Forgiven 4:7

Romans 4:7 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  We are the blessed, dear one.  We are the blessed because our Father in heaven forgives us all our sins with the covering of Jesus’ blood on the cross. He no longer sees us as the lost, messed up, broken, bad-choosing, prideful sinners we are — that is washed away by Jesus’ redeeming blood. He sees us as pure children, clothed now in clean robes of white, with hearts clean inside and out, all our thoughts and actions are of Him, we walk in His word and by His Holy Spirit.  We are sheltered under the covering of His wings, like chicks around the mother hen. And any time we want, we can cuddle up safely in His nest, for even the sparrows have a place at His altar. But He does not make us stay there, He allows us to choose to come and go and grow and bring others into HIs family. And lest we wander too far from Him, He calls us back. Oh, dear one, bless the Lord for blessing you with His forgiveness and covering.  Always remember the cross and how Jesus bled and died for you and rose again. And stay close in His Word and prayer always, sheltered under His wings. ❤️ Amen. 

Leviticus 4:7 And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting; and he shall pour the remaining blood of the bull at the base of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.  

Here we see the Gospel story of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  Leviticus 4 describes the sin offerings God ordained for His people Israel. This involved an animal without blemish (4:3) being sacrificed by the anointed priest at the tabernacle, for there was no forgiveness without the shedding of blood.  When Adam and Eve first sinned, God had to shed the first animal blood when He made them coats.  This is God’s Law, it’s how He ordained our purification, and yet still we could not sacrifice enough perfect animals for all our sins. So, God the Father sent His only Son Jesus to come into the world to die for our sins. He had to remain pure and spotless to be the perfect sacrifice. Jesus not only gave His life and shed His blood, He was also the anointed Priest who poured it out and interceded to the Father on our behalf.  And, just as the blood was poured out by the Tabernacle door, Jesus is the Door, the only way to heaven, everyone must enter through Him by accepting His free gift of salvation. And thus, we will all be sheltered under our Father’s Tabernacle forever.  Believe in Jesus, dear one, believe!  Come Lord Jesus, come!  Come Holy Spirit, come!  Come, Emmanuel, come!  ❤️ Amen. 

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.  Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

(See also Psalm 17:8, Psalm 36:7, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 61:4, Psalm 84:3, Psalm 91:4, Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 23:37, John 10:9, John 14:6, Romans 8:1, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 1:20, 1 Peter 1:18-20, Hebrews 9:22, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1:5)

In summer 2022, the Lord called me to write 4:7 Petitions, Prayers, and Proclamations…  I heard the Lord saying, “Pay attention to 4:7!” I started reading every 4:7 verse in the Bible. When there wasn’t a 4:7, I read the closest verse. I used these verses as Prayers, Petitions, and Proclamations to the throne room of Christ our Savior. Bit by bit, I’m sharing them with you, my TEA CUPP Sisters.  Thank you for reading and praying 4:7!  

 

Still Aiming High

Recently, I was saddened to receive from my mom an obituary for a high school classmate who was one year ahead of me. We shared the same first name, ran on the same track and cross country team, and both lived in the north part of town. She had the sweetest smile and was so kind to me, the slower underclassman. Her obituary told of running for a small college in Iowa after high school and setting many records there. Then she went on to serve in the political arena. I wept because there was no mention of church or faith in Jesus Christ. That could have been my story (except for the running records).

We attended high school in a budding midwestern college town called Ames, Iowa. Long run days led us into the countryside where we were surrounded by cornstalks, while easy workout days took us by the local ice cream shop.  At every every pep rally and home game, we proudly sang the school fight song, “Students of Ames Senior High, proud of our school are we, cheering the orange and the black, on to a victory (go-fight-win!), comrades in work and in play, loyal and true are we, doing our best for our high school, Ames High aims high! Ames High aims high! Ames High aims high!

