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Tea and Tears

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Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,  Luke 19:41 (NKJV)

God’s tears are greater than our tears.  That thought has been on my mind a lot lately, especially today with the current turmoil surrounding Israel. In early 2020, just before our granddaughter was diagnosed with cancer and the world came down with covid, I shared an exalting devotion entitled “Greater Than.” We looked at how the Lord God is greater than all, not knowing the trials and tribulations that lay before us. Many of you went through sorrows in these recent years, too. Today I want to assure you that the Lord is still greater than all!

For I know that the Lord is great,
And our Lord is above all gods. Psalm 135:5 (NKJV)

Yes, He is still greater than all, specifically, His tears are greater than our tears. I wanted to weep about cancer and covid, about loved ones dying, about losing our home and belongings, about continuing to feel sick from mold, about wars and harm to children… Jesus cares about each one of these heartaches and has a plan to make each one right (Romans 8:28). But as He holds me in His everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27), He shows me His tears are much greater than my tears.

 Oh, that my grief were fully weighed,
And my calamity laid with it on the scales!  Job 6:2 (NKJV) (God’s grief would weigh more!)

 I searched His word to find out if this is true. And sure enough, it is! Consider how the Lord God made this beautiful world in Genesis 1 and 2 of our Bibles.  In the very next chapter, Genesis 3, the people made in His image listened to the serpent and fell into sin. They were kicked out of the Garden of Eden and it was all downhill from there. Adam and Eve’s son Cain killed their other son Abel. The world became so evil that the Lord God told righteous Noah to build an ark to save his family. Finally, when the ark was completed, God sent the animals and closed the door, and His tears gushed and gushed from God’s eyes, as He watched His world, His beautiful world, be washed away; with only Noah and his family and animals safe in the ark.

And His tears poured down like the rain before the mowing.

And His tears washed all our sins away.

And His tears flowed out like a river of living water,

Flowing from the throne of God.

The Lord thought He would try again with Noah’s family.  But still, they devised to do evil.  Noah’s son Ham had a descendant named Nimrod who led people to build a tower to reach the heavens.  The Lord stopped the construction by scrambling all the languages.  Finally, the Lord found one person who was faithful to be His friend, a man named Abraham.  So, the Lord chose Abraham’s family to be His children.  But even this turned into heartbreak for our dear Lord.

You remember the amazing story of how the Lord rescued His children from Pharoah in Egypt, with ten plagues, a mighty hand and an outstretched arm?  The Lord was what our grandson would call a super hero, swooping in to rescue over two million people.  He continued to display His strength by parting the Red Sea and bringing water from the rock. But Abraham’s children had very short memories, grumbling, complaining and turning from God.

He chose Abraham’s children as the apple of His eye

And bore them up on eagle’s wings.

He brought them out of slavery.

He walked them through the sea.

And He gave Moses a song to sing.

Imagine, after going to such miraculous lengths to claim your bride, and she stands you up at the altar! Bible teacher Kenny Russell calls this “God’s first wedding.” When I thought about how the Lord must have felt, it brought tears to my eyes, too, and sorrow for all the times I’ve made Him sad.  (But that’s why He sent Jesus to forgive us and give the whole world the invitation to be His bride).

Let’s look at that first wedding.  As old-fashioned marriages often were, the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were promised to Father God in Genesis 12 and 15, long before they were born. Exodus 1–11 may be considered the courtship as the Lord God showed His strength to His people. Exodus 12–14 tells how He swept them off their feet, adorning them with fine jewelry. Exodus 15 was their love song, while Exodus 16–17 describes the “flowers and chocolates.” Finally, in Exodus 19–20, 23–24, we read the wedding vows, as God affirmed His covenant and Israel said, “I do” to the marriage proposal. Exodus 24:7 depicts the Bachelor party on the mountain. Then Moses went to the Courthouse at the top of the mountain to get the marriage certificate. In Exodus 26, the Groom prepared His house, giving instructions to Moses for the intricate design of the Tabernacle. Its courtyard would be for the continual remembrance of the Covenant. In Exodus 31, God gave Moses the official Wedding Covenant (10 Commandments). But in Exodus 32, the new bride couldn’t wait for her Husband, and played the harlot, building a golden calf.

But when Moses was on the mountain

Receiving God’s commands,

God’s children were down below

Building an idol in the sand.

“Get down and stop your people!”

the Lord cried out in pain,

And Moses ran as God’s tears began to rain.

“I was crushed by their adulterous heart,” the Lord described His pain years later in Ezekiel 6:9. See how the Lord is heartbroken when we go after idols instead of Him. It hurts Him so much. No wonder His tears flow down like rivers! Ezekiel 8 tells how grieved the Lord was over the abominations of the priests and elders. What they did in the dark was brought to light. We are all guilty of causing the Lord pain and tears. We must repent and turn to Jesus for forgiveness, remembering that judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). Dear one, Jesus willingly went to the cross for our sins, He shed tears and blood as He prayed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane, and He bore the pain of the stripes and the cross just to redeem us. Now that is love.

