Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31
Two truth snowballs hit me one day. I was planted on the sofa by the window where I always sit for my TEA time with Jesus. That day’s Bible reading took me to Mark 13.
Jesus was talking about the trials of the end times. He told His followers:
And pray that your flight may not be in winter. Mark 13:18 (NKJV)
As I read this, I glanced out the window at two feet of new March snow. Oh, I was so tired of winter! We had such a hard season already, and now we had more snow. To imagine fleeing tribulation in winter would be awful. Yet persecuted Christians in other countries already endure such tragedy.
Jesus doesn’t often tell us specifically what we ought to pray except here, “Pray that Your flight won’t be in winter.” And so, since Jesus told me to, I prayed that I would not be fleeing in winter. I prayed my loved ones and I would all be with Him before any tribulation comes. And Jesus promised me in Revelation 3:20 that He will keep me from that hour of trial. This promise is also for you!
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10 (NKJV)
A few hours later, I was at church for our Sunday service. One of the songs was Amazing Grace with the verse:
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
That afternoon, since the sun was shining and the temperature had risen, I went for a walk along the cleared highway, noticing the snow was already being eaten by the Chinook winds blowing from the mountains. The song from church popped into my head, “The earth shall soon dissolve like snow…”
If you haven’t seen a Chinook wind’s work, please see the photos in this devotion. The first is on a Thursday when we received almost two feet of snow. The second is three days later on Sunday when I noticed the Chinook winds starting to eat the snow. The last is on Wednesday just six days after the two feet of snow hit us, not a speck to be seen!
The snow dissolved in a matter of hours and days! That is what will happen to the earth in the last days, according to Scripture…
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV)
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1 (NKJV)
Can you imagine that? All of a sudden, Jesus will come like a thief in the night. The heavens and earth will be burned up with a loud noise, and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. It could happen quicker than our snow melted!
Today’s TEA CUPP: I encourage you to read Mark 13 and Revelations over the next few days to get a bigger picture of the end times. The battles and judgments are not something we want to endure. Let’s look with joy and hope to Jesus’ promise of taking us to heaven first.
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)
Ten and nine, eight and seven,
Six and five and four,
Call upon the Savior while you may;
Three and two, coming through the clouds in bright array,
The countdown’s getting lower every day.
(a favorite Awana song)
Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
My Dear Loved One,
You are my Daddy, my brother, my cousin, my aunt, my niece, my landlord, my milkman, my son’s coach, my son’s college roommate, my student, my neighbor, my grocery store checker, my friend’s child, my high school chum, my employer, my friend.
You have a reservation in heaven. I made it for you every week in my prayers. Others have been calling in reservations for you, too. To confirm you are on the list in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27), please accept Jesus (read on).
It will be such a great time! The streets are paved with gold in this beautiful city. There is a river flowing from the throne of God and a tree that bears a different fruit every month (Revelation 22:1-2). And we will never have tears again, for there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).
How did I hear about this ultimate destination? In the best travel brochure of all, the Bible. Jesus told me to not be troubled, to believe in Him and God. He said, “for 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-4)
My dear loved one, I asked Jesus to prepare a place for you, too. My prayer above all other prayers is for you to know Jesus. Why? Because I want you to be in heaven for eternity, not in hell where there really is fire (Revelation 20:15). I want you to enjoy Jesus’ love and forgiveness on earth, and have His forever joy and peace in heaven.
I want you to know the One who delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the Land of the living (Psalm 116:8-9). So many times 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).
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me (Job 19:25-27)! Now my citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).
The neat thing is when you come near to God He will come near to you (James 4:8). I want you to know that through Jesus Christ the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you (Acts 13:38). And when you receive Him and believe in His Name, He gives you the right to be children of God (John 1:12).
God promises that whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21). My dear loved one, please ACCEPT JESUS and confirm your reservation today. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
And when that day comes when Jesus calls you home, I know you will go out with joy and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12). When you reach heaven, you will enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4) and I will be so thankful to God that you confirmed your reservation. I love you, my dear loved one! And Jesus loves you most of all!
