Tea Cupp Measuring Spoons

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Jennifer Grace

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

My dear friend Jodi gave me these measuring spoons a few years ago. Aren’t they neat decorated with tea cups? I use them often for measuring and baking.

The other day I was looking at these spoons again and recalled a devotion I heard at Awana a long time ago.

Awana is a children’s Bible program that meets weekly to bring boys and girls to Christ. It’s name comes from 2 Timothy 2:15 – Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. The children play games, memorized Bible verses, and have a council time each week. (To find an Awana near you, check their website: http://www.awana.org/

Once when our older children were still in Awana, I came early to pick them up and heard the council time devotion. The pastor had several spoons and shovels and a bag of M&Ms. I can’t remember exactly how he worded it, but the point was, which size spoon or shovel would you like to be given M&Ms? THE BIGGEST ONE, of course!

Well, that is the size shovel we should be using to give to others, also. We shouldn’t give because we expect blessings in return. But we should give because we are so full of God’s love we want to share it with others. AND we should use the BIGGEST shovel we have!

Bakers know that when you measure flour, you scoop it gently and level it with a knife, never pressing it down. But when you measure brown sugar, you pack it into the measuring cup, pressing firmly to get as much sugar as possible. That is how this verse from Luke tells us to measure what we give others — pack it down and give as much as we can! AND God promises we will be blessed!

Today’s TEA CUPP: What size spoon are you using to share with others? Let’s all try to use a bigger spoon today!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

Seven Layer Cookie Bars – GF

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Jennifer Grace

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Genesis 2:2 (NKJV)

Seven has always been one of my favorite numbers because it is God’s perfect number. His creation story is seven days, the Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days, we are to forgive seventy times seven, etc. Use this recipe with your kids as a fun way to discuss these Bible stories!

These Seven Layer Cookie Bars are gluten-free when made with an 8 oz. box of gluten-free graham crackers. S’moreables was the brand I found at our local co-op.

Last week I shared a fairly healthy date bar recipe with plenty of oats and dates for fiber. This week I have for you a treat more on the candy-bar lines. Better cut this one into small pieces to enjoy during the holidays!

Seven Layer Ingredients:
1) 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2) 1 – 8 oz. box graham crackers, crushed into crumbs
3) 1 cup coconut
4) 1 cup chocolate chips
5) 1 cup butterscotch chips
6) 1 can sweetened condensed milk
7) 1 cup nuts, chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter in 9 x 13 inch pan and melt in oven. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter and mix to cover pan bottom. Top with remaining layers in this order…coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, condensed milk and nuts. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting into bars. Guard well!

p.s. I’d love some comments on how to make this dairy-free, too!

But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. Joshua 6:15 (NKJV)

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)

Living for Today

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Jennifer Grace

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,”…Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Have you ever pondered why God put you in this particular place and time in history? I’ve often thought of my location in the U.S. and wondered what if He had put me in a tribe in Africa. How would my life be different? Since God placed me in this rich country, what is He calling me to do?

I’ve also considered living today with Jesus. When I read the Old Testament, I’m sorry they don’t have God’s Son. People had so many laws to follow and sacrifices to make. I’m happy to live in the here and now with Jesus, His forgiveness and the Holy Spirit to guide me. We New Testament people got the better deal!

Yet, one day when Jesus comes again to rule on earth (that will be an awesome day!), people will look back and say they are sure glad to be living at that time with Jesus, rather than now. As people walk about with Jesus, they will be confident they have the best deal!

Three big chunks of history tell our story: 1)Waiting for Jesus, the Old Testament prophets pointed to a Savior, 2) Now, Waiting for Jesus’ Second Coming, and 3) With Jesus, after His Second Coming when He reigns on earth.

Each part of history has its joys…like walking with God through the Red Sea in the Old Testament, walking with Jesus and seeing Him heal the sick in the early New Testament, and walking forever with Jesus when He reigns on earth. Let’s claim the joys of this present time and do all He calls us to do until He comes again.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Jesus, You put me here on earth for TODAY. Help me live the call I have from you right now. Amen.

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

I Thirst

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” John 19:28 NKJV

Up again in the night for another feeding, I sat in bed nursing our new baby. Though I had just sipped some water, my throat was still dry, since nursing requires a great deal of fluids.