Jesus came to heal our broken hearts

And set the captives free.

He came to open our deaf ears

And cause the blind to see.

Jesus came to love us

And show us His Father’s plan.

And He came to die a sinner’s death

Though He was a sinless man.

One day I was driving home from one of my many doctor appointments.  (I’m like the lady from the gospels who has spent all her livelihood on physicians and been healed by none.)  I was so sad, feeling sick and unloved. There were some tall trees by a creek in a distant field. So, I began to sing,

If I could have tea with my very Best Friend,

I’d sit on the grass by that tree.

He’d tell me how He created this world,

And how He came to die for me.

As I approached our temporary home, drops of rain started to splatter my windshield and I continued to sing, “And His tears poured down like the rain before the mowing, and His tears washed all our sins away…”  And “My Tear Song” was born.  For weeks, months, and even a couple years, whenever driving alone or taking a shower, the Lord gave me another verse to this song. It is a love song. It is God’s story in the Bible. And it is a prayer and prophecy for a Living–Water–Holy–Spirit–Pour–Down–Revival across this land!  Next time I will share “My Tear Song”with you.  Because His tears are truly greater than all our tears.  Until then, God bless you, dear sister in Christ.

With His love,

Jennifer Grace

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.  Psalm 34:18 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Joseph wept, too! As I read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–40 again this year, it struck me how often Joseph wept. So, I prayed this prayer to the Lord:  “O Lord Jesus, I see You in Joseph’s story. You are the Good Shepherd of Your Father’s sheep. Your Father loves You. Your brothers hated You. Someday every knee will bow on heaven and earth to You. You reign and have dominion over all creation. Your Father sent You to help us. You came willingly. Your people conspired to kill You. They took Your robe. You were put in a tomb, but God raised You up. Blood was on Your coat. Your Father wept. And His tears poured down like the rain before the mowing. Abba Father/Dearest Lord Jesus, be glorified in Joseph’s story, in every rain storm, and in every tear cried today. Wash this world anew with your Living Water. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

They waited for me as for the rain,
And they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain. Job 29:23 (NKJV)

You visit the earth and water it,
You greatly enrich it;
The river of God is full of water;
You provide their grain,
For so You have prepared it. Psalm 65:9 (NKJV)

 Oh, that my head were waters,
And my eyes a fountain of tears,
That I might weep day and night
For the slain of the daughter of my people! Jeremiah 9:1 (NKJV)

I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.  Ezekiel 34:26 (NKJV)

 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” John 20:15 (NKJV)

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. Revelation 7:17 (NKJV)

 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1 (NKJV)

  (See also Numbers 14:1; 1Samuel 12:16–18; 2Samuel 23:4; 1Kings 8:36, 18:1, 18:41, 18:45; Job 5:10, 11:16, 28:26, 36:24–33; Psalm 1:3, 6:6, 8:1–5, 22:14, 27:4, 33:6, 65:9, 66:5–6, 68:8–9, 69:30, 77:16–20, 78:4, 98:1, 102:25, 119:136, 147:8; Proverbs 3:19–20, 14:27, 16:15; Ezekiel 20:6–8, 47; Hosea 10:12; Joel 2:23, 3:18; Zechariah 13:1; 14:8-9; Luke 7:38; John 4:10, 16:20, 16:22, 20:11; Ephesians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; James 5:18; Revelation 14:7, 21:6)

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

For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.) Numbers 27:14 (NKJV) Let’s remember to hallow the Lord Jesus as He pours down His Living Water!

 

 

Sprouted Oat Pancakes

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…“You give them something to eat.”… Mark 6:37 (NKJV)

I love this verse that Jesus told His disciples, “You give them something to eat.”  Jesus reminds me to not grow weary while doing good, to keep feeding my family, and to keep inviting ladies to tea with the King of kings.

Often on the Sabbath day, we have more time in the mornings, and like to make pancakes for breakfast.  We’ve tried several gluten-free recipes and found these sprouted oat flour pancakes to be delicious. They turn out fluffy, too!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups sprouted oat flour (we use One Degree)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tarter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup almond or goat’s milk
  • 2 fresh eggs
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (optional, or use sugar substitute)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • Butter or coconut oil for frying

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl (flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, and salt).  Mix wet ingredients in another bowl (milk, eggs, maple syrup, and lemon juice).  Pour the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients and mix until blended.  Heat griddle or frying pan to medium-high. Melt butter or coconut oil in pan.  Use a 1/3 cup measure to scoop batter onto the frying pan.  Fry a minute or two on each side until golden brown.  Turn down the heat under the pan if it gets too hot.  Serve with more maple syrup, blueberries, or apricot fruit spread. Makes approximately 15 medium pancakes.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Matthew 24:45–46 (NKJV)

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

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

Fall Harvest

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Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:38 (NKJV)

As expected, the cold and snow came to Montana a few weekends ago, bringing an end to our beloved flower garden. With tears I cleaned up the wilted plants. But then I thought of Jonah who wept for a tree, when there were over 120,000 lost souls in Nineveh (Jonah 4:10–11)! I cannot weep for the plants that will grow again next year, when there are souls who have only one life to accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior and harvest time is coming soon!

