Shining in the Darkness

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

When His lamp shone upon my head,
And when by His light I walked through darkness. Job 29:3 (NKJV)

As the days grew shorter in the latter part of summer, I had a more difficult time squeezing in my running workouts before breakfast on the long-run days. One Sunday my workout said to run 24 miles, as I was training for my first marathon. In order to get in such a long run and still make it to the second church service, I needed to leave at 5 a.m. Setting my alarm for 3 a.m. I got up to have my TEA time with Jesus. But by 5 a.m. it was still dark out, so I took a flashlight and put bear bells on my ponytail. The big flashlight was a little cumbersome as I made my way down the highway in the last hour before dawn, but I was thankful for the light, pushing aside the darkness, pointing out any stumbling blocks, and shining into the distance to alert possible travelers.

And I started to think, “Hmm…this would make a good devotion,” as I often do when I’m running and praying. My flashlight was lighting the highway just as God’s Word lights the path we should take. We have to get into His Word and read our Bibles every day so we can have this light. Jesus is the light who came into the world and now His Spirit lives inside us.

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

Now as the autumn days grow even shorter, I have the same trouble I had in August, trying to squeeze in just a short run before breakfast. It is still dark at 7:30 a.m. So once again, I pull out my flashlight and shine it into the darkness. But soon I will have to give up the outside runs to darkness and snow, visiting the gym where I hope I can shine for Jesus, too.

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

Another day I was having my quiet time and God showed me this verse…

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)

The funny thing was that when I was reading this verse, our power was out and I had only a little flashlight to illuminate my Bible. I think of how one single candle and many mirrors could light up a room. Help me be that candle or mirror and reflect your light to a world in darkness. Thank you for shining Your light into my darkness. Keep shining Jesus! Keep me shining!

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear TEA friend, use your quiet time this morning to recharge your batteries. Read your Bible. Let God’s Word kindle that spark in your heart, shining out through your eyes and smile and hands and actions to a world that so desperately needs the light of Jesus.

The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)

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

If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like A Runner’s TEA CUPP and My Light TEA, Or today’s devotion from Our Daily Bread which I just noticed is on the same theme with another powerful story.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:14-16 (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)

Where I Met Jesus

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

This past weekend I had the joy of sharing my testimony at a reunion with my Iowa State University Track and Cross Country team. Oh the happiness and tears of seeing these dear sisters again. Thank you, old teammates, for letting me share my story with you…

For 34 years I’ve had a dream to run a marathon. Two weeks ago God helped me fulfill this dream when I ran my first marathon in Bozeman, Montana. The good news is I finished the race. The bad news is it took me 34 years, but that’s okay. My goal was to run it in 4 hours. After 8 miles my legs were hurting, at 18 miles I was ready to stop, but I pressed on. At 22 miles some fellow hollered that I could break 4 hours if I kept going, so I kept going, but crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 7 minutes. I was so thankful to Jesus to be done, thankful to be close to 4 hours, but a bit disappointed to not have made my goal. But later, when sharing a meal with my family, I asked my college son Kevin to look up the reference for “I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith.” He found it in his smartphone BIBLE. The verse comes from 2 Timothy 4:7, 4-7 just like my time, 4 hours and 7 minutes. It was then I knew that God had His hand in the entire race, I was in His will. I believe God has had HIS HAND on all our lives, ever since He brought us together and through the tragedy that seared our hearts in 1985.

God’s hand has been upon us all since He brought us to Iowa State University in the 1980s. I see this in those He called into ministry, in those He blessed as wives and mothers, in those who are leading lives of integrity in your chosen professions, and in those who are still seeking, trying to put the pieces back together like me.

I’ve wanted to run a marathon ever since I was 18. Like most of us, I was in the best shape of my life in the spring of 1985, my freshman year of college, but it didn’t fit in with our track schedule to run a marathon. I carried the dream with me into the fall cross country season that year, and then came the accident that changed all our lives forever. In that one day, you and I lost everything dear to us and our dreams crashed in a yard in Des Moines, Iowa.

But there is Someone who can pull dreams back up and make them happen.

There is Someone who can give us beauty for ashes, joy for tears, and dancing for mourning.

There is Someone who is with us here right now, still reaching out to hold us in His hands.

I want to thank you for letting me share my story with you today. I’ve had the blessing of sharing this story with ladies groups over the years as I invite them to have TEA with Jesus, but this is my first time to tell you, the dear people who were all so much a part of it. In my ministry, I encourage ladies to sit down with their Bibles, a cup of tea, and spend time with Jesus each morning. We all have this cup called life, and we need to refill it with His Word each day. But sometimes, our cups spill and everything goes pouring out on the ground, all in a moment. November 25, 1985, was a day like that.