“I thirst,” I mused. And then I thought of Jesus and His words from the cross. “I thirst,” He whispered weakly. The people heard and offered Him vinegar on a sponge. Then Jesus died for our sins.

This is Jesus who proclaimed “I am the Living Water.” Yet on the cross He thirsted. When Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” perhaps at that moment He was alone, a perfect Man, the spotless Lamb, not God the Living Water. For at that moment God had left Him so He could die for our sins. Thus Jesus thirsted.

This is what our Jesus did for us. Thank You, dear Jesus. May I remember what You did for me on the cross every time I thirst. Amen.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Matthew 27:45-54. Thank Jesus for His gift of life. Remember Jesus every time you thirst.

But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 NKJV

Some One is Coming!

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)

Guests are coming! Visitors are coming! Such news can cause excitement in a home, looking forward to a beloved family member or friend. If the house is a mess, though, it can cause anxiety, rushing around, trying to straighten up for the soon arriving person.

Our family prepares guest houses for visitors to Montana. Sometimes we have a very short time between the departure of one family and the arrival of another. We have to hurry to mow the lawns, water the flowers, make the beds, clean the bathrooms, and so on. There is quite a sense of accomplishment and thankfulness when we get it all done on time.

Often we don’t know who is coming to the home, but other times we are told in advance. Occasionally it is the owner, or the mother-n-law, or some other important person. While I’m cleaning the house, I think, “The owner is coming! I have to get this clean.” I imagine the mother-n-law from old TV shows, wearing white gloves as she runs her finger along the mantle. I just know I will miss a speck of dust or a fly, and I don’t want to disappoint her.

There is another Guest arriving to our world soon. The Bible promises us:

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him… Revelation 1:7 (NKJV)

This Special Guest is Jesus. I wonder if we live our lives as we do preparing guest homes, thinking about HIS arrival? Jesus promised He is returning. Do we go about each hour thinking, “Jesus is coming!” Do we wash ourselves clean so we’re ready for His return? Do we make sure our lives are in order, cleaning the sin cobwebs out of our hearts?

I take great comfort in knowing that though I might not have every speck of dust and fly cleaned up before Jesus’ return, I don’t have to worry. Because I am His child, He has washed me clean and declared me forgiven. I can look forward to Jesus’ coming with great joy and anticipation.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Are you ready for Jesus’ return? If you haven’t already, ask Him to be your Savior and Lord today. Invite Him into your heart to clean out all the dust and sin. Claim His promise of forgiveness and eagerly wait for His return, spending TEA time with Jesus each day.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12 (NKJV)

Filthy Rags

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags… Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)

I started a new job this summer, helping my husband with his property management business. We prepare guest houses and yards for visitors to this beautiful part of Montana. It is a family under-taking with our kids doing lawn care and household tasks. My job is to help when there is cleaning.

Each home has a cleaning closet with all the necessary supplies, including a box of clean rags. One by one I use the rags to wipe the kitchen, dust the living room, and scrub the bathrooms. I’m always grabbing a new rag to make the house shine. Sometimes my husband uses one of my damp rags to wipe down the blackened grill outside. By the end of my shift, I depart with a bucket of grungy rags to wash and return the next time.

The other day I came across this verse from Isaiah about filthy rags. Whereas I would like to be one of the clean rags in the closet, Isaiah says all my good deeds are like filthy rags to God! He’s not talking about my sins, he’s referring to the good things like baking cookies for a neighbor and sending a card to a sick person. My righteousness is like the grimy bucket of dirty fabric I bring home from these cleaning projects. Oh, what a sobering thought!

The Message Bible says it like this:

We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated.
Our best efforts are grease-stained rags. Isaiah 64:6 (MSG)

With God’s Word telling us we’re no good, what hope do we have? We have the hope of Jesus Christ! He promises to wash away all our sins and make us clean and new and righteous, so that one day we can stand before God, not as filthy rags, but as those who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb.

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)

“Though your sins are like scarlet,
      They shall be as white as snow;
      Though they are red like crimson,
      They shall be as wool. “ Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)

“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: As you go about your cleaning tasks at home or work today, remember Isaiah’s words about filthy rags. Let’s confess our sins to God and let Jesus wash us white as snow.

Heaven is for Real

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

I just read the most wonderful page-turner called “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo. Friends have been telling me for months I need to read this book, and finally I borrowed a copy from my dear neighbor Marie.