Just as the pumpkins are gathered after the vines wilt; just as the corn sits in the fields awaiting the combine; so a harvest is coming upon the people of this earth. Jesus proclaimed, “Look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35) Jesus also instructed us to pray for laborers to go forth into the harvest with Him (Luke 10:2). Let’s say those prayers and be those laborers, taking the gospel to our friends and family!

Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2 (NKJV)

Jesus painted many pictures of this harvest. He compared it to separating sheep on His right and goats on His left (Matthew 25:31–33). He said it’s like sifting wheat kernels from the chaff (Psalm 1:4, Luke 3:17) or wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:30). Jesus compared the wicked to grapes being trampled in the winepress of His wrath (Revelation 14:19).  Where do we want to be on that day?  We want to be His sheep on the right, safe under the shadow of His wings with all our loved ones, far away from the chaff, tares and trampled winepress.

His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire. Luke 3:17 (NKJV)

How can we make sure we are the good wheat and not the chaff?  How can we be certain we are saved?  As Paul said to the jailer who asked him that very question, “Believe on Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved both you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47 (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.  John 3:16 (NKJV)

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40 (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)

And when this harvest comes someday, we will be both in the saved sheaves of wheat, and helping Jesus gather sheaves of grain!  Think about it! The person who led us to Christ will be gathering her sheaves and we will be in them.  And we will be gathering sheaves of those we led to Christ. And all of us in all our sheaves will gather around the throne of our Lord Jesus. And just as the sheaves bowed to Joseph so long ago (Genesis 37:7), we will bow and worship the Lord!  HalleluYAH!

…He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor. Micah 4:12 (NKJV)

So now instead of weeping that the summer flowers have ended, I can join the trees in their beautiful praise of colors.  As the wind blows the leaves, I can clap my hands for the Creator.  And when those leaves fall to the ground, and I crunch them underfoot, I smell the scent of autumn that takes me back to my cross-country running days, a time in my life when I lost everything so I could gain heaven.

He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Matthew 13. How can you prepare for the upcoming fall harvest? Ask Jesus to be your Savior and then go tell a friend. Consider a short-term mission or helping at your local food bank.  Ask your pastor how you can help.  And someday, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves! 

Lyrics for two beautiful harvest hymns: Bringing in the Sheaves, and Harvest Time

Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord,
Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (NKJV)

…he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 1 Corinthians 9:10 (NKJV)

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7 (NKJV)

(Take some time to read a few of these harvest verses and parables this week: Genesis 1:11–13, 8:22; Ruth 2; Psalm 1:4, 65:9–13, 107:37, 129:5–7; Isaiah 28:23–29; Jeremiah 15:7; Joel 3:13; Matthew 3:10–12, 10:22, 13, 15:13; Mark 4:3–9, 4:26–29; Luke 3:9, 8:4–15, 13:6–19; John 4:34–38, 11:25–26, 15:6; 1Corinthians 9:8–12; 2Corinthians 9:6, 9:10; Galatians 6:8–9; 2 Timothy 2:6; Revelation 14:14­–20, 19:15)

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

The Flowers Fade

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The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)

As we enter October and the weatherman predicts snow this weekend, I know my time caring for flowers this year is drawing to a close. One of the highlights of my summer was tending a friend’s flower garden.  In May, we carefully planted each seed and seedling. In June, we covered the little plants when threats of frost continued. In July, we poured on extra water as the temperatures rose higher. And in August, we began cutting bouquets. 

The “big as the moon” golden dahlias grew from starfish-shaped tubers shipped all the way from Holland. The ever-bearing cosmos shined forth with purples and pinks. The colorful zinnias towered beyond our expectations as they came from a tiny packet of Ace Hardware seeds.  And the sunny greenhouse marigolds, cheerfully lined the edges, unconcerned that they were shorter than the others. 

Throughout the days and weeks, I trimmed off the old blooms with a handy pair of Fisckers nippers. Even when I didn’t feel well, a trip to the garden to trim flowers always brightened my day. And as September rolled in with golden leaves on the trees, the flowers still bravely bloomed and I kept trimming. I have to say that this year, the flower garden was my second favorite time of the day, the first being my tea time with Jesus.  In the garden you can forget your troubles and the troubles of this world, or you can lift each one in prayer to the Father up above.  A poet wrote these lines long ago: One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth (Dorothy Frances Gurney).

Every time I trimmed the fading blooms, the verse my husband reads every week for home church went through my mind: The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.  Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in the heaven!  Even as these flowers fade this fall, your Word is forever in the heaven.  And I need not be sad with the killing frost comes, for Your Word promises there will always be winter and summer, seedtime and harvest for as long as the earth remains. (see Isaiah 40:8, Psalm 119:89, Genesis 8:22)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your forever Word! Thank You, for Your forever promises.  Thank You, Father, for creating this world with beautiful flowers. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to be our Savior, to shed Your blood for our sins, to die on the cross, and to rise again to eternal life that we may live in heaven with You someday!  Your Word and promises are more beautiful than these flowers You created!  I love You, Lord Jesus!