After high school, I walked-on as a cross country runner at Iowa State University where I was the slowest one on the team. Often, as I cried at the end of the line as we ran our 1000 meter repeats, I wished I had gone to a small college where I might have been on the varsity squad. But if I had not been at Iowa State University in 1985, when I lost my beloved cross country team and coaches in a plane crash as they flew home from a second place finish at nationals, I may never have come to a saving faith in Jesus. It was that ISU tragedy that made me run away from God for two years, before the prayers of dear friends brought me back to the feet of my Savior (who washed away all my sins and messes).

It hasn’t been an easy road since the day I gave my life to Jesus, but it is a blessed path and the only highway I want to follow. His straight path leads me to the narrow gate at heaven’s door. He has been beside me each day to encourage me, above me to watch over me, and within me to give me His peace. As I wept for my dear old running friend, I thought of my other classmates who might not have found Jesus after high school, and I long to tell them, there is still time to turn to Him. He is patiently waiting for all His children to come to Him before He returns to this earth. And the signs of the times are pointing to His imminent arrival, with wars and rumors of wars, good being called evil and evil being called good, and a lawlessness the likes of which America has never seen. Jesus is coming soon and I want you to be ready.

Dear one, I invite you TODAY to be one of Jesus’ comrades in work and in play, in service and in prayer. I invite you to live up to our fight song motto of loyalty and truth, for Jesus is our greatest example of this, loyal in giving His life for us on the cross to pay for our sins, loyal in rising again as the first-fruit from the grave, claiming victory over death so that all who believe in His name will have eternal life with Him. And He promises that you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).

Dear classmates, keep aiming high. God tells us in His Word,  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:2-4). And so I follow His path, and I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Please, aim high with me!

And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved… 
Joel 2:32 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: I implore you to keep aiming high by putting your faith in Jesus Christ, He is the way and the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). Jesus came for the Jews first and also for the Gentiles (everyone else!). If you’ve been putting it off, please don’t delay any longer, for none of us knows when we will have our last day on earth. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15 (NKJV)

If you haven’t prayed the sinner’s prayer, please pray with me right now…Dear Jesus, I want to be in your family.  I want to be Your child and be washed clean from all the bad things I’ve done in my life, all the times I didn’t listen to You, all the times I went my own way.  Please scrub away all my selfishness and pride and_______ and everything else I’ve done that is not of You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and be with me each day.  Help me walk on Your straight and narrow path.  I believe You are my Savior who died for my sins. I believe You rose again and are preparing a place for me in heaven. I believe You are the only Way, the only Lord, the only God.  Please help me live as Your child from this moment forward.  Thank you for loving me and dying for me and letting me be in Your family.  In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

That 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)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

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)

…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

Thank you for reading my devotion. If you liked today’s message, you may enjoy reading what I’ve been doing since high school, and my Dear Loved One and Get on the Ark posts. I also encourage you to explore my blog, My TEA CUPP Prayers. My mission is to invite ladies everywhere to TEA with the King of kings, bringing them and all their families into the kingdom of God. I’m still aiming high!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

Prayer Journal Snippet for the USA

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing? Psalm 2:1 (NKJV)

Very often I pray for our nation. My next book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, has a whole section on praying for the USA. As I work to complete this book, you may have noticed I have less time to share posts. But, never fear, I’m still praying and writing! I hope to announce More TEA CUPP Prayers is published before the end of summer. So this week, I share a snippet from today’s ADMIT section of my prayer journal. I used verses that are in the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Won’t you please join me in praying for our nation again and confessing its sins? Thank you, dear one…

Deuteronomy 21:8 ...do not lay innocent blood to the charge of Your people Israel. O Jesus, so many babies have died from abortion, so much innocent blood. Forgive the USA, O Lord, for this horrid sin. Reverse Roe Vs. Wade. May the Supreme Court release their final statement on the Dobbs case and may it be for LIFE! Do this miracle! Keep the pro-life justices steadfast. Guard and protect them. Have mercy on the USA, dear Jesus. Heal our land.