We all have a story to tell. Yours is just important as mine. I think of in the BIBLE how there are so many people gathered around Jesus at the cross and some are mentioned like Mary, but there are those on the sidelines who are hurting just as much, but who aren’t mentioned. Their lives were also forever changed by Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, just as all of us on the cross country and track and men’s team and students and roommates at ISU were changed by the loss of our beloved coaches and teammates. Thank you for letting me share my part of the story…

I share this in honor of my Savior Jesus and the lives He took 34 years ago so that we could live. My testimony is a tribute to these dear souls: Coach Ron Renko, Coach Pat Moynihan, Runners Sheryl Maahs, Julie Rose, Sue Baxter, Trainer Stephanie Streit, and their Pilot Burt Watkins. I can’t wait to see them all in heaven!

I run in the path of Your commands,
for You have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

This is my running story.

I was not always a runner. I was the one with the side ache walking at the tail end of the grade school PE class. I was the one who could never hope to qualify for the presidential fitness award. I was so slow! But something happened in late junior high. I discovered I had something that was needed to be a long-distance runner…perseverance. And so I left the sprinters to their fast legs and joined the distance runners. Slowly, slowly the side aches went away and I learned how to run. In high school, my coach, my team and my workout became the centerpiece of my life. I was dedicated to a fault, always running my complete workout, never cutting corners, such perfection was my religion.

When I headed to college, I wanted to continue running, so I walked-on as a cross country runner here at Iowa State. I remember the summer day when I walked up the stairs in the old State Gym to Coach Ron’s office to ask if I could join the team. I was so scared, but he must have already talked to my high school coach and decided to take a risk on me. A month later I was in the van headed to the grueling pre-season training in Wisconsin with many of you.

Let’s talk about those van rides. Somehow, everyone knew that the passenger seat in front was a hot seat, whoever sat there got to talk to Coach Ron. And for some reason, since I didn’t know anyone else on the team, that seat was left for me. When we would return from training or meets, since my parents’ home in north Ames was close to where Coach Ron lived, I was the last one to get dropped off. I remember him talking and talking to me and I wish I could repeat one sentence for you today of what he said, but I was so young and nervous and just wanted to get home, I don’t think I heard it. But now I know he was pouring himself out for me, as he did for many of us when we went to his office, sharing his wisdom and love for Jesus. And it was not in vain. Neither were the encouraging words from Coach Pat when I ran my spring track workouts, nor the inspiration from Julie and Sheryl and the smiles from Sue, nor the healing from Stephanie, nor the service from Pilot Burt. None of it was in vain, God had His hand on us all.

Do you recall how twice a day we met together for workouts, running dozens of miles a week? I was the slowest one. When the team did 1000 meter repeats, I would finish my 1000 meters just when you were leaving for the next 1000 meters. I would run up and down the hills crying at the end of the line, but I kept running. And the miles paid off by spring of my freshman year when I ran my best 10K ever. I kept on running for our coaches and team, you were like a family to me, you were my church, until that November day of my sophomore year…

The sidewalks in Ames, Iowa were glazed with ice as we ran our afternoon workout. We, the junior varsity runners, were on our own this day because our coaches and faster teammates were at the National meet in Wisconsin. We thought of you as we jogged along, mostly in the grass because the walks were so slick. After running together as a team twice a day for months, we felt a strong connection to those of you at the National meet, even though we weren’t there. As we dutifully completed our workout in the fading light of that November afternoon, we hoped to hear news of victory at Nationals.

As you all know, the year was 1985, long before the days of cell phones. We didn’t get news in our pockets, nor text messages from friends, nor emails on a computer. All we had was television news and corded telephones plugged into a wall. And so we awaited good news.

But what interrupted the TV shows that evening was news of a tragedy. I lived at home with my family still and was watching Wheel of Fortune in our basement with my brother, before diving into another evening of homework. Partway through the show, newscasters broke in with a startling news announcement:

“A plane has plummeted from the icy skies and crashed in a yard in Des Moines, Iowa. It was one of three planes returning with the ISU athletes after a second-place finish at the National Cross Country meet.”

I ran screaming up the stairs, unable to believe such awful news. I called my teammates at the dormitory (on the corded phone) who had just heard the news also. We decided to meet at the Student Union chapel for prayer (I think Paula set this up), an amazing act for a public university team. We met and cried and prayed, not knowing who was on the plane that had crashed, and me not truly understanding the ONE to whom we prayed.

The next day we were called together for a meeting with the athletic department in Beyer Hall. There we embraced you, our teammates who remained, and there we heard the news of who we lost. That single accident took the lives of seven dear people, and changed the lives of all those who knew them: Our two coaches, three teammates, athletic trainer, and pilot were taken from this world. Now they are part of the great cloud of witnesses who surround us.