He has made everything beautiful in its time… Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)

Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.  Psalm 119:89 (NKJV)

While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.  Genesis 8:22 (NKJV)

…All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
But the word of the Lord endures forever.… 1 Peter:24–25 (NKJV)

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

 

More Tea Cupp Prayers, the book

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But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV)

All glory to Jesus, my Treasure! It’s finally here for you, More TEA CUPP Prayers, my third devotional book, packed with even more Bible verses and stories to draw ladies closer to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

More TEA CUPP Prayers has a Treasure to share:

“I had the Treasure but they didn’t know it. I wanted to give them the Treasure but they didn’t ask. They seemed to be content with their own treasures but I knew I had the best One. I pray they will find the Treasure.”

More TEA CUPP Prayers is an invitation to a Wedding:

“Come to the wedding! Dear sister, the wedding of all eternity is coming soon and you are invited! Jesus is making the crowning preparations right now, putting the finishing touches on His mansions, watering His garden of fruit trees, sending out the final invitations, praying for us as He anticipates the Day He will come to marry His bride, the Church.”

Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding. Matthew 22:9 (NKJV)

More TEA CUPP Prayers is Cries of a Grandma’s heart:

“Talitha, cumi. Talitha, cumi. Talitha, cumi.” Over and over, I prayed for my granddaughter as I worked all day. “Talitha, cumi. Little girl, arise.” Just as Jesus spoke to the daughter of Jairus in Mark 5 and she arose and had something to eat, I wanted that for Kennedy who at just short of 4 years of age had T-cell lymphoma cancer and could only sit on the sofa after weeks of treatments. I felt as Jairus did, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live” (Mark 5:23).

More TEA CUPP Prayers is ladies spending time with Jesus each day:

“Good Morning, Jesus…I peek around the gate and see You and Your Father on thrones… at first, I take timid steps, knowing I’m welcome because of Your work and blood You shed for me on the cross… but still I’m a little shy, perhaps You might be busy… like when my earthly Daddy was in his study preparing a lecture for his biophysics students… yet he was always glad to see me, and even more so are You… and so, I run boldly across the glimmering floor to Your throne of grace and jump into Your lap and say, “Father, I love You! Thank you for sending Your Son to die for my sins and all the world… thank You for taking care of us each day… You have kept us safe and given us praying friends… we have food and clothing and beds and a roof… and we trust You for the future… thank You, dearest Father for all Your blessings… thank You Jesus for the home You are preparing for us and the healing You are doing in our bodies… thank You for Your Word… open my eyes now that I may see wonderful things in Your Word and Law…”

“And so, begins another morning with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… dear sister, won’t you please join me? Come for TEA! Come to the Wedding! Come share in the Treasure! Come Home!”

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38

More TEA CUPP Prayers is More:

More TEA CUPP Prayers invites you to an even richer blend of TEA, Bible verses, and devotions.  Be prepared to have your CUPP and heart overflowing with the Word of God: More thanksgiving, More exalting, More admitting, More calling, More understanding, More promises, More petitions, More devotions, More stories, More Bible verses, More tears, More prayers, More hope, More TEA time with Jesus, More ladies coming daily to the throne of God and bearing More fruit for His Kingdom, and More glory to God! Come to TEA, dear sister!

More TEA CUPP Prayers is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon Press, or by contacting Jennifer Grace.

Faithful Fasting Facts

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…then they will fast in those days.  Luke 5:35 (NKJV)

I haven’t talked about fasting for a while on this website, though it goes hand in hand with prayer. In My Tea Cupp Prayers I wrote about “Just Tea, No Cookies.” And in More Tea Cupp Prayers, I share the “Empty Plate” devotion. But I remember way back when I first started fasting, I had lots of questions and no answers because churches don’t always talk about it. I’m reminded of fasting every year when I read the book of Esther.

There are so many other examples of fasting in the Bible: Moses fasted on the mountain. Elijah fasted in despair. The people of Ezra proclaimed a fast by the River Ahava. Nehemiah was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nineveh fasted when they heard Jonah’s prophecy. Jesus fasted in the wilderness. Paul began his ministry with a fast. Cornelius was fasting when God called Peter to him. All the Jews were called to fast yearly on the Day of Atonement. And many others fasted, as well (Exodus 34:28; Leviticus 23:27–28; Numbers 29:7; 1 Kings 19:8; Jonah 3:5–10; Ezra 8:21; Nehemiah 1:4; Matthew 4:2; Acts 9:9, Acts 10:30–31).

