A Sweet Aroma

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma...Genesis 8:21 (NKJV)

How is the aroma of your tea? Does your tea smell pleasing? As you sit at your table, holding your warm mug on a chilly morning, does the steam from your favorite tea blend rise up and bring joy to your senses?

Have you ever thought about our prayers smelling good to God? Like children to a pan of chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven, God comes running at the scent of our delicious prayers and it brings Him great joy!

...He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you. Isaiah 30:19 (NKJV)

Noah knew how much God loved sincere prayers because he walked with God. No sooner did Noah and his family step off the ark (after more than a year on board!), did they set up an altar with a fire, preparing burnt sacrifices to God. And when God smelled the aroma of Noah’s offering, it was then that He promised to never curse the ground or flood the whole world again. God promised there will always be seedtime and harvest for as long as the earth remains (Gen. 8:22).

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:1 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read the entire story of Noah’s sweet aroma in Genesis 8 today. Let your prayers be a sweet aroma to Jesus. What other offerings can you give the Lord that will smell wonderful?

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 5:2 (NKJV)

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NKJV)

If you enjoyed today’s message, you might also like Tea with Two Verses and Filling the Bowls.

From the Lips of Children

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength… Psalm 8:2 (NKJV)

All mothers must have their endearing stories of things their children say about God and Jesus. When our Kevin was just three-and-one-half-years old, he was full of questions about God and Jesus and everything…

“Daddy, why did God give us lungs?”
“Daddy, why did God make the mountains?”
“Mommy, why did Jesus have to die for our sins?”

And once he had the information set in his own mind, Kevin pondered it. Then, when we were in the car on our hour drive to town, Kevin would break into song about all he knew. He began with a familiar tune and then added his own lyrics…

“Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so…
And Jesus died on a cross
For all the bad things.
Then He rose up…
And God made the mountains
And God made the trees
And God made our bodies and hearts
And Jesus lives in my heart
And Jesus loves Mommy
And Jesus loves Daddy
And Jesus loves me
And Jesus loves all the children of the world!”

I could just see the angels smiling and rejoicing as our Lord heard little Kevin singing, for from the lips of children and infants He has ordained praise! And this week our big Kevin heads back to college for his spring semester, after attending a Campus Crusade Conference over his break. And I believe Jesus is still smiling. Keep turning the world upside down for Jesus, Kevin!

...Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, You have perfected praise. Matthew 21:16 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: How can we join the children in exalting Jesus? As you read Psalm 8 and other Psalms today, underline favorite verses, marking the ones for exalting the Lord with an “E.” Then use these verses in your prayer time to praise God!

O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9 (NJKV)

If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you will want to read my new book, Mom’s TEA CUPP Prayers. Click here to read more!

Claiming Christmas Promises

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

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)

Merry Christmas, dear TEA friends! Today I have the gift of promises from God’s Word for you. These promises all come from the Christmas story in our Bibles. Consider each promise a present for you to unwrap today and always. No matter what your circumstances, you can claim these as your very own…

For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37 (NKJV)

…your prayer is heard… Luke 1:13 (NKJV)

…He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Luke 1:15-16 (NKJV)

He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:17 (NKJV)

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30 (NKJV)

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:33 (NKJV)

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 (NKJV)

…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV)

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:14 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Pour a pot of these precious Christmas promises today. Pick your favorite and write it in your prayer journal, on a note card on your bathroom mirror, or in a Christmas card to a friend. Claim this promise to carry you into the new year. Tell Jesus all about it in your quiet time with Him today. Merry Christmas, dear TEA friend!

Where are the other Nine?

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16

One of my favorite thanks devotions from my first book, My TEA CUPP Prayers, comes from the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17. The lepers were shunned members of society, ones who must have desired more than anything else to be healed and welcomed back into the community. The ten lepers had just been hollering at Jesus, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

Jesus told them to go to the priests, and as they were going they were cleansed. But only one remembered to come back and praise God and give Jesus thanks. So Jesus answered and said,

“Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” Luke 17:17

Don’t you think Jesus still asks that today? Where are the other nine? WHERE ARE THE OTHER NINE? For what have you prayed recently that God heard and answered your prayers? Was it a safe trip home? Was it a check in the mail? Was it healing for a loved one? What blessings has He sent our way before we even asked? Oh, let us run back to Him and throw ourselves at Jesus’ feet and give Him thanks!