This true story describes the journey of an almost four-year old boy who goes to heaven while undergoing a late surgery for appendicitis. In the months following the surgery the boy, Colton, shares his heavenly experience with his parents.

Things I love about this book:

The description of Jesus in the throne room with God. When I pray to Jesus, I have a vague picture of Jesus in my mind. Because Colton went to heaven for three minutes during his appendicitis surgery, I now have an image of the throne room of God. Colton tells his parents all about the rainbow colors of heaven and how Jesus sits at the right hand of His Dad. On the left side sits the angel Gabriel. Colton even meets John the Baptist and God the Holy Spirit who is sort of “blue.” I now have this picture in my mind as I have my TEA CUPP prayer time with Jesus each morning.

When Pastor Todd (Colton’s dad) is ranting at God in the hospital, asking God “is this how you treat your pastors?!!!” Todd had just endured a year of testing with three major attacks on his own health. Now was God going to take his son? No! Jesus showed Todd’s son the wonders of heaven and sent Colton back to earth in answer to Todd’s prayer. Wow! I love that we can be real with God and share our deepest hurts. How many times did I ask God, “Is this how you treat your church camp managers?” when fires and flooding and financial troubles engulfed us. The Lord loves us so much that He hears and answers our prayers, despite our anger and doubts.

The promise that our unborn babies are waiting for us in heaven. In one chapter we learn that Colton has two sisters, his older sister Cassie on earth and another sister he met in heaven. This heavenly sister was miscarried at just two months gestation, but Colton’s parents had never told him about her. They didn’t even know she was a girl! What hope this gives me with the three babies we have lost. They are all waiting for me in heaven.

Today’s TEA CUPP: You need to read this tear-jerker if you are…

Wondering what heaven will be like,
Need reassurance that Jesus hears your prayers,
Or have ever lost a baby or child. You will be blessed.
Heaven is definitely for real!

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4 (NKJV)

“M & M” Prayers

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Now to Him who is able to do iMmeasurably More than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

My friend Tobie came to the door again the other day with armfuls of baby clothes. Her nephew is growing and they are passing on what he has outgrown. I’m so blessed to receive these lovely baby items. Friends found out that God has answered our prayers — after 11 years of praying we’re having another baby! I’m overwhelmed by their generosity. And it was just one day in spring that I whispered a prayer to Jesus asking for clothes.

First my friend Jessica came with maternity clothes and then baby clothes, then Tobie, then Amy, then Crystal. God is so good! My maternity mutterings turned into immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. Thank you, Jesus, for taking such good care of us, please bless my dear friends!

Our pastor preached recently on this verse from Ephesians. I love God’s promise to do iMmeasurably More than we can ask or imagine. Isn’t that an amazing promise? I call it my “M&M prayers.”

How does this work? I’ve been praying so much. I can’t pray anymore. I give it all to Jesus and I claim His promise from Ephesians 3:20-21 to do iMmeaurably More. That’s it. Dearest Jesus, Please take this prayer concern and do iMmeasurabley More than I can ask or imagine. I know you can Move Mountains, Lord. Thank you, dear Jesus.

It’s fun to read other versions of the Bible and find out how they express this M&M prayer…

“exceeding abundantly above”
“far beyond”
“far more”
“far exceedingly above”
“all things more abundantly”
“far more abundantly”
“infinitely more”
“much more”
“more plenteously”
“above and beyond”
“far more abundantly beyond”

I still wonder why other prayers I’ve prayed everyday for years, God has yet to answer. I prayed over a decade for our church camp to be blessed with campers and finances, and instead groups canceled. We pray for loved ones to return to God’s path, and they are still wandering from it. I shared this concern with my friend Claire and she knew just what I meant. Claire replied,

“When my husband Pete was dying of cancer, I prayed for a miracle. A man in my office received a pack of pens one day and exclaimed, ‘Oh, good! I’ve been praying for pens.’ I’m thinking, ‘God hears prayers for pens and not for Pete!’ It doesn’t make sense!”

Yet over 10 years later, God is using the hurts of Claire’s life as she reaches out to help others who are hurting in prison ministry. God is doing exceeding abundantly above what we could imagine. I pray that He also will do far beyond what I can dream for the church camp that continues on without us. I pray that He will do infinitely more for our loved ones than I could ever hope or pray. And I know that He loves me, because He heard my maternity mutterings, and has blessed me and our baby with clothes after 11 years of prayer. Thank you, dear Jesus.