…I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4 (NKJV)

Today I have a video for you that explains fasting in a clear and concise way, the best I have ever heard.  This fasting video is made by a dear sister of a dear friend. Her name is Terri and she is battling cancer. Please pray for Terri and take notes as she shares her well-researched fasting tips and information. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJa6Lkwxgg&t=2s]

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Read Isaiah 58.  Please fast and pray today for Terri and all who are suffering a major health crisis. Make fasting a monthly part of your prayer journey.  The Lord will draw near to you as you draw near to Him!  

p.s.  If you liked today’s post, you may also enjoy The Fasting TEA CUPP.  

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you… James 4:8 (NKJV)

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  Matthew 6:17–18 (NKJV)

When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting,
That became my reproach. Psalm 69:10 (NKJV)

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)

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

The Adventure Continues

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Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 36:5 (NKJV)

Our pop-up camper holds a notebook entitled “Pop-up Camper Journal.” We started the journal when we first bought the used camper in 2021 during covid so we could visit our granddaughter with cancer.  The journal is inspired by my dad who always kept a detailed journal of our family vacations and also by my scrapbooking hobby.  It contains photos from places we’ve visited, notes about our activities, pictures of family, nature sketches, camp ground maps, etc.  Nothing fancy, just a school notebook and handwriting that often looks like we were driving over a bumpy road when I journaled.  But it’s a record of God’s faithfulness.

But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more. Psalm 71:14 (NKJV)

As I read through the journal the other day, I saw how Jesus brought us through covid and Kennedy’s cancer, letting us take the camper to Wisconsin in 2022 to watch her ring the cancer-free bell.  I see how Jesus has helped us celebrate anniversaries even when plagues, cancer, and homelessness have touched our lives.  I read how He took us to Iowa to plant a tree in memory of my Daddy whose journals I long to emulate.  And how we took a special birthday cake all the way from Montana to Iowa to celebrate my father-in-law’s 90th birthday.  And how we moved my husband’s parents to Montana.  The journal shows me how God knew our needs in advance and provided this travel trailer for when we would be homeless.  Little did we know we would have to learn to live in it full time! 

All this has come upon us;
But we have not forgotten You,
Nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant.
Our heart has not turned back,
Nor have our steps departed from Your way;  Psalm 44:17–18 (NKJV)

Many of you know that in the fall of 2022 our home was condemned, full of mold.  We had to toss most of our belongings and seek a new home.  Ever since, we’ve been bouncing around between guest houses in winter and campers in summer.  The first summer we were in a borrowed camper with a restroom.  That was a blessing!  The second summer we stayed in our pop-up camper and moved from place to place as friends needed house-sitters.  2025 is our third summer and we are again in the pop-up camper, but trying not to move too often.  We received a discount to stay at the KOA for a month where there are fun activities for our son, restrooms, showers, laundry, and a campfire ring!  We have campfires and s’mores often and are making the most of what we hope will be our last camping summer. 

For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.  Psalm 66:10–11 INKJV)

The first summer in the borrowed camper, we felt sure God would answer our prayers for a home by the end of summer. The second summer in our own pop-up was much more difficult, with anger and despair visiting often.  But this summer we are laughing with God (Psalm 59:8) at the enemy as we continue to trust Him to provide a home.  We’ve looked at many houses and have a few possibilities. Thank you for joining us in prayer that one will work out for us, the one the Lord has prepared.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He has mercy on us. Psalm 123:2 (NKJV)

Some of you may remember a devotion in My TEA CUPP Prayers entitled, “Jesus is My House Hunter.”  I hadn’t thought about it until I was flipping through a copy of the book before giving it to a new friend from the KOA.  The Lord has been testing me to see if I really believe what I wrote!  Yes, Lord Jesus, You are Yehovah Jireh, my provider!  Our God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus!  Thanks be to God!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2–3 (NKJV)

Throughout our mold and camper journey, the Lord has helped me persevere on my next book, More TEA CUPP Prayers.  I’m happy to say it is back at the publisher after several rounds of corrections and I hope it will be out to you very soon!  May it bring more ladies to morning TEA, more glory to Jesus, and more fruit for His kingdom!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  The other day we went to church with our son Kevin and his new wife Noël. Their church shared this worship song. It blessed me and I pray it will bless you, too!  (If it doesn’t come through on your feed, go to Youtube and search for CityAlight – He Will Be)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:6–8 (NKJV)

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

Celebrating Bible Moms

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…Deborah, arose,
Arose a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7 (NKJV)

In honor of mothers and the celebration of Mother’s Day, it’s fitting that we should visit a few more Special Bible Ladies today. We can celebrate these ladies as we honor our own dear mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and neighbors. 🌺

 

Let’s celebrate Miriam and her mother, Jochebed:

And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. Exodus 2:4 (NKJV)

