Seven Things Job’s Friends Did Right

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

Listen to this, O Job;
Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. Job 37:14 (NKJV)

Do you know the story of Job, how he lost everything? He lost his children, his animals and riches, and his health, all because God had a conversation with Satan. Then some friends came to visit Job to cheer him up but failed miserably with all their talking. We often focus on how those friends messed up, but today I want to share what they did right, a great lesson for us all.

When you begin reading the book of Job, the friends enter in the second chapter. This first paragraph of their visit tells all the things they did right:

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. And when they raised their eyes from afar and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very https://viagragen.com great. Job 2:11-13 (NKJV)

Did you notice the seven things Job’s friends did right?:

They came.
They mourned.
They comforted.
They wept.
They tore their robes.
They sat down.
No one spoke for 7 days and nights.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Can we learn from this when we have friends who are grieving or hurting? Yes, we can! Let’s start with the first thing they did and simply come. Sit down and listen to your friend, then cry together. Our friends will always remember how we were there and they will be comforted. I know when I had my first miscarriage and lost our long-awaited baby, it was the friends who came and cried with me that comforted me the most. Even my parents drove all the way across the country, just to sit in lawn chairs with me while I recovered. Then when a friend of mine lost a baby, I knew what to do. I came and cried with her. My friend, just come.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®

Jesus loves Peter, Jesus loves me

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

What am I thinking about as I have my TEA today? I’m so thankful for Peter. Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples who often messed up. Yet Jesus always loved and forgave him. Before Jesus went to the cross, Peter declared he would never desert Him:

Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise. Mark 14:29-31 (NKJV)

If we continue reading Mark 14, we see how Peter denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion. How many times have I told Jesus I would shine for Him, yet then been too shy to be His witness?

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” Mark 16:6-7 (NKJV)

After Jesus rose from the dead, He specifically said to tell Peter to meet Him in Galilee. Jesus keeps calling me each day, even though I mess up, too. He gives me second and third and hundredth chances to show I love Him.

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” John 21:17 (NKJV)

When Peter saw Jesus on the shore after His resurrection he dove into the water and swam to Him. Jesus told Peter three times, feed my lambs, saying “I forgive you” for the three times Peter denied Him. Jesus says “I forgive you” each day to me, too.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Jesus, thank you for Peter! Because of Peter, I know you love me, even when I mess up. Even when I lose faith and start to sink as Peter did. You love me. Help me always remember. Thank you, my Jesus.

One Story, Two Calls

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” Acts 9:15 (NKJV)

With the “C” part of My TEA CUPP Prayers being about God’s CALL, I’m always on the look-out for examples of God calling people. From Moses being called by God at the burning bush to Mary being called by God’s angel as the Mother of Jesus, there are many stories of God’s callings.

Today we read a Bible story with TWO callings. If one of the people hadn’t obeyed, the other wouldn’t have fulfilled his call either. In Acts 9:1-19 is the famous story of Saul’s call on the Road to Damascus. Saul was a persecutor of the early Christians. He was headed to Damascus to arrest more Christians. But on the way, a bright light came from heaven. Saul was blinded and fell to the ground as he heard Jesus say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

Jesus told Saul to go into town and wait at a certain house. Saul’s friends led their blind companion into Damascus. At the same time, God told a man named Ananias to go to Saul. Ananias didn’t want to go because Saul might hurt him, but God assured Ananias of His call with the words, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine.” So Ananias followed God’s call and went to see Saul. There Ananias healed Saul’s eyes and told him the Good News of Jesus. Saul was baptized and became Paul. From there Paul went on to share Jesus with uncountable others, writing much of the New Testament of our Bible.

What if Ananias hadn’t listened to God’s call? Paul would not have heard the Good News! What if Saul hadn’t obeyed and gone into town? He’d still be blind on the road and many of us would never hear about Jesus! One story, two calls. It is so important that we listen and obey when God calls us. What is God calling you to do today?

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read this amazing story in Acts 9:1-19. Ask as Paul did, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Say as Ananias did, “Here I am, Lord.” You are God’s chosen vessel. Pray for the courage and strength and resources to carry out God’s call. Then GO!

The Impossible Call

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Mathew 5:48 (NKJV)

There it is in my Bible, God’s Word, the book of Matthew, the fifth chapter, the 48th verse… Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. I underlined it. I wrote the letter “C” for Call next to it. I prayed about it. And then I asked God, “How?!”

