in the middle and you “get the idea,” Intercessor climaxes in the final chapters as Mr. Howells and his praying colleagues intercede for battle upon battle of World War II and the downfall of Nazi Germany. You will be on the edge of your seat as you read, or on your face in praise and tears to God, Who alone could bring about such great victories.

What makes Intercessor so relevant now is our need for prayer in this fallen world. This year with COVID19, forest fires, hurricanes, derecho winds, and riots, God is sending us a message. God is shouting, “Turn to Me!” And in Intercessor, that’s what Rees Howells did time and again.

One hundred years ago there was an outbreak much like COVID19. Following World War I, there was a great influenza epidemic which spread over the world, causing millions of deaths. At the time, Mr. Howells and his wife were serving as missionaries in southern Africa. The Holy Spirit had led Mr. Howells to challenge death many times before, and God called him to do it again. After many of the natives died, the chief came to Mr. Howells and asked if any had died on the mission station. “No. Not one will die on the mission station,” the Holy Spirit told him to reply, “The witch doctors have failed and the ancestral spirits have failed — but our God has not failed.” (Grubb, p. 212). So the tribe members came to the mission station. Though many were sick and Mr. Howells turned the chapel into a hospital and cared for them for months, God healed them all and no one died! God had the victory!

While reading Intercessor, I’ve witnessed how the Holy Spirit is not a mailman delivering my prayers to the God. Mr. Howells shows us it’s the other way around. The Holy Spirit says the prayers and we are the vessels to deliver them to the Father. Knowing our prayers are God’s will, direct from the Holy Spirit, we don’t let the enemy cause us to doubt, for then we are like a wave tossed on the sea (James 1:6). The Holy Spirit tells us for whom to intercede, and in obedience we lift these prayers to the Lord until victory is won.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Find a copy of Rees Howells Intercessor today. Use his model of prayer in your own life. Let the Holy Spirit show you how to pray and win every battle on your knees. We can do this because both the Spirit (Romans 8:26) and Jesus (Romans 8:24) are making intercession for us. Our country needs your prayers, dear friend. Keep praying for the USA.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 (NKJV)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 (NKJV)

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)

Grubb, Norman (1952). Rees Howells Intercessor, The Story of a Life Lived for God. Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications.

Of Course, There’s a Plague!

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly. Psalm 106:6 (NKJV)

Oh, what a year! People will always remember 2020 as the year of COVID19, the coronavirus, quarantines, masks, closures… although we won’t want to remember it because of all the deaths, fear, loneliness, rules, and missed events. We all wonder why this had to happen. Yet, when we search God’s Word we find so many relevant verses.

Psalm 106 is one that speaks to our current situation, summing up our nation and world’s troubles, “We have sinned…we have committed iniquity…” (Ps. 106:6). Psalm 106 goes on to list all those sins from so long ago. Can we see all these in our country today?…

We did not understand God’s wonders (Ps. 106:7)
We did not remember the multitude of God’s mercies (Ps. 106:7)
We rebelled (Ps. 106:7)
We forgot His works (Ps. 106:13)
We did not wait for His counsel (Ps. 106:13)
We lusted (Ps. 106:14)
We tested God (Ps. 106:14)
We envied our leaders (Ps. 106:16)
We made idols and worshiped them (Ps. 106:19)
We forgot God our Savior (Ps. 106:21)
We despised the pleasant land (Ps. 106:24)
We did not believe God’s Word (Ps. 106:24)
We joined ourselves to the devil (Ps. 106:28)
We rebelled against His Spirit (Ps. 106:33)
We did not destroy God’s enemies (Ps. 106:34)
We followed the way of unbelievers (Ps. 106:35)
We served our idols (Ps. 106:36)
We sacrificed our children (Ps. 106:37)
We shed innocent blood (Ps. 106:38)
We defiled ourselves and played the harlot (Ps. 106:39)

Is it no wonder the plague broke out among us? (Ps. 106:29). What can we do? We can intervene like Phinehas (Ps. 106:30) and stand in the breach like Moses (Ps. 106:23) so God’s wrath is turned away. We must pray for our country, for our neighbors, for our families. Pray for God to send a revival across this land.

Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV)

There is HOPE, my dear friends. We have the HOPE found in Jesus Christ. Because of His saving work on the cross, all who believe in Him are rescued from this crazy world (John 3:16). Jesus died for every sin listed above and for all the others, too. Let’s pray for our nation to turn to Jesus! And God will hear our cries (Ps. 106:44)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read and pray Psalm 106. Repent, turn to God. Ask His forgiveness through Jesus Christ for yourself and for our country. Turn over a new leaf this fall. Let’s give everyone something NEW to remember about 2020…the year of REVIVAL! Pray for our nation daily. Forgive us, O Lord.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

May this be THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming. Will you join me in fasting for the next 7 Tuesdays, though the USA election on November 3, 2020? Our country needs our prayers now as much as ever. Check out this event happening in the coming days… https://thereturn.org/

Save us, O Lord our God,
And gather us from among the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!” Psalm 106:47-48 (NKJV)

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

Disqualified!