When I think of Miriam, I imagine a little girl of about five or six years old, as she was often depicted in Sunday School stories. I see her clinging to the skirts of her mother, Jochebed, anxious for her baby brother Moses’ safety.  You are likely familiar with the story.  Pharoah had proclaimed that all the Hebrew baby boys should be drowned in the Nile River. Miriam’s mother just couldn’t do this to her little baby, so she hid him for three months.  When he was too big to hide any longer, she made a basket of reeds lined with pitch. She put Moses in the basket and set him afloat in the Nile River. Big sister Miriam watched from behind a bush on the shore.  When Pharoah’s daughter found baby Moses, Miriam bravely ran forward to ask if she needed a nurse for the baby (Exodus 2:7). Pharoah’s daughter accepted her offer, so Miriam ran to bring her own mother to nurse baby Moses for the Pharoah’s daughter.  When Miriam and Moses and brother Aaron grew up, they never forgot their relationship.  Aaron was Moses’ mouthpiece and high priest for Israel.  After the crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam led the Israelites in singing and praising God. I love how Miriam, Jochebed, and the Pharoah’s daughter all stood up for LIFE of this baby who would one day lead God’s people. All three are special Bible ladies to be celebrated. (See also Numbers 26:59, Exodus 6:20, Hebrews 11:23)

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them:

“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!” Exodus 15:20-21 (NKJV)

 

Dear Lord Jesus, help me stand up for the LIFE of babies like Miriam and her mother, Jochebed, and even like Pharoah’s daughter who adopted Moses. I claim your promise to triumph over the enemy.  Help me praise You always as Miriam did.

Let’s celebrate Abigail whose wisdom saved her household:

The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb. 1 Samuel 25:3 (NKJV)

We meet Abigail in 1 Samuel 25.  Her husband, Nabal, was having a sheep-shearing party.  His shepherds had returned with their sheep unharmed because of the protection of David and his men in the field.  I imagine David had a heart for shepherds because he was one once, too.  (And the Son of David, Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd.) When David heard that Nabal was having a party, he sent some of his men to ask for food. But Nabal turned them away empty-handed.  This made David so angry, he took 400 men to do vengeance upon Nabal.  When the shepherds told Abigail, she quickly loaded donkeys with food fit for a king and took it all to David and his men. She even dismounted her own donkey and fell down before David, begging forgiveness for her household.  David accepted her gift and turned back from harming Nabal.  After the Lord struck Nabal and he died, David invited Abigail to be his wife.  Abigail was mother to David’s second son, Chileab (1 Chronicles 3:3). 

How Abigail washed David and his men’s feet was symbolic, for one day David’s seed Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and told them to go and do likewise. Abigail saved David from avenging himself (1 Samuel 25:26) and making himself a fool like Nabal. David was called to fight for Israel not himself. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Abigail gets credit for saving David from this disaster.

Dear Lord Jesus, give me Your understanding and make me beautiful inside to shine out to others and wash feet like Abigail!

Let’s celebrate Timothy’s faithful mom and grandma:

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.  2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)

We don’t know too much about Timothy’s mom Eunice and grandmother Lois.  We first meet Timothy in Acts 16:1. Paul took Timothy in hand to be his missionary companion. Later, when writing to Timothy, Paul set out to encourage him by reminding him of the faith of his mom and grandma.  Because of his grandma’s faith, his mom had faith. And because of his mom’s faith, Timothy had faith in the Lord Jesus.  And you, dear one, have faith, too! Jesus said that if we have faith like a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20)!   

Dear Lord Jesus, give me mountain-moving faith like Timothy’s mom and grandma.  May our children and grandchildren follow our example and seek You as Timothy did. 

Today’s TEA CUPP: All these ladies are beautiful daughters of the King, and so are you, dear sister! Jesus loves you so much that He came to earth and died on the cross for you. Whether you are a mom, a daughter, a sister, a wife, an aunt, a grandma, a teacher, or a neighbor, you are very special to God the Father. Find a mother or friend to bless this Mother’s Day. 🌺

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 (NKJV)

A gracious woman retains honor… Proverbs 11:16 (NKJV)

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV)

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28 (NKJV)

…She has done what she could. Mark 14:8 (NKJV)

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

Three Times

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And the third day He will rise again. Mark 10:34 (NKJV)

Three days. My college cross country coach repeatedly said that if we didn’t get enough sleep, or ate a bunch of junk food, or over-worked in some other way, three days later we would either come down with a cold, pull a muscle, or endure some other injury. Therefore, we were always to get a good night sleep, eat healthy, and follow his work-out plans—tough instructions for college students with piles of late-night homework, early morning and afternoon work-outs, and limited food choices in the 1980’s dorm cafeteria. But I always remember his caution, “three days.”

Three days or three times comes up quite often in the Bible, too. Perhaps the most memorable is Jesus’ three days and three nights in the tomb, just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish. And on the third day, Jesus rose, conquering sin, death, and the power of the devil, opening the door for all of us to have eternal life. HalleluYAH!

One year as I was reading my Bible, I went on a treasure hunt to discover other examples of three days or three times. I thought you might enjoy hearing these examples as we near Resurrection Sunday (First Fruits). As you think of Jesus spending three days in the grave and descending into hell, after all He already went through on the cross for all the world, consider these other “threes” He wrote into His Word:

Three times Noah sent out the dove to see if the land was dry (Genesis 8).