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 107:1 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Remember, the first “T” in TEA CUPP is for Thanksgiving. Read the story of the ten lepers again in Luke 17:11-19. Have you forgotten to thank Jesus for anything? Ask Jesus to open your eyes to any overlooked blessings. Tell Jesus THANK YOU today!

What are some things I’m especially thankful for this year? Jesus, God’s Word, my family, miraculous healing, a new grandbaby on the way, strength to run a marathon, publishing my second book, Mom’s TEA CUPP Prayers, and for you, my dear TEA CUPP friend. Thank you for reading my devotions and accepting Jesus’ invitation to have TEA with Him each day.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)

Shining in the Darkness

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

When His lamp shone upon my head,
And when by His light I walked through darkness. Job 29:3 (NKJV)

As the days grew shorter in the latter part of summer, I had a more difficult time squeezing in my running workouts before breakfast on the long-run days. One Sunday my workout said to run 24 miles, as I was training for my first marathon. In order to get in such a long run and still make it to the second church service, I needed to leave at 5 a.m. Setting my alarm for 3 a.m. I got up to have my TEA time with Jesus. But by 5 a.m. it was still dark out, so I took a flashlight and put bear bells on my ponytail. The big flashlight was a little cumbersome as I made my way down the highway in the last hour before dawn, but I was thankful for the light, pushing aside the darkness, pointing out any stumbling blocks, and shining into the distance to alert possible travelers.

And I started to think, “Hmm…this would make a good devotion,” as I often do when I’m running and praying. My flashlight was lighting the highway just as God’s Word lights the path we should take. We have to get into His Word and read our Bibles every day so we can have this light. Jesus is the light who came into the world and now His Spirit lives inside us.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

Now as the autumn days grow even shorter, I have the same trouble I had in August, trying to squeeze in just a short run before breakfast. It is still dark at 7:30 a.m. So once again, I pull out my flashlight and shine it into the darkness. But soon I will have to give up the outside runs to darkness and snow, visiting the gym where I hope I can shine for Jesus, too.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

Another day I was having my quiet time and God showed me this verse…

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)

The funny thing was that when I was reading this verse, our power was out and I had only a little flashlight to illuminate my Bible. I think of how one single candle and many mirrors could light up a room. Help me be that candle or mirror and reflect your light to a world in darkness. Thank you for shining Your light into my darkness. Keep shining Jesus! Keep me shining!

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear TEA friend, use your quiet time this morning to recharge your batteries. Read your Bible. Let God’s Word kindle that spark in your heart, shining out through your eyes and smile and hands and actions to a world that so desperately needs the light of Jesus.

The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)

For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28 (NKJV)

If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like A Runner’s TEA CUPP and My Light TEA, Or today’s devotion from Our Daily Bread which I just noticed is on the same theme with another powerful story.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:14-16 (NKJV)

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12 (NKJV)

The Lost Hymnals

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 (NKJV)

When I read this scripture passage from 1 Timothy, immediately my heart begins to sing and my mouth hums the great hymn by Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908). The old Welsch melody fills my thoughts as I sing…

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise. (Whalmers)

A wonderful way to exalt Jesus is to sing old hymns to Him each morning. You can do this! Ask your pastor if there is a closet full of old hymnals at your church and if you may please have one. The answer is most likely, “Yes,” as many churches display the songs on screens now. Take your “new” borrowed hymnal home and use it as part of your morning Bible TEA time. Thumb through the pages until you find a familiar hymn to praise Jesus.

Some favorite old hymns for exalting Jesus include How Great Thou Art; To God be the Glory; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty; O Worship the King, All Glorious Above; Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee; Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; and All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name and many more!