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

Today I continue my series of running devotions for My TEA CUPP for Athletes & Runners Book & Journal. I pray these will be a blessing to you and you will be encouraged to PRESS ON! Hope you are inspired as you exercise your faith!

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV)

I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was my first big indoor track meet of my junior year of high school. It was the first time I had qualified to run the Drake Indoor meet in Des Moines, Iowa. I was so excited to run the race, though running distance runs on an indoor track can be tedious as you go around and around multiple times.

It must have been a two mile race, because that was the longest distance for girls at the time. The track was half the size of the outdoor track, making it 220 yards, or 200 meters. Instead or running 8 times around the outdoor track, we would be running 16 times around the indoor track to make two miles (doesn’t sound so far if you’ve run the 5K or 10K on a track!).

To make things easier on the judges, the race officials decided that if anyone was lapped, they would be knocked out of the race, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to monitor how many laps people had left to go. With only a 200 meter track, that meant many girls could be lapped before the winner finished her two miles.

The lead runner was so fast, it didn’t take her long to be 200 meters ahead of the pack. I was one of those girls who was lapped and disqualified from the race. In tears I left the track, so sad to be out of the race I truly wanted to finish. I was heartbroken, watching the other girls finish the race. The girl who lapped me was a star senior runner from Cedar Falls, Iowa, who only a few years later would become my friend and college teammate, pointing me to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Besides being lapped, there are many other ways an athlete may become disqualified… too many false starts, taking drugs, yelling at the line judges, etc. But while in athletics we can try again the next year to follow all the rules of competition, in our spiritual lives we never want to be disqualified.

If I say, “My foot slips,”
Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. Psalm 94:18 (NKVJ)

What could disqualify us from receiving our crowns in heaven? Not believing in Jesus (John 3:18). Not allowing the Holy Spirit to do its perfect work in us (Mark 3:9, Luke 12:10). Falling into temptation and lust and pride without repenting, when God has called us to serve Him (1 Peter 1:16). Oh dear athlete, let us live our Christian lives even more carefully than we do as runners, that we may never be disqualified.

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10 (NKJV)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 (NKJV)

The Runner’s TEA CUPP: Have you been knocked out of the race? Dear athlete, let Jesus pick you up! He is coming again to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) Turn to Him for help while there is still time. Confess your sins, let Him wash you clean and put you back on your feet. Memorize 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Start running for Him again.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)

Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. Job 5:17 (NKJV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11-12 (NKJV)

Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:7 (NKJV)

The Best Water

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

Today I continue my series of running devotions for My TEA CUPP for Athletes & Runners Book & Journal. This devotion is one I ran five years ago. Water fits so well with the training we talked about last week. I pray these writings will be a blessing to you and you will be encouraged to PRESS ON in whatever God calls you to do!

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10 (NKJV)

I still remember the watering trough in our high school football practice field. Our cross country team ran practices around the field in the blazing sun and gladly stopped for breaks at the water fountain. It was a metal trough about 3 feet long, standing on posts about waist-high. Several spigots squirted water out for multiple athletes to be refreshed. The water, though I’m not certain of its origin, tasted like the coldest, freshest well water on earth. Perhaps it was those half-mile repeats on a sultry August afternoon that made the water especially quenching. We would gulp and guzzle the icy liquid, putting our heads under the stream, wishing we could just climb into the trough.

I was reminded of this water when praying and fasting an Esther fast (Esther 4:16). Though during many fasts I drink water, an Esther fast is no food or water for three days. Men can do a Paul fast, who also had no food or water when God called him on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:9). My fast came at the hottest part of summer, the kind of days where you would like to just sit in the shade and sip lemonade. Though a cool drink was what my body craved, I was determined to honor God by fulfilling my fast. As my thirst grew, my thoughts flew back over 30 years to that high school watering trough. It was the most refreshing place I could imagine.

And so I prayed to Jesus, the Living Water, to be that water for me, to quench my thirsty body and soul. And He did, and He continues each day.

