For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NKJV)
It seems that as we get older, we attend more funerals and memorial services for loved ones, friends and acquaintances in our town, some departing too soon. The pastors leading the services always do a beautiful job of sharing memories of the departed and comfort for those left behind. We are especially comforted if we know the person is in heaven with Jesus.
I remember when my college cross country team died in a plane crash, I knew my coach was in heaven because of his life. Whenever we came home from meets I was always the last one to be dropped off, giving Coach plenty of time to share his faith. Coach Ron would talk long and serious about things I did not understand, yet I knew they were important. When he wasn’t planning our next big workout, he served at his church. Coach Ron had a dream to start a Christian running camp in northern Wisconsin. Because of his faith and example, I know my coach is with Jesus and will be there when I get there, too.
Every once in awhile, though, there is someone who we aren’t sure where she stood in her faith journey. We wonder if he is with Jesus. We pray she is in heaven. We ask God to comfort us and assure us he is with Jesus. But we just aren’t sure.
So, I want to encourage you today to LEAVE NO DOUBT when it is your turn to go. Make sure that while you are living, people know you love Jesus. Tell them how you study your Bible and meet with Him each day for prayer. Let them see the fruit of your faith in good works. Share how you are looking forward to the day when He comes to take you home. Then, when it is your turn to leave this world, your friends and family will have NO DOUBT that you are now in heaven having TEA with the King of kings!!!
Today’s TEA CUPP: Confirm your eternal destination today by praying with Jesus. Invite Jesus into your heart to forgive you and guide your remaining earthly days. Then tell a friend about this heavenly TEA party so she can join you there, too!
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV)
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)
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV)
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27 (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Some dear ladies in my town own a wonderful tea company called 
The second week of September it was 90 degrees and a new fire broke out from a lightning strike at the north end of the Crazy Mountains. From our house we could see the plume of smoke going up to the sky. Friends’ husbands were going out to fight the flames. People were posting on Facebook, “Pray for snow!”
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
Oh, how I love my TEA time with Jesus. It’s the best way to begin my day, immersed in His Word. Are you reading a Psalm or Bible passage each day and praying with Jesus? I want to encourage you again, to take time each morning to chat with the Lord. Here are some verses from Psalm 40 to get you started…
There is nothing sweeter than beginning each day with a CUPP of TEA and sitting down with Jesus to read a Psalm. If you’ve been wanting to begin a prayer time, this is a great way to begin! Heat your kettle, pour your TEA, and open your Bible, inviting Jesus to join you. The Psalms aren’t too long, so reading one a day is do-able for most busy ladies. Today I have Psalm 16 for you, broken up into the parts of the TEA CUPP. You might also read the Psalm in order, scrambling the TEA CUPP in favor of the beauty of this Psalm.
So the 
And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Jesus said to them,