From writing to cleaning to even fixing my hair, I just can’t ever be perfect. When the first copies of my book, My TEA CUPP Prayers, were released, I was dismayed to find typos, including a missing word on the very first page! This was after several rounds of corrections before printing. Truly just wanting to cry at falling short, I realized God was keeping me humble with my imperfect book.

Another day I was cleaning a Montana guest cabin for guests soon to arrive. There wasn’t much time between groups, so I had to hurry to clean the guest house. I noticed there were crumbs under the sofa cushions, so I propped them up as a reminder to myself to vacuum there. Before I had put the finishing touches on the kitchen, the new people arrived with groceries to unpack to the fridge. I hurried to get out of their way, laying out dish towels just so and loading my rag bag to go home. As I drove away, suddenly the picture of those sofa cushions with exposed crumbs came to my mind. Argh! Once again, I wasn’t perfect.

And then there is the matter of my hair. No amount of combing, fixing, or pulling back with clips can keep my auburn tresses in place in the blustery Montana winds. I have a feeling that my hair won’t stay in place in any state, but I like blaming it on our mountainous gales. Whatever the cause, it is true, I’m not perfect.

If you could take a look under those messy red locks at the person inside, you would find yet more imperfection. As I struggle to obey all God’s commands:

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14 (NKJV)

So daily, I come before Jesus for TEA and prayer, asking His forgiveness and help with His call. And I know that one day I will finally fulfill His call to be perfect. That is the day He calls me home.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Jesus, I’m having trouble with Your call to be perfect. Every day I fall short in one way or another. Please forgive me and wash me clean and fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to be like You. Thank you, Jesus. I claim your promise to make me new. Amen.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

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

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

Overturning Tables

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. Mark 11:15 (NKJV)

Our Pastor was focusing on Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. The lesson came from Mark 11. In this passage, Jesus was just welcomed into Jerusalem by cheering crowds crying out, “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Jesus then went to the temple and, for the first time, appeared angry. Since we know Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God who never sinned, His anger surprises us. Why was He angry? Because people have turned His Father’s House from a house of prayer into a den of thieves! Instead of people coming with humble hearts to pray, money-changers were getting rich, selling offerings to the people.

And so Jesus turned over their tables! Can you imagine the chaos? Doves, coins, and random trinkets crashing to the floor, wings flapping and birds escaping into the sky. Venders hollering, “Hey, Man, what are you doing?!” Jesus boldly cleared them from the temple, proclaiming, “My house shall be a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Then our pastor asked the key question that would apply this to our own lives, “What tables in your life do you need Jesus to overturn?” Oh, no, this story was getting personal. It was much easier when we pointed fingers at the money-changers. Our smug looks are turned to sorrow like children whose siblings have just gotten into trouble, and now we realize it’s our turn.

We all have tables in our lives where we put idols of pride, jealousy, grumbling, gossiping, greed, anger…and the list goes on. Our pastor was asking us to turn these over to Jesus. Let Him cleanse the temple of our souls, so His Holy Spirit can live inside of us. And His house will be a house of prayer once again.

Today’s TEA CUPP: What tables in your life do you need Jesus to overturn? Give them to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you and help you make a new start. Claim His promise of salvation today.

Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:48 (NKJV)

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

…My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations… Mark 11:17 (NKJV)

Thank you to ChristArt.com for the beautiful clip art!

Thank you to Pastor Michael Stambaugh for his awesome sermon on February 14, 2016!

Rock Tower

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

…Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan… Joshua 4:3

Finding new ways to praise Jesus always brings me joy, and I hope it brings Him joy, too. Since I like to journal my prayers, I write my verses for exalting and praising the Lord right in my journal. One day I read the story of God parting the Jordan River so Joshua could lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Before the waters returned to the Jordan, Joshua had the leaders of each of the twelve tribes bring a rock from the riverbed to create a tower as a reminder of their miraculous crossing. Joshua actually made two towers, one at Gilgal, their first campsite in the Promised Land, and one in the very midst of the Jordan River where the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant (Joshua 4).