Psalm 108:11 ...and You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Of course not, they aren’t inviting You! They are doing abominations and gay pride. O Jesus, end this pride month! You said right in Genesis that you created us male and female, marriage is for one man and one woman. End this great evil! Forgive the USA and set it back on Your straight and narrow path with Your Laws and leaders and justices. Send a revival across this land and pour out Your Holy Spirit, even upon Zoo Montana in Billings, Montana. Don’t let them host a drag queen story hour on June 22. O Jesus, stop all the evil, forgive our nation for all its sins. Have mercy on Your children, O Lord.

And when we are forgiven and back in Your good favor, all people will know that this was done by Your hand, that You, O Lord, have done it! (Psalm 109:27).

In the name of Jesus I pray, Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will be done.

Amen

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers. If you enjoyed today’s post, you might also like to read Wars and Rumors, Consecrate a Fast, and Every Age Needs Jesus.


News Flash: Hypocrisy Update!

Blessed are those who keep justice,
And he who does righteousness at all times!  Psalm 106:3 (NKJV)

Dear Ones, If you read my post last week entitled Without Hypocrisy, please click on the link below to visit Life Site News and watch the John Henry Weston’s video or read his article.  Life Site News did an awesome job of researching all those medicines and learned that many of them were made before 1973 so they were not tested on aborted babies in their origin.  I think you will be very glad to hear this news and I thank Life Site News for their excellent investigative reporting.  I’m so sorry to have worried you, though perhaps you enjoyed cleaning out your cupboards (such a feeling of accomplishment when the world is spinning out of our control, but not out of God’s!).

https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/ivermectin-hcq-abortion-covid-vaccine/

I encourage you to sign up to receive the daily news from Lifesitenews.com.  They bring you up-to-date information on many life issues, as well as current world events, all from a Christian perspective.  God bless you, dear ladies. Be strong and steadfast! Jesus is coming soon!

…so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.  1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and BODY be PRESERVED BLAMELESS at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Thessalonians 5:23-24

Scripture taken the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

Without Hypocrisy

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NKJV)

For those of us who have been boycotting the covid vaccine, we now have a much longer list to boycott. For many, including me, one problem with the vaccine is its connection to aborted babies. My daughter did me the favor of sending a link to dozens of products that also use aborted fetal tissue in testing, some even for artificial flavorings, she is helping me to not be a hypocrite. And so I want to pass these lists on to you, dear sisters, who strive for holiness and righteousness.

Check out these links for abortion-tainted products. One article, while providing some very useful lists, defends the use of vaccines and all products, because if we give up one, we would have to quit them all.  I say, “Amen, let’s give them all up for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom and His righteousness!”  My dad always use to say, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Therefore, one hundred wrongs do not make a right either! You’ll be surprised to find many common products from Tylenol to Gatorade (which I am now removing from my house) listed here…

http://HEK 293: what are you eating?

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/throughcatholiclenses/2021/01/if-any-drug-tested-on-hek-293-is-immoral-goodbye-modern-medicine/

https://cogforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/fetalproductsall.pdf

https://killuminatisoldiersoftruth.wordpress.com/2021/03/29/abortedbabies/

I equate this issue to the meat sacrificed to idols in the New Testament. The “weaker” believers did not want to eat meat sacrificed to idols, because they knew from whence it came. The “stronger” believers did not feel it was a problem, since the idols were not really gods. But for the sake of the weak or sensitive believers, everyone was to avoid the idol meat. And so it should be with these products, for the sake of all of us who are greatly troubled by these abortion-tainted foods, medicines, and cosmetics, we should avoid them all!

But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake… 1 Corinthians 10:28 (NKJV)

If your pastor is not speaking out about this issue, dear sister, you can be the one to spread the word in your Bible study and prayer group. Ezekiel tells us that the job of the priests is to “teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean” (Ezekiel 44:23). Refuse to participate in the abortion industry and its products. May God be the glory and victory!