Three three-year old livestock and two birds were used by God to affirm His covenant with Abrahm (Genesis 15:9).

Three days journey took Abraham and Isaac to Mount Moriah where Abraham offered to sacrifice his son, but the Lord provided a ram (Genesis 22).

Three days journey was put between the flocks of Jacob and his father-in-law, Laban (Genesis 30:36).

Three days passed before Laban was told that Jacob and his family had escaped (Genesis 31:22).

Three days after their dreams, Pharoah’s butler was restored to his position, while the baker was hung (Genesis 40).

Three days Joseph put his brothers in prison (Genesis 42:17).

Three months Moses’ mother hid him as a baby (Exodus 2:2, Acts 7:20).

Three days journey Moses requested Pharaoh allow the Israelites to take (Exodus 3:18, 5:3, 8:27).

Three days the Egyptians were in total darkness during the ninth plague (Exodus 10:22).

Three days the Israelites went without finding water after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:22).

Three days to prepare for the Lord coming down Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:11).

And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Exodus 19:11

Three specific times each year all Israel is to keep a feast to the Lord God (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:23).

Three branches and three bowls are on each side of the lamp stands (Exodus 25:32–33).

Three cubits was the height of the altar in the tabernacle (Exodus 27:1).

Three days was the Israelites first journey with the tabernacle after leaving the mountain of God (Numbers 10:23).

Three times Balaam struck his donkey for stopping, not knowing the Angel of the Lord blocked his path (Numbers 22:28, 22:32).

Three times Balaam blessed Israel, upsetting the king who had hired him to curse (Numbers 24:10).

Three days notice was what Joshua gave the Israelites before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:11).

Three days the spies hid in the mountains from the King of Jericho at Rahab’s caution (Joshua 2:16).

Three days after Joshua made the covenant with the Gibeonites, he heard they were their neighbors (Joshua 9:16).

Three days plague David chose as his punishment for the census; this plague led to the location of the Temple (2 Samuel 24).

Three times Elijah had the people pour four water pots on the altar before the Lord’s Mt. Carmel miracle (1 Kings 18:34).

Three days the sons of the prophets searched for Elijah after God took him to heaven in a whirlwind, even though Elisha didn’t want them to search (2 Kings 2:17).

Three years and they would have fruit (2 Kings 19:29).

This shall be a sign to you: ‘You shall eat this year such as grows of itself,
And in the second year what springs from the same;
Also in the third year sow and reap,
Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.’ 2 Kings 19:29 (NKJV)

Three days and Hezekiah would be healed and go up to the house of the Lord (2 Kings 20:5).

Three days Rehoboam asked the people to wait while he made a bad decision (2 Chronicles 10:5, 10:12).

Three days and nights Esther asked the Jews to fast with her before she made her petition to the king to save her people. (Esther 4:16)

Three times God works to bring a soul back from the Pit (Job 33:29-30).

Three years God’s servant Isaiah walked naked and barefoot as a sign and wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia (Isaiah 20:3).

Three weeks Daniel mourned and fasted (Daniel 10:2–3).

After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight. Hosea 6:2 (NKJV)

Three days journey wide was Nineveh which God sent Jonah to warn. (Jonah 3:3)

Three months Mary stayed with Elizabeth when they were both expecting special babies (Luke 1:56).

Three days Joseph and Mary searched for Jesus when He was twelve years old (Luke 2:46).

Three times the devil unsuccessfully tempted Jesus, Who rebuked him with the Word of God (Matthew 4).

Three days and three nights, the sign of Jonah, was all the Lord Jesus would give the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 12:38–40).

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40 (NKJV)

Three days the 4000 had been with Jesus listening to His teaching but having nothing to eat until Jesus performed another loaves and fishes miracle (Matthew 15:32, Mark 8:2).

Three tabernacles Peter wanted to construct for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (Matthew 17:4, Mark 9:5).

Three times Jesus found the disciples sleeping when He had asked them to watch and pray with Him before going to the cross (Matthew 26:44–45, Mark 14:41).

Three times Peter denied his Lord Jesus before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:34, 26:75; Mark 14:72).

Three days and the Son of Man would be raised from the dead, Jesus told His disciples (Luke 9:22).

“Three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none,” said the man in Jesus’ parable (Luke 13:6-9).

Three measures of meal is where the woman hid her leaven (Luke 13:21).

“The third day I shall be perfected,” Jesus sent in a message to Herod (Luke 13:32).

 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”  Luke 18:31-33 (NKJV)

Three times Pontius Pilate asked about Jesus, “Why, what evil has He done? (Luke 23:22).

Third hour Jesus was crucified (Mark 15:25).

Three hours the earth was dark in mid-day as Jesus hung on the cross (Luke 23:44).

Three days until the Son of Man rose again (Luke 24:7,24:21).

In three days, Jesus said He could raise up His temple if it was destroyed (John 2:19-22).

Three Marys stood by as Jesus hung on the cross (John 19:25).

Three times Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and before His ascension (John 21:14).

Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17).