You may also find a new-to-you hymn with powerful words. Even if you don’t know the tune, you can pray it to Jesus. I found one like this in our old hymnal entitled, Teach Me to Pray, Lord by Albert Simpson Reitz. The first stanza cries…

Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray;
This is my heart-cry day unto day;
I long to know Thy will and Thy way;
Teach me to pray, Lord, teach me to pray. (Reitz)

Today’s TEA CUPP: The old hymns praise Jesus with His Word. Ask to borrow an old hymnal from church for your quiet time. Put it in your Jesus spot. Hum, sing, and exalt Jesus with glorious old hymns filled with His Word! You will be so blessed!

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 (NKJV)

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

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!
Revelation 5:12 (NKJV)

To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Jude 1:25 (NKJV)

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11(NKJV)

God is Love and so much more!

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:8-9 (NKJV)

O Father, You are love. And I love You, but my love is so small compared to Your huge, huge love. Even if my heart is filled to overflowing with love, my heart is tiny and Your heart is as big as the universe, bursting with love for all humanity, sending us Your One and Only Son Jesus to die for us, and filling us with Your Holy Spirit. Blessed Trinity be glorified today!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Friends, today I share tidbits from the EXALTING section of my prayer journal, as examples of how you can use God’s Word to praise Him. Pray these prayers as your own, find more EXALTING verses in your Bible and write them in your prayer journal. Share your heart with Jesus, it doesn’t need to be fancy, just tell Him you love Him. Make EXALTING Jesus a part of your daily TEA time together. He will love to hear your praises!

Who does great things, and unsearchable,
Marvelous things without number. Job 5:9 (NKJV)

O Father, O Jesus, this is You! You do great things that we don’t even know and ones we do know, like rain and rainbows and salvation and forgiveness and heaven and peace and comfort and strength and protection and guidance. You do it all!!! O Jesus, be glorified and magnified today, especially in my prayers for…

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?
And what profit do we have if we pray to Him? Job 21:15 (NKJV)

O Jesus, I know You! You are the Christ the Son, God the Father, Creator of the universe, Judge who is coming soon, King of kings, Lord of lords, Emmanuel, my Savior, my Friend, my Comforter, my Joy, my Crown, my Life, my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer, my Stronghold, my Protector, my Hiding Place, my Redeemer, my all in all! I love and praise You, Jesus!

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You are my Shield, You protect me from the enemy and send me helpers. You are my Glory, and one day You will come again in glory! You are the One who lifts up my head when I’m discouraged. I love and praise You! Be glorified today!

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Psalm 24:7-10 (NKJV)

O Jesus, I imagine You returning and the gates and doors that open to let You out of heaven, even those gates and doors bow before you and then lift their heads in honor of the King of kings who reigns for all eternity. O Jesus, be glorified! I love You! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

…then they bowed their heads and worshiped. Exodus 4:31 (NKJV)

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 (NKJV)

O Jesus, they worshiped You! Here are the Israelites in Egypt who haven’t heard from You in 400 years and they know how to worship. Here are the disciples who also haven’t heard from the prophets in 400 years, since the Old Testament times. They are in the boat with You and they worship You! They believe in you! They bow! They exalt and praise and worship! O Jesus, may I do this too with all my heart. I love you!

The Lord is King forever and ever;
The nations have perished out of His land. Psalm 10:16 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You are King forever and ever. Some people don’t realize it (oh, touch their hearts!), that You are King of heaven and earth and You are coming again. That is exciting! And every knee will bow and tongue confess that You are Lord to the glory of God the Father. O Jesus, be glorified this very day!

Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness…The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever. Psalm 29:1-2,10 (NKJV)

O Jesus, You are King forever! You are Glory and Strength! You sit on the throne. Oh, sit on the throne of my life and be glorified!

Then I will go to the alter of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4 (NKJV)

O Jesus, O Father, I come to Your alter, to Your throne, to Your footstool. I can’t quite look up and see You because of Your radiance and glory. I bow down instead and worship You. You are my exceeding joy. I sing songs of praise to You, O God, my God. And then, I get brave and climb the footstool and crawl up into Your lap and let You hold me under Your wing as my heart continues to praise You. I love You, dearest Jesus!