How do we get that victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:57). As you read over the lists and are appalled and filled with sorrow as I am, wondering how people could even think of using aborted babies for their products, and how we have enabled them with the use of these products, give it all to Jesus. Let us ask His forgiveness, tell Him how sorry we are, ask Him to wash us clean and help us not to ever bring shame to His Name. Then accept His forgiveness, for there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Dear Sisters, God calls us to love without hypocrisy, to abhor what is evil. I abhor abortion and the evil practice of killing babies and using their little bodies for research. I cling to all that is good: Jesus, life, and babies.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
Psalm 119:1-2 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Keep His commandments, dear sister. Now that we know the list, we can ask for Jesus’ forgiveness, share it with others, and strive to live holy lives in Christ Jesus without these products. Let us not be deceived. Here are more verses to encourage you today…

A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.
Matthew 2:18 (NKJV)

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 (NKJV)

… it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 (NKJV)

In You, O Lord, I put my trust;
Let me never be put to shame.
Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;
Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 71:1-3 (NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. John 16:1-4 (NKJV)

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  Ephesians 4:17-19 (NKJV)

You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.  Psalm 97:10 (NKJV)

If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty,  Leviticus 4:27 (NKJV)

Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.  Psalm 19:12 (NKJV)

 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.  Colossians 2:13-15 (NKJV)

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)

You answered them, O Lord our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.  Psalm 99:8 (NKJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers. If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to check out Steadfast and Stout-hearted and The Only Antidote.

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

The Only Antidote

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:14-15 (NKJV)

Dear Ones, Today I share a heart-felt, timely message which I pray you will share with others. As I write this, the last week of July 2021, over 336 million people have received the experimental covid “vaccine” in the USA. Over 11,000 to 45,000 have died, depending on which article you read, with some estimating several 100,000 unreported or dying from “other causes.” But there is hope.

Many were coerced into receiving the poisonous poke by the media, their employers, family members, or peer pressure, not knowing the deadly side effects. In my small town alone, the obituary section of our paper has increased compared to other summers. One young friend died from a heart attack four days after her shot, and another young person had an emergency appendicitis the evening of his shot. These scenarios are repeated across the country and more are coming. But there is an Antidote.

For death has come through our windows,
Has entered our palaces,
To kill off the children—no longer to be outside!
And the young men—no longer on the streets!
Jeremiah 9:21 (NKJV)

I point no fingers, because I could have been swept up in the vax craze, too. I cook new recipes, trying to improve my heath. I order new vitamins, hoping I will feel better. Last winter I had two rounds of steroid shots in my back to reduce pain, which did absolutely nothing for me, but they were highly recommended by friends and doctors. Such is the case with the new covid “vaccines.”

Only because I heard there was a connection between these shots and aborted babies (and I had gotten very sick the one winter I had a flu shot), God led me to do more research, pointing me to the truth about the covid “vaccines.” I was so saddened by what I learned that I shared the facts on my blog earlier this year in Esther’s Great Calling and Taking Care of the Temple and Sheep to the Slaughter. I even sent Sheep to the Slaughter to my local newspaper, but they didn’t print it.

I was so disappointed that the Church, my church, and so many pro-family, pro-life organizations were not speaking out because of fear or misinformation (though a few did, God bless Father Altman from Wisconsin!). One popular family radio program went so far as to say in a December 2020 broadcast that taking the vaccine is what Jesus meant when He said, “Love thy neighbor.” Now, one of our country’s leaders, who isn’t a follower of Jesus, is repeating that phrase. But the vaccine does not help our neighbors! It does not prevent the spread of disease! It actually weakens your body, resulting in many more covid cases among the vaccinated. No one needs a shot for a disease that has a 99% survival rate, and there are other known cures such as high doses of vitamins. For the unvaccinated, once you catch covid and recover (which there is an almost 100% chance you will!), your natural immunity is the best defense against ever catching it again.

Back to “Love thy neighbor,” I consider babies my neighbors and show my love to them by NOT getting the abortion-tainted vaccine (Romans 12:9, 2 John 6). Jesus said that whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone was hung around his neck and he were throne into the sea (Mark 9:42). And Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, right after saying “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…”, “Do not be conformed to this world…” Would you consider that perhaps God had Paul pen those words for such a time as this?!