For with You is the fountain of life… Psalm 36:9

The Runner’s TEA CUPP: My friend, our souls all thirst for something that only Jesus can quench. Let Jesus fill that thirst within you! Drink up His Word each day. John 4 is a great place to begin. The Bible satisfies our every need as we learn about God’s mercy and love for us. Be sure to drink both from His Word and a big water bottle when you go to exercise.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God… Psalm 42:1-2 (NKJV)

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 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 4:13-14 (NKJV)

Two Runners United

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)

This week I pause from my summer running devotions to celebrate two athletes being united in Holy Matrimony. Our oldest son, Jacob, – runner, soccer player, snowboarder – is marrying his beautiful bride, Kelly, – runner, soccer player, swimmer. These two are both hard-workers, goal-setters, and champions of perseverance. But most of all, they share hearts for the Lord.

Their love for Jesus is what makes Jacob and Kelly a great team. Already in their engagement they’ve prayerfully given all their plans to the Lord as COVID-19 shut down our nation. They consulted God’s play-book, the Bible, and set aside their plans for His plans (Proverbs 16:9). Their dream of a wedding of 200 by the beach in June became a July party of 25 in the churchyard. Yet as God pared down Gideon’s army to do His miracles (Judges 7), He has orchestrated this union to be the humble wedding of a former CRU missionary and his lovely lady. And Jesus will be there just as He was for the wedding in Cana so long ago (John 2).

Thank you for joining us in prayer for dear Jacob and Kelly, their wedding on July 11, 2020, and their lifetime together serving Jesus wherever He calls and leads them.

We love you, Jacob and Kelly!!!! Jesus loves you!!!! God bless and keep you always!!!

Love, Mom. x0x0x0x

Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him… “May God Almighty bless you, And make you fruitful and multiply you, That you may be an assembly of peoples.” Genesis 28:1-3 (NKJV)

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 (NKJV)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Sports in the Bible

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)

This summer was to be the summer of the 2020 Olympics. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Olympics were rescheduled for 2021. I imagine some athletes were grateful for another year to practice or to heal from an injury, while others had prepared for a peak performance this August.

Sports give us an outlet to funnel our energy, a way to keep our bodies healthy for serving Jesus, and a venue to live out our faith. Our sad country has been without sports this spring because of the pandemic. Yet now it is plagued again by riots and racism, perhaps in part from being quarantined for months. Let’s bring back sports as a positive place for competition and good health, allowing people to root for their teams, rather than people groups. Let us cheer on all Races as they run the races!

In honor of the Olympics that might have been, and in preparation for next year’s competitions, I offer a round of athletic devotions this summer. This kicks off My TEA CUPP for Athletes & Runners Book & Journal, coming next year to a bookstore near you! It is amazing to see how many sports are mentioned in the Bible…

Running

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

Swimming

And He will spread out His hands in their midst
As a swimmer reaches out to swim,
And He will bring down their pride
Together with the trickery of their hands. Isaiah 25:11 (NKJV)

…those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land. Acts 27:43 (NKJV)

Wrestling

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

Play Ball!

He will surely turn violently and toss you like a ball
Into a large country… Isaiah 22:18 (NKJV)

Boxing

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:26 (NKJV)

Fighting

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

Archery

Then I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target. 1 Samuel 20:20 (NKJV)

Walking

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Ladies, we don’t have to be Olympic athletes. But even the Proverbs 31 woman was called to strengthen her arms. After your quiet time each morning, why not make a point to get outside and exercise, taking a Bible verse with you to memorize as you go. It will cheer you up to be out under the big blue sky talking to our Lord.

She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms. Proverbs 31:17 (NKJV)

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV)

A One Verse Prayer

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

But I am poor and needy;
Yet the Lord thinks upon me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40:17 (NKJV)

I love it when one verse says it all. Memorize this verse, Psalm 40:17, and you will have a prayer on your lips whenever you need it!

But I am poor and needy... this is UNDERSTANDING our story, we are poor and needy. Without Jesus we have nothing. He provides everything we need, food, clothing, family, shelter, salvation… We can spend time THANKING the Lord for His many blessings. It can also be a time for ADMITTING our sins. We are poor because of our sins and desperately need a Savior, Jesus, to rescue us.

Yet the Lord thinks upon me... let us claim this wonderful PROMISE! The Lord is thinking about you! He is thinking about me. He never stops thinking about us. Imagine that, here we are, lost in our troubles, yet God , the Creator of the whole universe is thinking about us. Wow!

You are my help and my deliverer… here again we can claim God’s PROMISE to help us and deliver us from whatever we are facing. And we join the voices through eternity, EXALTING our God, our Helper, our Deliverer.

Do not delay, O my God... and finally, the plea from one who depends on God for all her needs. Do not delay, O my God. I pour out my PETITIONS before you. Hear the cry of my heart. Take care of all my loved ones, my neighbors, all my troubles, our nation and world today. Do not delay, O my God.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Write Psalm 40:17 in your prayer journal today and every day this week. Memorize it. Pray it as you are driving or washing dishes or working in the garden or taking a shower. Use this one verse to cry out to the Lord.