The grief was heart-wrenching for their families, and for those of us who lived like a family on the cross country team.

Classes were canceled at the university for a day when a memorial service was held for the athletes. Our team marched in our gold uniforms and sat together in misery in the ISU Coliseum. Memorials were given for each beloved person. The one I remember most was the one Dawn gave for her friend Sheryl. Before the thousands gathered there, Dawn spoke of how Sheryl was a Christian and is in heaven now, and that if Sheryl had the choice she wouldn’t come back to earth, even if she could. As I listened with tears spilling from my eyes, I just didn’t understand such faith. Sheryl’s mom was so sad. Why wouldn’t Sheryl want to come back? Why?

In the days that followed, I tried to continue my running workouts along the streets of Ames, Iowa, but could barely lift my legs. How could I go on without my coaches and teammates? I questioned, “Why, God? Why?”

Since God allowed my coaches and teammates to be taken away from me, I ran from Him, in search of peace elsewhere, in food, in poor relationships. Yet those gave no comfort. The plane of my life was on its way to crash, too.

I remember the following spring I made an Easter basket for a boy I liked, filled with M&Ms and other yummy things I never ate because Coach Ron told us not to eat sugar. But then I found out the boy liked someone else so I was stuck with this basket. One day I decided I would just eat it, and I ate it all. That led to another and another and another bag of M&Ms until I had a big problem, eating too much and then running 15 miles to burn it off. Somehow I found out about a group for people with eating disorders on campus. The day I went there were four of us there from the track and cross country team. The tragedy had affected us all! But there was no group session or counseling that could take away our eating disorders or sins. We needed a Savior.

By the fall two years after the accident, I had wrecked both my parents’ cars, my bike was stolen, my life was a mess. One morning on my way to class, I stopped by the chapel of the church where I grew up. I got down on my knees and poured out my heart to God, asking Him to help me through the mess I had made of my life. For half an hour I prayed and prayed in that empty church. When I left the chapel, my heart was lighter, even though I did not know what God was going to do.

Some of you must have been praying for me, because a short time later, my roommates (Becky and Sarah) were invited to attend the Baptist Student Union and brought me along. It was in the weekly testimonies and singing, that I got to know the Savior of my soul, and my forever friend, Jesus Christ. I learned how God sent His only Son to die for our sins and someday we will be in heaven with Him and all our loved ones. My quest was over – I learned…

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

This was truly a miracle from God. Jesus gave me the peace and comfort for which I’d been searching. He washed away all my sins and mistakes. He took my broken soul and healed me. He filled my teacup.

I traded…

My stopwatch for the cross of Christ,

My will for God’s will,

My earthly coaches for a heavenly Father who will never leave me nor forsake me,

And instead of beginning my day with a workout, I begin it with daily devotions in God’s Word,

And so God’s Word has become my life…

And, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…the task of testifying the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)

My friends, PLEASE DON’T WAIT FOR ANOTHER PLANE CRASH to turn your heart to Jesus! Look unto Jesus TODAY!

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)

The Lord is calling us to know Jesus, to meet with Him each day!

Whatever you are facing, wherever your tea has spilled, reach out to Jesus and let Him heal your circumstances, let Him refill your cup with His Word and promises. Let Jesus give you back your dreams. Let Him hold you in the palm of His Hands. And someday, we will all be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” And Jesus will say, “Well done.” And we will be reunited with these loved ones who went before us into glory, and they will welcome us with open arms like it was just yesterday, and we will have that celebration that never happened the day after the race. It will be a day of victory!

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

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

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
Who rides the heavens to help you,
And in His excellency on the clouds.
The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms… Deuteronomy 33:26-27 (NKJV)

To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

My times are in Your hand… Psalm 31:15 (NKJV)

The Lost Hymnals

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

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)

When I read this scripture passage from 1 Timothy, immediately my heart begins to sing and my mouth hums the great hymn by Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908). The old Welsch melody fills my thoughts as I sing…

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise. (Whalmers)

A wonderful way to exalt Jesus is to sing old hymns to Him each morning. You can do this! Ask your pastor if there is a closet full of old hymnals at your church and if you may please have one. The answer is most likely, “Yes,” as many churches display the songs on screens now. Take your “new” borrowed hymnal home and use it as part of your morning Bible TEA time. Thumb through the pages until you find a familiar hymn to praise Jesus.

Some favorite old hymns for exalting Jesus include How Great Thou Art; To God be the Glory; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty; O Worship the King, All Glorious Above; Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee; Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; and All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name and many more!