What else can you take to keep you healthy? The true health experts recommend Zinc, Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Quercetin. Don’t let loved ones be put on a ventilator, instead try a nebulizer with hydrogen peroxide added to the water. But most importantly, we need to PRAY!

Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Mark 2:17). Dear One, if you already got the vaccine, turn to Jesus. Ask His forgiveness for not knowing its origins or its consequences. Rest in His promises: Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13). Paul says, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). If you live, use your life to tell people about Jesus. If you die, you will live forever in His presence in heaven.

Dear One, if you have not gotten the “vaccine,” don’t get it! Remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). We should have no pride that we did not get if, just thank Jesus for opening our eyes to the truth soon enough to spare us. We must use our lives for His glory, pointing all to the saving love of Jesus Christ. He is the Only Antidote, the One and Only Savior for all the world. Whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, Jesus is the answer!

Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22 (NKJV)

You know, a long time ago the Israelites had the same problem. They had turned away from God, just like the USA is doing today. So God allowed a plague of snakes to come through their camp and bite them. The people cried out to the Lord for help. So God told Moses to make a bronze image of the snake and put it on a pole. Whenever anyone was bitten by a snake, they could look to the bronze image and be saved.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” Numbers 21:8 (NKJV)

Today we don’t have the bronze snake, but we have Jesus, who was also lifted up on a pole, the wooden cross upon which He died for our sins. And now when we find ourselves in a plague, we also can look to Him and be saved.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:14-17 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear One, we all need Jesus! He is the Only Antidote for the vaccine and for all our sins. Read Numbers 21 and John 3 and 1 Corinthians 3:16-19 for further study. Please turn to Jesus today, tell your friends, too, and pray without ceasing for our country…

Your covenant with death will be annulled,
And your agreement with Sheol will not stand…
Isaiah 28:18 (NKJV)

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 (NKJV)

Dear Jesus, I claim this promise against the evil politicians and corrupt vaccine makers. Annul their covenant with death! Save all those who got the vaccine. Turn hearts to You. Make us new bodies in heaven and even here on earth. Be our Antidote, Jesus! Like looking at the snake on the pole, we look to You, Jesus!…Amen

The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.  Jeremiah 18:7-8 (NKJV)

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live.”  Amos 5:4 (NKJV)

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

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)

That 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)

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV)

Resources for Further Research:  Lifesitenews.com, Naturalnews.com, AboveRubies.org, OliveTreeViews.org, and America’s Frontline Doctors.

A friend just shared this prayer with me for people who got the vaccine, you can pray it for them and with them… https://www.freedomencounters.com/wp-content/uploads/PRAYER-and-Letter_Remove-Harmful-Vaccination-Elements.pdf.  It comes from the website: https://www.freedomencounters.com/
 

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

How Many Have We Broken?

Then the Lord delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the Lord had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.  Deuteronomy 9:10 (NKJV)

If God had given the Ten Commandments to Adam and Eve, how many did they break?  You know the story… Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and God told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Adam and Eve are found in Genesis in our Bibles, while the Ten Commandments first appear in the second book, Exodus, so Adam and Eve actually didn’t have these ten rules from God.  Besides God telling them to be fruitful and multiply and to watch over all the living things (Genesis 1:28), His only other command to Adam and Eve was this:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. Genesis 2:17 (NKJV)

When the serpent came and told Eve to eat the fruit, she ate it and gave some to Adam to eat, as well.  But, I wonder, if they had been given the Ten Commandments, which ones would they have broken?

Here are the Ten Commandments as listed in Exodus 20…

  1. You shall have no other gods before Me. Did Adam and Eve make the serpent their God?
  2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
  3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
  4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
  5. Honor your father and your mother. Did Adam and Eve bring dishonor to their Father in heaven when they disobeyed?
  6. You shall not murder. (Their son Cain took care of this one)
  7. You shall not commit adultery.
  8. You shall not steal. Did Adam and Eve steal the forbidden fruit?
  9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Did Adam and Eve try to hide what they had done?
  10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s belongings. Did Adam and Eve covet the fruit?

