Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Pray without ceasing.
I Thessalonians 5:17

In Luke 15:11-31 we read the story of the Prodigal Son. I know this parable is an illustration of our Heavenly Father welcoming home His lost children. However, if I consider it as just an earthly family, I often wonder, “Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?”

Where was the Prodigal Son’s Mom? Was she mending clothes when she first noticed this son’s rebelliousness as a youth? Did she sit by his bedside every night and pray for him as he grew up? Did she often go without meals as she fasted for her son, pleading with God for him to give up his rebelliousness?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when he asked his father for his share of the inheritance? Was she heartbroken, crying in the bedroom? Was she pleading with him not to go? Was she praying constantly for him to stay?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when he was squandering the money on wild living? Was she distressed by his friends who had led him astray? Was she begging God to watch over him? Was she longing to go and find her son?

Did people tell the Prodigal’s Mom not to worry, that her morals were too high, that all kids need to spread their wings? Did they make her feel like a failed mom for raising a rebellious son? Or, did they come to her and pray with her and claim God’s promises for her lost son?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when the son was feeding the pigs? As she fed her chickens, was she wondering what her son was doing? Was she praying and fasting again for her son to come home, day after day after day?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when his father saw him coming at a distance? Was she right beside Dad, running to hug her long lost son? Was she in her room, praising God for His answers to prayer? Was she in the kitchen helping to fix the fatted calf for the celebration?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom during the party? Did she sit beside her son with joy? Did she comfort her other son who had stayed to work? Did she thank God over and over again for the safe return of her son? Did she ask God to forgive her son and wash away the scars from his journey?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?

Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear TEA Mom, as you complete your TEA CUPP journey, praying all the parts of prayer, meeting with Jesus each day for TEA, you may expect everything will go just right. But our children will still make their own choices. Our job is to keep praying for them. Please don’t give up. Be the Prodigal’s Mom. Keep praying, even if it takes decades until that child comes home to you and Jesus.

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10 (NKJV)

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

Eagle’s Wings

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

It was a beautiful fall day, an extra one God blessed us with in November, before the winter snows. The breezes were just right for kite-flying, so our son Kevin took his multi-colored bird into the big field. As he tugged the string and the kite rose upward, I gazed in awe at the beauty, wanting to capture the moment in my memory. The rainbow kite flew against a clear blue sky. This picture was framed by snow-capped mountains and evergreen trees. My son happily watched his kite glide on the wind, as I soaked up this memorable moment.

A few times when the kite plummeted to the ground, Kevin picked it up and tried again. His big brother Jacob pedaled over on his bicycle to help. With Jacob holding the kite and Kevin running, the kite rose into the air and was sailing again, soaring like the bald eagles we’ve seen recently in our valley. Kites and eagles — two beautiful visions.

What features did God give the majestic eagle? With 7,000 feathers, this bird can fly at 35 mph, soaring up to 10,000 feet above sea level. While gliding, the eagle spreads its tail feathers to get more surface area to catch the up-drafts. A faithful bird, the eagle mates for life. Though it was removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007, the bald eagle remains a symbol of freedom to all who live in the United http://www.healthsupportyou.com/accutane-isotretinoin/ States. Freedom is what we can enjoy as followers of Christ who have been set free from our sins.

This past summer we watched the small group series, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You have to Get Out of the Boat,” by Max Lucado. The series is based on the Bible story of Peter walking on water. The main idea is we can’t walk on water unless we try, and Jesus will be there to help us if we sink. The final session of the video series shows an eagle, much like the ones we have in our valley, gliding through the sky-blue heavens. This crowning moment was to encourage us all to get out of our boats. How I want to be like that eagle, soaring on God’s spirit.

Brilliant kites, beautiful mountains, soaring eagles, brothers helping brothers…these are the things God uses to remind me of His Word and His promises. When my kite comes crashing down, He uses friends and family to raise me up on eagles wings, so that I can shine for Him. I claim His promise in Isaiah 40:31 and He renews my strength to fly again. I look forward to that day when I am soaring like the eagles.

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

(by Michael Joncas, 1979)

New King James Version (NKJV)

“Foot-in-Mouth” TEA

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

Did you ever have a cup of “Foot-in-Mouth” tea? That bitter taste of shoe-leather just stays with you all day, even all week. It’s the kind of tea you drink again and again, wishing you had never had it the first time. Oh, this happens to me sometimes. The wrong words come tumbling out, and then over and over again I replay those words in my mind, trying to erase them from my memory. What can we do at a time like this? Come to Jesus.

It’s time to sit down with Jesus for TEA CUPP prayers and focus on the “A” today. Let’s ADMIT our sins to Jesus, who already knows them anyway. Give Him all the wrong words and let Him wash away the hurts with His special “Foot-in-Mouth” anecdote…God’s Word…

First, He convicts us with His Word…

The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36 (NIV)

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. Matthew 15:18 (NIV)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:8-10 (NIV)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 (NKJV)

Then, I ask for His forgiveness…

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know….
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:3, 6 (NIV)

My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, LORD, how long?

Turn, LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of Your unfailing love. Psalm 6:3-4 (NIV)

Jesus promises me my sins are forgiven…

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

“I, even I, am He who blots out
your transgressions, for My own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)

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

Finally, I pray that I won’t drink “Foot-in-Mouth” TEA again…

I said, “I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin. Psalm 39:1 (NIV)

“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue;
Cause me to understand wherein I have erred. Job 6:24 (NKJV)

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 (NIV)

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in Your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

No more shoe-leather…a fresh new day…God bless you, my friends!

Pray and don’t give up!

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIV)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

¹ Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, ² saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. ³ Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ ⁴ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, ⁵ yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
⁶ Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. ⁷ And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸ I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV)

Today I want to encourage you to pray and don’t give up! I often feel like the persistent widow, praying over and over again for the same things. I pray for our children, I pray for our camping ministry, I pray for those with cancer, I pray for our country. Every morning I bring my petitions to Jesus, just as the widow did to the judge. Unlike the judge, Jesus doesn’t grow weary of my persistence, and at just the right time He sends His answers. Jesus is always ready to hear our prayers and share a CUPP of TEA. My friends, pray and don’t give up!

But I am poor and needy;
Make haste to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70:5 (NKJV)

The Narrow Gate

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Becausenarrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)

We live at a church camp way up in the mountains of south central Montana. Like most of the ranches in our area, we have a log rail fence to define the property. At one point in the fence, a small walk-way was installed so hikers can pass through without climbing over. This is handy if you are the right size. I found when we had little kids that I didn’t fit if I had the back-carrier or stroller or wagon. We could only fit through the narrow gate one at a time.

This narrow gate is such a symbol of God’s Word above. Most people would rather go through the main entrance because they can do it their own way, bringing the big vehicle, the family, the horse trailer, the RV…all their extra stuff. But God says, “Enter by the narrow gate.” We can’t bring our stuff or anyone else to heaven, only ourselves. We can’t even do good works or give big offerings to enter heaven. All we can do is believe in Jesus and point others to the narrow gate.

We can tell our family and friends that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through” Him. John 14:6 (NKJV) We can explain “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). And we can urge them to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31 (NKJV).

Looking at my photo of the narrow gate, you might suggest that a person could just climb over or through, or crawl under the log rails. That might just work to get to camp, but God does not allow that for getting to heaven.

I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. John 10:1 (NKJV)

We don’t want to be thieves and robbers. We want to enter the way God intended, through the narrow gate. How hard can that be? Jesus says, “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24 (NKJV) A camel wouldn’t even fit through our narrow camp gate, let alone the eye of a needle. How then is it possible that we can enter the kingdom of God?

Jesus responds, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) I pray this possible miracle for all my family and friends and even my enemies, that they will believe in Jesus, my Savior, the Narrow Gate, the only Way to heaven.

If you would like to bring your family or church to this beautiful church camp in Montana, I will be delighted to show you our narrow gate, and share a devotion with you. Please visit…

http://www.campontheboulder.org/

I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. John 10:9 (NIV)

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Luke 13:24 (NIV)

My TEA CUPP Trinity

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and Hesaw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17 (NKJV)

When I sit down with Jesus for TEA each morning, I think of there being just the two of us, Jesus and me. But the other morning I realized there are really four of us, because God is “Three in One.” My TEA time is actually with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Wow! My sofa is crowded in the morning :-)!

This “Three in One” miracle of God is called the Trinity. Some might wonder how this can be? One of the best comparisons I’ve heard is to water. H2O comes in three forms — ice, water, and steam, yet all are still H2O, two atoms of Hydrogen and one atom of Oxygen in each molecule. God comes in three forms, also — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet all are God. We can’t live without water and we can’t live without God!

Another cool example from God’s creation is a banana. If you peel a banana and gently squeeze the edible center, it will break into three pieces. Once I wrote a short song for my preschoolers to help them remember the Trinity. The words are: “God is like a banana, God is like a banana, God is like a banana, for He comes in three pieces. One is God the Father, Two is Jesus Christ His Son, Three is the Holy Spirit who dwells in each of us…” Consider the Trinity the next time you eat a banana :-).

Remembering the Trinity as you enjoy your quiet time each day, will also point you to three important parts of My TEA CUPP Prayers:

1) Use God‘s Word in Prayer because His Word lasts forever…”The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)

2) Meet with Jesus every day, for He wants to be 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. Revelations 3:20 (NKJV)

3) Bring your petitions to the Lord with the help of the Holy Spirit…Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 (NKJV) Keep a list to remind you for whom you want to pray, and the Holy Spirit will help you say those prayers.

Make room for “Three in One” during your next TEA CUPP Prayers!

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity! —Heber

Go thereforeand make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 18:19 (NKJV)

For further reading on the Trinity…

http://odb.org/2002/05/26/the-trinity/
http://odb.org/2003/03/23/one-godnot-three/
http://odb.org/2002/04/08/good-morning/

Tea for Two…Jesus and You!

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

Saturday Verses

Posted on October 9, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

A week’s worth of conversation starters as you join Jesus for your TEA CUPP time this week…use one verse each day or all the verses in one day…discover more verses in your Bible that are special to you and underline them…pray God’s Word back to Him…and keep on praying…enjoy your TEA CUPP Prayers with Jesus this week!

T for Thanks: We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because You have taken Your great power
and have begun to reign. Revelation 11:17 (NIV)

E for Exalt: You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for You created all things,
and by Your will they were created
and have their being. Revelation 4:11 (NIV)

A for Admit: …God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Luke 18:13 (NIV)

C for Call: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27 (NIV)

U for Understanding my story: For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 (NKJV)

P for Promises: And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

P for Petitions: Jesus, Master, have pity on us! Luke 17:13 (NIV)

Friday Verses

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

T for Thanks: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV)

E for Exalt: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

A for Admit: Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation. Luke 11:4 (NIV)

C for Call: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NIV)

U for Understanding my story: For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel. Luke 2:30-32 (NKJV)

P for Promises: I can do all things through Christwho strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

P for Petitions: Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 (NIV)

Thursday Verses

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

T for Thanks: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)

E for Exalt: LORD, I have heard of Your fame;
I stand in awe of Your deeds, O LORD… Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV)

A for Admit: If You, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. Psalm 130:3-4 (NIV)

C for Call: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s https://xanaxcost.com people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)

U for Understanding my story: O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. Psalm 139:1-4 (NKJV)

P for Promises: Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

P for Petitions: Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping. Psalm 39:12 (NIV)