You may also find a new-to-you hymn with powerful words. Even if you don’t know the tune, you can pray it to Jesus. I found one like this in our old hymnal entitled, Teach Me to Pray, Lord by Albert Simpson Reitz. The first stanza cries…

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray;
This is my heart-cry day unto day;
I long to know Thy will and Thy way;
Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray. (Reitz)

Today’s TEA CUPP: The old hymns praise Jesus with His Word. Ask to borrow an old hymnal from church for your quiet time. Put it in your Jesus spot. Hum, sing, and exalt Jesus with glorious old hymns filled with His Word! You will be so blessed!

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 (NKJV)

The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Psalm 18:46 (NKJV)

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!
Revelation 5:12 (NKJV)

To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Jude 1:25 (NKJV)

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11(NKJV)

On our Knees

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6 (NKJV)

Eighteen years ago today, September 11, 2001, the lives of Americans, as well as citizens of the world, were changed forever. For on this day terrorists chose to take innocent lives, countless courageous citizens gave of themselves, and our nation was brought to its knees for a time.

What happened? Why aren’t we still on our knees? Some articles say church attendance increased for only a few weeks after 9/11, continuing a trend for decades of declining participation. Yet other articles say at the very heart of the tragedy, Evangelical churches sprouted and have flourished. Why aren’t we all still on our knees?

Why aren’t we still on our knees over the threat of the enemy?

Why aren’t we still on our knees over babies dying?

Why aren’t we still on our knees for unsaved family and friends?

Why aren’t we still on our knees for lost youth?

Why aren’t we still on our knees for our pastors and missionaries who give of themselves every day and need protection from the enemy?

Why aren’t we still on our knees?

I remember the first time I saw someone on their knees in prayer. It was my Grandma Margaret Applequist. Grandma was visiting us for a few weeks and was sleeping in the bedroom belonging to my sister and me. We were sleeping in the basement to give Grandma some peace and privacy. But I caught a cold, so they put me back upstairs in the extra bed in my own room. A few hours after going to sleep I awoke. A small crack of light coming from the hallway shone on my Grandma, kneeling by her bed in prayer. What an impact that picture made on a sick, young girl’s heart. I wanted to be like Grandma!

And yet, when I have My TEA CUPP Prayers, I sit curled on the sofa; when we pray at meals, I’m sitting at the table; when I say good-night prayers with my kids, I’m sitting on the edge of their beds, or standing by their bunks…when am I on my knees? Though I know He hears all those prayers, God really started impressing these kneeling prayers upon my heart, so I asked Him to show me in Scripture where it says I should be on my knees, and guess what, He did!

…he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God… Daniel 6:10 (NKJV)

...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... Philippians 2:10 (NKJV)

But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed…. Acts 9:40 (NKJV)

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Acts 20:36 (NKJV)

…And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. Acts 21:5 (NKJV)

…and fell down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)

And so, now, every evening, when my husband and I say our goodnight prayers, instead of lying in bed with one of us dozing off, we are on our knees beside the bed, pouring our hearts out to the Lord.

We hear of faithful Christians like Reverend Billy Graham wearing out the toes of their shoes or the knees of their pants because they knelt so often in prayer. My friends, we need to do the same! Wear out your knees for your family! Wear out your toes for your neighbors. Wear out the rug next to your bed for your country. Let’s get on our knees and pray!

Today’s TEA CUPP: While researching this devotion I came across another great devotion you might enjoy by Dr. David Jeremiah. And also this one about Reverend Billy Graham. Let’s follow their godly examples. “Do it again, Lord, do it again!”

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 3:14 (NKJV)

And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 1 Kings 8:54 (NKJV)

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend! Fanny Crosby, 1875

God is Love and so much more!

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:8-9 (NKJV)

O Father, You are love. And I love You, but my love is so small compared to Your huge, huge love. Even if my heart is filled to overflowing with love, my heart is tiny and Your heart is as big as the universe, bursting with love for all humanity, sending us Your One and Only Son Jesus to die for us, and filling us with Your Holy Spirit. Blessed Trinity be glorified today!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Friends, today I share tidbits from the EXALTING section of my prayer journal, as examples of how you can use God’s Word to praise Him. Pray these prayers as your own, find more EXALTING verses in your Bible and write them in your prayer journal. Share your heart with Jesus, it doesn’t need to be fancy, just tell Him you love Him. Make EXALTING Jesus a part of your daily TEA time together. He will love to hear your praises!

