Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
Psalm 103:4 (NKJV)
Dear Friends,
Today I want to encourage you to mark up your Bible! I know, it’s hard to write in books if you’ve been taught all your life not to. Ever get in trouble for coloring in a library book with a crayon? Well, this isn’t a library book, it’s YOUR Bible! It’s God’s Word to teach and instruct you (2 Timothy 3:16). And, if you took classes in college, you likely marked up your textbook with a highlighter.
Sometimes I’ll write in my Bible when a pastor is giving a sermon. I’ll underline key verses and write notes in the margin, reminding me of the message. Other times I’ll underline verses during my TEA time with Jesus, those that really speak to me that day. I’ve been reading the same Bible for years, and there are still new verses that jump out at me for underlining almost every day.
When I underline verses, I like to code them with the letters of My TEA CUPP Prayers acronym, so I can use them in prayer later. I’ll label them T for Thanks, E for Exalt, A for Admit, C for Call, U for Understand, P for Promises, and Pet for Petitions. Often there will be several verses all on the same page. Psalm 103 is one of those places where I found my whole TEA CUPP. I’d like to share it with you today:
T is for Thanksgiving
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:2 (NKJV)
E is for Exalting
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Psalm 103:22 (NKJV)
A is for Admitting
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3 (NKJV)
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 (NKJV)
C is for Call
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Psalm 103:1 (NKJV)
U is for Understanding
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children. Psalm 103:17 (NKJV)
P is for Promises
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:5 (NKJV)
P is for Petitions
Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word. Psalm 103:20 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Pick a Psalm today, perhaps Psalm 103. With pen in hand, underline your favorite verses. Label the verses how you might use them in prayer with Jesus. Then, pray your underlined verses as conversation starters when you meet with the Lord.
Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.