Other Old Testament saints also used rocks to worship Yehovah God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Jacob was running from his brother Esau, he laid down to rest on a stone and dreamed of a ladder going up to heaven. Upon waking, Jacob set up a stone pillar and poured his oil of praise on it…

Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel… Genesis 28:18-19

Later, when the Ark of the Covenant was in jeopardy, the Prophet Samuel set up a stone and called it Ebenezer, declaring, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12). It’s interesting to note that Samuel’s ministry took him through both Bethel and Gilgal (1 Sam. 7:16) where I wonder if he could still see Joshua’s and Jacob’s rock towers?

One day, after reading these stories, I drew a simple rock tower in my prayer journal with twelve rocks. Then I chose these prayer verses from the Psalms, underlining the words that describe God:

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

Each of the underlined words I wrote on the twelve rocks in my prayer journal sketch, raising my own Ebenezer of praise and remembrance to Jesus. We don’t worship the rocks, but we worship the One who is the Rock, who has brought us thus far. We can trust Him to guard and guide us forever.

As I exalted my Jesus, He also showed me I had nothing to fear as I faced the tasks of the day. With such a Rock tower as my Friend, I could hide in Him and be safe. He would be my shield and fortress and strength through another busy day. My praise to Him became a promise from God for me.

For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God? Psalm 18:31

You may like to read about the miraculous day the Israelites entered the Promised Land in Joshua 3-4. Notice how they followed the Ark into the river bed. We must always follow God’s Word, too. And since we are talking about exalting, notice how in Joshua 3:7 the Lord promises to exalt Joshua in the eyes of the people, and in the following verse, Joshua exalts the Lord (Joshua 3:10, 13). Joshua proclaims, “…the Living God…the Lord of all the earth…”

Today’s TEA CUPP: Try drawing your own rock tower in your prayer journal today. Draw 12 stones in a pile. On each stone write a word describing God or giving Him praise. Read 1 Peter 2:4-8 for a very special Stone and 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 for more words of praise for your rock tower. Claim God’s promise to be your Rock throughout the day.

The Lord lives, Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psalm 18:46

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
(Edward Mote, 1834)

(See also 1 Samuel 2:2, 1 Chronicles 29:11, 2 Chronicles 20:6, Psalm 34:1-3, Psalm 61:2, Daniel 2:35, Matthew 21:42, Luke 19:40, 1 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Peter 2:6)

Snowball Truths

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

snow1 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Mark 13:31

Two truth snowballs hit me one day. I was planted on the sofa by the window where I always sit for my TEA time with Jesus. That day’s Bible reading took me to Mark 13.

Jesus was talking about the trials of the end times. He told His followers:

And pray that your flight may not be in winter. Mark 13:18 (NKJV)

As I read this, I glanced out the window at two feet of new March snow. Oh, I was so tired of winter! We had such a hard season already, and now we had more snow. To imagine fleeing tribulation in winter would be awful. Yet persecuted Christians in other countries already endure such tragedy.

Jesus doesn’t often tell us specifically what we ought to pray except here, “Pray that Your flight won’t be in winter.” And so, since Jesus told me to, I prayed that I would not be fleeing in winter. I prayed my loved ones and I would all be with Him before any tribulation comes. And Jesus promised me in Revelation 3:20 that He will keep me from that hour of trial. This promise is also for you!

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10 (NKJV)

A few hours later, I was at church for our Sunday service. One of the songs was Amazing Grace with the verse:

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

That afternoon, since the sun was shining and the temperature had risen, I went for a walk along the cleared highway, noticing the snow was already being eaten by the Chinook winds blowing from the mountains. The song from church popped into my head, “The earth shall soon dissolve like snow…”

If you haven’t seen a Chinook wind’s work, please see the photos in this devotion. The first is on a Thursday when we received almost two feet of snow. The second is three days later on Sunday when I noticed the Chinook winds starting to eat the snow. The last is on Wednesday just six days after the two feet of snow hit us, not a speck to be seen!

The snow dissolved in a matter of hours and days! That is what will happen to the earth in the last days, according to Scripture…

snow3 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV)

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. Revelation 21:1 (NKJV)

Can you imagine that? All of a sudden, Jesus will come like a thief in the night. The heavens and earth will be burned up with a loud noise, and there will be a new heaven and a new earth. It could happen quicker than our snow melted!

Today’s TEA CUPP: I encourage you to read Mark 13 and Revelations over the next few days to get a bigger picture of the end times. The battles and judgments are not something we want to endure. Let’s look with joy and hope to Jesus’ promise of taking us to heaven first.