Who does great things, and unsearchable,
Marvelous things without number. Job 5:9 (NKJV)

O Father, O Jesus, this is You! You do great things that we don’t even know and ones we do know, like rain and rainbows and salvation and forgiveness and heaven and peace and comfort and strength and protection and guidance. You do it all!!! O Jesus, be glorified and magnified today, especially in my prayers for…

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?
And what profit do we have if we pray to Him? Job 21:15 (NKJV)

O Jesus, I know You! You are the Christ the Son, God the Father, Creator of the universe, Judge who is coming soon, King of kings, Lord of lords, Emmanuel, my Savior, my Friend, my Comforter, my Joy, my Crown, my Life, my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my Stronghold, my Protector, my Hiding Place, my Redeemer, my all in all! I love and praise You, Jesus!

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You are my Shield, You protect me from the enemy and send me helpers. You are my Glory, and one day You will come again in glory! You are the One who lifts up my head when I’m discouraged. I love and praise You! Be glorified today!

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Psalm 24:7-10 (NKJV)

O Jesus, I imagine You returning and the gates and doors that open to let You out of heaven, even those gates and doors bow before you and then lift their heads in honor of the King of kings who reigns for all eternity. O Jesus, be glorified! I love You! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

…then they bowed their heads and worshiped. Exodus 4:31 (NKJV)

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 (NKJV)

O Jesus, they worshiped You! Here are the Israelites in Egypt who haven’t heard from You in 400 years and they know how to worship. Here are the disciples who also haven’t heard from the prophets in 400 years, since the Old Testament times. They are in the boat with You and they worship You! They believe in you! They bow! They exalt and praise and worship! O Jesus, may I do this too with all my heart. I love you!

The Lord is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land. Psalm 10:16 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You are King forever and ever. Some people don’t realize it (oh, touch their hearts!), that You are King of heaven and earth and You are coming again. That is exciting! And every knee will bow and tongue confess that You are Lord to the glory of God the Father. O Jesus, be glorified this very day!

Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness…The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever. Psalm 29:1-2,10 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You are King forever! You are Glory and Strength! You sit on the throne. Oh, sit on the throne of my life and be glorified!

Then I will go to the alter of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4 (NKJV)

O Jesus, O Father, I come to Your alter, to Your throne, to Your footstool. I can’t quite look up and see You because of Your radiance and glory. I bow down instead and worship You. You are my exceeding joy. I sing songs of praise to You, O God, my God. And then, I get brave and climb the footstool and crawl up into Your lap and let You hold me under Your wing as my heart continues to praise You. I love You, dearest Jesus!

In God we boast all day long, And praise Your Name forever. Psalm 44:8 (NKJV)

O Jesus, I love and praise You! It’s Your right hand that saves me. It’s Your right hand that holds me close. It’s Your light that lights my darkness. May I boast all day about You. I praise Your Name forever and ever. You are the High Priest who entered the Holy of holies for us and tore the curtain so we can come in, too. You are the Lamb of God and the Shepherd of the sheep. You are the Only Way to heaven. You are the Bread of Life, all the food I’ll ever need. You are the Living Water, quenching my thirsty soul. You are everything to me. Be glorified, my Jesus! (Psalm 44:3, Psalm 44:8, Hebrews 6:18, Hebrews 6:20).

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:18-19 (NKJV)

Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord… 1 Samuel 1:19 (NKJV)

What’s in your mug?

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:13 (NKJV)

What are you sipping in your morning mug? Tea, coffee, espresso, orange juice, water, Gatorade? We all have a favorite beverage. I have a teacher friend who used to walk around school with a coffee mug filled with Mountain Dew because it was okay for teachers to drink coffee, but not soda pop, and she was the PE teacher! I love her sense of humor! Now she is a principal; that Mountain Dew must have worked!

My favorite morning beverage has changed over the years as my health has changed. I used to just hold a mug of hot water in the mornings until I found out the benefits of various teas. I also enjoyed a hot cocoa every day, but that doesn’t agree with my tummy anymore. This summer green tea and Hammer sports drinks are my favorites as I train for a marathon, but that could all change by winter!

The important point today is not what’s in your morning mug…coffee, tea, etc…but what you are doing with your first hour of the day. Fill up your cup and sit down with your Bible and Jesus. You can have coffee time with Jesus while saying your TEA CUPP Prayers, it’s okay! The TEA CUPP is just an acronym for things you can talk about while you are together. Using God’s Word we can pray: Thanking, Exalting, Admitting, Calling, Understanding, claiming God’s Promises, and Petitioning.

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)

As you sip your favorite drink, emptying your mug, let Jesus refill your cup with His Word, joy, peace, and love. Jesus is all we ever need. He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. Let Jesus fill your heart and life and cup today and every day!!!

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)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Fill your cup with Jesus! Plan to start every day in His Word. Set your alarm early, pour your favorite beverage, and sit down with your Bible (before even checking your phone for messages). Let Jesus speak to you and fill you with His Word. The chorus of a hymn by Richard Blanchard says:

Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up, Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

Let this be our prayer today. Enjoy this precious version by Hope Montana.