Looks like Adam and Eve broke at least five of the Ten Commandments. Now let’s look at the track record for the USA…

  1. You shall have no other gods before Me. Sports, Hollywood, money…the list goes on.
  2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.Seems like there are statues everywhere.
  3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Even conservative talk shows take God’s name in vain.  Lord help us!
  4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. How many stores and people don’t keep a Sabbath any more?
  5. Honor your father and your mother. How many kids even live with their fathers and mothers?
  6. You shall not murder. Countless babies are murdered every day by abortion.
  7. You shall not commit adultery. Don’t even want to go there. 
  8. You shall not steal. Crime is rampant.
  9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Even the politicians and judges tell lies.
  10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s belongings. Think we could do this one?

…I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” Romans 7:7 (NKJV)

If Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden for breaking only five out of Ten Commandments, how much more the USA for breaking all Ten Commandments?? No wonder we are hurting!  No wonder every day brings more bad news.  But there is Good News, dear sister in Christ.  For God not only punished Adam and Eve, but He also promised a Savior.  At the very time God gave Adam and Eve their punishment, He gave a promise that from Eve’s Seed would come a Savior to bruise the head of Satan (Genesis 3:15).  That Savior is Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and rose again to eternal life in heaven.  Believe this Good News for yourself and for our country, dear one!

Every day in my Bible readings I find more verses to pray for our nation.  Just think how God could see the future and know that His Word would not only cover Adam and Eve and the Israelites,  but even us today, and also for the end of time.  For our National Day of Prayer, I prayed a prayer based on Isaiah 1.  I invite you to pray this prayer today…

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Dear Father in Heaven, …Our country is desolate, our cities are burned with fire; Strangers devour our land in our presence; and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. …Unless the Lord of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah. O help us hear Your Word, O Lord, you rulers of the USA. Give ear to the law of our God, you people of America. Our hands are full of the blood of unborn babies. Wash us clean, O Lord. We repent and put away all evil, we seek justice, We claim Your promise to make our sins white as snow. May we eat the good of the land again; Protect us from the sword of the enemy, Restore our judges as at the first. May we be called once again the city of righteousness, the faithful city. May we be a beacon of hope to the world. Send a revival across this land, O Jesus, put Your law in the hearts of Your people and be our God, the God of the United States of America. May the dark night be over!  We claim Your promise to help us at the break of dawn. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen.

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all. Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NKJV)

...keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 1 Corinthians 7:19 (NKJV)

Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.  Romans 7:12 (NKJV)

He who despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.  Proverbs 13:13 (NKJV)

And the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall be careful to observe forever… 2 Kings 17:37 (NKJV)

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  Hebrews 8:10 (NKJV)

And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.  Psalm 119:47 (NKJV)

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified!  Psalm 70:4 (NKJV)

Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you.  John 15:10 (NKJV)

(See also Deuteronomy 26:16-17, Deuteronomy 30:8-10, Psalm 119:60, Psalm 119:115, Psalm 119:127, Matthew 5:19, Revelation 22:14, )

Thank you for stopping by My TEA. CUPP Prayers!  If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read Admitting with Eve and USA, Arise, Come Forth!

Scripture taken the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

The Double Search

…To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God… Mark 4:11 (NKJV)

I grew up in a family that loved mystery stories, from reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, to playing the game of Clue, to sitting around the living room as my daddy read Sherlock Holmes. There is something about a mystery that enthralls us…the problem, the bad guys, and the search for clues.  More exciting perhaps than the conclusion is the actual search.  My friends, every time we open our Bibles, we are detectives on the path of a mystery.  Each day as we open God’s Word and pray, He shows us another clue.  And the neat thing is, it’s really a double search, for God searches our hearts as we search His Word.

Every morning, I rise early, pour myself a cup of tea, and sit down in the corner of my sofa with my Bible and Jesus. I pray Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” And I let Jesus speak first as I sip my tea and search His Word.  And, do you know what He shows me in His law?  He often shows me where I fall short, how I have erred, where there is sin in my life.  These sins are the “bad guys” in our life stories.