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. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NKJV)

Ten and nine, eight and seven,
Six and five and four,
Call upon the Savior while you may;
Three and two, coming through the clouds in bright array,
The countdown’s getting lower every day.
(a favorite Awana song)

Promises Outside My Window

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (NKJV)

I am spoiled. I live in South Central Montana where the scenery never ceases to be beautiful, where God’s creation forever proclaims His glory. And I get to see it all outside my morning window.

As I sit on the sofa for TEA with Jesus each morning, I read my Bible, glancing out the window as I ponder His Word. There in the early morning light are God’s promises, echoing what I’ve read in His Word.

The last star of the night is still shining above our old barn. God declares:

I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. Revelation 22:16 (NKJV)

Two deer wander through the late-winter field, looking for some early spring plants to nibble. I tell God:

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God. Psalm 42:1 (NKJV)

The mountains on the horizon beyond the fields catch the first rays of dawn. And I lift up my eyes and pray:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

Patches of snow still frame our yard, having drifted under the eaves of the barn. God promises:

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)

Brave lily plants already poke through the bare ground, promising spring is on the way. And God says:

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

The big blue morning sky stretches from East to West, as far as I can see. And I rejoice as God proclaims:

As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 (NKJV)

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Head outside for a nature walk today, looking for glimpses of God and praying as you walk. Oh, Jesus, You gave us this beautiful world to enjoy and to teach us about You. Thank You for Your wonderful promises in Your creation and in Your Word. I love You, Jesus!

The Beginning of Prayer

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Jennifer Grace

Then men began to call on the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26b (NKJV)

Every new year I begin reading my Bible all over again. The excitement of Jesus reigning in Revelations during December is replaced with the beginning of the world in Genesis during my January readings.

I follow the history of creation and the birth of mankind. I cringe as Adam and Eve give in to the serpent in the garden, hiding from God in the bushes. I imagine how hard it must have been to be the first parents with boys fighting and one kills the other (Cain and Abel). I rejoice when God gives Adam and Eve another son, Seth, to heal their hurting hearts.

And then I come across this amazing verse: “Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 4:26b). Adam and Eve already spoke to God when they were hiding in the garden. Cain also talked back to God when he questioned, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). Yet at this point, people began lifting their pleas to Him. They were calling on the name of the Lord.

I wonder what those early prayers were like? We’re they frantic yells, “Help me, God!” We’re they more poetic like the Psalmists in the Old Testament, who poured out their hearts https://www.wnymedical.com/buy-accutane-acne/ along https://xanaxcost.com with their cries? Just this morning I was reading one of those Psalms, Psalm 17, and it gave me just the right words to cry out to Jesus:

Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. Psalm 17:1-2 (NKJV)

Another favorite cry of my heart is…

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 (NKJV)

Aren’t you glad that people began calling on the Name of the Lord so long ago, leaving us God’s Word as an example so we can call on Him, too? We can share our hurting hearts and happy moments and anything we want with Jesus. He is always there to listen. Thank you, dear God, for your invention of PRAYER!

Today’s TEA CUPP: When did prayer begin for you? Thank God for that moment when you first heard His voice and answered Him. Give Jesus the glory for the prayers He has answered in your life.

God Loves You!

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Jennifer Grace

For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. John 16:27 (NKJV)

Long before there were Emoji with every face and feeling, there were simple yellow smiley faces with four words, “Smile, God loves you!”

Do you remember seeing these on bumper stickers and binders? They always brought a smile to my face and the thought, “That’s nice.”

But one day when I was reading the book of John, it hit me. John 16:27 proclaims that the Father Himself (God) loves me, because I believe in Jesus. All because I love Jesus and believe He came from God, God loves me! Even if I mess up today and all my friends send me frowny emojis, God loves me. He will never stop loving me. He loves me forever into eternal life in heaven, because I love Jesus and believe He came from God. What a wonderful promise.

The beauty of His promise is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus died for all our sins before we were even born, or knew Him, or believed in Him. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13). That is an amazing love I hold dear in my heart forever.

Today’s TEA CUPP: My friend, God’s promises are for you. Believe in His Son Jesus and love Him with all your heart. Tell Him you love Him today! Smile, God loves you!

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)

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)

...I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved. Romans 9:25 (NKJV)

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