Off to College

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)

Today we send our third child, Kevin, off to college at Montana State University. He follows the footsteps of his big sister and big brother while creating his own unique path. It doesn’t get any easier with the third child!

When we first took Kevin’s big sister to college eleven years ago, I visited Coldstone Creamery for a big chocolate indulgence dessert EVERY time we dropped her off just to drown my tears. That was before I was dairy-free.

When Kevin’s big brother left for college six years ago, I couldn’t imagine the day would come for Kevin to go. And now, here it is! And so I pray for Jesus to hear all the prayers from all the years that I have prayed for him. I pray all these verses for Kevin. I pray for Jesus’ angels to guard over Kevin and for him to follow God’s straight and narrow path.

We love you, Kevin! We’re proud of you! Go do amazing things for Jesus at MSU!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Someone you know is headed to college. Pray these verses for him/her. Write a verse on a card and send it to him/her in the mail, and even to his/her mom! Save these verses for future graduation and college students. Forward these verses to all your mom friends with college students. Let’s pray for our college students and turn our campuses around for Jesus, one TEA CUPP at a time!

Hiding in Jesus

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV)

Shine for Jesus

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV)

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 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 6:11-12 (NKJV)

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27 (NKJV)

My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 (NKJV)

Blessings

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments. Psalm 112:1 (NKJV)

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways. Psalm 128:1 (NKJV)

Protection from the enemy

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV)

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20 (NKJV)

Let them be like chaff before the wind,
And let the angel of the Lord chase them. Psalm 35:5 (NKJV)

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:18 (NKJV)

You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (NKJV)

And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
He shall deliver them from the wicked,
And save them,
Because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:40 (NKJV)

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. Psalm 50:15 (NKJV)

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8 (NKJV)

Thanksgiving

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4 (NKJV)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 4 (NKJV)

Wisdom from God

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord,
And teach out of Your law. Psalm 94:12 (NKJV)

My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:21-23 (NKJV)

Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end. Psalm 119:33 (NKJV)

Victory in Jesus

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

Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies. Psalm 60:12 (NKJV)

Encouraging Promises

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge. Proverbs 14:26 (NKJV)

He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (NKJV)

I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12 (NKJV)

…No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 (NKJV)

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28 (NKJV)

Petitions for Student

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 17:8 (NKJV)

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose. Psalm 20:4 (NKJV)

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)

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 (NKJV)

Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You. Psalm 25:20-21 (NKJV)

Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. Psalm 36:10 (NKJV)

Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation! Psalm 38:21-22 (NKJV)

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

O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me! Psalm 71:12 (NKJV)

Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes. Psalm 119:135 (NKJV)

Staying on God’s Path

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

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:21 (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)

Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip. Psalm 17:5 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (NKJV)

The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV)

There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV)

A man’s steps are of the Lord;
How then can a man understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24 (NKJV)

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NKJV)

Righteousness will go before Him,
And shall make His footsteps our pathway. Psalm 85:13 (NKJV)

For this is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
Even to death. Psalm 48:14 (NKJV)

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

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

Go to Church!

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1 (NKJV)

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)

When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8 (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)

As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 (NKJV)

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:13 (NKJV)

Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! Psalm 28:6 (NKJV)

Holding His Feet

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

…cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days… Deuteronomy 30:20

Does it seem like you are always going through something? Whether it is an illness, cancer diagnosis, death of loved one, family troubles, money problems, car repairs…there is always a trial that makes us worried, anxious, sad, struggling, depressed…Who can help us? Who is always there for us? Who can we hold onto in the storm?

Jesus! Yes, Jesus is always the answer! And today I have two Bible stories for you where women really did hold onto Jesus, they held onto His feet! Just as a toddler will wrap his arms around Mommy’s legs, these women gripped Jesus’s feet with all their strength and did not let go.

The first example was before Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Jesus was dining at the home of a Pharisee when a woman entered with an alabaster flask filled with fragrant oil. This woman was certainly struggling for the Bible calls her a sinner, and she was weeping as she stood behind Jesus. Then she did the boldest thing, she washed Jesus’s feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, and finally anointed His feet with the fragrant oil. After the Pharisee complained, Jesus told the dear woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48) and “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

… (She) stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Luke 7:38 (NKJV)

The second story comes after Jesus died on the cross, after He was buried, and after He rose from the grave. It was that very Sunday when Jesus rose that these two Marys went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’s body. But when they arrived, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled the stone away from the tomb entrance, sitting on the stone. The guards were so scared they fainted, but the women watched amazed as the angel said, “Do not be afraid.” ( Matthew 28:5). The angel invited them to see where Jesus had lain. As the two Marys were leaving to tell the disciples, Who did they meet? Jesus! “So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9)

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Matthew 28:9 (NKJV)

We also can hold Jesus’s feet! Whether we’ve made some terrible mistakes and come to Him as sinners, like the first woman, or we are lost in grief like the two Marys, we can come to Jesus and cling to His feet. And He will comfort us with His Word, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

But you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day. Joshua 23:8 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Hold fast (1 Corinthians 15:2), my friend. Read these Bible stories today in Luke 7:36-50 and Matthew 28:1-10. Then cling to Jesus’s feet, telling Him everything that is on your heart. Perhaps you’ll also enjoy this song entitled, “The Alabaster Flask.”

