Seven-Three-One

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

“Seven verses that changed history.
Seven verses that changed the world forever.
Seven verses that change us forever,” my pastor preached the Sunday before Christmas. What were those seven verses? Luke 2:1-7, the announcement of Jesus’ birth.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV)

Can you imagine history without these verses? No Joseph, no Mary, no census, no birth of our Savior, no hope for mankind. Even the counting of our years (we’re on 2016 now), is based on the birth of Christ. Thank the Lord that Luke 2:1-7 really happened!

I went home with my pastor’s message on my heart, pondering what other verses change history? 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 came to mind. These three verses describe Jesus’ return to take all believers home to heaven.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NKJV)

Can you picture the headlines after that great day, when all believers are taken to heaven? Hopefully, none will be here to write the news, for we will be in heaven with Jesus. However, those who don’t believe will be left to discover the Truth. History will yet again be changed!

Still wondering about significant verses, I considered what one verse changes history and the future for us all. Perhaps that verse is John 3:16.

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

God loves us so much that He willingly sent His only Son as a baby to our sinful world. That baby grew to be a perfect man, Jesus, who taught us about God, healed the sick, comforted the brokenhearted and forgave the sinners. Then in accordance with the law which required a spotless lamb to die, Jesus died for my sins, your sins, and the sins of all the world. But He didn’t stay dead. On the third day, Jesus rose again, conquering death forever. That is good news!

Today’s TEA CUPP: 7-3-1, so many Bible verses today! My friend, what we do with these verses determines our eternity. John 3:16 says “whoever believes in Him” will have everlasting life. This is my prayer for you…believe in the the Lord Jesus, the Savior of your soul. He is coming again to take all believers to heaven. Instead of coming as a baby in a manger, He will come mightily. History will be changed forever in the blink of an eye.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV)

I Did Nothing

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

You were loving and kind,

I did nothing.

You were merciful and saved me,

I did nothing.

You washed away my sins,

I did nothing.

You renewed me with Your Holy Spirit,

I did nothing.

You justified me by Your grace,

I did nothing.

You made me Your heir,

I did nothing.

You gave me the hope of eternal life,

I did nothing.

I only had to believe in You.

Dear Jesus, I believe!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Friend, what is your story? This verse below from Titus reminds me how I did nothing. Jesus did it all, I only had to believe. I pray that you also believe in Jesus and share in His forgiveness and eternal promises.

The song “Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns says it beautifully: “Living He loved me, dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever. One day He’s coming, Oh, Glorious Day!” Use this song to worship Jesus today.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 (NKJV)

New King James Version (NKJV)

All is Against Me!

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.” Genesis 42:36 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt like Jacob from the Old Testament? Jacob thought all was against him. There was a famine throughout the whole world. His favorite son Joseph was no more, his son Simeon was taken prisoner in Egypt, the governor of Egypt wanted his youngest son Benjamin if Jacob’s family wanted to trade for more food…all these things were against him.

And yet, we who know the whole story want to tell Jacob, “It’s all okay! Don’t worry! God’s got it all planned out! God sent Joseph ahead to Egypt to preserve your whole family. When Benjamin goes to Egypt, Simeon will be released from jail, your whole family will be invited, and Joseph will take care of everyone. God is taking care of you!”

Can I remember this when things seem against me? Don’t worry, God has it all planned out! When we can’t see the big picture, it sure is difficult. This is especially true when it comes to our children, perhaps that’s why Jacob was so worried. But we can remember the words of Jesus from Matthew 10. Here Jesus reminds us not to worry for we are of more value than many sparrows…

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: One of my favorite Old Testament stories is that of Joseph. If you have time, why not read it today (Genesis 37-47). Then share your heart with Jesus in prayer: O Jesus, please help me trust you with ______ and not worry.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things… Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

The Sweet Forever…My Story to Come

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Jennifer Grace

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)

The Sweet Forever is in my dreams today. So many times in the “U” part of My TEA CUPP Prayers, I focus on Understanding my story in the past. The above verse would take me to a sad time in life, reminding me of when I almost lost heart. One day when reading this passage I realized, I need to focus on seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! “My Story to Come” is what I must remember. Oh, hallelujah, what a glorious day that will be!

What will heaven be like? The Bible tells us…

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

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV)

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16 (NKJV)

They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelations 7:16-17 (NKJV)

Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 (NKJV)

At church recently we sang this beautiful old hymn about the land beyond the river. I want to remember this each moment…how I will see my Savior Jesus’ face when I cross the river someday. This is “My Story to Come” that I long for me, for our children, for all my family and friends.

There’s a land beyond the river
That we call the sweet forever
And we only reach that shore by faith’s decree
One by one we’ll gain the portals
There to dwell with the immortals
When they ring those golden bells for you and me.

When They Ring Those Golden Bells for You and Me

Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear TEA CUPP friend, do you think of that day when you will pass from this life into the next one? If you believe in Jesus, you will live eternally with Him in heaven. That is why I spend time each day with Him having TEA, so I can get to know my forever Lord better. Won’t you do the same?

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV)

My Hiding Place

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

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

The website I use for clip art has hundreds of pictures on most topics. It is handy to find photos that are just right for my articles. When I searched for “Hiding Place,” though, it only gave me one photo…a dog burying his bone.

