To kick off the new year, I’m 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!
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure. Psalm 119:162
You’ve cracked open the Treasure Chest, your Bible. You’ve peered into its pages. You’ve marveled at all there is to absorb and learn. You wonder where to start. Let’s begin as God calls us to in Psalm 100:4, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”
I imagine many ladies of the Bible gave thanks to God during their journey on earth. We read how Hannah and Mary both praised Him at the birth of their famous babies (Samuel in 1 Samuel 2:1, and Jesus in Luke 1:46). How might other Bible ladies have given God thanks?
- Did the Alabaster Lady thank the Lord for forgiving all her sins? (Luke 7:36-50)
- Did Mary Magdalene thank the Lord for freeing her from seven demons? (Luke 8:2)
- Did Esther thank the Lord for saving her people, the Jews? (Esther 4:14)
- Did Rahab thank the Lord for sparing her and her family when Joshua’s army conquered Jericho? (Joshua 2 and 6:22-23)
- Did the Canaanite woman thank Jesus for promising to heal her daughter? (Matthew 15:21-28)
- Did the Persistent Widow thank the Lord when her petition was finally answered? (Luke 18:1-8)
Did other Bible ladies thank Jesus, too? Like Lydia, for bringing Paul to her home (Acts 16:13-15)? And Dorcas, after Peter raised her from the dead (Acts 9:36-43)? You may find your story in one of these ladies’ stories, and you will have reason to give thanks to the Lord, too.
Over the next several weeks, we will meet many of these ladies and hear their stories and what they can teach us about prayer. Until then, let’s thank God for our Bibles, this treasury of His Word, that includes these wonderful histories and truths, all we need to know in this life and the life to come.
Today’s TEA CUPP: Thank God for your Bible! Thank Him for the godly examples of Bible ladies. Choose one lady above to read about in your Bible today. Thank Jesus for loving ladies so much they were even included in His inner circle when He walked this earth. What else are you thankful for today? Thanks be to God!
...And the twelve were with Him, and certain women… Luke 8:1-2 (NKJV)
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5 (NKJV)
Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson