Out My Morning Window…

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Every morning I sit on the sofa for my TEA CUPP time with Jesus. As I pray, I look outside and am greeted by my favorite view. Out my morning window I see…

* Hawley Mountain towering mightily, bedecked with snow.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever. Psalm 125:2 (NKJV)

* Deer timidly stepping from the forest to nibble our green lawn.

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

* A berm of soil, rocks, and wildflowers that was created when this house was built by volunteers in 2003.

Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 (NKJV)

* Our cherry tree garden planted in memory of our babies Gloria Anne, Angelica May, and Gabriella Hope.

Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Acts 10:4 (NKJV)

But soon we are moving and I wonder what I will see out my morning window. Will I see mountains? Will I see deer? Will I see reminders of God’s love and care and comfort? Moving is hard. How did the Israelites do it for 40 years in the desert, packing up whenever God’s cloud moved? Were they sad to leave behind memories of lost children and pets? Were they sad to leave behind their dreams? Or did they trust God and move ahead with excitement at what God had planned for them?

O Jesus, help me move with excitement and anticipation. Please comfort all my worries and tears. May the view out my morning window be even more wonderful than what I see today. Amen.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Is God calling you to do something new in your life? To move? To a new job? To serving Him? Are you having a hard time saying, “Yes.” Talk to Jesus about it. Read the book of Jonah and his story of running from God’s call. Ask the Lord for strength to help you move ahead in His will. I’m praying for this, too.

See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. Deuteronomy 12:32 (NIV)

Gluten Free Corn Bread & Vegetarian Chili

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in. Matthew 25:35 (NKJV)

Today I share a wonderful meal that will bless any stranger that stops in, or perhaps you can deliver it to a hungry family.

Gluten Free Corn Bread

1 cup corn meal
1 cup brown rice flour
2 Tbsp. monk fruit or sweetener
1 Tbsp. baking powder (homemade is best*)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup almond or goat milk
1/4 cup olive or coconut oil
2 eggs

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Butter 8x8x2 or 9x9x2 inch pan. Mix together dry ingredients. Add milk, oil and eggs. Beat 1 minute. Pour into buttered pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with honey and goat butter, or vegetarian chili.

*Homemade (gluten-free, corn-free, aluminum-free) baking powder from my dear friend Shannon: 1/2 cup arrowroot flour, 1/3 cup cream of tarter, 1-1/2 Tablespoons baking soda. Mix and store in a small glass jar.

❤️🍞And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” Luke 13:20-21 (NKJV) ❤️🍞

Vegetarian Chili

16 oz. dry kidney beans or bean variety, soaked overnight
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. basil
3 Tbsp. chili powder
Dash of cayenne
Salt & pepper
1 cup green pepper, chopped
1 cup carrots, cut into circles
32 oz. diced tomatoes or tomato juice

Drain soaked beans. Put beans in a big soup pot and add 6-8 cups water and 1 tsp. salt. Cook until tender (about 1 1/2 hours). In a frying pan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add cumin, basil, chili powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, green pepper, carrots. Pour a bit of water to help steam the vegetables. Add the sauté to the cooked beans and water. Stir in the tomatoes. Simmer over low heat about 3 hours. Serve with goat cheese and corn bread.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance. Isaiah 55:2 (NKJV)

Draw Me Nearer

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works. Psalm 73:28 (NKJV)

At church on Sunday we were singing this beautiful hymn by Fanny Cosby, Draw Me Nearer Precious Lord. When we reached the third verse, I thought, “Yes, this is what My TEA CUPP Prayers are all about!” It’s about spending an hour before Jesus’ throne each morning, delighting in His word and His will. It’s about getting closer to the Friend we will spend eternity with in heaven.

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend http://www.healthandrecoveryinstitute.com/soma-carisoprodol-muscle-relaxant/ with friend!

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

by Fanny Cosby, 1875

You can hear the entire hymn at
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/a/iatolord.htm”/

Today’s TEA CUPP: Do you long for this kind of relationship with Jesus? Pray the song above as a prayer today, “Draw me nearer precious Lord,” then meet with Him each day for TEA and He will be there with you.

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)

God is Able

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)

The worship service had ended at camp Sunday evening when one of the guests turned to my husband. “I have a message for you,” he said. He read the verse above from 2 Corinthians, stressing “God is able” and “you.” This fellow is a brand new friend we just met over the weekend. Three things make this very cool to me:

1) Our new friend heard God telling him to share God’s Word and he obeyed.

2) Without even knowing my husband’s current trials and decisions, our new friend had just the right words to share.

3) GOD IS ABLE! Wow!

What are you facing today? I don’t know what troubles or decisions are going on in your life, but I want to share this promise with you. GOD IS ABLE. He will carry us through the deepest valley and across the widest river. He will comfort us in sorrow and celebrate with us in joy. He will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory. GOD IS ABLE.

Now the question is, “Am I able?”

by Earl S. Marlatt, 1926 , Music by Harry S. Mason, 1924
http://users.stargate.net/~bmames/ht0326_.htm”>
“Are ye able,” said the Master,
“To be crucified with Me?”
“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,
“To the death we follow Thee.”

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall http://xanaxonlinebuy.com be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are ye able to remember,
When a thief lifts up his eyes,
That his pardoned soul is worthy
Of a place in paradise?

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are ye able when the shadows
Close around you with the sod,
To believe that spirit triumphs,
To commend your soul to God?

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are ye able? Still the Master
Whispers down eternity,
And heroic spirits answer,
Now as then in Galilee.

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Today’s TEA CUPP: So often troubles in life surprise me with a fierceness. I can boldly sing the song above, yet when my time comes for trials, I collapse into puddle of doubt. How do you handle life’s difficulties? Let’s together claim God’s promise, “GOD IS ABLE.”

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NKJV)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

Ephesians TEA CUPP Prayer

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

I just love it when I find a prayer in the Bible that has parts from My TEA CUPP Prayers. Here is a beautiful prayer by the Apostle Paul for his Christian friends in Ephesus.

Thanks

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Exalt

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

Petition

may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Understanding

¹⁸ the eyes of your understandingbeing enlightened;

Calling

that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Exalt

¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named,

Promise

not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:15-21 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Can you use Paul’s prayer as a model for your own prayers today? Pray along with Paul to Jesus, adding your own special prayer requests.

Just Ask!

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you askanything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 (NKJV)

The other day we were talking with our good friends, Tom and Judy, after church. Tom mentioned one of his favorite verses from John, these verses above from chapter 14. Tom said, the verses don’t say, once you’ve got everything right, you will receive. They don’t say, once you’ve got your life in order, you will receive. They don’t say, when you say your prayers just so, you will receive. God’s Word says, ASK and you will receive. All we have to do is ASK. Just ASK! That’s what our petition time with Jesus is all about, asking Him. I’m now asking God with renewed hope today. My Jesus, be glorified in Your answers to my prayers.

More Talking With God

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

My TEA CUPP Prayers are all about sitting down for TEA and a good talk with God. Some may wonder if it is okay to ask God questions, especially when He tells us to do something. Yes, it is okay! It is more than okay. God longs for us to talk with Him about everything…if we don’t understand, if we need clarification, if we have doubts.

I found a few more examples of this in my Bible recently. The first is from the Old Testament, when God told Samuel to anoint David as king. Samuel feared that Saul would find out and kill him (Saul being the first and a jealous king of Israel). The conversation with God and Samuel went like this…

First God spoke…

¹ Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”

Then Samuel questioned…

² And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”

The Lord replied…

But the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ ³ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”

Samuels did what God called him to do…

⁴ So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming…

God told him which son to anoint king…

And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”

Samuel obeyed the Lord…

¹³ Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NKJV)

Another example of talking with God comes from the New Testament in the book of Acts. Saul went to Damascus to arrest the Christians. On the way he had a vision from Jesus and was blinded. God told Ananias to go to see Saul. But Ananias questioned God if this was a good idea, since Saul persecuted Christians. God re-assured Ananias that he should go.