Three thousand souls were added to the early Church on Pentecost at the third hour of the day (Acts 2:15,41).

Three days Paul was without sight and neither ate nor drank when He met the Lord Jesus (Acts 9:9).

Three times Peter had a dream and three men came to see him, opening the door for the gospel to go to the Gentiles (Acts 10:16,19).

Three times Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:8).

Three times Paul visited the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 12:14, 13:1).

Three times the creatures around God’s throne cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” (Revelation 4:8)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Let’s consider again that day that Jesus died for us. Three people were hung on three crosses. The One in the center had never done anything wrong. The criminal on His right believed in Him and said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” There was darkness for three hours. Jesus was laid in the tomb and on the third day He rose from the grave, opening the door for all to enter heaven. Let’s be like the thief on His right who believed, hearing Jesus say, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,  1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NKJV)

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 1 John 5:7–8 INKJV)

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

p.s. Thank you for stopping by My Tea Cupp Prayers! My new book is here! Praise Jesus! It’s entitled More Tea Cupp Prayers. I pray that many ladies will read it for a deeper walk with Jesus. Today’s devotion will be part of another book, The Runner’s Tea Cupp (God willing!). Thank you for praying for me! God bless you, dear ones! Jesus loves you!

Hope in the Hurricane

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The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:3-4 (NKJV)
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. 1 Samuel 12:23 (NKJV)

Today I want to send a message of hope to those who are in the hurricane season. Someone in Montana is praying for you! The West is on fire and I’m surrounded by smokey skies, but I am praying for you! And not only me, many others are praying for you.

Dutch Sheets on Give Him 15 is lifting up prayers for you with all of his prayer warriors. Over in Israel, while they are being hit by missile attacks, Kenny Russell with Bulldozer Faith and his listeners are praying for you. The Million Esthers descending upon Washington DC this weekend are also praying for you! And, Jesus is praying for you!  Romans 8:34 promises us that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for you. Romans 8:36 goes on to promise the Holy Spirit is praying for you! And long ago, before Jesus went to the cross, He poured out His heart for you in John 17:20, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” Though I know the last thing you want to see right now is a cloud, you can rejoice there is a cloud of witnesses praying for you!

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 (NKJV)

. . . Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

Why do I want to tell you this? Because I want you to be comforted with the comfort I have received from the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:4). I have evacuated at least seven times because of forest fires, wondering if I would see my home again. My in-laws’ home went up in smoke in 2008. My parents’ home was flooded in 2016. And most recently, in 2022 we lost our home and belongings to an outbreak of mold. We know the sadness, the tears, the discouragement, the anxiety. . . yet we also know the joy, comfort, encouragement and peace found through the hope of Jesus Christ. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).

. . . We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment. Psalm 66:12 (NKJV)

Unless the Lord had been my help,
My soul would soon have settled in silence. Psalm 94:17 (NKJV)

We still don’t have a place to call home, yet we press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, thanking Him for providing for all our needs according to His riches in glory, trusting Him for each day’s needs (Philippians 3:14, 4:19). I pray for you, dear one, that our Lord Jesus will also comfort and sustain you during this trial. And if you have lost loved ones, my heart goes out to you yet again, for I also lost my college cross country team in a plane crash. The unexpected and sudden death of a loved one can cause tears of anger and grief and unbelief. Only Jesus can make the pain go away. I know this because He took my pain and bore all our pain on the cross. Remember the Father knows how much it hurts, because He watched His only begotten Son die. Please run to Abba Father’s loving arms and let Him comfort you today and put the pieces back together. I’m running to Him in Montana, too, He has room for us all. Jesus loves you, dear one!

. . .He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you. Isaiah 30:19 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Psalm 85:4-7 Restore us, O God of our salvation. . . Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, And grant us Your salvation.. . Abba Father, Yeshua Messiah, I pray this for my family and nation. Restore! Revive! Rejoice! Because of Your mercy and salvation, restore what the locusts have eaten in all the hurricane areas. Revive this land by pouring out Your Holy Spirit. Rejoice us with Your joy and gladness again. Have compassion on all Your children left in the wake of Helene and Milton. Bless the rescue workers and keep them safe. Good Shepherd, find all Your lost sheep. Send more laborers into the harvest. Let all who survive turn to You. We ask for Your grace and mercy. In the name of Jesus, we rebuke the prince of the power of the air and command every hurricane to turn back to sea. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Our God shall work even this for good. Our Heavenly Father is pouring His love on His hurting children. He is healing our hurts and hearts. He is providing for all our needs. He is changing every flood into Living Water, every fire into Spiritual fire, and every wind into the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, come! In mighty name of Jesus who calms the storm we pray, Amen.

You who still the noise of the seas,
The noise of their waves,
And the tumult of the peoples. Psalm 65:7 (NKJV)

He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still. Psalm 107:29 (NKJV)

Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Psalm 103:4 (NKJV)

Claim the promises of Zephaniah 3:15-17!

Scripture from the New King James Version (NKJV) and Common English Bible (CEB).