One of the first verses I learned to pray for admitting my sins was Psalm 139:23-24…

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24. (NKJV)

I would pray that verse every day, asking forgiveness for anything amiss that He showed me in my heart.  Since those early prayers, I’ve prayed many other verses, too, but “Search me, O God, and know my heart” remains a favorite. After He shows me my sins and I confess them, I pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10), and I claim Jesus’ promise in Luke 7:48, “Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.  Psalm 19:12 (NKJV)

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.  Psalm 26:2 (NKJV)

I continue to read and search God’s Word for more wonderful verses about our Lord, about what He’s calling me to do, and about the promises He has for us.  Of course, there is a treasure at the end of every search.

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

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Ones, I encourage YOU to join in this Double Search with Jesus each day! “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). For, “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God” (Psalm 14:2).

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
Psalm 139:1-2 (NKJV)

Would not God search this out?
For He knows the secrets of the heart.  Psalm 44:21 (NKJV)

…for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NKJV)

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
Proverbs 20:27 (NKJV)

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV)

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Washed Clean Like Mary Magdalene

 This week, I continue sharing keynote chapters from my next book, More TEA CUPP Prayers (Thank you for your prayers for me to finish it!). Each weekly devotion is focused on a Bible lady to draw you into your prayer time with Jesus.  I pray these are a blessing for you!

And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons. Luke 8:2 (NKJV)

Seven.  Can you imagine it? Seven demons inside you? That’s how many Mary Magdalene had.  Perhaps you have had a rough life and a taste of Mary Magdalene’s demons.  Or, maybe there is just one demon that keeps coming back to visit, like a bad habit that won’t go away… anger, lust, greed, pride, selfishness, unforgiveness… there are so many.   

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.  2 Timothy 3:2-4 (NKJV)

We all struggle with sin, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Whether it’s pride or anger or bitterness or a loose tongue or any of the ones listed in these verses… we all have a “demon” we need Jesus to wash away.  My friends, this is what the “A” part of My TEA CUPP is all about, ADMITTING those sins to Jesus and asking Him to wash us clean.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Colossians 3:5-6 (NKJV)

The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly how and when Jesus sent the demons packing from Mary, it just tells us He did.  Jesus loved Mary Magdalene so much before she even knew Him. After her cleansing, she was with the disciples, following Jesus, weeping at the cross and tomb, and welcoming the Risen Lord Jesus from the grave first! (Matt. 27:56, 27:61, Mark 15:40, 15:47, Luke 8:1-2, John 19:25)

If you’ve been watching the popular new Christian show, The Chosen, you have met Mary Magdalene and love her and her story.  In The Chosen, the healing of Mary is one of Jesus’ first miracles. She continued to follow Jesus with the disciples each day.  Our Bibles pick up her story at the cross where Mary looked on from afar with other ladies. 

There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome.  Mark 15:40 (NKJV)

Mary followed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus when they laid Jesus in the tomb and rolled the stone to cover the entrance. Then she went home for the Sabbath.  But early Sunday morning, she came again to the tomb, hoping to anoint Jesus’ body with oil, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.  Mary cried out to the “gardener,” “Where have you put him?”  And the “gardener” replied, “Mary.”  Then she knew that Jesus was alive and ran to tell the disciples!  Mary Magdalene was the first witness of our Risen Lord!  (Matt. 28:1, Mark 16:1, 16:9, Luke 24:10, John 20:1, 20:11, 20:18)

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.  Mark 16:9 (NKJV)

My friend, there is help for us when the demons come knocking.  I know, for they try to visit me, too. They have names like “doubt” and “worry” and “eating disorder” and “accuser” — “You did the wrong thing, You said the wrong thing, You ate too much, Nothing will work out for you.”  And I cry out to Jesus, and He reminds me not to doubt, not to worry and that there is therefore NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  He washes away our sins and doubts and worries and throws them into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).  He says, “Daughter, Your sins are forgiven (Luke 7:48).” And He fills us with HIs Holy Spirit so there is no room for the enemy.  For some there are very scary demons that cause dear ladies to hurt themselves.  In the name of Jesus Christ, I hereby proclaim, come out!  Be healed, dear daughter of the King! 