Abba Father, Yeshua Messiah, I come to your footstool and hold Your feet and bow and worship and love and exalt You! You are the Hope of Israel and my Hope. You are the Savior of the world and my Savior. You are my Risen Lord, the Prince of Life! Be glorified today in all the earth!

…“I will not let You go unless You bless me!” Genesis 32:26 (NKJV)

You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. Deuteronomy 10:20 (NKJV)

For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the Lord, ‘that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear.’ Jeremiah 13:11 (NKJV)

Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do. Ruth 3:4 (NKJV)

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet. . . 2 Kings 4:27 (NKJV)

Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10 (NKJV)

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, Hebrews 3:14 (NKJV)

But hold fast what you have till I come. Revelation 2:25 (NKJV)

Out of Prison

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

…he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison… Acts 12:17 (NKJV)

The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. Psalm 146:7 (NKJV)

The cell was cold. The walls were gray. The paint was peeling. The treatment was harsh. The privacy was nonexistent. The despair was real. It was a prison.

How many of us find ourselves in such a place? For some, it is a real prison from our wrong choices. For others, it is a real prison from persecution. Yet for most of us, it is a prison with imaginary bars that trap us from the outside world, bound by fears, addictions, unforgiveness… What is the name of your prison?

My friend, today we’re going to lead you out of that prison into the marvelous light of Jesus. There is an amazing story in the Book of Acts about Peter escaping from prison. It is so amazing that even Peter didn’t believe it was happening to him. Peter was one of those in a real prison because of persecution. King Herod had just beheaded his friend James and now he was preparing to do the same for Peter. Herod put Peter in prison with FOUR squads of soldiers. While Peter was there the church was praying constantly (Acts 12:1–5).

Now here, dear sisters, is where you must remember the power of prayer. Those prayers of the early church were heard by God and He sent His Angel to rescue Peter! This was no sweet angel singing anthems. This Angel of the Lord flooded Peter’s jail cell with bright light and struck Peter on the side. Then He pulled Peter up, saying, “Arise quickly!” The Angel even instructed Peter to get dressed with his sandals and garment.And off they went, past the first and second guard posts, past the iron gates, and out into the city. Finally, the Angel disappeared and Peter found himself at the home of his friend John Mark (Acts 12:6–12).

And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me.. . .” Acts 12:11 (NKJV)

At John Mark’s home, the church had been praying so hard for Peter. But when Peter showed up at the gate, they didn’t believe it! How is that for not believing God can answer our prayers? Isn’t He amazing? God answers all our prayers! Jesus rescues us from our prisons! The Holy Spirit carries us forth in victory!

He declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. Acts 12:17 (NKJV)

I know, because I’ve been in various “prisons” over the years. One was in college before Jesus saved me. I was in such grief over losing my cross-country team and coaches in a plane crash that I turned to food for comfort. This became an eating disorder called bulimia. There seemed to be no cure. One time I went to a gathering to help people with eating disorders and discovered four of my surviving teammates were also there. We had all dealt with the tragedy the same way. Some addictions you can choose to avoid, like smoking or drinking, but with an eating disorder, you have to keep eating. The only One who can rescue you from this prison is Jesus Christ. And He did. When I gave my life to Him, the eating binges disappeared and I was free! Some bad habits take longer to lose, even after we accept Jesus, but He gives us grace for the battle each day.

Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me. Psalm 142:7 (NKJV)

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Psalm 86:5 (NKJV)

Remember Jacob’s son Joseph in the Old Testament? Besides being sold into slavery by his brothers, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. But God was with him even in prison, giving him a leadership position. This assignment put Joseph in the right place to hear two dreams which eventually led to his release. Joseph later told his brothers, “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” which fits with God’s promise recorded by Paul, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). Can we claim that promise even in the midst of our prison? And would you also consider that Joseph’s imprisonment was a foreshadowing of his family’s enslavement in Egypt, which was a foreshadowing of our own imprisonment and enslavement to sin?