Today’s TEA CUPP: iMmeasurably More…M&M Prayers. How are your prayers today? Have you prayed all you can pray? Are you discouraged? Just as a bag of M&Ms brings joy to the chocolate lover, let your M&M prayers bring joy to your soul. Give it to Jesus and ask Him for iMmeasurably More today.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Gallon Water Jug Prayers

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 (NKJV)

The TEA CUPP just isn’t big enough any more.

My friend Claire works in a big city with girls going in and out of prison. They deal with gangs, drugs, abuse and family members who keep them in this cycle. The TEA CUPP just isn’t big enough to hold all the prayers needed for these girls…for our friends with cancer…for all our friends out of work…for college students struggling to find their way…for children serving in the military…for churches falling away from God’s Word…for countries leaving their Christian foundations…for families splitting apart…for souls searching for salvation that only can be found in Jesus…

And so Claire suggests we bump up My TEA CUPP Prayers to GALLON WATER JUG Prayers. We need more and bigger prayers to keep the enemy at bay. My son began swim lessons this week and as I looked at the pool I thought, “We need SWIMMING POOL Prayers.” Yet, that also may not be big enough. Perhaps we need OCEAN Prayers to cover all the hurts and hopes in this world.

This is why all of our prayers are so important. When a church sends out a prayer request, together our little TEA CUPP Prayers can make a GALLON WATER JUG Prayer, or a SWIMMING POOL Prayer, or even an OCEAN Prayer. Together we can shake the heavens with our prayers!

But truly it isn’t the size of our prayers that matters, it’s the size of our God. And He is the greatest in the universe! God promises in His Word, that He will hear and answer our prayers…

By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us,
O God of our salvation,
You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth,
And of the far-off seas. Psalm 65:5 (NKJV)

God also promises that if I have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for me. He will hear and answer my TEA CUPP Prayers. But on the tough days, I’ll be praying Claire’s GALLON WATER JUG, too.

Today’s TEA CUPP: What about you? Are you overwhelmed by the prayer needs in your world? Meet with Jesus each day for TEA and share your heart with Him. Trust Him to be big enough to take care of your prayers, even when your faith is as small as a mustard seed.

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 (NKJV)

New International Version (NIV)

“It was then that I carried you.”

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Your way was in the sea,
Your path in the great waters,
And Your footsteps were not known. Psalm 77:19 (NKJV)

I was unpacking a few more boxes the other day. This sea of moving boxes in our house is overwhelming, but if I take one box at at a time, I can do it.

I decided to tackle the bathroom. We have an ocean theme with a fish shower curtain, lighthouse wall-hanging, etc. On the counter I placed the decorations from our old home, a jar of shells from the ocean and the Footprints Poem given to me by my college roommate.

The poem tells the story of a person walking along the beach and looking back at the footprints. He notices that at the hardest times in his life, there is only one set of footprints and he asks the Lord, “Why?”

Often I just look at the poem and smile, not really reading it. But two years ago today, July 25, 2009, we lost a baby and almost lost me. After giving up too much blood and moving towards unconsciousness, the ambulance came and carried me away from our mountain camp. What followed was heartbreak and loss of strength for me.

Then one day when back home, I was in our ocean bathroom and read the Footprints Poem again. When I came to “It was then that I carried you” I finally understood. God carried me through that first miscarriage and two more miscarriages with the prayers and love of friends and family, and by His own grace and mercy.

Now, two years later, we are expecting again. This dear baby is six months along and by God’s grace he will make it to his due date! But the Lord in His great sense of humor, decided we needed a little more action in this https://zolpidemsleep.com pregnancy, calling us to a new job and home.

Once again, I feel overwhelmed by changes and a sea of boxes and baby hormones…but I read the Footprints Poem and God’s Word, and I am reminded — Jesus is carrying me!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Are waves of trouble pounding against the beach of your life? Or, do you have a friend whose sand castles are collapsing? Write out the Footprints Poem and claim God’s Promises. He will carry you all the way home!

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 (NKJV)

Footprints
Also Known As “I Had a Dream”

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”

Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964

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