Here’s how the conversation went..

God called Ananias…

¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

Ananias answered…

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

God explained the mission…

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

Ananias questioned…

¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

God encouraged Ananias…

¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Ananias did what God called him to do…

¹⁷ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Acts 9:10-19 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Even Mary asked the angel when she was told she would give birth to Jesus…“How can this be so?” Is God calling you to do something? Ask Him questions today, and then, let us respond as Mary did, “Let it be to me according to Thy Word.” Luke 1:38 (NIV)

Beyond Jabez

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Do you remember the popular book by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson entitled “The Prayer of Jabez?” Dr. Wilkinson encouraged us to pray Jabez’ simple prayer as found in the Old Testament.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

Many churches and individuals posted this prayer where they would see and pray it often, hoping for the blessings and life free from pain that Jabez received from the Lord.

I still pray Jabez’ prayer every now and then, but I go beyond Jabez. I’m challenged to use all God’s Word in prayer. Throughout the scriptures are other prayers and petitions, just as powerful as that of Jabez. So, why stop at Chronicles?

Let’s also pray these petitions from…

Nehemiah in Nehemiah 1:6 (NIV) “Let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes be open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night.”

David in Psalm 13:1 (NKJV) “How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me??

Isaiah in Isaiah 33:2 (NIV) “O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

Daniel in Daniel 9:19 (NIV) “O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay…”

I encourage you to go beyond the prayer of Jabez, searching your whole Bible for prayer starters for pouring out your heart to God. Underline them, highlight them, write them on note cards for your bathroom mirror or the steering wheel of your car. Go beyond Jabez and use all God’s Word in prayer!

“…So is My Word that goes out from my mouth it will not return to Me empty, it will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

TEA CUPP Tools

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

...be prepared in season and out of season... 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

You want to get started with My TEA CUPP Prayers, but how should you begin? First, know you can pray to Jesus anytime and anywhere without any special tools. However, to get you motivated for a daily routine at home, begin by collecting your “tools.” Just having everything you need at hand, will make your TEA CUPP time go smoothly. Here are the TEA CUPP tools I recommend…

Bible...God's Word

Bible…God’s Word…This is a must-have! God will speak to you through His Word. Select a Bible that is best for you. When I first started reading my Bible each day, I chose a One-Year Bible to keep me on track. It was the Living Translation version which was much easier for me to read. After a few years with that Bible, I tried a New International Version One Year Bible. Since I was already in a daily routine, I was able to handle a more challenging version. Then one year I found a daily Bible reading plan, so I was able to use a regular Bible, and I chose the New King James Version. It was a good challenge for me. Pray for God to show you just the right Bible to bring to your TEA CUPP time.

Book Mark…Prayer List…This can be just a folded sheet of paper you keep in your Bible with the names of all the people for whom you want to remember to pray. I like to divide mine up into the days of the week, as my list gets too long. Every few months I’ll make myself a fresh book mark as the prayer needs change.

Book Mark Prayer List

Prayer Journal

Prayer Journal…If you are having your TEA CUPP time at home (not while driving in the car), a journal is a great idea. The journal keeps you focused as you pray. It is harder for your mind to wonder if you are writing your prayers. You can chose a fancy bound journal or a simple spiral notebook. I prefer the spiral notebook, because I can fold it open flat. They are also inexpensive and I tend to use them quickly. But if you are more inspired by a pretty journal, go for it!

Pens…yes, more than one! Some days I’m sure it is satan who makes the ink run out of my pens! He just loves to interrupt my prayer time. So, if I have more than one pen, I keep on writing and praying, even if one runs out of ink. I prefer the Pilot G-2 pen with it’s smooth fine tip. You can use your pens for journaling, as well as underlining favorite Bible verses.