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Read Mark 5:1-20 for another person who had 2000 demons! Read Romans 1:28-32 for another list of sins that hurt us. Oh, sister in Christ, I want for you what Jesus did for Mary Magdalene.  JESUS LOVES YOU, TOO! We cannot have too many sins for Jesus to save us. Give Him your “demons” by confessing your sins.  Jesus died for those sins on the cross and rose again for you. Let Him wash you clean and fill you with His Holy Spirit. Then follow Him all your days as did Mary Magdalene. 

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.  John 20:18 (NKJV)

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. Mark 7:21-22 (NKJV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10 (NKJV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15 (NKJV)

And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.  Acts 22:16 (NKJV)

My dear ones, the time is NOW to confess the sins of our nation, too.  Things are getting worse by the minute with more directives to kill innocent babies.  Other horrors are being done, as well.  Cry out to the God of heaven to have mercy on this land, to open hearts, to forgive our sins, to save the lost, to heal our land, to pour out His Holy Spirit, and to send a revival.  Come Lord Jesus, come! Amen.

…O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Daniel 9:4-5 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Return to Jesus

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NKJV)

Dear Friends, God has put something heavy upon my heart to share with you.  As Christians, we are called to be His ambassadors, taking the Good News of His salvation to the lost.  I plead with you, I implore you, be reconciled to God through the saving work of His Son Jesus who died for your sins.  

We live in a broken world, the evidence is all around us…aborting babies, riots, evil being called good, good being called evil, plagues, hurricanes, forest fires… the list goes on.  When God first created the world it was good, but then satan the snake tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.  Eve shared it with Adam and our world hasn’t been the same since. God had to kick Adam and Eve out of His perfect garden and lock the gate because of their sin.

But God made a way to make things right again.  As the prophets foretold, He sent His only Son Jesus, who never sinned, to take on the sin of all the world.  Jesus died a very painful death, bearing all those sins because He loves us.  But that’s not the end of the story.  On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave, conquering sin and death forever and opening to all who believe in Him the gates of heaven and eternal life.  My friends, this is a free gift that we must accept NOW.  Now is the acceptable time, today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2).

Return to Jesus with all your heart and soul and might.  Ask for His forgiveness. Accept His free gift of salvation.  Fill your heart with His Holy Spirit and Word by reading your Bible every day.  Tell others about Jesus, being an ambassador for Him.

There is a movement called The Return which I want you to check out.  Dedicated Christians have been planning this event for months. Though it may be smaller because of the COVID19 restrictions, our prayers can be BIGGER because we serve an awesome God who can do amazingly more than all we ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20).  The event runs September 18-28, with September 26 being the big day, but our prayers can continue 40 days to the election and even beyond.  Please check out the link above and invite others to join us in prayer for our nation.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Hosea 14. If you haven’t prayed the sinners prayer, please pray with me right now…Dear Jesus, I want to be in your family.  I want to be Your child and be washed clean from all the bad things I’ve done in my life, all the times I didn’t listen to You, all the times I went my own way.  Please scrub away all my selfishness and pride and everything else I’ve done that is not of You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and be with me each day.  Help me walk on Your straight and narrow path.  I believe You are my Savior who died for my sins. I believe You rose again and are preparing a place for me in heaven. I believe You are the only Way, the only Lord, the only God.  Please help me live as Your daughter from this moment forward.  Thank you for loving me and dying for me and letting me be in Your family.  In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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

…for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him. 2 Chronicles 30:9 (NKJV)

If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
You will remove iniquity far from your tents.  Job 22:23 (NKJV)

Yet when they returned and cried out to You,
You heard from heaven;
And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies. Nehemiah 9:28 (NKJV)

So you, by the help of your God, return;
Observe mercy and justice,
And wait on your God continually.  Hosea 12:6 (NKJV)

So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm. Joel 2:13 (NKJV)

Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 1:3 (NKJV)

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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

P.S. Please keep praying for THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming.  

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982