In God we boast all day long, And praise Your Name forever. Psalm 44:8 (NKJV)

O Jesus, I love and praise You! It’s Your right hand that saves me. It’s Your right hand that holds me close. It’s Your light that lights my darkness. May I boast all day about You. I praise Your Name forever and ever. You are the High Priest who entered the Holy of holies for us and tore the curtain so we can come in, too. You are the Lamb of God and the Shepherd of the sheep. You are the Only Way to heaven. You are the Bread of Life, all the food I’ll ever need. You are the Living Water, quenching my thirsty soul. You are everything to me. Be glorified, my Jesus! (Psalm 44:3, Psalm 44:8, Hebrews 6:18, Hebrews 6:20).

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:18-19 (NKJV)

Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord… 1 Samuel 1:19 (NKJV)

What’s in your mug?

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:13 (NKJV)

What are you sipping in your morning mug? Tea, coffee, espresso, orange juice, water, Gatorade? We all have a favorite beverage. I have a teacher friend who used to walk around school with a coffee mug filled with Mountain Dew because it was okay for teachers to drink coffee, but not soda pop, and she was the PE teacher! I love her sense of humor! Now she is a principal; that Mountain Dew must have worked!

My favorite morning beverage has changed over the years as my health has changed. I used to just hold a mug of hot water in the mornings until I found out the benefits of various teas. I also enjoyed a hot cocoa every day, but that doesn’t agree with my tummy anymore. This summer green tea and Hammer sports drinks are my favorites as I train for a marathon, but that could all change by winter!

The important point today is not what’s in your morning mug…coffee, tea, etc…but what you are doing with your first hour of the day. Fill up your cup and sit down with your Bible and Jesus. You can have coffee time with Jesus while saying your TEA CUPP Prayers, it’s okay! The TEA CUPP is just an acronym for things you can talk about while you are together. Using God’s Word we can pray: Thanking, Exalting, Admitting, Calling, Understanding, claiming God’s Promises, and Petitioning.

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up. Psalm 5:3 (NKJV)

As you sip your favorite drink, emptying your mug, let Jesus refill your cup with His Word, joy, peace, and love. Jesus is all we ever need. He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. Let Jesus fill your heart and life and cup today and every day!!!

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Fill your cup with Jesus! Plan to start every day in His Word. Set your alarm early, pour your favorite beverage, and sit down with your Bible (before even checking your phone for messages). Let Jesus speak to you and fill you with His Word. The chorus of a hymn by Richard Blanchard says:

Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up, Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

Let this be our prayer today. Enjoy this precious version by Hope Montana.

Out of Prison

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

…he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison… Acts 12:17 (NKJV)

The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. Psalm 146:7 (NKJV)

The cell was cold. The walls were gray. The paint was peeling. The treatment was harsh. The privacy was nonexistent. The despair was real. It was a prison.

How many of us find ourselves in such a place? For some, it is a real prison from our wrong choices. For others, it is a real prison from persecution. Yet for most of us, it is a prison with imaginary bars that trap us from the outside world, bound by fears, addictions, unforgiveness… What is the name of your prison?

My friend, today we’re going to lead you out of that prison into the marvelous light of Jesus. There is an amazing story in the Book of Acts about Peter escaping from prison. It is so amazing that even Peter didn’t believe it was happening to him. Peter was one of those in a real prison because of persecution. King Herod had just beheaded his friend James and now he was preparing to do the same for Peter. Herod put Peter in prison with FOUR squads of soldiers. While Peter was there the church was praying constantly (Acts 12:1–5).

Now here, dear sisters, is where you must remember the power of prayer. Those prayers of the early church were heard by God and He sent His Angel to rescue Peter! This was no sweet angel singing anthems. This Angel of the Lord flooded Peter’s jail cell with bright light and struck Peter on the side. Then He pulled Peter up, saying, “Arise quickly!” The Angel even instructed Peter to get dressed with his sandals and garment.And off they went, past the first and second guard posts, past the iron gates, and out into the city. Finally, the Angel disappeared and Peter found himself at the home of his friend John Mark (Acts 12:6–12).

And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me.. . .” Acts 12:11 (NKJV)

At John Mark’s home, the church had been praying so hard for Peter. But when Peter showed up at the gate, they didn’t believe it! How is that for not believing God can answer our prayers? Isn’t He amazing? God answers all our prayers! Jesus rescues us from our prisons! The Holy Spirit carries us forth in victory!

He declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. Acts 12:17 (NKJV)

I know, because I’ve been in various “prisons” over the years. One was in college before Jesus saved me. I was in such grief over losing my cross-country team and coaches in a plane crash that I turned to food for comfort. This became an eating disorder called bulimia. There seemed to be no cure. One time I went to a gathering to help people with eating disorders and discovered four of my surviving teammates were also there. We had all dealt with the tragedy the same way. Some addictions you can choose to avoid, like smoking or drinking, but with an eating disorder, you have to keep eating. The only One who can rescue you from this prison is Jesus Christ. And He did. When I gave my life to Him, the eating binges disappeared and I was free! Some bad habits take longer to lose, even after we accept Jesus, but He gives us grace for the battle each day.

Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me. Psalm 142:7 (NKJV)

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Psalm 86:5 (NKJV)

Remember Jacob’s son Joseph in the Old Testament? Besides being sold into slavery by his brothers, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. But God was with him even in prison, giving him a leadership position. This assignment put Joseph in the right place to hear two dreams which eventually led to his release. Joseph later told his brothers, “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” which fits with God’s promise recorded by Paul, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). Can we claim that promise even in the midst of our prison? And would you also consider that Joseph’s imprisonment was a foreshadowing of his family’s enslavement in Egypt, which was a foreshadowing of our own imprisonment and enslavement to sin?

He sent a man before them—
Joseph—who was sold as a slave.
They hurt his feet with fetters,
He was laid in irons.
Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the Lord tested him.
The king sent and released him,
The ruler of the people let him go free. Psalm 105:17–20 (NKJV)

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces. Psalm 107:14 (NKJV)

He brought out His people with joy,
His chosen ones with gladness Psalm 105:43 (NKJV)

Years ago, people were put in “Debtors’ Prison” for not paying their debts. This never quite made sense to me, for how could they earn money to pay their debts if they were stuck in prison? Family or friends had to pay the debt for them. My sisters, until we have Jesus, we are all in Debtor’s Prison. Our debt is to God for the sins we have committed. There is no way for us to work to pay off this debt. Our only hope is to let our Friend and Savior Jesus Christ pay for us. That’s the Good News: God has taken away His cup of wrath from us through Jesus’ blood on the cross. By believing in His death and resurrection, and asking Him to be Lord of our lives, the gates of our prison will be thrown open and we are set free(Deuteronomy 24:16; Isaiah 51:22; Jeremiah 31:30; Romans 8:12; Ephesians 1:7)!

And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (NKJV)

Forthe Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)

He paid a debt He did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay,
I needed Someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song,
Amazing grace all day long,
Christ Jesus paid a debt
That I could never pay. (Old Gospel Song, Author unknown)

In another prison story in Acts 16, Paul and Silas were in jail for their faith. They were singing Psalms and hymns at midnight with the other prisoners listening, when suddenly there was a great earthquake and the prison doors were thrown open. The guard thought all the prisoners had escaped and was ready to kill himself when he heard Paul call to him. The guard was so astonished that he asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And Paul replied, “Believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:16–40). That very hour the guard and all his family believed and were baptized, and they washed and fed the prisoners.

And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved. Acts 2:21 (NKJV)

A newer version of the hymn Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin has the chorus, “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.” That’s how it is when Jesus leads us out of the prison into His marvelous light. The enemy wants to keep us behind bars, but Jesus has the victory. You are not alone; many famous Bible characters spent time in prison.. . . Joseph, Jeremiah, Paul, and who can forget Daniel in the lions’ den? Come, my friend, let the Angel of the Lord escort you out of your prison today. Believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31).

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear TEA friend, whatever you are facing today, in whatever prison you find yourself, turn to Jesus. Read the miraculous story of Peter’s prison escape in Acts 12:1–19. Imagine the Angel of the Lord shining His bright light upon you and saying, “Arise quickly.” And the Angel leads you out of your prison, past all the guards to the home of praying friends. And you are free! For another great prison escape, read Acts 5:17–42. And for those of us not currently in prison, we must heed Hebrews 13:3 which says, “Remember the prisoners . . . ” Who can you pull out of the mire today?