Good Pens

TEA CUPP or Mug

TEA CUPP…of course! You don’t have to have something to drink, but why not?! I often just have a cup of hot water. I like a big mug I can hold on chilly mornings, but I always imagine it is a dainty TEA CUPP I am sharing with Jesus. Pick your favorite CUPP and get ready for TEA TIME!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Today gather all your TEA CUPP tools together and put them in a special spot in your home, perhaps by your favorite chair. Designate this as your quiet time spot. When your family sees you sitting there, they will know you are having TEA with Jesus.

Doodle TEA

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God Colored markers, drawing paper, my Bible and my TEA CUPP…what am I up to today? Doodle TEA!

Today I share with you a book that has blessed my prayer time. Recently I read “Praying in Color” by Sybil MacBeth. Just as My TEA CUPP Prayers offer you a new flavor of prayer, MacBeth gives us a refreshing splash of color as she shares her prayer method with the world. And I love it!

MacBeth, a math teacher by profession, has taken the God-given gifts of color for spending time each day in prayer with Jesus. Using artful language, such as “the stadium-seating of the 48 crayons in the Crayola box,” Macbeth draws me into her prayer world. She challenges us, saying it is okay to be childlike and to spend “almost every day coloring pictures with Jesus.”

Just as I set aside time and space for My Tea Cupp Prayers, MacBeth prepares a spot for her “Praying in Color.” She collects her drawing paper and markers and invites the Holy Spirit to join her. I thought I would try out MacBeth’s prayer method along with My TEA CUPP Prayers one day, and found it to be an inspiring change of pace.

I had already journaled my THANKS verse and prayers, so I started doodling with the EXALT section. My EXALT verse that day was…

To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:25 (NIV)

So in my prayer journal, in a sunburst doodle, I wrote God’s attributes from this verse (glory, majesty, power, etc.) as rays coming out from a center of EXALT. I pondered His glory as I colored in the sunburst, praying for God to be glorified that day.

For my ADMIT section, my verse was…

“Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples. Luke 8:25 (NIV)

The perfect verse for me, since I’m so strong on prayer, but continue to worry. I drew a cross and “nailed” my sins to it with blob words like “doubts,” “worries,” “losing heart,” etc. I asked Jesus to wash it all away and make me new and full of His Holy Spirit.

My CALL section began with the verse…

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

I drew my five-finger plate, and each thing God calls me to do on a finger. In the palm I drew a big heart, asking God to help me do each activity with love. Such a visual display of my prayers, were images I could carry with me throughout the day.

Skipping ahead to my PETITION prayers…doodling gives me so many new ways to journal my prayers of intercession for others. My PETITION verse that day was…

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9 (NIV)

I drew a big cross for Jesus, and wrote the names of all my family around it, that no one could separate us. The next day I had even more fun praying and doodling, writing my family members inside hearts, with their prayer needs around the hearts. For those in need of jobs and homes, I drew a house and wrote all their names inside. For those in need of healing and comfort, I drew a big hand labeled “God” and wrote all their names in the palm of His hand. And when the prayer requests came by email that day from our church, instead of being overwhelmed by the half-dozen emails, I doodled-prayed their names.

I thank the Lord for Sybil Macbeth and her “Praying in Color” book. I hope you will check it out yourself and be blessed as she draws you into her doodle prayers. Get your markers ready when you join Jesus for your next TEA CUPP time!

http://www.prayingincolor.com/praying.html/

My TEA CUPP Prayers

Praying God's Word … Inviting Ladies to TEA with the King of kings!

Tag Archives: christian prayer

Out My Morning Window…

Gluten Free Corn Bread & Vegetarian Chili

Draw Me Nearer

God is Able

Ephesians TEA CUPP Prayer

Just Ask!

More Talking With God

Beyond Jabez

TEA CUPP Tools

Doodle TEA