He sent a man before them—
Joseph—who was sold as a slave.
They hurt his feet with fetters,
He was laid in irons.
Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the Lord tested him.
The king sent and released him,
The ruler of the people let him go free. Psalm 105:17–20 (NKJV)

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces. Psalm 107:14 (NKJV)

He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness Psalm 105:43 (NKJV)

Years ago, people were put in “Debtors’ Prison” for not paying their debts. This never quite made sense to me, for how could they earn money to pay their debts if they were stuck in prison? Family or friends had to pay the debt for them. My sisters, until we have Jesus, we are all in Debtor’s Prison. Our debt is to God for the sins we have committed. There is no way for us to work to pay off this debt. Our only hope is to let our Friend and Savior Jesus Christ pay for us. That’s the Good News: God has taken away His cup of wrath from us through Jesus’ blood on the cross. By believing in His death and resurrection, and asking Him to be Lord of our lives, the gates of our prison will be thrown open and we are set free(Deuteronomy 24:16; Isaiah 51:22; Jeremiah 31:30; Romans 8:12; Ephesians 1:7)!

And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)

Forthe Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)

He paid a debt He did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay,
I needed Someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song,
Amazing grace all day long,
Christ Jesus paid a debt
That I could never pay. (Old Gospel Song, Author unknown)

In another prison story in Acts 16, Paul and Silas were in jail for their faith. They were singing Psalms and hymns at midnight with the other prisoners listening, when suddenly there was a great earthquake and the prison doors were thrown open. The guard thought all the prisoners had escaped and was ready to kill himself when he heard Paul call to him. The guard was so astonished that he asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And Paul replied, “Believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:16–40). That very hour the guard and all his family believed and were baptized, and they washed and fed the prisoners.

And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved. Acts 2:21 (NKJV)

A newer version of the hymn Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin has the chorus, “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.” That’s how it is when Jesus leads us out of the prison into His marvelous light. The enemy wants to keep us behind bars, but Jesus has the victory. You are not alone; many famous Bible characters spent time in prison.. . . Joseph, Jeremiah, Paul, and who can forget Daniel in the lions’ den? Come, my friend, let the Angel of the Lord escort you out of your prison today. Believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear TEA friend, whatever you are facing today, in whatever prison you find yourself, turn to Jesus. Read the miraculous story of Peter’s prison escape in Acts 12:1–19. Imagine the Angel of the Lord shining His bright light upon you and saying, “Arise quickly.” And the Angel leads you out of your prison, past all the guards to the home of praying friends. And you are free! For another great prison escape, read Acts 5:17–42. And for those of us not currently in prison, we must heed Hebrews 13:3 which says, “Remember the prisoners . . . ” Who can you pull out of the mire today?

He also brought them out with silver and gold. Psalm 105:37

He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean. His blood availed for me. (Wesley, 1739)

(See also: Psalm 34:4,79:11,102:18–22, 118:21,124:7; Proverbs 28:13;Isaiah 41:10, 42:7,49:9,55:12; Jeremiah 10:23–24, 37:21, 38:13; Jonah 2:6; Zechariah 9:11–12;Matthew 18:21–35; Luke 1:37; John 3:3, 3:16–17, 3:36, 11:40; Acts 2:37–39; 1Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 4:13; 1John 4:4)

Bible Mom: Hannah’s Petition

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

“…I…have poured out my soul before the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:15 (NKJV)

This is the last in our series of Bible Moms…Hannah’s Petition.

Do you know the story of the Prophet Samuel? He has two books named after him in the Old Testament. The story of how he came to serve the Lord and be a prophet is really quite remarkable…and it all began with the prayers of his mom Hannah.

Poor Hannah was one of the two wives of a man named Elkanah. His other wife, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah had no children. This made Hannah very sad. Every year they would go to Shiloh to worship the Lord, but Hannah was too sad even to eat. In fact, her soul was so bitter that she prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Hannah even promised the Lord, that if He gave her a son, she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life.

Finally, the Lord remembered Hannah and blessed her with a son. She named him Samuel, because she had asked for him from the Lord. For three years Hannah nursed and cared for her precious baby. Then, because of her vow, she brought Samuel to the priest Eli in Shiloh and gave her boy to him to serve the Lord all his days.

Hannah told Eli, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1:26-27 (NKJV)

Each year, Hannah brought Samuel a new robe to wear. The priest Eli blessed her because of her gift of her son. And the Lord visited Hannah and gave her three more sons and two daughters, while Samuel grew to be a great prophet for Israel.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read the amazing story of Hannah and Samuel in 1 Samuel 1-3 today. I love how God used the prayers of this Bible Mom to turn His people back to Him. Never underestimate the power of your prayers. Use your prayer time today to pour your heart out to the Lord as Hannah did so long ago. This is what the “P” for Petitions is all about.

“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1:17 (NKJV)

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