He also brought them out with silver and gold. Psalm 105:37

He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean. His blood availed for me. (Wesley, 1739)

(See also: Psalm 34:4,79:11,102:18–22, 118:21,124:7; Proverbs 28:13;Isaiah 41:10, 42:7,49:9,55:12; Jeremiah 10:23–24, 37:21, 38:13; Jonah 2:6; Zechariah 9:11–12;Matthew 18:21–35; Luke 1:37; John 3:3, 3:16–17, 3:36, 11:40; Acts 2:37–39; 1Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 4:13; 1John 4:4)

How to Get Started with your Jesus TEA

Posted on June 26, 2019 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)

So you’ve been wanting to get started with a TEA time with Jesus, but aren’t quite sure how to do it? Today’s devotion is for you!

First of all, let’s praise the Lord! You have heard God’s call and accepted His invitation to come! That is fantastic!

The best way to make it happen is to organize your TEA time ahead of time so that the enemy doesn’t slip in and distract you.

So, TODAY, pick your Jesus spot. This is the place in your house where you will have TEA with Jesus each day. Set it up with your Bible, a journal or notebook, and some pens. I also have a devotional book, prayer shawl, calendar, and an old hymnal. But you will find out what you need and add it as you pray over the years. Be sure to tell your family, “This is my Jesus spot! When you see me sitting here, I’m having TEA with Jesus. So please wait until I’m finished to talk to me.”

Also, TODAY, set your alarm for an hour early for tomorrow morning. Leave it set an hour early every day!

TOMORROW, when your alarm goes off, jump out of bed, greet the day and say, “Good morning, Jesus, let’s have TEA!” Don’t check your phone or computer or TV or let anything distract you. Heat your tea kettle, pour yourself a steaming cup, and sit down in your Jesus spot.

Open your Bible and let Jesus speak to you first through His Word. I like to pray a little prayer before reading, such as Psalm 119:18…Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. If you aren’t sure where to read in your Bible, begin with the book of John, reading a few chapters each day. Then read the Psalms and then Genesis. Or you might try a Bible reading plan to help you read the whole Bible in a year. I follow the plan found in Our Daily Bread.

As you are reading your Bible, have your pen handy to underline favorite verses that God shows you. These verses you can use later as conversation starters for prayer, to write in a card to encourage a friend, or to put on a note card on your bathroom mirror to memorize!

When you finish your Bible reading time, pull out your prayer journal or notebook and write down one of the verses that really spoke to you. Then pray and/or write your prayers to Jesus about that verse. Let your prayers flow from your heart to the throne of God!

The beautiful part of the TEA CUPP invitation is that it is more than just an invitation to sit down and have TEA with Jesus, it’s also an acronym for things you can talk about when you pray. The “T” is for THANKSGIVING where we thank God for His many blessings. The “E” is for EXALTING where we lift up and praise the name of Jesus. The “A” is for ADMITTING where we admit our sins and ask Jesus’ forgiveness. The “C” is for God’s CALLING where we talk to God about what He is calling us to do today or with our lives. The “U” is for UNDERSTANDING our stories so we can share our testimonies with others. The first “P” is for PROMISES where we claim a promise to carry us through the day. And the last “P” is for PETITIONS where we pour our hearts out to Jesus for everyone on our prayer lists.

Over the years the Lord showed me how I could use the different verses I have underlined for different parts of prayer. So in my Bible, I have put the letters “T-E-A-C-U-P-Pet” next to many of the underlined verses. When I want to tell God thank you, I just find a “T” verse and get started praying.

Another neat thing about the TEA CUPP acronym is that there are seven parts, just as there are seven days in a week. So, you could do one part each day of the week, or you could do them all in one day, or you could just pray as God gives you verses each day.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Follow today’s devotion to set up your Jesus spot and get started in prayer. After your TEA time with Jesus, arrange your Jesus spot again so it is ready for tomorrow. Welcome, dear friend, to the best TEA party of all!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

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

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