I had to laugh, because Jesus is my hiding place. I’m not sure if I’m the bone and He is the hole in this picture? Some days I just want to hide from the world, get away from the hurts and pain. I pray Psalm 32:7, You are my hiding place, Jesus, You protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Let me hide in You today, Lord!

Or, I might pray one of these verses…

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

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
And will say, ‘Destroy!’ Deuteronomy 33:37 (NKJV)

There have been several times in my life when I’ve needed these verses. I remember the day I was taken away in an ambulance. It was the first time I lost a baby and we almost lost me, too. I was so scared until the ambulance people put me in a stretcher. The stretcher was U-shaped fabric, hugging my body as they carried me out the door. I continued to feel that hug for the next month. God’s everlasting arms must be like that. Though I do not like troubles, the feel of having the Lord so close, being in His hiding place, is one I always treasure.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Are you going through a rough time? Sometimes the holidays remind us of past sorrows, and can bring sadness rather than joy. Please look to the Lord, dear friend. Curl up in His Hiding Place, read His Word, sip a TEA CUPP with Jesus each day.

You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:14 (NKJV)

We can’t always Understand

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)

The “U” part of My TEA CUPP Prayers is all about UNDERSTANDING our stories, so we can share how God has helped us with others. But as I read this verse in my Bible one day, I realized we can’t always understand.

There are some parts of His Plan that I will never comprehend until I see Jesus face to face, and perhaps by then it won’t matter anymore. For now I struggle with un-answered prayers, seeing children from church leave God’s path for a time, babies dying…I just don’t understand. But I can pray for God’s peace and for me to do what is right. Instead of having a testimony to share, I can be a testimony in these tough situations.

Our church sponsored a village in the Philippines as a mission project. The day I was writing this, an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude rocked their little island. People are dying, buildings are destroyed, century-old churches lie in ruins. And it is hard to understand. Can God use this great tragedy to bring more people to His Kingdom? Can our church be a testimony yet in this tough situation? Yes!

Jesus tells us in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God!” Jesus continues,

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:23-24 (NKJV)

I might not UNDERSTAND, but I can BELIEVE!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Is there an event in life you are struggling with right now, something tough you just don’t understand? Jesus understands. Give it to Him during your TEA CUPP prayer time today. Believe that He will bring good out of it all.

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. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

My Cup

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot. Psalm 16:5 (NKJV)

You may have heard it asked before, “Is your cup half full or half empty?” If you answer “half full” you are an optomist. If you answer “half empty” you are a pessimist, or so they say.

My cup is full of my family…I thank Jesus each day for them…Kent, Kallie, Jacob, Kevin, and Joel. I love them all! But with two graduated and moving, I might feel my cup is becoming half empty. Perhaps they will return with spouses and children and my cup will be full again :-)!

What about my TEA CUPP? This is my time each morning with Jesus, when I read my Bible and pray to Him. If My TEA CUPP is half full or half empty, I’m not doing my job! Did I oversleep and skip my Bible reading? Did I neglect to pray for those on my list? Oh, I want My TEA CUPP to be full to overflowing, so that http://www.healthsupportyou.com/viagra/ when I am finished, my cup overflows to others.

I’m reminded of the old days when my parents would drive their car to a full-service gas station. “Fill it with regular, please,” my dad would say. While the attendant pumped the gas, he would also wash the windows and even check the oil. Our prayer time should be like this. When we sit down with Jesus each morning, we should first pray, “Fill me up, please, dear Jesus.” Then we open our Bibles. While reading His Word, we are washed clean and given a tune-up for the day ahead. My TEA CUPP is full and I’m ready to serve Him.

…My cup runs over. Psalm 23:5 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: How about you? Is your cup full? Read your Bible each day, asking Jesus to fill you up.

Faithful Fall Fruits

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

It took all summer. In September our garden finally started producing vegetables…zucchini, tomatoes, onions, carrots, pumpkins, and one cucumber! Now we can delight in the fruits of our labor with zucchini cookies and muffins, chili with tomatoes and onions, fresh carrots in our lunches, and soon…pumpkin pie!

But could we enjoy these fruits in May when we were preparing the soil, or in June when we first planted them? No. Could we savor this produce in July when the weather finally got warm, or in August when it was really hot? No, our plants were too slow. When are we appreciating these fruits? In the fall when the growing season is over.

It reminds me of the time I prayed over this verse from Galatians 5:22-23. Each month I asked God to nurture a new fruit in me…love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Each month I waited for results, but couldn’t see any. I shouldn’t have been discouraged, though. Like our garden vegetables, the fruit of the Spirit may take all summer.

In the fall of my life the fruits may be ready to pick. Perhaps along the way friends will see a bud of hope here and there. But by fall I will finally shine with Jesus’ love to others, sharing the joy and peace He gives me. I will be patient and kind, good and faithful, gentle, and always under control. Until then, I need to be patient with myself (and pray others will be patient, too), waiting for the fall fruits Jesus will bring in me.

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)

Living for Today

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Jennifer Grace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Thirst

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

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

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

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

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

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

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

But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 NKJV

My TEA CUPP Prayers

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

Tag Archives: Understand

Seven-Three-One

I Did Nothing

All is Against Me!

The Sweet Forever…My Story to Come

My Hiding Place

We can’t always Understand

My Cup

Faithful Fall Fruits

Living for Today

I Thirst