Today’s Tea Cupp: But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation (Psalm 69:13)
And since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. (Hebrews 12:28)
Scripture is taken from
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011
New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson
God gave me this Bible verse the morning after I finished Don Piper’s book 90 Minutes in Heaven. Somehow I missed reading this book in the decade since it was published, but I’m thankful to finally have been immersed in Pastor Piper’s story.
1 Peter 5:10-11 describes Piper’s experience well…
First, he was called to eternal glory in heaven, following a terrible car accident.
Second, he was sent back to earth to suffer quite a while!
Third, through all his healing and continuing in ministry, God has perfected, established, strengthened and settled Don Piper. To God be the glory forever and ever!
This is a true story you won’t want to miss reading. It has also recently been made into a movie, but I vote for the book to avoid the gruesome scenes from the accident and medical world.
What impresses this reader most is Pastor Piper’s emphasis on prayer. The book’s dedication to his prayer warriors says, “You prayed. I’m here,” the same four words he spoke his first day back at church. It was the prayers of a passing minister who climbed into his crushed automobile to pray for a dead man that brought him back to earth. It was the prayers of his family, friends, congregation and complete strangers who pulled him through the worst pain and healing of his life. And it is prayer today that helps him continue in ministry, reaching out to others who are hurting. Certainly, this is an inspiration for all to keep praying!
Another blessing from 90 Minutes in Heaven are the beautiful descriptions of heaven. These word illustrations cause us to understand why Piper wanted to go back, and burn in us a desire to be there, as well. The first people who greeted him in heaven were his grandfather and a childhood friend who had led him to Jesus. The people kept coming; Piper describes it as “the greatest family reunion of all.” Then there was the music, the singing of thousands and millions of angels, harmonizing both old and new hymns. And just as Piper was enjoying this amazing chorus, he was called back to earth, singing “What a Friend we have in Jesus” with the praying pastor in his mangled vehicle. That’s when they realized he was still alive.
I especially value how each chapter of 90 Minutes from Heaven begins with a Bible verse, making God’s Word the focus. God’s Word is where we find our story and healing and hope for the future. The Bible is also where we find the truth about heaven and how to get there. If I could add one chapter to Piper’s book, it would be entitled, “Your ticket to heaven,” describing for readers how to make sure they also will be in heaven. And so, dear friend, I offer you a ticket to heaven today:
Today’s TEA CUPP: If you want a glimpse of heaven and the power of prayer, I highly recommend Don Piper’s book, 90 Minutes in Heaven. If you desire more than a glimpse and want to spend eternity in heaven (Yes, you do! You don’t want the alternative!), please read these Bible verses and pray to Jesus today. Welcome to heaven, my friend!
Jesus is the Ticket:
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)
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NKJV)
Acknowledge your sin:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 (NKJV)
Keep reading your Bible and seeking Jesus each day:
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)
Celebrate the promise of heaven!:
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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3 (NKJV)
…rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 20:20 (NKJV)
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,“Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:3-5 (NKJV)
Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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)
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)
I’ve had a busy summer of work. We prepare guest houses for visitors to Montana. My husband and oldest son mow the lawns and keep the yards looking green and welcoming. I get to clean the inside of the cabins, with help from my husband. Sometimes it can be stressful to ready the guest houses in time. I worry the bathmats won’t be dry before check-in, or I’ll miss a hair on the toilet seat. Everything has to be just right, because it’s my job to prepare these places. Does Jesus know how I feel?
Yes! He’s preparing places, too! Jesus promises me in is John 14:2 that He is going to prepare a place for me! Do you think He worries I’ll show up too soon with groceries for the refrigerator? Is He concerned about dust under the beds? No! He will have my room ready for me at just the right time, because He promises He will. I wonder what it will be like… Will there be window boxes of flowers and a big feather bed? I can’t even imagine how wonderful it will be!
To visit the vacation houses we serve, there is a website map available for guests to follow. Guests are cautioned not to use a GPS, for those directions take you up the wrong valley. Where are the directions for getting to heaven? They are right in the Bible. In this same passage, Thomas asks…“Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:5-6 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Are you looking forward to the mansion Jesus is preparing in heaven? Are you getting your heart ready for that day when you will meet Jesus face to face? Remember, Jesus is the Way and He is preparing a place for you! Oh, Jesus. Find me faithful. Forgive my sins and prepare me for heaven someday! Amen.
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)
New King James Version (NKJV)The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.